THE THIRD annual Galway Americana Festival of music and culture takes place this weekend at venues across the city as well as Kinvara.
Tonight will see Tom Ball and Kenny Sultan from the States bringing their unique blend of guitar and harmonica blues to The Crane Bar. Rockabilly heroes Spellbound perform at Kelly’s Bar on Bridge Street.
Friday will see Joe Fury and The Hayride at the Crane Bar with high-energy rockabilly, and toe-tapping dancing music. At Monroe’s Tavern Without George will play what has been described as music like the soundtrack to a gangster movie.
In Johnston’s in Kinvara Americans Bill Evans and Megan B Lynch will play banjo-led bluegrass, folk, and swing.
Saturday sees festivities continuing as Monroe’s Tavern hosts The Lazy Blues Band. At The Crane, Bill Evans and Megan B Lynch play creative interpretations of modern tunes and standards. They are followed by The Molly Hicks featuring Ruth Dillon, Bernie O’Mahoney, Tom Hanway and Paul Johnson. Johnston’s Hall in Kinvara will host Mark Brown of Uncle Buckle.
On the final day of the festival there will be a
Galway Americana Festival talk with author and musicologist Dr PJ Curtis at 2pm followed by The Barn Dance in the courtyard at 3.30pm. A classic American cars show will also run at the Spanish Arch.
Music continues at The Crane Bar with Clive Barnes (see On The Record ). Erin McDermott and Matt Schrag will play bluegrass at the Róisín Dubh, followed by No Banjo and the Cartoon Thieves.
Monroe’s Tavern will see Cajun music by John Martin and Boucherie, followed by a final session featuring many of the musicians from the weekend.
For more information visit www.galwayamericanafestival.com
