Irish musicians building new Celtic arts scene in Bowling Green

Two local musicians in Bowling Green are expanding a Celtic arts community by staging popular solstice concerts and launching the SKY Celtic Arts Initiative to offer classes in traditional instruments and dance.

Two local musicians in Bowling Green are working to build a new Celtic arts community in south-central Kentucky. Rebecca Baumbach and Arthur Cleavinger have performed for years with a rotating group of musicians from the region. They present summer and winter solstice concerts at the Capitol Theater in partnership with the Warren County Public Library. The popularity of those shows helped inspire a broader effort to bring more Celtic culture to the area. Key points: - Rebecca Baumbach and Arthur Cleavinger perform traditional Irish and Scottish music and emphasize social connection in that tradition. - The summer and winter solstice concerts at the Capitol Theater, held with the Warren County Public Library, draw hundreds of attendees each year. - The musicians have launched the SKY Celtic Arts Initiative, which is reported to offer classes in tin whistle, bagpipes, Irish fiddle and dance. - The initiative also includes plans for cultural programs focused on heritage, arts and traditional crafts, and aims to create a welcoming space for learning and sharing music. Summary: The effort combines regular public concerts with educational programming to increase local participation in Celtic music and culture. Organizers say the goal is to foster a community-centered environment where musicians and audiences connect; plans for full rollout and timing are undetermined at this time.