Roots

by Mary Armstrong

Flook

Jan. 10, Philadelphia Céil’ Group, Irish Center, 6815 Emlen St., 215-849-8899. Come and be amazed at how this young Celtic group throbs with energy. You'll see two flutes, a guitar and a frame drum, but not a single amp on stage.

Kepa Junkera

Jan. 14, Philadelphia Art Museum, 26th St. and the Parkway, 215-763-8100. This brilliant Basque accordionist has collaborated with acoustic musicians from all over the world on his multiple award-winning CDs. Percussive dancer Sandy Silva with fiddler Laura Risk will share the bill.

Kevin Burke

Jan. 17, Crossroads, Calvary Community Center, 48th St. and Baltimore Ave., 215-729-1028. Fiddle heaven comes with Tiffany windows. The final Philly performance of the late lamented Johnny Cunningham was at Calvary, and now the same stage will host Cunningham's longtime partner from the Celtic Fiddle Tour, Kevin Burke (Bothy Band and Patrick Street are among his many Irish traditional supergroups). Burke will share the tricks of the trade in an afternoon master class with concert to follow.

Peter Ostroushko

Jan. 24, Crossroads, Calvary Community Center. More fiddling, from swing to bluegrass to the Ukrainian tunes he heard his dad and pals playing while growing up, from Peter Ostroushko.

Bohola

Feb. 4, Tin Angel, 20 S. Second St., 215-928-7770. This Chicago-based Irish band is a Celtic insiders delight. On fiddle, accordion and custom-built bouzouki, they play the pure stuff.

Susan Watts

Feb. 5, Annenberg Center, 3680 Walnut St., 215-898-3900. Penn Presents offers a chance to see a homegirl trumpeter making real good, playing klezmer with world-class all-female ensemble Mikveh.

Habib Koité Bamada

Feb. 17, Annenberg Center. They draw listeners to the gamut of African roots through modern branches. The traditions of Mali continuously evolve under Koité's inspired husbandry.

Double the Love Zydeco Valentine Dance

Feb. 13, TK Club, E. Hector and Apple sts., Conshohocken, 215-576-0839. One of two big February events from Allons Danser, who've spent the last decade and a half importing dance music directly from Creole country. This show should be nonstop dancing with Roy Carrier and the Night Rockers plus Leroy Thomas and the Zydeco Roadrunners.

Geno Delafose & French Rockin' Boogie

Feb. 27, Knights of Columbus Hall, 235 Limekiln Pike, Glenside, 215-576-0839. These guys have a huge following in the area for their contemporary interpretation of zydeco, booked for Allons Danser's Mardi Gras celebration.

The Philadelphia Folklore Project

March 5, Indre Studios, 1418 S. Darien St., 215-468-7871. The PFP offers a free sample of works in progress from their musicians in residence: South Africa's Mogauwane Mahloele, who builds myriad instruments and masters even more, will debut a new piece. Flamenco guitarist Tito Rubio and conga player John Wilkie will also perform.

Spoken Hand Percussion Orchestra

March 11-14, Painted Bride Art Center, 230 Vine St., 215-925-9914. At long last, Spoken Hand will release a CD so we can relive the delirium of their live performances at home. They will perform at their home base, the Painted Bride, for four straight nights, with the official record-release party on March 12. Even those who don't identify as drum addicts are intoxicated by this group.

Buddy Guy

March 20, Keswick Theatre, Easton Rd. and Keswick Ave., Glenside, 215-572-7650. The untimely loss of Johnny Cunningham, several decades younger than Guy, reminds us that you never know. Don't miss one of the urban blues founders while he's still on the road.

Tracy Grammer

April 30, The Point, 888 W. Lancaster Ave., Bryn Mawr, 610-527-0988. Singer/songwriter Grammer has regrouped from the loss of her partner, Dave Carter, and will be launching a new CD at The Point.