National CELTIC FESTIVAL 2018
Third and Final Line-Up Announcement
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The National Celtic Festival is set to shine amidst the sparkling Portarlington foreshore this June long weekend. Boasting crowds of over 15,000 and performances across 14 stages, the festival is the premier Celtic gathering in Australasia and it’s easy to see why it has become such a draw card for audiences, with its breadth of artistic talent, rich in culture.
The festival attracts some of the best and most diverse Celtic Folk acts from across the country and the globe, bringing with them a twist of blues, classical, jazz, indie, rock and much more. For its third and final announcement, the local contingent dominates with Irish-Australian star Damien Leith (making his third appearance!), folk singer-songwriter Maria Forde, fiddler Declan Simpson and flute player Beth McCracken accompanied by Trouble In The Kitchen guitarist Benno Stephenson, and traditionalists Catherine Fraser Trio.
They join an already exciting and eclectic line-up of musical showcases including legends of the Irish music scene Altan (who will perform as part of their 30th anniversary tour) Scotland’s Paul McKenna Band, troubadours Hat Fitz and Cara, vibrant string three-piece Telenn Tri, multi-instrumental powerhouse Claymore, trad-folk icons Trouble in the Kitchen and Señor Cabrales, who will take you to Scotland via Spain!
CLICK HERE TO READ ARTIST BIOS ON THE FESTIVAL WEBSITE
Community, comedy, dance, literature, medieval sports and theatre troupes have also jumped on board the Bellarine bandwagon, with the likes of St Joseph’s College Celtic Group, the Victorian Irish Dance Academy and storyteller/comedian Eric Purdie poised to entertain the masses.
Visitors will be treated to The Folk Market which plays host to over 100 stalls and food vendors, bursting with fine food and fresh produce from a wide range of food trucks, along with delicious local wines, craft brews and spirits from Victoria’s bespoke distilleries.
The atmosphere is otherworldly and the vibe exhilarating with punters participating in anything from jousting tournaments and traditional Viking practices such as deer-hide curing to gorging on a buffet of Celtic delicacies.
National Celtic Festival 2018 full program:
Musicians / Bands
Adelaide Scottish Fiddle Club
Altan (IRE)
Amber
Brid Harper & Dermot Byrne (IRE)
Bruce Watson
Catherine Fraser Trio
Celtic Piping Club
Claymore
Colin Lilli
Damien Leith
Declan Simpson & Beth McCracken with Benno Stephenson
Fiona Ross
Gerry McGeague
Hat Fitz and Cara
Liminality
Maggie Carty & Máirtín Staunton (IRE)
Maria Forde
Melbourne Scottish Fiddle Club
Paul McKenna Band (SCOT)
Rich Davies & The Low Road
Saoirse
Señor Cabrales
Siobhan Owen
Squeebz
Stu Tyrrell
Telenn Tri
The Dixie Chooks
The Drowsy Maggies
The Lochans
Tim Scanlan Trio
Trouble in the Kitchen
Unsung Heroes of Australian History
Zeon
Cultural / Community Groups
St Joseph’s College Celtic Group
Comhaltas Melbourne
Dance Groups
Victorian Irish Dance Academy
Cathie’s Celtic Dance
O’Shea-Ryan Irish Dancers
Theatre / Storytelling
Niki na Meadhra
Eric Purdie – Glasgow Storyteller & Comedian
Where: WG Little Reserve, Newcombe Street, Portarlington, Victoria
When: 8-11 June, 2018
Tickets: via trybooking.com
Weekend Prices: $170 | $70 Youth Weekend Festival + Camping / Ferry packages available online. Day Tickets also available.
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