Spanish Peaks International Celtic Music Festival Huerfano County Colorado American Indian tribes called them “Wahatoya”, Huajatolla” or Guajatoyah”, roughly interpreted as “breasts of the earth”. Some Indian tribes believed that they were the site were mankind first emerged onto earth. The “Double Mountains” were easily recognizable reference points to European explorers and pioneers. One pioneer to the area, Colonel John M. Francisco looked down upon it”s valley which would become the future site of La Veta and declared, “This is paradise enough for me.” Today the Spanish Peaks are recognized by more and more by friends and supporters of traditional Celtic music and dance as the landmark for a wonderful and unique weekend at the Spanish Peaks International Celtic Music Festival.Similar to some renowned festivals across the foam, SPIMF is held in multiple locations over the coarse of days. The Huerfano County towns of Walsenburg, Gardner, La Veta, and Cuchara all have offerings over the September 24-27 Festival. In it”s 5th year, The boutique festival has an a la carte component that allows participants to chose activities by interests and budgets. There are free events as well as paid workshops offered to the casually interested to the most enthusiastic student. The Festival continues to bring top veteran and rising young talent to the festival stages and workshops and promises to be a weekend to discover or rekindle the magic of Celtic music and dance.For a schedule of events check our www.celticmusicfest.com or call 719-746-2061We asked Festival founder Barbara Yule to give us a few words on what”s new at this years SPICMF:Barbara Yule – Introducing GIVEWAY”We are proud to be showcasing GIVEWAY, a dynamite young four sister band from Scotland that has taken the international music scene by storm. The siblings Mairi, Kirsty, Amy and Fiona have been playing music and singing together since they were in grade school and went professional in 1999 when Phil Cunningham produced their first CD. GiveWay”s popular tours have taken them all over the UK, Europe and both coasts of America, but this will be their first visit to Colorado. The Giveway Saturday night Fox Theatre concert for the festival is a guaranteed winner. These girls” energetic blends of folk-jazz, spine tingling vocals will stay with you long after you leave their concert.” Rocky Mountain Celtic Radio Summit”Special and its free! Rocky Mt. Celtic Radio Summit presented by Pat McCullough, publisher of The Celtic Connection and founder of Celtic Events & Entertainment Saturday over the lunch break (12:00 ” 1:20 pm). The panel of radio hosts represent Fort Collins, Colorado Springs, Denver/Boulder, Westcliffe and Taos. Here is a chance to find out how the DJ”s choose the music they play and how in fact they design their shows to excite their audiences. You”ll have a chance to comment on the shows, what you like about them, what ideas you might have to make them even more appealing. You musicians will certainly want to know how you go about getting your cd”s represented aired.” New instruments this year ” On Stage and in Workshops”We are delighted to have with us a phenomenal, multi-talented instrumentalist, Roger Landes who is part of the exciting lineup for our all Irish concert Friday night that includes Aine Minogue, David Coe and Linda Hickman. Roger, director of the International Zoukfest festival is an internationally renowned player of the bouzouki as well as the banjo and mandolin. He will be giving two workshops on Saturday combining all three instruments. The classes will be for intermediate and above players. Another new instrument offering is the button key accordion played by Kirsty of GiveWay. She will teach favorite Scottish tunes sharing hints of Scottish technique and timing.” Importance of the fiddle”For fiddle players we are offering a wider variety of workshops than in the past. David Coe, a Appalachian/bluegrass fiddler who took himself off to Ireland to study Irish fiddling will offer two workshop, one strictly Irish technique and the second showing the links and variations of techniques between Appalachian and Irish playing. Scottish fiddler Arlene Patterson offers a workshop on Scottish dance music for players. Playing dance music is an art unto itself as you fiddlers will find when you take her class. Fiona, GiveWay”s fiddler, is offering a Saturday morning class concentrating on players building their repertoires of Scottish traditional tunes. None of these workshops overlap time-wise so fiddlers can take them all!”Burns Supper and Concert”This event is in honor of Robert Burns, Scotland”s national bard, 250th anniversary. The “Burns Supper” is an annual tradition in Scotland and always includes a piper, an address to the haggis given by Jack Yule and entertainment led by Ed Miller, Alison bell and the girls Night Out, the Festival Singers and storyteller Heather Yule .This special event will take place on Sunday at 1:00 and will finish with ceilidh dancing following an informal concert. Great way to end the festival. Because we couldn”t bring haggis from Scotland we will be serving Scottish stovies, which I promise you are delicious.”Special Adjunct to the Celtic Festival ”There will be a CELTIC JEWELRY class taught by Linda Hickman who is known not only for her brilliant Irish flute playing but also for her exquisite jewelry making skills. The class, which focuses on Celtic photo etching on bronze, will be held at La Veta School of the Arts on 24 and 25 September. For details phone: 719-742-3421 or 742-5238.”Special pre-festival reductions for Celtic Connection readers ”We have been very conscious of the economy and have taken steps to lower costs everywhere possible. The first big early discounts that official ended August 31 will still be available for Celtic Connection readers until the start of the festival when full prices apply for everyone.For Celtic Connection readers to get these first early discounts you must write Pat McCullough”s “special” from Celtic Connection at the bottom of your registration form.See Festival registration form which includes discount listings on our website Spanish Peaks International Celtic Music Festival or ask for a festival program ” 719 742-5410.”