Celtic culture comes to Fresno
By Douglas Sulenta
The Collegian
This weekend at Fagan’s Irish Pub in Downtown Fresno, folk artists from around the world will gather for the first annual “Fresno Celtic Fallderal,” a celebration of Celtic culture.
The Fresno Folklore Society, whose goal is to promote traditional folk arts such as dance, music and other forms of entertainment, is sponsoring the festival.
Along with music performed by world-renowned folk musicians, there will also be a series of other events over the three days of the festival aimed at promoting Celtic culture.
Since part of the folk tradition is to teach, the artists performing at the festival will also act as instructors.
During the weekend, the various performers will give lectures on Celtic tradition as well as giving instruction on their instruments.
Along with the 10 local folk music groups appearing at the festival, will be two local dance companies will give a performance of traditional Celtic dance on each night.
The highlight of the festival will be the music. Appearing at the festival will be a series of artists known throughout the world as being champions of their instruments.
William Coulter will be playing with his ensemble Friday and Saturday night. Coulter appeared on the album “Henry Mancini: Pink Guitar,” an album which won a Grammy in 2005 for the “Best Pop Instrumental Album.”
Also appearing with Coulter will be champion Scottish fiddler Deby Grosjean. Grosjean is the Pacific Coast Scottish fiddle champion 10 years running.
Kevin Burke, who will be playing Sunday evening, has earned a reputation as being one of the finest fiddle players in the world today. So great a player is Burke that in 2002 he was awarded the National Heritage Fellowship Award by the National Endowment for the Arts. This award is the highest honor given to somebody in the traditional arts.
The organizer of the festival, Bruce Honeyman said, “The festival is a way to show Fresno what an active, varied and numerous Celtic music and dance culture there is here.”
He said, “the international artists are like the icing on the cake. They are here to inspire, to teach and to draw attention to this wonderful music and culture.”
The festival starts on Friday Sept. 30 and will run through Sunday.
Fagan’s Irish Pub is located in downtown Fresno at 2039 Kern St., just a block east of Grizzlie Stadium.
General admission is $25, students with a valid ID pay only $15 for the full day of events. Information about the show can be found at www.fresnocelticfestival.org.
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