Scythian Celtic concert Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church Dayton

Scythian is based in the Washington, D.C., area, but the members are no strangers to the Gem City. The band — performing at Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church in Dayton on Friday and Saturday, Feb. 23 and 24 — has been a yearly fixture at the Dayton Celtic Festival since making its first appearance nine years ago.

“Dayton is like a second home to us, so we’re glad to be going back there,” Danylo Fedoryka said. “Over 1,100 people came to our show at Victoria Theatre last year. For us, to be almost 500 miles from home and sell out a venue like that was incredible. The Victoria was awesome. It was such a cool experience for us but we got a lot of feedback from people wishing they could get up and dance.

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“This year we decided to do two nights where there was a little more room for people to let their hair down,” he said. “The shows will be more intimate and we have the freedom to make each night a little different.”

Scythian has always been a family affair with Danylo, his brother, Alexander, and their sister, Larissa. The siblings took it a step further with the side project, Cake for Dinner. The group, which recently released its second children’s album, also features the vocals of Alex’s new bride, Catie.

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“It’s been almost eight years since our last children’s album,” Danylo Fedoryka said. “We’re super excited about that, especially because Alex’s wife, Catie, sings on the record. She’s incredible. Her voice is like an angel’s voice. Catie is super high quality so it’s really rewarding to work with, not just my brother’s wife, but this incredible professional.

“It’s great because it’s my brother and his wife and my sister, Larissa, too,” he continued. “The songs are for kids but it’s great for adults too. We mixed it up. It was really a rewarding project for us because we got to do the full gamut from kid stuff to adult stuff you could hear on a Top 40 radio station.”

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Dayton fans will get a chance to hear Catie’s voice in person this weekend. She’ll be opening the shows with Mountain Duo, her new project with Larissa.

“On this, tour they’re only with us in two places — Dayton and Pennsylvania,” Danylo Fedoryka said. “They debuted Mountain Duo at Appaloosa, our festival in Virginia, and it was so well received. My sister plays the classical cello, Catie plays the guitar and they sing harmonies together. It’s very mesmerizing.”

WANT TO GO?

Who: United Irish of Dayton presents Scythian with Mountain Duo

Where: Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church's Memorial Center, 500 Belmonte Park North, Dayton

When: 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Feb. 23 and 24

Cost: $25 in advance, $30 day of the show. Children 6-12 are $14 in advance, $18 day of the show. Free for kids younger than 6

More info: www.unitedirishofdayton.org

Artist info: www.scythianmusic.com

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Don Thrasher