Glasgow, Scotland - The 15th Celtic Connections festival kicks off Wednesday 16 January with an opening-night birthday party to remember, featuring an all-star line-up of artists for whom Glasgow in January has become a home from home.
 
 Among the Scots stars are vocalists Karine Polwart, Kris Drever, Mike Scott from The Waterboys and Julie Fowlis with top instrumentalists Aidan O’Rourke, Iain MacDonald and Lauren MacColl, James Mackintosh and Ewen Vernal.
 
 "One of the really special things about Celtic Connections is the number of new collaborations that happen between the musicians, whether it's a one-off session in the Festival Club, or something that develops longer-term," says fiddler John McCusker, co-musical director of tonight's performance. "The show is partly a celebration of that, partly an attempt to recapture some of that spontaneity onstage - basically a huge big glorious session."

Joining in the craic will be a powerhouse Irish contingent including Sharon Shannon, Luka Bloom, Damien Dempsey, Karan Casey, Michael McGoldrick and Jim Murray. Also joining the show is the festival's favorite English folk singer, Kate Rusby with mandolin prodigy Chris Thile flying the US flag, and more surprise special guests on the night.
 
 Sponsored by ScottishPower
 Wed 16 January, 7:30pm
 £20, £18
 Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, Main Auditorium
 
 Tickets can be booked:
 
 In person Glasgow Royal Concert Hall
 2 Sauchiehall Street
 Glasgow, G2 3NY
 City Halls and Old Fruitmarket
 Candleriggs
 Glasgow, G1 1NQ
 By phone 0141 353 8000
 Online www.celticconnections.com