The festival spans three days, with major performances Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights as well as music and activities all day long on Saturday and Sunday. To get the low-down on admission, click here.
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Agincourt
Agincourt’s five superbly-skilled musicians invite you to a feast of
traditional Celtic music: Alan Jones (Irish Uilleann, Northumbrian, and
Scottish Border Bagpipes, whistle), Christine Fortin (flute), Joanne
St-Laurent (Celtic harp), Ralph Thompson (fiddle), and Alain Leroux,
(mandocello, bouzouki, fiddle).
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Athanor
Often employing rare instruments, Athanor opens a window on almost
1,000 years of exceptional music. Let Montrealers Martine Chiasson
(violin, nyckelharpa, crumhorn, viol, vocals) and Michel Bordeleau
(guitar, hurdy-gurdy, mandora, vocals…) take you on a breathtaking
tour through their own compositions and traditional tunes from Brittany,
Scotland, Quebec, Ireland, Galicia, and Eastern Europe.
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Beolach means “lively youth” in Gaelic – a polite understatement for this
super-energized band of five “born to perform” Cape Breton musical
luminaries: Mairi Rankin, Wendy MacIsaac, Mac Morin, Patrick Gillis and
Ryan MacNeil. Perfect fare for all who like their Cape Breton, Scottish
and Irish music served up with contemporary edge and knockout wit.
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Kings of good humour, the nine members of La Bottine Souriante have had audiences grinning and stamping their feet all around the world. Arguably Québec’s best known groups outside of Canada, La Bottine have been going strong for more than 25 years with dozens of Gold and Platinum albums. The group has been awarded many prizes, notably the Juno and Félix awards of Canada and the BBC award from the U.K. With their original and exuberant approach, their openness to new genres and their superlative stage presence, the happy-go-lucky Bottine Souriante continue to promote the musical traditions of Québec while enchanting new generations. So come on down and dance with La Bottine Souriante, and find out why
the american magazine Dirty Linen named them the “Best Group in the World”!
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The Heather Cameron Band
Heather Cameron has been singing and playing music all her life. She enchants
audiences with the sweet sound of her voice, and her unaffected style. Always
an avid fan of Celtic and Maritime music, she takes as her influences the
likes of Karen Tweed, the Barra MacNeils, and Kate Rusby. She will be joined
for her performance by her ensemble, including John Williams, Mike Ayles, Tim
Walsh, Jonathan Moorman and Jim Good. Treat yourself!
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Dwayne Cote
Aficionados of sweet-sounding, gentle-hearted, technically-superb, and
distinctively-classical Celtic performance art will delight in the music of
Dwayne Cote – one of Atlantic Canada’s most unique violinists/fiddlers. Singing
his praises: the likes of Ashley MacIsaac, Rita MacNeil, Natalie MacMaster and
John Allan Cameron.
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"Stunning vocal arrangements and immaculate musicianship... sounds of astonishing depth and unstoppable force." - The Rough Guide to Irish Music That Cran continues to make waves in the evolving genre of
traditional Irish music surprises absolutely no one. Each
musician in the group is already lauded as a virtuoso in his
own right: Desi Wilkinson on Irish flute, tenor Sean Corcoran,
singing in the Hiberno-English and Gaelic traditions, and Ronan
Browne on the Uilleann pipes. Crowds adore their rhythmically-daring,
high-energy, sometimes rascally, sometimes traditional, always
innovative interpretations.
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When critically-acclaimed singer Teresa Doyle interprets traditional lyrics
with her rich and heady vocals, it’s sheer heaven. Teresa makes her mark by
mesmerizing adult and child audiences throughout the world. A P.E.I. native,
she has toured the U.K., Japan and North America, and has performed with
legendary groups like The Chieftains, garnering knockout reviews, a 2001 East
Coast Music Award for the album “Cradle on the Waves” and a Juno nomination for
the album “If fish could sing”. Her recordings have been released in 22 countries.
Guaranteed to delight Celtic fans young and old, this is a performance for all ages.
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Vocal innovator Mary Jane Lamond takes Gaelic song to a new
level - adding a splash of world and pop to intriguing
new-millenium arrangements. A natural storyteller with a
worldwide reputation, Mary Jane whisks audiences away to
other times, other places. She has garnered many Juno and
East Cost Music Award nominations, a MuchMusic Global Groove
Award and has teamed up with the likes of fiddler Ashley MacIsaac.
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Tess LeBlanc is a New Brunswick native. A terrific Cape-Breton
style step dancer, and an accomplished bodhran player, she also
has a beautiful voice with which she sings songs in Gaelic as
well as French and English. Her talent and repertoire are a
reflection of her wide Celtic influences.
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Louarn Formed in 2000 in Montréal, Louarn (“fox” in Breton), delivers traditional songs
drawn from the region of Brittany in France. The teamwork in the “kan a diskan”
style of singing will amaze you as Pierrick Sauvage, Patrice Declos, and Loïc
Hamon churn out mesmerizing Breton rhythms that will have you dancing till
your feet give out!
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 Ishbel
MacAskill Ishbel MacAskill has a “magical sense of timing and phrasing, the kind of skill that made Sinatra the absolute governor in his field”. – Alastair Clark Schooled in Gaelic culture and endowed with an exquisitely-rich
contralto voice (and perfect pitch), Scotland’s Ishbel MacAskill
ranks as one of the world’s greatest traditional Gaelic singers.
Hailing from the Point area of the Island of Lewis, off Scotland's
north west coast, her compelling style of unaccompanied traditional
singing effortlessly involves audiences in the colourful history
and culture of the Gael.
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 Kirk
MacGeachy Kirk is a singer-songwriter with a repertoire of fine ballads
delivered in a haunting manner all his own. Slow yourself down
and prepare to be transported to the rolling hills of Scotland…
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 Dave
MacIsaac with Louis Benoit World renowned master of string instruments, Cape Breton legend,
and one of the finest Celtic guitarists in the world. Dave’s
traditionally-rooted style complements perfectly his “close to
the core” sound. Accompanying him is Louis Benoit playing a pure
and skillful guitar.
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 Erik Marchand with TriptyqueRecognized among Bretons as one of their great traditional singers, Erik Marchand also plays the Breton clarinet (Treujenn Gaol). Direct and authentic, he manages to bring the traditions across while expertly giving them a modern twist. Performing this year with Tryptique, a Breton trio composed of Jacques Pellen (guitars), and the brothers Patrick (fiddle, mandolin, and synth guitar) and Jack Molard (Scottish bagpipes), with whom Erik formed the famous group GWERZ. Superstars in Brittany, Tryptique brings Celtic music alive with magical, almost mystical performances. This reunion of these four renowned musicians can’t fail to impress!
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| Beverley McGuire and Swift Years Prepare to be charmed by Montreal native Beverley McGuire - one of but a few Canadian Celtic vocalists who sing in Irish Gaelic! Beverley performed previously at the Festival in 2000 with her group Maeve. Also based in Montreal, Swift Years is an eclectic ensemble of accomplished
instrumentalists, veteran performers and prolific songwriters whose music
crosses cultural and geographical boundaries with effortless virtuosity.
Swift Years' energetic performance never fails to get audiences up on their feet.
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 Tony
McManus “The best Celtic guitarist in the world” (John Renbourn) As a child, Tony McManus studied the fiddle, the tin whistle
and the mandolin, eventually adopting their wickedly-difficult
traditional Celtic rhythms and ornamentation to his own
instrument – the acoustic guitar. Tony now amazes audiences
with deliciously-intricate, technically-dazzling performances,
as he tackles music from Brittany, Galicia, Québec, Asturias,
Cape Breton and Eastern Europe. Tony teaches his techniques
to eager students from all over the world, as well as working
intimately in the classical and jazz scene, as both a musician
and a teacher, and touring with such Celtic music luminaries
as Natalie MacMaster.
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 Duo
Mirandette et Roy Born in St-Zénon north of Jolliette, Jean-Claude Mirandette plays guitar,
5-string banjo, mandolin and fiddle. He also sings and is particularly well
known as a composer of traditional-style Québécois music. He is one of the
five singers in the popular group of traditional québécois singers -- Les
Charbonniers de l’Enfer. Daniel Roy is a former member of La Bottine souriante
and Manigance who helped start the well-known group Entourloupe. For over
15 years, he hosted a radio programme of Québécois and Irish music in Québec
City. Daniel sings and plays wooden whistle, low whistle, jew’s-harp, harmonica
and percussion.
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Under the command of Pipe Major Jordon Anderson and Drum Sergeant Michael Poxon, the Montreal Pipes and Drums are Montreal's fastest growing pipe band and have burst upon the province's piping scene in the two years that they've existed. Featured in the 2001 Grey Cup pre-game show, the Montreal Pipes and Drums were also the band of choice at the 2001 North American Highland Dancing Championships. They were the Saint Patrick's Society's band for the 2001 and 2002 Saint Paint Patrick's Parade and were the only pipe band invited to attend the 2001 and 2002 Saint Jean Baptiste parades. As Montreal's lone competition caliber pipe band, in 2001 the Montreal Pipes and Drums placed in the top ten bands in grade four at last year's North American Pipe Band Championship and took third at the Montreal Highland Games the next day and went on to take First Place in the Grade IV competitions at the 2002 Montreal Highland Games. The band has already been part of many parades and events throughout
Quebec and New England and expects to continue to expand both in
terms of membership and accomplishment in 2002. Something which
makes this pipe band particularly unique, is the fact that more
than 50 percent of its members are French Canadian.
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Tracing their roots to the 1850’s when Welsh Quarrymen were invited
to sing for the opening of the Menai Suspension Bridge, the Montreal
Welsh Male Choir is fiercely proud of its heritage. Often-invited
perfomers for local professional sports, the power and sensitivity
of their thirty voices have impressed thousands, and are sure to do
the same to you.
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Brendan Mulvihill Brendan Mulvihill wears a coat of many musical colors. From driving reels
that showcase his technical virtuosity to sonorous tones on stately baroque
pieces, the love that Brendan has for his music and his instrument comes
across loud and clear. Bring your energy and your ears – this extraordinary
musician is sure to delight!
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This Dublin-born singer of Celtic/Irish song is a seasoned bard from days of
yore. Brendan transports audiences with a mighty repertoire of sad, joyous
and hilarious lyrics and a rich baritone voice custom-made for traditional
ballads and contemporary song. Letting the voice take the fore, the
accompaniment is primarily guitar or bodhran. With four solo albums already
to his name and having received high praise from the Canadian Folk Music
Society and Dirty Linen Magazine, Brendan Nolan is one to watch. For those
of you looking for your Celtic fare straight up and true to its roots,
this will be an event to remember.
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Chris Norman has been hailed as one of the finest flute players,
in any genre, of our era. His virtuosity does not eclipse his
music – instead, his playing seems to serve it, humbly bringing
it to life in ways that will leave you breathless. His range
and artistic sensibility resonate with audiences whether he’s
performing the music of his native Nova Scotia or exploring
the nuances of works from the Renaissance and Baroque. And,
yes, he was featured on the soundtrack for the movie “Titanic.”
Also the founder and director of the world renowned Boxwood
Festival and Workshop for aspiring flutists, he has shared his
love of the instrument with thousands. Don’t miss this unique
opportunity to see him in concert, and to learn by his side
during his free workshop!
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Gerry O'Neill Gerry O’Neill is a native of Derry who came to Canada in 1974. He has wowed
audiences large and small with his expressive fiddle playing, including a
performance at the opening ceremonies of the 1976 Olympic Games. A commentator
once noted that Gerry “puts so much feeling into his music – during sad songs
you feel the fiddle is drowning in tears, during the happy songs you’d swear
it was overflowing with amusement!” Regarded by many of his peers as one of
the great fiddlers of his generation, anybody hearing Gerry for the first
time will not fail to agree!
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One of Canada’s most innovative Celtic bands, their repertoire
ranges from haunting ballads and slow airs to driving
instrumentals performed with energy and enthusiasm.
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Ressac It will be full speed ahead, when you hear the joyful voices of Ressac. Let
yourself be carried away by rollicking tunes and sea shanties by this Montreal
Breton group.
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Nimble-fingered Franco-Ontarian master fiddler and winner of multiple
championships, Pierre Schryer brings you a wildly-gifted band that is wowing
audiences in Canada, the U.S.A., Ireland, England, Wales and Scotland. Manna
from heaven for fans of Irish, Scottish, French-Canadian, and Canadian Old-Time.
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 Sharon
Shannon By the age of eleven, young Sharon Shannon from Ireland’s County Clare was already turning heads with her performances on the button accordion and the fiddle. What’s more, the kid had charisma – audiences couldn’t take their eyes off her. Little wonder then that Sharon soon found herself in session with the likes of Adam Clayton of U2. As Sharon matured, she also absorbed a heady cocktail of
ethnic influences. The result today is a sound totally unique
and irresistible. Sharon has already produced four acclaimed
albums and has played the U.S., Europe, Australia, New Zealand,
Hong Kong and Japan, performing for notables such as Lech Walesa
in Warsaw and former U.S. President Bill Clinton.
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Solstice What happens when you mix Celtic, folk, classical, blues and rock? A high-octane
sound that has audiences jumping and clamoring for more! Join Solstice’s Patrick
Lesyk on guitar and lead vocals, and Jonathan Moorman on violin and backing vocal
as they transform traditional song and original compositions with explosive energy
and creativity.
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Composed of Ciaran Winters (guitar, vocals), Dave Williams
(mandolin, vocals), and Alex Kealer (fiddle, vocals) this
Montreal-based band’s charisma and charm will satisfy your
Celtic thirst in the course of performing a variety of
original Irish and Scottish music.
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Tejedor Tantalizing, electric, with an international flair – two brothers and a sister
from a musically-gifted family in the northern Spanish region of Asturias dish
out a mix of traditional Asturian and Celtic music spiked with cutting-edge
technique. Teaming up with guest artists such as Igor Medio of Felpeyu, the
Asturian group that graced our stages in 2001, Tejedor is one of Spain’s best
Celtic bands!
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Bringing together five of Montreal’s finest progressive Celtic musicians, TÜNA
performs traditional Irish and Scottish airs, reels and jigs, infused with
intoxicating African, Macedonian, blues and jazz flavors. Grab your pint and
put on your dancing shoes; home-grown never sounded so good!
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Nicholas Williams Nicholas Williams is quickly establishing himself as a strikingly original flute
player on the Canadian traditional music scene. He blends Irish and Indian flute
playing styles with a repertoire of tunes from Québec, Ontario, Brittany, and the
British Isles. The result is an evocative mix of Celtic dance rhythms and
improvised flights of fancy.
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Beolach
La Bottine Souriante
Cran
Teresa Doyle
Mary
Jane Lamond
Tess Leblanc
Montreal
Pipes and Drums
Montreal
Welsh Male Choir
Brendan
Nolan 
Chris
Norman Ensemble
Orealis
Pierre Schryer 
Swerve
Tüna 
Celtic Grace Dancers and Les Pieds Légers de Laval (TBC)
Montréal’s very own version of “Riverdance”, this Irish dance troupe will be
joined by traditional Québécois dancers in bringing our history to life.
Athletic and energetic or soft-shoe and delicate, these dancers will enrapt
you with their beauty and grace.
Date |
Time |
Stage |
Saturday, August 10 |
3:00 pm |
Hurley's Ceilidh Tent |
Montreal Highland Dancers
One of the oldest forms of folk dance, the style now shares many
elements from classical ballet and requires both athletic and artistic skill.
Date |
Time |
Stage |
Sunday, August 11 |
2:00 pm |
Hurley's Ceilidh Tent |
Michael Burns
Montréal’s most famous Irish storyteller. Spinning stories for nigh
onto 40 years, Michael has used the rugged beauty of Labrador, the wilds of
downtown Toronto and the majestic fjords of Norway as backdrops to the twists
and turns of his tales.
Date |
Time |
Stage |
Saturday, August 10 |
1:45 pm |
Bards' Tent |
Sunday, August 11 |
2:45 pm |
Bards' Tent |
* Please note that in addition to the scheduled appearances of
Michael Burns on stage, amateur storytellers can be found at
the Gazebo swapping stories.