CelticFest Performer Bios

Elise Boeur always manages to delight the crowds with her Celtic and folk-influenced fiddling. She brings a delicate touch and compelling presence to the stage, whether exploring traditional tunes on her beloved old fiddle or creating new sounds on an electric five-string violin. An ardent traveler, Elise has been chasing tunes across Europe and North America since 2001. Her “eerie and crystalline” sound has been featured on film soundtracks locally and internationally.

www.elise.purplethistle.ca

Heavily influenced by acts such as Johnny Cash, The Clancy Brothers, The Pogues and Blue Rodeo, Pat Chessell has gained a strong, loyal fan base due to his exceptional acoustic guitar playing, warm, passionate vocals and his [often downright funny] stage presence.

www.patchessell.com

Since 2002, this foursome, Paul Evenden, Mary Brunner, Jennie Bice and Ernie Higgins, has been pleasing audiences with their lively style of music all around the Lower Mainland. 

www.copperskymusic.com

Joseph Michael has been DJ-ing for 10 years now and is the house DJ at Doolins and The Cellar right in the heart of Granville Street's entertainment district. He has played every year at the Celtic Festival, including the Big St. Pat's night out and St. Patrick's Day at Doolins and the Irish Cellar. He'll be back again for his 5th year this time; mixing, mashing and scratching all types of Irish music; all the way from The Pogues to Flogging Molly.

Mark Downey hails from County Meath, Ireland was until recently a resident of Paris, France where he was the front man of the Celtic confusion trio Krusty Mor and the Hotwaterbottles. While holding down four weekly residency gigs in Paris he also toured and played support gigs for the likes of Stockton’s Wing, John McSharry Band, Fluke and Luka Bloom. His solo show sees Mark accompanying his voice with guitar and bodhran as he rolls and rocks through the landscape of Irish songs, from the popular to the obscure, the ancient to modern, all framed with banter and storytelling.

In Vancouver Mark has played The Railway Club, Mahoney’s, Ceili’s, Johnnie Fox’s Irish Snug, the Welsh Community Centre and Scribes Rugby Club. His solo show can currently be seen every Thursday night at The Wolf and Hound in Kitsilano and on Sundays at the same venue from the end of January, performing his original material and hosting the new talent showcase “Stars on Sunday”.

Se Duggan has been singing and playing mandolin since he was ten years old. He grew up in Ballyfermot, Dublin. During the revival of folk music in the 60's his first inspiration was Johnny Moynihan. Se's parents, Sweeney's Men, the Chieftains, De Danann, Bothy Band, Planxty, Kevin Burke, Kieran Hanrahan, Stockton's Wing, Dylan, Van Morrison all feature prominently as musical influences.

Se has performed in Ireland, Canada, France and the States, has recorded several CDs and teaches mandolin, tin whistle and voice through the medium of Irish music at Setanta Studios in Mount Pleasant.

He'll be performing with Mark Downey at this year's CelticFest.

He can be reached through www.swordoflight.org

“Our regular stage performers heat it up with “Crazy Celtic and Maritime Madness.”

Celtic fiddler Doug Medley combines his explosive fiddling style and passion for Maritime Music to lure you into the fiddler’s reverie. The horsehair flies off Doug’s bow as his violin plays for you those wonderfully crazy reels and jigs. Look for his shows throughout Canada.

www.wharfrats.ca

Michael is the doctor of funk. The man can drop slick jazz over any beat and plays his keys like the soothing sensation of cream. Michael fills out our sound and completes the audio spectrum with all the goodness of his melody and charm.

http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=59975068

The Malarkeys are a Celtic rock band from Kelowna, B.C. This dynamic four-piece specializes in traditional and contemporary Celtic music, done with an original flair. The band has been gigging in the Okanagan valley, from Kelowna to Salmon Arm, since March 17, 2007. They’ve played at a variety of locations, including pubs (Jiggers, O’Flannigans, Ernie’s), public parks (Parks Alive! Waterfront Park all ages show), restaurants and wineries (The Minstrel Café, Christopher’s, Sonoran Estate), large group events (National Tour Association), and private functions (UBC-Okanagan staff party, weddings).

All the band members have years of experience performing, writing, and arranging music. Their combined backgrounds have traveled through delta blues to Scottish ballads, with a detour or two through British pop and Canadian rock.

Ryan Campbell plays drums and bodhran, and adds creative graphics and experience in audio technology—not to mention a wicked sense of humour—to the mix. Lisa Grekul plays keyboards and sings lead and harmony vocals, adding some class on top of her talent to the whole affair. Karl Hourigan plays electric and acoustic guitar and penny whistle, and sings lead and harmony vocals. Karl was born in Ireland, so he brings an authentic Celtic musical flavour to the music. Gail Hourigan plays bass, sings lead vocals, and lends her voice to the Malarkeys’ three-part harmonies; she can’t wait for their next show.

As well as years of experience performing in Alberta and British Columbia, the band writes original music that they like to describe as "Celtic mash-ups" or "pop goes the Celtic"!

www.themalarkeys.com

Duo Damian O’Braonain on bodhran, guitar and vocals and Sara Fitzpatrick on fiddle, guitar and vocals captivate audiences with their engaging performances - a perfect way to kick off CelticFest 2008!

Sara was brought up here in BC on the beautiful Sunshine coast and born to an Irish mother and who incidentally played a huge part in encouraging Sara to pursue playing the violin. Sara's live performance debut started outside the liquor store in Sechelt where she entertained passersby with lively Irish fiddle tunes. Although classically trained Sara has displayed a wide range of styles and is currently enjoy success as a Jazz student at the highly recognized Capilano College in North Vancouver. This amazing fiddler continues to delight audiences with not only her abilities but with the true nature of her captivating stage presence, mischievous humour and delightful smile that brings tremendous joy to each venue. Sara Fitzpatrick is also an accomplished vocalist whose breath taking versions of Irish ballads renders every audience speechless. A must see!

Damian, the youngest of ten, was bon in Belfast N. Ireland and even as a baby was noted for his ability to make sounds! These sounds were later refined as music by teachers at the Holy Child primary school who directed and greatly encouraged Damian to pursue his musical career. Damian started with the Tin Whistle under the guidance of teachers and then was mentored by the great Gogi McCullough (all Ireland Whistle Champion). Damian then self taught himself the Bodhran and guitar with vocals coming later. Damian's stage persona is always entertaining laced with some hysterically funny and high energy performances.

www.murphyslagh.com

This four-piece band brings high energy Celtic and Irish Pub favourites to the Roxy stage and features Damian O’Braonain (bodhran, guitar, vocals) Sara Fitzpatrick (fiddle, guitar), Mike Magnusson (drums) and Cory Curtis (bass).

www.murphyslagh.com

Ryan Enns and Patrick Ernst are two 23 year old musicians from the Yukon who love music and love to entertain. Together the duo plays everything from Irish pub music by The Pogues to medleys of traditional Russian dances and Argentinean Tangos. This highly charged, innovative team has been honing their partnership for over a decade and are sure to get your feet stomping.

www.ryanenns.com/RyenHootch.html

For over 20 years Michael Viens has been part of Blackthorn, a Vancouver-based folk group whose repertoire celebrates the traditional music of Ireland and Scotland as well as folk music of English and French Canada. One of that rare breed actually born in Vancouver, he has spent a good portion of his life mixed up in music. Michael sings and plays 6 & 12-string guitars and bodhran, and can keep any crowd entertained.

www.blackthornband.com/musicians.php

“One hell of a good time”, this 5 piece is “notorious for being a bit cheeky, their shows have been met with growing enthusiasm from audiences.”

Whether putting a fresh twist on an old favourite, playing intense fiddle tunes or stomping out classics and original Celtic tunes, the Whiskeydicks are sure to please. The band is comprised of music students aged 20-26 from the Yukon and British Columbia. Collectively, they are possibly the most stylistically diverse group of performers ever put on a stage. All of their individual influences end up in the mix and somehow work incredibly well together with a mix of Celtic rock influences. They have filled dance floors and beer glasses in some of Canada’s most prestigious venues.

http://ww.myspace.com/thewhiskeydicks