So did you make it down to CeltFest on Sunday? If you did then a huge thank you for being part of such an amazing audience! We hope you had as fantastic a day (as we did!) and that you enjoyed the stunning performances of music and dance celebrating different elements of Celtic culture.
Kellys had the pleasure of opening up the day with a couple of sets and we were thrilled that our second set was with the larger line up of the band when our good friends Kate Perry (on flute and whistles) and Emmett Leneghan (on button accordion) joined us for people to hear our full six piece band flying through some jigs and reels
The young ladies of Glendarragh Academy of Irish dancing captivated everyone with their high kicks and lightening fast footwork when they took to the stage. From the youngest to the older dancers the skill shone out as did their enjoyment on dancing for us all. It's no surprise that the dance academy are celebrating their 40th anniversary this year as they continue to be successful in all arenas.
But if you want to really make a powerful entrance then you would be very hard pressed to beat the sight and the sound of Nottinghamshire Pipes and Drums who negotiated their way through the crowd and the marquee as they processed up to the stage- without missing a note or a beat!! We were excited to have them join us for this year's CeltFest hot on the heels of their multiple standing ovations as part of Andre Rieu's concert at the Motorpoint Arena last week.
With a programme of marches, jigs and reels they delighted everyone- with a very poignant moment for Kellys Heroes as a lone piper played Hector The Hero and we remembered our piper, Campbell Connet.
Our final act of the day were the very polished and highly accomplished duo Thorpe and Morrison. We had Harry and Sean play for us at CeltFest a few years ago and were delighted to invite them back again. Their musicianship is wonderful and they delighted us with some great self penned tunes and a well crafted and funny song written by Harry Thorpe about scammers but my highlight was a beautiful arrangement of Shane McGowan's song 'A Rainy Night in Soho' which Sean sang for us.
CeltFest means a great deal to us and to The Victoria Hotel as we continue to celebrate live music and to carry on holding events such as these in tribute to our dear friend, Neil Kelso.
Without Neil none of this would be possible so we raise a glass to him today on what was his birthday and remember all the good times and truly amazing gigs.
Sláinte
