| Hot new acts, new venues and surprising events on the cards for 2010! |
 |
 |
 |
| Monday, 22 March 2010 23:07 |
|
The National Celtic Festival will this year add to its already jam-packed program of entertainment and activities with a delightfully diverse assortment of special events. Held over the long-weekend, June 11-14, this celebration of Celtic music and culture takes place each year at the beautiful seaside township of Portarlington. This usually quiet hamlet – nestled between the Bellarine Peninsula’s renowned vineyards and the famous mussel farms of Corio Bay – will again come to life with the music, laughter and passion of the Celtic spirit. There will be 40-plus acts representing the cream of Celtic musicians, singers, poets, dancers and storytellers from across Australia and around the world. Joining them in the program will be a battle of the pipe bands; a feast for fiddle fans; the unique opportunity to enjoy Celtic music aboard a tall ship as it sails across the bay; and much more. Pipers and drummers from across the country will assemble in full Scottish regalia to perform in what is sure to be a thrilling sight and sound experience. This gathering of pipe bands en masse will truly be something to behold. The lightening fast fingers of the greatest virtuoso violinists in Celtic music will be on show at the festival’s own Golden Fiddle Awards. The 2010 award-winner Catherine Fraser will also be performing at the festival with her band, the Catherine Fraser Quartet. Heading the line-up of international talent is hot young Irish group Beoga, which will make its Aussie debut at the festival. This five-piece mixes traditional rhythms with jazz, blues, New Orleans jamboree and a dozen other genres. It’s no wonder the Wall Street Journal dubbed them “the most exciting new traditional band to emerge from Ireland this century.” Returning to the National Celtic Festival by popular demand is one of the world’s best loved singer/songwriters, Eric Bogle. A true entertainer, this Scotsman-down-under has penned some of the most poignant lyrics of all time including “The Band Played Waltzing Matilda” and “No Man’s Land (The Green Fields of France”. Also flying in for the festival will be award-winning solo artist John Spillane (Ireland), rebel singer/songwriter Gary Og (Scotland) and, fresh from the dark heart of Dublin’s Temple Bar district, The Craic Hooers (Ireland). While the Australian contingent will include the ever-popular Bushwakers, 16-year-old soprano Siobhan Owen, the traditional sounds of Conundrum, haunting Irish singer Maria Forde, Welsh-language folk band Pendragon Dreaming, Glasgow storyteller Eric Purdie, Tasmanian group The To’Rags and Celtic rockers Claymore. There’s also The Go Set, Aniar, The Rum Jacks, Red Cat, Liminality, Bhan Tre, Gibb Todd, Fiddler’s Feast, The Borderers , Shanachie and the list goes. To read about all the performers visit www.nationalcelticfestival.com. “We’re really excited about the fantastic line-up of talent this year, we have added some new elements to the program and this year’s festival is promising to be the most diverse yet!” says festival director Una McAlinden. “It’s a real coup that Beoga are coming here for their first Australian visit. Their music is amazing, it makes you feel like dancing.” Ms McAlinden says Eric Bogle has played at the festival several times over the years and his concerts are always a sell-out. “I’d advise anyone wanting to see Eric to book early,” she says. “Eric’s a real legend. We’re so excited he’s coming back.” From Friday night until Monday afternoon there’s so much to enjoy, from full-scale concerts to intimate jam sessions, in the many heated venues around Portarlington. All within easy walking distance, these include The ‘Ol Duke, Celtic Club, Wine Bar, Parks Hall and, for the first time, a variety of acts will be performing on the tall ship Enterprize as it sets sail across the bay. A genuinely family-friendly festival, there’s plenty of children’s entertainment, roving performers, and a fantastic workshop program for adults and kids. The workshops offer expert tuition in all manner of Celtic pursuits including learning musical instruments, Gaelic language, dancing and more – all included in the ticket price. In the heart of it all the Village stage will have free entertainment across the long-weekend; while the undercover Celtic market will house stalls bursting with trinkets, treasures, curious crafts and delicious foods. There’s even a Celtic butcher offering his own quirky delicacies. Book now and save. Earlybird tickets on sale until April 30. To get your tickets phone GPAC on (03) 5225 1200 or visit www.nationalcelticfestival.com today. |
Latest News
Facebook FanBox
Please enter valid API Key from you Facebook API and your valid Profile ID.Twitter Widget
By iWeb Design
