Jam-packed with concerts, workshops, sessions, walks and talks Belfast TradFest’s Winter Weekend is set to return for a second year.
Spread across venues in Belfast, UNESCO City of Music, it brings an exciting programme filled with internationally renowned talent in traditional Irish and Ulster Scots music, song and dance.
Running from February 24-26, it is supported by Belfast City Council, Arts Council of Northern Ireland, Ulster University and Titanic Distillers.
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Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Christina Black said: "It’s an honour to support Belfast TradFest’s annual Winter Weekend through our Arts and Heritage Small Grants Scheme.
"As a UNESCO City of Music, Belfast is now recognised right across the world for our unique and diverse music and cultural scene, and of course traditional music is a central part of that.
"TradFest gives us a wonderful opportunity to showcase some of our outstanding local talent and to welcome internationally recognised guests to perform in Belfast in this special celebration of our Irish and Ulster-Scots musical and dance traditions.”
Internationally recognised artists including Déanta, The Friel Sisters, Ríoghnach Connolly, Seamus O’Kane, Niall Hanna, Cúig, Séamus and Caoimhe Uí Fhlatharta, Tim Edey and Ryan Molloy will headline nine concerts.
Founding member of Dé Dannan and fiddle maestro Frankie Gavin will play the festival closing concert in the Empire Music Hall on a double bill with Armagh native but now Manchester-based singer and flautist Ríoghnach Connolly of the Afro Celt Sound System.
Belfast TradFest’s Winter Weekend is delighted to host its inaugural Highland Piping Solo Competition at The Deer’s Head on February 26 where a selection of top pipers will compete for a place in the renowned MacCrimmon Trophy Competition.
Artistic Director of Belfast TradFest, Dónal O’Connor added: "Traditional music is part of the fabric of this city and in recent years it has become recognised as one of the main attractions for visitors to this part of the world.
"It’s important that we support the ecosystem of musicians and music here and Belfast TradFest continues this work with our 2nd annual Winter Weekend.
"This is a great opportunity to make new friends and meet up with old acquaintances – everyone is welcome to take part in this rich cultural event. We’re looking forward to welcoming some of the most incredible musicians, singers and dancers of all ages to venues across Belfast city.
"The festival is gathering a reputation for being Ireland’s premier weekend festival of traditional music with Belfast aiming for the title of traditional music capital of Ireland."
The new Ulster University building on York Street will host workshops covering all instruments from bodhrán to bouzouki and smallpipes to singing.
Join the lively Titanic Distillers Session Trail which will take you across the city to some of Belfast’s oldest and best-loved pubs including Madden’s Bar, The Duke of York, The John Hewitt, The Sunflower and The Garrick. Sessions are free, and times are staggered so that traditional music fans can fit in as much ‘ceol agus craic’ (music and fun) as possible.
Walking tours include Belfast City of Song led by traditional folk-singers Maurice Leyden and Jane Cassidy and draws on Maurice’s acclaimed song collection to tell the story of Belfast as it grew from a small town to an industrial city.
Ciaran Scullion, Head of Music and Opera, Arts Council of Northern Ireland, commented: "The Arts Council of Northern Ireland is delighted to support Belfast Tradfest’s Winter Weekend which promises to deliver thrilling, world-class traditional Irish and Ulster-Scots music and events across Belfast, helping to bring great art to all.
"Audiences also have the opportunity to take part in instrument workshops with some of the region’s leading traditional musicians – something not to be missed!
"Congratulations to Dónal O’Connor and the team in once again curating such a wonderful programme and I would encourage everyone to go along and enjoy!"
For full programme and information, see here
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