Celebrate the arrival of Springtime with traditional Irish Dance, music, food, drink, artisan crafts, and you can even dance the May Pole!
You are invited to a new Family-Friendly Festival celebrating Beltane and the arrival of spring at Lagoon Park in San Rafael, April 27-28th!
Céilí (pronounced KAY-lee) is Irish Gaelic for a party of neighbors and friends with music, dancing,
food, and drink! Red Barn Productions,
(creators of The Dickens Fair) is delighted to
share their love for traditional Irish culture with
you at the inaugural Céilí On the Lake
on Saturday and Sunday, April 27th & 28th.
Popular Bay Area musicians from the traditional
and modern Irish music scenes will be performing, while festivalgoers have the chance to play
in the Musicians’ Snug in seisiún format,
an open session in which anyone who
can play Irish music is welcome!
Local Irish dance studios will present a variety of traditional and modern dances performed in Irish hard or soft shoes. Newcomers and novices are also welcome to celebrate the springtime season with Irish dance, as instructors lead two open sessions of Ceili dancing each day.
Along with traditional Irish music and dance, sheepdogs will put their wooly friends through their paces in daily sheep-herding demonstrations presented by the Redwood Empire Sheep Dog Association. Festivalgoers of all ages will also discover Celtic history, culture, and lore coming to life through readings of Irish poetry and storytelling.
Local crafters, artists, and booths representing Irish cultural organizations will also be on hand. Traditional favorites from the British Isles along with contemporary new flavors will be served from a circle of food trucks, while an Irish pub will pour adult libations to wet festivalgoers’ whistles and have them ready to dance a jig!
The rhythmic footwork of Irish step dancing, soul-stirring melodies of traditional Irish ballads, and mesmerizing tales spun by skilled storytellers will all contribute to the enchanting experience awaiting attendees at Céilí On The Lake.
So, grab your lawn chairs, instruments, and dancing shoes and gather with friends and family for a day on the green and a celebration of life and all things Irish!
