Irish musicians building new Celtic arts scene in Bowling Green

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. (WNKY) – Two local musicians who perform traditional Irish and Scottish music say they’re working to build a new Celtic arts community in south-central Kentucky.

Rebecca Baumbach and Arthur Cleavinger have spent years performing with a rotating group of musicians from across the region. Baumbach said the heart of the music has always been about connection.

“It’s not just about playing the tunes. It’s really about getting together with friends and sharing the music with your friends,” she said.

Cleavinger said the Irish tradition stands apart because of that social foundation.

“It’s all about connecting with each other socially and creating a community,” he said.

The two perform summer and winter solstice concerts at the Capitol Theater in partnership with the Warren County Public Library, drawing hundreds each year. Cleavinger said the popularity of those shows helped inspire a new initiative to bring more Celtic culture to Bowling Green.

“We’re used to traveling… if we want to go and enjoy a weekend of Irish music, we pack our bags, we get in the car and leave,” he said. “So it just dawned on us… we can build that kind of community here.”

The effort includes the launch of the SKY Celtic Arts Initiative, offering classes in tin whistle, bagpipes, Irish fiddle and dance, along with plans for cultural programs focused on heritage, arts, and traditional crafts.

Baumbach said the shared repertoire of Irish tunes makes it easy to bring musicians together. “The tunes are the tunes. It’s dance music. And so you can play those with anybody,” she said.

Both musicians say their goal is to create a welcoming space for people to learn the music and the culture behind it. Cleavinger said the solstice concerts have helped foster that atmosphere.

“You don’t feel like you’re performing for a large crowd… you feel like you’re making music with your buddies,” he said.

Baumbach said her love of the tradition keeps her motivated. “You have to really love it,” she said.

The group’s next round of classes begins March 24, with more programs planned through the summer.