I was there for the music. We were a bit late arriving and local folksinger Robin Rich was already on stage performing and I do mean performing. You can tell a master at work when he not only sings for you but draws you into each and every song. As the first act up he had a small, restless and not yet fully caffeinated group mingling around but his strong voice and skilled story telling was piped all over the festival and even those not under the pavilion had no choice but to stop and listen. We did wander about at this time also because it was warmer outside when the sun began to peek through the clouds.

The next act up was the Virginia Highlands Pipes & Drums who marched into the pavilion in formation. They did several numbers and the head of the organization explained the difference in various types of pipe and drum bands and they demonstrated the various types of drums and gave a history of them.

The other act on the bill was Enter the Haggis. It’s just a strange coincidence that they, we and the beer truck all arrived at the same time. You can actually see them setting up behind the pipers and drummers in the photo above. They also had the class to stop what they were doing and applaud after every number the Highland band did.

We dropped off our canned goods at their merchandise table as they were setting it up. Canned goods can get heavy but I didn’t really mind toting them. At every show, Enter the Haggis asks fans to bring canned goods to their merchandise table. The food is turned over to a local shelter or food pantry to help feed the hungry as part of the Enter the Haggis Community Initiative. What a great way to direct exuberant fan activity in a way that helps people!

At noon it was their turn and they took the stage as most of the festival goers filed into the pavilion to hear them. It didn’t take long for them to get people on their feet. Several took to the dance floor to move to the music. Enter the Haggis puts on a lively show with a good deal of variety. Many of the members played several different instruments.

The band members are left to right Craig Downie, Trevor Lewington, Brian Buchanan and Mark Abraham. James Campbell is the drummer but like any really great drummer, he is never still so getting a blur free photo of him is no mean task. All the band members were outstanding but the joy of hearing someone play the bass who knows it is a musical instrument not a weapon of mass destruction really made my day. Kudos to Mark! Their set ended way too soon for me but as they had two more to play that day I guess I can’t really complain.

We did stay for Robin Rich’s second set. This time he was joined onstage by his wife, also named Robin. This did make me wonder how confusing mail at their house must be but obviously all the bills are for him and all the checks are for her They did many of my favorite tunes adding their own style to each one. They were a joy to listen to. You can hear samples for yourself at their myspace page http://myspace.com/robinrichandfriends Be sure and friend them and let them know you read about them at Fanrealm. If you like good old fashion folk music in the tradition of the Clancy Brothers and the Dubliners, you will love Robin Rich (both of them).

Sadly, we had to leave as the Virginia Highlands Pipes and Drums were marching back to the pavilion for their second set. We did notice several members of Enter the Haggis playing soccer with some kids on the lawn in front of the center as we left. The fact that the lawn was right outside the lovely smelling Whiskey Seminar room was surely just another of those strange coincidences.

It was a great festival and anyone in central Virginia should surely make plans to attend the next one. The festival website is: http://www.sedaliacelticfestival.com If you are interesting in folk arts check out the Sedalia Center at http://www.sedaliacenter.org

Robin Rich’s cds are available through cd baby and through

I will post an update of the Enter the Haggis tour later in the week. They tour extensively so they will surely be in your area eventually. You will want to get yourself to one of their shows. Don’t forget the canned goods!

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