PORTLAND, Maine — Whether you want to belt out a salty sea shanty, step lively to a Scottish Highland dance or exult in the furious fiddle of Eileen Ivers, the Saltwater Celtic Music Festival in Portland this weekend delivers this tuneful trinity and more.
Now in its fourth year, the celebration of Celtic music, dance, song and story moves this year from a beach in Brunswick to downtown Portland.
“The caliber has not changed, promoter and founder Randy Labbe said. “It’s now easier for people to design their own experience within the city of Portland, a city so rich with cultural options.”
Three-day fest runs Friday through Sunday.
There will be 50 musicians performing at five main venues across the city. From Portland’s rowdy The Press Gang to this year’s National Scottish fiddle champion Mari Black to headliners like Ivers, a Grammy Award-winning Celtic fiddler and original “Riverdance” musician, Labbe created a festival that showcases local and international talents.
“Since I’ve started seriously listening to Celtic music, I’ve discovered that Maine has an amazing Celtic music scene,” Labbe said.
A solid mix of Celtic culture will be on display, from The Gothard Sisters to The Prodigals to The John Bryne Band and local favorites such as The Squid Jiggers — of which BDN “banjournalist” Troy R. Bennett is a member.
“There are multiple Celtic nations: We want to represent them in song through musicians with crossover appeal. There is an awful lot of cross-pollination,” said Labbe, who expects Cape Breton “kitchen party” music with spoons and feet for percussion to break out along with a waltz from Wales.
“It’s part of the social fabric of many immigrants of this region,” he said.
“These traditions are about getting together for celebration, parties and the dancing and music that goes with it.”
To Labbe, Saltwater Celtic Music Festival highlights artistry people have grown up with for centuries. Workshops will demonstrate the proper way to jig and step-dance Saturday afternoon at the Maine Irish Heritage Center, while guitar and pipe workshops at Acoustic Artisans in the Hay Building offer hands-on help from The Acadia School of Traditional Music and Arts in Bar Harbor.
“This music resonates so deeply with people. … It’s hard to hear the lone bagpipe in the distance without feeling something,” Labbe said.
Master storyteller Joseph Keane and author Kevin O’Hara will set the scene at One Longfellow Square on Friday night with tales from “Where the Old Tree Grows.” A musical brunch at Brian Boru pub followed by sessions at Bull Feeney’s will end the fest on Sunday.
With the bulk of performances happening simultaneously Saturday in venues that include Port City Music Hall, Blue and One Longfellow Square, how does one catch them all?
“You don’t, unless you have super powers,” Labbe said.
Music fans should not expect a St. Patrick’s Day redux but rather original roots music from Ireland, Scotland, the Isle of Man, Brittany and Wales.
“These people are out there every day and every week playing this music. It’s in the air, it’s in their homes, it’s in the streets. We are here to pull the various traditions together and present it in a meaningful and beautiful way that benefits the performers and the audience,” Labbe said.
Tickets, $25 in advance and $35 day of, are available at saltwaterfest.com and all Bull Moose locations.
