Seamus Stout This band from Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas, plays a unique blend of upbeat, traditional Celtic music, and they are highly rated for their high energy live performances.  Seamus Stout features Jan Cermak on fiddle, mandolin and Irish bouzouki; jarrod Fay on Irish flute, tin whistle and Scottish smallpipes; Cory Wells on guitar; and Damon Swindall on bodhran; and all four sing, trading off on lead and backup vocals. Check out their scheduled appearances by visiting their website, at www.myspace.com/seamusstout Words for the Wise:  You owe it to yourself to see these guys live!  Just make sure you get there early enough to get a good seat!

Spriggan Based in the Dallas/Fort Worth area of Texas, Spriggan plays traditional and not-so traditional Celtic songs and dance tunes, often adding a unique flair and twist to the music.  Spriggan features the talents of Gypsy Youngraven (vocals, guitar, bodhran, mandolin), Michael James (guitars), Chris Arterburn (flute, penny whistle, concertina, bouzouki), and Candace Winship (fiddle, mandolin). Find out more by visiting www.spriggan.org Words for the Wise:  Spriggan has also performed incidental music for a documentary, and appears in the movie Hecklers from Mars.  "Peace out, slán go foill, and mind the gap."

Sharon Sullivan, Dream Hats Sharon Sullivan has been making renaissance-style hats and costuming for more than a decade, usually focusing on individual creations crafted for friends.  Through word of mouth, her creations became known for their one-of-a-kind, unique appeal.  Dream Hats officially came about at the 2007 Scarborough Faire performer orientation when she heard someone say "If you can dream it up, Sharon can turn it into a hat."   Sharon says of her hats, "It's like an art form, the fabrics just naturally lend themselves to shapes and designs that I don't necessarily plan.  The final design just kind of happens by itself, whether I intend it that way or not."  Sharon's work can also be seen in the 2007 independent film The Menu, from Tempest Productions. Words for the Wise: Sharon was a library science major, and loves coffee, books, and random bits of useless knowledge-- in other words, don't play Boggle with her unless you're prepared to lose.

URIZEN URIZEN was born from the ashes of Colorado-based Black Metallers "Dunwich Horror," retaining original members Thomas and Daniel Drinnen (guitars and keyboards respectively).  Migrating to the Dallas-Ft. Worth Texas area in 2003 with new drummer Julio Escamilla, the group crafted a new and unique sound and, with the talents of Louisiana-born bassist Matt Garrison, unleashed it on the unsuspecting (but immensely pleased) Metroplex in August 2005.  Garnering rave reviews in numerous national publications, URIZEN quickly gained momentum.  Recruiting long-time UriFriend Sam Damask as a second guitarist, the band created what would become their signature live performances, which included all-white jumpsuits, a heavy-duty metal keyboard apparatus, Santa, Cupid, flames, flags, and the now-famous URIZEN Robot! Over the years, URIZEN has had the pleasure of sharing the stage with prestigious acts such as Sonata Arctica, Finntroll, Ensiferum, Turisas, Eluveitie, Trivium, Kataklysm, Dying Fetus, Arsis, The Faceless, God Forbid, Tyr, Keep Of Kalessin, The Agonist, Within Chaos, Jacknife, The Destro, and many, many more! Visit www.urizenonline.com to learn more.

Terra Webster, Digital Artist "I'm young, I'm restless, I'm too far gone. At least that's what my friends say. I enjoy just about everything. Within reason that is. So no funny ideas. I love what I do and I'm constantly changing who I am. I can't help it. My art expresses mood, ideas, emotions...things I've experienced .You can catch me wandering through Anime-Fest, Dallas and the Gulf Coast. I've sprinkled my warped  imagination across a couple of states. And some not so happy neighbors. So pick your favorite skittle and have a taste. Tell me what you think."   Words for the Wise:  "Starbucks and M&Ms are the way to my heart.  And some really great puns."

Karen White, owner of Sablewood Village With a lifelong love of the creative and performing arts, Karen's accomplishments include everything from writing to prize-winning needlework, stunt show pyrotechnics, and Victorian costuming, but music has always been a recurring theme.  "I think it really hit home the day someone looked at my diploma, which reads 'Bachelor of Science in Management, emphasis in Music,' and then asked me, 'So, does that mean you can manage out-of-work drummers?'  I didn't think much about it, but then people started finding my website and asking for music, and then bands started approaching me about carrying their music.  What can you do?  When the Muse calls, you pay attention." Karen's husband and daughter also help with conventions and shows where Sablewood Village appears as a dealer. Words for the Wise:  "Do something meaningful with your life, but have fun doing it. There's not much point, otherwise."