Festical Venues, Schedule & Tickets
NEXT Festival will be in March, 2011!
See the 2009 Festival Schedule below
Download the 2009 Festival Program GuideClick icons below to sort schedule by genre, or click here to view the entire schedule
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Festival Pick | ||||||
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Music |  |
Dance |  |
Spoken Word |  |
Food & Beverage |
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Music Workshop |  |
Scotch Tastings |  |
Kids Family |
| DATE / TIME | EVENT | VENUE | TICKET INFO. |
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| WEDNESDAY MARCH 11 | |||
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Wednesday March 11
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Lunch Time Concert with The SplintersLongtime members of The Paperboys, Shannon Saunders (vocals, violin and guitar) and Cam Salay (vocals, guitar and banjo) have been performing and touring together since 1995. As The Splinters they explore a wide range of music from classical to Celtic, rock, pop, country, folk and bluegrass. They’re joined by guest bassist Doug Muir and Graham MacLennan on Highland Pipes. Come on down and help kick-start the festival at this free event! Presented by Cadillac Fairview |
Music Stage - Granville Square Plaza |
Free Event |
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Wednesday March 11
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Opening Night Gala Concert Featuring
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Stadium Club @ Edgewater Casino |
Advance $25
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Wednesday March 11
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Mark DowneyVancouver favourite Mark Downey is a native of County Meath, Ireland. His solo show showcases his vocal, guitar and bodhran talents as he travels through the diverse landscape of Irish songs, from popular to little-known, ancient to modern, framed in his engaging banter and storytelling. |
Johnnie Fox's Irish Snug |
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Wednesday March 11
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Sionnaine Irish Dance Academy & Murphy’s LághThis is Doolin’s UnOfficial CelticFest kick-off, and it launches with traditional and modern Irish dance from a talented troupe of young performers from the Sionnaine Irish Dance Academy. Then it’s Murphy’s Lágh, with leader and Northern Ireland native Damian Brennan (vocals, guitar, tin whistle, bodhran), Shamma Sabir (vocals, fiddle), Mike "Magno" Magnusson (drums) and Cory Curtis (bass guitar). Together these four are a high-energy band that delivers Celtic and Irish pub favourites along with laugh-out-loud onstage routines. |
Doolin's Irish Pub |
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Back to the Top| DATE / TIME | EVENT | VENUE | TICKET INFO. |
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| THURSDAY MARCH 12 | |||
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Thursday March 12
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Lunch Time Dance with Eire Born Irish DancersThis dynamic group of young performers from the Nora Pickett Irish Dance Academy excels at both traditional and modern Irish set dance, including hard shoe and soft shoe as well as ceili (large group) dance. They’ve performed with Natalie McMaster who’s a fan, and together these dancers create an energetic and awe-inspiring show that’s guaranteed to light up the Plaza at Granville Square! Presented by Cadillac Fairview |
Music Stage - Granville Square Plaza |
Free Event |
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Thursday March 12
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A Whisky Kiss – 4th Annual Scotch TastingSavour the superb, complex flavours of five Scotch Whisky and two Irish Whiskey premium samples, along with tasty appetizers. This popular annual event will be hosted by two knowledgeable spirit educators: Scotch whisky connoisseur Andrew Starritt of Cask Strength, and John Molloy from Ireland who’s based in Vancouver as the Jameson Irish Whiskey Brand Ambassador for Canada. LIMITED SEATING – reserve your spot early! 
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Morrissey Irish House 
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Advance $30
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Thursday March 12
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Halifax Wharf RatsThe Halifax Wharf Rats could be called the quintessential Celtic party band. Brian Flanagan, along with Michelle Carlisle, Rick Chapman and Tim Renaud put on a fun, Maritime-style show that makes you want to invite them to every ceili, and hear them again and again! |
Doolin’s Irish Pub |
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Thursday March 12
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Clumsy LoversAlways a crowd and an ear-pleaser, the Clumsy Lovers’ quirky lyrics are layered on a Celtic-flavoured musical mix of bluegrass and folk rock. Add in the pleasure of watching their sparkling musical interplay in live performance, and the result is a show that perfectly captures the spirit of CelticFest. |
Ceili’s Irish Pub & Restaurant |
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| DATE / TIME | EVENT | VENUE | TICKET INFO. |
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| FRIDAY MARCH 13 | |||
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Friday March 13
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Lunch Time Concert with Mad TraditionMad Tradition is Roxanna Sabir, a member of the acclaimed fiddling, singing and step-dancing Sabir Sisters, and guitarist Craig McGregor, who’s also toured with the Sabir Sisters as well as Great Northern and Tiller's Folly. Together they create original arrangements of traditional fiddle music with influences from the Celtic, Old Time and Canadian folk repertoires, smoothly switching up from traditional slow and graceful airs to fiery, fast-paced jigs and reels. Presented by Cadillac Fairview |
Music Stage - Granville Square Plaza |
Free Event |
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Friday March 13
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CelticSalsa - Celts & Cubans United!
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Stadium Club @ Edgewater Casino |
Advance $20
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Friday March 13
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Mark DowneyVancouver favourite Mark Downey is a native of County Meath, Ireland. His solo show showcases his vocal, guitar and bodhran talents as he travels through the diverse landscape of Irish songs, from popular to little-known, ancient to modern, framed in his engaging banter and storytelling. |
Doolin's Irish Pub |
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Friday March 13
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Murphy's Lágh (Duo)Damian Brennan is from Belfast where even as a very young child he knew music was his calling. He was mentored by the great Gogi McCullough (all Ireland Whistle Champion) and taught himself to sing, and to play the Bodhran and guitar. Shamma Sabir is a top Canadian fiddler and singer who has played and toured with her family’s Sabir Sisters group. Together they’ll charm and entertain you with their fine musicianship and winning stage personalities. |
Ceili's Irish Pub & Restaurant |
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Friday March 13
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Mark DowneyVancouver favourite Mark Downey is a native of County Meath, Ireland. His solo show showcases his vocal, guitar and bodhran talents as he travels through the diverse landscape of Irish songs, from popular to little-known, ancient to modern, framed in his engaging banter and storytelling. |
Johnnie Fox's Irish Snug |
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Friday March 13
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Sionnaine Irish Dance AcademySionnaine Irish dancers have been a part of the proud tradition of Irish dance for the past six years. They range from ages three to adult, male and female, beginner to advanced and recreational to competitive. The dancers train weekly in both traditional and modern Irish step dancing including hard shoe and soft shoe, as well as ceili (group) dancing and choreographies. The majority of SIDA dancers attend five to ten competitions and/or championships per year. The top dancers travel to compete in the Western Canadian Oireachtas (World Qualifying Rounds) every year. Some of these dancers qualified to compete in the North American Irish Dance Championships in Toronto 2001, Boston 2002, Nashville 2003 and Philadelphia 2004. Dance Instructor, Michelle Kilby began Irish dancing at the age of four with the Violet Moore School of Irish Dance. She has been competing at the highest level of dance since the age of eleven and qualified for the World Irish Dancing Championships every year since then placing between first and fourth. |
Ceili's Irish Pub & Restaurant |
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| DATE / TIME | EVENT | VENUE | TICKET INFO. |
|---|---|---|---|
| SATURDAY MARCH 14 | |||
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Saturday March 14
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Medieval Sword Fighting Demonstration - Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA)The Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA) presents this unique art and sport, as Lords and Ladies of the Society engage in full force martial combat. Watch as costumed fencers enter into contests of skill, wielding their swords and fighting for their honour as warriors. But have no fear - due to the special design of the armour and weapons, combatants come out of these brutal "deeds of arms" unscathed and ready to do it all again! Don’t miss this rare chance to see the raw excitement of medieval swordplay. |
Celtic Village By the Countdown Clock |
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Saturday March 14
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Face Painting - Marie-Hélène BabinMarie-Hélène Babin unpacks her professional skills as a makeup artist and visual artist when she works as a face and body painter, and with eleven years experience, she’s become a master at her craft. She’ll create intricate designs to illuminate children’s faces and make them feel like they’re a special part of CelticFest! |
Tent - Celtic Village |
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Saturday March 14 |
BallyhooleyIn Irish Gaelic, ballyhooley means “party town”, and this aptly named band is always keen to celebrate Irish musical traditions, party-style. Playing nine different instruments among them, the band members delight in creating complex arrangements that illustrate the many moods of Irish music. Ballyhooley includes Vanessa Kay (fiddle, mandolin and vocals), Tim Fanning (uilleann pipes, flute, whistles and vocals) and Glenn Buholzer (guitar, mandolins and vocals). Presented by IMPARK |
Music Stage - Celtic Village |
Free Event |
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Saturday March 14
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Wandering Members of The Medieval Society (SCA)Keep a lookout for folks in medieval costumes roving around the Celtic Village. Here’s a hint: they might be playing musical instruments, singing, spinning or playing ancient board games – you never know what clever things they’ll do next to entertain you and make you smile! |
Celtic Village |
Free Event |
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Saturday March 14
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Fiddle Workshop - Roxanna SabirRoxanna Sabir has toured throughout North America and Europe with the acclaimed fiddling, singing and step-dancing group The Sabir Sisters and has recently formed a duo with Craig McGregor called Mad Tradition. Roxanna is the director of the Harmony Music School, an Irish fiddle school based in Vancouver and Abbotsford, and she’s become one of Canada’s most sought after fiddle instructors. Bring your fiddle and learn from a master! Presented by Tom Lee Music |
Tom Lee Music - City Stage |
Free Event |
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Saturday March 14
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Irish Storytelling - Philomena JordanBorn and raised in the West of Ireland, Philomena Jordan has been blessed with the Irish gift for storytelling, poetry reciting and spontaneous singing. She draws her listeners into tales of her own childhood, interwoven with the colourful folklore of her native heritage. She has entertained audiences at house concerts, seniors’ homes, schools, festivals and through TV appearances, and her story-spinning is irresistible. |
Tent - Celtic Village |
Free Event |
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Saturday March 14
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Celtic Guitar Workshop - Craig McGregorCraig McGregor is an accomplished and dynamic guitarist who can play in many styles, making each one his own. He has honed his Celtic guitar chops with the Sabir Sisters, Tiller's Folly and Tim Readman. Craig is currently a member of Mad Tradition with Roxanna Sabir and he’s also an in-demand teacher at Celtic music workshops and events. Presented by Tom Lee Music |
Tom Lee Music - City Stage |
Free Event |
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Saturday March 14
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Medieval Sword Fighting Demonstration -Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA)The Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA) presents this unique art and sport, as Lords and Ladies of the Society engage in full force martial combat. Watch as costumed fencers enter into contests of skill, wielding their swords and fighting for their honour as warriors. But have no fear - due to the special design of the armour and weapons, combatants come out of these brutal "deeds of arms" unscathed and ready to do it all again! Don’t miss this rare chance to see the raw excitement of medieval swordplay. |
Celtic Village By the Countdown Clock |
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Saturday March 14
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Kids Crafts & Activities - Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA)An array of interactive activities for the kids – including a chance to design their own coat of arms! Compliments of the members of the Society for Creative Anachronism. |
Tent - Celtic Village |
Free Event |
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Saturday March 14
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Battle of the Bards - A Literary Pub Crawl and Grand FinaleThree cheers! The Battle of the Bards is back for 2009, whisking you along on a flying tour of Granville Street’s best Irish pubs. Dynamic spoken word artists Sean McGarragle, Duncan Shields and Warren Dean Fulton channel W.B. Yeats, Oscar Wilde and Robbie Burns respectively as they duke it out to be crowned “top bard” in an on-the-move poetry slam-style contest, judged by members of the audience in each venue. The crawl culminates at The Cellar, where the bards will do final “battle” with Vancouver’s first official poet laureate George McWhirter presiding over the event. Expect plenty of artistic license as the performers offer their own hilarious perspectives on the masters with the help of improv fiddler Caitlan Read. Who will be this year’s “top bard”? Why don’t you be the judge! |
Pub Crawl Open Mic & Finale Event |
FREE |
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Saturday March 14
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King o' Men - A Robbie Burns Stage Play & 250th Birthday TributeFeaturing John Hardie & Rob MacDonald A literary and musical costumed event that will send you spinning back in time to the glorious days of Scotland’s most legendary poet and lyricist. 2009 marks the 250th anniversary of the birth of Robbie Burns, a cultural icon in Scotland and around the world. This tribute features Rob MacDonald, a local piper, Chairman of “A Swarm of Drones” and a Burns aficionado. He’ll be telling the fascinating story of the life and times of Burns and playing some of the tunes Robert set words to. His performance will be followed by King o’ Men, an exciting new one-man play directed by writer and actor John Hardie and making its Vancouver premiere at CelticFest. The production imagines one of Burns’ closest and oldest friends reminiscing to a curious journalist following the news of the great poet’s final passing. This show will appeal to loyal fans of Scotland's favourite literary son as well as those who are new to Burns’ story and works. Here's what Chris White, Artistic Director of the Ottawa Folk Festival, had to say about a recent production of the play at the National Arts Centre: "With minimal set and few props, Hardie delivered the piece with enormous skill and subtlety, somehow managing to be humorous, informative and intensely moving all at once. The performance, which elicited an overwhelmingly positive audience response, is one that I will be forever grateful to have witnessed." |
Tom Lee Music - Music Hall |
$12 at the Door |
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Saturday March 14
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North Shore Celtic EnsembleThe North Shore Celtic Ensemble is a culturally diverse group of gifted young North Shore musicians, performing Celtic-based orchestral and folk music on string, wind and percussion instruments. Ensemble Director Claude Giguère has 20 years of experience as a professional violinist and teacher, and the group’s Artistic Director is Jay Knutson, a founding member of Spirit of the West with 25 years of experience in performance and musical workshops. Come and experience this ensemble’s youthful energy and original arrangements! Presented by IMPARK |
Music Stage - Celtic Village |
Free Event |
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Saturday March 14
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PastichePastiche blends its own original material with traditional folk songs and tunes from France and Quebec, and the result is an artful mix of contemporary and past influences. Boris Favre (piano, lead vocals) has toured extensively throughout North America and Europe for a decade as bassist for the internationally acclaimed Celtic-funk band Mad Pudding, and he’s now with the Shona Le Mottée Band. Allan Dionne (accordion, vocals) has toured worldwide as the drummer for Mad Pudding and also currently plays with Shona LeMottée. Rich Sobel joins them on fiddle for this sure-to-be entertaining show. Presented by IMPARK |
Music Stage - Celtic Village |
Free Event |
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Saturday March 14
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Piano Accordion Workshop - Mary RossVictoria’s Mary Ross has been involved with music and dancing since the age of five, and her strong ties to Celtic music are strengthened by her own Scottish heritage. She performs at Scottish country dances, workshops, ceilis and weddings throughout the Pacific Northwest. She’s known as a Feis musician, providing music at competitions for dancers of all ages and categories. Ross continues to instruct privately and she’s also currently involved with the organization of Victoria 2009 “Accordions by the Sea Festival” scheduled for June 26-28. Presented by Tom Lee Music |
Tom Lee Music - City Stage |
Free Event |
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Saturday March 14
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Pat ChessellPat Chessell has gained a strong, loyal fan base thanks to his exceptional acoustic guitar playing, warm, passionate vocals and his amusing stage presence. Chessell seems to have the ability to win over any audience, regardless of the venue, with his eclectic mix of Irish and Canadian folk music and his knack for making audiences feel like they’re sitting in an intimate Irish country pub instead of a big club or concert space. |
Doolin's Irish Pub |
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Saturday March 14
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The WhiskeyDicksWhether this cheeky 5-piece band is playing blazing fiddle tunes or stomping out classics and original Celtic tunes, they are sure to please. The WhiskeyDicks have filled dance floors and beer glasses in some of Canada’s most prestigious venues. Here’s how they describe their music: “…varying from the edgier Celtic sounds of the Dropkick Murphy's to the radical intensified attacks of the infamous Pogues - and even some European influence as well. Name it we have tried it.” Sounds like the recipe for a ripping good time! Presented by IMPARK |
Music Stage - Celtic Village |
Free Event |
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Saturday March 14
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BIG St. Pat's Night Out!
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The Vogue Theatre |
Advance $25
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Saturday March 14
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Murphy's Lágh (Trio)The Murphy's Lágh Trio is Damian Brennan (vocals, guitar, bohdran), Shamma Sabir (vocals, fiddle) and Cory Curtis on bass. This threesome brings the best of Irish music to Ceili’s, distilling strong vocals, fiddle. bohdran and bass into an entertaining and quintessentially Irish musical experience. |
Ceili's Irish Pub & Restaurant |
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Saturday March 14
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BC Regiment Irish Pipe & DrumsThe BC Regiment Irish Pipes and Drums is made up of 24 proud volunteer members, and is one of only five serving Irish regimental pipe bands in the world. No Celtic event in the Lower Mainland is complete without these enthusiastic and talented musicians, and their stirring sound is sure to make your toes tap and your heart swell! |
Ceili's Irish Pub & Restaurant |
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Saturday March 14
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In The HeatherIn The Heather brings together three excellent Irish session musicians. Randy Vic is a multi-instrumentalist who has been active in the Irish music scene in the Pacific Northwest for many years, performing for dancers, concerts, teaching, and hosting a long running traditional session. Guitarist Paul Hawtin spent 12 years in Vancouver before relocating to Ontario, and while he was here he was a founding member of local favourites Cleia. Fiddler Stephani Custer began playing violin at the age of five and has performed at the Vancouver and Mission Folk Music Festivals, the Rogue Folk Club, and at dances, pubs, and coffeehouses from Boston to Hornby Island. |
UnWine’d on Howe |
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Saturday March 14
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Paul O’BrienPaul O'Brien is a musical storyteller with a background in reggae, Irish folk and classical music. He has been playing Celtic music professionally for over 25 years in the UK and Canada, and has recorded over 20 albums. Paul plays and teaches bodhran and Celtic style guitar, both finger-style and pick, accompaniment and melody. His songs have been described as having within them ‘the heart of the West Coast’, and he continues to break new ground with his latest album, 'Plastic'. |
Johnnie Fox's Irish Snug |
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Saturday March 14
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Sionnaine Irish Dance AcademySionnaine Irish dancers have been a part of the proud tradition of Irish dance for the past six years. They range from ages three to adult, male and female, beginner to advanced and recreational to competitive. The dancers train weekly in both traditional and modern Irish step dancing including hard shoe and soft shoe, as well as ceili (group) dancing and choreographies. The majority of SIDA dancers attend five to ten competitions and/or championships per year. The top dancers travel to compete in the Western Canadian Oireachtas (World Qualifying Rounds) every year. Some of these dancers qualified to compete in the North American Irish Dance Championships in Toronto 2001, Boston 2002, Nashville 2003 and Philadelphia 2004. Dance Instructor, Michelle Kilby began Irish dancing at the age of four with the Violet Moore School of Irish Dance. She has been competing at the highest level of dance since the age of eleven and qualified for the World Irish Dancing Championships every year since then placing between first and fourth. |
Ceili's Irish Pub & Restaurant |
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| DATE / TIME | EVENT | VENUE | TICKET INFO. |
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| SUNDAY MARCH 15 | |||
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Sunday March 15
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Pre-Parade Breakfast – featuring Ballyhooley*Ceili’s Irish Pub is the home of the Official CelticFest Parade Breakfast. A hearty Irish breakfast buffet will be served along with your favorite libations from 9 to 11:30 on the morning of the Parade. Space is filling quickly – reserve your spot now. For reservations, contact hayley@ceilis.com or call (604) 697-0990 ext. 21. Note: Ceili’s is a pub and minors are not permitted in this venue. |
Ceili's Irish Pub & Restaurant |
Reservations |
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Sunday March 15
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Pre-Parade Show – Featuring Copper SkyCopper Sky has been pleasing audiences all around the Lower Mainland with their lively style of music ever since 2002. Paul Evenden first discovered Irish music in the late ‘70’s. He starting out playing guitar, then added the whistle and bodhran to an increasing variety of instruments. Fiddle player Jennie Bice’s various recordings and concerts span many genres along with Celtic styles, including Cuban, Latin, jazz, rockabilly, classical, country, and Cajun. They’ll be in the good company of singer, guitarist, mandolin and bohdran-player Ernie Higgins. Presented by IMPARK |
Music Stage - Celtic Village |
Free Event |
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Sunday March 15
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Along Georgia St.- from Broughton to Howe St. |
Free Event |
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Sunday March 15
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Face Painting - Marie-Hélène BabinMarie-Hélène Babin unpacks her professional skills as a makeup artist and visual artist when she works as a face and body painter, and with eleven years experience, she’s become a master at her craft. She’ll create intricate designs to illuminate children’s faces and make them feel like they’re a special part of CelticFest! |
Tent - Celtic Village |
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Sunday March 15
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Wandering Members of The Medieval Society (SCA)Keep a lookout for folks in medieval costumes roving around the Celtic Village. Here’s a hint: they might be playing musical instruments, singing, spinning or playing ancient board games – you never know what clever things they’ll do next to entertain you and make you smile! |
Celtic Village - Vancouver Art Gallery grounds |
Free Event |
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Sunday March 15
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Murphy’s LághMurphy’s Lágh, with leader and Northern Ireland native Damian Brennan (vocals, guitar, tin whistle, bodhran), Shamma Sabir (vocals, fiddle), Mike "Magno" Magnusson (drums) and Cory Curtis (bass guitar). Together these four are a high-energy band that delivers Celtic and Irish pub favourites along with laugh-out-loud onstage routines. |
Doolin's Irish Pub |
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Sunday March 15
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Kids Crafts & Activities – Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA)An array of interactive activities for the kids – including a chance to design their own coat of arms! Compliments of the members of the Society for Creative Anachronism. |
Tent - Celtic Village |
Free Event |
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Sunday March 15
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West Coast FiddlersCheck out the next generation of great Celtic fiddlers! The West Coast Fiddlers were founded by Sarah and Roxanna Sabir, and have been together since they performed five years ago at the Orpheum Theatre with the Scottish Fiddle Orchestra of Edinburgh. The WCF is made up entirely of school-age children and it has grown into a skilled and energetic group that delivers toe-tapping sets of everything from Celtic music to swing. Presented by IMPARK |
Music Stage - Celtic Village |
Free Event |
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Sunday March 15
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Irish Bouzouki Workshop – Paul O’BrienThe Irish bouzouki (colloquially, the "zouk") is a relative newcomer to Irish music. It’s the offspring of the popular Greek instrument, and only made its way to Ireland in the late 1960’s. Today it exists as a uniquely Irish instrument, with its design modified from the traditional Greek model. Ireland’s Andy Irvine and Dónal Lunny popularized it, and it can now be found in the hands of high profile non-Irish musicians too, including Steve Earle and Patty Larkin. It’s a favourite of Victoria singer-songwriter Paul O’Brien, and he’ll share his enthusiasm and expertise in this interactive session. Presented by Tom Lee Music |
Tom Lee Music – City Stage |
Free Event |
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Sunday March 15
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The Great Big Session
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Tom Lee Music - Music Hall |
$5.00 at the door |
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Sunday March 15
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BC Regiment Irish Pipes & DrumsThe BC Regiment Irish Pipes and Drums is made up of 24 proud volunteer members, and is one of only five serving Irish regimental pipe bands in the world. No Celtic event in the Lower Mainland is complete without these enthusiastic and talented musicians, and their stirring sound is sure to make your toes tap and your heart swell! |
Ceili's Irish Pub & Restaurant |
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Sunday March 15
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BallyhooleyIn Irish Gaelic, ballyhooley means “party town”, and this aptly named band is always keen to celebrate Irish musical traditions, party-style. Playing nine different instruments among them, the band members delight in creating complex arrangements that illustrate the many moods of Irish music. Ballyhooley includes Vanessa Kay (fiddle, mandolin and vocals), Tim Fanning (uilleann pipes, flute, whistles and vocals) and Glenn Buholzer (guitar, mandolins and vocals). |
Ceili's Irish Pub & Restaurant |
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Sunday March 15
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Celtic Harp Workshop - Alys HoweAward-winning Alys Howe is unique among Celtic harpists in North America. She was the first overseas harp student accepted to the prestigious Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama, and went on to obtain her Masters from the University of Limerick. Alys is fascinated by where the harp is going today, and has adopted influences from Cape Breton to jazz and ragtime into her own contemporary soundscape. Alys shares her love of the harp with students world-wide, and she’ll open your ears to the diverse and beautiful sounds of this fascinating instrument. Presented by Tom Lee Music |
Tom Lee Music - City Stage |
Free Event |
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Sunday March 15
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Irish Storytelling - Philomena JordanBorn and raised in the West of Ireland, Philomena Jordan has been blessed with the Irish gift for storytelling, poetry reciting and spontaneous singing. She draws her listeners into tales of her own childhood, interwoven with the colourful folklore of her native heritage. She has entertained audiences at house concerts, seniors’ homes, schools, festivals and through TV appearances, and her story-spinning is irresistible. |
Tent - Celtic Village |
Free Event (suitable for kids 5 to 10 years old) |
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Sunday March 15
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Medieval Sword Fighting Demonstration - Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA)The Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA) presents this unique art and sport, as Lords and Ladies of the Society engage in full force martial combat. Watch as costumed fencers enter into contests of skill, wielding their swords and fighting for their honour as warriors. But have no fear - due to the special design of the armour and weapons, combatants come out of these brutal "deeds of arms" unscathed and ready to do it all again! Don’t miss this rare chance to see the raw excitement of medieval swordplay. |
Celtic Village By the Countdown Clock |
Free Event |
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Sunday March 15
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North Shore Celtic EnsembleThe North Shore Celtic Ensemble is a culturally diverse group of gifted young North Shore musicians, performing Celtic-based orchestral and folk music on string, wind and percussion instruments. Ensemble Director Claude Giguère has 20 years of experience as a professional violinist and teacher, and the group’s Artistic Director is Jay Knutson, a founding member of Spirit of the West with 25 years of experience in performance and musical workshops. Come and experience this ensemble’s youthful energy and original arrangements! |
Ceili's Irish Pub & Restaurant |
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Sunday March 15
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Bones & Spoons Workshop - Paul Evenden with guest fiddler Jennie Bice"Bones" are just about the oldest known Irish percussion instruments. Their sound is produced by cradling and balancing two bones vertically in one hand, then rotating and waving the forearm and the hand to allow the bones to swing and strike each other. Don’t miss this chance to see how “bones” player Paul Evendon actually pulls off such a startling feat of dexterity – and then he’ll show you how to do it! Presented by Tom Lee Music |
Tom Lee Music - City Stage |
Free Event |
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Sunday March 15
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Mad TraditionMad Tradition is Roxanna Sabir, a member of the acclaimed fiddling, singing and step-dancing Sabir Sisters, and guitarist Craig McGregor, who’s also toured with the Sabir Sisters as well as Great Northern and Tiller's Folly. Together they create original arrangements of traditional fiddle music with influences from the Celtic, Old Time and Canadian folk repertoires, smoothly switching up from traditional slow and graceful airs to fiery, fast-paced jigs and reels. Presented by IMPARK |
Music Stage - Celtic Village |
Free Event |
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Sunday March 15
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Mark DowneyVancouver favourite Mark Downey is a native of County Meath, Ireland. His solo show showcases his vocal, guitar and bodhran talents as he travels through the diverse landscape of Irish songs, from popular to little-known, ancient to modern, framed in his engaging banter and storytelling. |
Doolin's Irish Pub |
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Sunday March 15
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Michael Viens & Rosie CarverMichael Viens is a singer who’s played bodhran and 6 and 12-string guitars with Vancouver’s Celtic stalwart Blackthorn for many years. His repertoire of Celtic songs is vast, from tender ballads to rousing singalongs. Rosie Carver is a classically trained violinist and teacher who was lured into playing Celtic music through her association with Blackthorn. Her background is Hungarian but when she takes up her fiddle she can outshine the Irish! |
Johnnie Fox's Irish Snug |
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Sunday March 15
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In The HeatherIn The Heather brings together three excellent Irish session musicians. Randy Vic is a multi-instrumentalist who has been active in the Irish music scene in the Pacific Northwest for many years, performing for dancers, concerts, teaching, and hosting a long running traditional session. Guitarist Paul Hawtin spent 12 years in Vancouver before relocating to Ontario, and while he was here he was a founding member of local favourites Cleia. Fiddler Stephani Custer began playing violin at the age of five and has performed at the Vancouver and Mission Folk Music Festivals, the Rogue Folk Club, and at dances, pubs, and coffeehouses from Boston to Hornby Island. |
Morrissey Irish House |
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Sunday March 15
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The Alys & Seumas ShowThis is another unusual collaboration in the CelticFest tradition. Canadian harper Alys Howe and American harper Seumas Gagne will present a collaborative performance of traditional Scottish Gaelic music. Both accomplished harpers with a deep love of traditional Celtic music, Alys and Seumas will perform lively Scottish and Irish dance tunes played on the clarsach (traditional Celtic harp) as well as Scottish Gaelic love songs, work songs, and vocal dance music (puirt-a-beul). |
Music Stage - Celtic Village |
Free Event |
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Sunday March 15
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Tiller's FollyFor over a decade the musicians of Tiller’s Folly have been captivating audiences with their music, stories and energized live shows. They excel both as storytellers and musicians, covering a broad palette of the finest acoustic music partnered with colourful stories of BC history. Their 2008 release “Stirring Up Ghosts" is a landmark project to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the province. Enjoy a selection of treats from that album plus classic Folly favourites! |
Ceili's Irish Pub & Restaurant |
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Sunday March 15
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Copper SkyTalented all-rounders on the Vancouver music scene, multi-instrumentalist and singer Paul Evenden, Jennie Bice (vocals, fiddle) and Ernie Higgins (vocals, guitar, mandolin, bohdran) decided to pool their talents in 2002 and create a dynamic new trio. Ever since, Copper Sky has been pleasing audiences all around the Lower Mainland with their lively Maritime and Celtic-style music and more recently with their CD, ‘One for the Morning Glory’. |
Doolin's Irish Pub |
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Sunday March 15
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Sionnaine Irish Dance AcademySionnaine Irish dancers have been a part of the proud tradition of Irish dance for the past six years. They range from ages three to adult, male and female, beginner to advanced and recreational to competitive. The dancers train weekly in both traditional and modern Irish step dancing including hard shoe and soft shoe, as well as ceili (group) dancing and choreographies. The majority of SIDA dancers attend five to ten competitions and/or championships per year. The top dancers travel to compete in the Western Canadian Oireachtas (World Qualifying Rounds) every year. Some of these dancers qualified to compete in the North American Irish Dance Championships in Toronto 2001, Boston 2002, Nashville 2003 and Philadelphia 2004. Dance Instructor, Michelle Kilby began Irish dancing at the age of four with the Violet Moore School of Irish Dance. She has been competing at the highest level of dance since the age of eleven and qualified for the World Irish Dancing Championships every year since then placing between first and fourth. |
Ceili's Irish Pub & Restaurant |
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Festival Venues
| Outdoor Venues | |
 Celtic Village |
 Granville Square Plaza – Performance Stage |
| Official Festival Venues | |
 Stadium Club at Edgewater Casino |
 Doolin’s Irish Pub |
 Ceili’s Irish Pub & Restaurant |
The (Irish) Cellar |
 Tom Lee Music |
Morrissey Irish House |
Tom Lee Music |
 Johnnie Fox's Irish Snug |
 The Vogue Theatre |
 UnWine'd on Howe |