The 2023 daily schedule is now up! You can download the schedule and the registration form. 

We will begin our festival on Thursday, September 21st with a “welcome event” at UPTOP, where attendees can meet old friends and new, and maybe play a few tunes or dance in an “opening session”. 

There will be a few introductory classes followed by a 4:30 concert in Cuchara, “The Lads at the Dog Bar”.  Thursday evening’s concert will be at the La Veta Mercantile. Friday and Saturday will include a full slate of workshops and demos, culminating each evening with a performance at the Fox Theater in Walsenburg. 

Friday will also feature a free outdoor performance at Miner’s Plaza in Walsenburg at 5:00 PM. We will wrap it up Sunday morning with a now familiar “Tea and Scones” free event, including a special Q&A Panel Discussion, and a Sunday afternoon concert.

Our schedule contains some very exciting events this year

Schedule :

September 21, 2023

WELCOME GATHERING AND OPEN SESSION AT UPTOP - for festival & retreat participants, tutors & artists

11:00am – 2:00pm : FREE - UPTOP

JOIN US AROUND THE LUNCH HOUR TO MEET UP WITH OLD FRIENDS AND NEW.

All participants are invited to play a tune in the first open session of the Festival.

F01 CEILI DANCING – All Levels – THE BYRNE BROTHERS

11:00Am – 12:00pm FREE UPTOP

Don’t miss the first chance to kick up your heels this weekend. Live music.

F02 PICNIC LUNCH BREAK: LUNCH AND CONVERSATION

12:00pm – 12:45pm FREE UPTOP

Bring a picnic lunch and your favorite blanket or folding chair and meet up with old friends or make new friends.

F03 CEILI/SESSION - THE BYRNE BROTHERS AND FESTIVAL ARTISTS AND FRIENDS

1:00pm – 2:00pm FREE UPTOP

Open to all, so bring your instruments, dancing shoes, voices, and join the party!

F04 INTRODUCTION TO WHISTLE - Beginner - JIM REMINGTON

3:00pm – 4:00m FREE LVSA

An introductory class for people who have never played the whistle. Learn whistle types, playing basics and learn a simple tune. Whistles provided or bring

your own.

W01 FLUTE BEG/INT

DAVE MIGOYA

3:00pm – 4:00pm $20 MTHDST CHURCH UL

Flute – Beg/Int Basic technique

F05 INTRODUCTION TO BODHRAN – Beginner BEG/INT

DEMPSY BYRNE

3:00pm – 4:00pm FREE THEATER

Dempsey teaches you how to position a bodhran, execute basic strokes, and get down to playing with some basic,

solid technique. Bodhrans provided or bring your own.

C01 CONCERT: THE LADS AT THE DOG BAR

PATSY O’BRIEN, ERIC THORIN, & JEFF LINDBLADE

4:30 – 6:00pm $25 DOG BAR CUCHARA

Join Patsy, Eric, and Jeff in the relaxed setting of Cuchara’s Dog Bar for rousing songs, tall tales, and general merrymaking.

C02 CONCERT: JOHN DOYLE IN CONCERT (ADVANCE TICKETS ONLY)

7:30 $30 LA VETA MERCANTILE

Responding to many repeated requests, this concert features John Doyle in a solo concert.

Join us for an evening with a master guitarist!

September 22, 2023

F06 INTRODUCTION TO WHISTLE BEG JIM REMINGTON

9:00am – 10:00am FREE LVSA

An introductory class for people who have never played the whistle. Learn whistle types, playing basics and learn a simple tune. Whistles provided or bring your own.

W02 SESSION PLAYING PT. 1A MELODY INT/ADV BOW TIDES, LINDBLADE

9:00am – 10:30am $30 LA VETA MERCANTILE

Learn what it means to play a melody instrument in a session context. Topics covered will include building a set, creative transitions, adding harmony, session playing vs. performance, and understanding the meaning of a tune.

W03 SESSION PLAYING PT. 1B RHYTHM INT/ADV THORIN, DOYLE, WILLIAMS

9:00am – 10:30am $30 THEATER

Learn what it means to play a rhythm instrument in a session context. Topics covered will include building a set, creative transitions, adding harmony, session playing vs. performance, and understanding the meaning of a tune.

D01 THE “JACK TALES” OF SCOTLAND AND APPALACHIA ALL BARBARA YULE

10:00am – 11:00am $20 LIBRARY

These traditional tales and their many variants are known in hundreds of countries world-wide having been passed down through the centuries. The stories this morning are from the Appalachian mountaineers and the Scottish traveling people.

The similarities and differences of their Jack stories vividly reflect on the character and lives of the people themselves.

W04 BEGINNER IRISH DANCE BEG GOTHARD SISTERS

11:00am – 12:00pm $20 LVSA

Learn basic technique and a few simple dances from a jig to a reel, with bits of interesting info on Irish dance and its history sprinkled in-between.

W05 GUITAR – DROP “D” PLAYING/ STRUM PATTERNS BEG/INT JEFF LINDBLADE

11:00am – 12:00pm $20 MTHDST CHURCH, UL

This class is for newer guitarists and those new to Irish traditional music. We will focus on how and when to use drop “D” tuning. Students will also learn common effective strum patterns.

W06 FLUTE - EXPANDING TECHNIQUE INT/ADV SEAN GAVIN

11:00am –12:30pm $30 MTHDST CHURCH LL

Attention is given to ornamentation, breathing, style and repertoire, while continuing to emphasize rhythm and phrasing in the music. Tunes will be taught by ear so bring a flute and a recording device.

D02 DEMO: THE BOY PATRICK: HOW A BOY BECAME THE SAINT ALL PATSY O’BRIEN

11:00am – 12:30pm $30 THEATER

This project balances out the typical St Patrick’s Day shenanigans with an educational project that will educate, entertain, and represent authentic Irish culture responsibly, through a spoken narrative with musical accompaniment recounting the factual tales and adventurous exploits of the young Patrick, from his capture and enslavement as a young man, through his daring escape, and beyond, into his later return to Ireland as a missionary.

Come and enjoy a breathtaking adventure full of daring-do, and a story ripe for the telling!

W07 ALL INSTRUMENTS – NEW TUNES FOR OLD PLAYERS UPPER INT/ADV BURNS, KLEIN, WILLIAMS

12:30pm – 2:00pm $30 LA VETA MERCANTILE

This upper-level class will look at learning unfamiliar tunes and enhancing them using variations and ornaments for a more dynamic set creation. Music will be provided after the class for you to write in your own enhancements for future use.

D03 DEMO: RAGAS TO REELS ALL LAL, HORAN

1:00pm – 2:00pm $20 THEATER

Bringing together Indian classical music and traditional Irish music, this presentation will truly entertain and inform you.

W08 ALL INSTRUMENTS – VARIATIONS AND HOW TO DO THEM – PT. 1 ALL

DAVID MIGOYA

2:00pm – 3:00pm $20 MTHDST CHURCH, UL

Find the musical niche that each tune offers and best represents and showcases your style of play. This two-part class delves into how variations are constructed, how to devise them, and, depending on the instrument, what works and what doesn't.

The class will take a look at a pair of well-known tunes that most players already know and the variations from them and will offer the player a pair of new tunes with the opportunity in the second hour of finding their own voice within them.

The ability to read music is helpful but not necessary. Understanding basic ABC notation is also helpful and similarly not necessary. The tunes will be made available before the festival.

W09 IRISH GUITAR STYLES BEG/INT PATSY O’BRIEN

2:00pm– 3:00pm $20 MTHDST CHURCH, LL

Playing guitar in Irish music- tips, tricks, and techniques for beginning to intermediate players.

W10 WHISTLE - EXPANDING TECHNIQUE INT/ADV SEAN GAVIN

3:00pm –4:00pm $20 THEATER

Attention is given to ornamentation, breathing, style and repertoire, while continuing to emphasize rhythm and phrasing in the music. Tunes will be taught by ear so bring your D whistle and a recording device.

W11 GUITAR – ACCOMPANYING TRADITIONAL TUNES ON GUITAR INT/ADV JOHN DOYLE

3:30pm– 5:00pm $30 LA VETA MERCANTILE

This class looks at some of the best approaches to designing effective harmonies, rhythms, and styles for accompanying various traditional tunes.
W12 FIDDLE – EXPANDING TECHNIQUE INT/ADV WINIFRED HORAN

3:45pm– 5:15pm $30 MTHDST CHURCH, UL

For those with strong intermediate to advanced fiddle skills. Will address advanced technique, style, and interpretation.

F07 CONCERT: 6th STREET HOOLEY ALL

5:00pm - 6:00pm FREE MINER’S PLAZA 6th ST, WALSENBURG

Join us outside at Miner’s Plaza for a performance by the Gothard Sisters!

C03 CONCERT: O’BRIEN, O’SULLIVAN, GAVIN, SHEARS, WILLIAMS, THE BYRNE BROTHERS ALL

7:00pm $30 FOX THTR, WALSENBURG

Join us for an evening with Patsy O’Brien, followed by Jerry O’Sullivan, Sean Gavin, Barry Shears, John Williams, and The Byrne Brothers. This is sure to be an exciting evening!

LATE NIGHT SESSIONS (from 10:00pm to closing)

IN LA VETA: LA VETA MERCANTILE

September 23, 2023

W13 SESSION PLAYING PT. II INT/ADV

BOW TIDES, REVERIE ROAD, DOYLE

9:30am – 11:00am $30 LA VETA MERCANTILE

We bring together the melody and rhythm groups from Friday to combine those good session playing skills.

Attendance at the Friday workshops strongly recommended.

D04 DEMO: SCOTTISH AND IRISH CASTLES – WHEN IS A CASTLE NOT A CASTLE? ALL TONY MASINTON

10:00am – 11:00am $20 THEATER

Not every romantic ruin was once a battle-hardened veteran of war. Castles were many things over their lifetimes. We will explore some of the most fascinating monuments to Scotland’s and to Ireland’s past, and will discover how they are both less, and far more, than they seem.

F07 DEMO: TUNES AND STEPS: LINKING MUSIC AND DANCE ALL BYRNE BROTHERS, GOTHARD SISTERS

11:15am – 12:15pm FREE LV PARK PAVILION

Ever wonder about the relationship between dance and music.

This demonstration will help the musician understand the role of dance and help the dancer understand the role of music as we explore jigs, reels, hornpipes, slides, etc. This demo will help prepare you for a ‘Ceili in the Park’ to follow.

F08 CEILI IN THE PARK ALL

BYRNE BROTHERS, GOTHARD SISTERS

12:15pm – 1:15pm FREE LV PARK PAVILION

Join us for an hour of dance and a good time in the La Veta Park. Bring a lunch and be prepared to “kick up your heels”.

D05 DEMO: THE IRISH POTATO FAMINE – IRELAND’S LOSS BECAME AMERICA’S GAIN ALL SAM LAW

12:30pm – 1:30pm $20 THEATER

One morning their potatoes turned black. Thus did the rural Irish lose the food for their breakfast, lunch and supper--for four years--killing one million people and forcing two million people to flee to North America, to become a laborer/servant class ultimately giving us Lucille Ball and President John F. Kennedy. Come hear the story from local storyteller, Sam Law.

D06 DEMO: CLASSICAL TO CELTIC ALL JESSIE BURNS, WINIFRED HORAN, ELERY KLEIN, KATIE GRENNAN

1:00pm – 2:00pm $20 LA VETA MERCANTILE

Learn how these classically trained musicians made the successful transition to the world of Celtic music!

D07 DEMO: WHEN ART MIMICS HISTORY – COMPOSING TUNES ON HISTORICAL

THEMES ALL

JOHN DOYLE

1:00pm – 2:00pm $20 MTHDST CHURCH, UL

One of John’s amazing talents is his ability to paint a musical picture of historical events in the history of the

Irish people. John will demonstrate and explain what influences him and how he goes about writing his music.

F09 PIPE RETREAT PLAYERS ALL

ARTISTS AND STUDENTS FROM THE PIPE RETREAT

1:15pm – 2:15pm FREE LA VETA LIBRARY (OUTSIDE)

A performance event for folks that enjoy the pipes. Free for everyone

D08 DEMO: WHILE MY SQUEEZE BOX GENTLY WEEPS – AIRS OF IRELAND AND

BEYOND ALL

JOHN WILLIAMS

2:00pm – 3:00pm $20 FRANCISCO FORT SALOON

Join accordionist John in the Francisco Fort Saloon as he plays and talks about airs of Celtic lands.

W14 WHISTLE BEG/INT

DAVE MIGOYA

2:00pm – 3:00pm $20 MTHDST CHURCH LL

Whistle – Beg/Int Basic technique and tunes.

D10 DEMO: MUSIC MARKETING IN 2023: THE GOLDEN AGE AND THE WILD WEST ALL

GRETA GOTHARD

2:00pm – 3:00pm $20 LIBRARY

How to be a musician with an on-line presence and make sense of social media, websites, email newsletters, streaming, traditional print media and more.

This will be part presentation and part discussion – come with your questions and we’ll explore this unique era we’re all in..

D09 DEMO: MOSTLY TRUE STORIES FROM IRELAND ALL

JIM REMINGTON

3:15pm – 4:15pm $20 LIBRARY

Just about everyone enjoys a good story. Experience the magic of story through Jim’s tales of his travels through Ireland.

W15 ALL INSTRUMENTS: VARIATIONS AND HOW TO DO THEM PT. 2 INT/ADV DAVID MIGOYA

3:15pm – 4:15pm $20 MTHDST CHURCH UL

This workshop is part 2 of the series. Make sure to sign up for both for the best experience!

W16 ARRANGE A TUNE LIKE THE GOTHARD SISTERS ALL

3:15pm – 4:15pm $20 MTHDST CHURCH LL

Go beyond the traditional methods of arranging tunes and explore the Gothard Siters’ unique approach to

composing and arranging original tunes. These concepts can be applied to traditional tunes and songs as well.

C04 CONCERT: THE BOW TIDES, REVERIE ROAD AND FRIENDS  ALL

7:00pm $30 FOX THTR, WALSENBURG

Festival favorites unite for a delightful evening of music!

LATE NIGHT SESSIONS (from 10:00pm to closing)

IN LA VETA: LA VETA MERCANTILE

September 24, 2023

F10 SUNDAY DISCUSSION AND Q&A WITH TEA AND SCONES ALL

9:00am – 11:00am FREE ESTELLE CENTER

Enjoy conversation, camaraderie, tea and scones.

F11 POP-UP SESSIONS ALL

11:30am – 12:30am FREE VARIOUS

This is your chance to get together with your mates for one last chance to play your favorite tunes together.

Find a spot in the park, outside the La Veta Mercantile, near the Festival office, or wherever you can create music together!

C05 FINAL CONCERT: THE GOTHARD SISTERS (ADVANCE TICKETS ONLY) ALL

1:00pm $30 LA VETA MERCANTILE

Final Concert and Farewell from the 2023 Spanish Peaks International Celtic Music Festival!

Click Here to Register in Spanish Peaks International Celtic Music Festival

Date : Septembner 21, 2023 - September 24, 2023

Location : Various Location in Co

Click Here to View More Information