Biography
Beggars’ Circus formed in 1998 through an introduction of the current members by a mutual acquaintance. We began playing together because of a common love for Celtic music and certain ideological similarities which made us compatible. We are proud ot the level of success which we have been able to achieve working together as a band. Our sound and vibe have in a way, developed organically. That’s not to say we have not put a great deal of effort into our musical development. Each of us live on small rural homesteads about an hour or so apart so the logistics of getting together to practice have always been a consideration. Tim and Mary Beth are employed as public school teachers in Roanoke Virginia in addition to playing as much music as possible.
We search carefully for tunes and songs that not only appeal to us but that we feel are not well known to most folks. Musical complexity and variety are the most important elements to us as we select compositions. Our primary focus is on the dance music of Scotland, Ireland, Wales, Brittany and Galacia. We also include a fair number of vocal pieces in our performances. We are known for playing long sets without repeats and have developed an extensive repertoire covering most of the major tune forms in Celtic music. This has made us a versatile group, able to adapt to any musical setting. We have played a number of contra dances but are primarily a concert band.
We have recorded 3 cds and have a live recording demo available by request.
We have been kept busy over the years playing weddings, concerts, parties and pub gigs which we enjoy as staples in our performance schedule. For the past several years we have appeared at a number of festivals in Virginia and North Carolina and have always found these engagements particularly rewarding. At the Potomac Celtic festival for, instance, we had the opportunity to meet and play in sessions with some outstanding Welsh, Irish and Scottish musicians including Battlefield Band and Fynnon as well as some lesser known but fine up and coming European talent. We have appeared on the same bill with Grada, The McDades, Le Vent du Norde, Kevin Burke and Ged Foley, Enter the Haggis and Gaelic Storm.
In performance, we give a high energy presentation with tune sets interspersed with songs delivered by each member of the band and a few three part a cappella numbers. The tune set arrangements are often built around instrumental changes by Tim and Michelle, providing exciting instrument switching acrobatics and dangerous exits and introductions-will they get back into the tune on time!? With only 3 members, these changes afford interesting variety in timbre, tension and dynamics. People often comment about how much music seems to come from only a trio.
Beggars’ Circus has been featured in a variety of publications from local news papers to Dirty Linen magazine where we have appeared twice in the periodical’s Reel World section. We have received airplay on several radio stations in Virginia, DC and North Carolina. We were interviewed for WVTF’s Studio Virginia program coincidental to the release of our second and third records.
In all, we attempt to provide the most authentic performance of Celtic music that an American group can. We have great respect for the people and traditions from which this music sprang. We value our audiences and the people who give us the opportunity to put our talent to use and wish all good will. We appreciate the chance to communicate our particulars and intentions with those who are consuming this writing and hope to perform for you.
Thanks and cheers.
Slainte
Beggars’ Circus
Instrumentation
Tim Summers; guitar, bouzouki, flute, pennywhistle, bodhran, other hand percussion, bagpipes and vocals .
Michelle Lawrence-Walker; flute, pennywhistle, concertina, hammered dulcimer, bodrhan and vocals.
Mary Beth Coffey; fiddle and vocals.
Discography
We currently have 3 cds available.
Peddling Bedlam- 2002
Moor for the Asking-2004
&
Stolen Heart-2007
We have received airplay on a number of radio stations in Virginia, Tennessee, Maryland and North Carolina
* * *We have a live recording demo from the 2008 Potomac Celtic Festival available by request.* * *
Links
| http://www.beggars-circus.com |