When I worked in the festival world people would often ask what my real or full time job was. I guess this is understandable if you've never looked behind the scenes at a music festival. All most people see is a public explosion of activity for a short period of time. In fact, the cycle of fundraising, planning, promotion, production and reporting on the results of a major festival goes on year round.
A great example of this is a promotion called “A Taste of Celtic Colours.” This is a show produced by the Celtic Colours Festival featuring some of Cape Breton’s leading contemporary artists and will be featured at two of Europe’s leading music festivals in Dublin and Glasgow on January 24-25.
The Temple Bar Tradfest is one of the largest festivals in Ireland and Celtic Connections in Scotland is celebrating its 20th Anniversary this year. A Taste of Celtic Colours will serve the dual purpose of promoting some terrific Cape Breton artists to a new audience and promoting the Celtic Colours International Festival to large and dedicated festival audiences.
Celtic Connections takes place over a three week period in Glasgow and features over 2,100 musicians from around the world. Celtic Colours and Celtic Connections have a long history of cooperation and mutual support. Temple Bar TradFest is one of the key festivals taking part in The Gathering organized by Fáilte Ireland that aims to bring the Irish diaspora home.
A Taste of Celtic Colours features Mary Jane Lamond and Wendy MacIsaac, Kimberley Fraser and Cyril MacPhee. The quality of these artists will speak volumes about Cape Breton & Celtic Colours at these prestigious European events.