From ponies sporting unicorn horns to dogs "playing" bagpipes, the Celtic Calling Gathering specializes in the delightfully unusual. Opening today and running through March 8, the 10th annual celebration brings a whirlwind of Celtic arts, culture, and tradition to downtown Charleston.
Founded in 2016, the event has evolved from a small gathering into a city-wide staple.
As a testament to its whimsical spirit, in 2022 the event set a world record for ‘Largest Gathering of People Wearing Unicorn Horns,’ according to one of the founders, Chris Higgins.
“I can't believe this is the 10th one. People tell me that’s a big thing, getting that far,” Higgins said. “We’ve worked with a lot of people to make it work. We have lots of core events, such as the 5K run, traditional music and the storytelling competition, that ground it. We’ve also gone from mostly inside events to a mix of outside and inside.”
Those events include children’s activities at the Kanawha Main Library in downtown Charleston. Every day, the library will have self-guided story walks on the fourth-floor children's section and make-and-take crafts. The crafts include making unicorns and "kindness" rainbows. On Saturday, March 8, the library will host a Super Celtic Storytime at 10 a.m., where kids can read along with live red bearded dragons.
Flash your tartan
Get ready to learn some dance moves at the Celtic Calling “ceilidh” gathering at 7 p.m., Friday, March 6, at Kanawha United Presbyterian Church in downtown Charleston.
A ceilidh, originating from the Gaelic word for "visit" or "gathering, is a traditional Scottish and Irish social gathering with music, dancing, storytelling and singing. The dance is sponsored by the Friends of Old-Time Music and Dance (FOOTMAD).
Located at 1009 Virginia Street East, there is free parking beside the church on the lot stretching from Virginia Street to Kanawha Boulevard. Enter through the red doors facing the river. Admission is $10, students $5 and those under age 13 are admitted free. Family discounts are available for this all-ages, all-skill level event.
This year, FOOTMAD is bringing in the Athens, Ohio-based Celtic band, the Brickersons. Dances will be taught and called by Steve Ballman and David Mould.
The Brickersons morphed out of another Athens-based Celtic band, The Boys of the Hock. When some members were unavailable to play concerts and dances, hammer dulcimer player Ed Newman and fiddler Rusty Smith decided to form another band so that they would not miss out on gigs. All members are multi-instrumentalists and play in other bands.
“We kicked around names,” said Newman. “Rusty recalled an old TV comedy series, ‘The Bickersons,’ where a couple is in a constant verbal war. I’m a brick collector and historian so we just combined the names. As a band, we occasionally bicker, but usually we get along fine.”
The Brickersons play jigs, slip jigs, reels, airs, waltzes, plus some old-time.
House of Hamill
Another FOOTMAD production, the 10th Celtic Calling Main Stage Concert, will feature the trio House of Hamill Saturday, March 7 at 7:30 p.m. at the Capitol Theater on 123 Summers Street.
House of Hamill is Rose Baldino on fiddle, Brian Buchanan on guitar and Caroline Browning on mandolin and bass. The Pennsylvania-based group is a fixture on festival stages across the U.S. The trio is known for its tight harmonies and award-winning songwriting. Their original song, “Banks of the Brandywine”, was a Grand Prize winner in the 2024 John Lennon Songwriting Contest, and the video for their all-violin cover of “Sweet Child O’ Mine” has gotten more than 16 million views on Facebook.
The trio will perform a short set at City Center at 12:30 p.m. on March 7, giving music lovers a taste of their live performance and an opportunity to meet with the band members. Inclement weather will move this free all-ages event across the street to Fife Street Brewing.
Tickets for the Saturday evening concert are $25 in advance, $30 at the door, and students of any age are $10. Visit FOOTMAD.org or call 304-729-4382 for more information or to purchase tickets. Children under 13 are admitted free at the door.
Below is the complete schedule. Events and activities are free unless otherwise noted.
Wednesday, March 4
9 a.m. to 7.30 p.m. - Children's story walk and make-and-take craft activities start today and continue every day throughout the gathering. These will be on the 4th floor of the Kanawha Main Library, 123 Capitol St.
6 to 8 p.m. - Acoustic Music Session/Jam at the The Bears Den at 405 Capitol St., a regular weekly music gathering with a Celtic twist.
7.30 p.m. - Film (TBA) presented by WVIFF at Floralee Hark Cohen Cinema at 230 Capitol St. Admission is $12 for adults, $7 for students. (There might be another screening of the film during the weekend).
Thursday, March 5
9 a.m. to 7.30 p.m. - Children's story walk and make-and-take craft activities on the 4th floor of the Kanawha Main Library, 123 Capitol St.
6 p.m. - "Little Cardiganshire: The Welsh Settlements of Jackson and Gallia counties of Ohio,” a history presentation by Dan Rowbotham, director of the Madog Center for Welsh Studies at the University of Rio Grande/Rio Grande Community College in Ohio. He is looking forward to speaking with anyone with Welsh ancestry. Kanawha Main Library, room 311A.
5 p.m. to 7 p.m. - “The West Awakes!” Happy Hour, $2 off all cocktails, 2 oz. pours, or flights. Hand crafted cocktail menu. Bullock Distillery, 121 Washington St. W. in Charleston.
5 p.m. to 8 p.m. - “Irish Stew and a Pint of Stout,” Dearg (Irish red ale) Stout and more at Nano Brewery, 320 Washington St. W. in Charleston. Rory Perry’s Irish Stew will be available to pair with your beer.
7 p.m. to 9 p.m. - The Charleston Rogues acoustic music session at Wandering Wind Meadery, 422 Washington St. W. in Charleston. Enjoy the atmosphere of a pub in Ireland or Scotland.
Friday, March 6
9 a.m. to 4 p.m. - Children's story walk and make-and-take craft activities on the 4th floor of the Kanawha Main Library, 123 Capitol St.
5 p.m. to 7 p.m. - The Gypsy Stars will bring Celtic and Appalachian tunes and Irish songs to Hagy’s Irish Pie Pub, 908 Quarrier St. in Charleston.
7 p.m. - The Charleston Rogues will play a full band set at Short Story Brewing at 186 Summers St. in Charleston.
7 p.m. to 10 p.m. - Celtic Ceili/Ceilidh for all ages – Dance to music by The Brickerson’s from Athens, Ohio, presented by FOOTMAD. Kanawha United Presbyterian Church, Fellowship Hall, in rear of Church, 1009 Virginia St. E., or enter adjacent parking from Kanawha Boulevard. Admission is $10. Children under 10 free.
7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. - Poetry open mic with James Cochran and music by Dave Haas at Taylor Books on 226 Capitol St. in Charleston. Share your own verse or read a Celtic favorite. Craft beer and coffee available.
Saturday March 7
City Center at Slack Plaza (all day) - Clan tents, food vendors, crafts and more.
9 a.m. to 4 p.m. - Children's story walk and make-and-take craft activities on the 4th floor of the Kanawha Main Library, 123 Capitol St.
10 a.m. to 11 a.m. - Super Celtic Storytime — read long with live red bearded dragons on the 4th floor of Kanawha Main Library, 123 Capitol St.
9 a.m. - Celtic Calling 5K Kilt Run and 2K Walk Benefit for Spring Hill Cemetery Park and Arboretum. For information on registering online, go to celticcalling.org. Must register by March 5. Fee is $30 for the run, $25 for the walk. Spring Hill Park is at 1555 Farnsworth Drive in Charleston.
Downtown Charleston events (times subject to change):
10 a.m. - 3:45 p.m. - Celtic Village with music and dance on the main stage at Charleston City Center, Slack Plaza, 169 Summers St. Find your clan, look for crafters and children's games, dress in your finest for the pageant and bring your pooch for the dog show.
10 a.m. to 11.30 a.m. - View into the Jacobite Rebellion – “The Material Culture of a Highland Clansman in the Jacobite Army,” a history presentation by husband-and-wife reenactors. Kanawha Main Library, room 311B.
10.30 a.m. - Opening Pipes with Tim and Maggie/Kinnfolk
10:45 a.m. - Clash of Steel – Duelists of Appalachia
11:15 a.m. - Kinnfolk – Roanoke based young Celtic duo, performing with them will be aerialist Cozmic Wonderlan the Welsh Dragon.
11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. - Sam’s Legendary Celtic Brunch at Sam's Uptown Cafe, 28 Capitol St. in Charleston. Menu changes yearly, but a place to possibly grab a Scotch egg, bangers and mash or Guinness stew.
12:15 p.m. - Celtic Calling Dog Show for Celtic and all breeds (include fancy dress).
12:30 p.m. - Elementary Age Children Dance Workshop, with Appalachian Lads and Lassies, Kanawha Main Library, 4th floor.
12.45 p.m. - Kanawha Valley Pipes and Drums
1 p.m. - Clash of Steel – Duelists of Appalachia
1 p.m. - George Daugherty Memorial Tall Tales Contest at Short Story Brewing. Spin a yarn for cash prizes: $75 first place, $50 second place, $25 third place.
1:30 p.m. - Traditional Gaelic music with Patrick O’Flaherty – tales and music from old Ireland. Kanawha Main Library, room 311B.
1: 30 p.m. - Lincoln County Cloggers (also at 5 p.m.)
Children’s Games Field - 1:30 p.m. - Sheaf Toss, 3 p.m. - Caber Toss
2 p.m. - Pageant with cash prizes. Prizes include Gathering Chieftain ($100), Chieftainess ($100), Folk Lore Creature ($100) and more. Children members of the court/clans will receive gift cards or merchandise.
2:30 p.m.- Kanawha Valley Pipes and Drums, dancers from Appalachian Lads and Lassies
2:45 p.m. - Almost Heaven Dulcimer Group at Hagy’s Irish Pie Pub.
2: 45 p.m. - Children’s Tug-of-war
3 p.m. to 3:45 p.m. - Kinnfolk will perform with aerialist Cozmic Wonderlan the Welsh Dragon.
4 p.m. - Celtic Calling Parade along Capitol Street from Lee Street triangle to Kanawha Blvd.
5 p.m. to 7 p.m. - The Charleston Rogues “World’s Greatest Happy Hour” – traditional fiddle tunes at The Blue Parrot, 14 ½ Capitol St., Admission $5.
5:30 to 7 p.m. – Father, Son and Friends present Celtic-Americana music at Short Story Brewing (also from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m.)
7:30 p.m. - FOOTMAD Presents: House of Hamill in concert, Capitol Theater/Resurrection Church, 123 Summers St. in Charleston. Ticket information: FOOTMAD.org or Info: 304-729-4382.
7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. - Tim and Maggie Music – multi-instrumentalists, Taylor Books, 226 Capitol St.
10 p.m.: Traditional Celtic music session with host Dan Carney, Adelphia Sports Bar & Grille, 218 Capitol St.
Sunday March 8
11 a.m. - Kirkin O’ the Tartans, traditional church service for blessing of the tartans, Kanawha United Presbyterian Church, 1009 Virginia St. E.
Sam's Uptown Cafe, 28 Capitol Street, Charleston
11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.: Sam’s Legendary Celtic Brunch
1 p.m. to 4 p.m.: Children's story walk and make-and-take craft activities on the 4th floor of the Kanawha Main Library, 123 Capitol St.
1 p.m. - Mountain Thyme with special guest fiddler Jenny Allinder, Folklore Music Exchange at 91 Summers St. in Charleston.
2 p.m. - Irish Road Bowling. More details at the West Virginia Irish Road Bowling website at wvirb.com. Registration from 1:30 p.m.- Kanawha State Forest. There is a $5 ball deposit.
4 p.m.: Celtic Theater — 5 plays at Short Story Brewing.
