Making its first appearance in Pennsylvania, the Cape Breton (Canada) band, Beòlach will be performing in State College this weekend.

The band features fiddles, bagpipes and a guitar. Deriving its name from the Gaelic word for "lively youth," Beòlach will be playing and dancing to its own unique traditions.

Wendy MacIsaac, one of the group's fiddlers, described Cape Breton step dance style as similar to the Irish form, in that they "are both Celtic," and incorporate the same types of jigs and reels. A difference between the two, however, is the Cape Breton tradition of staying closer to the floor and avoiding high kicks.

"It's slightly more similar to jazz except you don't have your upper body going," MacIsaac said.

Sally Driscoll discovered that Beòlach would be passing near State College and contacted them to stop by, in connection with the Central Pennsylvania Country Dance Association.

Driscoll described the music as "a little bit of Scottish and contemporary Cape Breton music," but difficult to exactly define.

MacIsaac, on the other hand, defined the band's musical performance easily as, "a high energy Celtic show."

Although this weekend will mark its first performance in Pennsylvania, the group has performed on the East Coast in the past and is often in England and Scotland.

On Friday, Beòlach will give a concert followed by a dance. Webster's Bookstore Café, 128 S. Allen St., is selling tickets for the event.

"We sold a number of [tickets] earlier this week," said Carrie Ditzler, a bookstore employee, but added that there are plenty still available.

Saturday will feature workshops in Cape Breton step dance, fiddle, guitar and bagpipes.

"The workshops are for all-ages," Driscoll said.

Tickets for the 8 p.m. show tomorrow are also available at University Book Centre, 206 E. College Ave.

The show will be held at the State College Friends School, 1900 University Drive. Saturday's workshops are from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at the Centre Learning Community Charter School, 2643 W. College Ave. and tickets are $10 at the door.