JAMISON

SATURDAY ONLY

The Irish music scene in Philadelphia is bursting with bands and musicians who perform all over the area to keep the roots of Ireland alive in their songs. None of these performers are quite like Jamison though- a high-energy six-piece that can take traditional Irish tunes and turn them upside down, blending in rock, reggae, modern pop, and hip-hop along the way. Crowds can’t help but get to their feet as Jamison takes Irish music to the next level with original songs and eccentric versions of covers or festival favorites.  You’ll be drawn into a unique experience with the band’s contagious good vibes.

Since 2003, Jamison has been touring the East Coast’s Irish/Celtic festival circuit while maintaining an ever-growing following surrounding Philadelphia and the Jersey Shore.

Each Jamison show is different from the last. Whether it’s a large festival stage in front of thousands or a favorite pub crowd ready to unwind from a long week, you’ll be drawn into a unique experience with the band’s contagious good vibes. Their sets mold to fit their audiences, making Jamison one of the most versatile bands in the business. Fans will leave a Jamison show reenergized, out of breath and asking, “when’s the next one?”

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!

SCREAMING ORPHANS

SATURDAY & SUNDAY

Screaming Orphans are a chart-topping all-sister Celtic folk and pop band from Donegal. They are known worldwide for their award-winning sound combining original pop songs with a unique take on traditional Irish music. From an early age, the Diver sisters entertained international audiences around Ireland accompanying their mother, legendary céilí singer Kathleen Fitzgerald. The band has always defied being pigeonholed, having masterfully developed their own unique fusion of folk and pop. The sisters’ trademark spine-tingling four-part harmony and mastery of their instruments combined with their highly energized performances take audiences of all ages on an exhilarating and emotional musical journey.

Screaming Orphans’ pitch perfect harmonies have led them to many collaborations on recordings and stage with artists such as Sinéad O’Connor, Peter Gabriel, Joni Mitchell, Baaba Maal, and Afro Celt Sound System. The band continues to tour and play extensively across America, Canada and Europe.

As of this year, the band has released 16 albums, encompassing both original pop and folk/Irish music, as well as one Christmas album. Their albums Taproom, Life in a Carnival, Sunshine and Moss, and Paper Daisies have topped Billboard, iTunes and World Music charts.

SEVEN NATIONS 

SATURDAY ONLY

Equally at home in front of 40,000 cheering fans at an international festival, with the widely recognized, Grammy award winning, symphony orchestras, or with 300 fans in a small Midwest club, SEVEN NATIONS has created a truly hybrid sound and transient live show. The depth and complexity of SEVEN NATIONS’ music is astounding, each listen reveals a deeper layer of intricacy that has been embraced by an ever growing audience. “We are lucky,” says McLeod, lead singer/songwriter and founding member of the band, “because we come from two unique cultures. We love American pop and rock and roll, but we also love our Celtic roots. We want to touch everybody with our music,” he continues, “and so far, we have been very, very fortunate.”

The story of SEVEN NATIONS is that of a truly original and determined band that began in New York City, with members now hailing from California to Toronto to Florida. They have for years booked their own tours and have had their own PBS and CNN specials. Throw away any preconceived notions you may have about Celtic music…this is a band that has invented its own sound and attracted a prodigious national and international following.

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

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”.

MICKEY SWEENEY

Hammered Dulcimer 2023 National Champion

Although a lifelong music teacher and classical pianist, Mickey Sweeney first saw a hammered dulcimer on the streets of St. Augustine in 2017. It was love at first sight! Within months she had one of her own and spent hours and hours learning to play before winning the National Hammered Dulcimer Championship in 2023.

Mickey performs regularly at the Butterfly House in Chesterfield, MO and often in the St Louis area, and is delighted to perform again at the Celtic Music & Heritage Festival.

Her several music degrees and extensive training in therapeutic music combine to create a unique blend of classical, folk, pop, hymns, and original music.

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.