FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


Dahlonega Hosts First-Ever Celtic Music Festival March 8 – 9, 2008

Traditional and well-known Irish bands such as Emerald Rose, Shamrock, and Altan perform at the Historic Holly Theatre.

Dahlonega, GA – January 21, 2008 - The Dahlonega-Lumpkin County Chamber of Commerce presents the first annual Celtic Music Festival with performances at the Historic Holly Theatre.  Highlights of the festival are concerts by the traditional Irish bands Altan, Highland Way, Emerald Rose and Shamrock.  Festival goers will also be entertained with Celtic-themed workshops, bagpipers, storytellers and arts and crafts vendors set up throughout downtown Dahlonega and around the historic town square.   To learn more about the festival, call 706-864-3711; or go to www.dahlonega.org; to purchase concert tickets, call 706-864-3759, or on-line at www.hollytheater.com 

Accolades for these top bands include Altan as Ireland's leading traditional band.   Irish Echo in New York says “They’re poised for greatness and under no circumstances should they be missed in concert”.  The Boston Globe says Altan is “The hottest group in the Celtic realm these days”; Highland Way,under the direction of Brian Caldwell of Glasgow, Scotland. from San Diego has received rave reviews for their blend of traditional Scottish music, both instrumental and vocal, from the San Diego and Seaside Scottish Highland Games, with their superb blend of vocals, instrumentation, and unique arrangements, Highland Way is one of the most acclaimed on the southern California circuit;  North Georgia’s Emerald Rose is a four-man Celtic / American folk rock group with a strong original sound;  Shamrock is the traditional Celtic band from the talented Norgaard Jones Project started with the meeting of two world class musicians, Guitar Virtuoso Curtis Jones, and Fiddle Wizard Martin Norgaard. 

Adding to the fun of the festival are Celtic-themed workshops, bagpipers, storytellers and arts and crafts exhibitors displaying and selling Celtic themed items. 

Dahlonega Celtic Music Festival
March 8 &  9, 2008
Location: Historic Downtown Dahlonega
Hours: Saturday, 11:00am, concluding with Highland Way Concert at 8:00pm
            Sunday, 1:00pm, concluding with Altan Concert at 7:00pm

01-22-2008 Celtic Festival

The Dahlonega-Lumpkin County Chamber of Commerce presents the first annual
Celtic Music Festival!  Highlights of the festival are concerts by the traditional
Celtic bands Altan, Highland Way, Emerald Rose and Shamrock at the historic
Holly Theater, along with John Maschinot of the Buddy O’Reilly Band at the Buisson Music Hall.

Celtic-themed workshops will be held at various locations around
Downtown Dahlonega.  Enjoy bagpipers, storytellers and dance as you shop the art
and craft exhibitors displaying and selling Celtic themed items.

For concert tickets, call 706-864-3759, or go to http://www.hollytheater.com/ 

For more information on the festival, call the Dahlonega – Lumpkin County Chamber at 706-864-3711, or go to www.dahlonega.org.

Concert Schedule:

Saturday, March 8th, 2008
1:00pm-2:15pm  Emerald Rose in Concert at the Holly Theater  $12.00 / ticket
3:00pm-4:15pm  Shamrock in Concert at the Holly Theater  $12.00 / ticket
5:15pm-5:45pm  St. Andrews Pipes and Drums in front of Dahlonega-Lumpkin County Chamber of Commerce
8:00pm  Highland Way in Concert at the Holly Theater  $30.00 / ticket
Sunday, March 9th, 2008
4:00pm-5:00pm  John Maschinot of the Buddy O’Reilly Band in Concert at the Buisson Music Hall  $12.00 / ticket
7:00pm  Altan in Concert at the Holly Theater  $30.00 / ticket


Dahlonega, the site of America’s first major gold rush in 1828, is located just off Georgia 400 in the pristine and picturesque North Georgia Mountains.  Unique shopping opportunities abound in Dahlonega, especially around its historic square that easily earned a coveted spot on the National Register of Historic Places.  Now the center of a thriving music and arts scene, and the heart of the Georgia wine industry, Dahlonega provides much to see and do during every season;  local innkeepers and hotels  offer specials and discounted packages for couples,  families and friends.   For more details, contact the Dahlonega-Lumpkin County Chamber of Commerce, Convention & Visitors Bureau by calling toll-free 1.800.231.5543 or by visiting www.dahlonega.org.


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MEDIA CONTACT:
Hal Williams     halwilliams@dahlonega.org

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