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The Danú St. Patrick’s Day Celebration Tour, presented by the Clark State Performing Arts Center, will include a St. Paddy’s Day party beginning at 6 p.m. in the lobby.
Danú founding member Benny McCarthy, who also manages the band and plays button accordion and melodeon, said the appeal of this music goes beyond just this season as the band is popular all over the world.
“It’s very social music. The rhythm in Irish music is accessible to most people,” McCarthy said in his distinct accent.
It was rooted in Irish ancestry as people would gather in homes and it became a social function that translates into the venues Danú performs at, where the band encourages interaction with the audience.
“We love it when the people hoot and holler,” said McCarthy.
Danú is unique as its members hail from various Irish counties — Waterford, Cork, Dublin and Donegal, representing the sounds of those areas — and play flute, tin whistle, fiddle, button accordion and bouzouki.
Vocalist Nell Ni Chroinin joined the group a year ago and was highly regarded, McCarthy said. And guitarist Donal Clancy is from one of Ireland’s most famous musical families.
The band is also recording a new album but focused on the tour.
“I have great memories of Ohio, and we’re looking forward to getting back there,” he said.
The St. Paddy’s Day party, hosted by the Circle of Friends, will include Irish-themed appetizers catered by Current Cuisine and a beer tasting of craft beers including a special one for the occasion provided by Mother Stewart’s Brewery. Tastings cost $2 and a full glass is $4.
Contact this contributing writer at bturner004@woh.rr.com.
How to go
What: Danú
Where: Clark State Performing Arts Center, Kuss Auditorium, 300 S. Fountain Ave., Springfield
When:8 p.m. Saturday, March 11
Admission: $35
More info: 937-328-3874 or go to http://pac.clarkstate.edu/events
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