Stone Fort Museum to host St. Patrick’s Day concert

NACOGDOCHES, Texas –– Stephen F. Austin State University’s Stone Fort Museum will host a St. Patrick’s Day concert featuring local band El Camino Real de Nacogdoches from 2 to 4 p.m. March 14.

According to Carolyn Spears, Stone Fort Museum director, Irish settlers brought their traditions to Nacogdoches in the 19th century, with more than 3,000 Irish people listed on the 1860 census. The concert will showcase Celtic, bluegrass, traditional country, Appalachian, folk and other music genres.

“Attendees will enjoy traditional music from Ireland, as well as music that celebrates the rich history of Texas,” Spears said. “Live performances allow us to connect to our musical heritage in the same way that hands-on activities help learners connect to their studies.”

According to the rotating lineup of musicians in El Camino Real de Nacogdoches, the band is East Texas’ answer to the Old Crow Medicine Show, an Americana string band based in Nashville, Tennessee. The group plays old-time acoustic music using the fiddle, guitars, mandolin, banjos and percussion.

Forming in 2002, El Camino Real de Nacogdoches has played at a variety of art, theatrical and musical events associated with SFA. It also has been featured during Nacogdoches’ annual Texas Blueberry Festival, Old-Time Christmases at Millard’s Crossing Historic Village and The Pine Knot Music Co-op. In 2017, the band released its first CD, “Camino Real: The Nacogdoches Sessions.”

The concert is free and open to the public. The band will perform on the north lawn of the museum, weather permitting. Light refreshments will be served and will include traditional Irish treats.

For more information, contact Spears at cspears@sfasu.edu or (936) 468-2408.