Lake School ramping up...

The eleventh Lake School of Celtic Music Song and Dance begins this Sunday January 3 2010 from 1.30pm. About 500 people are expected to flock to the Western District village of Koroit for the week long activities of learning and performing the many and varied celtic arts.

Koroit is unique in Australia for its Irish settlement, culture and atmosphere. and the opening night kicks off with the Billy Moran Memorial Session at that icon of the Irish in Australia - Micky Bourke's Hotel.

The session will be lead by session master Paddy Fitzgerald, button accordion player from County Clare, who was inducted as a Legend of the Lake in July this year.

During the week there will be tuition in tin whistle, flute, fiddle, mandolin, concertina, guitar, DADGAD guitar, uilleann pipes, banjo, bodhran (irish drum) singing, dancing, songwriting, Irish Language as well the Kids and Youth Program. Feature events and concerts include the Grand Ceilidhe, Songwriters Concert, Paddy O'Neill Award Band and Singers Concert, Tutors Concert and the Spud Poets Award (prizemoney $1000)

New this year is the Celtic Art Exhibition held at the Koroit Country Bakehouse with the launch party at 5.30pm on Tuesday January 5. The exhibition will feature the work of Brenda Grimshaw and her work based on the Book of Kells. Also new is the Ceilidhe at Illowa. The recently refurbished hall will be the centrepiece of a big night of singing, dancing and sessioning.

The Lake School Revue will be staged for the first time on Friday January 7, and Dennis Taberner will be leading banjo sessions - banjo being featured for the first time at the Lake School this year.

The Lake School will be running a big program at Crossley Hally on Wednesday January 6 beginning with a free to the public introduction to Irish Language, lead by, Irish Language expert, Chris Mooney at 2.30pm. The public will also be welcome to join in the regular irish Language class that follows from 3.30pm. Following a BBQ at 5.30pm the Youth Concert and Spud Poets Award will be staged. The Spud Poets Award is a poetry competition open to any Lake School student or member of the Friends of St Brigids. Poems must be approximately 300 words or less with a celtic theme, style or connection.

For any enquiries about the event contact Felix Meagher, Program Director 0413-801284 or Chairman, Vicki Thorpe at the Koroit Tower Hill Caravan Park 03-55657926. Web www.lakeschool.bushwahzee.com