The 21st annual Boston Celtic Music Festival, known as BCMFest, returns to Club Passim, Crystal Ballroom, The Burren and The Rockwell January 11-14, 2024. Presented by Passim, a Cambridge-based non-profit that supports a vibrant music community through Club Passim, the Passim School of Music, artist grants and outreach initiatives.

The 2024 festival will showcase Greater Boston’s deep tradition of music, song and dance from Irish, Scottish, Cape Breton, Quebecois and other Celtic communities. BCMFest features acts that are traditional as well as others that draw on contemporary sounds and ideas; full-time, professional touring acts as well as local session musicians; highlighting performers from across the generations.

Schedule of Events:

January 11, 2024 

First Round -  Club Passim

7 pm - Joey Abarta
7:45 pm - Jenna Moynihan
8:30 pm -  Neil Pearlman & the Wallbreakers
Livestream link available in Jan. - $5/free for members

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January 12, 2024 

Roots & Branches - Club Passim

7 pm - Mariel Vandersteel
7:45 pm - Casey Murray & Molly Tucker
8:30 pm - Triga
Livestream link available in Jan. – $5/free for members

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7:30pm: Boston Urban Ceilidh - Somerville Theatre

The Boston Urban Ceilidh (k?l?) features participatory and social dances from the Cape Breton and Scottish traditions, all with live music. No experience is necessary – all dances will be taught and led by an in-time caller. A short performance from Highland Dance Boston will take place during the break before the Scottish ceilidh. Closing out the night will be a free-form dance to the Celtic EDM project, Ramblxr (Elias Alexander).
Cape Breton: No Boundaries: A Natalie MacMaster Tribute with Katie McNally, Rachel Reeds, Maggie MacPhail (fiddles), Neil Pearlman (Keyboard), Jim Larkin (Drums) – with caller Abbie MacQuarrie
Highland Dance Boston: 15 minute performance during the break
Scottish Ceilidh: Elias Alexander & Friends (group details TBA) with caller Summer McCall
Ramblxr & co: Free-form dance party

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January 13, 2024

Dayfest - Davis Square

12pm - 5:00pm: Crystal Ballroom
12:00 pm - Boston Scottish Fiddle Orchestra
1:00 pm - Scottish Fish
2:00 pm - Pine Tree Flyers
3:00 pm - Firefly Landing
4:00 pm - Eight Feet Tall

11am - 4:45pm: The Burren - Backroom
11:00 am - Isabel Oliart and Friends
11:45 am - The Carroll Sisters with Sammy Wetstein
12:30 pm - Elias Cardoso
1:15 pm - Raphaella Hero and the Last of the Romantics
2:00 pm - Medford All-Star Ceili Band
2:45 pm - The Adam Hendey Band
3:30 pm - Jinty Mcgrath
4:15 pm - Calico

12 pm - 5:00 pm:  The Rockwell - The BCMFest Hearth
12:00 pm - Erin Hogan & Jimmy Kelly
12:45 pm - No Seconds
1:30 pm - Emma Azelborn
2:15 pm - * Tea Time *
3:00 pm - Elizabeth and Ben Anderson
3:45 pm - Sarah Ann Hajjar
4:30 pm - Sarah Collins & Jonathan Vocke

11:30am-8pm: Sessions at The Burren - Frontroom
No tickets required
Leaders of sessions TBA
11:30 am - 12:30 pm slow session
12:30 pm - 1:45 pm song session
2-5 break for The Burren’s regularly scheduled Bluegrass jam
5:30 pm - 6:45 pm Irish Session
6:45 pm - 8:00 pm Scottish

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8pm: Nightcap Finale - Crystal Ballroom at Somerville Theatre

Capping BCMFest 2024 will be a performance by the award winning and highly acclaimed band Le Vent du Nord, a leading force in Québec’s exciting and progressive Francophone folk movement. The group’s vast repertoire draws from both traditional sources and original compositions, while their highly rhythmic and soulful music, rooted in the Celtic diaspora, is enhanced with a broad range of global influences.

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January 14, 2024

10 am - 2 pm: BCMFest Brunch - Club Passim

Enjoy some fine food in a relaxed live Celtic music atmosphere on Sunday at The BCMFest Brunch taking place at Club Passim.

– Mrs. Wilberforce (Sean Smith & Kyra Davies)

Cost: Free

Date: January 12-15, 2023

Locations:
Somerville Theatre, 55 Davis Square, Somerville, MA 02144
Club Passim, 47 Palmer Street, Cambridge, MA 02138
Davis Square, 247 Elm Street, Somerville, MA 02144

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