Musical Mission

Concert offers hope and help

A A A Comments By Richard Kellerhals and Shara Rutberg Thursday, Dec 9 2004

SUN, 12/12

Celeste Krenz and Dakota Blonde plan to raise money for a patient fighting Lou Gehrig's disease.

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This is a season for giving, and there will be plenty of it at the Swallow Hill Music Association Benefit Holiday Show featuring Denver chanteuse Celeste Krenz and the folk trio Dakota Blonde. They take the stage tonight to help raise funds for 25-year-old Nicholas Huber, who is battling Lou Gehrig's disease.

Karla Anderson, Huber's sister, notes that the musical event will be "filled with hope and joy."

The goal of the evening is to raise money for Huber, who will be on his way to Beijing during the performance to undergo surgery and seek alternative treatments. Proceeds will also go toward helping other victims of the disease. Krenz and Mary Huckins of Dakota Blonde were touched by Huber's struggle, and they want to make magic happen in the face of this unforgiving affliction.

"It's going to be a very moving and symbolic performance," Anderson says.

Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. at Daniels Hall at the Swallow Hill Music Association, 71 East Yale Avenue; performances start at 7:15 p.m. Tickets are $15 and can be reserved by calling Karla Anderson at 720-981-9850 or by e-mail at agelfuso@rocketmail.com. -- Richard Kellerhals

Siúcra Swings
Celtic Christmas with a kick
FRI, 12/10

Like fine Irish whisky, the music of the Celtic trio Siúcra blends a simple Gaelic essence with a fiery punch that gives you a glow and leaves you wanting more. Siúcra (pronounced "shoo-kruh," Gaelic for "sugar") formed in 1998 when husband and wife Matthew and Shannon Heaton met Beth Leachman singing carols at a Boulder Christmas party. The trio will play traditional and original Christmas music tonight at 8 p.m. in Daniels Hall at the Swallow Hill Music Association, 71 East Yale Avenue.

Steeped in traditional Irish melodies and cranked up with a dose of blues, jazz and folk, Siúcra's mix of vocals, Irish flute, bodhran and guitar create a big, high-energy sound. "People who know Irish music say we sound really unique; people who don't know Irish music say we sound very traditional --both of which we take as a compliment," says Shannon Heaton. The Boston-based band returns to Colorado just once or twice a year, and the Christmas show has sold out the past few years. For tickets, $12, call 303-777-1003. -- Shara Rutberg

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