Festival’s final hurrah

After nine days packed solid with concerts, community meals and events, the Celtic Colours International Festival winds down today with four remaining concerts and 33 community events.

One concert that hasn’t yet sold out is the Grand Finale tonight at Centre 200. This concert will feature celebrated English folk singer/ songwriter Kate Rusby, considered one of the finest interpreters of traditional folk songs and an emotive songwriter. It’s her first time at Celtic Colours and MacSween couldn’t be more pleased to have her perform at the festival.

Mary Jane Lamond and Wendy MacIsaac will also be on hand to bring their Gaelic song and dance influenced music to the audience.

Scottish composer and accordionist Phil Cunningham will also perform along the the Voices of Naomhog project and the Change of Step dancers.

Earlier in the day, a Pipers’ Ceilidh will take place at the Gaelic College at 2 p.m., featuring many of the island’s best pipers. J.P. Cormier, Dave Gunning, Rum Ragged and Gangspil will perform “Tunes In The Afternoon” at Sydney’s Highland Arts Theatre at 2 p.m. and the final Festival Club event will occur at the Gaelic College starting at 11 p.m.

To say it’s a busy nine days would be an understatement. With 49 major concerts and close to 400 community events, performers, organizers and community volunteers have been going all out to make this year’s festival succeed. First held in 1997, the festival has featured hundreds of musicians from around the Celtic world and attracted thousands of tourists to the island during Thankgiving week.