Twelve Years
and
Going Strong

Saturday & Sunday, September 27-28, 2008

September seems a long way off but for the world's finest Celtic entertainers it's time to finalize 2008 tour plans. KVMR's 2008 Celtic Festival artist selection team has been listening to music, searching web sites and comparing tour schedules in an effort to create another weekend of Music and Magic-KVMR's 12th Annual Celtic Festival is scheduled for Saturday & Sunday, September 27-28.

This year's artist selection team includes veterans and new faces. Returning as festival producer is Rhiannon Redican (formerly Kelli Redican). Rhiannon saw the festival through four formative years, 1998 through 2001. This year pre sents some lovely symmetry. Rhiannon says, "My last festival was the 9/11 'wild ride' experience-where community (particularly Alasdair Fraser) saved the day after festival headliners were forced to cancel due to grounded flights. I handed off the festival baton to Empire Events' Amy Terhorst in early 2002. Now Amy is passing it back to me."

New to the Celtic Festival, but certainly not to KVMR, is festival publicist Peter Wilson. Since 1980, Peter has worked in Nevada County as a musician, marketing manager at the Center for the Arts, manager of Alasdair Fraser's Culburnie Records and even as a KVMR broadcaster (how many of you remember Tunesday Live or The Nevada City Showcase?). In another interesting piece of symmetry, Peter was one of the community members that stepped up in 2001 serving as opening act for the festival.

Former KVMR station manager and Empire Events worker Brian Terhorst continues to offer artist selection advice all the way from his new digs in Chico. KVMR broadcasters Jenny Michaels and Laurie DesJardins have been busy sorting through stacks of CDs and pitching their favorites. And we can't forget the voice (and heart) of the Celtic Festival, Annie O'Dea Hestbeck, who continues to offer her wisdom and bottomless list of close family connections to ALL Irish musicians.

As of press time, we're not prepared to announce festival headliners but watch the web site kvmr.org/celticfestival. Announcements coming soon!

Greener Still!

Last year the Celtic Festival made the commitment to "go green" and we are happy to report great success! With concerted efforts from Lynne Cody and Nevada County Recycles, line producers, volunteers and participants, 5600 pounds of mixed materials (e.g., cans, bottles, paper & plastic cups) were recycled. That's 9 times more than was collected than in 2006! Recycled cardboard equaled 1500 pounds, 3 times more than 2006. Styrofoam was banned from the event because it isn't recyclable. There is always room for improvement, and the lessons learned from 2007 will be incorporated into this year's planning and outreach efforts.

Join the team - spread the word!

We're looking for volunteers:

• Dress in your Celtic best and hand out festival give-aways at local and regional events.
• Join one of our street teams! Deliver posters, flyers and festival give-aways in your hometown.

To volunteer contact Peter Wilson at celtvol @ kvmr.org or 530-913-5534.

Shown above left to right: Laurie DesJardins, Annie O’Dea Hestbeck, Jenny Michaels, Rhiannon Redican, Peter Wilson.

By Peter Wilson, KVMR Celtic Festival Volunteer Coordinator