The SF Celtic Festival is over. see you next year!
pictures of the festival
name change: since we are staying at the Oakland Veterans Hall due to popular demand, we are changing our name to "Oakland Celtic Festival"
See us next year on Saturday February 21, 2009
tentative lineup: Tempest, Avalon Rising, Siamsa, St. Andrews Noble Order of the Royal Scots, Steve Baughman.
last years: website:
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2008 San Francisco
Bay Area Celtic Festival
Celtic Music, Irish and Scottish dancing, Dance performances, Dance classes, Singing, Socializing
Tickets
Schedule Location Contact Us About SFCF
Saturday March 22 - 2pm to midnight
Oakland Veterans Hall 200 Grand Avenue Oakland 94610
$20 general - $12 Students under 22 - Tickets at door or PayPal
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Tempest Ballroom 3:45pm 9pm Since forming in 1988, Tempest has delivered a globally-renowned hybrid of high-energy folk rock fusing Irish reels, Scottish ballads, Norwegian influences and other world music elements. The last 20 years have seen the San Francisco Bay Area based act release twelve critically acclaimed CDs and play more than 2,000 gigs. |
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Culanns Hounds Ballroom 10:15pm " Culann’s Hounds have unique fusion of “core values” Irish trad and high energy - almost punk - rock. The list of Celtic music greats for whom they have opened could not be more impressive: Paddy Keenan, Martin Hayes, Liam Clancy, Lunasa, Tommy Peoples, The Boys of the Lough, Solas, Susan McKeown, Josephine Marsh, Gary Shannon, Andrew MacNamara, Tempest and Seven Nations." from The Irish Herald
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Avalon Rising Ballroom 7pm "A refreshing new-age approach to an old-world style -- You'll be left breathless and fascinated. The basis of this sound is in traditional English, Scottish and (mostly) Irish folk music, and there are
continental renaissance-era influences filled with those uplifting, bouncy compositions that will have you tapping your feet the first time you play it, and whistling along with the melodies every subsequent time. This music applies a progressive spin to retrogressive music and will be appreciated by hobbits and open minded music fans everywhere."
-- Duncan Glenday, Progressive Ears |
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Celtic Sands Ballroom 8pm With a newly-released cd and in demand on radio & TV, Celtic Sands has been wowing audiences all over California with their masterful interpretation of traditional Celtic music, virtuoso improvisation, and unique original style. Besides fiddle, harp & guitar, these versatile musicians play a vast array of instruments, and their energy and love of the music keeps listeners of all ages interested "...making feet tap and all eyes glisten". Besides some flaming instrumentals, all three sing traditional songs and write original music. "...Garner's sweet voice...and ethereal harp" pulls listeners into the world of the ancient Celts. Sometimes as elegant as classical, sometimes verging on Celtic rock, Celtic Sands bridges the world of traditional celtic with contemporary musical styles. |
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Connie Doolan Quartet 5 pm Ballroom.The Connie Doolan Quartet is a San Francisco Bay Area group comprising four veteran musicians who artfully blur the boundaries of folk and jazz, resulting in an intelligent and sensitive connection of the two genres. Their unique sound – characterized by strong vocals and smart instrumentation and arranging – is at once mature, emotionally aware and elegantly sexy, whether the band is performing a sultry standard from the American Songbook or providing a fresh, rhythmic take on an ancient Irish ballad. The group released their debut CD in 2006, Haunt Your Heart (Fiddling Cricket and celebrated the new recording with concerts including a performance Oct. 11 2006 at Berkeley, Calif.’s venerable Freight and Salvage Coffee House. |
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Steve Baughman Steve's alumn "Celtic Guitar Summit" was voted best acoustic album by Acoustic Guitar Magazine. Steve has many other albums,"Almost Whisky Waltz", "The Angels Portion", " A Drop of the Pure", "The Owner and the Daughter" and "Journey Begun". He is the author of five books on the guitar. He appears with Pierre Bensusan and Martin Simpson on the Rounder Celtic Guitar CD/Video series, "The Blarney Pilgrim." Steve created the group "In Harmony's Way" group/album of 18 bay area singers, singing All Accapella songs, shanties, work songs, ballads with choruses, drinking songs, English folk songs, and American folk songs. |
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Babes in the Woods Kristan Willits (flute/bodhran), Myra Joy (cello), Diana Strong (accordion), Sean Tergis (percussion) Babes in the Woods takes new looks at traditional tunes and performs original works in traditional styles. Called "...zesty, original, and traditional"... This Bay Area band has performed at The Hillside Club, for faires and festivals such as the KPFA Holiday Faire, Telegraph Street Faire and Sebastopol Goddess festival, and opened for The Black Brothers in the Freight and Salvage. |
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Triskela -- a vibrant Bay Area harp trio -- weaves a sophisticated tapestry of melodic intricacies with their original works and fresh interpretations of traditional Celtic music. From lively dance tunes to heartfelt ballads and stirring airs, “Triskela” members Diana Stork, Shawna Spiteri and Portia Diwa delight audiences with their beautiful handmade neo-Celtic harps, lyrical vocals, tin whistle, flute and traditional Irish drumming.
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GreenHouse is the longest running Celtic band in the North Bay Area of San Francisco. Greenhouse has been lead by Michael Rofkar, guitarist and vocalist, since its inception, along with vocalist, and multi-instrumentalist Patricia Casey who has been in the band for many years "Casey’s vocals betray an operatic tone but add to the lyrical qualities, and Rofkar’s accompaniments are solidly rounded and suit the subtle arrangements. Lush but laid-back and natural-sounding, this CD highlights one of the best unsung U.S. Celtic outfits - majestic."John O’Regan, Rock’N’Reel
."...traditional Celtic classics will not disappoint. As clean and crystalline as an Irish spring." John Beck, The Press Democrat
Voted "Best Celtic Band 2005" North Bay Music Awards |
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Scottish Country performance, class and dance.
Dunsmuir Scottish Dancers. Scottish Country, Highland, and Step Dancing Performance Group of the Greater San Francisco Bay Area is a company dedicated to keeping alive the spirit and form of Scottish dances, old and new. Our repertoire spans four centuries of dance tradition. Period costumes and musical stylings bring the past to the present. In addition to country and Highland dances, our performances include the historic National Dances. Highland dancers of the Dunsmuir troupe have competed and won awards in America, Canada, and Scotland. |
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Ron Wallace of the Dunsmuir Scottish Dancers teaches an introductory class in Highland fling, Scottish hard shoe dancing and soft shoe dancing |
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A dance style of west coast origins, sean-nós dancing is enjoying a revival, which is sweeping across Ireland and already reaching the States. Sean-nós dance is similar to American tap and Appalachian Clog Dancing. It is the oldest form of Irish dance and most likely the style from which these American traditions draw their roots.
Sean-nós, literally meaning old style, is a highly improvisational, low to the ground, rhythmic dance form in which the dancer is free to interpret the music. The dancer is the visual/percussive expression of the music and beats rhythmic steps that are closely linked to the music. Traditionally, a dancer danced solo on the hardwood floor or the round top of a barrel; as a result the steps are confined to a small space.
Emma O’Sullivan is a Co. Galway native living in Renvyle, Connemara. She is the current Regional Sean-Nós Dancing Champion and an All-Ireland finalist. She has appeared on national television and toured overseas performing her highly energetic and intricate style of dancing. Emma has spent the past two years spreading knowledge of this art form through workshops, classes and exhibitions for both young and old |
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Talk by Ron Wallace on bagpipes and Kilts 2:30 Hall I |
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Irish Set dancing Michael Murphy teaches two Irish set dances. Irish set Dancing is a form of social dancing which has been popular in Ireland for over 150 years. Sets are danced by four couples in a square, and usually consist of three to six figures with a short pause between each. They are descended from the French quadrilles. Michael has been teaching Irish set dancing in San Francisco for many years. |
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Sea Shanty, Irish and Celtic singalong. 8pm Hall I. Lead by Peter Kasin and Richard Adrianowicz. Richard is one of the regular shanty singers at a monthly sea shanty singalong in San Francisco. Richard has just released a solo CD of sea shanties and sea songs which features a chorus of singers from Hyde Street Pier. Peter Kasin currently leads a monthly chantey singalong in San Francisco. He, along with bandmates Shay Black, Dick Holdstock, and Riggy Rackin, is a member of the sea music band Nauticas. They have several albums out: "Cast off the Line","Boldly from the Westward","Time Ashore is Over" |
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Irish Gaelic taught by long time Bay area instructor Nikki Ragsdale. She will teach a few words, and help people get a feel for the language by also teaching some children's songs. She has an album out, "Seansaol na haislinte" (old life of the dream".She is a member of the San Francisco Deireadh Seachtaine Gaeltachta, the San Francisco Bay Area
Irish Language Immersion Weekend September 22-26 |
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Irish Step dancing 2pm and 5pm
You can learn to step dance! Yes, you really can. Join Shirleigh
Brannon and friends for the "Lego Block" approach to Irish solo
dancing. At 2 pm, learn a traditional hardshoe hornpipe and at 5 pm
learn a reel and single jig in light/soft shoes. Shirleigh has been
Irish and Scottish dancing for nearly 30 years and has been teaching
since 1984. She is also the founder/director of Siamsa le Cheile (www.siamsa.net)
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Irish Ceilidh dance led by Ammy Hill 5pm Dance Lounge Ammy has 10 years dancing and teaching Irish dance at the Palo Alto YWCA, Starry Plough, and the Alameda Ceilidh dance. |
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Waltz and polka dance. Main Ballroom 10 pm to midnight. Friday Night Waltz is hosting a waltz and polka dance from 10 pm to 12 midnight in the main ballroom after all the chairs have been moved to the side. Anthony Argyriou is djing. Lots of Celtic waltzes and polkas |
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3 to 5pm +. Downstairs Showcase music and singing.Various local singers and musicians take 10 to 15 minutes to showcase their favorite Celtic music. managed by Yvette. Local artists: Yvette o'tannenbaum - with Dave Sahn -
Ed Sherry -
Lani Herrmann -
Eoghain G.A. M'Bean -
Arthur Morrison -
Kate Brubeck -
Celeste Ets-Hokin -
Paul Matthews -
Evelie Posch -
Doris Williams - Tim Hart |
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(Seisiun)Session. Dance Lounge 10 pm to whenever. for anyone who wants to share their music and singing. |
Celtic Video: |
Canteen (in Basement) |
Dancing on Dangerous Ground 2:15
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Thrilling Irish dance drama based on ancient Irish myth of Diarmuis and Grania, a dramatic Celtic love story of bravery, betrayal and vengeance. |
Lord of the Dance 4:30
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"Michael Flately takes to the stage in a stunning Celtic dance spectacular which retells Irish folk legend in a dazzling and updated style." |
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Riverdance 6:10
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The wonderfully talented cast, headed by the Riverdance Irish Dance Company, bewitchingly spins (and stomps) its Celtic folk choreography featuring numerous breathless solos by Michael Flatley (since departed) and Jean Butler. The mellifluous Riverdance Orchestra boasts Davy Spillane, who coaxes plaintive lamentations out of a peculiar instrument that resembles a bagpipe in a metal leg brace. For Enya fans, there is the sound-alike choral group Anuna, who casts a similarly New Age-style vocal spell. Also thrown into the mix are such disparate folk traditions as American gospel and Spanish flamenco. Though it's only 70 minutes long, Riverdance is repetitive by half. But judging from the ecstatic audience ovations and the continued foot-stomping during and after the curtain calls, too much is still not enough. |
The Commitments 8:10
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Fueled by raw talent and driven by dreams of glory, a dozen dead-enders from Dublin's gritty North Side share a passion for soul music that takes their band on a wild rollercoaster ride from the streets to superstardom! |
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"The San Francisco Celtic Festival promotes and celebrates Celtic culture from the Six Nations: Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Isle of Man, Cornwall, and Brittany. The San Francisco Celtic Festival is scheduled for the weekend after St. Patrick's Day in the San Francisco Bay Area. We focus primarily on encouraging Celtic performers and artists from the San Francisco Bay Area and Northern California including bands, musicians, dancers, and other Celtic cultural resources."
Tickets are available at the door.
You may also buy tickets on line or by mail.
$20 general
$12 students 21 and under
Free: Children 12 and under
Group rates available: email Scott.g@pway.com or call 650,326.6265
Checks must be received on or before 03/20/2008.
or by Paypal. Paypal ticket purchases will receive email confirmation. Your ticket will be at willcall.
| Time |
Ballroom
Main Floor |
Dance Lounge
Main Floor
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Hall I
Upstairs |
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Canteen
Basement |
2:00 |
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Intro to Irish Step Dancing
Shirleigh Brannon
from Siamsa
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Irish Set dancing Michael Murphy |
lunch fixings
from 2pm to 8pm
Music
Showcase
3pm - 5:30pm
Yvette o'tannenbaum - with Dave Sahn -
Ed Sherry -
Lani Herrmann -
Eoghain G.A. M'Bean -
Arthur Morrison -
Kate Brubeck -
Celeste Ets-Hokin-
Paul Matthews -
Evelie Posch -
Doris Williams
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Tim Hart
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Celtic video
Dancing on Dangerous Grounds 2:15 |
2:30 |
Greenhouse |
3:00 |
Scottish country dancing
Dunsmuir Scottish Dancers
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Workshop Sean Nos
Emma O'Sullivan |
3:30 |
Tempest
Starts at 3:45 |
4:00 |
Demonstration, singalong, class Highland fling, hard shoe
Ron Wallace
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Babes in the Woods |
4:30 |
Lord of the Dance 4:30 |
5:00 |
Connie Doolan Quartet |
Cape Breton style dancing
Ron Wallace |
irish Ceilidh
Ammy Hill
(moved to Hall II) |
5:30 |
6:00 |
Triskela |
Demonstration of Kilts, Bagpipes
Ron Wallace
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Riverdance 6:10 |
6:30 |
7:00 |
Avalon Rising |
Irish soft shoe demonstration and class
Shirleigh Brannon
Siamsa
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Introduction to Gaelic language |
7:30 |
8:00 |
Celtic Sands |
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Sea Shanty and Celtic singalong
Peter Kasin
Richard Adrianowicz
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The Commitments 8:10 |
8:30 |
9:00 |
Tempest |
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Celtic Guitar
Steve Baughman |
9:30 |
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10:00 |
10:15
Culanns Hounds |
Waltz and polka dancing
Friday Night Waltz 'till midnight |
Session
(Seisiun) informal jam
musicians and singers get together.
no leader: self organized
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10:30 |
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11 pm |
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