Music & Dance
Music
From (bag) pipe and drum bands to Celtic rock, our festival features a variety of music rooted in Celtic traditions. Our three stages have music and dance performances throughout the weekend.
The Lt. Shadd Rohwer Memorial Stage was named in honor of Farmington Fire Fighter Shadd Rohwer. He was an integral part of our event and our dear friend. He was responsible for running the logistics with skill and smile.
The Connie Gotsch Memorial Stage was named in honor of Connie Gotsch who was one of our founding performers. She delighted our attendees with her stories.
2023 Line Up Keep checking for updates!
Big Paddy Headlines at the 2023 Aztec Highland Games!
Saturday, October 7 1:30 pm – 3:30 pm
Sunday, October 8 12:45 pm – 2:45 pm
Big Paddy brings a blend of Irish Jigs, Reels, and Songs about Whiskey, to an energetic and lively show. Since the year 2000 they have performed all over Colorado and the surrounding states at festivals, concert venues, pubs, and weddings.
Sean Gaughan sings the songs and keeps the rhythm going while Jon Sherman crafts his Mandolin, Banjo, and guitars. Michael Mitchell holds down the low end and sings back up alongside Sean G. 23 years later this band delivers an exciting, foot stomping show for all ages.
Music is medicine and Big Paddy delivers. Slainte!!!"
Badly Bent
Friday, October 6 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Saturday, October 7 9:30 am - 11:00 am
The Badly Bent is a high energy traditional bluegrass band from southwest Colorado. The band was originally formed in 1998 and has stayed with its philosophy of playing a variety of music genres with traditional bluegrass instrumentation. Through the years, the award-winning band has entertained audiences numbering 10 to 10,000. Based in Durango, The Badly Bent is comprised of Patrick Dressen, guitar and vocals, Mark Epstein, banjo and vocals, Joel Denman, mandolin, fiddle, and vocals, and Jimmy Largent, bass.
The band has had a wide variety of member musicians through the years and has been able to reimagine itself with each new configuration. The Badly Bent for 2023 is no exception!
We are excited to be a part of this special event in Aztec Highland Games and Celtic Festival. From Patrick, Mark, Joel, and Jimmy, thanks to all our loyal friends and fans who have stuck with us through more than two decades.
The band recently released its third recording project, “Too Late To Care” and CD’s will be on sale at the Merchandise Tent.
Patrick Crossing
Saturday, October 7 11:00 am – 12:30 pm Main Stage
Sunday, October 8 3:00 pm – 4:30 pm
Patrick Crossing performs both original and traditional Celtic music with creative stylings and riveting melodies and harmonies. Multiple members of the band are vocalists, which allows for stunning harmonies and unique arrangements of songs. Tune sets (instrumentals) are lively renditions of Celtic foot-stomping music filled with rhythms and harmonies on a variety of instruments. Band members include: Dennon Jones on fiddle, mandolin, and vocals; Shiela Lane on whistles, cello, and vocals; Elizabeth Lawyer on fiddle and vocals; CJ Alderton on guitar and vocals; Erick Morningstar on the bouzouki and bodhran; and Molly Morningstar on vocals.
Patrick Crossing has released two CDs: Yarns & Reels which is a collection of Celtic songs and tunes, and also “A Beautiful Night” which is a contemporary Celtic Christmas collection. A third CD is currently underway for release this fall. Follow us on Facebook: Patrick Crossing Celtic Band.
Listen at www.patrickcrossingmusic.com.
Bowmaneers
Saturday, October 7 3:45 pm – 5:15 pm on Main Stage
The Bowmaneers perform modern and contemporary Celtic music. Exploring the more recent imaginings of Celtic songs and tunes, you will hear songs about the sea, love, betrayal, mermaids, boats and the occasional dragon or scoundrel. Songs are filled with multiple harmonies and vocal collaborations. Band members include: Brittany Hinger on ukulele and vocals; Zach Phelps on guitar and vocals; Elizabeth Lawyer on violin and vocals; Shiela Lane on piano, whistles and vocals; Linda Dolder on drum and vocals; and Jarod Lane on bass and vocals.
Ga Greine
Performs on Main Stage Saturday, October 7 at 5:30 pm - 6:15 pm and on the Traditional Stage Sunday, October 8th
Celtic music from here to there and then to now. Ga Greine means “Sunbeam” in Gaelic and was chosen by the band to represent the reawakening of the Celtic traditions in a band consisting of multiple generations from Baby Boomer to Generation X and on to Generation Z Ga Greine blends the best of old and new, original and tradition ballads interwoven with tradition fiddle tunes from across the Celtic world.
Charles Stacey plays guitar and is our lead vocalist and songwriter. His musical experience goes back to the 1950’s and 60’s and brings flavors of timeless folk music in the storytelling within Ga Greine’s originals as well as older traditional or from the new folk revival. Deb Yost plays all types of wind instruments including penny whistle, Irish flute, French flute and Galician giata (Spanish Bag Pipes). She began performing in the 1990’s with an emphasis on jazz and Latin inspirations and then began to connect with her Celtic heritage.
Our youngest band mate, Abigail Baker, started playing the fiddle at age 3 and now at 13 brings a fresh perspective to traditional Celtic tunes. She also provides vocals on a few songs. Our newest addition to the band is Carl Freuden. Carl has been an integral part of various project with both Deb and Charlie over the past 25 years. He plays bass, electric guitar, percussion and sings harmony.
CD’s will be on sale at the Games at the Merchandise tent.
· White Gardenia and other Celtic Delights
· Voyage
· The Rocking Chair
· A Celtic Web
Shimmy Mob
Dance
We host a Highland Dance Competition during the event. Come to watch or to compete!
"Highland dance or Highland dancing (Scottish Gaelic: dannsa Gàidhealach)[1] is a style of competitive dancing developed in the Scottish Highlands in the 19th and 20th centuries, in the context of competitions at public events such as the Highland games. It was created from the Gaelic folk dance repertoire, but formalized with the conventions of ballet',[2] and has been subject to influences from outside the Highlands. Highland dancing is often performed with the accompaniment of Highland bagpipe music, and dancers wear specialized shoes called ghillies. It is now seen at nearly every modern-day Highland games event." https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scottish_highland_dance