Katie Mackenzie, publicist for the Festival, has sent this…
This year’s Blas Festival will feature a special piping event in Inverness. ‘Càirdeas nam Pìobairean’ will take place at Inverness Town House on 29th November. The lineup includes Angus MacColl, Angus MacKenzie, Dr Angus MacDonald, Fin Moore with Sarah Hoy, Gary West and Brighde Chaimbeul.
‘Blas, which means ‘taste’ or ‘sample’, is organised by Fèisean nan Gàidheal in partnership with The Highland Council and will take place from 22-30 November, culminating in a variety of events across the Highlands to celebrate St Andrew’s Night.
‘It aims to celebrate Gaelic culture and the thriving Scottish traditional music scene over 8 days of concerts, cèilidhs and workshops in venues across the Highlands and Islands.
‘In a programme which really does offer something for every member of the family, as well as the 20 main concerts and cèilidh, there will also be daytime cèilidhs, a series of song lectures and a special schools programme which will see some of the musicians visit local schools for performances and workshops.
‘This year will also feature two special partnerships. Blas and Small Halls Festival will present shows in Kyleakin and Edinbane featuring a world-class line up of musicians including Capercaillie’s Donald Shaw, fiddler Duncan Chisholm, Granton-on-Spey multi-instrumentalist and composer Hamish Napier and BBC Young Folk Award winner, uilleann piper Jarlath Henderson.
‘Arthur Cormack, Fèisean nan Gàidheal Chief Executive, said: “Blas Festival has become an important event in the calendar for communities across the Highlands and Islands since its inception in 2005.
“This year’s programme is no exception and with its outstanding cèilidhs, and concerts will celebrate and promote Highland culture to audiences coming from far and wide. We are delighted to be able to put on Blas Festival this year, once again, to showcase and celebrate our homegrown talent.”
The full programme of events can be found at www.blas-festival.com along with details of how to purchase tickets.
Interesting, but helluva short notice!?