Here you will find the list of
bands we will be featuring at the 2011 CelticFest. Come
back often to see who's just been added.
In the meantime, why not submit your e-mail address (just
to the right of the screen) and we'll be sure to notify
you regarding CelticFest news (including when we add to
our line-up).
The
band Brandy 'N' Port was born in April, 1987. The
founding members are Alec Long, Paddy Maher and
Danny Byrne. Today's line up is Alec Long, Al
Wilmore, Seamus Costello & Danny Byrne. The band's
philosophy is still the same as when it was
formed, to play music that appeals to the masses
while sticking to their Celtic roots. Whether it
be a quaint Irish Pub or a dance for 3000 people
Brandy 'N' Port has mastered the stage.
Corkery Road is a four-piece Celtic band that
specializes in high-energy, infectious,
traditional music. With a repertoire ranging from
familiar pub songs to wild and dramatic historic
tales, Corkery Road offers music that is sure to
please even the most diverse audience.
Slip back in time through melodies that shaped our
heritage. Hear the voices of the far-flung Celtic
peoples who shaped this land, from Newfoundland to
the Ottawa Valley. Listen to stories of whaling,
logging, emigration, pining for home, and having a
good time in the midst of hardships.
The
Runes is a celtic musical group featuring celtic
harper/singer/songwriter Ruth Sutherland,
multi-instrumentalist/blues harper/singer/songwriter
Doug Feaver, and celtic fiddler Stephen Fuller.
Ambient and thoroughly entertaining, the
combination of these three world class musicians
results in a performance you’ll enjoy and remember
for a long time. They have travelled the world
performing in major festivals including the
Festival Interceltique in Lorient France, and
concerts with the Southern Cross Pipeband in
Montedvideo Uruguay.
The music of The Runes will get your feet tapping
or bring a tear to your eye –no matter how it
makes you feel, it is music you won’t forget.
For more on
Ruth Sutherland,
visit her website at
www.ruthsutherland.ca.
We have been stepdancing together for the past 3
years. We enjoy performing at various events in
our community and the Ottawa area. Some of our
performances have included the Tattoo held in
Ottawa, performances with The Bobby Lalonde Band
at the Casino de Lac Leamy and Mont Tremblant, the
Russell Celtic Fest, St. Patrick’s Day
celebrations, local Fairs, and Farmers Markets.
During the summer months, we look forward to
Fiddle and Stepdance Competitions which take place
throughout Ontario. Over the past 8 to 10 years,
we have been competing in both solo and group
dance. We have recently learned to play a few jigs
and reels on the fiddle.
The friendships and wonderful memories that we
have made along the way, keep this Ottawa Valley
tradition alive!
We hope you enjoy the show!
Dukes of Haggis
Riding the popularity of emerging East Coast bands
like Great Big Sea, Kilt and others... the Dukes
of Haggis first came together in 2003 around a
love of Celtic music (traditional and
contemporary) and the idea of how much fun it
might be to play a repertoire of Celtic and East
Coast music. About that time, the "Dukes of
Hazard" movie was coming out hence; the "Dukes of
Haggis" band was born.
The Dukes first performed as an acoustic trio in
the spring of 2004 and have never looked back. And
while the band now performs as a duo (and also
plays an extended repertoire of pop, rock and
contemporary music), the Celtic repertoire has
always been their first love.
Celtic music (in all its forms) continues to
garner attention with ever-growing demand. The
music and the stories imbedded in the lyrics,
speak to something ancient and joyous in almost
everyone!
This year, it is our privilege to perform the best
of our Celtic repertoire at the Russell
CelticFest.
The Wayward Sound
Jam sessions, and one fateful party at the Old
Schoolhouse in Moose Creek brought together a
bunch of friends who started playing celtic
music in and around Ottawa. After many
parties, a few festivals, and new musical
influences, The Wayward Sound coalesced early
in 2011. A zany blend of Traditional Celtic
and Modern Folk music will have you out of
your seats singing and dancing in no time. The
Wayward Sound is Keith Anderson: guitar and
vocals; Doug Crump: guitar, vocals, harmonica;
Michael Jonz: mandolin, vocals, guitar; Olivia
Pelling: fiddle, vocals; Melissa Sparling:
bodhran; Vance Trudeau; whistle, accordion,
mandolin. Check us out! (www.youtube.com/user/TheWaywardSound)
Herringbone was born around a campfire at Fitzroy
Harbour just west of Ottawa. Richard remembered
Andre from another group but they hadn't seen each
other for some months. Late one warm August night
Richard was camping and had just put his kids to
bed. Sitting around the campfire with his guitar,
he called Andre on his cell looking for some
harmony. An hour later they started an all nighter,
jamming from each others' folk repertoire, along
with roasted marshmallows and a few pints.
For more on
Herringbone,
visit their website at
www.herringbone.ca. (Herringbone
will be performing a 'teaser' show at the Russell
Legion Club Room the Friday night before
CelticFest)
The first
Pipe Band to be heard in the Nation's capital on Burns
night, 1896.
Under the direction of Pipe Major Bethany Bisaillion,
the Sons of Scotland compete at the Grade 4 and Grade 5
levels and perform in some 50 concerts and parades
throughout the year. We are committed to developing the
talent of each of our members, producing quality music,
and having a great deal of fun. The band is proud to be
affiliated with the College of Piping in Glasgow,
Scotland.
For more on the Sons of
Scotland Pipe Band,
visit their website at
www.sospb.com.
Chris began performing at bars and pubs while completing
his degree in performance music at the University of
Windsor. Chris started out playing open mic nights at
Patrick O’Ryan’s Irish Public House and soon became a
regular fixture at a dozen Windsor and Detroit bars.
After three years of playing both solo shows and as a
member of the Celtic rock band The Distractions, Chris
returned home to Eastern Ontario. During the last eight
years, he has played solo shows and as a member of the
duos Sociable and Rocking Horse and the rock band South
of Heaven.
Chris has captivated crowds from university students to
legionnaires, with a collection of songs that range from
current top 40 rock hits, to Scottish ballads. While
tending to focus on a fast-paced mix of rock and modern
Celtic favourites, Chris is always up to the challenge
of satisfying the requests of any crowd.
Neil McDaniel was born in Margaree
Forks, Cape Breton, in June of 1975. He was introduced
to music by his oldest sister, Leslie, who sang and
played an antique pump organ in the old homestead.
Leslie sang as much as she talked, in English and in
Gaelic, and it was completely inspiring. The organ she
played on had seen
better days 50 odd years prior but nonetheless still had
a lot of magic to it. Aside from divine tones it started
the foundation for McDaniel's understanding of music and
theory. His self-taught methods of understanding
harmony, ear training, improvisation and composition all
developed from this.
Several styles of music including Irish, Country, and
Folk were influential, but Neil was more just caught up
in music's pure soul, regardless of genre. A strong
connection was formed early, about the age of eight, and
he was self-driven, and fuelled by imagination. The Cape
Breton scenery does a good job inspiring one's mind and
artistic flavour and throughout high school, Neil
continued to progress with music on his own terms and
developed an interest in additional instruments such as
the guitar, digital keyboard and harmonica.
