Western Ferries help us out -again!
Item Posted: Wednesday 14th April, 2010
WESTERN FERRIES STEP IN
With the cuts from central and local government hitting all sectors, but in particular the arts, charity and voluntary groups are having to look increasingly towards accessing local sponsors and supporters if they are to maintain and develop cultural life, particularly in rural areas where costs of accommodation and travel can impact adversely on a venue’s ability to cover the costs of putting on top quality events.
FiddleFolk, a charity based in Lochgoilhead, has arranged more than 60 concerts in the last seven years throughout the Cowal peninsula (and further afield), including its award winning ‘Hands Across the Seas’ concert series, which has been supported in part by the Scottish Arts Council. They are particularly pleased to announce that they are receiving ongoing financial assistance from Western Ferries for a special concert in the Brough Hall in May which will bring for the first time a top Gaelic singer and a top Scots singer to Dunoon for a one off concert.
Elizabeth Bain, their Project Leader, explains: ‘Western Ferries have been tremendously supportive to Lochgoilhead Fiddle Workshop and FiddleFolk over the years. They have helped us bring a tour of the Young Traditional Musicians of the Year to Strachur, and supported a line up of musicians from France, Holland and the USA to the area. Without this extra sponsorship it is doubtful whether the standards of live music in Cowal could have been maintained. So – on behalf of all the residents and tourists who have attended these events – we would like to give Western Ferries a really big thank you!’
The concert will bring together five top musicians, including Emily Smith ‘Scots Singer of the Year 2008’ in the BBC Trad Music Awards. Emily Smith has firmly established herself as a leading light in the Scottish folk scene since winning the 2002 ‘BBC Young Traditional Musician of the Year Award’. She has released three critically acclaimed albums, toured extensively with her band on the international folk circuit and is recognised not only as one of Scotland’s finest interpreters of traditional song but also as a talented songwriter and multi-instrumentalist.
Also on stage will be Maggie MacInnes, who won the Gaelic Singer of the Year Award and also plays the clarsach. She comes from a long line of Gaelic singers from Barra and learnt most of her songs from her mother the highly acclaimed traditional singer, Flora MacNeil M.B.E. Maggie has performed in various groups over the years such as Ossian, Fuaim, Eclipse First and The Maggie MacInnes Band. She has travelled widely with her music, touring in many parts of Europe, U.S.A. and Canada, and also appears frequently on radio and television both at home and abroad.
The concert will be on Saturday 8th May at the Brough Hall, Dunoon. More information from www.fiddleworkshop.co.uk or 01301 703504.