Shane Parris (front), president of the Augusta Bagpipe Society, and Bob Miller, pipe major, will perform Saturday at the Imperial Theatre for the Second Annual Celtic Revival.SPECIAL

Theater to be glen of music

Celtic Revival will feature bagpipes, bouncy dancers

Web posted August 14, 1998

 On stage

By Kent Kimes
Staff Writer

When Shane Parris brought home a set of bagpipes and began experimenting with the noisy instrument, his family didn't know what to think.

"It was kind of nerve-racking at the beginning," said his mother, Shari Parris. "But we all love it now."

Bagpipes aren't melodic in the hands of beginners, Mr. Parris acknowledged. But now, two years later, he has mastered the gawky wind instrument enough to become a member of the Augusta Bagpipe Society's 10-pipe, four-drummer performance group, which is playing host to an evening of Celtic music and dance Saturday night at the Imperial Theatre.

The wail and drone of bagpipes, the stomping of high-stepping feet, renderings of age-old ballads and the ethereal tones of harp music will fill the air at the Second Annual Celtic Revival, sponsored by the bagpipe society.

"It's for us and not really about us," said Mr. Parris, the bagpipe society's events coordinator. "We'll perform a few times to announce our presence. But we're really taking a back seat to the other performers in this show."

Besides the bagpipers, performers include the Augusta Harp Ensemble, Bungle Rye, Irish and Scottish dancers, Scottish balladeer Eric Duncan of Savannah and the Charms, from Atlanta. "They're kind of like U2 with a Celtic twist," said Mrs. Parris.

The harp ensemble, featuring the Augusta Symphony's principal harpist, Vonda Darr, will play traditional folk selections such as O' Danny Boy, O' Carolan's Air and Greensleeves, said group member Mary Beth Adams.

All proceeds from the event benefit the bagpipe society and will be used to purchase outfits, equipment and instruments.

Members of the Augusta Bagpipe Society will perform in a show dubbed Celtic Revival. Proceeds from the show will go to help buy new bagpipes and kilts for the band. BRANT SANDERLIN/STAFF

The performers' kilts and bagpipes can cost more than $2,000. "You're not talking about a cheap outfit," said Mr. Parris.

Last year's Celtic Revival sold 400 tickets and cleared some $3,000, said Mr. Parris' dad, Buck Parris. "We didn't expect Augusta to turn out the way they did last year," he said.

He said ticket sales for the second Celtic Revival have already surpassed the first.

Tickets can be purchased at Thistle and Shamrock Foods in Daniel Village or by calling 863-2251. Tickets can also be purchased Saturday before the show at the Imperial box office.

On stage

What: A Celtic Revival

When: 7 p.m. Saturday

Where: Imperial Theatre, 745 Broad St.

How much: $15

Phone: 863-2251