Celtic Fest a week away
The Knysna Celtic Festival taking place next week, on 23 and 24 February, continues to grow in variety and refinement, say organisers.
Bell Ceilidh: Friday 23 February
The Bell Ceilidh will again take place at Loerie Park at 18:30 with professional sound engineers and lighting. Ceilidh bands will compete for a slot in the Saturday evening concert. This “Battle of the Ceilidh Bands” was particularly well received last year due to the superb quality and entertainment value of the participating bands. The highlight of the evening’s fun will be a performance by international Scottish guest duo Chris Stout and Catriona McKay, who are visiting our shores specifically for the festival.
Food and refreshments will be available. Tickets at R125 pp can be purchased from Sotheby’s offices in Knysna.
Street Parade: Saturday 24 February
The street parade culminating in a Massed Pipe & Drums march is simply not to be missed. The parade starts at 09:30 in Main Street and good viewing areas centre around the Long Street intersection.
Highland Gathering: 24 February
Immediately after the street parade, the focus of the festival switches to Loerie Park where all manner of entertainment awaits. The Highland Games event features a record number of entries this year. Watching participants tossing the caber and the keg, among other fun activities, provides a great spectator sport.
The pipe bands will again assume centre stage with their nationally recognised competition followed by solo, duo and quartet competitions in piping and drumming.
A national Scottish Highland Dancing competition will take place on the rugby field with Scottish Country Dancing demonstrations providing further displays.
Food and refreshments are available throughout the day with some added variety infused into the food court.
Lunchtime entertainment will be provided by a host of musicians including Jenny and the Jameses, who continue to build on their solid reputation.
Day tickets available at Loerie Park at R30 pp.
Sundowners Celtic Concert: 24 February
This year’s signature event starts at 17:00 at Loerie Park, with added variety in the presence of a 32-piece orchestra, the Carpe Musicam! from George. This polished ensemble will provide additional musical bliss during the intervals and add spice to the grand finale of the concert.
Evergreen favourites from Cape Town, Blacksmith, will perform a full set in their uniquely charismatic style and the Knysna & Districts Pipe band will take your breath away with their continuously improving quality and repertoire. Requests for the performance of some contemporary and popular tunes have not gone unheeded!
Stout and McKay are guaranteed to produce a breathtaking performance of sheer professionalism mixed up with some Celtic humour.
Bedouin tents over the stages will be another improvement as will a streamlined, software-based seating allocation system.
Tickets available from Sotheby’s in Knysna, Sedgefield and Plettenberg Bay at R150 pp. Tickets will also be available at the entrance to the concert on Saturday afternoon from 15:30.
Beneficiaries and sponsors
The Knysna Sea Cadets will again be the major beneficiaries of this fundraising event.