Celticfest Press Kit - CelticFest Vancouver

MEDIA RELEASE
MEDIA CONTACT: Jodi Smith at 604-736-4939 [email protected]
The 12th Annual
CelticFest Vancouver
March 10 – 17, 2016
SPECIAL PRE-FESTIVAL EVENT MARCH 5:
Ireland's DAMIEN DEMPSEY in concert
All tickets on sale with full details and festival schedule online at
www.celticfestvancouver.com
Vancouver, BC: From March 10-17, Vancouver streets, concert halls, and pubs will resound with the sights,
sounds, and vibrant spirit of Celtic culture with the 12th Annual CelticFest Vancouver. The festival features a range
of great ticketed shows, along with many free events and activities for the whole family. A special pre-festival
concert featuring Irish folk music hero Damien Dempsey on March 5 will set the scene for the great
entertainment to come. CelticFest also proudly presents music icons, The Irish Rovers on St. Patrick's Day, March
17. Western Canada’s largest Celtic celebration offers the best of traditional and contemporary Celtic culture in all
its diversity and vitality – and everyone is invited to come along!
“We're looking forward to an amazing festival", says Executive Festival Producer, John Coughlan. "We welcome
folks from all across the region and beyond to join us in an exciting celebration of traditional and contemporary
Celtic culture, from great concerts and performances to special events and, of course, the wildly popular Celtic
Village and the St. Patrick's Day Parade."
The festival’s schedule of ticketed events is a ‘must-see’ list of music, theatre, tastings, and other great
entertainment.
Special pre-festival concert
Damien Dempsey
Saturday, March 5 at 8pm (doors 7pm)
Imperial, 319 Main Street
Tickets: $50 general|$75 Premium Seating |19 years +
Don't miss a special pre-festival concert featuring chart-topping Irish folk music hero, Damien Dempsey. This
northside Dublin-born singer-songwriter's music has been described as "traditional Irish music fused with reggae,
rock and folk put through a grounded, working class, worldly-aware yet caring consciousness". From his 2000
debut album, They Don’t Teach This Shit in School, his has been a unique and important voice in Irish music and
culture. His fans and collaborators have included Brian Eno, Sinéad O’Connor, Bob Dylan, U2, and Morrissey.
Known for his dynamic live shows, the festival is thrilled to bring this award-winning, platinum-selling artist to
Vancouver in what is sure to be a sell-out show.
Celebrate St. Patrick's Day with
The Irish Rovers
Thursday, March 17 at 8pm (doors 7pm)
Vogue Theatre, 918 Granville Street
Tickets: $35|$45|$50
They've been delivering their unique brand of musical joy for 50 years, and now for the first time, CelticFest
welcomes the rollicking, rousing ambassadors of Irish music and good cheer to the festival! Hear the much-loved
songs of revelry that have won over generations of fans the world over. This is a must-attend concert for fans of
the iconic band on their last world tour. Where else would you want to be on St. Patrick's Day?
CelticFest Kick-Off Celebration
Halifax Wharf Rats
Thursday, March 10 at 7pm
Doolin’s Irish Pub, 654 Nelson Street
Tickets: $5 (at the door) 19 years +
Join us for CelticFest's official opening kick-off featuring the rousing Maritime and Celtic sounds of Halifax Wharf
Rats. Their mix of East Coast sounds, classic rock, Canadian folk, and Irish and Scottish pub tunes will have the
room, and everyone in it, jumping!
Vancouver Welsh Men's Choir
with special guests De Danaan Irish Dancers, Piper Tim Fanning & Ballyhooley
Friday, March 11 at 7:30pm (doors 7pm)
St Andrews Wesley Church, 1022 Nelson Street
$30 general | Premium Seating $40 | $27 students & seniors
The Vancouver Welsh Men's Choir returns to CelticFest's 2016 lineup after a sold out 2015 show.
On March 11, the festival presents the glorious 100-voice choir in concert, with De Danaan Irish Dancers
(opening), Piper Tim Fanning and the dynamic band Ballyhooley. Steeped in the rich Welsh vocal tradition, the
Vancouver Welsh Men’s Choir present a repertoire of folk songs, spirituals, show tunes, and Canadiana in the
stellar acoustics of St. Andrews Wesley Church. Founded in 1981, the choir is now in its eleventh season under the
dynamic leadership of Music Director and well-known soloist Jonathan Quick, assisted by accompanist David
Buchan.
CelticFest Ceilidh
Saturday, March 12 at 8pm (doors 7pm)
Imperial, 319 Main Street
$25 advance | $30 at the door | 19 years +
The festival welcomes back, by popular demand, the CelticFest Ceilidh with a roster of Celtic gold. This popular
event is hosted this year by Michael Viens and Blackthorn (house band), joined by many other favourite local
artists. On tap to perform: the BC Regiment Irish Pipes and Drums, Pat Chessell, Mary Brunner, Mairi Rankin,
Brian Flanagan (Halifax Wharf Rats), The Fight Outside, Shot of Scotch, and many others. For the first time this
year, the Ceilidh will also feature renowned dance caller, Glasgow-born Duncan MacKenzie. This kick-up-yourheels night of music and dance is the beating heart of the festival, selling out every year.
Moll
Standing Room Only Theatre
March 10 - 16
St. James Hall, 3214 W. 10th Ave: March 10, 12, 15 @ 8pm
Dentry’s Irish Grill, 4450 W. 10th Ave: March 11 @ 8pm, March 13 @ 1pm, March 16 @ 7pm
$20
After a successful run of The Weir in 2015, Standing Room Only Theatre returns to CelticFest 2016 with a
production of Moll by award-winning Irish playwright John B Keane. This uproarious comedy that parodies the
goings-on in a rural presbytery in Kerry in the 1970s has been described as “side-splittingly funny". It recently had
an extended run due to phenomenal public demand at Dublin's Gaiety Theatre. Vancouver audiences will have
the chance to laugh and delight at this witty story at two Vancouver venues.
Doolin’s Irish Pub Whisky Tastings
Doolin’s Irish Pub, 654 Nelson
March 14 @ 7pm (Whisky 101 – an introduction for beginners)
$30
March 15 @ 7pm (Whisky 201 – intermediate tasting)
$60
March 16 @ 7pm (Advanced Whisky Tasting – for connoisseurs)
$85
Each event Includes 5 scotch/whisky samples
19+ years
There's weeknight fun to be had, as CelticFest presents the Doolin’s Irish Pub Whisky Tastings on Monday,
Tuesday and Wednesday - March 14, 15 & 16. This year, we offer opportunities for aspiring, intermediate and
veteran whisky aficionados to come out and taste. The Introduction to Whisky 101 opens the doors to the spirit
world for those seeking basic knowledge and insights. For the first time we are offering an intermediate Whisky
Tasting 201 for those who already have an appreciation and some knowledge, but are seeking more. For our third
tasting, true whisky enthusiasts have an opportunity to learn even more at the "for connoisseurs" session.
Sharon Shannon
Sunday, March 13 at 8pm
St. James Hall, 3214 W. 10th Ave.
Co-presented with the Rogue Folk Club
Tickets: $40|$36 for Rogue Folk Club Members
In association with the Rogue Folk, CelticFest presents the eclectic Irish trad-folk accordion legend Sharon
Shannon. While never losing sight of her roots in Irish folk music, Shannon has undertaken a musical journey
which has included collaborations with Bono and Adam Clayton, classical violinist Nigel Kennedy, reggae legend
Denis Bovell, the Kodo Drummers of Japan, as well as Steve Earle, Jackson Browne, Emmy-Lou Harris and Alison
Krauss. Her reputation for great live shows and her global connections have lead to successful concert tours
around the world, including performances in the UK, Europe, Japan, Australia, the United States, Canada, and
Africa.
Pubs & Restaurants
Participating pubs and restaurants will offer an array of performances by musicians, bands and dancers
throughout CelticFest, up to and including St. Patrick's Day on March 17.
CelticFest 2016 continues its tradition of offering a variety of great FREE events for all to enjoy.
On the weekend of March 12-13, The Celtic Village returns to Granville Street between Robson & Nelson with
music, dance, fun and frolic, food -- and great shopping, too! This FREE street fair features performances by some
of BC’s finest Celtic music groups on Doolin’s Music Stage at Granville & Robson. Folks can hear the rich
harmonies of Blackthorn, the passionate, smoky vocals and Celtic-fuelled sounds of the Pat Chessell Band, Nova
Scotia’s Sarah Ann Chisholm, more than a pint of fervor and charm from The Clanns, fiery young folk quartet
Elsay, Nova Scotia’s fiddle, singing, step-dancing sensation Mairi Rankin, and the lively and energetic West Coast
Fiddlers. Look for the captivating antics of street performers: The Green Man can be found delighting passersby in
the Village, and Academie Duello will be back to showcase historical sword play in action!
Visiting villagers can shop at the Street Market for an array of Celtic treasures and the works of talented artisans,
and sample from a wide selection of food and fare. Friends and families can gather and wander, soaking in that
special Celtic spirit all weekend long. To participate as a Street Market vendor, complete the online entry form by
January 31 at www.celticfestvancouver.com
Throughout the March 12-13 weekend, Tom Lee Music Hall on Granville Street hosts a series of fascinating (and,
again, free) CelticFest Performances and Workshops. Performances include: Royal Scottish Country Dance
Society’s Demonstration Team and the Eire Born Irish Dancers.
Musicians and Celtic music appreciators alike will enjoy a series of informative and entertaining workshops: Guitar
Workshop with Tim Readman, Pennywhistle Workshop with Michelle Carlisle, Bodhran Workshop with Blake
Williams, and a Fiddle Workshop with Mairi Rankin.
The St. Patrick's Day Parade, CelticFest’s fun and fabulous signature event, paints downtown Vancouver in a
glorious emerald green on Sunday March 13, starting at 11am. The parade route flows north along Howe from
Pacific to Georgia Street, drawing spectators from far and wide to cheer on lively parade participants. Marching
pipe and drum bands, Celtic music groups, acrobats, drill teams, Irish & Scottish youth dance groups, and more all
come together for a lively, fun and colourful spectacle. To join the parade, complete an entry form by February 15
at www.celticfestvancouver.com
Coughlan says, “We’ve got a great festival in store, and look forward to welcoming folks of all ages to the 12th
Annual CelticFest Vancouver this March!”
Event tickets and the full festival schedule is posted online at www.celticfestvancouver.com
Single tickets range from FREE to $85.
-30Media enquiries:
Jodi Smith, Publicist, CelticFest Vancouver
604-736-4939 [email protected]
MEDIA RELEASE
MEDIA CONTACT: Jodi Smith at 604.736.4939 [email protected]
12th Annual CelticFest Vancouver
March 10 – 17, 2016
Pre-festival concert March 5 with Ireland's Damien Dempsey
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Sunday, March 13 - starting at 11:00 am
Full festival info and tickets: www.celticfestvancouver.com
Vancouver, BC – CelticFest’s jewel and most popular event, the 12th Annual St. Patrick's Day Parade livens up
downtown Vancouver on Sunday March 13, starting at 11:00 am. The parade route flows along Howe from Davie
to Georgia Street drawing thousands of spectators, many decked out in their own sartorial take on this grand Irish
tradition. They cheer on a couple thousand lively parade participants: marching pipe and drum bands, Celtic
music groups, acrobats, drill teams, Irish and Scottish youth dance groups, and many others.
Vancouver's St. Patrick’s Day Parade welcomes people of all backgrounds and cultures to share in this special and
fun event honouring Ireland's patron saint.
THE PARADE ROUTE
The St. Patrick’s Day Parade begins at Howe and Davie Streets at 11:00 am, and proceeds north on Howe to
Georgia Street, ending at Georgia and Granville Streets.
CELTIC VILLAGE
The good times continue throughout the day on Sunday, March 13!
After the parade, the Celtic Village is the place to go.
On the weekend of March 12-13, The Celtic Village returns to Granville Street between Robson & Nelson with music,
dance, fun and frolic, food -- and great shopping, too! This FREE street fair features performances by some of BC’s finest
Celtic music groups on Doolin’s Music Stage at Granville & Robson. Folks can hear the rich harmonies of Blackthorn, the
passionate, smoky vocals and Celtic-fuelled sounds of the Pat Chessell Band, Nova Scotia’s Sarah Ann Chisholm, more than
a pint of fervor and charm from The Clanns, fiery young folk quartet Elsay, Nova Scotia’s fiddle, singing, step-dancing
sensation Mairi Rankin, and the lively and energetic West Coast Fiddlers. Look for the captivating antics of street
performers: The Green Man can be found delighting passersby in the Village, and Academie Duello will be back to
showcase historical sword play in action!
Visiting villagers can shop at the Street Market for an array of Celtic treasures and the works of talented artisans, and
sample from a wide selection of food and fare. Friends and families can gather and wander, soaking in that special Celtic
spirit all weekend long. To participate as a Street Market vendor, complete the online entry form by January 31
at www.celticfestvancouver.com
Throughout the March 12-13 weekend, Tom Lee Music Hall on Granville Street hosts a series of fascinating (and, again, free)
CelticFest Performances and Workshops. Performances include: Royal Scottish Country Dance Society’s Demonstration
Team and the Eire Born Irish Dancers. Musicians and Celtic music appreciators alike will enjoy a series of informative and
entertaining workshops: Guitar Workshop with Tim Readman, Flute Workshop with Michelle Carlisle, Bodhran Workshop
with Blake Williams, and a Fiddle Workshop with Mairi Rankin.
CELTIC VILLAGE & street market hours:
Saturday, March 12: 11:00 am - 6:00 pm
Sunday March 13: 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
Street closures will be in effect on the weekend & Parade Day – see below for details.
For Parade route map, see the CelticFest website at www.celticfestvancouver.com and the CelticFest Program
Guide.
March 13 Street Closures & Detour Information
Throughout the weekend, Granville Street between Robson & Nelson will be closed to vehicle traffic.
On Sunday, March 13, the following additional streets will be closed to vehicle traffic:
8:00 am to 2:00 pm

Howe Street from Davie Street to the Granville Bridge

All southbound traffic on Granville Bridge and Granville Street (except buses) from Davie Street
to West 4th Avenue

Drake Street, one block east and one block west of Howe and Davie Streets
10:00 am to 2:00 pm

Howe Street, from Davie Street to Georgia Street

Georgia Street from Hornby Street to Seymour Street

Granville Street from Georgia Street to Pender Street
Bus Detours
Buses will be re-routed on Sunday, March 13
For bus detour information: TransLink 604-953-3333 www.translink.ca
The festival presents eight jam-packed days, with dozens of free and ticketed concerts and events.
In addition to the St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Celtic Village, other highlights include: A special pre-festival
concert with Ireland’s Damien Dempsey (March 5, Imperial), Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with The Irish Rovers
(March 17, Vogue Theatre), award-winning Irish play "Moll" (March 10-16, two locations), CelticFest Ceilidh
(March 12, Imperial), Vancouver Welsh Men’s Choir (March 11, St. Andrew's-Wesley Church), and Sharon
Shannon (March 13, St. James Hall).
CelticFest program guides are available at selected locations throughout the Lower Mainland and at festival
venues.
For more parade information along with full festival & event ticket details, visit the festival’s website at
www.celticfestvancouver.com
-30Media enquiries:
Jodi Smith, Publicist, CelticFest Vancouver
604-736-4939 [email protected]
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MARCH 10- 17
CelticFest Vancouver
Parade & Celtic Village Map
March 12 & 13, 2016
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12th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade • Sunday, March 13, 11:00am
STREET CLOSURE AND BUS DETOUR INFORMATION
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On Sunday March 13 the following streets will be closed to traffic:
• Howe Street from Davie Street to the Granville Bridge
8:00 am
to
• All southbound traffic on Granville Street and Granville Bridge (except buses
Davie Street to West 4th Avenue
2:00 pm
• Drake Street, one block east and one block west of Howe and Davie Streets
10:00 am
to
2:00 pm
• Howe Street from Davie Street to Georgia Street
• Georgia Street from Hornby Street to Seymour Street
• Granville Street from Georgia Street to Pender Street
For more information on March 13 bus detours and re-routing, please contact TransLink
at 604-953-3333 or visit www.translink.ca or celticfestvancouver.com
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