He lives in Kirkland, but the wizard six-string electric violinist Geoffrey Castle is at home in Snohomish County.
In the aftermath of the March 22 mudslide near Oso, Castle stepped up to play a free concert for the people of Darrington and then offered his talents for another show in Stanwood that raised relief funds and honored the first responders, who came from Darrington, Oso, Arlington, Stanwood and throughout the region to help out with the mudslide.
This time, he’s in town to spread some Christmas cheer.
Castle’s Celtic Christmas show, a concert for all ages, starts at 8 p.m. Dec. 18 at the Historic Everett Theatre, 2911 Colby Ave., Everett. Tickets range in price from $15 to $30 and are available by calling 425-258-6766.
Castle has been playing the violin since he was 8 years old. While attending Columbia University, he made his money as a street musician, busking around New York City.
He rose to fame when offered the chance to perform with the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical, “M. Butterfly.”
Castle has played with the likes of John Popper of Blues Traveler, Alan White of Yes, the original members of Heart and the current group called Heart by Heart, among many others.
When not performing locally and around the world, Castle volunteers his time encouraging school orchestras to keep on playing. A theme of Castle’s career has been to debunk pre-conceived notions of what is possible on a violin. He is the preeminent pioneer of the six-string electric violin.
His approach to Celtic music appeals to people who like the blues, jazz, rock, bluegrass and country music.
Castle plans to make Everett an annual stop on his Christmas concert tour.
Performing with him will be Beth Quist of Cirque du Soleil, Gaelic tenor Connor Dunworley from Ireland, the Eastside Firefighters Pipes and Drums corps, the Seattle Irish Dance Company and his own band, the Castle All Stars. The band includes Eric Roberts on keyboards, Darin Watkins on drums and Steve Boyce on bass.
And children can expect to see Santa Claus, who on Thursday also will go by the name of Mac MacDonald.
Even the show’s lights are going to be spectacular, Castle said.
“First up we have the firemen in kilts,” he said. “They are an awesome way to start this amazing show.”
It’s going to be great to be back in the Historic Everett Theatre, said Castle, who plans to make his Everett show an annual event.
“Basically, this show is all about the magic of Christmas and a time that predates the commercialized Christmas of today,” Castle said. “Be ready to be transported back to the Misty Isles.”
The show is a good one for all ages.
“Even sullen teens,” Castle said. “Sullen teens are our specialty.”
More information about Castle is available on his website, www.geoffreycastle.com.
Gale Fiege: 425-339-3427; gfiege@heraldnet.com. Twitter: @galefiege.
If you go
Castle’s Celtic Christmas show, a concert for all ages, starts at 8 p.m. Dec. 18 at the Historic Everett Theatre, 2911 Colby Ave., Everett. Tickets range in price from $15 to $30. More information: 425-258-6766.
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