More comments and suggestions from 2006, which will help us greatly as we plan 2007. Keep 'em coming. We really do pay attention.
•Thanks for another great year. We have been there for all 4. While we missed Eileen Ivers this year and hope she’s going to be back soon, Gaelic Storm was a whole lot or fun and a great band! And Millish, OH MY GOD, get them back next year! I had never herd of them before and they are now one of my favorites. Maybe some year we could get Solas. They are another great band that I’d love to see at the Irish fest. We’ve seen them twice at other venues. Thanks again.
•Ladies and Gentlemen, if I had to say only one word it would be: "Outstanding!!!" My wife and my children and I. Have been to every one of your festivals since the beginning and each new year tops the previous year. You are definitely on the right track and all of you should be proud of what you have accomplished in such a short period of time. This year, was the first year that my family and I decided to get a room at the Westin and spend all day Saturday, Saturday night and Sunday at the Festival. Instead of driving to and from our home, here in Leavenworth. It was definitely worth it and we are already planning for next year's event. Again, this years Festival was definitely a success. There will be no complaints from me and if someone should complain....well, they must not have been Irish!!! So congratulations, be proud...go ahead and pat that person sitting next to you on the back, or turn around and shake your fellow worker's hand. For you have all earned it and above all you deserve it! Thank You.
•We had a great time and are looking forward to next year.
•Who ever thought to invite John (Spillane) to the Irish Fest, THANKS! I saw him Sat., and went back Sun. just to hear him again. Do invite him back. He was incredible. He really "set me free," just like his last song sang.
•I have decided you cannot explain kc irish fest tosomeone who hasn't experienced it. Too much to take in and too little time. The staff and volunteers were the best. Mass Sunday morning was truly spiritually. Our only disappointment was trying to see the Elders. As you know their fans overflowed the available seating area and while well prepared to view from grass in
chairs,blankets and other seating we were not prepared to have to deal with all those who chose to stand in front of us. The standing crowd between the provided seating and the grass impacted even on the ability to hear the music. So we left disappointed after only 30minutes. We were so discouraged we didn't even attempt to see performers on the terrace stage again. We are confident that the staff for next year's fest will come up with a plan to allow those seated on the lawn to experience the music.
•The first Festival web site design included pictures from previous years. I can't find that on the new site. It's very possible that it's there, but I just missed it. It also may be fun to have a short video of the festival put on the site of the different performers, the crowd, volunteers, and staff. Just a thought.
•Your website is outstanding!
•We travelled to KC Irishfest from New Lenox Illinois. It was our first time. We usually go to Milwaukee, but seeing as how you were lucky enough to book Mr Luka Bloom, we thought we would come and see how KC does Irish. Of course, we miss not seeing Luka, but hey, Hot House Flowers was a great replacement act...we heard them both nights, and we love them. Your fest was fun and convenient and we stayed at the Hyatt......just lovely. Great job to everyone who worked on the fest.
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I've been reading all the comments posted so far and as someone who has now attended 3 of the past four KC Irish festivals I cannot add any more SUPERLATIVES than others already have. In my mind there is no question this was the BEST festival ever and one is left with the unmistakable feeling that it's only going to get better and better. CONGRATULATIONS to EVERYONE who had ANYTHING to do with it... however... I'm also left with the feeling from the comments so far and the seeming pre-occupation with the Terrace stage lineup and the (obvious) audience comfort issues that a lot of wonderful things that happened this year are getting "lost in the noise" ( pun intended ). I actually
had the HONOR of being a performer at this year's festival appearing twice on the Atrium stage with "Something for the House", an
Irish traditional music band from Arkansas, and let me inject a comment into the thread that myself and my bandmates Judi Warner and Scott Moye could not possibly have been treated better or have had a better time. We felt like we were being treated like royalty and so as far as suggestions in that area go I only have one... don't change a thing!
I was only a performer for 2 shows of 1 hour each, however, and the rest of the time I was just another excited festival goer so here are my "highlights" which contain some things I feel should
NOT get "lost in the noise".
1. John Redmond. PLEASE have him back next year! He was AMAZING. Anyone who did not see and hear the magic that happened ( Twice on the Atrium stage and once at his workshop ) between John and Mick Heffernan of
Fuchsia really missed one of the highlights of the festival. It was
simply awesome... even when they had to shout at the workshop and crank their volumes to play over Gaelic storm's opening set blasting from the Terrace Stage.
2. Tullamore. Performed on the Atrium stage. They played wonderfully and were another highlight for me as a festival goer. Matter of fact... kudos to
ALL the Atrium stage acts. It's a tough little venue to play and requires patience and stage skill to reach out to a 3-story audience but everyone did well from Bob Reeder to the Kelihans. Congrats to all for holding forth over there!
3. Hobgoblin Music. Might not be important to some but for someone like me with a passion for the music their booth was, in fact, a highlight of the festival and you
should definitely make sure their
booth is there again next year. Sometimes you find books and CDs at
their booth that you won't find ANYWHERE else.
4. The SET dances at the workshops.
I don't think people realize that the dance workshops also feature some special performances by the teachers and the callers and the attending dance societies when there are 'breaks' in the instruction to let people rest. Anyone who didn't see Mairtin De Cogain and Mitra Tibidian "cutting the rug" together on the dance floor really missed a highlight of the festival. Even if you don't want to dance... you should always be sure to catch the professionals doing their thing over at the dance workshops. You won't be sorry!
That's about it. This comment is probably too long but I just wanted to mention a few things that I thought were getting "lost in the noise". Congratulations again to EVERYONE for the best KC Irish festival ever.
Yours
Kevin Kiley
Here's an area of your Fest which I thought was exceptional and I hope that it was visited & enjoyed by others in between the music: The Heritage area, with its wonderful displays telling the story of the K.C. Southern railroad & Nelly Don garment companies. Very well researched & beautifully presented, and leads us to ponder how different KC would be without such as these Irish immigrant entrepreneurs --- their descendants wouldn't be hosting a Fest, for one thing! Great job!
is there a way to have screens at the main stage so the people in the north forty could see? I think that you can hear well back in the grass but I'm wondering if it would be feasable to put up screens kinda like Verizon ampitheater. that way people won't complain about not seeing the elders. just a thought.
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