May 2011 - Irish American News

Memorial DayWeekend 2011Celebrating 25 Years of Irish Fest on Six StagesThe hotlist of contemporaryIrish musicians will be in OakForest over the MemorialWeekend for the 25th Anniversaryof Chicago GaelicPark’s Irish Fest.This emeraldextravaganza brings thebest of contemporary (andtraditional) Irish headlinersto six exciting stages, May27-30.To celebrate the Fest’s25th anniversary a specialfour-day discount pass for$25 is available at Chicago-GaelicPark.org through May26.This Chicago tradition alsofeatures full carnival rides,on-site parking, specialevents for children, Gaelicfootball and hurling, Ceilingdancing, ponies anddraught horses, dog exhibits,shopping and Irish culturalexhibits all surrounded byfood, refreshments andgreat fun.But, its the collectionof contemporary musicheadliners that fills the airand makes this one of America’spremier Irish festivals.Tartan TerrorsTaking the Celtic scene bystorm, the Tartan Terrorscombine music and comedywith championship dancing,world class bagpipingand driving drums to deliveran energetic and all-aroundunforgettable performance.Members of the TartanTerrors have performed atprestigious Festivals in fourdifferent continents, at HighlandGames and Theatres ofNorth America, for PresidentClinton, Queen Elizabeth IIand Good Morning America.If ever there was a bandwhose members make upa potent body of music, it isThe Fenians.The Fenians arean electrifying Irish musicalquintet from Orange County,CA offering a mix of theiroriginal creations, and contemporaryand traditionalsongs.Their foundation isdecidedly Celtic, but thereis no mistaking the influenceof Rock, Folk, Bluegrass, Jazzand World influences.TheFenians have garnered animpressive list of accomplishmentsand honors and wereinducted into the GuinnessWall of Fame.Infinity proudly returns toIrish Fest.Infinity continues tobreak attendance recordsat Clubs and Festivals acrossthe Midwest.Their high energyperformance, powerfulvocals and song list makefor a memorable concert.But more importantly, theymaintain the unique abilityto engage crowds andmake audiences feel part ofthe show.American English takes thatstage again this year.Thisperennial favorite is hailedas the best Beatles tributeband having been featuredon WGN, CBS, FOX, 190North, The Travel Channel,BBC, ABC and NBC.TheBeatles concert experienceis recreated to the finest detail,including the signaturemop-top hair, accents andcostumes.Making their debut at IrishFest this year, Red RebelCounty is a ten person tourde force paying tribute totheir Irish heritage and rockroots.What these Chicagosouth-siders originally intendedas musical fun quicklybanded into a solid musicalunit performing all acrossthe city in clubs and specialevents.With their classic‘Chicago Blue Collar’ sound,they bring energy, enthusiasmand hard-working musicianshipto their live shows.Like Irish Fest, Chicago’s own7th Heaven also celebrateda 25th Anniversary.They’vehad a great year on theBillboard Charts with tworeleases in 2010; performedat Soldier Field with Bon Jovi;received coverage on TV’sABC, NBC, FOX and WGNand charted the hit “BetterThis Way” at #2 amongChicago radio stations.Milwaukees own, TheSandcarvers, deliver someof the best Celtic rock onthe planet.Their originalsongs tell stories from reallife by combining strong solovoices and vocal harmonieswith blistering instrumentalskills.They also put a wickedspin on Irish traditionals, thatwill make you laugh, cry,think or forget—dependingon your mood.In addition to scorchinghot contemporary performancesthe Fest will alsohighlight traditional Irishheadliners including, RonanTynan, well-known as oneof the Irish Tenors, Leahy, DeDanann, Declan Nerney &His Band, Chicago Reel, TheFour Courts, Kathleen Keane,Girsa, Sean Wilson, Larkin& Moran Brothers, TommyGoodwin & Sharon and LizCarroll.There are plenty of otheroutstanding performers atChicago Gaelic Parks IrishFest, including, CrossroadsCeili Band, Bernie Glim &Country Roads, Joe Cullen& Kathleen Keane, BaalTinne. Irish Musicians, GerardHaughey & Sean O’Donnell,Shannon Rovers Pipe Band,Pipes & Drums of The EmeraldSociety, Joe McShane,Ray Gavin Band, Solid-Aire,Gaelic StormDe DanannCharacter Fleadh, O’Leary’sLantern, Cira Walton &Friends, Week Back, CelticSounds, Patrick Guinee,Pat Daly & The Sounds ofGreen, Mulligan Stew, Sean& Charlie, Irish Music Clubof Chicago, Pat Finnegan &Billy O’Donoghue, MurphyRoche Irish Music Club, Girlsof Murphy Roche, and manymore!The special four-day $25anniversary discount pass,performance schedulesand other online ticket specialsare available onlineat www.chicagogaelicpark.org.Standarddailygate admission to all sixmusical stages, full carnivalmidway and on-siteparking is $15.Adults over65 years and kids under 12are only $12, and youngstersunder 3 years are free.There is an early admissiondiscount during the firsthour of each day.