2022 Schedule
Saturday
- 10:00 – Joe Higgins
- 11:00 – Terry Boyle & Ceilidh Briscoe
- 12:00 – Opening Cerimonies
- 12:30 – Clanna Morna
- 13:30 – Cookeilidh
- 14:30 – Blackthorn
- 15:30 – Black Angus
- 16:30 – Tom Morrissey
- 17:30 – The McGullicuddy’s
Sunday
- 10:00 – Coastline
- 11:00 – Ivonne Hernandez
- 12:00 – Clannigan
- 13:00 – The Hounds of Cuchulain
- 14:00 – Women of the Celtic Fiddle
- 15:00 – The Slieves
- 16:00 – Blackthorn
- 17:00 – The McGullicuddy’s
- 18:00 – Tom Morrissey
2022 Line Up
Coastline
Coastline is a Victoria based string ensemble comprised of BC’s top young musicians coached and mentored by renowned fiddle phenomenon, Ivonne Hernandez. This award-winning band has already been making a name for themselves since their inception in January 2013. With fiddles, cellos and guitar, the group of talented teens plays a diverse and exciting repertoire of fiddle tunes from around the world. Their debut album was a 2 time Canadian Folk Music Award nominee and they just released their highly anticipated new album called ‘The High Drive’. www. coastlinefiddle.com
Ivonne Hernandez
Ivonne Hernandez has been captivating audiences and capturing the hearts of fiddle fans across the world. The 5 time North American Fiddle Champion and 2017 Juno Award nominee has had much success in performing and teaching because of her technically brilliant fiddling, added with her singing and step dancing and of course her charisma. Ivonne’s show along with brilliant guitarist and singer-songwriter Tad Ruszel, has been wowing audiences and leaving them wanting more. www.ivonnehernandez.com
Clanna Morna
Hailing from the occupied territories of the Songhees, Esquimalt and WSÁNEĆ nations (Victoria, BC in Canada), Clanna Morna brings their take on the Celtic Traditional genre to the west coast. Their sound is rooted in the traditional Irish, Scottish and English music that many love, and features carefully crafted arrangements, rhythmic spirited energy and captivating storytelling. Comprised of an ensemble of multi-instrumentalists, their collective musicianship and attention to detail create a unique sound.
Members of Clanna Morna have been arranging and performing traditional Celtic and original music for over a decade in other projects, sharing their melodic arrangements and stories both internationally and locally. Since their formation in the fall of 2020 Clanna Morna has toured Coastal British Columbia multiple times as well as the Okanagan, delivering over 70 performances in their first 9 months as an ensemble. Notable performances include the Oceanside Folk/Roots club in Qualicum Beach, the 2021 Victoria Highland Games, the Gorge Harbour Marina on Cortes Island, and the Earth Club Factory on Denman Island.
The band is comprised of Cody Baresich (mandolins, Irish bouzouki, tin whistle, percussion, vocals), Finn Letourneau (fiddle, banjo, vocals), Mark Leigh (accordion, tin whistles, vocals), and Syver Berkley (guitar, vocals). With the combination of traditional instruments featuring strong melodic leads, rhythmic guitar accompaniment and foot percussion, the band covers a wide swath of musical ground. From high-energy instrumentals to slow ballads, drinking songs to sea shanties, Clanna Morna brings a unique west coast influence to Celtic & English folk. The band pays tribute to and takes inspiration from legendary predecessors including The Dubliners, The Pogues, the Bothy Band, Planxty, The Clancy Brothers, and The Wolfe Tones.
Cookeilidh
If it’s a kitchen party yer after…you’ve come to the right place. Cookeilidh are a four piece Celtic band from Victoria comprised of a twelve string guitar, fiddle, wooden Irish flute, bodhran and vocals. Noted for their high energy performances, fasten your seatbelts; it’s going to be the craic! www.cookeilidh.com
The Hounds of Cuchulai
The Hounds of Cuchulain are a four-piece folk band who play a wide selection of Irish, Scottish, Maritime, and English folk music.
The group’s sound is characterized by the classic celtic combination of fiddle and tin whistle, driving guitar and banjo, and powerful vocals – also featuring the most emblematic of Irish instruments, the harp – but most of all by a passion for and deep connection to the music.
Their repertoire ranges from lively pub songs and shanties to haunting ballads, rebel songs, rollicking dance tunes, and original songs in the style of Canadian and Celtic folk.
The Hounds are led by seasoned performer and composer Wolf Edwards on lead vocal and guitar; joined by long running musical partner Devo Bernard on the 5-string banjo; the multi-talented Madeleine Townley on lead vocal, Irish harp, and tin whistle; and the virtuoso fiddle playing of Briana Kennedy.
The Hounds of Cuchulain
Celtic & Maritime Folk Music
1280 Dunsterville Ave
Victoria, BC V8Z 2W8
Canada
Tel: 250 580 7826
Email: [email protected]
Black Angus
Black Angus is an enduring musical outfit, about good friends, good humour, and good music.
The harmonic duo at the core of Black Angus is Gareth Hurwood and Alex MacCuaig, who started their evolving partnership within the Celtic tradition in 2007.
Accompanying themselves on acoustic guitar and upright bass, the boys of Black Angus delve into the familiar and the original from the Celtic repertoire and beyond.
For the perennial reunion that is Victoria’s Highland Games, Blackangus completes a trio with VHG and Black Angus favourite Sarah Tradewell on fiddle.
Gareth Hurwood – Black Angus Music – 250 580 8928
www.blackangusmusic.com
Tom Morrissey
Tom Morrissey hails from Mt. Pearl Newfoundland the son of the late Joan Morrissey, Newfoundland’s first lady of song. Playing east coast music all over the world he is joined by Ian Todd from Ottawa on bass guitar, John Paul Kelly from Fort St. John on mandolin and Levi Lawson from Smithers on drums. The band plays a blend of Celtic high energy music guaranteed to get your toes tapping. www.reverbnation.com/tommorrisseyband
Blackthorn
Blackthorn features four talented musicians, three of whom share lead vocals, bringing a refreshing diversity of character to the group’s polished sound and all four contribute a mastery of a colourful variety of instruments. Blackthorn’s extensive repertoire is rooted in the musical traditions of Scotland and Ireland as well as the folk music of English and French Canada. Their repertoire has expanded to include creative original compositions that reflect the influences of these traditions. From lively jigs and reels, to songs with rousing choruses and heart-wrenching airs and ballads, they bring the music to life with their luscious harmonies and complex instrumentation. http://blackthornband.com
Joe Higgins
Joe Higgins is a solo Scottish singer/songwriter,who immigrated to Canada in the mid 90’s and has performed locally ever since. Prior to coming to Canada, Joe performed in Glasgow, London, Germany and Austria. Joe has performed at past Highland Games and his Celtic songs have been played on CFUV and CBC radio stations.
McGillicuddys
McGillicuddys have been please Celtic rock audiences for the past decade. With their high energy stage shows and cool spin on traditional tunes, no listener is immune to a good time. They always dress the part and the swish of the tartan can be felt all the way to the back row of their concerts. Accordion with attitude and grinding guitars always push the good times to the limit. www.mcgillicuddys.ca
Terry Boyle and Ceilidh Briscoe
Terry Boyle and Ceilidh Briscoe. Terry Boyle is a singer/songwriter from Dublin, Ireland. With a vast repertoire of Celtic songs, some teary, some cheery, some sing-along and some from the archives, Terry has a song or story for every occasion. As a songwriter Terry’s style is varied, evolving and always entertaining. Terry released a 7 song CD, “Life’s Too Short” in November 2018.
Ceilidh Briscoe, from Victoria, BC, is a five time North American Fiddle Champion, an All-Ireland Fiddle Champion, and studied for six years with the fabulous 5 time All-Ireland Champion, Brian Conway.
Together, Terry and Ceilidh present a dynamic range of songs and tunes in the style of an intimate kitchen concert. Usually exhilarating and free-flowing, sometimes mellow and thoughtful, but always hugely entertaining and engaging, this exciting duo is not to be missed.
Clannigan
Clannigan is a Celtic Rock band from Vancouver Island playing Americana, Canadiana, West Coast, East Coast, Irish & Scottish folk. A blend of good music. The band was formed from the ashes of The Clanns and The Shenanigans.
Scotty Guy – Guitar and Vocals
Al Black Davidson – Mandolin, Drums, and Vocals
Terry Parker – Bass and Vocals
Jeanette McGonigle -Fiddle and Vocals