Beggar's Brawl is a group of Winnipeg musicians who play a mixture of traditional Celtic and contemporary folk music. A love for Irish music prompted the formation of the band in the summer of 2000, and since then, we have enjoyed increasing popularity in and around Winnipeg. With a blend of instrumental tunes, folksongs and a large repertoire of sing-along favorites, Beggar's Brawl provides a wide range of entertainment for nearly any audience.

The Long-Awaited Demo

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The Musicians

May those who love us, love us
And those who don't love us,
May God turn their hearts
And if he can't turn their hearts,
May he turn their ankles
So we will know them by their limping!

Darrell English

Lead singer, pennywhistles, fifes and bodhran, Originally a concert and military band musician, playing first clarinet and then baritone saxophone. He only started playing Irish music in the late 80's but immediately felt in the music a link to his heritage. He first began performing as a member of Borealis, and then as part of the heritage ensemble Simpson's Folly. His album credits include Rick Yarish's "Irish Raven" and Simpson's Folly recordings "Fourteen Miles from Kildonan" and "Redcoats and Bluejackets". Darrell's powerful vocals and distinct whistle style have made him a fixture of the Winnipeg Irish music scene for well over a decade.

Mike Symak

Guitarist and singer, began playing guitar at the age of twelve and was greatly influenced by the likes of Eagles and John Denver, as well as Bluegrass and Classical guitar. Mike spent some time as a drummers for the Rivers and District Pipe Band, and played guitar at St. Charles Church for 12 years. When his daughters began Irish dancing, Mike got involved in the Irish Association of Manitoba, where he immediately fell in love with the music. His guitar style is rich and diverse from solid rhythm to complex picking. He especially enjoys playing for dancers and for ceilis, and is also a gifted mandolin player.

Miriam Neuman

When it comes to Irish music, you've got to have a fiddle in the band, and boy, have we got a fiddle! Miriam is a classically trained violinist who has played since childhood. A keen interest in old time Canadian, Appalachian and traditional Irish music has led her to study Irish music by haunting home and sessions at the Irish Association. Before joining Beggar's Brawl, Miriam played with the country/Celtic band "Southwinds" and Appalachian group "Little Whiskey". She has taken lessons with Lisa Gutkin, James Kelly, Liz Carroll and Sheila Garry of the Kilfenora Ceili Band, and voice lessons with Diane Berger. She also guested on touch stick player Leo Gosselin's 2001 CD "Celtic Vision"

D'Arcy Stearns

If there's one word to describe D'Arcy, it would be Diverse. This young musician plays banjo, mandolin, didgeridoo and percussion. A member the 2000, 2001, 2002 Winnipeg Folk Festival Young Performers program and a devoted musician, he is going to go far. You can also see him with his own band Goblins.

Carolyn Cameron

Wistful melodies and charming Scots traditional in both English and Gaelic are Carolyn's forte. She has grown up singing traditional music in English and Gaelic, and has won in several classes of the Mod Ontario competition. She appeared in the documentary "The Blood is Strong" and has performed in Ontario, Manitoba, Alberta and B.C. including two performances at the Pan Am games. Well known for her work with the Highland Gathering and an active member of the Scottish community, Carolyn rounds out the group bringing a fuller, richer tone to every tune.