With only a week left until the popular Bluegrass Music Festival at the Ulster American Folk Park, demand for tickets has proven to be extremely high following the announcement that a fantastic line-up of top-class artists are set to perform in 2007. Tickets are still available but if you want to be guaranteed not to miss out, you better get them quick.
Set against the unique and stunning backdrop of the museum's exhibit buildings, the festival offers something for everyone from the bluegrass music enthusiast to those just seeking a day out with a difference.
Almost 9,000 people attended last year's festival which is now considered as one of most popular attractions on the country's event calendar. Taking place from Friday, August 31 to Sunday, September 2, the line up includes American acts Steep Canyon Rangers, Lovell Sisters and Malpass Brothers while former festival favourites Sunny Side from the Czech Republic and Red Wine from Italy will also be making a welcome return.
Headline act for this year's Saturday evening concert will be the award-winning Steep Canyon Rangers. First formed in the stairwells and kitchens of Chapel Hill, North Carolina, The Rangers have built up a powerful reputation as an engaging quintet seasoned by constant touring. As the current International Bluegrass Music Association's Emerging Artist of the Year, they have carved out a special spot in the world of bluegrass basing their sound around a stunning catalogue of original songs drawn from honky tonk and blues.
Headlining the Friday night gig will be The Lovell Sisters (Hailed by many as the next Dixie Chicks) from Calhoun, Georgia. At only 15, 17 and 20 years of age, the tight harmonies of Jessica, Megan and Rebecca Lovell are guaranteed to supply youthful vigour to this year's event.
Once again the popular Bluegrass in the Park afternoon sessions will take place on Saturday and Sunday afternoon between 1pm and 6pm. These afternoon sessions offer the ideal opportunity to appreciate all the festival acts as more than a dozen artists perform against the unique backdrops of the museum's exhibit buildings.
This element of the festival has proven so popular in recent years that it has been extended in 2007 to include sessions on Friday afternoon between 2pm and 5pm.
Ensuring the festival is not only about enjoying the music, the programme also includes a number of opportunities for visitors to engage with the artists themselves thanks to a series of workshops and lectures. This includes instrument workshops where you can spend an hour in the company of some of the master musicians and improve your playing skills in both the old-time and bluegrass tradition.
General tickets are available from the Bluegrass Ticket Hotline on 028 8224 3292 or for further details log on to the new festival website at
www.bluegrassomagh.com — featuring in-depth information on the three day bumper programme, biographies of all the artists as well as a Ticketmaster facility for booking evening concert tickets.
