Celtic favorites, California rockers in Depot Park lineup

The Depot Park summer concert series, sponsored by Kalispell Parks and Recreation, continues with It s a Whale on Tuesday from 7 to 9 p.m., with Tra le Gael on Wednesday from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Concerts are free; food and beverages are available for purchase.

The following week is Cocinando on Aug. 22 and Landslide on Aug. 23.

For more information, call 758-7718.

Forged from the University of California Santa Cruz music program, ItsaWhale is made up of five serious musicians who came from the far corners of North America to the Bay Area to find themselves and their musical paths.

So far the group has been on two successful Northwest tours, from the Flathead Valley to Vancouver, British Columbia with their brand of high-energy eclectic rock music.

Tra le Gael members Gary Morris, Katy Meyers, Karin Hilding, and Barbara Calm recreate the beauty and power of celtic music with a variety of instruments including; Celtic harp, penny whistle, flutes, guitar, mandolin, hammered dulcimer, bodhran and banjo.

The group, originally formed through the North Valley Music School, has performed throughout the Flathead Valley over the last several years. The group plays lively traditional jigs, reels, polkas, and mazurkas, and combines their vocal harmonies on beautiful Irish ballads.

Morris performs on the banjo, guitar, whistle, mandolin and concertina and has performed with various music groups in the valley for over 15 years. Meyers adds her beautiful celtic harp to the group. Calm brings a percussive energy and to the group with her hammered dulcimer. She has performed with other local music groups in the valley for several years. Hilding performs on the penny whistle, recorder, and flute.

Tra le Gael s CD Celtic Turns will be available at Depot Park.