Almonte Celtfest Performers 2010

The Glengarry Bhoys

(Excerpts from: http://www.glengarrybhoys.com/ )

Described as bold, unorthodox, vibrant, and evocative, the “GLENGARRY BHOYS”
hybrid of Canadian Highland Scots and French Canadian musical idioms has evolved
into a sound that is weighty, authoritative, and extremely entertaining.
Their energy and good humor, as much a part of the show as their musicianship, crosses all
cultures and ages. Many things have been written and reported about this world renown
Canadian alt-celt group over that last decade, all depicting their musical and entertaining
prowess with varied audiences the world over, but their ability to marshal large enthusiastic
audiences show after show is legion and recognized.
Their objective is simple yet evocative, as stated by their lead singer Graham Wright in a
CBC “Fresh Air” interview: “if our audience can only get 10% of the satisfaction
we get entertaining them - then we surpass objective”. Accordingly and repeatedly, they do!!
The Glengarry Bhoys recently won the much coveted2009 “Celtic Instrumental Songwriters Award” for their recent “Mill Sessions” album.
This award from the Nashville, Tennessee U.S. based - “Music Organization for Folk Artists” - received more than 3000 submissions for this much acclaimed award. Congratulations to the Bhoys !

Present Members are: Graham Wright, Zig Leroux, D’Arcy Furniss (all from SD&G) and Ewan Brown from Barrie On.

Heather Dale Band

(excerpts from http://www.heatherdale.com/ )

As a modern woman with Celtic roots, Heather cheerfully disregards the stereotypical limits for both Celtic balladeers and folk singer-songwriters. She excels at finding contemporary themes within old material, and fuses the Celtic folk tradition with a healthy mix of modern blues, jazz and world music influences. Heather credits her cosmopolitan outlook to her upbringing in multi-cultural Canada: “I grew up in an environment that not only had British, French and Native history,” Heather says, “but it could also give me a first-hand appreciation of Asian, African, European, and South American cultures.” This musical blending of her own Celtic background with other traditional influences is readily apparent in her original music, which “is powerful stuff, reminiscent of Loreena McKennitt and Sarah McLachlan but with a depth and resonance rooted in its mythic sources.” (Vancouver Sun) Dale recently released her eleventh CD “The Green Knight” (2009, Amphis) during one of these rare breaks from touring. Exploring to Heather’s passion for history and legend, “The Green Knight” features 14 new songs inspired by the Middle Ages and Renaissance. Joining her is Ben Deschamps, from the Ottawa Valley and her touring band-mates who present a superb sound onstage for all to enjoy.

The Barley Shakers

An ever-changing pool of talented, dedicated, community-minded 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 the sociability of it all. They give generously of their time to support community projects and events around the region, bringing much joy to all. Celtfest 2009 is glad to once again host The Barley Shakers !

Elly Squared

Two exciting Ottawa Valley fiddlers have joined forces in a musical duo called “Elly Squared”. At the ages of 12 and 17, Elly Wedge and Ellen (”Ellie”) Daly have found a love for traditional fiddle music. They both study classical violin as well as the fiddle and have been fortunate to learn from many of Canada’s finest musicians. Over the past few summers the girls have traveled and participated in numerous fiddle competitions and each has won prestigious trophies in their age categories. Whether performing at special events, fundraisers, ceilidhs, seniors’ homes, country fairs, or jam sessions, these girls are sure to put on a memorable show. They perform a mix of Old Time, Celtic, Cape Breton, and French Canadian styles plus fiddle duets, and stepdancing. The joy of traditional fiddle music and stepdancing is alive with these two musicians! For more info visit www.ellysquared.com

Kyle Felhaver Band

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

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.

Matt Pepin & Paul Hawtin

Born into a musical family in Northern Ontario, Matt has 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. 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. “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) Joining Matt is talented guitarist Paul Hawtin. Born in Edmonton, he spent 12 years in Vancouver, where he was part of a vibrant Irish music scene that produced local favourites Cleia, of which he was a founding member, and the recording, In the Heather, which features his guitar behind the music of Stephani Custer and Randy Vic, among others. Since relocating to Ottawa, he has lent his skills to a number of recordings, including Matt Pepin’s Pass It Down, and has performed with such luminaries as Alexis MacIsaac, and Irish fiddler, Patrick Ourceau.

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. Michael Ryan has been singing and entertaining for the past 35 years. The Ryan Brothers were formed in 2003, after a band called Seconds Out had disbanded after 6 years, which they both were with. Mainly playing many wedding receptions, stags, and many, many benefit events throughout the Ottawa Valley, as far as Toronto. They work frequently with a great Ottawa Valley entertainer Ms “Gail Gavan” at many private functions. The Ryan Brothers have shared the stage with Natalie McMaster, the late Tommy Makem, local performers Wayne Rostad, Mike O’Reilly, Peter Fredette, Steve Piticco, Terry Tufts, Louis Schryer, and many others!

Lyon Street Celtic Band

(from: www.siegelproductions.ca/lyonstreet/)

The Lyon Street Celtic Band is a dynamic group of musicians who love to perform.
They play fiddles, bodhran, mandolin, bouzouki, tin whistle, accordion, spoons, and guitar.
The Lyon Street Celtic Band is comprised of musicians with broad experience,
who play many musical styles: Traditional Irish, Scottish, Canadian, French, Breton, and American tunes. Dan Perkins (bouzouki), Albert Kaprielian (piano), Hugh Trudeau (mandolin), Steve McCarthy (fiddle) Marie Déziel (accordion), Lois Siegel (bodhran, fiddle, Ugly Stick) comprise this outstanding traditional music ensemble.
Lyon Street has delighted audiences art centres, ceilighs, festivals, fundraisers, galas, hotels, hospitals, pubs receptions, retirements homes, stores and weddings, and this year Celtfest !

The Skirmish

(from: http://www.myspace.com/theskirmish )

There’s a mob of Celtic rabble-rousers in the Valley notably known as The Skirmish.
This Lanark County based band, formed in early 2006, is dedicated to the notion of bringing over-the-top rock’n'roll energy to the delivery of Celtic material on (mostly) acoustic instruments. The band’s energy is “pub and party” playing standards and favourite picks from the Irish, Scottish and Maritime sources, including songs, jigs and reels. Like good Canadians, The Skirmish covers songs by Stan Rogers, Great Big Sea, James Keelaghan etc, and play many of our own compositions (especially Gary Glover’s eloquent barnyard rants) For a good time, and hopefully a long time, call The Skirmish!

Band members, veterans of many the pub stage and kitchen party, are:
Bill Cameron, mandolin, guitar, vocals and a bit ‘o whistle
Gary Glover, bodhran, guitar, spring drum, vocals, and Utilikilt
Linda Grenier, guitar, vocals, spoons/bodhran
Victor Maltby, fiddle
Welcome The Skirmish to Celtfest 2010 !

Herringbone

(from: http://www.herringbone.ca/)

Herringbone is an Ottawa based eclectic (yes Celtic, too) band who join the strong Celtfest 2010 lineup. Consisting of Andre Schyndel, Richard Linke, and Phil Nolan. As Valley bands often originate, Herringbone was born around a campfire at Fitzroy Harbour just west of Ottawaat an all night jammer along with roasted marshmallows and a few pints. The lads “thought it might be fun to give the band a try, and now that story’s over 10 years old. Since then, Herringbone has been playing pubs, weddings, conventions and private parties all over Ottawa and the surrounding area. The wide variety of musical instruments and experiences allow the range of styles needed to play diverse venues, from coffee houses to concert halls and from kitchen parties to dance clubs. Andre Van Schyndel, the son of Dutch immigrants, picked up the only instrument in his family’s house: an old accordion, and has learned the traditional European folk melodies, the music of Lightfoot, Stan Rogers and when accordion came back in style as interest in Celtic music grew. Andre’s combination of accordion, guitar, bass, singing and composing/arranging adds a depth and a signature to the band and helps with the diversity of the styles. Richard Linke has been playing the guitar since teaching himself at age eight. As a teenager, Richard tried his hand at playing Scottish music with a dance band in Glengarry. This led to ongoing gigs with a newly-formed band called the Cobblers, and later with one of Glengarry’s most established bands, The Brigadoons. After graduating with a music degree from McGill University in 1980, Richard went on to get his teacher’s certificate, and is now the Music Director at Mother Teresa High School in Ottawa. Phil Nolan over the course of his musical career, has played percussion with several groups, most recently Herringbone and The Centralaires. After receiving his Bachelor of Music degree from Queen’s University in 1994, he has been heavily involved in the music industry. Phil has worked extensively in musical theatre, either playing in the pit, acting, singing, dancing on stage, or directing. Phil currently teaches music in the Ottawa Public Board, where he directs several award-winning bands. He is also the 2005 recipient of the Arts Educator of the Year award given by the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board Arts Advisory.
These lads will obviously teach us a “thing or two”, musically at Celtfest 2010 !