Music and Reviews from Clare, Limerick, Waterford and sometimes further afield

Tuesday, June 24, 2014

Eclectic Picnic: Jammin' at the Cork Midsummer Fest



Best Dressed Picnic Ladies. No sitting on the grass in these outfits.


I spent Sunday in the Park with denizens of Cork who flocked to the Mardyke for a Picnic, one of a range of events on the Midsummer Fest programme.   Planning a picnic is a precarious endeavour, a triumph of hope over experience.  Just the merest sprinkle of rain and the whole venture evaporates. Thankfully the weather Gods were kind and the sun shone gloriously on an eclectic assortment of revelers gathered in Fitzgerald Park. Gadabout Ladies dressed for tea on the Titanic rubbed shoulders with perambulating Roman Centurions, (who knew there is a local Roman Military Society?),  There were a plethora of performers; musicians, singers, jugglers,  balloons, dogs and boys and girls who had lots of wonderful songs to sing and marvelous games to play. The event team were aiming for a  gentle nostalgic vibe with a vintage Victorian ambiance in keeping with the genesis of the Park.
Fidleir jamming with Quango Rhinehearts. Love the top hat and tails.

It was a busy afternoon for my fiddle. After a mid morning spot of jamming with Ian and the  delightful Quango Rhinehearts, I made a guest appearance on the main stage with the Dust Busters Light Orchestra. This wonderful initiative directed by Aine O Halloran aims to give adult learners and lapsed players access to an enjoyable playing experience. Then it was off to the Sky Garden  for my al fresco solo gig serenading visitors to the spectacular new viewing gallery overlooking the river. Definitely one of the most coolest spaces I have been privileged to perform in! Finally I made a beeline for the  lily pond for a ukehooly sing song. A lovely day!

Coolest gig venue ever for Fidleir Serenades.

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