The Golden Link Blog

Last here in 2018, the Celtic roots band RUNA brings their scintillating blend of Celtic folk music, Americana, jazz, bluegrass, flamenco, and blues to Rochester for a concert on Saturday, February 29 at 7:30 pm – which also happens to be Leap Year! Not only does the band’s lead singer also step dance, but we’ll also have a guest appearance by dancers from Jamieson Irish Dance in Webster.

RUNA (which means “mystery or secret lore” in Gaelic) features vocalist and step-dancer Shannon Lambert-Ryan of Philadelphia, Dublin-born guitarist Fionán de Barra, Cheryl Prashker of Canada on percussion, Jake James of New York on the fiddle, and Caleb Edwards of Nashville on mandolin and vocals. 

Jake and Caleb are new to the band since the last time RUNA was here. Jake is a two-time All-Ireland Fiddle Champion. Caleb has extensive experience in the Nashville bluegrass scene. We may even see the littlest “RUNAtic” – Shannon and Fionán’s son Liam, who has become something of a mascot for the band.

The band’s 2019 album, TEN: The Errant Night, celebrates the band’s tenth anniversary as a touring group and has received international praise on both sides of the Atlantic. “This is RUNA’s most ambitious album yet and it is a stunner!” says Bill Margeson of LiveIreland.

For a sample of their music, check out their recent video for the song “Dance in the Graveyards,” which was released on Halloween:


All of the remaining Golden Link concerts this season – including Dana & Susan Robinson (March 13), Mary Fahl (April 25), and Bill Staines (May 9) – are on sale on the Golden Link website.

– Janice Hanson

Janice Hanson is Concert Chair of the Golden Link Folk Singing Society, which was founded in 1971 to present, promote, and preserve folk music in the Rochester area.