Irish Fest Lineup Offers Unprecedented Variety

Visitors to Milwaukee Irish Fest, 2004, Aug. 19-22, will savor a one-time music and entertainment experience notable for talent, energy, variety and risk-taking. 

"Special performers include fiddlers Eileen Ivers and Natalie MacMaster, and Galway accordionist Joe Burke, all of whom are among the world's best and best-known on their instruments," Jane Anderson, the fest’s executive director. 

"This year’s line-up is particularly well-rounded, with a number of world’s bests‚ and Irish Fest firsts. It’s an eclectic concert of more than 200 performances ranging from debuts to legends -- even a Broadway-caliber musical this yearˆ for one low $12 ticket, according to Anderson. 

Among more than 100 groups spread across 16 lakefront stages will be a number of acts making their Milwaukee Irish Fest debuts, including world beat, Celtic and groove-inspired Bad Haggis with Eric Rigler; traditional Téada; German duo Pipeline; tenor Tommy Fleming; and folk favorite Luka Bloom. 

Rock Stage coordinator Barry Stapleton said that Luka Bloom is one of the festival’s most highly anticipated debuts. We’re excited about experimenting with contemporary Irish pop music on our Rock Stage and Luka Bloom is as popular in Ireland as many top 40 bands are in the United States," he said. 

Other rockers include Seven Nations, popular for bagpipes and the Prodigals, whose harder edge has helped to build a large college-age following. Contemporary world music fans may appreciate Different Drums of Ireland, which incorporates all indigenous Irish drums to create a distinctive world beat influenced by Irish, Scottish and African traditions. 

Entertainment coordinator Chuck Ward recommended reunion performances by Kips Bay as a hot show. Kips Bay includes Pat Kilbride on acoustic and electric guitars, cittern, and vocals; John Whelan on button accordion and keyboards; and former Billy Idol band member Steve Missal on drums and vocals, and Richard Lindsey on six-string and fretless bass. 

"Although several members have gone on to solo prominence, Kips Bay has not performed their lively fusion of rock, pop and traditional music together on one stage since 1996," Ward said. 

Past fest-goers will also appreciate the return of three of last year‚s most popular bands: the Titanic movie‚s pub band, Gaelic Storm, funk-inspired Slainte Mhath; and folksy flute favorite, Flook.

Citing the Furey Brothers, Tommy Makem, the Makem Brothers with Liam and Mickey Spain and bluegrass-inspired McKrells, Ward said, "It’s a great year for folk music."

Lighthearted Seamus Kennedy, who incorporates folk, comedy, ballads and audience participation into his lively show, will also add a folksy flavor. 

This year the festival will add a new way of celebrating Irish dance. Ragús, a 45-minute traditional music, song and dance cabaret show reminiscent of Riverdance will make its Milwaukee debut in the Cultural Village, while local dancers from Cashel Dennehy Irish Dancers, Glencastle Irish Dancers and Trinity Dance Academy will return to the festival for several performances throughout the weekend. 

"As in past years, fest-goers who are inspired after watching dance performances can learn the fundamentals accompanied by live music in the Crossroads Area," Anderson said. 

Local performers will include the all-teen Milwaukee Irish Fest Choir, Waking Maggie, Reilly, Frogwater, Cé, Curtis Crossroads, Blarney, Leahy‚s Luck, Finbar McCarthy, Theiss & O‚Connor, Bantry Bay, West of Ennis, Sandcarvers, Barry Dodd, St. Brendan's Voyage, Green Side Up, Fiona Molloy, Jeff Ward and 3 Pints Gone. 

For entertainment schedule updates, visit http://www.irishfest.com.