Winterdance Celtic Christmas at Trinity Cathedral, San Jose

The 18th Annual Winterdance Celtic Christmas Celebration will once again crisscross the Golden State for the Yuletide season, and it is a celebration you will not want to miss! Over the years, previous iterations of the show have highlighted Scottish bagpipes and Swedish polskas, but this year the show will spotlight the mandolin and banjo skills of young prodigy Tyler Weed. The band will include his father John Weed on fiddle, Paul Kotapish on guitar and vocals, Amelia Hogan on vocals and bodhran, and Marisa Gilman, who will soar like an angel with her Irish dance. This will be a fun and lively evening full of holiday music and youthful energy led by veterans of the west coast Celtic music scene.

Please go to celticsociety.org to purchase tickets. Tickets are a great gift for the whole family.
Advance $35 Door $40 | Children $20 (Member discount $3)

John Weed has toured and recorded for dozens of years as part of the highly regarded Celtic band Molly’s Revenge, New World String Project, Little Black Train, and other ensembles. Paul Kotapish is a well-known virtuoso on guitar and is new this year to the Winterdance family. Amelia Hogan is an impeccably authentic singer of Celtic music, and her heart comes through in honeyed tones on Irish, Scottish, British, and American-styled vocals. Tyler Weed, the youngest member of the group, comes by Celtic music naturally. He was raised in a musical family, hearing his mother and father playing fiddle since birth, and he learned guitar from “Uncle” Stuart Mason, Winterdance emeritus, since a wee lad. We are so pleased to have Marisa Gilman back his year with her lively brand of traditional Irish dance.

BAND BIOS

John Weed, fiddler for Molly’s Revenge and New World String Project, is a classically trained violinist who has spent more than 25 years immersed in various fiddle styles. With an affinity for folk traditions, John’s exploration has emphasized Irish, Scottish, Swedish, and Old-Time fiddle. While he holds a bachelor’s degree of music from CSU Chico, the musical education that charted his path began through a long series of Irish sessions. There, he learned the nuance of aural passing of melodies and the tradition of conversing in a deeply musical manner. John’s passion for the vital expressiveness of the session has led to performances across the United States and internationally.

Amelia Hogan sings both traditional and contemporary folk music with lilting grace and subtlety. She transports audiences with haunting melodies and stirs ancient spirits with an evocative storytelling presence. She sings in the Irish music tradition of sean-nos, or “old style,” a highly lyrical solo a cappella style, as well as with accompaniment. She plays bodhran and Welsh lap harp and has toured internationally to global acclaim.

Veteran artist Paul Kotapish is known for his virtuosity on every fretted instrument, including guitar and mandolin, and has distinguished himself on the stage for over 30 years. Most recently, Paul has made a name for himself with his concerts and recordings with Kevin Burke’s Open House, a headlining act in Celtic and international folk festivals across the country. His blazing guitar and mandolin work also help drive The Hillbillies From Mars, Wake the Dead, Sylvia Herold’s Euphonia, and other Northern California-based acoustic groups. Paul is also widely respected for his work as editor and feature writer at Acoustic Guitar Magazine. St. Mary’s gives a warm welcome to this inventive musician as a part of the Winterdance family this year.