the BCMFest Mission

1. To produce locally-based Irish, Scottish and Cape Breton music and dance in an upbeat and all-ages friendly environment.
   
2. To bolster appreciation for traditional Celtic culture among youth and the greater Boston community.
   
3. To support a living, changing tradition by encouraging cross-genre collaboration and innovation among dancers and musicians of all generations.
   
4. To produce a variety of collaborative projects and performances for, in and of the greater Boston community.

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History

How do two ice cream cones lead to a two-day event of Irish, Scottish and Cape Breton music and dance, and a regular series of Celtic events?

It all started when Laura Cortese (Scottish fiddle) and Shannon Heaton (Irish flute) met up on the way to a show at Johnny D’s in Somerville’s Davis Square. They stopped in Denise’s ice cream before the show, and started talking about all the great traditional acts they’d seen lately -- a few stellar local bands, and a stream of players from Ireland and Scotland and Cape Breton.

As they ate ice cream in Davis Square, they started talking about how excellent it would be if even more of the fine local trad players [link to schedule page] worked with good folk music venues like Club Passim , The Burren Bar , Johnny D’s and the Canadian American Club to reflect the wide and spectacular pool of Celtic artists in the Boston area and to involve and to attract the audiences who love these traditions.

By the end of the concert that evening, Laura and Shannon had begun to cook up plans for a weekend-long showcase of local traditional talent -- a Boston Celtic Music Fest to celebrate the rich, diverse pool of traditional music and dance talent in the Boston-area AND to generate excitement, ideas, organizational infrastructure, seed money, and audience and artist support for a funded concert series of local traditional music and dance (with a different concert each season, featuring different Boston-based music and dance acts!).

Laura and Shannon’s initial enthusiasm for BCMFest (the festival and, eventually, the concert series), as well as the growing line-up of people who continue to get involved with BCMFest, helps explain the viability and vitality of a high quality festival and series of Boston-based traditional music and dance.

As BCMFest enters its fourth year, the festival is stronger than ever, and its vision more refined. By presenting touring professionals, tradition-bearers, and young performers, the festival offers a variety of music not found anywhere else. And by continuing to make the music the first priority, BCMFest avoids the pitfalls of corporate control.

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performer categories

(note: applications are due July 1, 2006, and are available on the Performers page.)

There are currently five performer categories for BCMFest:

1. Tradition-Bearer.
Boston is fortunate to have a number of seasoned musicians, people who have helped to shape the strong traditional music scene we enjoy here today. Every year, BCMFest will invite representatives of the Tradition-Bearer category. If you are a leader in the community and know you will be around for the January 12-13, 2007 festival, pleasebe in touch.

2. Touring Professional.
Our community is home to many top class musicians; many of whom are often hired to perform throughout the country. If you are a Touring Professional and would like to apply for BCMFest 2007, we would love to consider your touring act OR a new collaboration for the January 12-13, 2007 festival--if there's something you've always wanted to try out, BCMFest is the place to try it out.
Simply:
* Fill out an application
* You do NOT need to send a sound sample, unless you have NEVER BEFORE performed for BCMFest.

3. Sessioneers.
Session players are the lifeblood of the Boston Music Community. BCMFest has proudly presented some of our city's finest session musicians--as some of the newer session players. If you are an active session musician and would like to perform, please apply--and do let us know what other musicians you would prefer to accompany you.
Simply:
* Fill out an application
* You do NOT need to send a sound sample, unless you have NEVER BEFORE performed for BCMFest

4. New Bands on the Block.
Got an act you've started rehearsing and want a great local gig? BCMFest can provide a high-profile outlet for your music! Every year performing slots are available for new acts.
Simply:
* Fill out an application
* Send in a sound sample if you have never before performed for the fest.

5 . Next Generation.
BCMFest is committed to the idea that young traditional musicians are, quite simply, the traditional musicians of the future. Every year performing slots are available for young performers and new collaborations, and we welcome applications from newer groups.
Simply:
* Fill out an application
* Send in a CURRENT sound sample

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frequently asked questions

Can I play at the festival?

BCMFest restricts itself to performers of celtic music who reside or are active in the Boston celtic music community. We are not currently booking acts from other geographic areas or musical styles.If your music fits in with our mission, please see the performers page for information about how to apply.

When are performer applications due?

July 1, 2006 for the 2007 festival.

I am craft artisan. Can I display my work?

At the present time, we do not have any sort of vendor area.

Why are all the venues alchohol free?

We have gravitated towards alchohol free venues so that all events can be open to all ages. As in the past, there will be plenty of pubs in the area where you can enjoy an adult beverege if you desire.

Why January? The weather is so bad!

Precisely. We need something to look forward to! Seriously, the decision was initially made because it tends to be a slow time for touring musicians, so a lot of folks tend to be in town. And there is something about bad weather that helps make good music.

I'd really like to help out. How can I help?

We'd love to talk to you! Volunteers are needed in almost all areas of event production. Check out the volunteer page for more info.

My question wasn't answered here. Where can I turn for help?

You can get in touch via the contact page. If we don't have an answer, we'll find one.

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