Preparations are well underway
for the milestone event that will mark a decade-long association
for the town. Over the past 10 years, the Portarlington community
has watched the National Celtic Festival grow in numbers and
stature to become the southern hemisphere's largest celebration of
Celtic music and culture.
Amongst the international acts headlining at the 10
th
anniversary celebrations will be some of Ireland's most sublime
female voices - including Lumiere duo Eilis Kennedy and Pauline
Scanlon; the Noriana Kennedy Trio; Nicola Joyce; and guests - for a
very special series of Celtic Divas concerts.
Scotland's award-winning young
supergroup Breabach will be performing their unique blend of music
rich with tradition and performed with a contemporary edge; along
with the fresh, original sounds of rising Irish star,
singer/songwriter Fiach Moriarty; and the strong but sensitive
interpretation of Scottish folk songs from Glasgow born and bred
singer Fiona Ross.
National Celtic Festival director Una McAlinden said this year's
10
th
anniversary musical program would see the return of some of the
favourite acts of the past decade, while embracing the future of
the Celtic music scene.
"I'm so excited that our
audiences are going to get to experience some of the best singers
from Ireland in the Celtic Divas concerts," Ms McAlinden
said.
"As for Breabach, you can't get
any better in Scottish acts, they are the full package. They have
amazing musicians, songs, dancing and Gaelic - it is Scottish
culture presented is a really contemporary way."
Ms McAlinden said she expected
National Celtic Festival audiences to be surprised by the depth and
quality of songs from Fiach Moriarty.
"Fiach's the heartthrob of the
Irish scene at the moment," she said. "He's going to bring a modern
songwriting quality that we haven't seen at the festival
before."
There will also be new acts on
the program gathered from across Australia, including North
Queensland group Kamerunga with its unique blend of Celtic, jazz
and reggae sounds; and Rhapsody, a classically-trained duo made up
of Lisa Hanley and Felicity Oakes, performing traditional Celtic
folk songs, ballads and original compositions with their vibrant
vocal harmonies.
Returning to the National Celtic
Festival this year by popular demand will be local success story,
Celtic punk outfit The Go Set; everyone's favourite Celtic rockers
Claymore; Irish music "down under" from The Barleyshakes, and many
more.
For more information please
contact Rochelle Smith (Publicist) 0409 995 638 info@rochellesmith.com
Shannon Stevenson (Moo Media)
0412 802 764 shannon@moomedia.net
Una McAlinden (Festival Director)
0403 192 631 director@nationalcelticfestival.com
or visit our website www.nationalcelticfestival.com
Plus all the pomp and ceremony of
traditional pipe bands; the third annual National Golden Fiddle
Awards; the return of the "Trad Conference" sessions; dazzling
dance displays; workshops; children's performances; and fun,
friendly family entertainment across the entire long
weekend.
Having gone from strength to
strength in the past decade, the National Celtic Festival is
enjoying an ever-increasing profile on the world stage as a
culturally significant event.
Recently the festival further
increased its international profile with representation at two of
the world's biggest Celtic gatherings, Interceltique de Lorient in
France and Celtic Connections in Scotland.
Ms McAlinden said organisers were
busy making plans for a series of special events and concerts to
acknowledge the fantastic relationship between the festival and its
home town.
"This is going to be a very
special year for us," Ms McAlinden said. "The success of this
festival is partly due to the support and commitment of the
Portarlington community, so it will be great to say thank
you."
Earlybird tickets are on sale now
until May 1 so be quick and take advantage of the savings. For
further information and to buy tickets online visit
nationalcelticfestival.com, or for phone bookings call GPAC on (03)
5225 1200