Taking place over 18 days (January 15th to February 1st ), Celtic Connections is a major event in the folk and world music calendar. Each year, visitors from around the globe are welcomed to the festival, where international artists perform alongside the very best Scottish talent.
Artistic Director, Capercaillie’s Donald Shaw, will once again be inviting over 1,500 artists from every continent to perform in Glasgow. Around 300 concerts, ceilidhs, talks, free events, workshops and late-night sessions in 14 venues across the city!
Celtic Connections is not just all about great concerts and sessions, visual arts have an important part to play too. Four exhibitions will run throughout the festival.
The festival has been honored with an award in recognition of its contribution to Scotland’s tourism industry, with the festival winning the Events and Festivals – International award at the Scottish Thistle Awards.
Bela Fleck’s “Throw Down Your Heart” film will be screened at Celtic Connections. The award-winning film Throw Down Your Heart will be shown on Monday 19th January, followed by a Q&A session with the legendary banjo player himself. This film inspired the concert featuring Oumou Sangare, Toumani Diabaté and Bassekou Kouyate which takes place on Saturday 17th January.
This year’s Classic Albums strand will see three great records – Richard Thompson’s 1000 Years of Popular Music, Battlefield Band’s Home is Where the Van Is and Catriona McKay’s Starfish – performed in their entirety.
The Celtic Connections Education Program enters into its 11th year in 2009. Over 15,000 children will enjoy 8 free schools concerts in January, with a further 2000 children benefiting from free in-school workshops.
Venues:
1 – Glasgow Royal Concert Hall (GRCH) – Over 100 events including workshops, open stage shows and big gigs in the Auditorium.
2 – City Halls – (around 25 events) including the whisky workshops with master classes and tastings
3 – Old Fruitmarket –.(next to the City Halls, around 15 events, most of them of great quality)
4 – ABC – 14 excellent events
5 – St Andrew’s In The Square – 12 events at the church, all at 20h.
6 – Universal – “Songs of Scotland”
7 – Tron Theatre – 7 events, theatre included.
8 – Classic Grand – 9 events, on the second floor, at 20h.
9 – Oran Mor – 9 events in the farthest venue.
10 – Celtic ConnectionsA – Ceòl’s Craic, films and workshops for 3 days (Jan. 22nd to 24th )
11 – Tall Ship – This boat will host 4 events between the 22nd and the 25th of January)
12 – Pacific Quay (BBC Radio Scotland studios) –
13 – George Square – Torchlight parade with pipe band on the very first afternoon.
14 – Quality Central Hotel – Festival club sessions every night at 22.30h., with the chance to see the artists missed during the day
More at www.celticconnections.com
Author: ConchiDiez
