The 2013 Boston Irish Festival, June 7-9, is a three day celebration of all things Irish, and will be better than ever this year with entertainment spanning from internationally-recognized headliner acts to your favorite home grown talent. With continuous live music featured on three stages, the Festival has something for everyone’s taste, ranging from traditional Irish music to rock n’roll.
This annual signature event for the Irish Cultural Centre of New England, the Festival is now located on the ICC property in Canton. Formerly held at Stonehill College, the Festival has a long tradition of featuring outstanding performers, up and coming bands, great Irish food, and a weekend of family fun. One recent addition to the Festival is the a Irish 5k Road Race, a “flat as a pancake” course that starts and ends at the ICC, wandering through the surrounding areas. The race welcomes runners of all ages and ability, strollers, and wheelchairs. As always, we encourage participants to get creative with your race gear and show off your Irish pride! And in addition to the post-race party with Guinness, your bib number gets you free admissions to the Festival for the day.
Another new addition to the weekend is the BIF Feis, a day long Irish step dancing competition. The Festival is pleased to be partnering with Liam Harney and the Harney Academy of Irish Dance to present this competition with non-stop dancing on five stages.
If music or dancing isn’t your thing, don’t worry, the Boston Irish Festival has plenty of other attractions for all ages. Shopping, hayrides, amusements, GAA Irish football and hurling games, genealogy, and a host of other activities, all geared to celebrate the great traditions from the Emerald Isle will be featured for your enjoyment. For more information go to www.BostonIrishFestival.info
Festival times: Friday 6:00-11:00pm; Saturday 11:00am-11:00pm; Sunday 11:00am-6:00pm Ticket Prices: Kids under 12 FREE; Friday Night Concert $20 in advance, $25 at the gates; Saturday and Sunday $10 in advance, $15 at the gates. BIF Feis starts Saturday 8:30am Irish 5k Road Race starts Sunday 9:00am
Calling all Red Heads!
The Boston Irish Festival is holding its second attempt to break the world record for the most redheads in one area! Last year we had over 300 beautiful redheads of all shades and ages. This year we want even more redheads and we need your help! So spread the word to young and old and join us on Saturday, June 8 at 2pm to attempt the world record for the most redheads in one photo.
1st Annual Tug of War
A new event this year, the Festival is proud to announce its Tug of War contest. Each round will have two teams of 8 battle it out against each other in a test of strength. Each contest will be decided by best of 3 rounds with the top 4 teams advancing to the semi-finals. Prizes will be awarded to 1st and 2nd places. Competition starts on Saturday June 8 at 4pm. Semi-finals and Finals will be held on Sunday 9 at 4pm. In addition to the great prizes, there is the bragging rights for the winners!
Feis
A Feis is an Irish dance competition that is as much fun for those dancing as for those watching the dances! You will be amazed at the quality of the competition, the dedication of the dancers and the pure enjoyment for all when you come to the Boston Irish Festival Feis. If you love to watch Irish dance, then this is the perfect place to be with 5 stages of non-stop Irish dance all day Saturday, June 8 beginning at 8:30am. Bring your enthusiasm and cheer for all!
Kids Village
This year’s Kids Village will be bigger and better than ever with face painting, arts & crafts, amusement rides, photo keepsakes and a bouncy castle. In addition to these family friendly activities, there will be hayrides, games and special guest entertainers. The Kids Village is open 11am-6pm on both Saturday, June 8th and Sunday, June 9th. Kids under 12 FREE admissions
Eileen Ivers & Immigrant Soul
Eileen Ivers is a Grammy Award-winning musician and nine-time All-Ireland Fiddle Champion. Hailed as the “Jimi Hendrix of the violin” by the New York Times, Ivers is an original musician from Riverdance and has collaborated with The Chieftains, Sting, Patti Smith, Steve Gadd and Al Di Meola to name a few. She also recently contributed to the soundtrack of the film Gangs of New York. Performing to sell-out crowds across the country and as a headliner at many festivals, Eileen promises to put on a concert to remember!
Searson
Searson, the lively and entertaining band featuring sisters Erin, Heather and Colleen Searson, play a wide variety of instruments and mix expert step dancing with their musical performances. These three multi-talented women play the piano, organ, fiddle, tenor guitar and bass and bring high energy and creativity to their concerts. Searson incorporates a mix of Celtic and Pop music while effortlessly incorporating the Ottawa Valley style of fiddling into their shows. In their first 2013 Boston appearance, Searson will surely make you get out of your seats and dance!
Black 47
Led by Irish author, playwright, and songwriter Larry Kirwan, Black 47 espouses an unblinkingly political and thoroughly Irish form of rock ‘n’ roll, with raucous, heartfelt, and intelligent performances of songs covering topics from the Northern Ireland conflict to civil rights and urban unrest in contemporary New York. In the 1990s, Black 47 changed Irish-American music irrevocably when they burst onto the scene with their hit single, Funky Ceili. Taking their name from the darkest year of the Irish Potato Famine, their music is laced with rock, reggae, hip-hop, New Orleans and modern jazz. These outstanding musicians provide an energetic, dramatic show full of your favorite contemporary and classic songs.
Atlantic Steps
Atlantic Steps is an internationally touring adaptation of the Irish show Fuaim Chonamara. It tells the story of Ireland’s oldest dance form, portrayed through the music, song, dance and energy of the Connemara region. Centered around the joyful dance of Brian Cunningham, the show continues to move festival and theatre audiences to their feet, bringing sean-nós dance to its rightful place on the world stage. Brian, along with the rest of the performers, electrifies his audiences with a wonderful display of dance style, skill and athleticism. Boston-based dancer Kieran Jordan joins Atlantic Steps as its choreographer and continues her role as a major figure in the revival of sean- nós dance in the US. A performance you won’t want to miss!
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