We have a special bonus edition of STUFF TO DO this week.

Today we’re going to cover The Celtic Calling, then tomorrow we’ll cover everything else. The 10th Celtic Calling Gathering will take place downtown and around Charleston WV between March 4st-8th 2023.

This celebration of all things Celtic has become an annual tradition here in Charleston. If you can come out to enjoy this immersion into Celtic culture.

Many of the events are free, and it’s a way better way to celebrate the home countries of many Appalachians than green beer and leprechauns.

Here’s The Schedule:

Wednesday, March 4th
9am -7.30pm – Children’s Story Walk and Make and Take Craft activities start today and continue everyday throughout the gathering – 4th Floor, Kanawha County Public Library, 123 Capitol Street – FREE

6-8pm: Acoustic Music Session/Jam- regular weekly music gathering with this week a Celtic twist. Come at 5 for great eats with musicians – The Bears Den, 405 Capitol Street – FREE

7.30pm: Film : ‘Ireland West Camino’, Director: Thomas Breiter will be present. Flora Lee Hark Cohen Cinema by WVIFF, 230 Capitol Street — Admission – $12 Adults, $7 Students. https://wviff.org/purchase/46027/

Thursday, March 5th
9 – 7.30pm: Children’s Story Walk and Make and Take Craft activities – 4th Floor, Kanawha County Main Library, 123 Capitol Street – FREE

6pm: “Little Cardiganshire: The Welsh Settlements of Jackson and Gallia counties of Ohio”. History presentation by Dan Rowbotham, Director of the Madog Center for Welsh Studies at the University of Rio Grande / Rio Grande Community College, OH. Think Bob Evans! He would love to speak to you if you have Welsh ancestry. Main Library, Room 311A, Kanawha County Main Library, 123 Capitol Street – FREE

The West Awakes!
5-7pm: Happy Hour, $2 off all cocktails, 2oz pours, or flights. Hand crafted cocktail menu. Bullock Distillery, 121 W Washington St, Charleston, WV 25302

5-8pm: Irish Stew and a Pint of Stout.
Dearg (Irish Red Ale), Stout and more at award winning small batch brewery. Rory Perry’s Irish Stew will be available to pair with your beer. – Charleston Nano Brewery, 320 W Washington St, Charleston, WV 25302

7-9pm: The Charleston Rogues acoustic music session by these talented musicians, will transport you to the atmosphere of a pub in Ireland or Scotland – Wandering Wind Meadery, 422 Washington St W, Charleston, WV 25302 – FREE

Friday, March 6th
9 – 4pm: Children’s Story Walk and Make and Take Craft activities – 4th Floor, Kanawha County Main Library, 123 Capitol Street – FREE

7pm: The Charleston Rogues, full band set: Short Story Brewing Charleston, 186 Summers St, Charleston – (Cover charge may apply)

7-10pm: 7-10pm: Celtic Ceili/Ceilidh for all ages – Dance to music by The Brickerson’s from Athens OH, presented by FOOTMAD. Kanawha United Presbyterian Church, Fellowship Hall, in rear of Church, 1009 Virginia Street East, or enter adjacent Parking from Kanawha Boulevard – Admission – $10 Children under 10 Free.

7 30- 9 30pm: Poetry Open Mic with James Cochran and Music by Dave Haas: Share Your own verse or read a ‘Celtic’ favorite in cozy book nook with Celtic authors, art gallery and craft beers, coffee – Taylor Books, 226 Capitol St, Charleston, WV 25301 – FREE

Saturday March 7th –
9am: Celtic Calling 5K Kilt Run and 2K Walk. to benefit Friends of Spring Hill Cemetery Park and Arboretum, 1555 Farnsworth Drive, Charleston, WV 25301. Sign up: https://runsignup.com/…/CelticCallingFriendsOfSpringHil…

Downtown Charleston Venues: All Events FREE unless indicated (Lookout for wandering musicians) :
10am- 3 45pm: Celtic Village – Music and Dance Stage at Charleston City Center, Slack Plaza, 169, Summers Street. Find your Clan, crafters, children’s games, Wolfhounds of Appalachia and more. Dress in your finest for the Pageant and bring your pooch for the Dog Show.

Main Stage, music and dance: times subject to change.
10.30am: Opening Pipes Tim and Maggie / Kinnfolk
10 45am: Clash of Steel – Duelists of Appalachia
11.15am: Kinnfolk – Roanoke based young Celtic duo with their own and traditional compositions. Performing with them Aerialist – CozmicWonderlan our Welsh Dragon.
Noon: Celtic Calling Dog Show for Celtic and all breeds, incl. fancy dress.
12.20pm: House of Hamill – former member of Enter the Haggis and Burning Bridget Cleary, light up the stage.
1.10pm Clash of Steel – Duelists of Appalachia/DOA HEMA
1 40pm – Lincoln County Cloggers
2 10pm: Pageant with cash prizes to select Gathering Chieftain ($100), Chieftainess ($100), Folk Lore Creature($100) and more. Children members of the court, clansman will receive gift cards or merch.
2.30pm: Kanawha Valley Pipes and Drums, and dancers from Appalachian Lads and Lassies
2.45pm: Children’s Tug o War
3- 3.45pm: Kinnfolk – Roanoke based young Celtic duo with their own and traditional compositions and performing with them Aerialist – CozmicWonderlan the Welsh Dragon.

Children’s Games Field –
1 30: Sheaf Toss. 3pm: Caber Toss.

In the Park: Clan Tents, food vendors, Wolfhounds of Appalachia, Appalachian Willows & Brooms – Demonstrating basket making and offering Children’s Craft, West Virginian Wild and Wonderful Celtic Festival and Highland Games, Celtic Calling information booth/T- shirt sales, Clan MacLachlan Brigade – Jacobite reenactors.

4pm: Celtic Calling Capitol Street Parade – Lee Street Triangle to Kanawha Blvd Kanawha Valley Pipes And Drums, Beni Kedem Highlanders, Dancers, Puppets, Civic Organizations, Unicorns, Clans.

Kanawha County Public Library: 123 Capitol Street, Charleston – FREE

9 – 4pm: Children’s Story Walk and Make and Take Craft activities – 4th Floor
10 am: Storytime with Red Bearden Dragons – 4th Floor.
10 to 11.30am: View into the Jacobite Rebellion – The Material Culture of a Highland Clansman in the Jacobite Army- History presentation by husband-and-wife reenactors. First Hunter will share the life of a Highland Tacksman and then in the 2nd hour Breanna will share the woman’s role. Main Library, Room 311B
12. 30 pm – Elementary Age Children Dance Workshop, with Appalachian Lads and Lassies, 4th Floor.
1.30pm: Traditional Gaelic music with Patrick O’Flatherty – tales and music from old Ireland, former owner of Lewisburg Irish Pub, longtime musician – Main Library, Room 311B

Fife Street Brewery
10.20-3.45pm: The Celtic Pony WV , (Irish Road Bowler Stout)

Sam’s Uptown Cafe, 28 Capitol Street, Charleston

11 30-2pm: Sam’s Legendary Celtic Brunch – Menu changes yearly, but a place to possibly grab a Scotch Egg, bangers and mash, Guinness stew.

Short Story Brewing Charleston: 186 Summers St, Charleston – FREE
1pm: George Daugherty Memorial Tall Tales Contest—Short Story Brewing spin a yarn for cash prizes: $75 first place, $50 second place, $25 third place
5.30-7pm: Father Son & Friends – Celtic-Americana and a large time. (Cover charge may apply)
8-10pm: Father Son and Friends – Celtic-Americana and a large time. (Cover charge may apply)

5-7pm: The Charleston Rogues ‘World’s Greatest Happy Hour’ – High energy Pogues covers and scintillating traditional fiddle tunes – The Blue Parrot, 14 ½ Capitol Street – FREE

7 30pm: FOOTMAD Presents: House of Hamill boasting former members of Burning Bridget Cleary and Enter the Haggis, in Concert. Capitol Theater / Resurrection Church,123 Summers St, Charleston, WV 25301, Ticket information: FOOTMAD.org or Info: 304-729-4382

7:30-9:30pm: Tim and Maggie Music – multi instrumentalists in the cozy confines of Taylor Books, 226 Capitol Street, Charleston, WV 25301 – FREE

10 pm: Traditional Celtic Music Session, with host Dan Carney – The ‘craic’ is always mighty, a great place for a pint of Guinness and late-night food – Adelphia Sports Bar & Grille, 218 Capitol St. -FREE

Sunday March 8th
11am: Kirkin O’ the Tartans, traditional church service for blessing of the tartans. Bagpipes, Children’s Puppet Story Kanawha United Presbyterian Church, 1009 Virginia Street East.
Kanawha County Main Library, 123 Capitol Street – FREE

Sam’s Uptown Cafe, 28 Capitol Street, Charleston
11 30-2pm: Sam’s Legendary Celtic Brunch – Menu changes yearly, but a place to possibly grab a Scotch Egg, bangers and mash, Guinness stew.

Noon – 4pm: Children’s Story Walk and Make and Take Craft activities.

1pm: Mountain Thyme with special guest fiddler Jenny Allinder. All women group Mountain Thyme have been playing Celtic and Appalachian traditional music together for over 35 years. Folklore Music Exchange – 91 Summers St, Charleston, WV, United States, West Virginia – FREE

2 pm: Irish Road Bowling at Celtic Calling put on by WVIRBA more details about the sport at TEAM WV IRISH ROAD BOWLING – Registration from 1 30pm- Kanawha State Forest – FREE ($5 ball deposit)

4pm: Celtic Theatre—5 Plays—Short Story Brewing incl. a bonus play read by local thespians. Thanks to Tip Jar Theatre for coordinating – Short Story Brewing Charleston, 186 Summers St – FREE