By Jordan Lawrence
Staff Writer

For Tess Mangum Ocaña, concert and facilities director of the ArtsCenter, one day a year is not enough to celebrate Celtic and Irish culture.

Because of this she has expanded the usual St. Patrick’s Day show into the center’s first Celtic concert series.

Ocaña said her affinity for Irish culture was inspired by a study abroad trip to Ireland.

“I have been in love with Irish music since when I was a young person,” she said. “My love for traditional music is what prompted me to start the series.”

Paul Brady, an Irish singer-songwriter who has crafted songs for high-profile musicians such as Mark Knopfler, gave the series’ first concert Feb. 20. The series will feature four performances of Celtic and Irish music and will run through March 29.

Ocaña said the creation of the series stemmed from a desire to expand the traditional March performance of Celtic music at the ArtsCenter.

“For four years now I’ve done a Celtic show on or near St. Patrick’s day,” she said. “I’ve always wanted to make it an actual packaged series. This year I was actually able to pull it off.”

All four of the acts that will perform during the series are Irish. The musicians’ roots have a large influence on their music.

Traditional Irish music is an ancestor of American roots forms such as bluegrass and contains banjo, mandolin, guitar, flute, harmonica and other instruments.

Ocaña said Carrboro, like the rest of North Carolina, is a great place to hold such an event because it is receptive to Irish music and culture.

“North Carolina loves Irish music,” she said. “North Carolina and Ireland are in a lot of ways like sisters. A lot of people who settled in North Carolina are Irish or Scots-Irish.”

Dáithí Sproule, guitarist for the Irish group “Altan”, which will perform as part of the series Feb. 21, said Irish music is important because of its ability to affect people.

“Well, it’s as important as any music,” he said. “It’s beautiful; it lifts people’s spirits.”

“Altan”, which has been touring the United States for more than 20 years, will play the ArtsCenter as part of a 22-date American tour. It will be the group’s first performance in Carrboro.

Sproule said the group members’ Irish heritage is the largest inspiration for their music.

“We’re all Irish, and we all had messed around when we were growing up, so we just like to play,” he said.

Judging from high attendance at previous Celtic music events, Ocaña said she expects a good turnout for the event.

“They’ve always been very well attended,” she said, adding that when she has announced the series at ArtsCenter concerts, the audience members have expressed excitement.

“When I hit them with the lineup like a bullet, they gasp,”

Though there is no plan for a series next year, Ocaña said that there is a possibility of a repeat of this year’s festivities.

“I’ll definitely continue the one concert on or around next St. Patrick’s Day,” she said. “But watch out, because I might to do an official Celtic concert series on or around St. Patrick’s Day, as well.”

In addition to Brady and “Altan”, the band “Solas” will perform Feb. 25 before “Dervish” gives the final performance of the series March 29. Tickets in the series range from $23 to $25, depending on the show. A special discount is given to ArtsCenter members for each concert.

For more information, visit the ArtsCenter’s Web site at www.artscenterlive.org.