Killarney Guide

BY KIM LANGEN

The August long weekend music and arts festival, which featured a plethora of activities and bands, enjoyed great weather, a decent turnout, and audiences who couldn’t get enough of the performers.

“From our end, there were so many successes during the weekend,” said Jane Ireland, arts administrator for the Heritage Home for the Arts and Sights and Sounds Festival board member.  “We definitely doubled our numbers, which was fabulous.”

With everything from country rock and Celtic, to ‘50s dance numbers and new and emerging artists, there really was something for everyone at the second annual arts and music event.

“The main thing however was the audience.  They absolutely loved the performances,” said Ireland. “So much so that several bands could hardly leave the stage – the audience just kept demanding more!  Sunday was especially magical with Banda Taverna capturing the audience’s hearts, and the Bromantics capturing their desire to dance. Killarney loves a good Celtic band and dancing music!  Overall, each audience member seemed to have a favourite day – Friday for the storytelling, folk, rockabilly crowd; Saturday for the country music lovers; and Sunday with the Celts and swing music.”

The group wants to drive ticket sales for next year, they said, and are looking at ways to increase the numbers of festival-goers streaming through the gate.  

“We would like to see more ticket sales for next year,” said Ireland. “Did the long weekend affect sales?  Did ‘Rockin’ the Fields’ in Minnedosa affect them as well?  It is hard to start a new festival when there are so few weekends to choose from in the summer, and you are competing against something else. We are reviewing this year in order to plan for next year. We have also sent out surveys to our volunteers, artisans, and audience members asking for feedback.”

Keep scrolling for a pictorial review of the amazing weekend, along with a few videos too.

AL SIMMONS AND THE THREE TACOS – Entertaining MC for the Sights and Sounds Arts and Music Festival, Al Simmons, posed by the Los Brothers food truck, outfitted with his tasty three-taco dinner box. The Mexican food fare dished up by the ‘hermanos’ was a popular hit at the festival.

KIM LANGEN/KILLARNEY GUIDE PHOTO

RED MOON OPENING – Red Moon Road’s sweet sounds started off the entertainment on Friday.

SAM POLLEY PACKS THE FLOOR – Sam Polley & The Old Tomorrows got the kids up and dancing on Friday night of the festival.

ARTISANS AND A WHOLE LOT MORE – The Artisan Market was popular all weekend, along with ponytail making, face painting and a whole lot more.

LAST BIRDS – Last Birds kicked things off Saturday with a music workshop on the Heritage Home veranda, before taking to the stage for their performance (below).

BOBBY DOVE – Traditional folk country is Bobby Dove’s bread and butter, and the crowd ate it up.

SOLOS – Sherri Shorting (above) and Ivy Venin (below) show their stuff in solo performances.

A SEREDA SATURDAY NIGHT – After a “Man Indigenous Tour” workshop, Jerry Sereda closed out the Saturday with some fine country rock crooning.

THE SUNDAY KICKOFF – T.H.E. (The High-School Experience), Killarney’s local high school band, kicked off Sunday with their special blend of rocking cover tunes.

HOTHEAD – M.C. Al Simmons was on fire during his Sunday afternoon performance, and all weekend long. Below, he closes with a bang.

DUST-UP – Dust Rhinos charged through a high-octane Celtic set to rev up the Irish party.

SWING – Sunday swing lessons in preparation for the headlining Bromantics.

BRAZILIAN CELTIC MUSIC – The soothing sounds of Brazil’s Banda Taverna, with uilleann pipes playing (left).

JAY STRUTH/KILLARNEY GUIDE PHOTOS (above)

JUMP, JIVE AN’ WAIL – The crowd was jumping and jiving and the Bromantics were wailing away to close out Killarney’s second annual Sights and Sounds Festival on Sunday, July 31. The three-day arts and music festival, held on the Heritage Home for the Arts grounds, enjoyed increased attendance this year and another fabulous slate of entertainment. View some videos of the Bromantics below, along with a few more sizzling Saturday and Sunday performances from the festival.

CURT STRUTH/KILLARNEY GUIDE PHOTO