12TH – 16th March 2010
www.fermanagh.gov.uk

Getting back to real Fermanagh Trad … the pure stuff…

For those who know good Music, Enniskillen Folk Fest will be taking us on an alternative & freshly tuned creative journey, a high quality self- perpetuating & definitive kind. During the festival’s select programme of events, The Folk Fest will provide our ears with a strong refined selection of traditional Irish folk music events.
Legends of Irish traditional music will appear alongside Musicians who appeared on the audio archive of “Hidden Fermanagh”.

“Enniskillen Folk Arts Festival will be one of those folk music events you will never forget. It will be a jam-packed weekend infused with a strong Purist & contemporary vision concentrating on regional style as well as good quality Musicianship.

The main focus for this weekend of key events is Traditional Irish folk music and dance – it’ll be honey to the ears and one of it’s greatest strengths will be the interesting simmer and heart warming fill of great high profile music.

The programme contains select Traditional Music events and an excellent programme of workshop’s all facilitated in association with the Council’s Art of Regeneration Organisation in Residence Fermanagh Traditional Music Society who pioneered the Hidden Fermanagh Book and double CD set.

The Art of Regeneration Programme was established by Fermanagh District Council in 2005, funded with just under half a million pounds for Arts development for County Fermanagh for a 4 year outreach initiative by The Arts Council of N. Ireland in partnership with The Share Centre and Fermanagh District Council, now into it’s final year, Art of Regeneration has worked with quite a wealth of local people annually and within each of it’s 5 Artistic disciplines: Dance, Literature, Music, Carnival / Community Arts & Environmental Sculpture. The Programme has also created significant employment for the arts sector throughout its duration as well as employed several administrative staff. The programme has left a major impact on the County in regards to Cultural Tourism, a realistic & achievable vision for a sustainable arts economy – a legacy that we can continue to enjoy throughout our County as Artists continue to engage with the Community in all levels of creative endeavour.

Enjoy the weekend folks and remember for your diaries:
The 3rd Enniskillen Arts Festival : 29th Sept – 3rd October 2010

For a full programme of events please contact Diane Henshaw The Arts Officer for Fermanagh District Council at: 028 66325050, email:
diane.henshaw@fermanagh.gov.uk / download at www.fermanagh.gov.uk

The event line up will be as follows:

1 Friday 12th March 10pm Sets Ceili with Band Ceili Time (sets called by Brenda Murphy) / The Railway Hotel upstairs function room Enniskillen
£6 at the door
2 Saturday 13th March workshops will take place at The Clinton Centre in the following genre’s:

· Beginners Harp with Tutor Patricia Daly (Harps available on day / booking essential for this workshop due to limited instruments)
· Flute with Tutor Cyril Maguire (Advanced)
· Ballad Singing with Tutor Rosie Stewart (all levels)
· Concertina with Tutor Shauna Moore (Intermediate)
· Step Dance with Tutor Margaret Wray (wear leather soled shoes)
(all levels)
· Fiddle with Seamas Quinn (Intermediate)
· Banjo with Kevin Gilmurray (Intermediate)

Attendees should bring own instruments (Harps only will be provided and limited places are available / pre booking is advisable) / workshops £5 for full day / Harp £10 (due to hire incurred)

(*Sat 13th March Fiddle Classes in The Clinton Centre have been rescheduled to: Sat 17th April after Easter to accommodate the folk weekend)

3 Saturday 13th at 8pm will host a fantastic concert of music *(at The Higher Bridges Gallery in The Clinton Centre) with the mighty AT FIRST LIGHT described as…

At First Light comprises the talent of world-renowned Uilleann piper John McSherry and outstanding fiddle player Dónal O’Connor, creators of Tripswitch, which has been described as ‘Acoustic perfection’. Combined with the sublime talent of Francis McIlduff from the famous McPeake clan, the power, clarity and sheer joy of Alan Burke formerly of the band After-hours, you can see why the band is being portrayed as ‘a dream team line up’.
Mixing traditional songs with the power and delicacy of dueling pipes, fiddle, whistles, guitar , bouzouki and Bodhrán, At First Light create a sonic landscape that takes the audience on a journey of discovery from the roots to the future of the Irish tradition.
“At First Light are surely one of those special pioneering acts who push the boundaries and redraw the map. And that can’t be a bad thing. For five very experienced and knowledgeable artists at the peak of their creativity, the future looks bright. And given that we are witnessing the birth of something special, something exciting and exceptionally vigorous, we would be wise to take heed.” Irish Music Magazine
“The rhythmical power of At First Light would cause the most reluctant of feet to tap.” Scottish Herald
“Proof that contemporary traditional music can keep its heart.” Scotland on Sunday
John McSherry: Uilleann pipes, low whistles Donal O’Connor: fiddle, keyboards Francis McIlduff: bodhran, Uilleann pipes & low whistles Alan Burke: guitar, vocals & Ruben Bada: Bouzouki
http://www.atfirstlight.net
http://www.myspace.com/atfirstlightmusic
Tickets £8 at the door / bar available

4 Saturday’s Free Festival Club will take place at The Railway Hotel (festival club sponsor) from 10.30pm to late roll by for music with some of our guest and local artists and an evening that will overload your mind with what can only be described as outstanding feast of mighty Traditional Irish Folk Music.

5 Tuesday 16th March will recoup the weekend’s ethos with a wonderful
Eve of the Finest Fermanagh Traditional Music with a great concert from Hidden Fermanagh Artists at The Westville Hotel’s Function Room from 8pm to late. Tickets £5 at the door only.

Further details of the weekend / copy of the festival programme are available from Diane Henshaw Arts Officer for Fermanagh District Council at 028 6632 5050 ext. 245 or online at www.fermanagh.gov.uk