Festical Venues, Schedule & Tickets

WED Mar 12
12 noon – 1:00 PM

Lunch Time Concert
Tiller’s Folly with Stepdancer Stephanie Cadman

For well over a decade, Tiller's Folly has been consistently satisfying old fans and winning over new ones with their unique storytelling, strong musicality, engaging live performances and fine recordings.

"Thank goodness for the music of Tiller's Folly...songs written with respect for tradition and history, played with virtuosity and gusto..."Tom May, producer/host of "River City Folk" (NPR)

Plus Stephanie Cadman, who has thrilled audiences throughout North America and Europe with her award-winning tap and Ottawa Valley-style stepdancing, along with her dynamic stage presence.

Presented by Canada Place

Canada Place – North End Pointe
999 Canada Place

FREE

WED Mar 12
Doors 7:00 PM
Show: 7.30 PM

Opening Night
The World's Greatest Céilídh
featuring Battlefield Band (Scotland)

Scotland’s internationally renowned Battlefield Band draws on the power and beauty of traditional Celtic musical forms, and transforms them into fresh and compelling music for today. The group is a world pioneer in the integration of bagpipes with fiddle, keyboards, guitar and voice, and delivers a unique fusion of ancient and modern instruments. Over the years, new band members have brought innovative new ideas, instruments and technique, and after 30 years the Battlefield Band is still leading the way for Scottish music, thrilling longtime fans and captivating new ones as it travels around the world.

Also on the bill: Victoria’s rising stars Qristina and Quinn Bachand (fiddle, guitar), champion Ottawa Valley stepdancer and fiddler Stephanie Cadman, Tiller's Folly (Vancouver) with its signature musical retelling of BC history, and musical host, piper Jordan Seguin.

Together these performers will create a show that’s sure to be jam-packed with great music, dance and improvisation –and a spectacular kick-off to this year’s festival!

This concert will be recorded for future broadcast on Canada Live on CBC Radio Two 105.7 FM

Commodore Ballroom
868 Granville St.

Advance Tickets $20/ $25 at the door.

GST included. Service charges apply.

WED Mar 12
7:00 PM

The WhiskeyDicks

You can count on a wild romp with this rambunctious five-piece ensemble featuring players from BC and the Yukon. "Notorious for being a bit cheeky", the band offers intense fiddle tunes and dance-friendly Celtic rock.

The Roxy
932 Granville St.

WED Mar 12
8:30 PM

Sionnaine Irish Dance Academy

This Celtic party will sparkle with the energy and excitement of an Irish dance ensemble that cleverly blends traditional and modern styles, coached by World Irish Dancing Championship competitor Michelle Kilby

Doolin's Irish Pub
654 Nelson St. @ Granville

THURS Mar 13
12:00 – 1:00 PM

Lunch Time Concert
Stephanie Cadman's Celtic Blaze

Stephanie Cadman’s Celtic Blaze is a fast paced and entertaining show that appeals to all ages. It explores a heritage of Canadian music and dance with a modern creative contemporary edge. The unique performance blends Stephanie’s 20 years of vast performance experience featuring Ottawa Valley stepdancing, classical and Celtic fiddling, tap, jazz, ballet, musical theatre and a truly powerful singing voice.

Stephanie, a world champion tap dancer, has traveled throughout North America with various groups (including Bowfire and The StepCrew) as well as touring overseas to entertain our troops. Celtic Blaze’s unique choreography brings the whole cast - Mark Sullivan (guitar & fiddle), Rob Becker (bass), Rod Salloum (piano) and Pat Steward (drums) - together through music, song and stories.

Presented by Canada Place

Canada Place – North End Pointe
999 Canada Place

FREE

THURS Mar 13
5:30 – 9:00 PM

Whisky Kiss - A Journey of Taste

Discover the complex, flavourful world of Scotch Whisky as you travel with Cask Strength whisky educator Andrew Starritt on Scotland’s Johnnie Walker Journey of Taste. Sample and savour five fine Johnnie Walker blends, accompanied by light appetizers.

A special performance by the Festival’s Musical Host Jordan Seguin follows the tastings. Limited seating.

Presented by Johnnie Walker & The Irish Cellar

The Irish Cellar
1006 Granville St.

Advance Tickets $20/$22 at the door - includes 5 Scotch Whisky samples & appetizers.

GST included. Service charges apply.

THURS Mar 13
5:30 PM

4th Annual Brewmaster's Dinner

The Brewmaster’s Dinner is back with award-winning Brewmaster Verne Lambourne of Granville Island Brewing. Lambourne shares his expert knowledge as he demonstrates how to perfectly complement a three-course menu with a selection of matching ales.

Limited Seating. Get your tickets early – this event always sells out!

Presented by Granville Island Brewing & Ceili’s Irish Pub & Restaurant

Music by Fiddler Elise Boeur.

Ceili's Irish Pub & Restaurant – Dublin Bar - 2nd floor
670 Smithe St. @ Granville

Advance Tickets $35. (includes a 3 course meal & beer)

GST included. Service charges apply.

THURS Mar 13
8:30 PM

Chrissy Crowley Band with Jason Roach on Piano

Fiddling is bred into Chrissy Crowley’s genes, coming as she does from a long and legendary line of Cape Breton and Newfoundland Celtic musicians. Don’t miss the opportunity to hear this rising star along with her talented Nova Scotia band.

Atlantic Trap & Gill
612 Davie St. @ Seymour

FRI Mar 14
12:00 – 1:00 PM

Lunch Time Concert
Kinship

Three – count ‘em! - three Hughes brothers are the high-powered battery that fuels this quintet of men in kilts, rocking out to a Celtic beat. The band’s exciting sound is built with melodic three part harmonies, bagpipes, bass, drums, electric and acoustic guitars and other Celtic instruments including the tin whistle and bohdran drums.

Presented by Canada Place

Canada Place – North End Pointe
999 Canada Place

FREE

FRI Mar 14
Doors 6:30 PM
Show: 7:00 PM

In Concert with Tony McManus
with Special Guest, Steafan Hannigan

No less a player than John Renbourn has called him "the best Celtic guitarist in the world" and now he’s coming to Vancouver! Don’t miss this intimate acoustic evening with an internationally acclaimed performer whose concerts in Europe, Great Britain and North America have left both critics and fans awestruck. McManus’ fame stems from his unique ability to take complex arrangements typically played by fiddles and pipes, and brilliantly recreate them for solo guitar. Watch jaws drop around the room as he demonstrates his musical magic!

Special guest: multi-instrumentalist Steafan Hannigan, all-Britain Uilleann pipe champion and virtuoso bodhran player.

NOTE: Guests attending this concert can stay on for the next show with Incognito
(see listing below for details)

A co-presentation with The Yale

The Yale
1300 Granville St.

Advance Tickets $15/ $20 at the door

GST included. Service charges apply.

Includes show with Incognito at 9:30 PM

FRI Mar 14
9:30 PM

Incognito with Robert Ford (The Stoaters)

In twenty years of rocking the West Coast, Incognito has earned its place in the upper echelon of Vancouver's sizzling R and B scene. With four CD's and countless touring miles on the clock, this skin-tight blues machine just keeps gathering steam. Joining them will be Robert Ford of favourite Vancouver Celtic Rock band The Stoaters.

The Yale
1300 Granville St.

Tickets $12 at the door

FRI Mar 14
11:30 PM to 2:00 AM

The Artists' Lounge
Expect the Unexpected!

The best kept secret of the Festival! Exciting, unpredictable and explosive music will be heard into the wee hours of the morn' as the Festival's musicians let their creative juices flow in this intimate setting.

This will be a night of sessions like no other and you're invited!

Hosted by Tony McManus with guest Artists to include:

• Tony McManus – Host
• Stephanie Cadman
• Steafan Hannigan
• Keona Hammond
• Randy Vic
• Chrissy Crowley
• Wendy MacIsaac & Patrick Gillis 
• Roof Rabbit

And many other musical guests

Tom Lee Music - Music Hall
3rd floor – 929 Granville St.

Advance Tickets - $20/ $22 At the Door

GST included. Service charges apply.

SAT Mar 15
12:00 noon

Roof Rabbit

Victoria is home to this brand new acoustic Celtic instrumental band whose four players share a love of traditional Irish tunes, and season them with their own contemporary style and youthful energy. Also in the mix is ear-catching original music written by various members of the ensemble, which includes two members of Canadian roots music darlings, The Gruff.

Presented by Edgewater Casino

Street Market Stage, Celtic Village
800-Block Granville Street

FREE

SAT Mar 15
1:30 PM

Wendy MacIsaac & Patrick Gillis

From the brilliant Cape Breton band Baòlach, two of the island’s finest musicians join forces on the Street Market Stage. Wendy MacIsaac began performing when she was just 5 years old as a stepdancer, then became an expert fiddler and pianist. In the years since she’s performed with the likes of the Chieftains, Capercaillie and Buddy MacMaster. Patrick Gillis comes from a family of traditional musicians who encouraged his love of Celtic music, and he’s now recognized as one of the finest guitarists Cape Breton has ever produced.

Presented by Edgewater Casino

Street Market Stage, Celtic Village
800-Block Granville Street

SAT Mar 15
2:00 PM

Step Dancing Workshop - Ottawa Valley Style
with Stephanie Cadman

Three-time Canadian stepdancing champion Stephanie Cadman is an expert at the powerful and demanding dancing style unique to the Ottawa Valley region. Its characteristic high steps and unusual arm work make it a challenge to perform, but highly entertaining to watch. Bring your dancing shoes and give it a try!

Presented by Tom Lee Music

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

Advance Tickets: $10

GST included. Service charges apply.

SAT Mar 15
3:00 PM

Fiddlers of the Future
Chrissy Crowley, Caitlan Read and Kierah

If you’ve ever wondered about the future of Celtic music, these three young performers will convince you that it’s in very good hands. Each of them combines astonishing fiddling technique with a genuine feel for Celtic music, spiced with the energy and vitality of their tender years.

Presented by Edgewater Casino

Street Market Stage, Celtic Village
800-Block Granville Street

FREE

SAT Mar 15
3 pm - 7 pm

Murphy's Lágh Band

This four-piece band features dynamic singer/fiddler Sara Fitzpatrick and Damian O’Braonain (bodhran, guitar, vocals) backed by bass (Cory Curtis) and drums (Mike Magnusson), bringing high-energy Celtic and Irish pub favourites to their fans.

Ceili's Irish Pub & Restaurant
2nd flr., Dublin Bar670 Smithe St. @ Granville

SAT Mar 15
Doors 8:00 PM
Show: 8:30 PM

The BIG St. Pat's Night Out!
Featuring Celtic Fiddle Festival & Friends

The Washington Post calls them “three of the finest folk violinists anywhere”. Celtic Fiddle Festival is a true supergroup, bringing together three internationally acclaimed fiddlers - Kevin Burke (Ireland), Christian Lemaître (Brittany, France) and André Brunet (Quebec) – along with Ged Foley (guitar). Sold-out tours and standing ovations are the norm when these three fiddle stars come together to perform, each one a master of his own particular regional style. Together, their performances blend talent, tradition and humour in a potent mix that leaves their audiences shouting for more.

Also on the bill: Wendy MacIsaac is a gifted fiddler, piano player and step-dancer from Creignish, Cape Breton who has toured with Mary Jane Lamond, Ashley MacIsaac, Beòlach (her current band) and as a solo performer. Patrick Gillis is one of the finest guitarists to emerge from Cape Breton, and has appeared at festivals throughout the US, Canada and Europe with Beòlach.

Plus Musical Host Jordan Seguin, the Penk O'Donnell Dancers, BC Regiment Pipers (with Champion Guest Pipers from Ireland) and an array of BC’s best musicians – it all adds up to a night to make St. Patrick proud!

Richard's on Richards
1036 Richards St.

Advance Tickets $22 / $25 at the door

GST included. Service charges apply.

SAT Mar 15
8:30 PM

The Malarkeys

A four-piece band that specializes in traditional and contemporary Celtic music performed with an original rock-‘n-roll flair. This popular group hails from the sunny Okanagan where you can often catch them playing in pubs and at special events.

Atlantic Trap & Gill
612 Davie St. @ Seymour

SUN Mar 16
10:00 AM

Pre-Parade Performance
Vancouver Gaelic Choir

The St. Patrick’s Day Parade gets a powerful kickoff from this Vancouver ensemble. Formed in the early 80’s, it’s been refining its sound ever since, performing locally and in Scotland and winning fans and awards along the way.

Presented by Edgewater Casino

Street Market Stage, Celtic Village
800-Block Granville Street

FREE

SUN Mar 16
1:00 PM
(time is approximate / after the Parade ends

Post-Parade Performance
Stephanie Cadman's Celtic Blaze

Stephanie Cadman’s Celtic Blaze is a fast paced and entertaining show that appeals to all ages. It explores the heritage of Canadian music and dance with a modern creative contemporary edge. The unique performance blends Stephanie’s 20 years of vast performance experience featuring Ottawa Valley stepdancing, classical and Celtic fiddling, tap, jazz, ballet, musical theatre and a truly powerful singing voice.

Stephanie, a world champion tap dancer, has travelled throughout North America with various groups (including Bowfire and The StepCrew) as well as touring overseas to entertain our troops. Celtic Blaze’s unique choreography brings the whole cast - Mark Sullivan (guitar & fiddle), Rob Becker (bass), Rod Salloum (piano) and Pat Steward (drums) - together through music, song and stories.

Street Market Stage, Celtic Village
800-Block Granville Street

FREE

SUN Mar 16
1:00 PM

The Halifax Wharf Rats

Jigs and reels get a shot of rock-‘n-roll as these favourite stage performers turn up the heat with “Crazy Celtic and Maritime Madness”, featuring the explosive bow work of BC fiddler Doug Medley

The Irish Cellar
1006 Granville St.

SUN Mar 16
1:30 PM

Pat Chessell Trio

Heavily influenced by acts such as the Johnny Cash, The Clancy Brothers, 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.

The Roxy
932 Granville St.

SUN Mar 16
2:00 to 3:00 PM

Lowland/Border Bagpipe Pipe Workshop

The Great Highland bagpipe is now recognized worldwide as a quintessential symbol of Scotland, but another instrument came before it - the Lowland (or ‘Border’) bagpipe.

Join Robert MacDonald of The Lowland and Border Piper’s Society as he shares the story of this ancient instrument and demonstrates its unique sound.

He will be accompanied by Irish, Northumbrian and Scottish small-pipers as he traces the trail of the pipes from Neolithic times through to the present, checking in along the way on the Picts, the Emperor Nero, the French Court of the Sun King and even the DaVinci Code!

Presented by Tom Lee Music

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

FREE

SUN Mar 16
2:30– 5:00 PM

The Great Big Session

A Special Traditional Celtic Music Session
Hosted by Steafan Hannigan & Stephanie Cadman

Join internationally acclaimed multi-instrumentalist Steafan Hannigan and award winning fiddler and stepdancer Stephanie Cadman for an old-fashioned Celtic pub session. Bring your instruments and your voice and participate in the traditional style in this session of jigs, reels and sing-a-long songs that will have everyone joining in!

Morrissey Irish House
1227 Granville St.

$5.00 for players with Instrument
$10.00 for listeners
Tickets at the door

SUN Mar 16
3:00 PM

Music Workshop - Whistle, Flute/ Guitar & Bodhran
Keona Hammond and Neil Hammond

Keona Hammond is a popular Vancouver performer whose instruments of choice are the flute and whistle. She’s joined here by master multi-instrumentalist Neil Hammond on guitar and bodhran.

Presented by Tom Lee Music

Tom Lee Music City Stage
929 Granville St.

FREE

SUN Mar 16
3:30 PM

Chrissy Crowley Band with Jason Roach on Piano

Fiddling is bred into Chrissy Crowley’s genes, coming as she does from a long, legendary line of Cape Breton and Newfoundland Celtic musicians. Don’t miss the opportunity to hear this rising star along with her talented Nova Scotia band.

Presented by Edgewater Casino

Street Market Stage, Celtic Village
800-Block Granville Street

FREE

SUN Mar 16
4:30 PM

Jay Knutson & The Celtic Swamp Devils

Jay Knutson was a founding member of Spirit of the West, and has gone on to play and record with dozens of top Canadian musicians and bands. Live performances are his strength, so don’t miss this chance to catch a case of “Celtic swamp fever”!

Presented by Edgewater Casino

Street Market Stage, Celtic Village
800-Block Granville Street

FREE

SUN Mar 16
3:30 PM

The WhiskeyDicks

You can count on a wild romp with this rambunctious five-piece ensemble featuring players from BC and the Yukon.  “Notorious for being a bit cheeky”, the band offers intense fiddle tunes and dance-friendly Celtic rock.

The Irish Cellar
1006 Granville St.

SUN Mar 16
4:00 – 8:00 PM

Tiller's Folly

For well over a decade, Tiller's Folly has been consistently satisfying old fans and winning over new ones with their unique storytelling, strong musicality and engaging live performances and recordings. Bruce Coughlan, Nolan Murray and Laurence Knight are the force behind the band’s high-energy acoustic roots music – Canadian Celtic at its best!

Ceili's Irish Pub & Restaurant
670 Smithe St. @ Granville