Shetland’s first Fiddle Frenzy is now less than two weeks away, and as well as promoting a number of formal and informal workshops, lectures and other ‘educational’ elements, there will be a variety of concerts during the week long event, aimed at highlighting some of the best traditional and contemporary music Shetland has to offer. All these concerts are open to the general public, and indeed there are still some places available on the workshops themselves for locals and visitors alike.
The opening concert of the Fiddle Frenzy takes place in the Garrison Theatre on Tuesday the 17th August at 7.30pm. On the bill will be many of the tutors taking part in the event, including Christ Stout, Catriona McKay and Jenna Reid along with Brian Gear and Violet Tulloch, Maddrim, ‘Young Fiddler of the Year’ Lynne Anderson and Milladen to name but a few. There will also be a massive traditional music stramash to round off the evening before the action moves on to the Lounge Bar for the opening session of the Frenzy. Tickets for the Garrison concert are priced £8 and £5 and are available on the door.
On Thursday the 19th August the Baltasound Hall in Unst hosts a concert and dance following workshops on the island. On the bill here are Hom Bru, Steven Spence, Arthur Spence, Henry Henderson, Chris Stout and Catriona McKay, Shetland Fiddlers Society, the Unst Bairns and the Unst Music and Dance Club. Tickets are priced £5 with under 12’s free and there will be a bus (fare £3 return) from and back to Lerwick with a late ferry also running from the island.
The Cullivoe Hall hosts a concert and dance at 7.30 on Friday the 20th featuring Maddrim, the Cullivoe Fiddlers, Laurence Tulloch, Shaela, Chris Stout and Catriona McKay and young vocalist Jillian Isbister, who’s version of John Lennon’s ‘Imagine’ on the ‘Tracks North’ CD has recently been receiving regular airplay on national radio. Brendan Scollay and friends will play for the dance. Ticket price, a bus service from and back to Lerwick and a late ferry are as for the Baltasound concert.
A concert and dance with a difference is promised in the cosy atmosphere of the Eshaness Hall on Saturday the 21st. Appropriately, there will be a special focus on the music of Tom Anderson with Eunice Groat, the Heritage Fiddlers and Shetland’s Young Heritage all on the bill. They will be joined by Fair Isle group Fridarey and Chris Stout and Catriona McKay. The concert will be followed by an old time traditional dance, where Shetland Folk Dancers will assist with demonstrating some of the perhaps lesser known steps. The North Mavin Fiddle and Accordion club will round the evening off with the more usual Boston’s, Eightsome Reels etc. Again there will be transport from and to Lerwick with tickets available on the door priced £5 with under £12’s free.
Sunday the 22nd, the final day of the event, sees two concerts taking place. The first, entitled ‘Leaving Lerwick Harbour’ is in Islesburgh from 3pm – 4.30 and will focus on the music of Shetland fiddle legend Willie Hunter. Taking part will be some of Willie’s musical acquaintances and protégés including Brian Gear and Violet Tulloch, Mark Laurenson, Alex Hutchison and the Cullivoe Dance Band. Tickets are priced £5 and are available from High Level Music in Lerwick.
The event is rounded off on Sunday night in the Bressay Hall with perhaps one of the strongest line up of musicians ever to appear together on a Shetland stage. ‘The Last Gasp Gig’ starts at 7.30 and features Rock Salt and Nails, Shoormal, Hom Bru, Brian Gear and Violet Tulloch, New Tradition, Swinging Fiddles, High Strings, Gemma Donald, Laura Lockyer, Lynne Anderson, Sheila Henderson and Brian Nicolson, Fridarey, Alex Hutchison, Mark Laurenson and Chris Stout and Catriona McKay to name but a few. The hall will be set out in the old social style and the evening will be rounded off with a dance by the Graham Edwardson Band. A bus service will operate between the ferry and the hall, starting at 7pm and there will be a late ferry and bus back to the town at 1.30. Tickets are priced £8 and £5 (under 12’s free) and again are available from High Level Music.
As well as the planned content of the concerts the promoters, Shetland Arts Trust, promise an “anything might happen” approach with lots of additional musical surprises along the way.
For further information and travel details contact Davie Gardner on (01595) 697550.
