The intention to run the first International Strandhill Banjo Festival in May 2019 has been announced and the organisers have an open invite to everyone to attend the announcement Party this Saturday night 28th of July in the Strand Bar.
Music industry professionals Willie Kelly (Rackhouse Pilfer) and fellow musician and Artist Manager Colin Gillen have teamed up with Chris Keenan who successfully ran the world renowned Longford Banjo Festival for over 10 years and have decided that this unique festival format would have an ideal home in the inspiring Yeats Country and the vibrant and musical coastal setting of Strandhill, Co Sligo.
This Sat 28th July the organisers host a band from America, Rapidgrass, who play modern, acoustic, Colorado mountain music. The lineup includes Mark Morris (guitar, vocals); Coleman Smith (violin, mandolin, vocals); Carl Minorkey (upright bass, tenor banjo, vocals); and Alex Johnstone (mandolin, fiddle, vocals). Adjunct player includes Billy Cardine (dobro, vocals, recording producer), Billy plays with Rapidgrass as often as he can as a special guest, but is not a full time member. This front range Colorado ensemble uses classical, gypsy, bluegrass, pop, swing, and other world rhythms to create what is, and can only be described of as, Rapidgrass.
Colin and Willie believe that the international appeal for this festival will bring in visitors to Sligo from all around the world and the need for accommodation and hospitality in the area will be welcomed in the off peak season month of may 2019. Combining their expertise in the world of music with Chris Keenan (Longford Banjo Festival) who programmes and stage managers festivals around the world bringing her extensive and enthusiastic wealth of personal connections and views Strandhill as the perfect location for an International festival.
So on sat 28th July make your way to The Strand Bar and enjoy the The celebration of mountains and whitewater rapid music from Rapidgrass (USA) which also is the inspiration for the organisers to host the Strandhill Banjo Festival…the mountain and the sea.