Celtic Connections Glasgow 2003

Subject: Celtic Connections Glasgow 2003
From: Maryrrf
Date: 23 Oct 02 - 05:10 PM

Does anybody know where to get info about this year's Celtic Connections? There's a (slim) possibility I might be over there at that time. Has anybody ever tried out on the Danny Kyle open stage? For that matter, are any mudcatters playing at Celtic Connections 2003?

Subject: RE: Celtic Connections Glasgow 2003
From: bodhran
Date: 23 Oct 02 - 05:18 PM

Well ,
Briege murphy's new cd is called The Elm Wood,and to the person who requested the words of "Aoife's worries ", this song is featured on the Elm Wood , words included,along with eleven other new songs , written by Briege Murphy.
Web-site;www.briegemurphy.com

Subject: RE: Celtic Connections Glasgow 2003
From: GUEST
Date: 23 Oct 02 - 05:51 PM

I believe the Royal Glasgow Concert Hall website gets updated each year around the upcoming bank holiday weekend.

These are the artistes I remember hearing are on so far:

Dougie MacLean, Cara Dillon, Sinead O'Connor, Shooglenifty, Alyth McCormack and Shine, Alisdair Fraser, The Sands Family.

Any and all on the list are unofficial of course, until announced officially by RGCH. Eventually. Here is their url:

http://www.grch.com/hall_events/celtic.htm

Subject: RE: Celtic Connections Glasgow 2003
From: Maryrrf
Date: 23 Oct 02 - 06:56 PM

I did find the information given at the GRCH but there sure isn't much on there! I was wondering if there was an official website for Celtic Connections but I've searched and couldn't find one. Anybody know a way to contact the organizers?

Subject: RE: Celtic Connections Glasgow 2003
From: GUEST
Date: 23 Oct 02 - 07:12 PM

Actually Mary, I don't think they have ever had a web presence, as far as I am aware. GRCH is the only "official" source of the information online I've ever found, and as I said, they don't post the coming year's dates until sometime in November. If even that early! Good luck finding more specific info.

Subject: RE: Celtic Connections Glasgow 2003
From: le cheffie
Date: 23 Oct 02 - 08:00 PM

Check out the Mike Harding pages on the Radio 2 website (www.bbc.co.uk/radio2/folk)he gave the listings out on his show tonight.

Nick

Subject: RE: Celtic Connections Glasgow 2003
From: 8_Pints
Date: 23 Oct 02 - 08:10 PM

We attended last year's event, and found the only source of web based info was the Royal Glasgow Concert Hall.

Saw Susanna Seivane - brilliant!

Bob & Sue vG

Subject: RE: Celtic Connections Glasgow 2003
From: Scabby Douglas
Date: 24 Oct 02 - 12:15 PM

Hi
Celtic Connections are notorious for being so ppor at pre-publicity. Often it's right up to December before they get the details finalised.

However, apparently there was a press Conference yesterday in Glasgow:
From BBC Radio 2's website:
*******************************************************
   
CELTIC CONNECTIONS LINE-UP ANNOUNCED 23/10/02

Celic Connections' annual blast takes place at Glasgow's Royal Concert Hall from January 15th to February 2nd 2003. Now in its tenth year, Celtic Connections is a music festival of international standing and reputation and affirms Glasgow's place on the cultural map. Artists this year include Aly Bain, Blazin' Fiddles, Blue Murder, Cherish The Ladies, Cliar, Johnny Cunningham, Phil Cunningham, Danu, Fiddlers' Bid, Malinky, Martin Hayes, The Eileen Ivers Band, Lúnasa, Dougie Maclean, Shane McGowan & The Popes, Susan McKeown, Old Blind Dogs, Eddi Reader, The Sands Family, Shooglenifty, Skyedance, Slàinte Mhath, Hans Theesink and many more
****************************************************************


But there's still bugger-all on the Concert Hall's own website...

Once more info emerges I'll try to remember to update here...

Cheers


Steven

Subject: RE: Celtic Connections Glasgow 2003
From: Maryrrf
Date: 24 Oct 02 - 12:28 PM

Thanks to all for the info. It seems kind of strange that a festival this size doesn't have a website - I thought I was missing it but I guess there ain't none!

Subject: RE: Celtic Connections Glasgow 2003
From: GUEST,lynn
Date: 24 Oct 02 - 05:43 PM

Last year we were at Celtic Connections heard some wonderful music dougie Maclean etc. however we never were able to find a singing session with local singers .There was lots of tunes and instumental sessions.We are going back and would appreciate any info. on singing sessios in Glasgow, or Edinburgh around time of Celtic connections.

Subject: RE: Celtic Connections Glasgow 2003
From: GUEST,Shonagh
Date: 24 Oct 02 - 06:28 PM

Theres hardly anything on the web at all! Im actually going to be performing at the festival! Im in the young traditonal musician of the year comp. and the finals are at CC. Theres 6 finalists and the finals are on the weekend on the 26th i think!! I know the finals are on a sunday. Never actually been to CC before so im looking forward to it!

Subject: RE: Celtic Connections Glasgow 2003
From: Scabby Douglas
Date: 25 Oct 02 - 04:38 AM

There's many a sesh on in Glasgow. The best (IMHO) *singer's* session in Glasgow is Wednesday evenings at Saint Andrew's in The Square. Apart from that, there's the late-night Festival Club (usually) at the Central Hotel, where there's usually stuff going on.

The thing about Celtic Connections is that it's not really a folk festival.. it's a set of concerts with some workshops. It was originally designed as a way to fill in some space for the Concert Hall in a dead part of the year. So it has never really had that "home-grown" character that many folk festivals emerge from.
In fact, I think it's fair to say that some sessions have been "grafted onto" CC, to give it a bit of character.

I'm not slagging it off - I enjoy CC, and it offers a range of artists and events that you'd have to go along way to find elsewhere.   It's just a different sort of beast from most other festivals. Plus, it's January. Not too much outdoor stuff going on...

Anyhoo...

I'm looking forward to Blue Murder, maybe get around to Dougie Maclean, and might even go after the Open Stage thingie.

Oh, BTW, Maryrrf, who opened the thread, you asked about the Danny Kyle Open Stage. I haven't participated, but as far as I know, if you get them a tape, earlyish - there'll be info on the Concert Hall website eventually - you can get a spot. It's pretty eclectic - a couple of guys who won 2 years ago played Django Reinhart-style jazz guitar..


Cheers


Steven

Subject: RE: Celtic Connections Glasgow 2003
From: GUEST,noddy
Date: 25 Oct 02 - 05:59 AM

if you like Dougie Maclean visit the TAYBANK web site for lots of good stuff.Or even better visit the pub itself. You never know Dougie may be ther and sing a song or play his fiddle. Well worth the trip to Dunkeld ,Scotlands smallest city.

Subject: RE: Celtic Connections Glasgow 2003
From: Scabby Douglas
Date: 25 Oct 02 - 07:41 AM

I have in fact, been to the Taybank, and as you suggest, Dougie did turn up, did play and participate. Nice guy. There's a nice campsite at Inver - about 1 mile from Dunkeld which is easily strollable/staggerable.

Cheers

Steven

Subject: RE: Celtic Connections Glasgow 2003
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 25 Oct 02 - 08:58 PM

Agreed, the GRCH website was pretty hopeless for info on CC last year, and the programme always comes out incredibly late: it's always hard to get in Edinburgh too, I usually rely on my kids who are sometimes in Glasgow to pick up a pile of them for me and my friends!
WHY???????
Singing sessions in the Central Hotel down the far end of a long corridor!
Tattie B

Subject: RE: Celtic Connections Glasgow 2003
From: GUEST,Boab
Date: 26 Oct 02 - 01:44 AM

My visits to the auld Hame are never coincidental with the Celtic Connections. I see the "Danny Kyle Open Stage" being mentioned;I'd be pleased to be told that the open stage has been named thus in perpetuity? I worked a lot with Danny in times past. Agreat wee Guy; he deserves remembrance.

Subject: RE: Celtic Connections Glasgow 2003
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 26 Oct 02 - 09:03 AM

Shane McGowan and the Popes? Sounds as though they may have catholic tastes in music!
Giok

Subject: RE: Celtic Connections Glasgow 2003
From: GUEST,Gust, Big Tim
Date: 27 Oct 02 - 03:33 AM

Shane and the Popes, I could be tempted. The band's name is a bit of a jokey pun: not dissimilar to Pogues, quite Catholic(!) and one of them is called Danny Pope.

Anybody know if Bobby Eaglesham will be there this year?

Subject: RE: Celtic Connections Glasgow 2003
From: Maryrrf
Date: 27 Oct 02 - 12:27 PM

Thanks for all the info. I managed to catch the last weekend of it last year (saw the Ironhorse farewell concert) as well as the Open Stage final evening. Airfares are cheap from the US to Glasgow that time of year so maybe I'll get to go again!

Subject: RE: Celtic Connections Glasgow 2003
From: Drumshanty
Date: 31 Oct 02 - 11:10 AM

Celtic Connections

Nothing there until 1 November but it's a start!

Subject: RE: Celtic Connections Glasgow 2003
From: Maryrrf
Date: 31 Oct 02 - 12:23 PM

Glad to see they have a website now!

Subject: RE: Celtic Connections Glasgow 2003
From: Scabby Douglas
Date: 01 Nov 02 - 03:47 AM

Don't get too excited, though...#
Here it is, 1st of November and the website's not open yet...



oh well...



Cheers



Steven

Subject: RE: Celtic Connections Glasgow 2003
From: GUEST,Drumshanty
Date: 01 Nov 02 - 06:03 AM

Aye ... I wasn't holding my breath either! :o)

Subject: RE: Celtic Connections Glasgow 2003
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 19 Jan 03 - 07:07 PM

Well it's up and running now, just! Decided to go for the "Friends" package this year. My tickets arrived on the morning of the first concert (9 hours before it started!) and the day after the welcome reception was over. The whole package was in one of those plastic bags from the Post Office as the original envelope was falling apart at the seams: no wonder, because it was soaking wet! Well it always rains in Glasgow! Fortunately nothing missing from the package.
I did enjoy the first concert, "Scottish Women" and look forward to some more good stuff!
Tattie B

Subject: RE: Celtic Connections Glasgow 2003
From: Maryrrf
Date: 20 Jan 03 - 08:47 AM

I'll be there at the Open Stage on January 25th. Boy did they wait until the last minute to contact me! But still I was able to get a cheap flight. Still haven't decided what other events to catch while I'm there. Cheers!
Mary

Subject: RE: Celtic Connections Glasgow 2003
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 21 Jan 03 - 08:46 PM

Will be there on the 25th too: going to Michael McGoldrick and Liam o'Flynn in the evening. Will wear my Mudcat T-shirt if I remember (not the Celtic Connections one!)As you say, not in the front line for advance publicity!
Cheers, TB

Subject: RE: Celtic Connections Glasgow 2003
From: GUEST
Date: 22 Jan 03 - 10:06 AM

Think I'll catch Malinky that evening. I don't have a mudcat T-shirt but will wear i think a long blue skirt and i'm an american woman with short red hair.

Subject: RE: Celtic Connections Glasgow 2003
From: Shonagh
Date: 22 Jan 03 - 06:09 PM

Hi! Im gonna be there on the 24th, 25th and 26th. (this weekend!) Im actually competing in the young musician of the year comp of sunday night. Ive never been before so im so excited!! Hopefully meet some of you at the weekend! Shona

Subject: RE: Celtic Connections Glasgow 2003
From: GUEST,mark dunlop
Date: 23 Jan 03 - 12:11 PM

Hey, Guest. Make sure and say hello at some point at the Malinky gig. I'll keep an eye out for red hair and a long blue skirt, and you can keep an eye out for the one with the bodhrán (probably dressed in all black) - that'll be me.
Have a good time.
m.d.

Subject: RE: Celtic Connections Glasgow 2003
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 26 Jan 03 - 02:07 PM

You might have sat next to me yesterday (Sat) around 3.30.p.m. in the coffee bar, Maryff. Did you have a guitar in tow? And a guy with a beard?
Hope you enjoyed Malinky: I have seen them several times already this year, hence went for something else. Liam O'Flynn and Michael McGoldrick were superb, and this afternoon's "Unusual Suspects" was brilliant.
Won't be over again till Weds now, for "Cherish the Ladies". Probably in blue jeans and one of the bagpipe T-shirts, also reddish hair (oot the bottle now, but resembles my original colour before it started to go grey!)
Tattie B

Subject: RE: Celtic Connections Glasgow 2003
From: GUEST,maryrrf
Date: 27 Jan 03 - 07:55 AM

Yes, that sounds liked me! Wasn't wearing the blue skirt I had originally planned. How'd you figure out it was me?? I did my open stage thing and didn't panic or mess up in the middle of any songs, so I'm happy. Malinky was great, as was Brolum. I met up with Stephen aka Scabby Doug in the Border Ballads workshop on Sunday. I am still in Scotland but won't be back to the festival till the weekend.

Subject: RE: Celtic Connections Glasgow 2003
From: Shonagh
Date: 27 Jan 03 - 06:17 PM

I didnt see any of you! I was at the Malinky concert. it was very good. Also went to see Shooglenifty on the friday night, excellent stuff like. Im pondering on the thought of coming down for the final weekend, not too sure though. It would be good to catch blazin fiddles. Was anyone in the sessions in the central?

Subject: RE: Celtic Connections Glasgow 2003
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 30 Jan 03 - 07:34 PM

Going to the "Rambling Boys" tomorrow night with a couple of friends: we'll be up in the "Gods". Then back on Sunday for Eddie Reader, and I have a ticket for the last night at the Festival Club: haven't yet made it there this year, owing to WORK the next day, but weather permitting, I'll get to this one.
Accent and short red hair, Maryff: sorry we didn't get to speak much!
Susana Seivane was, as ever, estupendo, magnifico, perfetto, muy muy bien!
Tattie B