Ceo

Irish Traditional Music

Blake Ritter & Alina Larson

Driving rhythms and intricate textural soundscapes are the hallmarks of Ceo's musical style. Blake Ritter & Alina Larson are both dance musicians at heart, playing lively tunes in tight synchrony, while not shying away from spontaneous variations.

Ceo – pronounced "kYOH" & meaning fog/mist in Irish Gaelic – describes the atmospheric conditions shared between Ireland and the Northern California coastline. Irish traditional musicians Blake Ritter and Alina Larson both grew up within walking distance of redwood forests, which thrive in foggier climates.

Ceol sa Cheo – pronounced "kYOL suh hYO" & meaning music in the fog – is a name we often go by when hosting sessions and playing for set and céilí dances with other friends in their musical communities.

Upcoming Gig Schedule

JULY 2026

7/11 (4-6pm) CONCERT at Moonstone Crossing in Trinidad, CA

Corvallis Celtic Festival ~ July 17–19

7/17 (9pm-12am) HOST SESSION at The Brass Monkey

7/18 (10-11am) 💪WORKSHOP at Dragon’s Whistle

7/18 (12:30-1:30pm) 🎻WORKSHOP at CBC Public Library

7/18 (3-4pm) CONCERT on the Main Stage

7/19 (10-11am) CONCERT at the Old World Center

7/19 (1:30-2:30pm) 🎻WORKSHOP at New Morning Bakery

7/25 (12:30-3:30pm) HOST SESSION at O’Reilly’s Pub in SF, CA*

7/25 (7-11pm) CÉILÍ + SET DANCES at Shannon Arms in SF, CA

7/26 (5:30-11pm) HOST SESSION at Starry Plough Pub in Berkeley, CA

7/28 (2-3pm) SIDEWALK CONCERT at 2129 Kala Bagai Way in Berkeley, CA

Grass Valley Celtic Music Campout ~ July 31–August 2

7/31 (6-10pm) CONCERT at the Wild Eye Pub in Grass Valley, CA

AUGUST 2026

8/1–2 (All Day) SESSIONS at Summer Campout in Grass Valley, CA*

8/9 (12-2pm) CONCERT at Annie & Mary Day in Blue Lake, CA

8/14 (7-10pm) CONCERT at Cafe Mokka in Arcata, CA

8/21 (5-7:30pm) CONCERT at Fieldbrook Winery in Fieldbrook, CA

8/22 (12:30-3:30pm) HOST SESSION at O’Reilly’s Pub in SF, CA*

8/23 (5:30-7pm) HOST SESSION at Starry Plough Pub in Berkeley, CA

8/28 (6-9pm) PERFORM at Rehearsal Wedding in San Jose, CA

8/29 (4:30-10pm) PERFORM at Wedding in Sebastapol, CA

Times in PST & CA Locations unless otherwise specified!

* = Advanced Registration/RSVP Required: Contact Us

💪 = uilleann (elbow) pipes & 🎻 = fiddle

Check back regularly for updates & find more event details on our online calendar, linked above!

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Blake & Alina Bios

Blake ~ fiddle & concertina

Blake Ritter is an award-winning fiddler from Humboldt County whose powerful yet soulful playing has made him a favorite at Irish music gatherings throughout Northern California.

An All-Ireland champion in the slow airs tradition, Blake combines technical brilliance with a deep understanding of the emotional heart of Irish music.

Whether performing for dancers, sessions, or concert audiences, his music reflects a lifelong dedication to the rich traditions of Ireland and the Celtic world.

Alina ~ pipes & whistles

Alina Larson is a musician, singer, dancer, and a scholar. She regularly performs Irish traditional music on uilleann pipes & whistles around the San Francisco Bay Area and beyond.

Since completing her PhD in 2019, Alina has traveled to Scotland and Ireland a number of times. She started playing the uilleann pipes on May 21st 2020, and has been practicing every day since...