It’s just been announced that CelticFest Vancouver 2012, the eighth annual celebration of all things Celtic, will be coming to Vancouver March 10-18 with a mix of music, dance, and family-friendly entertainment.
New this year is the Celts on the Creek sneak-peek event (March 10, the Village on False Creek), where you can get a glimpse of the programming in store. Activities include roving costumed characters and music from Seattle folk group the Gothard Sisters, local alt-folk group Good for Grapes, local Celtic-folk band the Jocelyn Pettit Band, and Canadian acoustic-Celtic ensemble the Streels.
The From Texas to Tipperary concert (March 15, Edgewater Casino) celebrates the roots of Americana-Celtic music with performances from local folk singer-songwriter Jim Byrnes, Canadian blues-folk artist Roy Forbes, Vancouver acoustic-indie guitarist Steve Dawson, Canadian roots-rock singer-songwriter Babe Gurr, Vancouver country-rock artist Cameron Latimer, Vancouver folk multi-instrumentalist T. Nile, local acoustic-roots group Fish & Bird, Vancouver folk-rock band the Matinée, and Vancouver roots singer-songwriter Farrell Spence, all backed by the CelticFest House Band.
On March 15 and 16, you can take in some free lunchtime concerts at the Pacific Centre Mall’s plaza.
The San Patricios Concert: From Galway to Guadalajara hits the Edgewater Casino on March 16, and explores the musical connections between Ireland and Mexico with music from Vancouver mariachi group Mariachi Los Dorados, local Latin band Locarno, Vancouver folk-world ensemble the Paperboys, and the CelticFest House Band.
BIG St. Pat’s Night Out! (March 17, the Vogue Theatre) features performances from local world-fusion group Delhi 2 Dublin and Luxembourg group Dream Catcher.
On March 17 and 18, the Celtic Village and Street Market fills Granville Street (between Georgia and Smithe) with free music and entertainment, and a selection of Celtic treasures, food, products, artisans, stories, and all-ages interactive activities. Coast Mental Health volunteers will be on the scene collecting donations to support its work in providing high-quality services and housing for people with mental illness.
Celtic Fest Vancouver 2012 concludes with the eighth annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade (March 18, downtown Vancouver), presented by Pacific Centre. The parade starts at 11 am at Drake and Howe and continues north along Howe, the same route as used in 2011. Expect to see over 2,000 participants including pipe and drum bands, a marching colour guard, Celtic musicians, the VPD motorcycle-drill team, fire brigades, acrobats, vintage cars, Irish and Scottish youth dance and music groups, and multicultural organizations.
Also on the event list for this year is the Whisky Kiss Scotch Tasting, a traditional Irish music session, and a youth variety show.
Tickets and further info can be found on the CelticFest website.
CelticFest Vancouver 2012 celebrates Celtic culture in Vancouver | Vancouver, Canada | Straight.com
