Celtibillies performed
at this year's Smithsonian Folklife Festival in Washington D.C. The
group performed at the Appalachian Harmony Stage twice daily. Also featured
at the festival were musicians and artisans from Scotland and the west
African country of Mali. The musicians performed during the day on the
Mall and congregated back at the Marriott hotel in Georgetown each evening
to socialize and share music and dance traditions. At the evening "sessions"
in the main ballroom, the Mali musicians and dancers were not joining
in until the festival organizers found out through interpreters that
the Malians thought the sessions were formally scheduled, and not "come
one, come all". Once they found out all were welcome to share their
music, they showed up in force and the party was on! Friday night's
party included Old Time and Scottish fiddling along with Mali drums,
dancers and marionettes joining in. The smiles almost seemed to outnumber
the people there!
Celtibillies begin work on their third recording this fall. It's usually
an 8-12 month process so please bear with us.
Celtibillies has been named to the Virginia Commission for the Arts
2004-2005 Artist Touring Directory. Concert sponsors can apply through
the VCA for grants to cover a portion of costs associated with Celtibillies
performances.
