Ronan Keating to Headline Cherry Blossom Festival
SHILLONG, Aug 16: Renowned Irish singer-songwriter Ronan Keating, known for his role in the popular band Boyzone and a successful solo career, is set to headline this year’s Shillong Cherry Blossom Festival from November 17 to 19.
The festival will also feature international artists like Pink Panda, Jonas Blue, Hybrid Theory, and Kenny Musk, along with local performers including Lou Majaw, Snow White, Da Minot, and Summersalt.
The Cherry Blossom Festival, held during autumn when cherry blossom trees bloom, turns Shillong pink, creating a stunning backdrop for exploring local culture, both modern and traditional.
Tourism Minister Paul Lyngdoh announced that the festival’s main event will take place in Ri-Bhoi, with the exact venue to be revealed later.
Last year’s festival was canceled due to the Mukroh firing incident, leading to a refund of around Rs 1.25 crore for purchased tickets. The organizers incurred a loss of Rs 3.6 crore. This year, they are aiming for a footfall of over 90,000 attendees.
Preceding the Cherry Blossom Festival are the Shillong Literary Festival (November 14 to 16) and the Megha Kayak Fest (October 12 to 14).
The Megha Kayak Fest, an annual whitewater contest, will take place in Umtham village with three types of races and a total prize money of approximately Rs 16,00,000.
In January next year, the inaugural Shillong Blues Festival will feature performers like Rudy and the Blue Cats, Blue Temptations, White Storm, Kapil Chhetri, and others.
Regular shows will also be held at U Soso Tham Auditorium and Lariti (formerly SICPAC) starting next year.
Other upcoming events include the Me’Gong Festival, Winter Tales Festival, and Meghalaya Grassroots Music Project.
The Me’Gong Festival celebrates Garo culture and lifestyle through a three-day event showcasing brew varieties and traditional beverages.
Shillong’s Winter Tales Festival curated by Dakti Crafts provides a platform for local talents and entrepreneurs to share their stories through food, art, craft, and music.
The Meghalaya Grassroots Music Project aims to support local musicians, preserving their musical legacy and adapting to new genres.
The exact dates for these festivals will be announced later.
According to the Tourism Minister, these festivals offer opportunities to struggling local musicians and have wider positive impacts on the community.