Festival 2010 Events

Sunday, March 7th

William McKone, Lonergan Reading  2:00 p.m.
William McKone speaks on “John Lonergan and the First St. Patrick’s Celebrations in Burlington.” In a preview of his upcoming book on Vermont’s most notorious Civil War General, Bill McKone expounds on Burlington Irish culture in the mid-19th century while area musicians play Irish-American tunes from the War Between the States.
Presented in conjunction with the Chittenden County Historical Society.
Location: Community Room, Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, VT
Admission: Free, Donations Welcome

Meet William McKone  5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
After he speaks at the library, there will be an informal gathering at RiRa’s Irish Pub with Live Irish Music
Location: Ri-Ra's The Irish Pub, 123 Church Street, Burlington, VT
Admission: Free

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Tuesday, March 9th

The Concert for St. Patrick  7:30 p.m.
The annual concert for St. Patrick is a wonderful tradition of Irish music, dance, humor and much more. Performers this year include the Fiddleheads, the Celtic Knights, the McFadden Academy, and the Highland Weavers to name just a few. All proceeds will go to the Tom Sustic Fund which supports families of children with cancer.
Location: McCarthy Arts Recital Hall, St. Michael's College, Colchester, VT
Admission: Tickets $8 purchased at the door. SMC students free

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Wednesday, March 10th

Irish Music Open Session  9:00 p.m. - 12:00 a.m.
Come to play or come to listen. The session is open to musicians & singers. Fine local musician’s bring their best Irish tunes. This is not a slow session, so sit down and strap yourself in. Come ready to play, sing, dance or tap your toes and try to keep up.
Location:Radio Bean, 8 North Winooski Avenue, Burlington, VT
Admission: None

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Friday, March 12th

Lecture - "Spirituality and Stones" with Reverend Doctor Jim Gorman  12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Western Ireland is rich with many stone circles, standing stones and other neolithic sites. In this lecture Reverend Doctor Jim Gorman shares his passion for archeology and Ireland by delving into the significance of these sites on the Irish spiritual life. This is a multimedia presentation which includes his photographs of select locations. Dr. Gorman will provide tips on locating these sites and review the rules which govern them. Join us for a lively hour with stories and information which is intended as a primer to help others enjoy this aspect of Irish history.
Location: Community Room, Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, VT
Admission: Free, Donations Welcome

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Saturday, March 13th

Children's Stories and Crafts  10:00 a.m. - Noon
Share the Celtic heritage with a new generation - or expand your children's cultural horizons. This event features stories and images of the Irish and Irish-Americans. Hear classic Irish tales, learn a few words in the Irish language, and create some Irish themed crafts. All ages are welcome.
Location: Fletcher Room, Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, VT
Admission: Free, donations welcome

Film: "The Celts"  Noon - 3:00 p.m.
An informative, entertaining documentary series made in the 1980's by the BBC, which presents the history and legacy of the ancient people known to the Greeks as “Keltoi” in English: “The Celts.” Migrated from Central and Western Europe hundreds of years before Christ, and up into Ireland, England, Wales, Scotland, Brittany and Galicia. The Celts are the ancestors of the modern Irish, and other Celtic peoples, and "The Celts", with Celtic narrator, Frank Delaney, introduces this highly civilized, but often mis-understood, ancient race to our fast-paced, modern world. Music by Enya. We will share a few installments (we don't have time for the whole series)
Location: Fletcher Room, Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, VT
Admission: Free, donations welcome

Pennywhistle Workshop  1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
For children aged five through adult beginners. A limited number of whistles will be provided, or feel free to bring your own. Please register to ensure your spot by emailing Cindy Hill at wordwomanvt@yahoo.com
Location: Pickering Room, Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, VT
Admission: Free, donations welcome

Bodhran, Spoons and Bones: An Introduction to Celtic Small Percussion  2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
If you have a hankering to play along at your local Celtic music sessions, or are a drummer from other genres looking to learn something about Irish percussion traditions, join Burlington area musicians for an introduction to playing the spoons, bones, and the bodhran -- Irish frame drum. Beginners of all ages are welcome.
Location: Pickering Room, Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, VT
Admission: Free, donations welcome

Saturday Night Hooley, Not Necessarily Traditional Irish Music & Dance  7:00 p.m.
We proudly present O’hAnleigh, The Music of Irish America & Patrick Webb, Irishman for Hire. Rousing pub tunes, traditional Irish ballads, jigs & reels, sea shanties & working songs. And everyone’s favorite, the fine dancers of McFadden Academy of Irish Dance.
Location: Contois Auditorium, Burlington City Hall, Burlington, VT
Admission: All tickets are $10 and can be purchased at the door

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Sunday, March 14th

Festival Ceili  1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Ceili is the Irish word for a music, dancing, handclapping good time! The Annual Festival Ceili is fun for the whole family with Irish stepdancing and some of Vermont’s finest Celtic musicians. Hear fiddles and flutes, Irish pipes and pennywhistles, and the bodhran, a traditional Irish frame drum. Area musicians are welcome to bring their instruments and join in for a lively seisun.
Presented in association with Burlington City Arts.
Location: Contois Auditorium, Burlington City Hall, Burlington, VT
Admission: Free, donations welcome

The Fourth Annual Burlington Irish Music Showcase  6:00 p.m.
We welcome "Women in Irish Music & Dance."

Vermont women musicians performing Celtic music from traditional dance tunes to rousing Irish-American pub favorites. And Showcase favorites the dancers of McFadden Academy of Irish Dance. Our emcee, Laura Travis of Rhode Island, will move us through this lively evening in style, as we celebrate the St. Pat’s season and help support the Tom Sustic Fund which supports families with children with cancer.
Presented in affiliation with Young Traditions Vermont.

Location: Contois Auditorium, Burlington City Hall, Burlington, VT
Admission: All Tickets are $15.00 and can be purchased at the door

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Wednesday, March 17th

St. Patrick's Day Concert: Dervish  7:30 p.m.
Once again the partnership of the
UVM Lane Series, the Flynn Theatre and the Burlington Irish Heritage Festival presents an evening of first-rate Irish talent. This year, we welcome Dervish. This dynamic, high-spirited, six-member band from Ireland’s County Sligo returns to the Flynn. Dervish “weaves a hypnotic brand of traditional magic, leaving their audience in a state of toe-tapping excitement,” says the Dublin Evening Herald. Lead singer Cathy Jordan sings rollicking ballads in both Gaelic and English, spinning tales of life and love in a rich, evocative voice. Dervish’s songs are interspersed with high-energy reels and jigs on fiddle, flute, accordion, bouzouki, and mandolin.
Location: Flynn Theatre, Main Street, Burlington, VT
Admission: Tickets start at $24.00 and can be purchased online here or by calling the Flynn Box Office at (802) 863-5966.

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