Mid-Winter Scottish and Irish Festival

The 2nd weekend in February turned out to be uneventful for Philadelphia residents. Everyone was snowed in and cabin fever swept across the east coast. Soon enough though, people were able to shovel out their cars and make their way to Valley Forge, only to go back inside and not come out for an entire weekend.
Why would everyone do this? The same reason why many west coasters and everyone else not covered in snow braved flight delays to get to Pennsylvania. It’s also the reason why many musicians from Canada and upstate New York left their homes earlier than planned to…wait, never mind, they’ve all seen worse. They drove through the snow to get to the same place everyone else was headed- the annual Mid-Winter Scottish and Irish Festival at the Valley Forge convention center.

The festival, now in it’s 18th year, is organized by Bill and Karen Reid. Under the professional name “East of the Hebrides” the two of them run many shows and festivals in the area each year. Many who are unfamiliar with what they do would probably think that Philadelphia’s record breaking amount of snow this year would certainly push back the festivities of Presidents Day weekend. My friends and I know better, though. In 2003, my first trip to the festival, a snowstorm hit and many people were snowed in at the convention center from Friday to Tuesday (don’t worry, there are plenty of great hotel rooms there…including some themed rooms). Ironically, after being stuck with people I didn’t know too well and hearing the same bands over and over in hallways and impromptu concerts, I realized how much I was looking forward to 2004, and 2005, and…well, you get it.

Every year, on Friday night, a few bands perform for the kick-off concert. This year included local Irish rock band Jamison, two Celtic rock bands from the south- Rathkeltair and Seven Nations, and Scotland’s Albannach. All four bands were perfect for the begging of one of the best weekend’s each year. Between Jamison’s fiddle, Rathkeltair and Seven Nation blasting bagpipes, and a chorus of drums from Albannach, it’s easy to see what you’re getting yourself into for the weekend. A lot of fun begins on Friday night and it’s non-stop until you leave with a ringing in your ears on Sunday night (or Monday morning if you’re brave enough).

Saturday and Sunday were filled with more performers from all over. Brother, who practically holds tenure at this place, comes from Austrailia (bagpipes mixed with digeridoo…you need to see it). And the gorgeous Diver sisters from Ireland form the Screaming Orphans. They live in New York now, but they’re about to take a bunch of fans on an Ireland tour this week. I’d love to go, but I can’t keep up with those girls! Slightly closer to Philadelphia are the many Canadian bands who make their way down numerous times each year to perform in the states. The MacLeod fiddlers have played at Mid-Winter a lot- they’re a great group of young performers who could definitely challenge any fiddle-toting person at the fest. There’s also Searson- an upbeat set of sisters from Ontario, the ever popular Brigadoons, singer Neil Emberg and his guitar, and comedic performers The Tartan Terrors. From upstate New York is the award winning Cliudan, The Andy Cooney band (who, according to their 2010 schedule, rarely get a day off), and Jimmy Kelly’s band- he’s had plenty of experience playing with the big names in Celtic music, and some in the country music circuit as well.

A few Irish men have made their home in Philadelphia now and perform regularly in the area (and at Mid-Winter of course). Oliver McElhone always spends President’s Day weekend here, and so does Charlie Zahm. Both are great singer-songwriters who are worth your time. Paddy’s Well is a great pub band from the area and The Sean Fleming band is always performing throughout the tri-state area. These local acts are definitely something you should check out on a weekend when you can’t decide which one of Philadelphia’s hundreds of bars you should spend your night at. Check out their websites and myspaces for upcoming dates. Might as well check out all the other bands I mentioned, too, because they all play constantly in this area.

If you’re reading this and you’ve never been to the festival before, please promise me you’ll come next year. It’s the perfect place to meet new people and put all other worries in the back of your mind for a few days. Everyone knows everyone here, so it’s one big reunion with lots of great food and beer! You’re certain to find something you‘ll like. There are seminars and workshops, whiskey and wine tastings, music sessions, dance classes, and thanks to Brother- you can even make your own digeridoo here. For more information, check out the Reid's website at www.eohebrides.com. They run a bunch of shows and festivals throughout the year an you can get yourself ready for next year’s Mid-winter by checking out on of their upcoming summer festivals (including one appropriately called Mid-summer).

There is a downside, though, which I feel I should warn you about now before you dive in and expose yourself to a heaping amount of new music and friends. While Mid-Winter (and so many other music festivals) is one of the weekends I count down to each year, the worst part is talking about it a week after it ends and wishing you were still at Mid-winter. It has that affect on everyone, so just be aware that it’s coming (and check out my blog post for last year’s review to read more about what I mean). And sorry for this review being a little over a week late, but that’s about how long it takes to recover from Mid-Winter.

by: Brenda Hillegas