When the time comes to planning summer holidays – in the words of the Martini ad, “Anytime, Anyplace, Anywhere” – but not in the third week of July. Why not? Because it’s Belfast Tradfest time.
So instead of dancing the Macarena in Ibiza, on Sunday I’ll be at the céilí on the Titanic slipways. Running between 1pm-5pm, the mega-event is set to get this year’s festival off with a rousing start.
You can céilí-swing like Jack and Rose but without the fear of hitting an iceberg at the place where the fated ocean-liner was built.
To me, the event highlights so much of Belfast Tradfest’s wonderfulness. It’s free, it’s fun for all the family, it’s where you meet up with old friends and make new ones, and it celebrates the very best in traditional Irish and Scottish music, song and dance.
Even if the sun doesn’t bless us with its presence, it’s going to be an unforgettable event.
Last year it attracted 6,000 revellers and this year organisers hope to attract 10k plus. There’ll be an outdoor céilí with sets such as The Waves of Tory and Siege of Ennis, called by céilí dance master Ronán Eastwood for all ages and abilities to experience and enjoy.
And up on stage will be All Ireland Champions, The Blackwater Céilí Band and the Major Sinclair Memorial Pipe Band, currently based in Ballyclare, and some of the 270 members of the Glengormley School of Traditional Music.
There will be music from Ards CCÉ, songs from Rosie Stewart and Jack Warnock while the Belfast Wren Boys/Cleamairí Feirste continue the old traditions of mumming and rhyming
But the fun doesn’t stop there with a bodhrán circle with legendary Belfast bodhrán player Tomaí Taylor, children’s maritime art workshops, face painters and a live four-hour traditional music session on the deck of the SS Nomadic also taking place.
Tradfest director Dónal O’Connor and I concur. “The Titanic Céilí on the Titanic Slipways at Belfast’s Maritime Mile is more than just a celebration of traditional music, song and dance; it’s a nod to the rich legacy of Irish and Scottish music that has long been intertwined with Belfast’s history,” he says.
“Céilí and set dancing were integral to the social fabric of the Titanic era, bringing communities together in a joyful celebration of the best of our culture.
“This céilí is not just a communal dance; it’s a living link to our ancestors, celebrating their spirit and resilience.
“It’s a truly special way to open this year’s festival and we hope to build towards a record attempt at the ‘world’s biggest céilí’ during a potential future Fleadh Ceoil na hÉireann in Belfast.”
What a tease...
In the evening after the Titanic mega-céilí, it’ll be time to slow things down – but not too much. The opening gig of Belfast Tradfest will feature Oriel’s finest, Zoe Conway and John McIntyre, frequent but always welcome visitors to the city and Moya Brennan, the iconic – a word I almost never use – voice of not only Clannad but of the Irish language song tradition and its journey over the past 50 years.
Now, my diary for next week is full because I am also very keen to learn about traditional music. Where did it come from? How “ancient” is it really? What other styles of music have influenced it?
So I’ll be heading to a couple of talks in the gorgeous new Ulster University campus to listen to Martin Dowling talk about the history of Irish traditional music; to Ronán Eastwood talk about the history of céilí and set dancing in Belfast; to Seamie O’Dowd and Cathal Hayden explain how to arrange songs; to Ryan Molloy at this composition clinic; to Conor Caldwell on how jazz influenced trad and; also to bodhrán player and percussionist Robbie Harris who will be talking about ‘Rhythms of the World’.
This brings us nicely onto Robbie’s band, the fabulous Jiggy, a band who have gained a worldwide audience and are now in high demand at festivals across Europe.
Mixing and melding Irish traditional music, world rhythms and cutting-edge dance grooves they will bring an electrifying energy to Mandela Hall on Friday July 26 alongside the brilliant trio of Tara Breen, Pádraig Rynne, and Jim Murray.
Making their debut Irish performance at Belfast TradFest, BIIRD are a brand new 11-piece, all-female, superstar collective made up of some of Ireland’s best traditional musicians and singers.
(A word of warning to anyone Googling the band: Biird is also the name of an internet company which sells, let’s just say, toys for adults...)
However, made up of All Ireland Fleadh winners, the dance floor will surely be vibrating as Biird are joined by the much-loved west Kerry sensation Pólca 4 who will encourage young and old to dance the night away at the festival’s closing concert.
Then we have the hardy annuals, Flutopia featuring Davy Maguire. Kevin Crawford, Catherine McEvoy, Gary Hastings, Mary Bergin, Robbie Harris, Éimhear Flannery and Ed Boyd at the Black Box on Monday July 22; the Sean Maguire Tribute at The MAC on Tuesday July 23; but a lot more.
So from next Monday, the daily routine is lie-in; an afternoon talk/lecture/workshop; a late afternoon session in a city centre bar; food; gig; home. Repeat.
Eat your heart out Torremolinos.
