Beginning June 11, BCMFest will present "Celtic Music Monday," bringing the finest local performers in Irish, Scottish, Cape Breton and other Celtic traditions once a month to the stage at Passim, the legendary Harvard Square club that has been at the forefront of Boston's storied folk music scene for decades.

Among those hosting and appearing at "Celtic Music Monday" will be Laura Cortese, Shannon Heaton, Susie Petrov and Ellery Klein, who in addition to being highly regarded musicians are part of the braintrust for BCMFest, the annual grassroots, community-oriented festival that will celebrate its fifth birthday January 13-14, 2008.

"Celtic Music Monday" will have a strong local focus, creating a community atmosphere to help celebrate the richness of Celtic music in Boston, with appearances by friends and guests of BCMFest as well as an occasional "Celtic open mic night."

Accordingly, the low admission price for "Celtic Music Monday" — $5 for members of Club Passim, WUMB and WGBH; $10 for non-members — is meant to encourage people to join in the ongoing festivities, say organizers.

"BCMFest belongs to Boston; it's as simple as that," says Heaton, who co-founded BCMFest with Cortese. "Our message is, 'This is a great town in which to enjoy Celtic music and dance, whether you're a full-time professional, session regular or long-time tradition-bearer — or you're just beginning to explore the tradition. So let's enjoy it together.'"

"Celtic Music Monday" further expands the scope of BCMFest's activities beyond the festival itself; during the past year, for example, BCMFest held a special "Celtic music cruise" in Gloucester Harbor and organized several renditions of the Boston Urban Ceilidh, a Celtic dance party with live music.

"Outreach to the community is critical for BCMFest," says Cortese. "We want everybody to know we're here, and to know that there's a place for everybody in BCMFest. We need performers, volunteers and contributors, but most of all we need people to come out and take part."

BCMFest organizers are enthused about broadening the festival's relationship with Club Passim, which serves as a venue during the festival weekend.

"We're absolutely delighted to be working with Club Passim," says Petrov. "Year in, year out, it serves as a wellspring for the great diversity of folk and acoustic music, and supports the talent and creativity found in the Boston music community — and beyond."

Information about "Celtic Music Monday" events and performers will be available through the Boston Celtic Music Fest Web site, http://www.bcmfest.com, and Myspace page, http://www.myspace.com/bcmfest, as well as Club Passim, http://www.clubpassim.org.