RUNA Stops by KAC as Part of May Tour

RUNA, an Irish-American roots band from Philadelphia, will be performing at the Kirkland Art Center on Friday, May 15. The band’s music weaves together sounds of old Ireland with bluegrass and Americana influences.

The five-member group features bandleader Shannon Lambert-Ryan, who provides lead vocals, Fionán de Barra on guitar, fiddler Maggie Estes White, mandolin and banjo player Dave Curley and percussionist Cheryl Prashker.

Lambert-Ryan, originally of Philadelphia, formed RUNA with her husband de Barra in 2008. In 2012, Lambert-Ryan was nominated by the Irish Music Awards for Best Female Vocalist.

De Barra started playing guitar professionally with Riverdance in 1999. Since then he has worked as a musical director, performer, producer and songwriter, while also strumming chords for RUNA.

White is an accomplished fiddler who adds another layer to the group’s performances. In 2006, she won the Georgia State Fiddle Championship, and she moved on to graduate from Belmont College, where she studied classical violin and won the 2011 Concerto Competition.

Curley is adept at multiple instruments including guitar, banjo, mandolin, and bodhrán, among others. He had spent the last several years performing in Ireland, Europe and the United States with SLIDE Ireland before joining RUNA.

Prashker, originally from Montreal, has played many types of music including rock, Klezmer, Celtic and Middle Eastern. She has toured the United States, Canada, Europe and Russia during her career, and now uses her talents to provide the undertone of RUNA’s melodies.

In June of 2014, RUNA released their fourth album, titled “Current Affairs.” Their previous albums are called “Somewhere Along the Road,” “Stretched on Your Grave,” and “Jealousy.” After performing in Clinton, the band will travel to Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Delaware during the next month.

RUNA will take the stage at the KAC on Friday, May 15 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $15 for members, $18 for nonmembers.