Irish festival in Florence

IRLANDA IN FESTA 2010

Wednesday 17th, and Thursday the 18th of March we renew our annual celebration with "IRLANDA IN FESTA": two intense evenings of concerts, dancing, games, traditional tasting dishes, exhibitions and performances. Among the performers, which by now have conquered Fiorentine hearts, there will be: the nu-folk of LUNASA from Dublin, one of the most appreciated Irish bands in the world; the Whisky Trail reunion, with the originai 70's line-up; the world music of Antoni O' Breskey; the unmistakable bagpipes of Massimo Giuntini, and the English fiddler Chris Hamblin.
To begin ....BEER, Wednesday 17th, ST. PATRICK'S DAY. In Florence, as in the rest of the world, we celebrate the patron saint of Ireland who, as the Irish themselves like to remember, had Italian ancestry. A perfect frame for the Celtic atmosphere of WHISKY TRAIL (9 p.m.). The Fiorentine band celebrates its 35th year and is stili performing on stages throughout Europe. Along with Giulia Lorimer, Vieri Bugli, Stefano Corsi, Massimo Giuntini and Pietro Sabatini there will be three other musicians from the 1975 line-up: Antonio Breschi, Daniel Craighead, Piero Bubbico. Another great guest will be English fiddler Chris Hamblin who played with Whisky Trail at the end of 70's. Their 35th anniversary is being celebrated also with the release of their CD "Beginnings", released by Saschall.
On Thursday 18, again at 9 p.m., the festiva I begins with the folk of ANTONI O'BRESKEY, a composer, a pianist and eclectic musician, but above ali a real pioneer of world-music: 25 CDs released, an infinite number of collaborations and partnerships such as Gabin Dabirè, Ronnie Drew of the Dubliners and Josè Seves of Inti IlIimani. Artistically born in Florence, but by now a citizen of the world, in 2005 he received a tribute from the National Concert Hall of Dublin for his large contribution given to the Irish culture. His return to Saschall together with Consuelo Nerea will be a mix of voice, fiddle, bodhran, with special guest Massimo Giuntini playing the bagpipes and f1ute.
The grand finale (10.30 p.m.) is ali LUNASA, one of the most famous bands of the past years, champions of nu-folk that renewed the traditional sound of with their own energy. It's not by chance that many members of the band had previous partnerships with Waterboys and Sharon Shannon. Stars of the Celtic Connections in 2010, LUNASA shared the stage with Natalie Merchant, guest in their next awaited CD. Folk Roots magazine defined them "The Irish Music Dream Team".
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Both evenings of "IRLANDA IN FESTA" (on Wednesday 17, at 8 p.m. in the little room of Saschall, and on Thursday 18, at the same hour on the main stage) will be opened by a Tuscan band, THE HIDDEN NOTE: fiddles, whistles, harp, bagpipes, guitar and bodhran, an ensemble which represents most of the instruments of the Irish tradition.
Beyond this, from 7.30 p.m., there will be a small market of artisan crafts, clothes, records, books, and Celtic jewellery. And we are not without food stands where you can try typical dishes such as "Colcannon", "Turnip and bacon soup" , "Dublin coddle", "Irish stew" and other wonderful flavours. And of course we can't forget the awesome ....beer!
"Irlanda in Festa" is organised with the support of Florence Municipality and the Irish Embassy.

IRLANDA IN FESTA 2010
xv edition - March, 17-182010 - Saschall=- Firenze - info 055.6504112

Thursday 17th and Friday 18th, March
St. Patrick's Day on the Arno
15 years o( ''Irlanda in Festa"
/ 17/18 marzo 2010 - Saschall- Lungarno A. Moro - Firenze
Entrance 'rom 7:30 p.m. - Pel'formances begin at 8p.m.

As in the past 15 years, the Saschall Theatre of Florence once again immerses itself in the atmosphere, the music, the dances and flavours of Ireland.