Lots of Scots: Eureka Springs to celebrate rich Celtic heritage with expanded, improved festival
Posted on Friday, January 12, 2007
How ingrained is the Celtic culture in Eureka Springs? According to Steve Shell, the two have been linked from the ground up.
"The artisans that put the Victorian houses up, they were Scottish and Irish -- and they stayed here,"Shell said.
So when it comes to celebrating heritage, Eureka Springs has a distinct advantage.
"There are festivals around that are larger, but they aren't Celtic in nature. That's what we have that no one does,"he said.
For three years, Shell's company, PaperMoon Attractions, has organized a celebration of Celtic culture that coincides with the birth date of Scottish poet Robert Burns, whose best known work is "Auld Lange Syne."
"My wife is Scottish, and I'm Irish, and we feel a strong heritage with this. We realized how much of the area was developed by the Celtic people, and we were surprised by how few events there were,"he said.
Three years ago, Shell only oversaw booking the festival's music acts. Now, all events are coordinated through his Eureka Springs-based production company.
The new features of this year's festival begin with the name. Now called Celtic Connections Eureka, the festival shares a similar name with the Celtic festival in Glasgow, Scotland, and the new title better reflects the true nature of the local celebration, Papermoon co-owner Gerry Ganong said.
The event continues to grow in popularity. In 2005, about 600 attended. About 800 attended last year's festival, and Shell expects more than 1,000 this year.
Because last year's Robert Burns Night Supper at the Crescent Hotel sold out, there will be two nights of food this year. Beginning at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday and Jan. 19, the hotel will serve a traditional meal of roast beef, haggis, tatties (potatoes) and neeps (mashed turnips). During Thursday's meal, which costs $28, bagpiper Mark Stanfield will perform. Entertainment for the Jan. 19 meal is provided by Scottish folk singer Ed Miller. A toast of Scotch whisky will conclude the meal.
Throughout the weekend, workshops ranging from mountain dulcimer playing to cultural discussions will take place in various venues around town. The number of workshops has increased dramatically this year -- from three to 13 -- because festival patrons wanted more events during the day, Shell said.
Of course, no Celtic celebration would be complete without music. Back by popular demand, five-man group Tartanic returns to the City Auditorium for a performance at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 19.
"Tartanic was here last year, and people last year were asking us all year if they were coming back ... They were just so vivacious,"Shell said. Tartanic will be joined in concert by Beth Patterson, who Shell describes as a reformed wild child who found her Celtic roots.
Other musicians include Kansas-based trio Rowan, who perform on Saturday, and Miller, who will sing traditional Scottish songs at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 20 at the City Auditorium.
A Celtic-themed gift shop, a tour of Castle Rogue's Manor, movies and scotch tastings throughout town round out the schedule.
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