Meantime | Mackenzie | Caledonian Canal Cèilidh Trail

This concert will take place in Scotland’s first purpose built Gaelic school and will feature two bands that have been leaders in the creation of new Gaelic music in recent times. Meantime are building a growing reputation as a band with a powerful presence in Gaelic music, both vocal and instrumental, new and traditional. Likewise, MacKenzie, featuring the vocal talents of sisters Eilidh, Gillian and Fiona have been long admired by fans of new and traditional Gaelic music. The programme will be completed by the talents of the Caledonian Canal Cèilidh Trail 2008 team.

Venue

Bunsgoil Gàidhlig Inbhir Nis (The Gaelic School), Inverness
7.30pm

book tickets

Saturday 6 September 2008

Blas na Fèise - A Taste of Blas

Now re-opened after refurbishment, Eden Court plays host to a galaxy of traditional music stars, giving a real taste of the festival. This concert will feature the contemporary sounds of the Peatbog Faeries, the band Dàimh whose roots are drawn from Scotland, Ireland, Canada and America, the phenomenal playing of piper Fred Morrison and friends, plus Canadian singer songwriter JP Cormier and his wife Hilda on a rare visit to Scotland. The programme will be completed with the talents of local youngsters from Fèis a’ Bhaile and Fèis na h-Òige plus Dealbh Dùthcha. This specially commissioned piece of music written by Skye based musician Blair Douglas is Scotland's contribution to the Portrait of a Nation project, one of the highlights of Liverpool's European Capital of Culture 2008 celebration. The commission features young Fèis musicians from across Scotland.

Venue

The Empire Theatre, Eden Court, Inverness
7.30pm

Tickets from the Eden Court box office on 01463 234234

Saturday 6 September 2008

Blas Festival Club

After the show join us back at the club in the Columba hotel where you can meet the artistes in person and hear some stunning impromptu music. Late bar.

Venue

Columba Hotel, Inverness
10.30pm
Tickets on the door

Sunday 7 September 2008

Julie Fowlis & Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh with JP Cormier

Julie Fowlis & Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh | JP & Hilda Cormier

Julie Fowlis is originally from North Uist and in 2007she picked up the Gaelic Singer and Album of Year awards at the Scots Trad Music Awards and she is the 2008 BBC Radio 2 Folk Singer of the Year. She will perform with Irish singer Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh, who is in the band Danú. As well as awards with the band, Muireann won the “Best Singer" title at the liveireland.com Awards in 2005. JP Cormier is one of Canada’s foremost singer songwriters and has picked up numerous awards along the way. This is a rare trip to Scotland for JP who will be performing with his wife Hilda.

Venue

Phipps Hall, Beauly
7.30pm

book tickets

Tuesday 9 September 2008

Cherish the Ladies and Friends

Cherish the Ladies | Rachel Walker | Fèis Gleann Albainn

This is a very welcome appearance at Blas from the US based traditional Irish group. The past years have seen the group travelling all over North and South America, the United Kingdom, Europe, Australia and New Zealand performing in the finest concert halls and at international festivals. They are joined by Gaelic singing sensation Rachel Walker, whose two albums, “Braighe Loch Iall” and “Fon Reul Sholas” have received critical acclaim. She will be accompanied by BBC young traditional musician of the year, Ewan Robertson. Tonight’s programme will be completed by a talented group from the local Fèis Gleann Albainn.

Venue

Glenmoriston Millennium Hall, Invermoriston
7.30pm

book tickets

Wednesday 10 September 2008

The Legendary Cheiftains in Concert

The Chieftains | Alyth | Cainntearachd | Kiltearn Fiddlers

Blas is truly honoured to welcome the legendary Irish band The Chieftains to the Highland capital, with a guest appearance from Gaelic singer Alyth McCormack. They have played with some of the biggest names in the industry and now is your chance to hear them perform a one off concert in Eden Court’s Empire Theatre. They are joined by the Fèis Rois Kiltearn Fiddlers who scooped the best ensemble group at the International Eisteddfod two years in a row and by Cainntearachd, a group of young talented Gaelic singers from Inverness.

Venue

The Empire Theatre,Eden Court, Inverness
7.30pm

Tickets from the Eden Court box office on 01463 234234

Thursday 11 September 2008

The Nuala Kennedy Band

The Nuala Kennedy Band | Rachel Hair | Stuart MacKintosh

Nuala Kennedy, originally from Dundalk, Ireland is a sensational instrumentalist and singer and in 2007 she released her album “The New Shoes” and gained critical acclaim for her “Astar” new voices commission at Celtic Connections. Nuala will be performing with Phillippe Guidat, Luke Daniels and Donald Hay. The programme will also feature clàrsach player Rachel Hair accompanied by Paul Tracey and the uplifting accordion playing of local musician Stuart MacKintosh.

Venue

Glenurquhart Public Hall, Drumnadrochit
7.30pm

book tickets

Friday 12 September 2008

Music From The Heart

The Nuala Kennedy Band | Edey, Power and Randall| Lewis Mackinnon | Andrea Beaton & Kimberley Fraser

This promises to be a fantastic concert, featuring Irish flute player and singer Nuala Kennedy and her band, Phillippe Guidat, Luke Daniels and Donald Hay. We also welcome to the Highlands the fantastic Edey, Power and Randall led by Tim Edey on guitar and melodeon, with mouth organ superstar Brendan Power and bodhran player Lucy Randall. The line up is completed by stars of the Cape Breton music scene, Gaelic singer Lewis MacKinnon and duo Andrea Beaton and Kimberley Fraser.

Venue

One Touch Theatre, Eden Court, Inverness
7.30pm

Tickets from the Eden Court box office on 01463 234234

Friday 12 September 2008

Blas Festival Club

After the show join us back at the club in the Bishop’s Palace in Eden Court Theatre where you can meet the artistes in person and here some stunning impromptu music. Late bar.

Venue

Eden Court, Inverness
10.30pm
Tickets on the door

Saturday 13 September 2008

The Farr Cèilidh

Fribo | Angus Lyon & Ruaridh Campbell | Jenna Cumming | Caledonian Canal Cèilidh Trail

Over the last few years the concert series at Farr Hall near Inverness has been of the highest quality and this programme will be no exception. On the bill tonight are Fribo, a unique collaboration between three musicians from Norway, Scotland and England, who are rapidly gaining recognition and acclaim for blending their own musical styles together with sensitivity and an exuberant feel for contemporary sounds and rhythms. Joining them is accordion and fiddle duo Angus Lyon and Ruaridh Campbell. Both are successful performers in their own right, Angus is 6 times British Accordion champion and Ruaridh is winner of the prestigious Glenfiddich Fiddle Championship 2002. We are also delighted to present the wonderful vocal talents of double Mod gold medallist Jenna Cumming and the programme will be completed by a set from the 2008 Caledonian Cèilidh Trail group.

Venue

Farr Hall, Farr
7.30pm

book tickets

Saturday 13 September 2008

Loch Ness Cruise

The Nuala Kennedy Band

A huge success last year, why not join us on the Jacobite Queen for a stunning journey up the Caledonian Canal and onto Loch Ness? A delicious meal will be served on board and you will be courted with tunes and songs by Nuala Kennedy and her band, Phillippe Guidat, Luke Daniels and Donald Hay. Tickets are limited so book early.