Come gather 'round people

Ireland is a nation built on festivals! That’s the only conclusion you can come to. In fact there is hardly a town, or village in the country that doesn’t have an annual festival of some kind or another. As the summer moves into high gear, thousands of people are flocking to festivals, large and small, gathering together in celebration of a common cause, whether it be music, literature, film, comedy or some historical event.

The biggest music festivals – the Cork Jazz Festival, Wexford Opera Festival and Belfast Festival at Queens are long-established and world renowned. But there are dozens of other locally-focussed community festivals providing entertainment and enjoyment for all. Then there are those uniquely Irish festivals like the Rose of Tralee, the Puck Fair in Killorglin, Co. Kerry and The Lisdoonvarna Bachelor Festival in Clare, which attract curious tourists and willing locals. Whatever the occasion, festivals play an important role in bringing people together, attracting tourists and visitors and yielding real economic benefits.

There is no doubt that festivals have become the lifeblood of the arts and entertainment business in this country and without them the landscape would be pretty dreary. So, whatever festivals you attend this year (and there can hardly be anyone in the country who doesn’t partake of at least one such event) enjoy it, support it and come back next year!

Lost In Leitrim

Leitrim is not the first place that comes to mind when you think of cutting edge dance music. But for at least one day in September, the village of Cloone in the heart of the County they call “Lovely” will become the dance capital of Ireland. Under the banner of Lost In Leitrim, this unique event will feature a who’s who of Irish DJs and dance acts who will congregate in the picturesque village on September 14 for a dance festival with a difference.

The event will bring DJs from North, South, East and West to dance the day and night away in two special marquees. With a distinct House and Techno feel, Lost In Leitrim will be the perfect way for clubbers to keep the summer buzz going. What’s more, clubbers needing a rest can relax in an exclusive chill-out tent, which will feature the best in smooth grooves and live acts

Lost In Leitrim is being organised by TheFace, a music management and

publishing company set up in late 2000 by two keen Sligo clubbers, Kilian Kiernan and Robert Cullen. Earlier this year they opened Angelz & Devilz, the West’s newest dance venue, in Claremorris, Co. Mayo.

“We wanted to bring dance away from the East Coast,” Rob Cullen explains. “There’s nothing in the West on this scale. The land was made available to us and the idea of hosting the event came about.”

According to Cullen, Cloone is not as isolated as one might think, being just 20 minutes drive from Carrick-on-Shannon where there’s a direct train link to Dublin.

“There’ll be a shuttle service running from the station to the site,” he explains. “We’re not advocating camping. We’re aiming to have people leave on the night but Carrick has a good range hotels and guesthouses if people want to stay locally.”

In total there will be over thirty DJs and live dance acts performing on the day. They include:

• Tom Cole from Kiss FM in Dublin and a Creamfields/Homelands veteran.

• New Alumnists from Belfast who will play an exclusive live set

• Nick Corrigan from Mono and Steve Carroll, both from Dublin.

• Eoghan Young from Dublin

• The Disconaughts from Galway

• François from Dublin

• Ron’s Mobile Disco (live set) from Dublin

• Sunil Sharpe from Dublin

• Giles “Punish Techno” Armstrong from PoD

• The BassBalls from the GPO in Galway

• John Kearns (All Ireland Mixing

Champion ) from Letterkenny

• Fish Go Deep from Cork

Festival of World Cultures

The Festival of World Cultures in Dun Laoghaire (23-25 August) is an international culture and arts festival with more than 50 events over three days featuring concerts, club nights, workshops, theatre and circus performances including special events for children, drawn from cultures all over the world.

“It’s the only festival of its type in the country,” says Festival Director Jody Ackland. “It was a meeting of the minds between myself and Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council who were looking for a festival that would address the current trend towards multi-culturalism in Ireland.

“The timing is right and it’s appropriate. Ireland has completely changed over the past few years. This Festival is all about an exchange of ideas,trying to encourage people to have a positive viewpoint towards

international cultures.” This year’s highlights include Hungary’s most celebrated singer Marta Sebestyen with Vujicsics; Geoffrey Oryema (Uganda) offering his unique mix of thumb piano and traditional African folk music; The Gotipua Dancers (Indian acrobatic dancers); Juan Martin (Spanish Flamenco guitarist) with his dynamic Flamenco dancers; MoMo from Morocco providing the funkiest rhythms in a hypnotic hybrid of Gnawa and Berber traditions; and UK’s Ebony Steel Band (13 times winner of Notting Hill Carnival’s Panorama competition).

Free events include Babylon Circus (French ska act), Peatbog Faeries (Scotland) highland heartbeat, techno attitude, Afrikico (10 piece African, French & Irish group), The Jaipur Kawa Brass Band (from Rajasthan in India) and Brazilian Capoeira performance, amongst others.

Concerts will take place all over Dun Laoghaire, principally in the Pavilion Theatre, the Civic Plaza, the East Pier, the People’s Park, Kingston Hotel, Portview Hotel and the Purty Kitchen

Johnny Keenan Banjo Festival

27-29 September 2002 marks the launch of the first annual Johnny Keenan Banjo Festival. For three days & nights (Friday to Sunday), musicians from all corners of the world will descend upon Longford, to celebrate not only the various styles of banjo music (Irish traditional, bluegrass/dixieland, jazz, etc.), but to demonstrate the special kinship which all musicians share, regardless of instrument or style.

In what has to be the most impressive line-up of traditional music seen in Ireland for a long time, the festival features major names like Dervish,Maire Breatnach, Kieran Goss, Finbar Furey, Micheal O’Domhnaill & Paddy Glackin. From the US the Grammy-winning Alison Brown Quartet are another top attraction while renowned banjo players appearing include Cathal Hayden, Pecker Dunne, John Carty and Eamonn Coyne.

The festival, named in memory of Johnny Keenan who died in March of 2000, is being organised by his wife Chris Keenan and will commemorate the immense contribution Johnny made to the world of traditional music. Highly regarded among his fellow musicians as a master banjo player, Johnny Keenan was a multi-instrumentalist who easily turned his hand to fiddle, low whistle, uilleann pipes, guitar, etc.

“I’ve created the festival in his memory,” says Chris Keenan. “He could play anything but he was the quiet and shy one. He could have pushed himself much more commercially but he chose not to. He would rather have a session in Donoghue’s pub in Dublin.”

Focusing on the banjo but encompassing all aspects of Irish music, the weekend will consist of masterclass workshops, pub and street sessions and concerts.

“It’s going to be one of the most exciting festivals to happen in Ireland this year,” Chris Keenan says. “American Bluegrass music came from Irish traditional music so they suit each other very well. There’ll be music in the pubs as well as the official events and anyone who wants to busk is welcome to come along

For the full line-up see: www.johnnykeenan.com

Féile an Phobail

Féile an Phobail, held annually in West Belfast, is Europe’s largest and most dynamic community festival. Now in its 15th year, the festival was set up in 1988 as a direct response to the conflict when a group of community activists got together to organise events to direct the energy of young people away from violence and into something positive.

Féile has since grown enormously and is now recognised as one of the biggest community arts festivals in Europe. The programme of events includes exhibitions, drama, discussion and debate, children’s sports, literary events, a radio station and a series of music events. In fact Féile 2002 boasts similar acts to three other major UK festivals – Glastonbury, the Cambridge Folk Festival and the London Fleadh. Appearing this year at Féile an Phobail are Alabama 3, The Harlem Gospel Choir, Altan, The Bhundu Boys, Mose Fan Fan, Six and Bellefire.

A special performance of Irish Women Artists features some of the best chanteuses in the business including Sharon Shannon, Juliet Turner and Maria Doyle Kennedy. Meanwhile, comedy at Féile 2002 includes Jason Byrne, Kevin Gildea, Anne Gildea and Jeremy Hardy.

Talks and discussions are one of the highlights of Féile and this year include Robert Fisk, on the subject of September 11, under the title, ”Ask who did it but for heaven’s sake don’t ask why”. "There is also ‘Eyewitness Palestine’ – a panel discussion on the current situation in Palestine including guest speakers Ali Halimeh, Delegate General Palestine Ireland and Kathleen Cavanaugh, Human Rights Law Lecturer. Other talks include West Belfast Talks Back, an annual political discussion and debate chaired by Susan McKay and the PJ McGrory Lecture.

Drama highlights include works such as Working Class Heroes, Stepping Out of Line and Maire, the brilliant one-woman play.

“The Festival has something for everyone,” says Féile Director Carol Jackson. “This year’s action packed programme re-enforces this with a range of local and international events to suit all tastes.”

Earth Music Festival

If Derry was known only for The Undertones, Phil Coulter, Dana and D:Ream it would have earned a place in rock and pop history. Now, it’s about to take its place on the festival map.

The all-star line up of homegrown musical legends for the first ever Earth Music Festival includes: Van Morrison, The Waterboys, The Four Of Us, The Revs and Paul Casey with a further guest to be announced. The event will be held at the Prehen Playing Fields on the banks of the River Foyle, Derry City on Saturday August 17, 2002 from 2pm to 10.30pm.

According to festival promoter Alan Cummings of Earth Promotions, the event will change the perception of Derry as a venue forever: “We feel a city the size of Derry and the surrounding areas should be in a position to attract the biggest names in the business,” he says. “Currently we are not even invited to the party!”

Earth Promotions is a new company set-up by Cummings with fellow local businessmen Michael and John Taggart. The company hopes to encourage

international artistes to consider Derry city as an A-list tour schedule destination.

“The company’s objective is to see the North West of Ireland considered as one of the best areas for live music and entertainment events. We want to create the festival vibe on the site, with good food, good drink, good music and good weather! The Prehen Playing Fields is a spectacular site right on the banks of the River Foyle overlooking the city and Saturday August 17 promises to be a great occasion for everyone.”

Children under the age of 12 will be admitted free to the Earth Festival when accompanied by a ticket-holding adult. Prams, buggies and push-chairs are strictly prohibited at the festival.

Tickets for the all day event are on sale from Ticketmaster and all usual outlets. Tickets cost £29.50.