Almonte Celtfest 2009 Performers

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The Town Pants

Traveling in from Vancouver, but with true Ottawa Valley connections, this group incorporates a creative mixture of influences with traditional Celtic music to create a unique and memorable sound. The Town Pants are passionate, energetic and spirited, and their fast-paced Celtic music creates a lively show. Brothers Dave and Duane Keogh, on banjo and guitar, also provide lead vocals for the band. Teamed with Aaron Chapman on tin whistle, harmonica and vocals, Kyle Tayler providing fiery fiddle, and Dino DiNicolo and Mo Sherwood on bass and percussion, they generate a rare blend of passion, energy, animation and spirit. When it comes to Celtic stylings the Town Pants are unsurpassed!

Reviews

“The band of extremely funny fresh folks who also play their instruments exceedingly well…Highly recommended if you’ve never seen them.” - The Pique News, Whistler, BC

“The original works are strong, holding their own with the traditional ones, if not actually standing out more. If you are in the mood for some really good rambunctious music, this is it!” - Naomi de Bruyn, Greenman Review

Video Footage of The Town Pants:  Click Here

The Town Pants website:    http://www.thetownpants.com

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Everything Fitz

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Matt Pepin & Paul Hawtin

Appearing at the Music Workshops at the Old Town Hall from 12:30pm - 4:30pm on Saturday, July 11th.  They will also be appearing at the After Hours Kitchen Party, Saturday night at 9pm at the Old Town Hall.

Matt Pepin - The Canadian traditional music scene got a shot in the arm with the arrival of Matt Pepin’s CD release “Pass It On” earlier last year.  Blending traditional musical values with contemporary attitude, Matt’s playing is as invigorating as his compositions, fresh, edgy, but always tasteful and well within the boundaries of the music.  Born into a musical family in Northern Ontario, Matt seems to have manifested a life’s worth of music to create a style all his own, blending the Old-time, Quebecois music of his youth with the Irish, Scottish and Western he has studied vigorously ever since.  Be it in person or on the stereo, “Matt brings freshness and joy to his playing that is infectious.  He honors the old tunes with excellent playing and presents new tunes with imagination…” (Arthur MacGregor, director of The Canadian Folk Music Awards).

Paul Hawtin - One of the real joys of experiencing Celtic music, is to appreciate the blend and interaction of the various instruments.  The guitar, in particular, when accompanying a lead instrument like fiddle, offers a rhythm that sweeps the listener up into a melody.  Paul Hawtin’s guitar playing does this.  Resident of Ottawa, via Vancouver, Paul accompanies Matt Pepin’s set with a strong guitar backup that is distinctive and strong.

Video footage of Matt Pepin and Paul Hawtin:  Click Here

Matt Pepin Website: http://www.mattpepin.com/

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Dusty Strings

Musicians Ray Adams, Vic Chartrand, Peter Dawson & Bernie and Mavis Mason decided to mark their 30-year friendship and their passion for bluegrass music by coming together to form the band “Dusty Strings”. Together, their fine vocal harmonies and tight instrumentals blend and delight.

RAY ADAMS, an Ottawa Valley Country Music Hall of Fame member, lives and breaths music. In addition to “Dusty Strings”, he is one of the founding members of Bytown Bluegrass. Ray is a skilled musician; playing mandolin, guitar & fiddle and his vocals are a treat to the ear.

VIC CHARTRAND has been on the music scene since the 60’s; teaching and playing banjo, mandolin and guitar. He is an accomplished musician and brings this knowledge and his driving style to “Dusty Strings”.

PETER DAWSON is a prominent figure in the music scene in Canada and the United States. He is a member of The North American Fiddlers Hall of Fame and The Ottawa Valley Country Music Hall of Fame. Peter is a master of many fiddling styles and brings them all to “Dusty Strings”.

BERNIE & MAVIS MASON have each played in a number of bluegrass bands since the early 80’s - including the popular Maple Hill. They have also been heavily involved in concert & festival promotion. With Bernie playing guitar; Mavis playing stand-up bass and with their tight vocals; they help provide the sound of traditional bluegrass for which “Dusty Strings” is known.

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The Ryans

Michael and Dave Ryan, have been delighting Valley audiences for some three decades (starting almost out of the cradle) following in their father’s musical footsteps. From the legendary St. Pat’s celebrations at Douglas Tavern, through to house parties, and working with well-known performers such as Natalie MacMaster, Wayne Ronstad, and Gail Gavan, it is great to have the lads back to perform the great traditional ballads that make-up their extensive repertoire, and bring sheer joy to an appreciative audience.

Video Footage of The Ryans: Click Here

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Kyle Felhaver Band

From musical Ottawa Valley families, Kyle Felhaver, on sizzling fiddle, and vocals, along with Mike Hanson, and Becky Felhaver carry on rich tradition of amazing fiddling, and step dancing.  Kyle and the band is a tremendous act, which every year, enlivens Celtfest with great energy, and dynamic instrumentals and songs.  Kyle’s dad, Dave Felhaver, on guitar and mandolin, and Ray Kohlsmith on banjo rounds out the group.  Becky Felhaver, one of Canada’s best step-dancers, and the Fusion Dancers will make your visit to Celtfest truly memorable!

Video footage of the Kyle Felhaver Band with the Fusion Dancers: Click Here

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Heather Dale and Ben Deschamps

Heather Dale offers a new type of Celtic music for the 21st century: a playful, passionate blend of tradition and innovation. “Her music is powerful stuff, reminiscent of Loreena McKennitt and Sarah McLachlan but with a depth and resonance rooted in its mythic sources.” (Vancouver Sun) Joining her is Ben Deschamps, from the Ottawa Valley before music explorations in the U.K.  With several academic degrees in literature and Classics, he has a deep familiarity with a number of European folk traditions. They recently released their seventh CD “The Gabriel Hounds”.

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Pakenham Fiddle & Step Dance Showcase

This group showcases some incredible talent in fiddle and step dance, assembled by Nancy Ziebarth, a founder of the Pakenham Fiddle and Step Dance Competition. The Competition, held at the Stewart Community Centre in Pakenham, promotes the resurgence of fiddling and step dancing as traditional Ottawa Valley art forms for people of all ages and abilities. Only in it’s third year, it has already attracted musicians and dancers from across Canada to an outstanding competition. The Pakenham Fiddle and Step Dance Showcase brings local talent together to show off some of the best of Ottawa Valley fiddle and step dancing.

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Elly Squared

Elly Wedge (11), and Ellen “Ellie” Daly (15) are the talented young duo “Elly Squared”. Two time Shelbourne Canadian Open Winner in her age group, Elly Wedge is also a Maritime Fiddle Festival winner. Ellie  Daly is the 2008 Mid Atlantic Region Irish Fiddle Champion in her age group. Together, the girls won 1st place for Twin Fiddling in Vankleek Hill, Ontario, 2008. Both girls have studied classical violin and fiddle, and perform a mix of old time, Celtic, Cape Breton and French Canadian styles, plus fiddle duets, novelty and step dancing.

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Corkery Road

Corkery Road is a quartet of talented Celtic musicians. Long-time valley resident John Fife, on fiddle, guitar, and vocals brings a powerful and unique style to the songs. Jennifer Hoy joins him on bodhràn and vocals. Charles Dunlap is a life-long musician and plays guitar, mandolin, whistles and sometimes harmonica. Rounding up the group is the talented Gord Manuel, Newfoundland-proud.  on button accordion. Together the group entertains with high-energy Celtic music that ranges from familiar pub songs to wild and dramatic historic tales.

Video footage of Corkery Road:  Click Here

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The Barley Shakers

An ever-changing pool of Celtic musicians who enjoy performing, the Barley Shakers formed in 2005 from a group of individuals who got to know each other through playing at Celtic jams and sessions in the Ottawa area. The Almonte area’s version of a celtic symphony it consists of up to 15 members playing fiddles, guitars, bodhran’s, keyboard, mandolin, whistle and vocals, The Barley Shakers have a sweet traditional sound. These people play for the love of the music, and sociability of it all. They give generously of their time to events around the region. Celtfest 2009 is glad to once again host The Barley Shakers!

Video Footage of The Barley Shakers: Click Here

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Monday Night Fiddlers

Continuing the Valley tradition of kitchen/house sessions, the group for years, meets every second Monday.Their members include recognized Valley fiddlers, experienced Fiddling competitors, band members, enthusiastic amateurs, and out and out music lovers. Members come and go, according to availability and the list this includes Lloyd Brunton, Dan O’Connell, Ron Caron, Tom Gardner, Bruce Wilson, Ken Jones, Irene McCloskey, Tim O’Connell, Joey Graff, Tommy Brennan, Mel McClinton , Paul Gemmill, Bob McGregor, Pat Legris, Alf Hamilton, Paddy Delahunty, Alexis MacIsaac, Kyle Felhaver and more.

Video Footage of The Monday Night Fiddlers:  Click Here

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Victor Maltby (Fiddle) and Marion Miller (Harp)

Celtfest welcomes as late additions to the line-up Victor Maltby, accomplished area fiddler,  and Marion Miller whose enthusiasm for the wonderful Celtic harp will delight our Saturday night audience. Victor has studied fiddle with Pierre Schryer, and Patrick Ourceau and has played in symphonies and in Lanark, with The Skirmish, traditional up tempo band. Marion graces area music sessions with her harp, bringing a mix of magic with dexterity and a real window into the ancient Irish celtic world when harpers were the symbol and voice of a thriving culture.

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Acacia Lyra

Janine Dudding and Susan Sweeney Hermon sing in English, French, Spanish and Gaelic, accompanying themselves on Celtic harp and guitar. Their programme is a colourful journey of traditional and contemporary tunes from the Scottish Highlands to the Peruvian altiplano. Though Janine and Susan grew up in different parts of the country and only recently began performing as a duo, their shared interest in Celtic and traditional music goes back to their respective childhoods. Each has a wealth of songs from different sources and their musical collaboration has resulted in the creation of fresh arrangements for harp, guitar and voice, and a first CD, Harmonic Curves.

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The Buster Brown Dancers

Three-time consecutive North American Step Dancing Champion, Buster Brown has taught hundreds of students throughout the Ottawa Valley, and he now teaches second and third generations of his original students, some of whom have gone on to travel the world, performing and carrying on the Ottawa Valley step dancing tradition.  Buster Brown’s Canadian Steppers are a group of young dancers who are hand picked from his studios throughout the Ottawa Valley, performing everything from traditional to modern day step dance routines. Buster always includes Tiny Tots to steal the show! Together, this package of dancers is one of the best step-dancing shows in Canada and a testimony to Buster’s mentorship.

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2008 Performers

Alexis MacIsaac www.alexismacisaac.com

Buddy MacDonald  www.buddymacdonald.ca

Gilles Roy Step with Andre Brunet, Martine Billette and Gaston Nolet

Greenwich Meantime

Hadrian’s Wall

Kelly Sloan

Kyle Felhaver Band and the Fusion Dancers

Matt Pepin   http://www.mattpepin.com/

Monday Night Fiddlers

One Square Mile Bluegrass Band  www.onesquaremile.ca

Patrick Ourceau and Julie Schryer

Robynn Glockling

Shannon Irish Dancers

The Barley Shakers

The Riverthieves

The Ryans