This week welcomes the return of the “Gig’n the Bann” Cross Cultural Music and Dance festival to the banks of the River Bann in Portglenone.
Marking the festival’s 15th anniversary, it is set to offer an impressive line-up of top local performers spanning traditional, Scottish, gospel and folk music genres; as well as walks, Giro d’Portglenone cycle race, art exhibitions and the annual Contribution to Music Awards.
Taking place from the 11th – 14th September 2014, it is set to showcase only the finest talent from around the picturesque Fresh Waters* of the River Bann and Portglenone village. The action packed 3-day event is filled with family fun events and kicks off with a 5K run and walk aimed at raising vital funds for the Community Rescue Service. Local artist Conor Larkin from Kilrea will also return with this fantastic collections; as will the search to find ‘Young Band of the Year’, won last year by ‘Cúig’ who will be performing once again.
On Saturday, ‘De Danann’ will top the bill at the Wild Duck. They were formed in 1975 in Galway and became one of the most influential bands in traditional Irish Music. Their distinctive approach to the traditional both musically and vocally have been the cornerstone of the Irish Music for over two decades and be making their debut appearance at the festival.
So whether you want to listen to the sound of the pipes and drums or attend one of the many concerts or outdoor events over the course of the weekend, ‘Gig’n the Bann’ offers something for everyone! Mark these dates in your diaries and you will be assured a very warm welcome and a weekend of top class entertainment on the banks of the Bann.
Tickets for the concerts on Friday, Saturday and Sunday evening can be reserved by emailing organisers info@gignthebann.com. For more information, please log onto www.gignthebann.com or check out the official Facebook page @Gignthebann.
*Portglenone, Belturbet, Kilrea and Drumaheglis are all benefiting from the Fresh Waters campaign, a £1.29m pound investment by the European Union’s INTERREG IVA Programme, which is encouraging locals to ‘Explore a New View’ the four Ulster river towns. The investment is managed by The North East Partnership (NEP).