Ceili in the Park

On a summer's day, music, dancing and laughter will be in the air in Ottawa's Andrew Haydon Park.. "Ceili" means a good time with music, dance and friends, and on Sunday, June 18th 2006, that's what will be happening alongside the Ottawa River.

The Ceili in the Park offers a day of fun and celebration of the vibrant Celtic culture. Dancers and musicians drawing from Scottish, Irish, Welsh and English traditions will perform from 11:00am to 8:00pm.

The event is free, and there's plenty of opportunity to join in with the dancing, as well as watch accomplished dancers or just sit and listen to the music. There will be a childrens activity area will be setup to entertain children (put on by the Irish Society) during the afternoon and there will also be a silent auction as well as homemade arts and crafts for sale.

Last year's Ceili in the Park drew crowds of up to 500 people throughout the day, this year it's predicted there may be double that number. Bring lawn chairs, bring a picnic, bring friends and family for a good time.

This year's program is as follows:

11:00 TBA
11:30 Dublin Road
12:00 David Shanahan
12:30 Open Celtic Jam Session and Irish Dancing
1:30 Rebecca Skye
2:00 McLeod Highland Dancers
2:30 Ottawa Fiddle and Step Association
3:00 Kyle Felhaver, Mike Hanson, Becky Reid
3:30 Open Celtic Jam Session and Irish Dancing
4:30 Northern Voices
5:00 Widening Gyre
5:30 Jack McGuire
6:00 Kent Street Ceili Band and Irish Dancing
7:00 Richards Brooks
7:30 Whiskey Rapids

Ceili in the park, Ottawa Celtic Music and Dance Festiaval, 2004
photo by Steven Fouchard, West end Editor