Hats off to Charles Kergaravat and his crew for another great night of music and dance in New York City. Around 300-400 people attended last Saturday and the session continued on until 3 am.
BZH New York is a not-for-profit organization composed of Bretons and friends of Brittany dedicated to promoting the culture, economy, history, tourism, and language of the Celtic nation of Brittany, France.
It was started in December 2006 and has since organized numerous events involving Celtic culture.
Charles Kergaravat, Laurent Corbel, Eric Thoby
The 2nd Annual Interceltic Festival of NY presented by BZH New York was again an evening of music and dance celebrating the common heritage, traditions, culture, and story of immigration of Celtic peoples in New York City.
Thirty musicians locally based or from abroad, created a ceilidh or fest noz like atmosphere highlighting the dancing nature of Celtic music.
Last year’s edition set a standard as one of the most convivial and lively on the New York Celtic music scene, while at the same time exploring and expanding musical horizons by representing lesser‐known musical traditions from Celtic ethnic minorities.
The evening was also an opportunity to promote the regions, culture, economy, language, tourism and uniqueness of each individual Celtic nation.
Niall O'Leary and dancers from the Niall O'Leary School of Irish Dance
Sean-nos dancer from Dublin: Mary Beth Taylor
The performers were:
Tony DeMarco and Friends incl. Ivan Goff, Eamon O'Leary and Anna Colliton.
Fergus Begley, Thomas Moisson, Charlie LeBrun, Nosa Terra,
Duo Tangi Saout/ Samuel LeHenanff
Niall O'Leary and dancers from the Niall O'Leary School of Irish Dance
Sean-nos dancer from Dublin: Mary Beth Taylor
Galician dancers from Casa Galicia in Astoria, Queens, NY
Also Fergus Begley, Thomas Moisson, Charlie LeBrun, Duo Tangi Saout/Samuel LeHenanff and Nosa Terra.
Tony DeMarco and Friends incl. Ivan Goff, Eamon O'Leary and Anna Colliton.
In December 2006, Charles joined a handful of individuals to help build BZH New York from the ground up. We shared the common desire of presenting Brittany to New York City. Presenting its culture, economy, tourism and doing so in a positive fashion. I also believed that it was important to recognize the large contributions of La Grande Tribu, as Youenn Gwernig called them, for over the last 50 years. Just as the Stade Breton had rallied the Breton community in the past I felt it was important to do the same. But I also feel great satisfaction in being able to introduce everything Breton to public in NY that has generally poor knowledge of Brittany and its culture. The task can at times be a challenging one because Brittany fails to enter into one category. The standard question by some is how it exists? As a region, state, or country? I like to say that Brittany is not a state but a state of mind. The project that is BZH New York has been able to grow with the dedication and passion of its active members, and Charles is excited by the opportunity to again work with current and new members in promoting the culture that he feels deserves to be seen and heard by all.
BZH New York's vision has led to NYC witnessing and sampling many of the different flavors that la Bretagne has to offer. From marching in the St. Patrick's day parade with the Bagadou D'Auray and St. Nazaire, to Festou Noz featuring Breton bands like Skolvan, Red Cardell and Ag Ar Cheoj, to Breton product stands for Bastille day, sailing, ski weekends, Fancy Food Shows, petanque, Breton author book signings, belote, business networking, Breton dance courses, to the formation of the Bagad of NY. The vision, energy and passion of this group has led to our initial success and Charles counts on this same group and new member energy and ideas to generate their future advancement.
Galician dancers from Casa Galicia in Astoria, Queens, NY
Around 300-400 people attended last Saturday the session went on until 3am.
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