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ICONS Irish Connections Festival CANCELLED FOR 2009

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Dates:	Friday, September 12, 2008 - Sunday, September 14, 2008
Hours:	All Day
Ages:	Infants, Toddlers, Kids, Teens, Adults
In/Outdoor:	Indoor, Outdoor
Cost:	$$ see below
Category:	Fairs & Festivals

Irish culture will once again take center stage as the 2008 ICONS (Irish Connections) Festival celebrates the Irish heritage, with a focus on Irish and Celtic music and arts. The
festival will take place from September 12-14, 2008 at the Irish Cultural Centre in Canton,
Massachusetts. Tickets for the festival are on sale now at www.iconsfestival.com or by phone at 617/508-931-2000.

From storytelling to step dancing, music, literature, sporting demonstrations, genealogy, history, and workshops, the festival now in its 17th year, will once again be one of the biggest gatherings of its kind in the US.

This year’s musical line-up features some of the true ICONS of the music, as well as some of Ireland’s newest stars. Some of this year’s highlights include:

 Liam Clancy, the youngest and last surviving member of the famed Clancy Brothers.
 Lúnasa, one of the most sought-after bands on the international Irish music scene, steering Irish
acoustic music into surprising new territory
 Solas, proclaimed as the most popular, influential, and exciting Celtic band to ever emerge from
the United States, will showcase a blend of Celtic traditional, folk and country melodies, bluesy,
jazz-inspired improvisations and global rhythms
 Recognized as one of Irelands foremost singer-songwriters, this will be Luka Bloom’s first
appearance at the ICONS festival
 Irish music has influenced many genres of music around the globe, including Bluegrass. ICONS
looks to celebrate this musical kinship with the inclusion of Crooked Still, the hot young
alternative bluegrass/old-time group on a mission to bend the boundaries of traditional music.
 Beoga returns to ICONS after an amazing performance at last year’s festival. A five-piece
traditional band, they were nominated by Irish Music Magazine for the best traditional
newcomer’s award in 2005.
 And the expanding world of traditional dance will be again a big component of the festival, with
non-stop participatory dancing and instruction, and performances by Footworks, a dance
performance group based in Maryland . Footworks traces in dramatic fashion, the history of step dancing from Ireland through Canada to New England and Appalachia.

Also at the 2008 ICONS Festival Cara Dillon, The Clancy Legacy, David Munnelly Band, Le Vent Du Nord, Joe Derrane, Seamus Connolly and John McGann, Liadan, Chulrua with Paddy
O’Brien, Annalivia with John Whelan, Gadelle, Grainne Hambly and Billy Jackson, Revels
Repertory, and The Tannahill Weavers, and some very special surprises to be added soon.

That celebration continues through all aspects of the festival which includes a spotlight on Irish arts & crafts, step dancing, sports, literature, genealogy and much more. Some of the highlights will include:

 Harpapalooza, a fan favorite, this stage featuring performances from harp orchestras and
solo performers as well as traditional Irish dancers.
 Genealogy has become one of the most popular elements of the festival. The Irish
Cultural Center, in conjunction with Tiara, an organization dedicated to assisting
individuals in genealogical research, will once again provide workshops on exploring
family names and the roots of one’s heritage
 Gaelic Sports. The American branch of the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) will
stage demonstrations of Hurling and Gaelic Football throughout the weekend.
 Literature, an opportunity to celebrate Ireland's rich and diverse literary tradition. A
highlight of this year’s festival will be Shay Duffin's portrayal of writer Brendan Behan, whose
salty pen, and pure Dublin wit, entertained - and upset! - Irish society for decades.
 An Ghaeltacht –Gaelic, the Irish language is one of the oldest and richest languages in the
world. From spoken word to old-style singing and dancing, ICONS will celebrate the language
in an authentic replica of an Irish Thatched Cottage on the site of the Festival
 Dance- The world of traditional dance has always been an intrinsic part of Irish culture and
recently has made its appearance into popular culture. Amongst the highlights, Comhaltas
Ceoltóirí Éireann is (The Organization of Irish Traditional Musicians) will once again have its
own area dedicated to participatory ceili and set dancing.
 Tir na nOg, - Land of the Young. From story-telling to musical performances,
educational activities, crafts and workshops, Tir na nOg will be the ultimate destination
for those under the age of 10.

Tickets
Advance tickets for the ICONS Festival are available at www.iconsfestival.com
or charge by phone at 617/508-931-2000.
 3-day discounted festival passes can be purchased for $35 before August 31, providing a full weekend of entertainment at a great value.
 Single day tickets are available for $15 before August 31 and for $25 at the gate day of show.

All tickets give you full access to all parts of the festival grounds and all performances. Children under 12 are admitted FREE if accompanied by an adult. For more information, visit www.iconsfestival.com

The ICONS Festival takes place September 12, 13 and 14 at the Irish Cultural Center of New
England, located at 200 New Boston Drive off Rte. 138 South in Canton, MA.

COST

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$35 for a 3 day pass, $15 per day

WEBSITE

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www.iconsfestival.com

LOCATION

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200 New Boston Drive, Canton, MA, 02021 map