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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

13 Jan
3:30pm

2017

Join me and the usual suspects for an evening of song and story in this intimate, acoustic setting. $10 suggested donation at the door.

Couth Buzzard Books
Seattle, WA
15 Aug to 19 Aug
5:00am

2016

I'm thrilled to have been invited back to this prestigious event. I will be teaching intermediate harp students and offering workshops to all and am looking forward to spending the week with the students and my fellow presenters, Sharlene Wallace, Caroline Mackay, and Phamie Gow. They've also added a cello workshop with Morag Northey. I'm also pretty excited to be able to dine at the Bear's Paw in Lower Wells again!

presented by:
Island Mountain Arts Gallery
Wells, BC
30 Jul
5:30am

2016

Using the innovative language teaching method pioneered by Willem Larsen and Brian O hAirt in Portland, Oregon called Language Hunters, Seumas will keep the participants speaking and listening to Gaelic for most of the day. The Language Hunters method relies on active learning, problem solving, and immersive game play to develop oral fluency. It is particularly well suited for mixed-level groups, so the full-day workshop will be suitable for anyone from a total beginner to an experienced teacher wanting to explore immersive learning techniques. We’ll sing, play, and laugh through our one-room Gaelic school day. $25 pre-registration required. $15 students and seniors.

presented by:
A private home
Seattle, WA
10 Jul
11:45am

2016

A set of songs and tunes; some old and some new!

presented by:
Edgewater Park
Mount Vernon, WA
10 Jul
8:00am

2016

When The Blind Harper Took On The Chief of MacLeod The life story of Ruaidhri MacMhuirich, the last harper to the MacLeods of Dunvegan, his patron Iain Breac and Iain’s son and heir, Ruaidhri who is the subject of the bitingly satirical song.

presented by:
Edgewater Park
Mount Vernon, WA
9 Jul
9:40am

2016

A set of songs and tunes; some old and some new!

presented by:
Edgewater Park
Mount Vernon, WA
4 Jun
10:00am

2016

Seumas appears with the Vancouver and District Gaelic Choir and other guests for their Spring concert. Tickets: $15 General, $10 Seniors & students. Contact Roberta 604-433-3326 or email bikerider@telus.net to book tickets.

All Saints Anglican Church
Burnaby, BC
19 Mar
2:30pm

2016

Some of the Northwest's finest Celtic musicians will perform to raise money for financial aid and travel expenses for Feis students and faculty. Dance to the sounds of pipe, fiddle and clarsach and join in the singing.

Ticket prices: $25 for non-Slighe nan Gaidheal members, $20 for current Slighe members, $10 for Seniors and Students.

Our featured performers: Susan Burke and the Home Rulers - fiddle, pipes, guitar Puirt na Gael - fiddle, pipies, guitar, step dance Seumas Gagne - clarsach, fiddle, Gaelic song John Dally & Kat Eggleston - pipes, guitar, song John Cunningham - pipes Seirm - our own Gaelic choir and band Oran nan Car - Gaelic song and instrumentals Cronan - Gaelic song, instrumentals, and adorable, young dancers Giermann, Menzies and Hill - Gaelic song and guitar It's going to be a wonderful evening of Gaelic music and Highland Hospitality!

presented by:
Lake City Presbyterian Church
Seattle, WA
12 Mar
3:30pm

2016

Please join me and an exciting line up of additional musicians for a full evening of Scottish Gaelic songs, tunes, and some new stories as well. Thank you to Seattle Folklore Society for supporting local musicians! Tickets: Brown Paper Tickets

presented by:
Phinney Neighborhood Center
Seattle, WA
12 Feb
3:30pm

2016

I'm honoured to have been invited to make a cameo appearance with this prestigious lineup of performers. Tickets are available through the Benaroya Ticket Booth only.

presented by:
Benaroya Hall
Seattle, WA