CFHeaderbodhrandancersboxPipesshoeshoeceilrandaldancerpiper
About the CHSEnewsletter

Home
PRESS Materials
Information
Performers
Workshops
Schedule
Vendors
VolunteersSponsors
FAQ
Photos
Links

 

 

 

Performers 2010

Téada

Téada

Téada, now firmly established as one of Irish music's leading exponents on the international world music stage, continues to be driven by a fascination with the timeless, expressive force of traditional tunes inherited from previous generations of musicians.

Since 2001, when the freshly-formed band landed a spot on the innovative Irish television show Flosc, Téada, has evolved to frequent headline performances at major music festivals throughout the US, Canada, Europe, Israel and Australia. A notable highlight was a headlining appearance to a 30,000-audience in Brittany during 2006, a year which also saw the band launch a hugely successful CD/DVD 'Inné Amárach', released by Gael Linn and Compass Records.

With lush Irish orchestration, Téada, meaning "strings" in the Irish language revels in the vibrant traditional music of Ireland, deftly playing up its structural intricacies while preserving the timeless energy of the reels, jigs, hornpipes, and other lesser-known tunes in the repertoire.

Donie Carroll and Friends

Donie Carroll

Donie Carroll is a lifelong musician performing all over Cork and New York City. Carroll garnered a reputation in New York as a fine Cork City balladeer through his regular session with Andy McGann, Gus Murray, John Ford, Johnny Cronin, and Joe “Banjo” Burke. In 2010, Donie released his first solo CD to glowing reviews, and the N.Y. Cork Association declared him  ‘Corkman of the Year’. Donie is presently a member of the New York City-based Washington Square Harp and Shamrock Orchestra, led by Dr. Mick Moloney. Two members will be joining him from the Orchestra, Don Meade and Dan Neely. Don Meade is a stalwart in New York's trad Irish scene, writing for Irish music publications, collecting tunes, and leading sessions on fiddle, mandolin, and harmonica. Currently, Don leads the session at the Landmark in Hell's Kitchen. Dan Neely plays the tenor banjo, is an inveterate tune hound, runs the popular weekly session at  Lillie’s Victorian Irish Pub in Manhattan, and leads the Washington Square Harp and Shamrock Orchestra.

Captain Mackey's Goatskin and String Band

Captain Mackey

Corkmen Máirtín de Cógáin and Jimmy Crowley have given their whole lives to the promulgation and nurture of the ballad. Both men hail from the rebel county of Cork and now reside in America. Máirtín and Jimmy proudly speak the Irish language and have won degrees in the subject from the University of Ireland.

Captain Mackey's Goatskin and Stringband takes its name from a legendary Irish-American Fenian and a legendary Cork folk band from the sixties, Paddy's Goatskin and Stringband, which had a seminal effect on Jimmy's musical life. The Stringband's membership is fleshed out by the addition of Irish fiddler Valerie Plested and guitarist Don Penzien for a mighty sound, indeed!

Tim Britton -- Irish Uilleann Pipes

Tim Britton

Tim Britton is among the foremost of a generation making innovative contributions to the Irish tradition. A virtuoso on the rare Uillean pipes (a sophisticated Irish bagpipe, pronounced ILL-in), Tim has been touring, teaching and recording over the last thirty years. In 1989 he was designated a master artist by the Iowa Arts Council and was nominated for a Best of Philadelphia Music Award. From 1997 to 2003 he toured with Chulrua (with Paddy O'Brien and Pat Egan). When not traveling, Britton makes uilleann pipes and does audio engineering and sales in Fairfield, Iowa. Tim has been the recipient of five Iowa Traditional Arts Apprenticeship grants to teach Irish music and Uillean pipe making and playing.

Éamonn de Cógáin -- Céilí Mór
Éamon_de_Cógáin Éamonn de Cógáin is widely regarded as Ireland's most energetic MC. He has called céilís far and wide across the Emerald Isle and is now devolping a name for himself stateside.

Éamonn is one of the chief organisers of Damhsafest, The Cork International Folk Dance Festival and was once again MC at it's Gala Event, the Dance Extravaganza in Cork City Hall. This past summer he has orchastrated locals and tourist alike at The Flying Enterprize Complex in his native Cork, where thousands have learned the basic steps and movements of Irish Ceili Dancing. His smooth Brog and easy going nature allows people of all ages to believe that they can Ceili dance the night away without difficulty.

The return to Mississippi was an easy choice for both CelticFest organizers and Éamonn himself as he enjoy the Festival so much last year! Éamonn looks forward to seeing you all at his workshops and especially at the Saturday Night Céilí Mór.

Máirtín de Cógáin

Máirtín de Cógáin - Storytelling
Few could be more qualified to tell stories at CelticFest -- Máirtín de Cógáin is a two time All-Ireland winner in storytelling.

A native of the rebel County Cork, Máirtín is also a noted singer, drum player (the Irish bodhrán), and céilí/set dancer. His work can be seen with Co. Cork’s The Fuchsia Band, and more recently Captain Mackey’s Goatskin and Stringband with Jimmy Crowley, and the brand new Máirtín de Cógáin Project, who will be releasing a new CD this summer.

As if there weren’t any limits to his talents, Máirtín is an up-and-coming-actor, with a significant role in the 2006 Cannes Palm d’ Or winner, The Wind that Shakes the Barley. Additionally, Máirtín is bilingual, speaking both English and the Irish language (also known as Irish Gaelic).





Additional Music Performers
Arguing Sisters
Jackson, MS
Randy Louisiana Mummers
New Orleans, LA
Iona Bridging The Gap
Rankin County, MS
Kelly Kelly
Kansas City, KS
Burleson John Burleson
Fort Worth, TX (story telling)
Legacy Legacy
Jackson, MS / Orlando, FL
Celjun Celjun
Lafayette, LA
McGuinness Peggy Loyd & John Burleson
Little Rock, AL / Dallas, TX
CCrossrds Celtic Crossroads
Hattiesburg, MS
NOQSK N.O. Quarter Shanty Krewe
New Orleans, LA
Celtic Ties Celtic Ties
Atlanta, GA
New Orleans Strathspey Reel Society
New Orleans, LA
Chambless & Muse
Tuscaloosa, AL
Nine-8ths Nine-8ths Irish
Sacramento, CA
Coyne/Reeves Coyne and Reeves
Providence RI /Gainesville FL
Ricky Ricky Pittman
Monroe, LA
Crossroads Crossroads Ceili Band
New Orleans, LA
O'Rourke & Zeitler
Saginaw, MI
DBF Donny Brook Fair
Jackson, MS
McGuinness Sean McGuinness
Reno, NV
Emerald Accent Emerald Accent
Hattiesburg, MS
SlipJig SlipJig
Huntsville, AL
FoW Father of Waters Pipe and Drums Jackson, MS Spirits Spirits of the House
Jackson, MS
Wren Finvarra's Wren
Detroit, MI
Smithfield Smithfield Fair
Baton Rouge, LA
Donna Fitch
Bedford, TX
Waters Jim Waters
Bedford, TX
Jim Flanagan
Hattiesburg, MS
Wild Irish Roots
Baton Rouge, LA / Raymond, MS
       
Dance Groups
BISD Birmingham Irish Set Dancers,
Birmingham, AL
NOLAComhaltas New Orleans Set Dancers,
New Orleans, LA
JID Jackson Irish Dancers,
Jackson, MS
Ryan Ryan School of Irish Dance
Lafayette, LA
McTeggart McTeggart Irish Dancers of Louisiana,
New Orleans, LA
Scott-Ellis Scott-Ellis School of Irish Dance,
Nashville, TN
MSMagic MS Magic Irish Dancers,
Gulfport, MS
Winddance WindDance,
Selmer, TN

SCA Field Displays
Shire of Iron Ox, Jackson's chapter of the Society for Creative Anachronism, will be on the grounds Saturday to demonstrate mideaval sparring techniques.

Highland Games and Demonstration
Highland games are events held throughout the year in Scotland and other countries as a way of celebrating Scottish and Celtic culture and heritage, especially that of the Scottish Highlands. Certain aspects of the games are so well known as to have become emblematic of Scotland, such as the bagpipes, the kilt, and the heavy events, especially the caber toss.

Heavy Hammer Throw: 22lbs in wt, traditionally a Scottish event now an International Olympic event. What probably began as an informal contest between two young men in front of a blacksmith shop in the highlands of Scotland has grown into the Olympic event. The competitor is judged on the best of three throws.

Light Hammer Throw: 16 lbs in weight.

Open Stone Throw: 18.6 lbs of Georgia Granite thrown for distance. This event is known in Gaelic as the Clachneart and is similar to the Olympic shot put. Each competitor is judged on the longest of three throws.

stone tossBraemar Stone of Strength: 21.7 lbs

16 lb. Sheaf Toss: A sheaf of hay in burlap tossed over a bar with a pitchfork for height. The origins of this event obviously lie in the agricultural regions of Scotland. A 16 pound sheaf of hay enclosed in a burlap bag is tossed with a three tined pitch fork over a bar. The sheaf must clear the bar without touching. Each competitor is given three chances to clear the bar. After each have had their throw, the bar is raised. This continues until all but one has been eliminated.

Light Weight For Distance: 28 lb weight is tossed. These events consist of a three part competition using two metal weights. Both weights are thrown for distance and the 56lb weight is tossed for height. Each competitor is judged on the best of three tries.

Heavy Weight For Distance 56lb weight

 

   

Benefit Events for CelticFest Mississippi

Whiskey Tasting

Blasta Wine Tasting

Fion Pour

Feeling Lost?
You can read the F.A.Q., or try searching the CelticFest site here.

Loading

Cad 'ta tharla?
What's Happening?
Afraid you might be left out? There's always the CHS email list.

   
   
©The Celtic Heritage Society, 2009