LFW Launch 'Hands Across the Seas' Concert Series
Item Posted: Tuesday 7th April, 2009
Hands Across The Seas
Lochgoilhead Fiddle Workshop and its new company, FiddleFolk, are announcing an innovative series of concerts to be held in Argyll over the next year.
Programming guru, Mark Morpurgo, says “We’re aiming to introduce an international flavour to events, which has been largely lacking in the past, principally because of the costs involved and the difficulties of programming international performers. Thanks to generous support, which has just been announced, from the Scottish Arts Council and the Argyll and the Islands Leader project, we’re being enabled to give it our best shot.’
Musicians and bands from Ireland, Canada, USA, Denmark, Brittany and Orkneys have already been contacted, and the resulting line ups will give locals and visitors a taste of the variety of styles of traditional and folk music from around the world. With the exception of the major music festivals, few areas of Scotland will have the opportunity to see such a wide range of music in the next year.
The concert series will explore the relationship of music from the Scottish diaspora, and the interlinking of folk music, song and dance from elsewhere. The influences of Jazz and ‘Old Time’ music will also be seen.
The Dunoon Observer has recently reported on a number of meetings of groups such as Destination Cowal, and the meeting with Jim Mather, MSP suggesting that a higher level of cooperation between local groups can lead to a stronger tourism and business sector for Cowal. LFW/ Fiddlefolk feel that this concert series can play an important role in positioning Cowal as a ‘Cultural Tourism’ destination. It is also intended that the series will be used as part of the research into the feasibility of a dedicated Traditional Music Festival for Cowal.
Lochgoilhead Fiddle Workshop has established a loyal base for its concerts in Lochgoilhead and Strachur, but knows there are other village hall and arts groups who are keen to start or expand their music programmes’ explained Mark Morpurgo. ‘This grant will enable us to give some support and advice to other groups to bring more top quality music to other venues in the area,”
The Workshop is keen to hear from Music or Community groups who might be interested in becoming partners in such a project. Please contact the Workshop if your community is interested (see details below)
The first of these concerts is at Strachur Memorial Hall with top harmonica player Donald Black and his band on Sunday 19th April at 3.00 p.m., which includes a free whisky tasting, courtesy of Spirit of the West. Tickets reservations (£10 Adults, £5 Children 12-18) from Mark Morpurgo on 01301 703559 or email mark@morvenlodge.co.uk Information on the concert programme booked to date can be found on www.fiddleworkshop.co.uk