2020 has been a momentous year, bookended by bushfires and floods. My heart goes out to all of you who have copped both.

COVID-19 continues to impact us all, even with the eased restrictions, but I do have some events to tell you all about.

I recently received an email from Dicky Deegan – 2020 International Celtic Artist.

Julien Temple (director) and Johnny Depp (co producer) have just produced a new film on Shane McGowan called ‘A Crock of Gold – a few rounds with Shane McGowan’. The film was released worldwide on 7th December.

Dicky’s Uilleann Pipe playing features several times through the first part of the film. He recorded the Uilleann Pipes for the Crock of Gold movie last year in London shortly after returning from the Festival Interceltique in Lorient, Brittany, France.

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It seems such a long time since I last sent your Celtic News. COVID 19 restrictions are slowly changing with the latest announcement allowing up to 500 people at an outdoor event. This announcement has come too late for the Tamworth Country Music Festival, which has been cancelled, as has the Toyota Star Maker competition.

Restrictions are altering planning for our own Australian Celtic Festival and the Australian Celtic Music Awards. Please keep up to date by following both on their websites. I am sure that there will be further developments as we go forward.

There are some “green shoots” beginning to show in the arts scene. I have included everything that I am currently aware of, but please do let me know of any other developments that you come across, so that we can share with everybody.

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Due to Covid 19 restrictions having such a huge affect on the entertainment industry, the Australian Celtic Music Awards will not be presented in May 2021.

Our research shows a large number of artists won’t have items ready for nomination for the 2021 awards.

As we would like to support our Celtic artists during this difficult time, awards management has decided to hold off awards judging until the following year.

To continue our support, The Glen Innes Services Club will instead hold an extra concert on the Saturday night in place of the Awards Dinner in 2021.

Please watch the website for updates.

I had really hoped that by the time this issue was ready, I would be able to report our lives were returning to COVID-normal, but it was not to be. My heart goes out to all of our friends in Victoria and in New South Wales who are being so badly affected.

Of course, between the restrictions imposed by State governments and the closed borders that are now common, most live music is still cancelled, along with several events. So, unfortunately, this Newsletter is pretty much a list of events that have been cancelled or postponed.

As always, there are some bright spots including the very appropriate Glen Innes Art Gallery exhibition, titled Disaster. This really has been a year to endure rather than enjoy.

Let’s start with the cancelled or postponed events.

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I must admit that I have started to write this Newsletter several times. Every time that I feel that I have a handle on the current restrictions, they change! I don’t know how much else will change between preparing this edition and publishing it. Please forgive me if I am out of date by then.

While we are still waiting for life as we knew it to resume, it doesn’t mean that nothing at all is happening. The Australian Celtic Music Awards were presented on line on Saturday 2nd May. Check out the website for the full experience.

On Saturday 6th July, I went out to dinner for the first time since March. Even with social distancing it felt so civilised. The meal at the Hereford Steakhouse was great and the entertainment, by Christine Davis, was terrific. I have really missed live music.

If you have missed Glen Innes as much as we have missed you why not join us for Christmas in July at the Hereford Steakhouse on 25th July. A 3 course Christmas dinner with entertainment by The Mystery Dogs is $50 per person.

At this stage, tickets are limited, so book now on 02 6732 2255.

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