The lineup for the 2023 Celtic Colours International Festival has been announced. The Celtic music festival, taking place from October 6 to October 14, 2023, will feature 49 concerts and over 200 cultural experiences across Cape Breton Island. The opening concert, titled “The Universal Language,” will explore the theme of languages with a diverse array of multilingual artists. The closing concert, “No Boundaries,” will be performed by Natalie MacMaster and Donnell Leahy, along with some guest performers.
The lineup includes artists from Scotland, Ireland, the U.S., the U.K., Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Quebec, and Ontario, including Blazin’ Fiddles, Le Vent du Nord, John Doyle, Allan MacDonald, Maggie MacInnes, Màiri Chaimbeul, Ray Legere, and Cathy Ann MacPhee.
Celtic Colours International Festival will also present familiar faces in new collaborations. American banjo player Béla Fleck will be featured with his long-time duo partner Abigail Washburn; Tim Edey is accompanying traditional Irish singer Iarla Ó Lionáird; Canadian and American fiddling champion Shane Cook is teamed up with The Woodchippers; and Mary Frances Leahy, who’s performed at the Festival before with her parents Natalie and Donnell, will be making her solo debut.
The festival will also welcome back Tara Breen (Nuala Kennedy, The Chieftains) and Jim Murray (Sharon Shannon) from Ireland who are playing in a trio with Pádraig Rynne. Fiddler Jocelyn Pettit returns with cello player Ellen Gira. Gaelic singer Rachel Walker was part of the Scottish group Cruinn and is back in a duo with Aaron Jones. And members of beloved Prince Edward Island groups Vishtèn and the East Pointers will make their way over to the island in their new group 6 Hearts.
Several artists will be making their festival debut, representing countries such as the USA, Ireland, Wales, Nova Scotia, and more. Jay Ungar and Molly Mason (USA), Diane Cannon (Ireland), Vrï (Wales), Mama’s Broke (Nova Scotia), Ruth Keggin and Rachel Hair (Isle of Man/Scotland), and The Woodshed (Alberta) who aren’t just making their Celtic Colours debut, but are playing for the first time as a duo at the Festival.
Special tribute concerts will honor influential women in Cape Breton’s music and culture, as well as celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Cape Breton Fiddlers’ Association. In addition to the concerts, there will be over 200 community cultural experiences, including dances, workshops, guided walks, and community meals. The Festival Club, sponsored by Big Spruce Brewing, will provide late-night performances.
The event is supported by ACOA, Canadian Heritage, the Province of Nova Scotia, and other partners.
More information at: celtic-colours.com
Author: World Music Central News Room
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Is there a list of locations where we can see the performers? ….in particular John Doyle