One of Michigan’s leading Celtic groups, Rare Combination, brings new energy and a contemporary flare to authentic Irish folk music as it makes its first appearance at the Beckwith Park Summer Concert Series Thursday.

Dowagiac’s 12-week concert series, co-hosted by the Downtown Development Authority (DDA) and Greater Dowagiac Chamber of Commerce, was underwritten for the third consecutive year by Huntington Bank through its $6,000 donation to the DDA.

Thursday’s performance is the third segment of this season’s 12-week outdoor fine arts program, which is held at the Haggin-Wimberley Bandstand, corner of Front and Beeson streets.

Vickie Phillipson, DDA and Chamber of Commerce program director, who coordinated the summer fine arts program, said she is pleased to welcome this newcomer to Beckwith Park.

Music enthusiasts have found musicians of this steadily emerging Irish-Celtic folk band to be both spirited and talented.

The five musicians from southwestern Michigan regularly perform with more than a dozen instruments.

Their repertoire includes lively traditional dance tunes, pub tunes, love songs and aires mainly from the British Isles.

The band’s skills are demonstrated in the blended four-part vocal harmonies and the well integrated instrumental arrangements.

Margery Dusek, a music therapist who performs on a number of instruments with Rare Combination said, “We perform a diverse collection of Irish-Celtic traditional music in an enthusiastic way – everything from pub fare to classical harp pieces and in-between.”

Dusek, who does most of the arranging for the group, has several years of experience working with psychiatric patients as a music therapist.

She plays concert flute, Irish flute, Irish whistles, keyboard, guitar and also provides vocals.

The group debuted at O’Duffy’s Irish Pub in Kalamazoo in the spring of 2004.

Since then they have performed at several festivals, theatre venues, brewery-pubs and restaurants.

Sofia Peters, the group’s fiddle and mandolin player, began playing violin at the age of 3 and piano at the age of 4.

She is a self-taught bass guitar, drum, kit, Mandela and mandolin player.

“My formal training has been largely classical violin,” Peters said.  “Performing with Rare Combination has offered me a new outlet. We’ve performed before some very energetic audiences.  There’s just nothing that compares to the feeling of knowing you have brightened someone’s day with your music.”

Father Patrick Murphy, who is a Catholic priest, said people occasionally inquire what is a priest is doing playing Irish music?

“It was once tradition in Ireland that the priest was expected to use whatever musical talent he had, as he performed at the reception of the newly-married,” Father Murphy said. “In a sense, I’m just picking up the tradition and carrying it on.”

Father Murphy has been playing Irish folk music, both solo and as a musician in various groups, since his seminary days more than 20 years ago.

“I have seen the effect music has on people, as it magically lifts their spirits.”

T.J. Hardy, who is an ordained minister and hospital chaplain, recently joined the group as bass player and occasionally performs with keyboard.

For larger stage events, Tommie Williams, an accomplished percussionist and bass player, joins the group on stage.

In September 2005, Rare Combination released its first CD, “Unlocked,” which demonstrates the eclectic broad-spectrum range of the group’s interests.

Melodies and lyrics span from humorous and lively to mournful, beautiful and sometimes original.

Phillipson said the Thursday evening concerts, featuring lawn-chair seating, begin at 7:30 p.m.

During the July 29-31 “Summer in the City” Festival featuring the Taste of Dowagiac and its Sizzlin’ Hot Sidewalk Days, the Thursday evening concert will be a two-hour performance beginnng at an earlier time.

Huntington Bank and the DDA are also pleased this season to present: the striking, identical twin duo of  The Mickeys, which blends Americana, country and folk, on June 17; Otsego Jazz Ensemble and vocalist Ian Brown on June 24; the high-energy bluegrass performance of Schlitz Creek on July 1; the electric blues of The Skeletones that combines urban jazz and powerful soul on July 8; Lake Effect Jazz Big Band on July 15; and the richness of Tex-Mex Americana music, presented by Los Bandits on July 22.
During Dowagiac’s “Summer in the City” Festival, fine arts enthusiasts will celebrate Huntington Night on Thursday, July 29, honoring the underwriter of the 2010 concert season.

Phillipson said music that evening begins at 6:30 p.m. with the Kalamazoo Avenue Band that will present a special two-hour rock, rhythm and blues revue, featuring music by Chicago, The Beatles, The Blues Brothers and more.

On festival Friday, July 30, Wildfire returns to Dowagiac.

Nominated for Detroit Music Award’s best Country band and best Country recording artist, Wildfire will present an afternoon performance at the festival from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., with a special two-hour encore performance that evening beginning at 6:30.

Rounding out the summer concert season will be the dynamic bass-popping blues of Out of Favor Boys, which is blended with funky boogaloo and soul on Aug. 5; and Michiana’s premier barbershop chorus and multi-year winner of Michigan’s Best Small Chorus Award, The Lighthouse Chorus, on Aug. 12.

In case of inclement weather for any of the performances, a scheduled rain date is slated for Aug. 19.

To receive a concert brochure, call the Chamber of Commerce and DDA at (269) 782-8212.

The public can also access the concert schedule online at www.DowagiacChamber.com