THE COLLEEN RANEY BAND AT THE DANCE HALL

Courtesy photo Colleen Raney

Special Tuesday evening concert features internationally recognized singer.

Kittery, Maine- The Dance Hall in Kittery is presenting a special Tuesday evening concert with The Colleen Raney Band on July 19, 2016 at 7:30pm. Portland, Oregon’s Colleen Raney, who recently relocated to Portland, Maine, is a gifted traditional singer who has released her fourth album, titled “Here This is Home” produced by guitarist and singer Aidan Brennan and engineered by Trevor Hutchinson over the summer of 2013 in Dublin, Ireland. Her band features Ryan Davidson, bouzouki, vocals; Hans Araki, flutes, whistles, vocals; and Nathan Gourley, fiddle.

As a member of the thriving Irish music community in the Pacific Northwest, Colleen was fortunate to appear alongside Johnny B. Connolly, Hanz Araki, Cary Novotny, Magical Strings, Tom Creegan, Dale Russ, and Colm MacCárthaigh, in addition to her touring work with the West Coast Celtic band Story Road with John Weed and Stuart Mason.  Tradconnect.com writes that Colleen is "one of America's best traditional voices." (Sept 2013)

Colleen has toured extensively, both at home and abroad. Highlights have included The KVMR Grass Valley Celtic Festival, Winston-Salem Celtic Festival, Juan de Fuca Festival of the Arts, and Seattle's respected Northwest Folklife Festival, where she has been a performer since 1980.  Her music can be heard on radio from Italy, to Ireland, to New York, to Hawaii, to Japan and all parts in between.

Colleen's open-minded and -hearted approach to her repertoire was inherited from, and instilled by,
her upbringing in Seattle's celebrated Raney Family, steeped in step-dancing and song.  She breathes new life into the old tunes, finding facets in the music that haven't been heard before and performing in the company of gifted friends who illustrate both the most delicate and upbeat aspects of her winning style.  It's earned her a following both among longtime adherents of Celtic music and younger fans who are new to the genre.

"Among the best in her genre." Irish Music Magazine, 2013

"Rarely is an artist as deeply entrenched in a musical niche as Colleen Raney able to present centuries-old music with an eye toward current and future listeners outside of the genre. By adapting and developing her voice, however, and by surrounding herself with a constantly evolving ensemble of the best musicians the Northwest has to offer (Celtic-centric or otherwise), she manages to both credit her training and history, and stake claim as a serious presence in contemporary folk music.” Katie Presley, Bitch Magazine, January 2011

"Singing with a deep love for the tradition, and for the dark poetry of Celtic song, Colleen has been drawing new life from the old ballads and renewing our love for Celtic music." Devon Leger, Hearth Music

"Raney brings a rich, hearty, and inviting voice  unmistakably American and without affectation or pretense  to her music." Sean Smith, Boston Irish Reporter, May 2012

"Raney has an incredibly expressive voice  powerful, yet full of emotion."  Jamie O'Brien, The Irish Edition

Tickets are $12 in advance and $15 at the door and can be purchased at www.thedancehallkittery.org and www.brownpapertickets.com.