Celtic, Americana music in one stage performance

Ashley Hunter
ECB Publishing, Inc.

Runa is a multi-award winning Celtic-roots band that, pushes the boundaries of Irish folk music.
The well-known style, soul and tradition of the Celtic music of Ireland and Scotland will be brought to the Monticello Opera House by Runa this weekend, on Saturday, Feb. 8, but the band promises to bring much more than tradition with them.
While Runa is indeed a Celtic band, they bring much more to the stage than simply a Gaelic flare – the band also provides the lush harmonies of Americana styles, and the rhythm of jazz, bluegrass, flamenco and blues are all interwoven into one seamless stage performance.
The authentic and varied sound of Runa's music can be attributed to the varied backgrounds and cultural roots of their band members as well.
The band is brought to life by vocalist and step-dancer, Shannon Lambert-Ryan, of Philadelphia, and her husband, Dublin-born guitarist, Fionán de Barra. Alongside the two founding musicians is Cheryl Prashker, of Canada, on percussion; Jake James, of New York, on the fiddle; and Caleb Edwards, of Nashville, on mandolin and vocals
Shannon Lambert-Ryan, Runa's founder, fronts the group with her rich, vibrant vocals which is made all the more powerful due to her musical background in Celtic, folk, classical and musical theatre genres. Lambert-Ryan was recently honored by the Irish Music Awards with a nomination for Best Female Vocalist.
Fionán de Barra, Runa's co-founder, has been playing guitar professionally in the United States since 1999. Since then he has performed, co-wrote, arranged and recorded songs for Moya Brennan (of the Irish band, Clannad), including one song that was nominated for a Grammy. In the years since, de Barra has performed with dozens of other traditional and Celtic bands, and still tours regularly with the internationally renowned Fiddlers Bid and Clannad.
Cheryl Prashker studied classical percussion at McGill University in Montreal, Canada, where she was born and raised. Throughout her musical career, Prashker has toured Canada, the United States, Europe and Russia. Her musical skills were honed in New York City, and she credits herself with being able to play anything from rock and roll to Middle Eastern-style music.
Jake James started playing the fiddle at the age of seven and has, since then, gone on to be recognized as a two-time All-Ireland Fiddle Champion, bodhrán player and dancer. Over the years, James has performed and taught at different notable venues, such as Carnegie Hall, Gracie Mansion, BB King’s and the Irish Arts Center, amongst others. He has toured all over the United States, Canada, Ireland, and most recently, Japan.
Caleb Edwards was introduced to music at a young age, thanks to his mother, who would sing to him and his father, who would play for him. Edwards' family would often sing together in church and at the age of 10, Edwards started playing percussion and took an interest in music. By age 11, he was playing the guitar. At age 12, He found his musical soul-mate in the mandolin and took to it as a natural. At age 18, Edwards left home to study under several musical legends and has performed, recorded, and opened for several industry greats such as Bobby Osborne, Roland White and Wyatt Rice.
On Saturday, Feb. 8, all five Runa band members will be present at the Monticello Opera House to bring their music (which has been described as “Timeless and flawless”) to Jefferson County. This will be the first of only two stops on Runa's tour schedule in Florida.
Runa will be joined by two-time Florida and North Carolina Banjo Champion and recording artist, Mary Z. Cox, as she returns to the Monticello Opera House stage. Cox will accompany Runa with her traditional and original mountain music on her banjos for this unique, musical evening.
The doors will open at 7 p.m., with the show beginning at 8 p.m.
Tickets for this performance will range between $21-$25 per person, and can be purchased by visiting monticellooperahouse.org or by calling (850) 997-4242.
A full bar with beer, wine and cocktails will be available throughout the night.