While Kitsap-based Celtic music group Crooked Mile took its name from the fact that all the members have traveled different paths in their lives, they are all firmly following in the footsteps of the ancient Celts.

The trio, husband and wife David and Barbara Denz and Ken Stern, play what Barbara calls “eclectic Celtic,” with influences from the many regions touched by the intrepid Celts.

“The Celts did a lot of sailing and fishing, so a lot of our songs have a seafaring theme,” Denz said.

They have collected music from Ireland, the British Isles, Cape Breton and French Canadian traditions — which includes a dash of Cajun.

“I have a penchant for Irish and Scottish folk songs,” Denz said.

She added they are known for their songs about death and dying.

“We seem to gravitate to songs about people doing harm to other people,” she said.

The Celtic songbook is certainly full of such songs, a reflection of their long history of conflict with neighboring tribes, kings and cousins.

Barbara Denz is the group’s vocalist, while David Denz plays a variety of instruments, including bouzouki, cittern, Uilleann pipes, wooden flute and guitar. Stern plays fiddle.

Crooked Mile performs with Edmonds-based Watch the Sky Nov. 18 at Island Music Guild Hall on Bainbridge Island in a benefit for the Bainbridge Island Land Trust.

The Denzes, who live just outside Indianola and work in the tech industry, have been performing together for 25 years, ever since they met as fellow musicians on the ferry to Seattle.

Stern lives on Bainbridge Island and met David at Irish session in Seattle. He joined the group two years ago.

Past incarnations of the group, which formed in 1995, have included fiddler Elizabeth Gale, guitarist Matt Moeller and bassist Liam Graham.

Crooked Mile has released one CD, “There You Are,” and performs frequently, although they try to keep it to once a month this time of year.

“In summer that goes out the window, and of course every Celtic group is booked for St. Patrick’s Day,” Denz said.

The group has performed locally at the Pegasus Coffee House, Seabold Second Saturday and the Kingston Farmers Market, as well as at the Northwest Folklife Festival and other festivals around the Northwest.

Denz said a favorite venue is the Port of Allyn Waterfront Park Gazebo, where they get together with Watch the Sky.

Denz said of the other band, “Our voices are almost identical in range. We can weave in and out and have fun with it.”

Watch the Sky is Jan and Chris Glanister and guitarist Joe Wagner. They have been together for a decade and have produced two CDs, with a third in the works. Jan and Chris both sing, and Jan plays percussion on an Irish bodhran and an Arabic dumbec. Chris plays penny whistles and mandolin.

For the Guild Hall concert each group will play one set, then join for a third set.

Crooked Mile and Watch the Sky perform 7:30 p.m. Nov. 18 at Island Music Guild Hall, 10958 Valley Rd., Bainbridge Island.

Tickets are $8 at the door, with proceeds to the Bainbridge Island Land Trust. To reserve tickets call (206) 780-6911 or e-mail islandmusicguild@qwest.net.