The Schedule

At the Bellingham Celtic Festival, you can expect a combination of these entertaining and educational elements:

Concerts (performances, they play, we listen)
Workshops (learning stuff from people, mostly tunes, some talk/lecture style offerings)
Sessions (some led, some open, some big, some little)
Sings (pub sings and such)
Dances (organized group dancing, sort of like a square dance)
Other (other stuff!)

DID YOU KNOW: Current members of the Celtic Arts Foundation receive discounts on tickets for concerts and workshops at the Bellingham Celtic Festival? Sign-up or renew today at: celticarts.org!

When you’re ready… buy some tickets here!

This schedule is subject to change at any moment, without warning, for no reason…

Thursday, October 8th

4:00pm-5:30pm - Andrew Waite (concert)
Hotel Leo, A21 - 1224 Cornwall Ave, Bellingham, WA 98225
free, all ages

4:00pm-5:00pm - Ballad Singing Workshop with Evan Ingalls (workshop)
The Blue Room - 202 E Holly St. #301, Bellingham, WA 98225
wristband or ticket, all ages
Ballads are songs that tell a story! The singing of ballads is an age-old tradition, and an integral part of Celtic folk tradition. How does ballad singing differ from singing any other folk song? How do we tailor our singing to help us communicate stories through music? We'll look at the texts of several Celtic ballads, Evan will sing one, and we'll talk about techniques for singing them effectively!

5:30pm-7:00pm - Howie Meltzer and Jesse Stanton (concert)
Hotel Leo, A21 - 1224 Cornwall Ave, Bellingham, WA 98225
free, all ages

6:00pm-7:00pm - Castlerock (concert)
Honey Moon - 1053 N State St (in the alley), Bellingham, WA 98225
free, 21+

6:00pm-7:30pm - Soda Bread Social (other)
The Blue Room - 202 E Holly St. #301, Bellingham, WA 98225
wristband or ticket, all ages
Come try a slice of Maureen’s famous soda bread.

6:30pm-7:30pm - The Jimmy O'Dea Dance Hall Follies with Hanz Araki (concert)
The Blue Room - 202 E Holly St. #301, Bellingham, WA 98225
wristband or ticket, all ages

7:00pm-9:30pm - A Music Magic Good Vibes Session hosted by Nell Russ, Holly Sternberg Kozan, and Will Wheeler (session)
Ono - 210 E Chestnut St (in the alley), Bellingham, WA 98225
free, all ages
Play tunes slow and juicy or fast and snappy, play 'em 20 times if you want, speed 'em up and slow 'em down as the mood takes you, reaaaaallllly dig in to grooving and improvisations and just getting totally into the moment with everyone around you. A session for people who want to have a musical conversation and dive into a communal flow state.

7:30pm-8:30pm - Spooky Songs and Stories of the Supernatural with Harper Stone and Evan Ingalls (concert)
Honey Moon - 1053 N State St (in the alley), Bellingham, WA 98225
free, 21+
Step aboard this white horse, and it will take you under nine waves, to the land of the ever-young, where you'll be feasted on the bread of battles and the sweet mead of song. While there you may witness many marvels, but do not – i repeat, DO NOT – look behind you as you leave the golden castle, or call the speckled hound by its true name. You have been warned.

7:30pm-8:30pm - Pajamajam (concert)
The Blue Room - 202 E Holly St. #301, Bellingham, WA 98225
wristband or ticket, all ages

8:30pm-10:00pm - Scottish Ceilidh Dance with Andrew Waite and Cayley Schmid (dance)
The Blue Room - 202 E Holly St. #301, Bellingham, WA 98225
wristband or ticket, all ages
Simple group dances to party with, no experience required! :)

8:45pm-11pm - Irish Session hosted by Ceol Sa Cheo (session)
Honey Moon - 1053 N State St (in the alley), Bellingham, WA 98225
free, 21+
Join Alina Larson, Blake Ritter and Richard Reeves for lively tunes from the Irish ceol rince (dance music) tradition. We may spice things up with the occasional lyrical song, but for the most part we'll be playing danceable melodies on instruments including (but by no means limited to) uilleann pipes, whistles, fiddle, & concertina... Bring an instrument & a set of tunes to share, or just come along for the ride! We like to have fun here :)

Friday, October 9th

12:00pm-3:00pm - O’Carolan Session hosted by Autumn Child (session)
Ono - 210 E Chestnut St (in the alley), Bellingham, WA 98225
free, all ages
A session for tunes composed by Turlough O’Carolan, still considered Ireland’s National Composer (Grainne Yeats) and “the last of the Irish bards (St Patrick’s Cathedral, Dublin).” Hosted by Len Feldman, Mhaire Merryman, Donald Terao.

1:00pm-2:00pm - Irish Uilleann Piping Tunes Workshop with Alina Larson (workshop)
The Blue Room - 202 E Holly St. #301, Bellingham, WA 98225
wristband or ticket, all ages
Bring your favorite instrument and come learn a piping tune, or just come to listen and learn about the Uilleann Pipes. All levels welcome!

1:00pm-2:00pm - Hwy a Hiraeth: Welsh Folk Song with Eric Bowen (concert)
Jackalope - 300 W Champion St, Bellingham, WA 98225
free, all ages

2:30pm-4:30pm - Irish Tune Session hosted by Ceol Sa Cheo (session)
Jackalope - 300 W Champion St, Bellingham, WA 98225
free, all ages
Join Alina Larson, Blake Ritter, and Richard Reeves for lively tunes from the Irish ceol rince (dance music) tradition. We may spice things up with the occasional lyrical song, but for the most part we'll be playing danceable melodies on instruments including (but by no means limited to) uilleann pipes, whistles, fiddle, & concertina... Bring an instrument & a set of tunes to share, or just come along for the ride! We like to have fun here :)

2:30pm-3:30pm - Irish Tune Workshop with Darcy Noonan (workshop)
The Blue Room - 202 E Holly St. #301, Bellingham, WA 98225
wristband or ticket, all ages
Learn an Irish fiddle tune from Darcy! All instruments welcome, taught by a fiddle.

4:00pm-5:30pm - Autumn Child (concert)
Hotel Leo, A21 - 1224 Cornwall Ave, Bellingham, WA 98225
free, all ages

4:00pm-7:00pm - BCF Welcome Table! (other)
Hotel Leo, Lobby - 1224 Cornwall Ave, Bellingham, WA 98225
free, all ages
Check out festival merchandise, ask questions about the schedule and app, etc., be welcomed! :)

4:00pm-7:00pm - Book Table! The Story of the Irish Harp (other)
Hotel Leo, Lobby - 1224 Cornwall Ave, Bellingham, WA 98225
free, all ages
"The Story of the Irish Harp", written by Nora Joan Clark, is an elegant book with fifty-two illustrations, covering the history of the small harp of its Celtic origins, its position in the bardic tradition, as well as its near disappearance and later resurgence. This carefully researched book includes a detailed look at the Irish harp in ancient and medieval times, its use and various forms in the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries, as well as its influence in the present day. Dedicated to the memory of Derek Bell, famous Irish harper with The Chieftains, this book is an important contribution to the study of Irish music. Meet the author's granddaughter, learn about the book, and pick up a copy for yourself!

4:00pm-5:00pm - Celtic Mysteries & Folklore: The Celtic Wheel of the Year Workshop with Harper Stone (workshop)
The Blue Room - 202 E Holly St. #301, Bellingham, WA 98225
wristband or ticket, all ages
To the Celts, time was not a straight line, it was a spiral. Their calendar was based on the sun, the moon, and the seasons of the Earth. Some years had 12 months, while others had 13. Each month has its own tree & ogham rune associated with it. In this class we'll explore this calendar, the 8 seasonal festivals of the Celts, and how this knowledge can help us bring our lives into harmony with the natural cycles.

4:00pm-5:00pm - Dale and Nell Russ (concert)
The DoHo - 113 Prospect Street, Bellingham, WA 98225 (entrance is behind the salon, 109 Prospect St.)
ticket required, all ages

4:15pm-6:45pm - Irish Session hosted by Michael Connolly (session)
Uisce - 1409 Cornwall Ave. Bellingham, WA 98225
free, 21+

5:30pm-6:30pm - Irish Language Workshop with Denis Kautsman-Kofanov (workshop)
The Blue Room - 202 E Holly St. #301, Bellingham, WA 98225
wristband or ticket, all ages
Fáilte, go raibh maith agat, slán - come and learn to say these and other interesting Irish words in a beginner-friendly setting! No language-learning experience necessary. By the end of the class you'll be able to have a simple conversation in Irish!

5:30pm-7:00pm - Cary Novotny & Johnny Connolly (concert)
Hotel Leo, A21 - 1224 Cornwall Ave, Bellingham, WA 98225
free, all ages

6:00pm-8:00pm - Pub Sing hosted by Peter Contrastano & Robin Elwood (sing)
Honey Moon - 1053 N State St (in the alley), Bellingham, WA 98225
free, 21+
Join us for a participatory session to share songs and stories from places where Celtic culture is present. We’ll cast our net wide to pull in material from Ireland, Scotland, Isle of Man, Wales, Cornwall, Brittany, Cape Breton, Newfoundland and other locales. Bring something to share! We’ll have a handful of song leaders present, other leaders can join in, and there will be plenty of opportunities to participate in the choruses. We’ll also have a stand mic available for anyone that wants to be a front and center contributor.

7:00pm-9:30pm - Merry Melodies Session hosted by Dale Russ, Nell Russ, and Katie Bunge (session)
Uisce - 1409 Cornwall Ave. Bellingham, WA 98225
free, 21+
This session welcomes melody players on traditional Irish session instruments. In a past year, by the luck of the draw, we had the opportunity to play in a rare melody-only session, and we enjoyed it so much that we wanted to provide a dedicated space for one again. Many of us get to play with lovely accompanists throughout the year, but don't often have the opportunity to hear the beauty of the unadorned melodies shining through. We love our treasured accompanists and look forward to playing with you at other BCF sessions! <3

7:30pm-9:30pm - Eamonn Flynn & Dublinesque + Gallowglass (concert)
Mount Baker Theatre’s Walton Theatre - 104 N Commercial St, Bellingham, WA 98225
Two wonderful Irish music bands on one bill.
SOLD OUT

7:30pm-8:30pm - Soda Bread Social (other)
The Blue Room - 202 E Holly St. #301, Bellingham, WA 98225
wristband or ticket, all ages
Come try a slice of Maureen’s famous soda bread.

8:00pm-9:00pm - Ladies of Lindsay (concert)
The Blue Room - 202 E Holly St. #301, Bellingham, WA 98225
wristband or ticket, all ages

8:30pm-9:30pm- Expecting… (concert)
Honey Moon - 1053 N State St (in the alley), Bellingham, WA 98225
free, 21+

9:00pm-11:00pm - Andrew Waite (concert)
Admiralty Lounge - 100 N Commercial St, Bellingham, WA 98225
food or drink purchase, 21+

9:15pm-10:15pm - Fritillary (concert)
The Blue Room - 202 E Holly St. #301, Bellingham, WA 98225
wristband or ticket, all ages

9:45pm-late - Irish Session hosted by Johnny and Cary (session)
Uisce - 1409 Cornwall Ave. Bellingham, WA 98225
free, 21+

10:00pm-late - Pan-Celtic Session (session)
Honey Moon - 1053 N State St (in the alley), Bellingham, WA 98225
free, 21+

Saturday, October 10th

10:00am-11:30am - Traditional Singing Session with Hanz Araki (sing)
Jackalope - 300 W Champion St, Bellingham, WA 98225
free, all ages
The Irish session is a delicate and occasionally thorny creature. Curiously, there is one aspect of traditional music that is both integral to, and simultaneously overlooked: songs. Songs are the beating heart of traditional music in Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Cornwall, the Isle of Man, etc. We will be singing unaccompanied. This prospect can be tremendously intimidating at first, but understand that this isn’t a talent show. It’s not a competition. You’re not being judged. It’s also not a performance.The freedom that comes with singing sans accompaniment (or a cappella, if you like) is very liberating and gives you the latitude to explore a song from the inside out. This will be a time for folks to share and more importantly learn songs.

10:00am-11:00am - Welsh Language Workshop with Denis Kautsman-Kofanov (workshop)
The Blue Room - 202 E Holly St. #301, Bellingham, WA 98225
wristband or ticket, all ages
Croeso, diolch, hwyl - come and learn to say these and other interesting Welsh words in a beginner-friendly setting! No language-learning experience necessary. By the end of the class you'll be able to have a simple conversation in Welsh!

11:00am-12:00pm - Irish Fiddle Technique Workshop with Blake Ritter (workshop)
The DoHo - 113 Prospect Street, Bellingham, WA 98225 (entrance is behind the salon, 109 Prospect St.)
ticket required, all ages
This workshop is for folks who want to discover the lively world of Irish fiddle ornamentation. Some experience preferred, but all experience levels are welcome. Come have some fun as we learn a tune by ear and explore the magic of fiddling!

11:30am-12:30pm - Celtic Mysteries & Folklore: Ogham - The Celtic Tree Alphabet Workshop with Harper Stone (workshop)
The Blue Room - 202 E Holly St. #301, Bellingham, WA 98225
wristband or ticket, all ages
Did you know that in the ancient Celtic alphabet, every letter was linked to a tree, and they were the keys to a whole body of hidden knowledge? Did you know that the bards and druids of old had a secret system of sign language that let them communicate without anyone noticing? In this class you'll learn how to write the Ogham runes, what they mean, and how to use the sign language.

12:15pm-2:00pm - Session hosted by the Long Dark (session)
Brandywine - 1317 Commercial St, Bellingham, WA 98225
free, all ages

12:30pm-1:30pm - Scottish Tune Workshop with Andrew Waite (workshop)
The DoHo - 113 Prospect Street, Bellingham, WA 98225 (entrance is behind the salon, 109 Prospect St.)
ticket required, all ages
Learn a Scottish tune from Andrew Waite! All instruments welcome, taught on accordion.

1:00pm-2:00pm - Penny Whistle Fundamentals Workshop with Hanz Araki (workshop)
The Blue Room - 202 E Holly St. #301, Bellingham, WA 98225
wristband or ticket, all ages
The penny whistle (or tin whistle, or just the whistle) is truly an instrument anyone can learn, and one that can take a lifetime to perfect. For most of us, this means improving our breath control, and adding and refining ornamentation and technique. It's also important to identify the sound we want, and what may be the best way for each individual player to reach that goal. Join flute and whistle player Hanz Araki in building a strong foundation for you to take with you on your whistle journey, or get a new perspective on techniques you may already have. Questions will be answered! Tunes will be played!

1:30pm-3:00pm - Colby Avenue (concert)
Jackalope - 300 W Champion St, Bellingham, WA 98225
free, all ages
4 Irish Trad Musicians + 8 instruments & 12 (or more!) instrumental combinations = 90 minutes of great music. That's enough math; we hope to see you there!

2:00pm-3:00pm - Irish Tune Workshop with Dale and Nell Russ (workshop)
The DoHo - 113 Prospect Street, Bellingham, WA 98225 (entrance is behind the salon, 109 Prospect St.)
ticket required, all ages
Learn an Irish tune from Dale and Nell! All instruments welcome, taught on fiddle.

2:15pm-4:15pm - Groovy Pan-Celtic Contra Bangers with Springtide Trio (session)
Brandywine - 1317 Commercial St, Bellingham, WA 98225
free, all ages

2:30pm-3:30pm - Scottish Gaelic Language Workshop with Denis Kautsman-Kofanov (workshop)
The Blue Room - 202 E Holly St. #301, Bellingham, WA 98225
wristband or ticket, all ages
Fàilte, tapadh leat, tìoraidh - come and learn to say these and other interesting Scottish Gaelic words in a beginner-friendly setting! No language-learning experience necessary. By the end of the class you'll be able to have a simple conversation in Scottish Gaelic!

3:30pm-4:30pm - Ceol Sa Cheo (concert)
Jackalope - 300 W Champion St, Bellingham, WA 98225
free, all ages

3:45pm-4:45pm - Johnny Connolly & Cary Novotny (concert)
The DoHo - 113 Prospect Street, Bellingham, WA 98225 (entrance is behind the salon, 109 Prospect St.)
ticket required, all ages

4:00pm-5:00pm - Sean-Nos Dance Workshop with Alicia Guinn (workshop)
The Blue Room - 202 E Holly St. #301, Bellingham, WA 98225
wristband or ticket, all ages
No experience required!

4:15pm-6:45pm - A Growly Tunes Session hosted by Nell Russ and Holly Sternberg Kozan (session)
Uisce - 1409 Cornwall Ave. Bellingham, WA 98225
free, 21+
For people who love to get low! This session is not the most flute-friendly, but encourages fiddles and banjos who like to live on the G string, octave and five-string violins, violas, melody cellos (no chonking, please!), big thompin' bass concertinas, low whistles, etc.

4:30pm-7:00pm - Irish Session hosted by Eamonn Flynn & Dublinesque (session)
Brandywine - 1317 Commercial St, Bellingham, WA 98225
free, all ages

5:00pm-6:00pm - The Greening with Sarah Rose Bowen (concert)
Jackalope - 300 W Champion St, Bellingham, WA 98225
free, all ages

5:30pm-6:30pm - Sølvstål (concert)
Honey Moon - 1053 N State St (in the alley), Bellingham, WA 98225
free, 21+

6:30pm-8:30pm - Pub Sing hosted by Sky Leuba (sing)
Jackalope - 300 W Champion St, Bellingham, WA 98225
free, all ages

7:00pm-7:45pm - Andrew Waite (concert)
The Blue Room - 202 E Holly St. #301, Bellingham, WA 98225
wristband or ticket, all ages

7:00pm-10:00pm - Contra Dance with Springtide Trio + Caitlin Bannan (dance)
CTK Downtown – 1419 N. Forest St., Bellingham, WA 98225
$12 – $15; $8 students [suggested donation – Cash + Venmo accepted]
all ages
click here for more info!

7:00pm-8:00pm - Northwest Along the Road (concert)
Honey Moon - 1053 N State St (in the alley), Bellingham, WA 98225
free, 21+

7:00pm-9:00pm - Irish Session hosted by Expecting… (session)
Uisce - 1409 Cornwall Ave. Bellingham, WA 98225
free, 21+
A melody-forwards session sympathetic (but not limited!) to lingering violists and others who might wish to the plead the 5th - although we’ll modulate back to reality by 9pm.

8:00pm-8:45pm - Steeplechase (concert)
The Blue Room - 202 E Holly St. #301, Bellingham, WA 98225
wristband or ticket, all ages

8:30pm-9:30pm - The Long Dark (concert)
Honey Moon - 1053 N State St (in the alley), Bellingham, WA 98225
free, 21+

9:00pm-10:00pm - Eamonn Flynn & Dublinesque (concert)
The DoHo - 113 Prospect Street, Bellingham, WA 98225 (entrance is behind the salon, 109 Prospect St.)
ticket required, all ages

9:00pm-11:30pm - Irish Session with Johnny and Cary (session)
Uisce - 1409 Cornwall Ave. Bellingham, WA 98225
free, 21+

10:00pm-late - Scottish Session hosted by Andrew Waite (session)
Honey Moon - 1053 N State St (in the alley), Bellingham, WA 98225
free, 21+

Sunday, October 11th

9:00am-12:00pm - Celtic Festival Breakfast (other)
Hotel Leo, A21 - 1224 Cornwall Ave, Bellingham, WA 98225
reservations recommended, all ages

9:00am-10:30am - Duo Synchronicity (concert)
Hotel Leo, A21 - 1224 Cornwall Ave, Bellingham, WA 98225
free, all ages

10:00am-11:30am - All Ages Irish Ceili Dance with Alicia Guinn (dance)
Hotel Leo Ballroom - 1224 Cornwall Ave, Bellingham, WA 98225
free, all ages
Come learn a few steps for fun Irish social dancing with live music from Ceol Sa Cheo. No experience required!

10:00am-2:00pm - Book Table! The Story of the Irish Harp (other)
Hotel Leo Ballroom, Lobby - 1224 Cornwall Ave, Bellingham, WA 98225
free, all ages
"The Story of the Irish Harp", written by Nora Joan Clark, is an elegant book with fifty-two illustrations, covering the history of the small harp of its Celtic origins, its position in the bardic tradition, as well as its near disappearance and later resurgence. This carefully researched book includes a detailed look at the Irish harp in ancient and medieval times, its use and various forms in the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries, as well as its influence in the present day. Dedicated to the memory of Derek Bell, famous Irish harper with The Chieftains, this book is an important contribution to the study of Irish music. Meet the author's granddaughter, learn about the book, and pick up a copy for yourself!

10:00am-2:00pm - Scavenger Hunt Prize Pick-up! (other)
Hotel Leo Ballroom, Lobby - 1224 Cornwall Ave, Bellingham, WA 98225
free, all ages
Did you complete the festival scavenger hunt on the BCF app this weekend? Come to the lobby of Hotel Leo to pick-up your reward!

10:30am-12:00pm - The Moving Hats (concert)
Hotel Leo, A21 - 1224 Cornwall Ave, Bellingham, WA 98225
free, all ages

11:30am-12:30pm - Sean-nós Class: Songs of Unerequited Love for Redheads, Mermaids, and Selkies with Niall Ó Murchú (workshop)
The Blue Room - 202 E Holly St. #301, Bellingham, WA 98225
wristband or ticket, all ages
In this workshop we'll listen to and try singing An Cailín Rua (The Red-Headed Girl) and An Mhaighdean Mhara (The Mermaid/Selkie Song). An Cailín Rua is a humorous sing-along song of a drunken road-trip and love lost. An Mhaighdean Mhara is a popular lament for a Selkie-woman who has left her human family and swims the length of the Erne to say goodbye. Donegal songs often have a chorus or refrain for everyone to sing, so we'll start with the choruses and maybe hydro-plane a few verses.

12:00pm-2:00pm - Irish Set Dancing with Jim Belcher and music from Colby Avenue (dance)
Hotel Leo Ballroom - 1224 Cornwall Ave, Bellingham, WA 98225
free, teens & adults
Set dancing involves a "set" of couples dancing to various styles of Irish music. The dance formation is similar to an American square and the moves are similar to contra dance. Each set dance is a collection of figures. We'll step thru the 3 - 4 figures of two dances. The dances will be called and we'll have live music. Bring along a partner or match with a partner in the workshop. An example of a set dance figure from the Puget Sound branch of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ID368yGGxE.

12:00pm-2:00pm - Gentle Afternoon Session hosted by Russell Chan (session)
Ono - 210 E Chestnut St (in the alley), Bellingham, WA 98225
free, all ages
This is a session concentrating on slower aires, ballads, laments, and songs that don’t fit in with jigs and reels. These are songs that people and audience members might know the lyrics to and are welcome to sing along.

12:00pm-1:00pm - Schmid + Guest (concert)
The DoHo - 113 Prospect Street, Bellingham, WA 98225 (entrance is behind the salon, 109 Prospect St.)
ticket required, all ages

2:00pm-4:00pm - House Wrens + Johnny Connolly & Cary Novotny & Alicia Guinn (concert)
The Blue Room - 202 E Holly St. #301, Bellingham, WA 98225"
wristband or ticket, all ages

4:00pm-7:00pm - Pan-Celtic Session (session)
Uisce - 1409 Cornwall Ave. Bellingham, WA 98225
free, 21+