The semi-finals of the inaugural Spirit of Folk Awards will be taking place at Whelans on Saturday 31st August.
Held in conjunction with the Spirit of Folk Festival, which takes place in Dunderry Park, Co Meath in September, these awards are a celebration of the very best of Irish folk music. An impressive 100 bands applied and nine have made it through to the semifinals, where they will be performing live in one of Dublin’s best music venues.
The nine semi-finalists were named today as: Moxie, Miriam Donohue, Mossy Nolan & Colm McGowan, My Fellow Sponges, Garr Cleary, Laura Ann Brady, The Cujo Family, Vickers Vimy and A Band Called Wanda.
‘Participating in the Spirit of Folk Talent search has been a real pleasure and has provided further proof to me that there is a very healthy and thriving community of music makers and creative artists out there. This SOFF initiative provides a great platform for these artists.’ Says Carl Corcoran of RTE Lyric FM’s Blue of the Night, one of four tasked with judging the awards.
The Spirit of Folk Awards Semi-Finals will also play host to storytellers from all over Ireland including Stephen James Smith, Ruth Marshall and Gemma McGowan. And the Dublin Storytelling Bus will move from their usual home to the boutique Parlor Bar for the night. The event, which runs all day from 3pm, includes a craft and hot food market and will finish with a massive céilí.
By the end of the night, 3 acts will be chosen to go forward to the Final, which takes place as part of the Spirit of Folk Festival on September 21. Established in 2011 by a small team of music enthusiasts, event managers and artists, this festival provides a valuable platform for Irish folk music. Set in the stunning Dunderry Park, other events include storytelling in a megalithic cairn, experimental archeology, druidic ceremony, a three course folksy feast, astronomy, archery and a whole games area with magic, carnival challenges and late night fires and parties.
Tickets for the Semi finals at Whelan’s are €10, Tickets for the Spirit of Folk Festival at Dunderry Park are €50 and include a three course meal. Both are available from www.spiritoffolk.com.
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