Formed in 1997 and celebrating its 20th anniversary, Lúnasa has long been one of contemporary Irish music’s leading voices. On Friday, March 16 at 7 p.m., they will perform on the Westermann Stage, Concert Hall in the Adelphi University Performing Arts Center at 1 South Ave. in Garden City.
Named Lúnasa after an ancient Celtic harvest festival in honor of the Irish god Lugh, the group that Folk Roots magazine once called an “Irish music dream team” was formed from members of some of Ireland’s greatest bands and over the years has proven its mettle time and again, having sold over a quarter of a million records and collaborated with notable artists outside the tradition such as Natalie Merchant, Mary Chapin Carpenter and Tim O’Brien.
They have performed more than 2,000 shows across 36 countries, including high-profile concert venues such as Carnegie Hall, the Hollywood Bowl, National Concert Hall (Dublin) and Paris Bercy, as well as many of the leading festivals, such as Glastonbury, WOMADelaide and Edmonton.
Lúnasa’s current lineup includes Trevor Hutchinson, who achieved fame as the bassist with The Waterboys; uilleann piper Cillian Vallely, who toured with Riverdance and recorded with Bruce Springsteen; Kevin Crawford, widely considered one of Ireland’s greatest flute players; award-winning fiddler Colin Farrell, who has performed with Project West, Grada and Michael McGoldrick; and guitarist Ed Boyd, known on the UK folk circuit for his work with bands such as Flook, Kate Rusby and Cara Dillon.
Lúnasa released Cas, their first studio album in seven years, on March 1.
Cas is their first recording to include vocals and features guest artists who are prominent in their own right and with whom Lúnasa has toured and performed with over the years.
The Adelphi PAC is one of Long Island’s premier cultural arts venues for entertainment of all kinds. Tickets are currently on sale for $40/$35 with discounts available to seniors, students and alumni.
Information is available online at pac.adelphi.edu or at the Lucia and Steven N. Fischer Box Office at 516.877.4000 or boxoffice@adelphi.edu. Regular box office hours are Tuesday through Friday from 1:00-6:00 p.m.
The box office is also open two hours before most scheduled performances.
