Golden Bough brings Celtic Christmas to The Palms on Friday, Dec. 13

Have you ever wanted to experience the sounds of Christmas in Ireland or Scotland, but didn’t want the hassle of international travel?   If so, head to The Palms Playhouse, 13 Main St. in Winters, on Friday, Dec. 13 for Golden Bough’s “Christmas in the Celtic Lands.” Tickets for the 7:30 p.m. concert are $22 in advance, $26 at the door, and $12 with student ID. No passports are required for this musical journey. Rooted in the traditional music of the seven Celtic nations (Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Cornwall, The Isle of Man, French Brittany and Spanish Galicia), Golden Bough is an in-demand group on both sides of the Atlantic. Since their formation in 1980, this trio of modern-day minstrels has traveled great distances and to numerous countries, bringing their music to enthusiastic folk fans the world over.  Backing themselves on an array of acoustic instruments — Celtic harp, guitar, octave mandolin, mandolin, accordion, violin, pennywhistle and bodhran — Paul Espinoza, Margie Butler and Kathy Sierra blend their voices in the pristine harmonies that have become a Golden Bough trademark.  Founded by Espinoza and Butler, Golden Bough has spent the past 39 years traveling all over the United States, Europe and Japan, bringing their music to concert halls, festivals and schools, winning critical acclaim and enthusiastic support. According to Wind and Wire Magazine, “There is a love of this music by the performers that is obvious. A great example of how to do something the right way when many are just doing it, period.” At the Dec. 13 show, Golden Bough will focus on Celtic Christmas and seasonal musical traditions, bringing many rare carols and songs from the Celtic lands to life. The selection of songs will include themes for the winter season and the Yuletide solstice as well.  Carols from Ireland and Scotland will be augmented by descriptions of how the holidays have been traditionally celebrated in these lands, such as the origin of the mistletoe as a holiday image and what it meant to the early Celtic people, giving listeners a feel for Christmas and winter celebrations in the Celtic lands.  Tickets are available at Pacific Ace Hardware in Winters, Armadillo Music in Davis, Davids’ Broken Note in Woodland, online via The Palms’ website and Eventbrite and at the door if not sold out.  For more information, visit palmsplayhouse.com or goldenboughmusic.com.  ]]>