Tickets are on sale now for Hamilton-Gibson Productions’ “Laurel Highland Fling”, a New Year’s Eve celebration on December 31st at the Fireman’s Annex Banquet Hall in Wellsboro. In addition to a live “highland welcome” with renowned local bagpiper Scot Walker, the evening will feature the local group 3D performing during the cocktail hour, offering a blend of Celtic and Old Time Appalachian Tunes. 

3D came into being in late 2016 when three local musicians, Daria Lin-Guelig, Dave Milano, and Dave Driskell wondered what might emerge if they synthesized their distinctly varied musical backgrounds. Daria’s hammered dulcimer delivered traditional Old Time and Celtic music. Multi-instrumentalist Dave Driskell added jazz and ragtime, and Dave Milano’s finger-style guitar fetched in folk, pop, and Americana. Joined by bassist Anne Acker in 2023, the genre-blending experiment happily resulted in a unique ensemble group with an uncommonly engaging and diverse musical repertoire.

For this event, the music 3D will share reflects the theme of the evening – the Celtic Highlands meets our own Laurel Highlands. “We wanted to offer Celtic, traditional Americana and Old Time Appalachian tunes.” says group member Daria Lin-Guelig. “There’s an obvious musical connection between Celtic music and traditional Appalachian music.”  Acoustic Bass player Anne Acker offers, “Throughout Appalachia, especially in Virginia and West Virginia, there is still a lot of music being played with an obvious direct line to the Celtic music that was brought over when folks first immigrated to this country.” 3D will share tunes that have deep roots both in Scotland, Ireland and here in America. Guelig adds, “Red Haired Boy” is one of the tunes we will play that is found in Scottish, Irish and Appalcian music.” and Acker notes, “Arkansas Traveler, Skye Boat Song and Scarborough Fair are examples of Celtic tunes we will play that have made their way into popular American culture.” Other celtic favorites you can expect are Scottish tunes “Hector the Hero, Johnny Cope and the Drunken Scotsman.”  

After 3D performs and dinner is served, party-goers can enjoy country line dancing lead by Amada Jones of Wyalusing. Amada will teach a variety of beginner-friendly dances while whiskey tastings, bubbly toasts, and “best dressed” awards are given. The three categories for best dressed are “best bonnet”, “best in plaid” and “best highlander”, and all are encouraged to don their favorite highland wear. Fundraising raffles will take place throughout the evening, with the grand raffle prize of a custom Mackenzie tartan-inspired hat made by milliner of the stars, Christine Moore. 

Tickets are $49 per person, and the event is open to all ages – families are welcome. For more information and tickets go to www.hamiltongibson.org, or call 570-724-2079.