Lochaber
Friday 4 September 2009
Glenuig Village Hall Venue Postcode: PH38 4NG
7.30pm
Family Ties
Our rich musical traditions are often passed down through the generations from parent to child. We have gathered together some of the finest examples of this musical transmission to perform for you in the Family Ties concert. In this concert you will hear stunning music including fiddling, piping, Gaelic singing, and more from families from the Highlands & Islands of Scotland. We would also like to welcome father and son Gerry & Donal O'Connor from Ireland.
These intimate concerts will demonstrate that our not only are our music and song alive and well, but also that it is in safe hands in the years and decades to come.
Duncan & Iain MacGillivray
Ex-Battlefield band piper/whistle/guitar player Duncan MacGillivray is no stranger to festival crowds. He currently plays with The Ghillies and as a solo musician. He is a farmer in Easter Ross and has six children, all who play musical instruments. He will be joined on stage by his eldest son Iain who plays pipes, fiddle, whistle & bodhran who has studied Gaelic and music in Benbecula and Sabhal Mòr Ostaig in Skye. He currently is studying in Duluth, Minnesota.
Gerry & Dónal O'Connor
Gerry O'Connor is one of Ireland’s most outstanding fiddle players. His unique personal style and splendidly fluid bow-hand combined with technical virtuosity have earned him international renown. He is joined on fiddle and piano by his son Dónal O’Connor, who carries forward the family tradition of producing great fiddle players.
Seonaidh & Calum Alex MacMillan
Father and son, Seonaidh and Calum Alex Macmillan, are regarded as leading Gaelic singers from the Isle of Lewis. Seonaidh was the lead singer of the hugely successful group 'The Lochies' and Calum Alex is now singing with the ground-breaking highland outfit Dàimh. As a duo, they have performed at various cèilidhs throughout Lewis and more recently they received great acclaim for their performances at the Celtic Colours Festival 2008.
Dagger & Neil Gordon
Dagger Gordon is a mandolin player based in the Highlands, where he farms near Invergordon. He and his wife Julie have 3 sons who play Scottish music and have all appeared at Blas. He is performing with his youngest, 16 year old Neil, on fiddle and piano.
The evening will begin with a lively set from the Fèisean Lochabair Cèilidh Trail.
Adult Earlybird Ticket (up to 31st July 2009) £10.00 and £12.00 (from 01.08.09)
Senior Citizen £10.00
Children (U16) and School Pupils £5.00
Family Ticket (2 adults with 2 children) £28.00
Book Tickets Venue Website
Saturday 5th September 2009
St Mary's Church, Fort William Venue Postcode: PH33 6BT
3pm
The Gaelic Mass
An Aifreann Gàidhlig by Blair Douglas
Since ancient times man has sought through incantation, blessings, prayer and proverb to seek strength and hope by praising the indefinable mysteries of the universe. The Eucharistic celebration is “the centre of the Christian Community” and is at the heart of the Christian faith and life. It has exercised an enormous influence upon the development of music. Music and singing - Art - is a thing of great beauty and power. It creates an atmosphere of splendour and emotional strength. The Mass is more than vocal music: it is vocal music with a function. As part of a divine service, the standard by which the music of any Mass is judged, is the extent to which it enters into an active and intimate connection with the holy offering. As servants of worship, music and song possess the power to put the soul in devout contact with the Lord, arousing and expressing sentiments of praise, petition, expiation, thanksgiving, joy as well as sorrow, love, trust, peace.
An Aifreann Gàidhlig | The Gaelic Mass - is a project which has interested and fascinated Blair Douglas for some years but one which he has only recently felt equipped, both musically and spiritually, to undertake.
His Mass is firmly rooted in the Celtic tradition but also seeks to explore and develop differing musical themes. It will feature a blend of traditional instruments such as clàrsach, fiddle, flute, and pipes along with orchestral accompaniment, organ, and keyboards. In combining both musical styles, a unique and original work will be created without sacrificing the sanctity of the Mass. The Gaelic Mass will represent a musical crossover between the traditional and classical styles.
The concert will begin with a lively set from the Fèisean Lochabair Cèilidh Trail.
N.B. Entry to this event is by donation, but tickets can be reserved on-line via The Booth on a first come, first served basis
Tuesday 8 September 2009
Ben Nevis Distillery, Fort William Venue Postcode: PH33 6TJ
7.30pm
Uisge-Beatha
A Highlander's Celebration of Whisky
Produced by Iain MacFarlane
Welcome to the world of whisky! As part of Blas' celebration of the Year of Scottish Homecoming, the accomplished Glenfinnan musician Iain MacFarlane has produced a stunning show of music, song and visuals celebrating our national drink.
To make this an even more atmospheric event, these concerts are being performed in some of the Highland's most famous and iconic distilleries. Not only has Iain chosen music and song relating to whisky and its many influences for this show but he also gives his own personal take on uisge-beatha (the water of life) aka whisky.
Iain MacFarlane was born in Glenfinnan, a small village in Lochaber. Whilst being taught the fiddle from his father and also from Donald Riddell, he also started to receive tutelage on the bagpipes from pipe Major Evan MacRae at the age of 10. Since his teens Iain has played in many musical formations and projects such as Gaelic Drama, Contemporary Dance, Radio and Television, while still playing with local "greats" such as Fearchar MacRae, Angus Grant and Fergie MacDonald. You can also catch Iain performing at the festival with the acclaimed, award winning band Blazin' Fiddles.
Iain will be joined on stage by accomplished musicians/singers Ingrid Henderson and Ewan Robertson. Visuals and sound is by Allan Mackinnon.
Multi-instrumentalist Ingrid Henderson was born and brought up in Lochaber, and joined the Gaelic band Cliar in 1999 to play piano and clàrsach. She won the prestigious BBC Radio 2 Young Traditionalist Award in 1990 and is a graduate in Celtic Studies from Glasgow University. She has recorded on several albums and is now runs a recording studio in Glenfinnan.
24-year-old guitarist and singer Ewan Robertson hails from Carrbridge in Strathspey. Ewan attended the National Centre of Excellence for Traditional Music in Scotland in 2000 where he studied fiddle and pipes. He helped form the award winning band Breabach, who he still plays with. More recently Ewan became the first singer/guitarist to win the BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician of the Year Award.
Allan Mackinnon lives in Inverness and has provided sound and lighting for most of the professional acts to come out of the Highlands. He currently works at Inverness' premier music venue The Ironworks.
Adult Earlybird Ticket (up to 31st July 2009) £10.00 and £12.00 (from 01.08.09)
Senior Citizen £10.00
Children (U16) and School Pupils £5.00
Family Ticket (2 adults with 2 children) £28.00
Book Tickets Venue Website
Thursday 10 September 2009
Roybridge Village Hall Venue Postcode: PH31
7.30pm
Canadian Homecoming
The Barra MacNeils and Ishbel MacAskill
Celebrating their Highland ancestry with this return trip to the Blas Festival for Homecoming Scotland 2009, The Barra MacNeils appear in conjunction with some of our finest Gaelic singers.
The Barra MacNeils are one of the world’s premier Celtic groups. Multi-award winners, they have released eight recordings, a DVD titled Cape Breton Christmas, and various music videos. The Barra MacNeils continue to perform to sold out audiences throughout Canada, the United States, the Caribbean and the United Kingdom.
We are indeed delighted to say to them “Welcome Home”
Ishbel MacAskill
Ishbel comes from the Point area of the Island of Lewis and now resides in Inverness. She was brought up with the rich heritage of centuries old Gaelic music and song which still survives in Point and indeed all over the island of Lewis. Her music and culture are immensely important in her life and for several years she was very much involved in teaching traditional Gaelic singing to children at the numerous Fèisean (festivals of music and song) throughout the Highlands and Islands of Scotland. Ishbel has also travelled all over the world to perform at festivals and workshops. We are delighted to welcome her back to the festival.
Adult Earlybird Ticket (up to 31st July 2009) £10.00 and £12.00 (from 01.08.09)
Senior Citizen £10.00
Children (U16) and School Pupils £5.00
Family Ticket (2 adults with 2 children) £28.00
book tickets Venue Website
Friday 11 September 2009
Nevis Centre, Fort William Venue Postcode: PH33 6AN
7.30pm
Dougie MacLean and Blazin Fiddles in Concert
with the Fèisean Lochabair Cèilidh Trail
So, you love singing along to the iconic songs of the acclaimed singer/songwriter Dougie MacLean, but you also can't resist the infectious tunes of the inspirational Blazin' Fiddles... Well, we have just the concert for you! Set in Fort William, the heart of the Gaidhealtachd, this concert will be one not to miss if you crave classic songs and tunes from two of the greatest acts to come out of Scotland in recent times.
Dougie MacLean is considered by many to be Scotland's pre-eminent singer-songwriter. He is certainly one of the country's greatest musical treasures. Labelled a "Scottish James Taylor" by some and “world music with deep Scottish roots” by others, MacLean is renowned for the uniqueness of his meaningful, haunting and emotion-filled songs and distinctive and dramatic fiddle playing.
Dougie MacLean has built an international reputation as songwriter, composer and extraordinary performer on his own terms. This talent has taken his performance to concerts and festivals all over the world and to the stage of Carnegie Hall in New York. His Scottish concerts have included Culzean Castle (alongside Lou Reed and Eddie Reader), sell outs at Glasgow Royal Concert Hall and the Old Fruit market, BBC Proms in the Park, The Castle Esplanade, Stirling Castle and Eden Court Theatre. His songs have been covered by hosts of artists including young Scottish ‘stars’ Paolo Nuttini and Amy MacDonald, Irish singers Mary Black, Dolores Keane and Deanta, and Grammy award winning US country singer Kathy Mattea, and his Caledonia has topped the Scottish charts and become one of Scotland’s most popular contemporary songs. His music has been used in Hollywood films (eg Last of the Mohicans), TV Drama (eg BBC’s A Mug’s Game) and he has been the subject of three BBC TV Specials (The Land-Songs of Dougie MacLean, SongRoads and Clann na Mara- Children of the Sea).
This Dougie MacLean Band concert offers us a full, rich and varied musical experience, mixing traditional and modern instrumentation and weaving magic around songs from MacLean’s 18 successful albums including Turning Away, The Gael and the ‘unofficial’ anthem Caledonia.
“All members of the band are multi-talented…switching instruments effortlessly…a great concert experience!” (Scotsman)
Blazin' Fiddles
We are delighted to welcome back the wonderful Blazin' Fiddles to the festival. All of the band members are from the Highlands & Islands and play an integral part of the Gaelic & Scottish music scene. The band have been delighting audiences at home and abroad for over 10 years with their fiery blend of tunes from the Highlands & Islands and further afield which never fails raise the roof.
Fiddlers Catriona Macdonald (Shetland), Bruce MacGregor (Inverness), Allen Henderson (Mallaig), Iain MacFarlane (GlenFinnan) are joined by Marc Clement (Inverness) on guitar and Andy Thorburn (Evanton) on piano to form one of the best live acts on the Celtic music scene.
The evening will begin with a lively set from the Fèisean Lochabair Cèilidh Trail.
Adult Earlybird Ticket (up to 31st July 2009) £10.00 and £12.00 (from 01.08.09)
Senior Citizen £10.00
Children (U16) and School Pupils £5.00
Family Ticket (2 adults with 2 children) £28.00
book tickets Venue Website
Saturday 12 September 2009
Astley Hall, Arisaig Venue Postcode: PH39
7.30pm
Guthan nan Gàidheal / Gaelic Voices
Mary Ann Kennedy & Na Seòid and The MacCollective
The beautiful Gaelic language, song and airs lie at the heart of the Blas festival. Mary Ann Kennedy & Na Seòid first got together as a group at Blas 2007 where, as you would expect, they made quite an impact in the world of Gaelic music. We have teamed this super group up with some the most exciting young Highland musicians to bring you a show which will demonstrate the power and dexterity of the traditional music and song of the Highlands of Scotland.
Mary Ann Kennedy & Na Seóid (the heroes) have quickly established themselves as a captivating, vocal tour-de-force within the current Gaelic and Scottish music scene. Seven formidable young male voices of great depth, maturity and variety, wonderfully wrapped around a single female voice, augmented by sympathetic, multi-instrumental support.
The cast is indeed a powerful one, with the group comprising Mary Ann Kennedy, James Graham, Norrie MacIver, Tormod MacArthur, Gillebride MacMillan, Angus MacPhail and Griogair Labhruidh, award winning artists to a man - and of course woman. So prepare yourselves for a veritable melting pot of stunning voices, harmonies, songs and arrangements as Mary Ann Kennedy & Na Seóid take Gaelic music to places where it’s rarely ventured before.
The MacCollective
Since winning the prestigious BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Award in 2005, Lauren MacColl has gone from strength to strength fronting "The MacCollective" with Barry Reid (Croft No. 5) and Mhairi Hall. Fiddle led, with the driving combination of piano and guitar, they take you on a musical journey from rousing Highland strathspeys and reels, to emotive Gaelic airs, and their debut record was voted one of Celtic Connections 'Classic Albums' in 2008. Their current set focuses on old and new tunes specifically from the Highlands.
Adult Earlybird Ticket (up to 31st July 2009) £10.00 and £12.00 (from 01.08.09)
Senior Citizen £10.00
Children (U16) and School Pupils £5.00
Family Ticket (2 adults with 2 children) £28.00
book tickets Venue Website
Saturday 12 September 2009
Àrainn Shuaineirt - The Sunart Centre, Strontian
Venue Postcode: PH36 4JA
7.30pm
The Great Highland Clans
Clan Ranald - A Musical Celebration
The origins of Clanranald can be traced to the marriage of John of Isla (died 1380) (“John the Good”) who married his cousin Amie, a daughter of Roderick, one of Robert The Bruce’s most faithful followers. When the Scottish King had secured independence for Scotland, Roderick shared in the prosperity of his master and was confirmed in his title to very large estates. These included Moidart, Arisaig, Morar and Knoydart which went at his death to Amie. Arnie became estranged from John of Isla and retired into Moidart where without loss of time she seems to have set about building the present Castle about 1353, where she lived until her death.
Artists:
Allan MacDonald – Narrator, Researcher & Pipes
Iain MacDonald – Pipes & Whistles
Angus MacDonald – Pipes
with
Ingrid Henderson – Clarsach & Piano
Margaret Ford - Vocals
The talented Fèisean Lochaber Cèilidh Trail, featuring some of the best up-and-coming local musical youth, will perform the opening of this concert. This concert is in collaboration with the Alasdair MacMhaisteir Alasdair Event.
Adult Earlybird Ticket (up to 31st July 2009) £10.00 and £12.00 (from 01.08.09)
Senior Citizen £10.00
Children (U16) and School Pupils £5.00
Family Ticket (2 adults with 2 children) £28.00
book tickets Venue Website
