The Paperboys kick off the Eugene Irish Cultural Festival and an early St. Patrick’s Day celebration with an evening of traditional Irish music at 8 p.m. on Friday, March 8, at the UO's Beall Concert Hall.

Paperboys founder Tom Landa is "pure 50 percent Irish," and brings his heritage and guitar skills to the group. Joining Landa is Canadian Kalissa Hernandez on fiddle, Brad Gillard on banjo and Sam Esecson on percussion.

The band has released seven albums and toured North America and Europe several times. The musicians have also appeared on movies and in television, produced movie scores and received critical accolades.

The Paperboys have won a Juno Award, Canada’s version of a Grammy.

Celtic combo David Helfand and Justin Lader, who have performed together for several years, open for the Paperboys.

Helfand composes and performs original and traditional music on Celtic Harp, mandocello, guitar, keyboards and percussion. 

Lader has been playing the viola for more than 15 years. He attended the Oberlin Conservatory of Music and earned his master's degree in viola performance at the UO. Lader, a certified Suzuki teacher, has been teaching violin and viola for more than five years.

Tickets are $15 general admission, $10 students and seniors. Reserved seating tickets are available at the door or in advance from the UO Ticket Office or 541-346-4363.

- from UO School of Music and Dance