Columbus Scottish Festival

The 9th Annual Columbus Scottish Festival is set for the third weekend in July (14-16) at Mill Race Park in Columbus, Indiana. A Friday night Ceilidh and Sponsor Reception is open to the public ($15 per person) at the Columbus Ramada Inn at 6:30 p.m., featuring good food and Scottish entertainment. The featured performer is recording artist Eric Duncan of Aberdeen, Scotland, a guitarist and singer with a rich baritone voice. Also performing is the popular Father Son & Friends from Dayton, Ohio, whose lead singer recreates the image and sound of a Highland clansman. Saturday and Sunday are filled with professional Highland athletics, pipe bands, harping, country dancing, sheep dog trials, clan tents, vendors and more. Admission is inexpensive. Check out their web page at www.scottishfestival.org or call 800-468-6564 for more information.

Another Great Louisville Feis

With over 700 dancers competing, this year's Feis was a great success. Our Celtic community owes a debt of gratitude to the Greater Louisville Irish Cultural Society for pulling this together. In particular we thank Cathy Del Rosario, Beth Major and Heather McClannahan as well as the many volunteers, particularly the Hibernians, for their support. Look for ceilis and fund raisers this year to make the 2001 Feis even greater.

Catch 'em If You Can

Louisville's working-est Celtic band, Ten Penny Bit, offers many opportunities in July to hear their great music. On the 1st, they will be at R.P. McMurphy's in Cincinnati. If you love Civil War reenactments, follow TPB to Scott County on July 8 and Corydon, Indiana on July 15. On July 22 they will be at "The Little Loom House" off Kenwood Drive near Iroquois Park from noon to 12:45 and on the 26th at Shelbyville Park for a children's' show at 1:45. They will also perform at the Kentucky Music Weekend at Iroquois Amphitheater in afternoons on the 28 and 29th and in the evening on the 30th.

Pat Kirtley in Concert

Did you know one of the greatest finger-style guitarists in the nation lives in Bardstown? Pat teams up with Australian master Tommy Emmanuel and harp-guitar player, Stephen Bennett for a night of guitar magic on July 11, 7:30 at the Bomhard Theater. Pat has recorded Irish Guitar from which he will probably be performing a tune or two. This should be a tremendous evening of music. For more information and tickets call 800-775-7777 or e-mail: ematting@scrtc.com.

Sessions

The Sunday sessions continue at Molly Malone's Irish Pub. Bring your ax or just relax every Sunday from 4 to 7 pm. Cork-based fiddler/pianist Brede Crannitch was in town for a mighty session at the Irish Rover last month. Many thanks to Bill Myers for giving the local musicians a chance to play with a pro.

Galloglas at Cherokee Triangle

The Sunday concerts at Willow Park Gazebo will feature pan Celtic band Galloglas on August 6 from 7 to 9 p.m. Due to the torrential rain, approximately 10,000 fans missed their set at the World Fest on the Green last month. Admission is free. Bring a blanket or lawn chair.

World Pipe Band Championships

Good luck to our own Louisville Pipe Band as the leave for Glasgow, Scotland to compete along with 200 other bands on August 12. The LPB will leave town on August 2d in order to compete in two competitions prior to "the Worlds". Although many have made solid contributions, none are more deserving of praise than Pipe Major Robert Caudill and band president and lead drummer Rick McKenzie for bringing this musical organization to this next level. Check out their great web page at: users.aol.com/LouisvillePB/

Beginnner Adult Dancing Classes

The McClanahan School of Dance will be offering a beginner adult Irish dancing class for 6 weeks on Thursday nights from 7-8pm. The class runs July 20-Aug 24.