Runa- Celtic Roots Music
Tue, March 17, 2026 at 7:00 PM EDT
“Best of all, RUNA sounds like no one else!” – Travis Rogers, Jr., Music Life & Times
Celebrating 16 years together as a band, Celtic-American Roots music “super group”, RUNA, continues to push the boundaries of Irish folk music into the Americana and roots music formats. Interweaving the haunting melodies and exuberant tunes of Ireland and Scotland with the lush harmonies and intoxicating rhythms of jazz, bluegrass, flamenco and blues, they offer a thrilling and redefining take on traditional music.
Seeking to preserve and continue a traditional culture in a modern age, RUNA creates the backbone of its signature roots sound from the musical and geographical diversity of its individually established band members. Their strive for excellence and creativity blazes a trail for the future of folk music, earning them the reputation as one of the most innovative Irish folk groups of this generation. RUNA consists of vocalist and step-dancer, Shannon Lambert-Ryan of Philadelphia; GRAMMY-award nominated, Dublin-born guitarist; Fionán de Barra; Cheryl Prashker of Canada on percussion; Jake James of New York on the fiddle; and Tom Fitzgerald of Canada on mandolin and vocals.
“Timeless and flawless…” – Jim Allford, PA Music Scene
The group has been honored internationally, winning Top Group and Top Traditional Group in the Irish Music Awards and three Independent Music Awards including Best LIVE Album, Best World/Traditional Song, and Best Bluegrass Song. In conjunction with the band’s 16-Year Anniversary Tour, RUNA released their eighth album, “When the Light Gets In”, on St. Patrick’s Day 2024! Receiving international praise on both sides of the Atlantic, “TEN: The Errant Night”, has been nominated for Best World/Traditional Song (“An Buachaillín Bán”) in the Independent Music Awards! “This is RUNA’s most ambitious album yet and it is a stunner!” – Bill Margeson, Livelreland Additionally, to critical acclaim, the band released their first seasonal album, “The Tide of Winter”, celebrating the winter holidays in December 2020!
“A magnificent musical opus… That RUNA has created something so beautiful during a period of great difficulty shows that our “better angels” can and must prevail.” –Kabir Sehgal, Musician, Grammy-Award-winning Producer, New York Best-Selling Author “One of the best and inventive folk bands of this modern era!” – London Celtic Punks
The band has performed at numerous festivals, including….
Milwaukee Irish Festival
Michigan Irish Festival
Walnut Valley Festival
Kansas City Irish Festival
Pittsburgh Irish Festival
Philadelphia Folk Festival
Bethlehem Celtic Festival
Great American Irish Festival
Music City Irish Festival
Gaelic Park Irish Festival
Peoria Irish Festival
Durango Celtic Festival
An RíRá Montana Irish Festival
Chicago Irish American Heritage Festival
Cleveland Irish Festival
Musik Fest California
World Fest Marisposa Folk Festival
Lunenberg Folk Harbour Festival
Goderich Celtic Roots Festival
-“Genuine and with endless innovation…”– JohnO’Brien, Jr., Ohio Irish American News / Artistic Director of the Cleveland Irish Festival
RUNA‘s Rockin’ Sock Collection
Come Rock Our Socks!!!
Runa is continuing the Rockin’ Sock Collection as they embark on their Winter Tour this year!!
Which means…..KEEP BRINGING THOSE SOCKS!!!!! 🙂
Because of such amazing generosity from our RUNAitcs, what started as a tiny idea five years ago has grown into an ongoing collection campaign that we plan to continue indefinitely when we are on the road!!
We are continuing to collect socks for organizations that support individuals and families with housing and financial insecurities.
Socks are still the #1 Requested Donation Item by shelters because they must be brand new.
Because of the immense generosity of our RUNAtics over the past five years, we have collected and donated over 9,000 Pairs of Socks!
We will be collecting socks at all of our upcoming tour dates and throughout the summer festival season!!
So, if you’re coming to a RUNA show, bring along a pair of BRAND NEW SOCKS with you!
Any size, any color!
Womens’, mens’, or kiddos’!!
The more, the merrier!!
And remember…..
WARM FEET = HAPPY HEARTS
So, bring LOTS!!!
Help us make a big impact with a small gesture!!!
