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Award-winning Celtic folk rock band Mythica will make their West Virginia debut Friday at the acclaimed music venue the Purple Fiddle Cafe, Brews and Stage in Thomas. The show, which begins at 8:30 p.m., is part of Mythica's 2009 East Coast tour.

"We can't wait to rock Thomas!" says lead singer Melissa Cox. "We've heard many great things about the Purple Fiddle and its patrons. We're really excited."

Cox, who also plays guitar and mandolin, is accompanied by Michele McCann on hurdy gurdy, woodwinds and bodhran, Matt Smith on bass, and Tim Kelly on drum kit. Critics have likened Mythica's sound to that of the Cranberries, Loreena McKennitt and Led Zeppelin.

Their interesting instrumentation, infectious original songs and jig-inducing Irish covers have won them many local and national music awards.

Since 2005, Mythica has made leaps and bounds in the regional music scene, performing at some of the largest festivals and fairs and many prestigious venues. In 2006, they got their first big break when they opened for Spin Doctors and Sister Hazel.

Soon after, they were appearing with some of the biggest names in folk, Irish and mainstream music, including Black 47, the Makem Brothers, the Prodigals, Young Dubliners, Tom Chapin, and most recently Cyril Neville of the Neville Brothers.

Mythica's 2009 tour will take them from Boston to South Carolina, and nearly every state in between.

For more information about Mythica, visit www.MythicaMusic.com.

Admission is $8. For tickets to the Friday show, call 304-463-4040.

In addition to Mythica, others on the Fiddle lineup include Brock Zeman, Rich Hamilton, The Fitzmaurice Band, Snake Oil Medicine Show and Great American Taxi with Vince Herman and Leftover Salmon.

Zeman will perform at 8 p.m. Wednesday and admission is free. Hamilton will be featured in a free show at 8 p.m. on Thursday.

The Fiddle will welcome The Fitzmaurice Band Saturday bringing with them the "entire spectrum of bluegrass, from the traditional high and lonesome sounds of Bill Monroe to contemporary acoustic music."

The show starts at 8:30 p.m. and admission is $8.

Snake Oil Medicine Show will perform at 8 p.m. Sunday featuring "Psychobilly and Slamgrass" music. Admission is $10.

Moving into next week, Great American Taxi, Vince Herman and Leftover Salmon will be onstage at 8 p.m. Monday. Admission is $12 in advance or $15 at the door for this show "filled with electric folk, alt-country, a dash of bluegrass and good ol' rock and roll."

The Purple Fiddle is located on East Avenue in Thomas. For more information, call 304-463-4040 or log on to www.purplefiddle.com.