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Maine Celtic Celebration
Celebrate Maine’s Celtic Heritage.
Summer is here and with it comes the second annual Maine Celtic Celebration, held in Belfast on
July 17th - 20th. The Maine Celtic Celebration is a three day, family oriented celebration of the rich Celtic heritage, culture and hospitality found along the coast of Maine. The Celebration takes place along the waterfront in Heritage Park, on the Common, at Steamboat Landing, and at the field behind the Waterfall Arts building.
On Thursday, July 17th, the Celebration kicks off with an evening fundraising event at the Boathouse, including food and live music.
Beginning at noon on Friday, July 18th, there is live Celtic music on our main stage all afternoon and evening. Children’s activities, a Celtic music workshop, a genealogy expert, and contests including the brand new Molly Malone Wheelbarrow Race are also taking place throughout the afternoon.
Saturday, July 19th, begins with a parade down High, Main, and Front Streets at 10 am. At noon live Celtic music begins, and throughout the day, you can find, dance and weaving demonstrations, children’s events, genealogy, Celtic instrumental workshops, contests, dog events, Living Chess, and the Maine St Andrews Pipe Band. St Margaret’s Church is hosting a Celtic High Tea from 11:00 am -3:00 pm. Don’t miss the huge fireworks display over the Bay at 9:00 pm.
On Sunday, July 20th, plans include a Kirkin (or Blessing) of the Tartans at The First Church, a Road Race that kicks off from the High School on Waldo Ave, Highland Games at the Athletic Field at the Waterfall Arts location, live entertainment, contests, story-telling, genealogy, Celtic instrument workshops, vendors and then the festival culminates in a Sessiun beginning at 3:30 pm (A Celtic music jam open to the public), on the Common.
Throughout Friday, Saturday, and Sunday there will be Celtic ware and food vendors, live animal exhibits and demonstrations, and audience participation contests and competitions, including Men in Kilts, the Cheese Roll, the mud flats tug-o’-war, and the Cod Toss Relay.
There is no admission charge to the shows, sporting events or workshops. For more information go to our web page at www.mainecelticcelebration.com; e-mail us at celticmaine@yahoo.com; or phone us at 207-338-2692.
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bohola
bohola returns to The Maine Celtic Celebration!<?xml:namespace prefix =" o" ns =" "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office"" />
<?xml:namespace prefix =" v" ns =" "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml"" /><?xml:namespace prefix =" w" ns =" "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word"" /> Once again the patrons of The Maine Celtic Celebration have the pleasure of watching and listening to Irish music's accordion virtuoso Jimmy Keane and the remarkable bouzar player and vocalist Pat Broaders, who together comprise bohola,
bohola performs music that ranges from hundred-year-old harp pieces, reels, jigs, slides, polkas and barn dances to newly composed pieces in the traditional idiom. The songs run the gamut from the ancient melodies of Ireland, to songs brought to North America by immigrants, to newly composed songs from here and abroad. All played with a freshness and subtlety of approach that is unique in Irish music today.
Born in London of Irish-speaking parents, Jimmy Keane's accomplishments are far reaching. The son of a sean nos (old style) singer, he is All Ireland accordion champion for five consecutive years. He is a composer and arranger of Irish music and has produced and recorded numerous albums. Many regard Keane as the premier exponent of Irish music on the piano accordion. Keane has performed and recorded with some of the best musicians in Irish music over the years including Liz Carroll, Michael Flatley, Mick Moloney, Eileen Ivers, and Seamus Egan. However, it was not until he started playing with Pat Broaders that the style of Irish music that Keane plays "really started to jell and this big huge raw and powerful sound came out of nowhere," reflected Keane. "We were like a glove - instinctively darting in and out of the music as if we were "as-one" playing the same big instrument."
Pat Broaders arrived in Chicago from Ireland in the 1990's. "Pat is a real veteran of the Irish music scene both here and abroad, playing, recording, and performing with many artists and bands over the years," said Keane. "Pat has this acute sense of music and rhythm that enables him to "lock in" his bouzar (bass bouzouki & guitar hybrid) playing to whatever I might do musically and rhythmically. The synergy that results spurs on bohola and draws in the audience. And his singing is brilliant - if I could sing, I'd love to sing like Pat."
bohola's key to their sound is the interplay between the musicians and the approach they take to their music. "It is the music that counts," states Keane. "We really listen to and respond to each other when we play - bending, twisting, and caressing the music as it flows along." Keane considers bohola fortunate to be able to perform and carry forward the traditional Irish music art form while placing their special touch to the music.
The Chicago Tribune wrote, "bohola plays 300-year-old jigs and reels as if they were trying to tear the house down. Keane's rippling accordion playing rapid, swirling melodies, while Pat Broaders accents the rhythm with his staccato bouzouki strumming. Broaders also takes the spotlight to sing plaintive ballads."
"We try to always play from the heart," said Keane, "and bring to the audience the core and the spirit of what the music we play and sing is about."
Bohola will be appearing live on stage at the Maine Celtic Celebration. For more information go to our web page at www.mainecelticcelebration.com; e-mail us at celticmaine@yahoo.com; or phone us at 207-338-2692.