Nov 02 2022
Altan in Concert

Altan in Concert

Presented by Beaumier Upper Peninsula Heritage Center at Northern Center

This concert will take place on Wednesday, November 2 in the Northern Center Ballrooms at 7:30 p.m. Tickets for the concert can be purchased at nmu.universitytickets.com. The prices are: General Public - $15 advance/$17 door; NMU Students and under 18 - $10 advance/$12 door. There will be a cash bar and drinking area for attendees 21 years of age or older. This concert is sponsored by the Beaumier U.P. Heritage Center at Northern Michigan University.

The spirit and sound of Altan comes from the deep and rich musical tradition of their native Co. Donegal. On one of his many visits to the Donegal Gaeltacht of Gaoth Dobhair, Belfast born flute player Frankie Kennedy met fiddler and singer Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh, sparking off a deep musical connection, marriage in 1981, and a journey that took them all over the world. Their vision was to bring the unique repertoire of Donegal music to the world and that mission is still as strong as ever.

In the mid 80s, Mairéad and Frankie recruited bouzouki player Ciaran Curran from Fermanagh, whose intricate counterpoint is at the center of the Altan sound, and guitarist Mark Kelly from Dublin, whose mastery of a wide palette of guitar styles and harmonic vocabulary add a breadth and depth of color. As a band, Altan played their first concert on June 1st 1985, in St. John’s Church in Listowel, Co. Kerry at the famous Listowel Writers Week.

Sadly, on September 19th,1994, the band and wider world of music was dealt a devastating blow with the death of founding member Frankie Kennedy. His vision, artistry and sense of fun is still at the heart of Altan and his legacy is carried and celebrated in every note.

A record deal with Virgin Records followed in 1996, which catapulted the band on an extensive touring schedule over the subsequent decade. This period saw them working with many of the great American performers such as Dolly Parton, recording on her album Heartsongs (1994) and its follow up, Little Sparrow 2001; she returned the favor on the band’s record The Blue Idol in 2002 by dieting with Mairéad on the song The Pretty Young Girl.

In celebration of the band’s latest album, The Gap of Dreams, the band has brought their music all over Europe and Ireland, the US and Canada, Japan, Australia and even North Africa. The latest album celebrates the roots of their music in Donegal folklore. It was recorded in the Attica Studios in the mountains of Donegal which contributed to a wonderful atmosphere which permeated throughout the recording. The title refers to that ‘gap’ or ‘door’ between this and the ‘other world.’ The older fiddlers , whom they got their music from, always associated with the “other world” as the source for their music and inspiration. They would describe poetically about encountering the fairy folk or listening to tunes on the wind or on the shore listening to the sound of the waves.

In creativity the ‘Gap of Dreams” is never shut.

“THE HOTTEST BAND IN THE CELTIC REALM” – The Boston Globe

“A MATCH MADE IN HEAVEN” and “THE BEST TRADITIONAL IRISH BAND” – Dolly Parton on her collaboration with Altan on two of her albums Heartsongs (1994) and Little Sparrow (2001)

Admission Info

General Public - $15 advance/$17 door

NMU Students and under 18 - $10 advance/$12 door

Dates & Times

2022/11/02 - 2022/11/02

Location Info

Northern Center

1401 Presque Isle, Marquette, MI 49855

Parking Info

Free guest parking