Festical Venues, Schedule & Tickets

Thursday March 15
Doors 7:00 pm
Show 8:00 pm

From Texas to Tipperary

A hot-licks homage to the rich roots tradition of Celtic-Americana. On stage together for the first time, some of Canada's finest musicians play the music that's flourished since Irish and Scottish immigrants settled in Appalachia. Follow the tuneful path of "old-country" music in the new world, where it gave birth to the soulful, raw sounds of "new" old-time acoustic music. Always alive, the Celtic-Americana sound is thriving anew today!

For this one-night-only CelticFest premiere, join us on a music journey from Galveston to Galway, Nashville to Newcastle, Austin to Armagh featuring: Jim Byrnes, Roy Forbes, Steve Dawson, Babe Gurr, T. Nile, Fish and Bird, The Matinée and Farrell Spence. Our very own CelticFest House Band performs throughout the evening, and includes some of Celtic music's brightest stars: Adrian Dolan, Keona Hammond, Kalissa Hernandez, Darren Parris and the inimitable leader of the Paperboys, Tom Landa.

From heartrending Irish ballads to rousing good-time songs to original Americana roots tunes with a decidedly Celtic twist, From Texas to Tipperary showcases why Celtic music's intoxicating influence endures and thrives across borders and time. In the hands of a kicking roster of music maestros, a once-in-a-lifetime concert beckons - a night that lovers of great Celtic, acoustic and roots music simply cannot miss.

Presented by

Stadium Club @ Edgewater Casino
750 Pacific Blvd. S.
Plaza of Nations

Advance Tickets $20
$25 at the door

19 years +

Friday March 16
Doors 7:00 pm
Show 8:00 pm

San Patricios Concert
From Galway to Guadalajara

An evening with The San Patricios - From Galway to Guadalajara

Blistering rhythms, lilting melodies, infectiously danceable tunes - these are just a few things that Irish and Mexican music have in common. But in this unique and exciting concert experience, they are just a few of the surprising connections in store.

Join us for a night when Ireland and Mexico come together in a sizzling lineup featuring Mariachi Los Dorados, Locarno, The Paperboys and The CelticFest House Band (Adrian Dolan, Keona Hammond, Kalissa Hernandez, Darren Parris and Tom Landa).
Mariachis and Celts join forces for a rambunctious evening of brilliant music, revelry and high-steppin' dance.

The history of the San Patricios serves as inspiration for this special gathering. Back in 1846, Irish immigrants in the US army chose to desert and join the Mexican army rather than fight fellow Catholics. They called themselves the St. Patrick's Battalion - the San Patricios. These Irish deserters found common ground with their Mexican cousins - and that common ground bears new fruit when Vancouver's hottest Celtic bands perform with Canada's premier mariachi orchestra on the CelticFest stage.

Don't miss this rousing night of Mexican and Irish music where jigs and reels meet huapangos and sones, Celtic melody meets hot Latin rhythms, and boleros meet bodhráns. This unique collaboration offers great musicianship, a vast range of rhythms with brilliant brass and blazing fiddles and a packed dance floor - all the necessaries for a spectacular night. Kilts and sombreros will be a-flying!

Presented by

Stadium Club @ Edgewater Casino
750 Pacific Blvd. S.
Plaza of Nations

Advance Tickets $20
$25 at the door

19 years +

Saturday March 17
11:00 am

Bagpipe Workshop
with Edward MacIlwaine

Bagpipes 101: An introduction to the Scottish Bagpipe, its workings, its music and some of its fascinating history. The workshop will include an introductionto Scottish classical or art music, known as Piobaireachd.

Ed McIlwaine started his piping career with the White Spot Pipe Band in 1986. Since 2001, he’s been a dedicated student and teacher, particularly of piobaireachd, and is a frequent competition prize-winner in Scotland. He is also a Past President of the British Columbia Pipers' Association.

Presented by Tom Lee Music

Tom Lee Music
City Stage
Lobby Level,
929 Granville St.

Free

Saturday March 17
12:00 pm – 1:00 pm

Jade Dragon Pirates

Join the Jade Dragon Pirates as they demonstrate what is needed to survive on their ship. An entertaining show that will delight all ages, volunteers will be “liberated’ from the audience and taught the fine art of being a pirate. This is a chance to get in touch with your inner Captain Jack!

In cooperation with The BC Renaissance Festival

Kids’ Tent
Celtic Village
Granville St.
near Smithe St.

Free

Saturday March 17
1:00 pm

Jaw Harp Workshop
with Deirdre Morgan

Ethnomusicologist Deirdre Morgan explains and demonstrates the pocket-sized Jaw Harp (AKA the Jew’s Harp and Mouth Harp), one of the oldest musical instruments in the world. Played around the globe amongst various cultures, this resonating mouth instrument has a fascinating story.

Presented by Tom Lee Music

Tom Lee Music
City Stage
Lobby Level,
929 Granville St.

Free

Saturday March 17
1:30 pm

Skellig

Skellig is an extended family band playing original Celtic Rock with influences ranging from Irish folk to Led Zeppelin, U2 and beyond. This Vancouver Island-based musical clan sings and plays from the heart, connecting with people young and old and, most of all, having fun.

Presented by

Music Stage
Celtic Village
Granville St.
@ Georgia St.

Free

Saturday March 17
3:00 pm – 4:00 pm

Celtic Transformations

Presented by
The North Shore Celtic Ensemble

The North Shore Celtic Ensemble is an acclaimed group of culturally diverse young musicians from the Greater Vancouver region.

"Celtic Transformations" is a unique blend of original composition, creative arrangements and dance that showcases the talent, energy and passion of the ensemble and their collaborators. With a spirited “no-boundaries” repertoire, get ready for a new kind of musical experience.

Presented by Tom Lee Music

Tom Lee Music Hall
3rd Floor,
929 Granville St.

Tickets $5 at the door

Saturday March 17
4:00 pm – 5:00 pm

Magic by Travis Bernhardt

Magician Travis Bernhardt is known for his amazing one man show, Things That Never Happen,his work with the Screaming Chicken Theatrical Society and for being one of Canada's top street magicians. Prepare to be astounded!

Kids’ Tent
Celtic Village
Granville St.
near Smithe St.

Free (donations welcome)

Saturday March 17
Doors 7:00 pm
Show 8:00 pm

BIG St. Pat’s Night Out!
Featuring Delhi 2 Dublin
With special guests
Dream Catcher (from Luxembourg)

This is THE place to celebrate St. Patrick's Day!

CelticFest Vancouver 2012 is thrilled to present the 6th anniversary concert of a band that was created on the stage at CelticFest 2006 - and has since gone on to international stardom! Delhi 2 Dublin returns to celebrate their birthday at the BIG St. Pat's Night Out! Opening the concert is Luxembourg's Dream Catcher.

Who knew back in 2006 that an experimental one-off live concert collaboration put together by CelticFest's former artistic director, Dugg Simpson, would serve as the birth of an international phenomenon? That concert was called Delhi to Dublin, and was so well-received that requests for more led to the official formation of the band. Six years on, they are one of Canada's hippest and most talked-about groups, performing in major venues around the globe. Their kick-ass fiddle players rock out with a kilt-wearing Korean and two electrifying Bhangra percussionist, fronted by a vocalist who looks like he would be equally at home in a Bollywood music video.

Luxembourg's Dream Catcher opens. Their high-energy multilingual songs (in English, French and Luxembourgish) cover a range of styles, from English pop to Celtic/French chanson.

The band wows crowds wherever they perform.

Known as the "United Nations of rock ‘n' roll", Delhi 2 Dublin's spectacular mash-up of bhangra, Celtic, dub, reggae and electronica with global rhythms and club beats will set the stage aflame. This concert is sure to be the hottest St. Patrick's Day ticket in town!

Presented by

The Vogue Theatre
918 Granville St.

Advance Tickets $30
$35 at the door

Sunday March 18
11:00 am

8th Annual St. Patrick’s Day PARADE

Join thousands of happy celebrants, all seized with Irish fever! Dress up is green, grab your loved ones and head down to the parade where the happy spirit of fun prevails. You’ll see a bagpiper riding a unicyle, colourfully costumed participants, pipe bands, dancers, acrobats, stilt-walkers, musicians – and maybe even your neighbour! The St. Pat’s Day Parade is the best free fun for your whole family you’re likely to find anywhere. See you there!

Presented by

Parade route begins at Howe St. @ Drake St. and marches north on Howe to Georgia St. ending at Georgia & Granville St.

Free

Sunday March 18
12:30 pm

Newfoundland Button Accordion Workshop
with Lorne Warr

Join Newfoundland native Lorne Warr for a Sunday afternoon workshop featuring the button accordion played in the traditional Newfoundland style. When the Celts settled on the East Coast they brought more than just their desire to start a new life, they also brought their love of music. This tradition has been passed down from generation to generation. Lorne learned to play the button accordion from his grannie, who played well into her nineties. The button accordion in Newfoundland is akin to the fiddle in Ireland – and no kitchen party would be complete without it.

At this workshop, you’ll learn tips on this unique style of play, hear a few songs accompanied by the accordion and be entertained by Lorne's East Coast charm.

Presented by Tom Lee Music

Tom Lee Music
City Stage
Lobby Level,
929 Granville St.

Free

Sunday March 18
1:30 pm – 2:30 pm

Jade Dragon Pirates

Join the Jade Dragon Pirates as they demonstrate what is needed to survive on their ship. An entertaining show that will delight all ages, volunteers will be “liberated’ from the audience and taught the fine art of being a pirate. This is a chance to get in touch with your inner Captain Jack!

In cooperation with The BC Renaissance Festival

Kids’ Tent
Celtic Village
Granville St.
near Smithe St.

Free

Sunday March 18
2:00 pm

Lorne Warr and The Streels

A 'streel' is a slovenly person in Newfie-speak, but there's nothing shabby about the East Coast charm of this band of virtuosos who sing and play an eclectic repertoire of original, Maritime and Celtic tunes. Led by the rich baritone of Newfoundland native Lorne Warr, you’ll be swept along with their energy, great sound and fun they have playing together.

Presented by

Music Stage
Celtic Village
Granville St.
@ Georgia St.

Free

Sunday March 18
2:30 pm

Bad to the Bow

Under the musical direction of Chelsea Sleep,
Bad to The Bow is a group of 25 school-aged fiddlers with parents and community volunteers making up the accompaniment section on bass, cello, piano, guitar, penny whistle and percussion.

http://badtothebow.com/

Kids Tent
Celtic Village
Granville St.
@ Smithe

Free

Sunday March 18
3:00 pm – 4:00 pm

Magic by Travis Bernhardt

Magician Travis Bernhardt is known for his amazing one man show, Things That Never Happen,his work with the Screaming Chicken Theatrical Society and for being one of Canada's top street magicians. Prepare to be astounded!

Kids’ Tent
Celtic Village
Granville St.
near Smithe St.

Free (donations welcome)