The 2011 Milwaukee Irish Festival is set to kick off on August 18 with 100 acts, playing 16 stages, over the four day festival. North America’s largest Irish festival will feature superb Irish music talents such as Altan, the High Kings and Moya Brennan.
 
“Every year we bring in a diverse lineup of artists that cover Traditional, Celtic rock, folk, singer/songwriter, and contemporary styles,” said Jane Anderson, executive director of Milwaukee Irish Fest. “People may not realize that we even bring in Riverdance-like productions such as 14-member performance band, Kintra. There’s truly something for everybody.”
 
This year the lineup of artists was handpicked. Ed Ward, entertainment coordinator for Milwaukee Irish Fest explained “When we promise to bring you a slice of Ireland, we start by traveling there ourselves. Our goal is to find and select the most unique artists and bring them to our festival goers.”

--------------

READ MORE:

Michael Moore urges Matt Damon to run against Obama

News footage of Christoper Nolan’s Batman “The Dark Knight Rises” – VIDEOS

Rooney Mara on the rape scene in 'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo - VIDEO
--------------
Irish Fest’s quest for “new” and “unique,” took their group on a journey to Ireland late last fall. They found many of this year’s cutting edge artists during their visit to multiple showcases and performances put on by top musicians.
 
Musicians such as Fiach and Goitse are just two of the most recently discovered talents Irish Fest is bringing this year for those who are looking for something new. Irish Fest will be breaking some of the newest and hottest Irish music talent at this year’s festival, such as up-and-comers Fidil, the Henry Girls, Nodlaig Brolly, Goitse, Fiach and Outside Track.
 
Additional artists making their debut at this year’s fest include big names Moya Brennan, Liz Doherty Connection, Brendan Hendry Band, Kathleen Fitzgerald with the Screaming Orphans, the High Kings, Derek Warfield and the Young Wolf Tones, Paul McKenna Band and Qristina and Quinn Bachand.
 
But, Irish Fest also knows that their audience wants the tried and true.
 
“That’s why we are bringing back the fan favorites and, frankly, friends that have been coming to Irish Fest for the past 30 years,” said Ward.
 
Artists back by popular demand include Altan, Kintra, Different Drums, Tom Sweeney, Gaelic Storm, Scythian, Red Hot Chilli Pipers, the Elders, Seamus Kennedy, Vishten and Clumsy Lovers.
 
For more information visit www.irishfest.com.