CEOL AGUS CRAIC : Your Guide to Celtic Summer Music
By ERIN MULLAN
Ceol binn a bhaint as an saol! Here comes the summer! This is the season for beaches, BBQs, long warm evenings and music in the great outdoors. Here’s your guide to Celtic content in the summer festivals.
Festival listings:
.........The Harrison Festival of the Arts runs July 9-17, with concerts including The De Danaan Irish Dancers July 13, Dòchas July 14 and Galant, tu perds ton temps with La Racquettes à Claquettes on July 16. Further info:1-604-796-3664 (in Vancouver (604) 681-2771) or www.harrisonfestival.com.........The Vancouver Folk Music Festival goes July 15-17 and is always one of the musical highlights of the summer. This year’s lineup includes Le Vent du Nord, Dòchas, Karan Casey, David Francey and plenty more. “Early bird” ticket prices are in effect until June 22.Call (604) 602-9798 or www.thefestival.bc.ca.........The Mission Folk Music Festival is July 23-25 and the list of performers includes Eileen Ivers & Immigrant Soul, David Francey and The McGarrigles. Details: 1-888-777-0366, (604) 257-0366 in Vancouver) or www.missionfolkmusicfestival.ca.........The Calgary Folk Music Festival runs July 21-24 with Karan Casey Band, JP Cormier Trio, Dòchas, Maria Dunn, Ron Hynes, Kate and Anna McGarrigle and Waterson:Carthy. Call (403) 233-0904 or www.calgaryfolkfest.com .........Capercaillie will be playing Festival Vancouver on August 11, www.festivalvancouver.bc.........The Edmonton Folk Music Festival has Danú, JP Cormier, Maria Dunn, David Francey, Christina Smith & Jean Hewson, Shooglenifty and La Volée d’Castors. Info: (780) 429-1899 or www.edmontonfolkfest.org.........The Salmon Arm Roots & Blues Festival goes August 12-15 and is the only confirmed B.C. date for Shooglenifty. Details: (250) 833-4096 or www.rootsandblues.ca.
Concert listings:
.........June 11 at St. James Hall sees a rescheduled date for brilliant Irish-American singer, fiddler, songwriter and mandolin player Tim O'Brien.........The Rogue Folk Club holds its Folkfest Hangover 2005 series of concerts in the week between the Vancouver and Mission Folk Festivals with Quebec’s Le Vent du Nord on July 19, Scotland’s Dòchas on July 20 and only B.C. appearance for Waterson:Carthy on July 21, all at St. James.........Cape Breton fiddler Ashley MacIsaac kicks off the next Folk & Roots concert series at Capilano College September 18.........On October 7 the fine Irish band Danú return to Cap College as part of their last North American tour .........Scottish/Australian singer Eric Bogle plays Cap College on October 8.........Scotland’s Tannahill Weavers come to St. James on November 4.....Cape Breton youngsters The Cottars will be at St. James December 3.........February 2, 2006 is the date for a long-awaited Vancouver gig for Alasdair Fraser & Natalie Haas.
Local motion:
Scottish Country Dancing in the Park runs on Monday nights from June 13 to August 15, 7:30-9:30 PM, (weather permitting) at Stanley Park's Ceperley Playground. Feel free to watch or join in. Info:(604) 984-6998..........The Wolf and Hound hosts traditional sessions on Monday and Wednesday nights. To find out about the next traditional French-Canadian session call (604) 929-4686..........The Irish Heather has an Irish traditional session on Thursday nights.
Recording news:
Local fiddle ace Shona Le Mottee has released Destination Grouville, which features a host of local talent. See: www.shona.ca for details..à..The master Newfoundland accordion player Frank Maher has a wonderful new recording out on Borealis Records called Frank Maher & the Mahers Bahers: Mahervelous!......Another in the works from Borealis: a new album from Newfoundland duo Christina Smith & Jean Hewson, who are also members of the Mahers Bahers (love that name!).........An album to look for soon is Hands Across the Water, an all-star benefit disc raising money for tsunami relief on the Compass Label.
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Questions, comments, or complaints?
Write me c/o The Celtic Connection, #741 - 916 West Broadway, Vancouver V5Z 1K7, or email: maura@telus.net.
Erin Mullan hosts the Celtic music radio show In the Claddagh Ring, Friday evenings from 6:30 to 8 pm on CFRO 102.7.
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