BRUNSWICK — The Saltwater Celtic Music Festival will welcome a singular lineup of local, national and international musicians for two days of outstanding traditional and contemporary Celtic music July 20-21, at Thomas Point Beach.

Recently added to the lineup are the Maine Public Safety Pipe and Drum Corps and New York’s Nassau County Fire Fighter’s Pipes and Drums. The groups share a noteworthy bond formed when the Maine corps used its annual fundraiser to support the Nassau County group’s Hurricane Sandy relief effort.

Saltwater is the only New England appearance for several of this year’s featured acts. Headlining and making their Maine debuts are The Young Dubliners, whose style blends traditional Irish music with modern rock, and the Paci?c Northwest’s Gothard Sisters, champion Irish dancers whose energetic live performances combine Irish step dancing with Celtic arrangements of traditional and popular music.

Returning Festival favorites include Canadian Celtic rockers Enter the Haggis, Celtic pop/rock band Screaming Orphans, Quebec’s Raz-de-Maree, Scotland’s Paul McKenna Band, Maeve Gilchrist and the John Byrne Band. Local favorites Naia, The Squid Jiggers and others are also scheduled to perform at Saltwater’s satellite events.

Innovative singer, songwriter, and harpist Maeve Gilchrist returns to emcee the Festival on Saturday, and noted author and John F. Kennedy National Award recipient Kevin O’Hara will emcee the Sunday schedule. University of Southern Maine professor Michael Shaughnessy will return to supervise art projects.

Gates open at 1 p.m. Saturday, July 20, and 11 a.m. Sunday, July 21. Tickets are available at www.saltwaterfest.com and at Bull Moose stores.

Copy the Story Link