THE final weekend of the Yn Chruinnaght Festival provides a last opportunity to enjoy Celtic music and dance in Peel, Douglas and Ramsey.
Today (Saturday) is a day devoted to dancing. Two visiting dance groups, Kemysk from Cornwall and Shoostring from Wales, will be performing alongside Manx dance groups Perree Bane and the Manx Folk Dance Society in Douglas at noon and 2pm on the North Quay near St Matthew’s Church and on the Promenade near the war memorial.
The visiting groups will offer free dance workshops in St Matthew’s Hall from 3.30pm – come and have a go at Cornish dancing and Appalachian clogging. The day rounds off with a Giant Ceili featuring visiting groups and Manx ceili band, Tarroo Marroo.
Held at the Masonic Hall in Douglas at 8pm, it’s a chance to have a go at different styles of dancing – no experience necessary! There is an optional fancy dress theme of the Celtic flags. Ticket prices have deliberately been kept low to encourage families to attend: £6 (£4 concessions).
The festival closes with displays in the Mooragh Park in Ramsey on Sunday 24th from 2pm featuring Celtic dancers and the glorious Ellan Vannin Pipes and Drums. That evening, the festival returns to the Centenary Centre in Peel for a concert from Scottish Gaelic singer, Maeve MacKinnon, who has been described as possessing ‘a truly stunning voice’.
Her first solo album, ‘Don't Sing Lovesongs’, received 5 star reviews and was honoured in the Celtic Connections festival's Classic Albums series. Maeve has been recognised in the Traditional Music Awards and as Gaelic Singer of the Year.
Acclaimed pianist, accordian player and producer Angus Lyon and great guitarist Ross Martin (Daimh, Harem Scarem) will be accompanying Maeve on this visit to Yn Chruinnaght. The trio will be performing at the Centenary Centre on Sunday 24th at 8pm. Tickets are only £12.50 (£7.50 concessions). www.maevemackinnon.com The festival is supported by the Manx Heritage Foundation, Isle of Man Arts Council and Manx Telecom.
Tickets are available from the following outlets up until the day of each performance: Shakti Man (Ramsey), Peter Norris Music & Mostly Manx (Douglas), Thompson Travel (Port Erin) and Celtic Gold (Peel)
To check out the full festival programme, visit: www.ynchruinnaght.com or phone the festival hotline: 07624 425957 where tickets can be reserved.
SAT 23 July
Dance displays and workshops in Douglas (St Matthews Church Hall, North Quay and Promenade) from 12noon FREE
Youth music session with Mo Chara, Douglas Youth Centre, 3pm FREE
Uilleann pipe beginners workshop with Mo Chara, Douglas Masonic, 6pm FREE
Giant Ceili featuring Kemysk, Shoostring & Tarroo Marroo, Douglas Masonic 8pm £6/4
SUN 24 July
Mooragh Park Displays 2-4pm featuring dancers Kemysk, Shoostring & Ny Fennee and Ellan Vannin Pipes and Drums FREE
Stunning Scottish Gaelic song and music from the Maeve MacKinnon Trio in concert at the Centenary Centre, Peel, 8pm £12.50/7.50
Ticket outlets: Shakti Man (Ramsey), Peter Norris Music & Mostly Manx (Douglas), Thompson Travel (Port Erin) and Celtic Gold (Peel) or tel 07624 425957
www.ynchruinnaght.com
