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Upcoming Events

3 Aug to 6 Aug

2023
Camping ceilidh logo

Camping Cèilidh 2023

Do you play, sing, or just enjoy Irish, Scottish, or Cape Breton traditional music and camping? Pitch your tent at Deception Pass State Park for a casual weekend of tunes, songs, food, drink, and fun in the woods by the beach.

Your Hosts

Seumas Gagne, Christine Traxler, Christian Hoffman, and Suzanne Taylor, longtime colaborators in Irish and Scottish music, are looking forward to welcoming friends old and new to Camping Cèilidh! The group brings a wealth of knowledge of Irish dance tunes, Scottish Gaelic songs, and traditional Irish and Scottish songs in English that guarantee a well rounded celebration coinciding with the ancient holiday of Lughnasadh!

Group Camp Site

We have booked the group camp site at Deception Pass State Park which can host around 40 people. It is on the eastern shore of Cranberry lake, so a little further removed from the ocean, but also far removed from the rest of the camp sites. Read more about Deception Pass and the group camp site.

Gentle Organization

Times and places will be set aside for specific sessions to be sure that tune players get to play lots of tunes and singers get to sing lots of songs.

We will also be joining all together for a ceilidh each evening at which everyone is welcome to share.

For sessions that are themed, we will provide a list of tunes or songs that will be included so you can be sure you will be able to participate.

Immersive game-play Scottish Gaelic language sessions will also be presented.

There will be a potluck on Friday evening and another on Sunday in the late morning that you can participate in if you like.

A full schedule of events and additional details will be sent out in advance.

Books

There are two collections of material available for purchase along with your registration; The Book of Common Tunes, and Leabhar nan Oran Cumanta (book of common songs). The Book of Common Tunes was compiled by Suzanne and Christine from the session.org. Leabhar nan Oran Cumanta is a collection of Scottish Gaelic songs compiled by Seumas. If you would like to receive your copy in advance, please get in touch after registering and we will make arrangements to get it to you.

Both will be available in print and PDF forms.

Registration

Registration is available to those 18 years or older. Kids are welcome to attend with their parents or guardians.

Arrival day will be Thursday, August 3rd and departure day will be Sunday, August 6th. If you decide to arrive late or leave early that will not change what it costs us for the group site, so no change to your registration fee will be offered.

Register now on Eventbrite!

Cancelations

Cancelations received by July 20th 2023 will receive a full refund. Cancelations received between July 21st and August 3rd will receive a 50% refund. No refunds will be available for cancelations received during the event.

Covid Safety

Camping is one of the safest things you can do in a global pandemic because the great outdoors has great air circulation! Of course, we will be following current CDC guidance for infection prevention.

Proof of vaccination will be required for those eligible to get it. Those who are unable to receive vaccination for medical reasons will be accommodated. Those who choose to not be vaccinated for any non-medical reason will not be permitted to attend.

presented by:
Deception Pass State Park
Oak Harbor, WA
14 Aug to 18 Aug

2023

International Harp and Cello School 2023

I will be teaching intermediate harp students and offering workshops to all at this prestigious event. I can't wait to spend the week with the students and my fellow presenters, Marilyn Rummel, Sharlene Wallace, Morag Northey, and more!

presented by:
Island Mountain Arts Gallery
Wells, BC

Past Events

16 Aug to 21 Aug

2020

Due to the global COVID-19 pandemic, this prestigious annual harp education event will be held online. I will certainly miss being in Wells, but we must all do our part and keep our heads up.

presented by:
Island Mountain Arts Gallery
Wells, BC
31 Jul to 2 Aug

2020

Do you play, sing, or just enjoy Irish, Scottish, or Cape Breton traditional music and camping? Pitch your tent at Deception Pass State Park Lower Loop campground for a casual weekend of tunes, songs, food, drink, and fun in the woods by the beach.

Camping is one of the safest things you can do in a global pandemic because the great outdoors has great air circulation! Of course, we will be following distancing protocols and wearing masks when away from our own campsites.

Make your reservation on November 2, 2019 to ensure that we fill the Lower Loop campground with folks friendly to the music traditions we love.

presented by:
Deception Pass State Park
Oak Harbor, WA
18 Aug to 24 Aug

2019

I will be teaching intermediate harp students and offering workshops to all at this prestigious event. I can't wait to spend the week with the students and my fellow presenters, Marilyn Rummel, Sharlene Wallace, Morag Northey, and Tristan Legovic.

presented by:
Island Mountain Arts Gallery
Wells, BC
2 Aug to 4 Aug

2019

Do you play, sing, or just enjoy Irish, Scottish, or Cape Breton traditional music and camping?

Pitch your tent at Deception Pass State Park Lower Loop campground Friday, August 2 through Sunday, August 4, 2019 for a casual weekend of tunes, songs, food, drink, and fun in the woods by the beach.

Make your reservation on November 2, 2018 to ensure that we fill the Lower Loop campground with folks friendly to the music traditions we love.

presented by:
Deception Pass State Park
Oak Harbor, WA
8 Jun
2:00pm

2019

I'm pleased to have been asked back to appear in the choir's next concert. Visit their web site for more information.

All Saints Anglican Church
Burnaby, BC
7 Sep
8:00pm

2018

My dear friend Jo Morrison and I will be the distinguished judges for the Scottish Harp Society of America's national competition.

Edinboro Unveristy
Edinboro, PA
23 Jun to 28 Jun
8:00pm

2018

For some unknown reason I've been invite back to be inappropriate in front of young people.

presented by:
Scottish-American Cultural Society of Ohio
Oberlin College
Oberlin, OH
23 Jun
5:00am

2018

Seumas will be judging the harp competitions at the Ohio Scottish Games sponsored by the Scottish Harp Society of America.

Lorain County Fairgrounds
Wellingtom, OH
2 Jun
10:00am

2018

I will be a guest at the choir's 35th anniversary celebration, coinciding with the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I. I might be singing a Gaelic song composed in the trenches. Maybe.

Tickets $15
Seniors & Students $10
Reserve your tickets early by calling Roberta at 604-433-3326 or email bikerider@telus.net (subject 35)

All Saints Anglican Church
Burnaby, BC
20 Feb
3:00pm

2018

After you've seen Dàimh in concert on February 18, come and dance to their tunes at the historic Seattle Eagles Mother Aerie #1. Brandon Vance, Richard Hill, and I will be there to contribute a song or two at intermission. Tickets $15 at the door, more info at (206) 861-4530.

presented by:
Eagles Hall - Seattle
Seattle, WA