2017 Irish Fest--Music from Sunday, August 20

Irish Fest

Sunday, August 20, 2017

Today is the last day for the table crew to get its work done.  We are once again removing all the table cloths from Saturday's use and re-setting the table cloths for the last day of Milwaukee Irish Fest 2017.  Today we have to really book because we start at 8:00 a.m. and folks start arriving on the grounds for the Sunday Mass at 11:00 a.m.

Music starts at Noon today and by then I am out of table cloth crew clothes and dressed as Photography Man.  Opening the Celtic Roots stage on the last day is a familiar bunch of lads:  Cuig.

Next up for me on assignment is Trinity Academy of Irish Dance.  Trinity Academy of Irish Dance is one of the most widely-recognized Irish dance programs in the world. Trinity dancers have won an unprecedented 32 world titles for the United States.  They are based in the Midwest with Milwaukee as one of their homes.

Four days of trying and I think I finally got some decent Irish dance photos.

I was not assigned to them but no way was I going to miss the last day of We Banjo 3.  

After their individual set on this stage, We Banjo 3 heading to another stage where they were going to do something special on the last day of the Fest:  a Beatles tribute with participation by a number of other acts from the Fest. 

Backstage, this is the most nervous I have seen anyone at Irish Fest ever.  These acts are really talented, often sit in playing each others music or the traditional songs of Ireland--but this is going to be a different challenge.

While the bands tune up, the tech people are adding more cords on the stage them OSHA should allow.

Then it begins--the beautiful music of The Beatles sung by the best of Celtic music.

When Eileen Ivers came out to do her number, she stole the show.  They don't call her the Jimi Hendrix of the violin for nothing.

 The last musical activity on the closing Sunday of Milwaukee Irish Fest is called The Scattering.  All performers are invited on stage to sing and dance a series of traditional Irish tunes, with the audience singing along.  It is a feel good event and a wonderful way to close the event.

To say things get goofy would be an understatement.

By the last note, the photography crew, after four days of running from stage to stage, climbing a stairs, twisting your body into weird positions, and wearing out your eyes--are pretty much done.  Thanks to everyone on the photography crew for a great Irish Fest.

But it is all worth it--to put the 2017 Milwaukee Irish Fest in the rear window.  As it fades away, the music stays.  Thanks to the organizers, the volunteers and all the great performers who made it another great experience for me.