Hailed by John Renbourn as ‘the best Celtic guitarist in the world’ Tony McManus has been listed as one of the 50 transcendental guitarists of all time by Guitar Player Magazine. The Celtic Society of the Monterey Bay proudly presents an evening of legendary acoustic guitar music with Tony McManus at The Ugly Mug Cafe in Soquel on Tuesday, May 6 at 7:00 pm.

Advance $25 | Door $30
Member discount $3
Tix: celticsociety.org

Born in Paisley, near Glasgow, Tony’s surname is the legacy of an Irish grandfather, McManus. His fiendishly dexterous, dazzlingly original playing draws on traditions from the entire Celtic diaspora – Scotland, Ireland, Brittany, Galicia, Asturias, Cape Breton, Quebec – along with still further-ranging flavors, such as jazz and east European music.Long applauded for his uncanny ability to transpose the delicate, complex ornamentation characteristic of traditional bagpipe or fiddle tunes – even the phrasing of a Gaelic song – onto his own six strings, McManus is increasingly being acknowledged also as a pioneering figure in bridging the realms of Celtic music and other guitar genres. 

Revel in the pure drop sound of Tradmill, three of the west coasts’ finest exponents of traditional music. Tradmill features Dublin, IR button accordion player Johnny B. Connolly, Carmel, CA fiddle player John Weed, and Portland, OR guitar wizard/vocalist Cary Novotny, uniting for a limited run of spring shows in the California Bay Area and Central Coast. The trio plays in intimate house concert in Soquel on Friday, May 23 at 7:30 pm.

Suggested Donation $27
Reservations and more information: celticsociety.org

Revel in the pure drop sound of Tradmill, three of the west coasts’ finest exponents of traditional music. Tradmill features Dublin, IR button accordion player Johnny B. Connolly, Carmel, CA fiddle player John Weed, and Portland, OR guitar wizard/vocalist Cary Novotny, uniting for a limited run of spring shows in the California Bay Area and Central Coast. The trio plays St. Mary's by the Sea Episcopal Church on Sunday, May 25 at 3:00 pm.

Advance $30 | Door $35
Child Advance $12 | Child Door $15
Member discount $3

Tix: celticsociety.org

The Celtic Society warmly welcomes Scotland's Old Blind Dogs to Kuumbwa Jazz Center on Wednesday, June 25, 2025 at 7:30 pm! 

Adult Advance $30 | Door $35
Child $15

Student Advance $15 | Door $18
Member discount $3

Tix: celticsociety.org

The musical evolution of Old Blind Dogs began in Aberdeen in 1992 with roots that grew from the eclectic music scene that flourished in the Granite City during the early 90s. Four musicians from very different musical backgrounds came together to create a full-time professional touring band with the aim of showcasing the rich tradition of songs and tunes of the North East of Scotland on an international stage.

Featuring four of Scotland's finest traditional musicians at the top of their game. Original member Jonny Hardie (fiddle/vocals) is joined by Aaron Jones (cittern/guitar/vocals), Elias Alexander (pipes/whistles) and Donald Hay (percussion/vocals) and collectively they comprise one of the hottest live tickets on the traditional Scottish music scene today.

The Celtic Society of the Monterey Bay is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to upholding Celtic traditions in our community. The Society depends on your membership to be able to attract world class musicianship. Here's how you can join the Celtic Society of the Monterey Bay:

One Year Individual $25:00
One Year Family $40:00
Two Year Individual $45:00
Two Year Family $60:00 

Join the Society online at celticsociety.org or print the form and mail it to us with your check. Thank you for your support.

CELTIC MUSIC ON THE RADIO

KBCZ 89.3 FM | kbcz.org

The Mountain Road w/ Julie Horner

Mondays from 8:00 to 10:00 pm.

Accepting new music: 

KBCZ 89.3 FM c/o Julia Dream

13200 Hwy 9, Boulder Creek, CA. 95006

Digital: leap2three@gmail.com

KSQD 90.7 FM | ksqd.org
Celtic Cauldron w/ Rotating Hosts Fridays at 11:00 am.