It’s a moveable feast of music and entertainment at the 129th British Columbia Highland Games.
The Barra MacNeil’s on their 40th Anniversary tour will headline ScotFestBC’s Big Tent stage with shows on Saturday afternoon and evening, hosted by Patricia Fraser. Plus The Whiskeydicks, Pat Chessell, A “Haka” welcome to any visiting Kiwi soccer fans, Clara & Tristan on “Free Friday”, Robyn Carrigan, Zephan Knichel, Gord Pollock and the SFU Celtic Studies presentation on Highland Jacobites.
The Cultural Workshop will also hold a big and small piping workshop with Dr. Gord Pollock and SFU piper Zephan Knichel. Dr. Leith Davis from the SFU Centre on Scottish Studies will present on the Jacobites, Neil MacLean on the history of the BC Highland Games and our returning favourite Robyn Carrigan with an interactive Gaelic language session. Highland dancing open competition takes place on the Highland Dancing Stage in The Meadow. Wander the grounds to discover some of the sights and sounds of Scottish & Celtic culture in BC. See below for more details about our performers.
The Barra MacNeils
Big Tent Stage
Saturday, June 20 – 3:15 pm & 7:45 pm
Grab your dancing shoes! The Barra MacNeil’s of Nova Scotia will headline ScotFestBC as part of their 40ieth anniversary tour.
For four decades, the Cape Breton-based family group have been thrilling audiences of all ages, near and far, with their sparkling repertoire, vocals, instrumental prowess and vibrant showmanship.
The MacNeil siblings are widely regarded as one of the greatest live concert acts in the Celtic world. Hailing from Sydney Mines, Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia, the family group is deeply rooted in Celtic music, culture, dance, language and history. Their numerous critically acclaimed recordings have included their own original songs as well as tried and true standards, both instrumental and vocal.
Their live concert experience brings so much more to the stage than most live acts ever can. Multiple lead vocalists, beautiful sibling harmonies, top drawer instrumental prowess on a wide variety of acoustic, stringed, percussion and wind instruments blended with dancing, storytelling, Gaelic songs and a journey through an ancient culture; it is family entertainment at its highest level.
Steeped in Cape Breton tradition with strong Celtic roots and musical artistry, this diverse and talented family group continues to wow audiences around the world with their captivating vocals, harmonies and extraordinary musicianship.
The Whiskeydicks
Big Tent Stage
Friday, June 19 – 8:00 pm
Celtic-World-Party-Folk-Rockers The Whiskeydicks brew fiery fiddle, titillating trumpet, giddy guitar, busty bass, delicious drums, and a quaffable quartet of voices to tell legends of good times past, and infuse classic songs in ways one would never imagine.
“If Gogol Bordello and the Corb Lund Band got drunk, hooked up and then nine months later popped out a little whippersnapper, that baby would probably be The Whiskeydicks. That is to say this BC-by-way-of-Whitehorse band combine various elements of Celtic, country, rock and Roma music and filter them through punk sensibilities and a rowdy disposition.”
– Ty Trumbull of Exclaim! Magazine
The Whiskeydicks are no stranger to ScotFestBC. They have rocked the Big Tent several times since 2021 and we welcome them back for a Celtic ruckus on Free Friday.
Bob Collins
Big Tent Stage
Saturday, June 19 – 2:30 pm
Bob Collins hails from St John’s, NL, ‘immigrating’ to BC in 1978. Bob is a regular on the Vancouver Celtic pub scene performing solo and with the duos Chapter 11 and The Lucky Pennys. He’s in high demand for Robbie Burns and St. Paddy’s Day celebrations and is no stranger to the highland games, being a past president of the BC Highland Dancing Association. Bob is thrilled to be back performing at the British Columbia Highland Games to help support and pass on our traditional Scottish music to the ScotFestBC audience.
Pat Chessell
Big Tent Stage
Friday, June 20 6:45 pm
Pat Chessell is a Canadian folk singer-songwriter renowned for his soulful melodies, poignant lyrics, and captivating storytelling. With a career steeped in collaboration and a deep-rooted passion for championing the underdog,
Chessell has carved a unique niche in the Canadian and Celtic folk music scene.
His live performances are known for their raw energy and heartfelt connection with audiences, showcasing his unwavering commitment to his craft. Pat has graced the ScotFestBC stage in the past and we welcome him and his music back to our Games.
TE TINI A MĀUI
Big Tent Stage
Friday, June 20 4:00 pm
To honour all New Zealander’s in-town for the Sunday World Cup match against Egypt, we have invited Te Tini A Maui to perform a welcome haka for any visiting Kiwi’s. The group is a whānau (family) based Māori cultural dance group based in Vancouver where Haka keeps the group connected to their roots in Aotearoa, New Zealand.
The group started in 2009 to bring together Vancouver based whānau who wanted to sing Māori songs – just because it was something Māori did back home in Aotearoa, New Zealand.
The Māori living in Vancouver remain connected to their traditional Māori language and practices through Māori dances and songs. This is their first appearance at ScotFestBC.
Robyn Carrigan
Cultural Tent
Saturday, June 21 – 4:00 pm
Nova Scotia’s Robyn Carrigan grew up surrounded by music and Gaelic culture. Robyn is a regular returnee to ScotFestBC thanks to the immense popularity of her presentation in the Cultural Tent. This presentation offers a unique and authentic window into the world of the Gaels who immigrated to Canada in the 19th century, including a milling frolic for everyone.
