Celtic Fest
Saturday, April 7th, 2012, 10 am to 5 pm, at the Anchorage Senior Activity Center
Celtic Fest features classes and entertainment.
Click here to download a vendor application.
Instructors: Click here for the instructor information form.
WORKSHOP DESCRIPTIONS (as of 2/14/12)
Make-n-take
Building Fairy Houses. (Lisa Caress-Beu and Anne Freitag) Learn about fairy houses and how to build them for either indoor or outdoor habitats. This is a make-and-take class, so you will have one to take home. We’ll have supplies, but bring natural and quirky materials that you might like to incorporate. For ages 12 and up. Class size limit: 10 people. 2 hours, $15.00
Thistle Coin Pouch. (Joanne Teague) Make a crewel embroidered coin pouch that can be a treasured family heirloom for generations. Complete kit provided, 1 hour instruction begins project, which you may take home to finish. Prerequisite: Intermediate level, some sewing skills required. 1 hour, $25.00
Tie-dye Silk Scarf. (Joanne Teague) Dye your own silk scarf. Learn how to fold and wrap silk to create your own unique design. All materials provided – project finished in class. Ages 17+ (14 – 16 if accompanied by an adult) 2 hours, $25.00
Lecture
Celtic Women. What women! (Nancy Lee Evans) Bold, Powerful, Wise Alluring, Indomitable. Be inspired by your Celtic ancestors as they shaped their world. 1 ½ hours, $20.00
In Dublin Town Where I Was Born. Philip Price, a local Irish singer from Dublin, Ireland, will present a workshop explaining the history behind many of the traditional Irish songs and Dublin ballads on his new CD. He will also discuss what it was like growing up in Ireland during the ballad and traditional music revival in the sixties and seventies. He may even sing a few songs and have you sing along with him! 1 hour, $10.00
Irish Music or Traditional Irish Music. (John Walsh) How Irish Music is viewed in Ireland and other countries, and what it means when we use the term “Irish music” or “traditional Irish Music.” 1 1/2 hours, $10.00
Physical
Scottish Highland Broadsword. (Matthew Cacy) Learn the sword art of the Scottish Highlanders as practiced in 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries. Single sticks will be provided. 1 ½ hours, $10.00
Beginner Clog Dancing. (Dixine Schiavi) You will learn the basic clog dance steps, and will then learn a fun clog dance routine. Clog dancing is a percussion step dance that is designed to make lots of foot-stompin’ noise, so, preferably, you should bring footwear that makes some kind of racket on a hard surface dance floor (either tap shoes or hard-soled footwear (that won’t kick off); cowboy boots sound great but are too cumbersome to clog dance in; rubber-soled athletic shoes are NOT recommended unless they are well-worn and slide easily. Any dance shoes you might have will work in a pinch.) 1 hour, $10
Intermediate/Advanced Step Dance Workshop (Dixine Schiavi) If there are any experienced cloggers interested, there will be an intermediate/advanced step workshop for 30 minutes after the beginner workshop ends. No charge, spectators welcome!
Scottish Country Dancing. (Amber Rose) Country dancing is the style danced throughout Scotland (and the world over) at a variety of events and occasions (anytime, anywhere!). Come have fun and learn the figures, footwork and music that goes into the style of dance that has been a part of Scottish heritage for many years. The dances are danced in sets of several couples and are great way to socialize and have fun! For this class no dancing experience is necessary. 1 1/2 hours, $10.00
Music
Introduction to playing the Harp - beginners (Linda Yarborough) A hands-on introduction for people interested in playing the harp, but those who have never had a chance to actually touch one. Harps will be provided. Maximum 10 students. 1 hour, $25.00
Intermediate Harp: Beyond I-IV-V. (Linda Yarborough) Information about moving beyond “plain vanilla” arrangements of tunes on the harp. Maximum 10 students. 1 hour, $25.00
An Introduction to Highland Piping. Class for beginners. (Alaska Celtic Pipes & Drums)Bring a practice chanter, or purchase one at the class for $60.00. All ages welcome. Class provides the beginner with a brief overview of the history and development of the Great Highland Bagpipe, (GHB,) and its comparison to other Scottish Bagpipes. The student will be familiarized with the structure and components of the GHB, and an introduction to rudimentary scales and embellishments on practice chanter will be presented, along with introductory exercises for the student to take home, for follow up within a Band setting. 1 hour, $10.00
An Introduction to Scottish Drumming. Class for beginners. (Alaska Celtic Pipes & Drums) Bring sticks or mallets, or some will be provided for use within the class. All ages welcome. Class provides the beginner with a brief overview of the history and development of Scottish Drumming, relative to Pipe Bands. The student will be familiarized with the structure and components of various drums (Snare, Tenor, Bass,) within the Drum Corps, and an introduction to rudimentary rhythms and flourishing will be presented, along with introductory exercises for the student to take home, for follow up within a Band setting. 1 hour $10.00
Beginner's Irish Session. Slow session. (Denise Martin and Jim Kerr) We will teach a few simple tunes (traditional Irish), or share ones you like in a supportive and fun environment. This is not a technique class, but you can learn what an Irish session is all about. We prefer that you have some knowledge of a traditional Irish music instrument. By "tunes" we mean melodies played on an instrument (not singing, in other words). Bring your own instrument. 1 hour $ 5.00
Beginning Bodhran Basics. (Hunter Woofter) Explore the basics of playing the bodhran, the hand-held Irish drum, and learn a bit about its history, how it is made, bodhran etiquette when playing in a group, common rhythmic patterns, what a “tipper” is and how to best hold it. Bring a drum if you have one. If you don’t own a bodhran then participants may borrow one from the instructor to use during the workshop. 1 hour, $10.00
Learn to Sing in Irish. (Irish Language Study Group) Learn two or three simple songs in Irish Gaelic. 1 hour, $5.00
How’s Yer Auld One: An Introduction to the English Language as Spoken and Sung by the Irish. (John Walsh and Philip Price) 1 hour, $10.00