Ed Said #19

After a long hiatus from Tir na Blog, Kansas City Irish Fest president Ed "Shellfish" Scanlon brings you his second Ed Said post in just two days. This time around, his take on our recently completed journey to the conference up in Canada.

"After attending the convention of festival directors in Cape Breton I've learn that you all should be very proud of yourselves, the Kansas City Irish Fest has positioned itself as one of the "darlings" of the festival world. That could not have happened with the hard work of a great Board, Committee, a very large crew of volunteers and 85,000 of our friends that come to the party. This last weekend it was clear that we are doing something right in Kansas City. I guess it is easy since we are following the example of all the other festivals that have been around a lot longer than us. There are many great festivals throughout the United States that we all should make a point to visit. These festivals are run by a very crazy crew of wonderful people who like to throw parties. That sort of describes KCIF Board. Keli and Danny did a wonderful presentation on design and marketing of the festival. Patti and I were proud as peacocks during the presentation. They were brilliant and our Festival Cow danced her way into the hearts of the delegates. I want to make it clear that we do not consider ourselves festival know it all's. We came away with some great information that will certainly improve our festival.

Ed's highlights of the weekend:
1) The hospitality of the Canadian Government that looks at Celtic Music as a national treasure that they want to share with the world and are seriously committed to making sure that happens.
2) The never ending amount of talent the is located in Nova Scotia. You can open the door of nearly every home and hear fantastic music coming from the kitchens. Winter entertainment on the island is a kitchen party. Everyone singing, playing the fiddle, wearing out the tiles on the floor dancing with happy feet while sitting chairs.
3) Celtic music sung in French. They win your heart and play with a passion for their music. You can see the joy on their faces when they play. The group Les Girls (7 young women artist) are smiling when they come on the stage and the smiles do not leave their faces till some time the next afternoon I would guess. These are not painted on Hollywood faces but genuine pleasure to be playing music.
4) Listening to the directors of the other US festivals. The problem is; trying to figure out how to attend them all. Meeting all the directors as well, they are a fun group. I wish I could remember their names, but that is ok by the end of the weekend some were calling me Elmer Deagle.
5) Lobster. Enough said."

Ed Scanlon