The National Celtic Festival, Australia’s largest and most diverse celebration of Celtic music and culture is held over the June long week-end 10 – 13 June 2011, in beautiful Portarlington, on the Bellarine Peninsula, Victoria.
For three jam-packed days and lively nights – music, dance, art, poetry, cuisine, even Gaelic languages.
Enjoy the performances or be a part of the festivities by joining in one of the many workshops on offer, anything from limerick writing to bagpipe playing !
There’s plenty to satisfy every sort of music fan at the upcoming National Celtic Festival 2011, held across the long-weekend, June 10-13.
Now in its ninth year at picturesque Portarlington, on Victoria’s glorious Bellarine Peninsula, the annual event transforms this usually sleepy seaside village into the Australian capital of Celtic music and culture.
This year promises to deliver better craic than ever before with organisers this week announcing the full line-up of national acts – hand-picked from across the country – adding to the list of incredible calibre international performers.
From the US comes Celtic-folk group Solas; as well as Scottish fiddle virtuoso Hanneke Cassel Trio. From Ireland comes contemporary singer-songwriter Eleanor McEvoy; former Hothouse Flower Liam Ó Maonlai teaming up with musician and poet Rónán Ó Snodaigh. From the beautiful Isle of Skye comes Gaelic Songstress Christine Primrose; and two cultures unite with duo Sophie & Fiachra, hailing from Quebec and Ireland respectively.
“When planning the festival we strive to give our audiences all their favourite things, while each year introducing some new surprises so that each festival in a uniquely different experience,” said festival director Una McAlinden.
Returning in 2011 by popular demand will be The Bushwackers. Celebrating its 40th anniversary, this Aussie musical institution has declared its own “International Year of Bush Dancing” in honour of the milestone.
Fiery Brisbane four-piece Sunas will be making its festival debut hot on the heels of its new album and live DVD “Celtic Road”, just released through the ABC Classics label.
Former recipient of the honorary role of “Face of the Festival”, Jimmy Moore returns to the fold this year with his Sydney-based band Claddagh. He will be joined on stage this year by the newly appointed 2011 Face of the Festival, Irish musician Mary McEvilly.
Ms McEvilly said she was delighted to be the Face of the National Celtic Festival this year: “It is fast becoming a premier festival in the circuit in Australasia and I am very excited to be a part of it,” Ms McEvilly said.
Amongst the hundreds of singers, musicians, dancers, bands, choirs and poets performing this year will be internationally-renowned Scottish fiddle player Catherine Fraser; Cornish songstress Oriel Glennan; young champion traditional dancers and talented musicians George & Davydd; and teenage soprano and harpist Siobhan Owen.
There’s also Blackbird; Maria Forde; Badja River Quartet; McAlpine’s Fusiliers; Cath Connelly; The Simpson Three; Claymore; Knot O’ The Gate; Between The Wars; Fianna; Pria Schwall-Kearney; Squeebz; Rowan Blackmore; Cool Bananas; Red Cat and many more.
Festival director Una McAlinden said that while there has been an increase in performances and venues this year, organisers strove to retain the intimate, laid-back atmosphere for which the National Celtic Festival is famous.
“This year we are utilising some more of the interesting venues around Portarlington to accommodate our extra audiences,” Ms McAlinden said.
“We want to maintain that wonderful feeling that our festival is known for.”
Early Bird tickets are on sale now until April 30, so book early and save. To get your tickets phone GPAC on (03) 5225 1200 or visit purchase.tickets.com/GPAC.
Links
- National Celtic Festival website: www.nationalcelticfestival.com
- Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/group.php
- Twitter Page: https://twitter.com/#!/CelticFestival
- Online Ticket Sales: purchase.tickets.com/GPAC
