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Eilis Ni Chinneide who will perform again this year.
THE cream of Kerry musical talent is due to gather in Annascaul Village for a free weekend of singing workshops, music sessions, gigs, children’s entertainment, and lots of fun at the end of the month.
The third annual Annascaul Celebrating Singing gathering is set to take place in the homeplace of Tom Crean and Jerome O’Connor from Friday, July 27 to Sunday, July 29.
Last year, the opening night was launched by Philip King (South Wind Blows and Other Voices) and showcased performers with some splendid gigs.
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Singing and harmony workshops were headed by Muireann nic Amhlaoibh (Danú, and Gradam Ceoil TG4) and Louise Foxe (Kerry School of Music).
Local pubs welcomed folks and musicians to live sessions, documentary films on Christy Moore and Loretta Lynn were screened, and the weekend was topped off with a brilliant Daring Diva Theatre performance.
This year, they have a full and inclusive schedule of singing workshops, gigs and music sessions, with many new and returning faces gathering to help light up the village with music and song.
Eilís Ni Chinnéide, one of the great singers of her generation, will launch the weekend in Annascaul Community Hall, and will also perform at the final night concert in Joan’s Café Nua.
Eilís is a Dingle-based singer, songwriter and performer, who has toured the world and sang in prestigious venues, such as New York’s Carnegie Hall.
Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh, who is a huge influence on Irish song and recipient of the 2011 Gradaim Ceoil TG4 Singer of the Year, will once again conduct one of her singing workshops.
Muireann was the lead singer of the traditional Irish music group Danú for 13 years. She She now regularly co-hosts Gradam Ceoil TG4 and has also made television appearances on the BBC Four Series The Highland Sessions and The Late Late Show.
The weekend will also showcase a brand new singing experience for many with the Sacred Harp Singers of Cork.
This American four-part harmony folk tradition will conduct a workshop for all singers to create a booming atmosphere of raucous songs, spirited hymns, and energetic anthems.
Kaiona Solas, a multi-lingual singer and a virtuso of the Kora, the African stringed instrument, will deliver her extraordinary lyrical blends over the weekend.
Sessions and performances will be happening in the pubs ranging through traditional music, blues, rock and whatever else comes up the road.
Songwriters will be catered for with a dedicated workshop and guitarists will be provided for too. Roving musicians will be around the village, so look out for spontaneous outbreaks of musical energy.
Born of the Annascaul Singing Club, this annual event has been supported by the Kerry County Council Arts Office and Community Office, as well as numerous locals of the peninsula.
For further news and information, you can contact the coordinator of Annascaul Celebrating Singing, Bert McCann, on 0831246634. Updates are also available on our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/CelebratingSinging.
