International
legend Kevin Burke headlines the First Annual Skamania County Irish Festival If
first-rate music and dance weren't already enough of an attraction to the First
Annual Skamania County Irish Festival, the location would be! One of the
treasures in the Pacific Northwest of the United States is the majestic Columbia
River Gorge, which has been officially designated as a "National Scenic
Area." The Gorge is less than an hour's drive from Portland, Oregon,
with the Columbia River forming the border between Oregon and Washington state.
The 90-mile length of the Gorge is a breathtaking background to the Skamania
County Irish Festival, Sept. 10-12, 2004. Headliner Kevin
Burke is regarded by many as the finest Irish fiddler in the world, and
in 2002 he was awarded the National Heritage Fellowship, the country's
highest honor awarded for excellence in the traditional arts. This internationally-acclaimed
musician and most engaging fellow will be joined at the festival by other top-notch
performers, including students from two of the Northwest's finest Irish dancing
schools. Scroll down the page for a complete schedule of events and biographies
of these talented folks. Skamania
County comprises about 1600 square miles north of the Columbia River in
the Southwestern portion of Washington State, and besides the Columbia River Gorge
National Scenic Area, it contains portions of the Gifford
Pinchot National Forest and the Mount
Saint Helens National Volcanic Monument. To reach the Skamania County
Fairgrounds from the metropolitan areas of Portland, Oregon or Vancouver, Washington,
take State Route 14 East to Stevenson, crossing the Cascade Range. To get there
from the Oregon side, take I-84 to the Bridge of the Gods, crossing over
the Columbia River into Stevenson. (Tourist highlights on the way are Multnomah
Falls and Bonneville Dam. This area has the largest concentration of waterfalls
in the U.S.!) Click
here for more specific directions on how to get to the Skamania County
Fairground. Lewis and Clark
passed this way about 200 years ago, and the nation's focus on the Bi-Centennial
includes a United States Postal Service stamp commemorating the voyage... click
here for that. Had those explorers had laptops, they could have checked
e-mail for free when passing by Stevenson, thanks to the Wi-Fi
Project. Visitors to the Skamania County Irish Festival can stay plugged
into Cyberspace easily, but with all the wonders of nature that abound, it will
be a tough choice! Click
here for Skamania County information about the history of the area, such
as the Native Americans who were the first inhabitants of the Gorge -- arriving
approximately 10,000 years ago. Lewis and Clark and the Native Americans
would be amazed were they to see what is on the river these days... barges, kayaks
and kiteboarders as well as fishing boats, large and small! The Columbia River
in this part is known not only for salmon, but for the best White Sturgeon fishing
in the world, and a few miles further up the Columbia, the town of Hood
River is known as the Windsurfing Capital of the World, repeatedly drawing
a certain Presidential candidate to the area for that particular enjoyment. Stevenson,
site of the Skamania County Irish Festival, is a most charming little town, with
antique shops, art galleries and gift shops and several good restaurants featuring
Northwest cuisine. Irish music and dance fans can set up tents or RVs in a great
area close to the festival events taking place at the Skamania County Fairgrounds
(free camping with advance ticket purchases, otherwise only a $10 charge) or if
more upscale amenities are desired, one can enjoy the views from the Dolce
Skamania Lodge or the natural waters of the Bonneville
Hot Springs Resort. For those who like pampered spa treatment with their
Irish festivals, that resort is the place to go! Click
here for more information about the lodging available in Skamania County. It's
easy to get to the "Gorge-ous" Stevenson area, less than an hour's very
scenic drive from Portland, Oregon (even quicker from the Portland airport) or
Vancouver, Washington, or from the East. From Portland, take either I-5, I-205
or I-84 to State Highway 14 on the Washington side, and you're practically there!
If taking I-84 (stopping to admire Multnomah Falls, of course, if coming from
the West!) you would cross the Columbia River at Cascade Locks (home of the Sternwheeler)
via our favorite bridge, the "Bridge of the Gods."
Click here for Skamania County's page showing a map. Click
here for another one from the Columbia
Gorge Interpretive Center at ColumbiaGorge.org
-- see you there! • • • SKAMANIA
COUNTY IRISH FESTIVAL SCHEDULE OF EVENTS Friday, September
10
ROCK CREEK RECREATION CENTER
7:30 pm - 10:30 pm Ceili with
Ceili Band and Dance
Caller; Maher School of Irish Dance will perform during
the intermissions. Saturday, September 11 Recreational
Events:
10:00am–12:30pm IRISH MOVIES – Recreation center
10:00am–12:00pm
HORSEHOE TOURNAMENT – Horseshoe Pits
11:00am–12:30pm FAMILY SWIM
– Skamania Swim Center
CHECK FOR SCHEDULE CHANGES AND ADDITIONAL
EVENTS AT RECREATION CENTER MAIN STAGE (South of Exhibit Hall,
SKAMANIA COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS) FESTIVAL AND BENCH SEATING, OUTSIDE (Event
can move inside if weather dictates) 1:00 pm Murray School of Irish Dance
2:00
pm Nancy Conescu and Mike Doolin
3:30 pm Saint James' Gate
5:00 pm The Sufferin'
Gaels
6:00 pm Murray School of Irish Dance
7:00 pm An Tua
8:00 pm Kevin
Burke
9:00 pm Johnny Connolly
10:00 pm All-Star Irish Jam Sunday,
September 12
8:00 – 11:00am Stevenson Bulldog Cheerleaders
Benefit Breakfast –
RECREATION CENTER • •
• BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE PERFORMERS Kevin
Burke
Internationally-renowned fiddle player Kevin Burke has become known
as an important exponent of Irish Music, as a result of his many highly acclaimed
recordings and concert performances during a 30-year career. In September 2002
he received from the U.S. Government a National Heritage Fellowship, the country's
highest honor awarded for excellence in the traditional arts. Burke is regarded
as one of the world's elite masters of the art of Irish traditional music on the
fiddle. Official site: www.KevinBurke.com Click
here for Green Linnet bio of Kevin Burke and discography, including music
samples.
Johnny B. Connolly
At 29, Johnny "Box"
Connolly has already generated a reputation as an accomplished button accordionist
of the highest order. Johnny's talents have paved the way across continents and
provided him opportunities to perform and record with many internationally-renowned
artists including Kevin Burke, the Chieftains, Patrick Ourceau, and Aidan Brennan.
His first solo CD, entitled "Bridgetown", on the highly esteemed Green
Linnet Records label has earned critical claim and brought Connolly to the forefront
of the younger generation of traditional Irish musicians. Johnny will be joined
by extraordinary banjo player Dave Corey, journeyman percussionist Joe Trump,
and longtime guitar accompanist Cary Novotny. Click
here for Green Linnet page on Johnny Connolly, including music samples
from "Bridgetown."
Nancy Conescu and Mike Doolin
Nancy
Conescu is an internationally respected guitarist and vocalist. She tours Ireland
with the group Aontas, plays Irish music festivals and clubs in Ireland, France
and the USA, and performs regularly in Portland, OR. She has performed with Joannie
Madden, Andy McGann, Martin Hayes, Patrick Ourceau, Randal Bays, Brian Conway,
John Redmond, Linda Hickman and Pat Kilbride. Nancy is regarded as one of the
great voices in the world of traditional Irish music today. Nancy will be accompanied
by journeyman guitarist/bass player, Mike Doolin, who is the highly respected
luthier of "Doolin Guitars" and an accomplished musician in many styles.
Mike
Doolin's official site: DoolinGuitars.com Saint
James' Gate
An Irish power trio offering dynamic vocals, 3-part harmonies,
scorching hot fiddle, funky upright acoustic/electric bass and tight acoustic
rhythm guitar. Comprised of three exceptionally talented and experienced musicians,
St. James' Gate specializes in a wide range of Irish Music, including beautiful
Irish ballads and waltzes, faster than lightning jigs and reels, traditional pub
songs and contemporary Irish music. They also incorporate bluegrass, polka, Cajun,
and classic English/American rock and folk songs in their broad and exciting repertoire.
St. James' Gate actively plays venues throughout the Pacific Northwest, including
Kells, Fado (Portland and Seattle) and Biddy McGraw's, as well as festivals. The
Sufferin' Gaels
The Suffering Gaels have been the foremost traditional
Irish Band in the Northwest. The band plays a spirited mix of dance music and
instrumentals interspersed with contemporary and traditional songs. Along with
the compelling guitar work of Finn MacGinty and lashing fiddling of Dale Russ,
the Gaels are one of the few bands sporting an excellent uilleann piper in the
likes of Tom Creegan. In the course of the last fourteen years the band has performed
in venues from Fairbanks to San Francisco and from Chicago to Kyoto, Japan. The
Gaels will be joined by the dazzling banjo and tenor guitar playing of County
Offaly, Ireland born Seamus Egan, who now resides in Portland, Oregon. Official
Site: Suffering Gaels An
Tua
Hanz Araki (flutes, vocals) is the only sixth generation shakuhachi
(traditional Japanese bamboo flute) player in the world. After mastering this
unusual instrument he turned his focus to the Irish flute and whistle and has
never looked back. Bay Area native Dave Cory (banjo, bodhran) has a natural ability
matched only by his innate musicality, making him one of the most sought after
young players on the new Irish music scene. An Tua will be joined by Dublin-born
uilleann piper Tom Creegan and guitar player extraordinaire Cary Novotny. Official
Site: Antua.com Maher Academy
of Irish Dance
The Maher Academy of Irish Dance was formed by Gabrielle
Maher in 1989. Gabrielle immigrated to America with her husband and four children.
Gabrielle was born in Dublin into a family of 18 children. Maher Academy Students
compete in Feisanna (competitions) up and down the west coast from Vancouver,
B.C. to San Diego, California. Maher Academy students have toured Ireland, dancing
at the Galway AM Festival, and the Laois Halfdoor Dance Festival. Students have
performed with the Trinity Dance Company, at the Arlene Schnitzer concert hall,
with Cherish the Lady, and with the Portland Revels Theater Company. Official
Site: Maher Irish
Dance Academy Murray School of Irish Dancing
The Murray Irish
Dancers enjoy a stellar reputation for providing professional and entertaining
performances throughout the Portland metropolitan area, the Willamette Valley,
southwest Washington and northern California. The Murray School offers classes
for students of all ages, children through adults, wishing to become Irish Dancers.
The Murray School welcomes students form all levels of dance experience and of
all cultural backgrounds to learn about Irish Dance, Music and Culture and to
be part of the Murray team. Some of the fabulous Murray dancers have gone on to
achieve top ten finishes in the annual World Championships in Ireland. Official
Site: Murray School of Irish Dancing •
• • PASS to ALL EVENTS $25.00 Adult; Whole Family
Pass $50.00 (2 adults
and any number of kids under 16); Kids 7 to 16, $5.00
with parent
(available at gate only). ADVANCE TICKETS AVAILABLE thru Fastixx/TicketsWest
beginning
8/26/04. Fastixx.com or TicketsWest.com Tickets
available also from Noel at The Celtic Corner, 4142 N.E. Sandy Blvd, Portland.
Phone: (503) 287-3009 CAMPING FREE WITH ADVANCE TICKET PURCHASES.
WALKUP CAMPING FEE $10.00 per night per unit. There are even hot showers available! Concert
Information at (509) 427-9478
Lodging information available at SkamaniaCountyFair.com/lodging.htm Scott
Pineo, the County's Director of Community Events and Recreation, says that
"A September Irish Festival has been a dream of some Stevenson and Skamania
County folks for several years. In 2004, that dream will become a reality. The
Skamania County Fair site has already established itself as a remarkable venue
for music events including the Columbia Gorge Bluegrass Festival and the TOM Fest,
as well as many other events. The site benefits from a beautiful setting and walking
distance proximity to the picturesque town of Stevenson, Washington. Celtic Production
NW and Wind Mountain Entertainment teamed up with the Skamania County Fair Board
to bring this event to life. Whether you've followed Irish Music for along time,
or are just looking for a fun family event for the weekend, this event will surely
satisfy your needs." Still have questions? Click
here to e-mail the good folks at the Skamania County Irish Festival! • • •
Feature: Bernadette
Price
Original Web Design: Alexander
Servas
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