MUDMEN

SUNDAY ONLY

Always entertaining and definitely unique, The Mudmen are a blast of Celtic energy whose members are known to be characters both on and off the stage. First discovered in 1993 as “The Campbell Brothers”, the Brothers signed a record deal with EMI Records and changed their name to “Mudmen”.  The Mudmen: Robby & Sandy Campbell, Colin Amey, Andy Gingerich, Alex Showdra and Emmet Glancie, believe that nice guys can finish first, while enjoying life and what you do translates to all audiences.

They have built a legion of fans, with over 3000 shows to date.  Mudmen have headlined Canadian tours, festivals across Canada, America & Europe including a very special performance at TSN’s “For the Love of The Game” Canadian gold ring presentation with Sidney Crosby present and have appeared twice on the nationally televised Canada Day celebrations where they performed and shook hands with the Queen.  It has been said to describe Canada’s Celtic Rock Warriors in one word one would say fun!

STEEL CITY ROVERS – They’re Back!

SATURDAY & SUNDAY

The Steel City Rovers perform dynamic and expressive music that is a unique composite of traditional Celtic music and North American styles including bluegrass, folk and roots.  Their original works touch on issues of love, loss, celebration and heritage and they also breathe life into newly discovered instrumental melodies from as far back as centuries ago.  Their sophisticated arrangements are inviting for the most casual listener but are rewarding for those who are well-versed in the nuances of musical complexity.

The Rovers stand out for their powerful, emotive vocals and engaging entertainment.  They perform on meticulously crafted replicas of historical instruments that rarely appear on today’s musical landscape.  This highly active touring band headlines large festival stages, gives intimate concert performances, educates in a variety of workshop and master-class settings, and performs internationally with symphonies.  They create, collaborate and work hard to further the love and awareness of music.

Ryan is a powerful baritone and is joined on harmonies by his guitar-playing brother Joel for that inimitable familial vocal blend.  The rest of the band often harmonizes as well, creating a classic Celtic feel.  Mark is a multi-instrumentalist, rotating quickly between wind, strings, keys and even the Scottish small pipes.  Completing the band are Devon Martene on fiddle and Mike Cotton on drums.

SYR

SATURDAY & SUNDAY

SYR (“sire”) is a Celtic Folk Rock band from Columbia, SC. Taking inspiration from Celtic history, stories and myth, SYR creates powerful songs with themes of battle, love and victory, celebrating the rich heritage of the Celtic Nations in a contemporary style with broad audience appeal. SYR’s reputation for a high-energy performance has made them a popular attraction for many Celtic festivals and events, building a following across the US and internationally.

The band consists of siblings Kyle (lead vocals, guitar) and Laurel MacCallum (vocals & percussion), Kelly Vance (bass), Greg Vance (drums), and Worth Lewallen (fiddle).

SECOND STAGE PERFORMERS

Blue Lotus World Dance Company

Celtic Dance  Performance

Blue Lotus World Dance Company is a performance group that showcases various World Dance Styles such as Folkloric and American Cabaret styles of Belly dance. Belly dance and other world dance styles are a celebration of the human spirit. This style of dance knows no age or size. The dance empowers women by nurturing their minds, body, and spirit. Blue Lotus welcomes you to join us in the feminine divine of Middle Eastern and World Dance Style.

As a testament to her commitment to fostering community and promoting artistic growth, Director Gina Marie founded Blue Lotus World Dance over 15 years ago. This platform has provided countless dancers with opportunities to showcase their talent and collaborate with like-minded individuals. Additionally, Gina’s remarkable contributions extend to founding and organizing THE PRESTIGIOUS Sweeetheart Bellydance Festival and Competition, held in St. Augustine, Florida. Through this event, she not only brings together the most respected and talented artists in the dance world but also offers classes and workshops that enable dancers to elevate their skills.

First Coast Highlanders

Bagpipe Workshop

Official Host Band of the St. Augustine Celtic Music & Festival, the First Coast Highlanders is an all-volunteer Highland bagpipe band based in Clay County, Florida. The band was formed in 2009 and formerly known as the Clay County Sheriff’s Office Pipes and Drums.

They are a performance and entertainment bagpipe band, a teaching organization, and a non-profit cultural group, as well as being the official host band of the St. Augustine Celtic Festival.

They promote and support Celtic culture in our community through music by providing instruction to anyone interested in learning the Great Highland bagpipes or Highland drums, and they participate in many community events in Clay, St. Johns, Duval and Alachua Counties.

Capt. Mayhem, the Pirate Magician

Captain William Mayhem, a.k.a. Bill McRea, has over 40 years of history in the entertainment world, performing as a magician and comedian for well over 7,000 appearances around the world.  For over a dozen years of his career Bill traveled the world with the United States Air Force.  From 1986 through 2005, he made many appearances at notable Las Vegas venues; and with his magic, wit and charm, he is a highly sought after speaker and entertainer to this day.

Relocating to his hometown of St Augustine Fl, in January 2007, he has taken his passion of magic and love of pirate lore and history and blended them together into William Mayhem THE Pirate Magician of St Augustine.  Bill has served as Captain of the St. Augustine Swashbucklers since 2009 and continues to lead a crew of like-minded pirates, performing and raising money for charities and furthering the cause of community involvement.

Bill’s work has continued since 2010 as the Pirate Face and Voice of the St. Augustine Pirate and Treasure Museum, tour guiding Florida school classes on yearly field trips to our City and also conducting Pirate tours of the Museum for the public.

JOHN MILES

Historian & Lecturer

John Miles is a retired United States Marine Corps Lieutenant Colonel and former college professor who now writes and delivers lectures about historical topics.  He has given presentations at numerous highland games, Celtic festivals, libraries, genealogical societies, retirement facilities, cultural and historical organizations, and military units.

John has authored two historical fiction novels: “Magnus Saga Beyond Vinland” which is about Vikings coming to North America and “Well of the Dead” which combines a Civil War ghost story with Celtic mythology.

Additionally, John is a multiple-time published author in professional journals and periodicals. These magazines include the Marine Corps Gazette, American Frontiersman, The Highlander, Military History, Ireland’s Own, Scotland Magazine, and Military History Quarterly.

BILL MULLEN

Traveling Entertainer, Musician, Singer, Storyteller & Songwriter

from Dundee, Scotland

Bill brings music to life for his audiences as he involves people with his stories in a huge variety of songs and their rich Celtic backgrounds. Inspired by great Scottish and Irish folk music in his home town of Dundee, Scotland, Bill has played guitar and performed in bands since the age of sixteen.

After moving to the USA in 2007, he became a solo artist and has played Irish & Scottish venues, festivals, pubs and clubs in many parts of the country, he has also recorded two highly praised albums.  Bill now splits his time between his base in Florida USA and his Scottish base in Invergowrie near Dundee. He also spends a couple of months per year touring, playing festivals and events with his wife Dorothy who sings a song or two at each event bringing some lovely harmonies

With infectious good humor and mastery of bringing an audience into his world to enjoy, absorb and embrace his uplifting style, Bill leaves people feeling enriched and entertained.  “It’s always a great night when Bill is playing”.

STEEL CITY ROVERS

Music Workshop

Information about Music Workshop to be announced.

MICKEY SWEENEY

Hammered Dulcimer 2023 National Champion

Mickey Sweeney is the winner of the 2023 Winner of the Hammered Dulcimer National Championship.  She met her first hammered dulcimer in St. Augustine six years ago; it was love at first sight!

Since then, she has studied with many renowned performers and won third place at the National Hammered Dulcimer Competition in 2022 before finishing first in 2023.

Mickey performs regularly at the Butterfly House in Chesterfield, Missouri and often in the St Louis area, and is delighted to perform at the Celtic & Heritage Festival.  You can look forward to hearing some old favorites as well as newer tunes.  In addition, Mickey will be presenting an educational segment about the dulcimer.

CHAD LIGHT

Main Stage Emcee & Host

Chad is an Actor, Director, Writer, Painter, and Sculptor.

He promotes the art, culture and history of St. Augustine and Florida.

Chad has acted as the Emcee of the St. Augustine Celtic Music & Heritage Festival since 2014.

SHARON FOY BAIRD

Second Stage Emcee & Host

Sharon is no stranger to emceeing and hosting performance events. She has hosted talent shows, folk music festivals, showcases, benefit concerts and classical music performances. Sharon spent five years at the helm of the Milford, CT Fine Arts Council’s Performance Coffeehouse series where she acted as both Chair and hostess for their eight artist’s performances each season.
Favorite performances from over 50 roles on stage, screen and commercials include “The Admirable Crichton” at Long Wharf theatre, “Rainbow” at Yale University theatre, “A Streetcar Named Desire”, “Picnic” and “All My Sons” for the Alliance Theatre.

She enjoyed making “The Muppets take Manhattan” and has voiced spots for numerous industrial projects and companies such as Lego, Dove and Masterbrands. Currently, you can find Sharon right here in St. Augustine a few days a week at her retirement job as a History Teller for the Historic Tours of America’s History Museum and Oldest Store Museum. She is married to classical guitarist and teacher James Baird and is a proud member of SAG-AFTRA.