Winterdance returns to the BeeKay, Dec. 18

"Winterdance," a Celtic Christmas celebration, will return to Tehachapi for two performances in the BeeKay Theatre on Sunday, Dec. 18. The concert, put on by Fiddlers Crossing, has been a sell-out the last two years. As in the past years, two performances will be presented, at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Tickets are $25 for adults and $15 for students.

The core of the concert is the traditional Celtic trio, Molly's Revenge. They will again be joined by vocalist Christa Burch, along with the Rosemary Turco Irish dancers from San Jose, in an evening of music, song and dance associated with the festive season. The performance will include Christmas songs both old and new, all played with a Celtic twist, as well as selections from the band's holiday album.

Molly's Revenge is a dynamic, acoustic Celtic band complete with bagpipes, whistle, fiddle, guitar, mandola, and bodhran, to guarantee a rousing afternoon for all fans of Scottish and Irish music. They have performed at many of the top folk festivals and performing arts events in the USA, as well as at prestigious events in Scotland, Australia and China.

The band is comprised of a trio of Californians in love with Celtic music. David Brewer plays whistle and four types of bagpipes. He studied in Scotland under the tutelage of some of the best pipers in the world. His unique style of playing has earned him a reputation as one of the most accomplished pipers on the West Coast.

John Weed is a classically trained violinist who switched to playing Irish fiddle about 15 years ago. He has lived in Ireland, teaching workshops in Irish fiddle – to the Irish! He studied with master fiddlers in County Donegal and hones his skills there annually.

Stuart Mason has been collecting and performing traditional music for over 30 years. He has appeared on stage from Ireland to China performing Celtic, old-time, bluegrass, and his own compositions, which have won awards from the West Coast Songwriters Association. He also leads workshops and classes in traditional music techniques at music festivals and camps. Mason and Weed previous played Fiddlers Crossing with Kenny Blackwell as old-time trio Little Black Train.

Christa Burch is no stranger to Tehachapi, having been the vocal and bodhran instructor for Camp Kiya in 2012. She has performed with Alasdair Fraser and Natalie Haas, as well as with the Scottish Fiddlers of Los Angeles, who often perform at the Bakersfield Scottish Games. Her band, The Syncopaths, is a favorite for California contra dances. In her travels through Scotland and Ireland, Christa has collected a wide repertoire of songs and developed her own style.

If you have seen Winterdance, you will certainly want to revisit this fantastic Celtic Christmas Celebration. If you haven't, you won't want to miss it this year, so be sure to get your tickets early. Because nothing says "Christmas" like bagpipes – plus fiddles, guitars, bodhrans, whistles, singers and dancers in a brilliant Celtic spirit!

The BeeKay Theatre is at 110 S. Green Street, in Downtown Tehachapi. Tickets may be purchased online at fiddlerscrossing.com, at Mountain Music during Wednesday Open Mic Nights, as well as at Tehachapi Treasure Trove, Tehachapi Furniture in Old Town, and Lucky's Barbershop. To reserve tickets or pay by phone, call (661) 823-9994 and leave your name and the number of tickets requested. Tickets to the concert are $25 for adults and $15 for students. The concert times are 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Doors open one-half hour ahead.