Celtic Fest is around the corner

Dear Friend of The Edge,

Firstly, thanks for reading through some weird typos recently. They were a bit trippy. I have had migraines for 40 years, and try to push through them, but this week was more wobbly. Thank goodness the heat has given us a break. It was making my head feel collapsed and my general mood cranky.

All that notwithstanding, here at The Edge, there has been some activity behind the scenes that I will share with you next month. It involves having a kind of kick off event for paid subscribers, which would imply there is something new to come, so keep a lookout for a Save the Date announcement!

I wouldn’t bother with setting up a shindig if you hadn’t requested it, and for that, I am so grateful. Honored, really. The reception for The Edge has been far beyond what I envisioned. So, I look forward to gathering with friends soon, and to making good on my promise to a few of you who asked me questions I figure I can answer for everyone all at once with a little snack in one hand and a beverage in the other.

Celtic Fest

In the meantime, I would like to remind you that it’s nearly the third weekend in August, and that means GREAT MUSIC! The Berea Celtic Fest & Gathering, promoted and produced annually by Berea resident, Sune Frederiksen, kicks off on Thursday, August 14. You can find more at the Celtic Fest’s website. Here is the schedule:

Thursday, 8/14

7:00 PM: Opening night at Honeysuckle Bourbon House featuring

John Skelton, Rebecca Baumbach, Skip Cleavinger, John Mock and Ruby. Admission $10.

Friday, 8/15

1:00 PM: Randy Clepper, John Sherman, Bella Issakova at The Kentucky Artisan Center.

2:00 PM; Private concert at BCHS with Dogwood Road.

6:15 PM: Songs of Ireland w/ Kathy T. Schneider at Taleless Dog Booksellers,
Center St.

7:30 PM: Concert at Russel Acton Folk Center, Jefferson St. featuring John Walsh/Mark Rosenthal, Mark Brown, Dogwood Road, Over The Mountain, Bella Issakova/Randy Clepper/John Sherman, Jil Chambless/Dan Vogt.

10:00 PM: Session for all musicians at the folk center.

Saturday, 8/16

11:00 AM – 5:30 PM: Sessions at the Boone Tavern Garden, Short St. Session leaders: Walsh/Rosenthal, Penzien/Payne, Cleavinger/Baumbach, Issakova/Clepper/Sherman, Boylan/Jones, Atwater/Donnelly, Mast/Balcom.

1:00 PM: Jil Chambless and Dan Vogt at Top Drawer Gallery, N. Broadway.

1:00 PM: Jeni Balcom and Doug Mast live at Kentucky Artisan Center.

2:00 PM: Dogwood Road at Taleless Dog Booksellers.

1:00 PM – 5:00 PM: Four excellent presentations at Cowan Chapel, Union Church, Prospect St. Each presentation $5. Four presentations $15.

1:00 PM: Aubrey Atwater, Elwood Donnelly – Songs from the Isles.

2:00 PM: John Skelton – pipes and flutes.

3:00 PM: Clepper, Sherman, Issakova – Modern Trad.

4:00 PM: Mark Rosenthal. John Walsh - Bouzouki, guitar, etc.

1:30 PM: Bodhran workshop with Jeremy Wade and Justin Bridges. $5.

3:15 PM: Irish Ceili (dance workshop) with Amelie Maniscalco. $5.

Both at the Folk Center, Jefferson St.

7:00 PM: Justin Bridges, Jeremy Wade at the Union Church entrance.

7:30 PM: Celtic Celebration Concert at Union Church. $20.

Performers include: Cathy Tully Schneider, Turlach Boylan, Eddie Jones, Skip Cleavinger, Rebecca Baumach, John Mock, Mark Rosenthal, John Walsh, Jeni Balcom, Doug Mast, Randy Clepper, Bella Issakova, John Sherman, Aubrey Atwater, Elwood Donnelly, John Skelton, Over The Mountain.

Sunday 8/17

10:30 AM: Celtic inspired servicer at Union Church with Jeni Balcom on Irish harp.

12:00 PM: Jeni Balcom on Irish Harp and Doug Mast on concertina at the Boone Tavern

1:00 PM: Jil Chambles and Dan Voigt live at Kentucky Artisan Center.

For more information: www.berea-celtic.org

The Celtic Fest is a sponsor of The Edge, so I hope you will support Sune and the nearly 200 musicians who will come to play, laugh, and perform at this year’s festival.

New boutique

Meanwhile, another enthusiastic sponsor of The Edge, Mary Lou Wiese, is opening a new shop on Broadway, in Old Town. She would love for you to stop in when it opens, have a snack and browse books for all ages, as well as consider purchasing art created by local artisans. Please support her when she opens on September 13.

That’s all for now. Watch for an announcement from The Edge in the weeks to come, and hope to see you at the Celtic Fest and in Old Town, soon.

My thanks to you,

Whitney