When the state of Maine comes up, it reminds me of Stephen King because that’s where he lives. Check out the movies on the list set in Maine( though not of them are by King): Salem’s Lot(2004 TV mini series), Home Alone, Andre, Dolores Clairborne, A Summer Place, Charlotte’s Web, The Cider House Rule, Parent Trap etc.

It’s such a pleasant surprise when the committee of the Crossroads International Celtic Festival informed me about this upcoming event which will be held in the month of September this year. What’s amazing is the mouth-watering lineup of amazing musicians that will ravish your thirsty soul that’s hungry for Celtic tunes. Oh yes I know you probably know them. Some of the artists already appeared in this site as part of my album review. Sounds like a growing “Woodstock” of Celtic music minus the riot hahaha.

I think you should see it. God know’s I’d see it if I live in the United States! These artists are from Canada and the United States so expect to hear Acadian, Cape Breton and Irish traditional music. Below is the complete press release. My big thanks to Charlene Williams for sending me the article:

Crossroads International Celtic Festival Announces Artist Lineup ~ Festival to bring top acts to Western Maine ~

SOUTH CARTHAGE, Maine – The inaugural Crossroads International Celtic Festival (Crossroads) has lined up an impressive group of artists for the multi-venue concert series to be held Sept. 11 – 15 in several communities throughout Western Maine. Musicians from all over the Celtic world including Nova Scotia, Cape Breton, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Quebec, Scotland, Ireland, and the U.K., as well as from across the United States, will join the finest of Maine’s musicians, singers, dancers, and storytellers. Celtic Musicians Shannon and Matt Heaton “We have taken great care to create the perfect mix of both performer and venue so the experience will be authentic and exciting,” said Phill McIntyre, artistic director of Crossroads. In all, 18 live performances will take place along the scenic routes through the towns and villages of Rangeley, Stratton, Carrabassett Valley, Kingfield, Phillips, Farmington, South Carthage, Rumford, Oxford, Lovell, South Paris, Fryeburg, and Bethel. Acts include David Munnelly & Mick Conneely from Ireland; the Maeve Gilchrist Trio from Edinburgh, Scotland; Buddy MacDonald and Sprag Session from Cape Breton, Nova Scotia; and the Don Roy Ensemble of Portland, Maine. A complete list of artists can be found at http://crossroadscelticfestival.com/artists. Celtic Musicians Mick Conneely and David Munnelly Tickets went on sale July 1. Visit the festival website for the most up-to-date information. A consortium of partner organizations has created this dynamic, cross-county festival to celebrate Celtic music, promote economic development in western Maine and support local arts organizations. Crossroads International Celtic Festival is sponsored by United Insurance, Linda Clifford Scottish & Irish Merchant, and supported in part by grants from the Maine Office of Tourism, the Maine Community Foundation, the Maine Arts Commission, Milwaukee Irish Fest Foundation, and the Sugarloaf Region Charitable Trust. ### About the Crossroads International Celtic Festival: The Crossroads International Celtic Festival is a non-profit organization currently under the fiscal sponsorship of the Androscoggin Valley Council of Governments. Our large-scale, multi-venue festival showcases Celtic musicians of the highest caliber, and offers audiences a rich cultural experience while generating new opportunities for regional economic growth through cultural tourism. For more information, tickets or reservations visit the festival website or emailinfo@crossroadscelticfestival.com.

From  Dieppe, New Brunswick, Canada; Arseneault are going to be part of the festival.
Genre: Acadian, Cajun, Celtic

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Huzzah!

How are you weekenders? It’s another busy week that’s almost done. I’ve been busy with projects but I still have time to blog because I know you will be reading this. Perhaps I should let out bits of my life since you’ve been with me since 2009. I am still trying to adjust to the situation. It’s almost three months since my beloved mom passed away and I tell you, something like that changes you inside. It is hard to explain but whatever goals you had, or aspirations; they all seemed to have been swept away by this ravaging tide. No one is ever the same once he or she experiences that. But that is life and one has to go on living even though living sometimes feels like a chore. The years simply stretch beyond into this dream that one day, you will see that person you love the most. That is, if you believe in the after life. I don’t know. I am still looking fir something to believe in. I will take whatever I can. Be it music, art or the company of good friends. I will take it to keep me alive.

Ok, enough of heavy stuff, I want to show my support to the new Cara song. I saw this posted by the great piper Ryan Murphy. It’s their charity single. All proceeds go to Musiker ohne Grenzen (Musicians sans frontiers, Musicians without borders), a charity organisation that uses music to help people. There five projects right now in Ecuador, Jamaica and India. Info about the organization here:
www.musikerohnegrenzen.de or
www.youtube.com/user/musikerohnegrenzen

I love this tune. It’s the singing and the instruments. Cara are one of the best bands in Celtic music. If you have not heard of them yet you better check them out and buy their albums. You wont regret it. It’s one of the bands you have to hear before you die.

By this track for  €1 EUR .