Festival International de Folklore

Port sur Saone - August 2002

The Galtee Stompers Jazz Band are travelling to the Haute Saone region of France this August to participate in the 13th International Festival de Folklore in the town of Port sur Saone.

The Irish Jazz Band will perform alongside cultural groups from Surinam, Greece, Italy, Lithuania, Mexico, The Ivory Coast, Paraguay, The Phillipines, Scotland, Senegal, China, and Chechnya during the 6 day Festival which runs from August 10th to 15th.

The Festival provides an International stage for the participating countries to showcase their Music, Dance, Crafts, Sport and Food. While the Galtee Stompers will not strictly be acting as cultural attachés for Ireland, they will participate in the official Festival Performances and Concerts. They will also be keeping the flag flying at an Irish Night being hosted at Hotel Restaurant Les Voyageurs, the base for the 21 member Irish contingent, where Irish Music and Food will be to the fore. Arrangements for the Band's participation in the Festival have been handled by Robert Redoutey from Port sur Saone who divides his working time between Viller sur Port and Mitchelstown. The band will also visit Viller sur Port for a performance. Joining the usual lineup (shown below) for the trip is Sarah Dewhurst (Clarinet/Sax).

(Photo: John O'Shea)