|
31 July, 2010
 |
Published: 22 August, 2008
THE fastest-growing Gaelic and traditional music festival in the UK is set to launch a number of music shows in Caithness as part of a Highland-wide programme.
advertising
Now a notable fixture on Scotland's cultural calendar, the Blas Festival has announced it will be staging 45 events across the Highlands, three of them at Caithness venues. Friday, September 5, sees the first of the Blas events, at Mackay's Hotel in Wick, with Fred Morrison and Friends performing. Leading the line-up is renowned piper and whistle player, Fred Morrison who has carved himself an international reputation with a powerfully exuberant, highly improvisational style which combines the Gaelic piping tradition of the Uists with contemporary and eclectic influences. The evening is being promoted by the local branch of An Comunn Gàidhealach in the run up to the 2010 Royal National Mod and will also feature a number of local artists. The show starts at 7.30pm. The world premiere of a new commission by Wick-born musician and composer James Ross will be performed on Wednesday, September 10, at the Assembly Rooms, Wick, again starting at 7.30pm. This work follows on from a successful New Voices commission at Celtic Connections and debut CD in 2006. The commission will feature new music, reflecting the Highland landscape throughout the course of a year, supported by stunning photography by Catriona Murray. James will be joined by the string quartet Mr McFall's Chamber and highly-talented and sought-after musician and composer Fraser Fifield. The Blas events come to an finale on Saturday, September 13, with Ùrachadh, a stunning show which takes a journey through the story of north-west Sutherland, using music, song, poetry and visuals. Featuring the talents of Mod gold medallist James Graham, fiddler Rhona Sutherland, Wick pianist James Ross, multi-instrumentalist and singer Catriona MacLeod and piper/accordionist Carol-Anne MacKay from Dòchas, this promises to be an unforgettable show at the Mill Theatre, Thurso, starting at 7.30pm.
There are a number of other attractions elsewhere throughout the 2008 programme which bolsters the festival's commitment to Gaelic and the links with Cape Breton. They include a concert by Ireland's kings of traditional music, the Chieftains (Eden Court on the 10th). The six-time Grammy Award winners will be led by legendary frontman Paddy Moloney and they will be joined by several guests on stage, including the Canadian acrobatic dancing team of brothers Jon and Nathan Pilatzke. Other artistes performing at Blas include the Addie Harper Band (Durness village hall on the 13th) Phil Cunningham (Strathy village hall on the 9th), J.P. Cormier from Cape Breton, top Irish-American group Cherish the Ladies and Scottish talent the Peatbog Faeries, Julie Fowlis, Alyth and Shooglenifty. Tain-based Gizzen Briggs will be at Dornoch Cathedral on September 7. Festival director Donna MacRae said: "Blas is Gaelic for 'taste' or 'savour' and this year's festival really is quite mouthwatering. "It's only our fourth year but we will be delivering a programme of music, Gaelic, food and workshop events that really strengthen our contribution to the region's cultural identity. We are delighted to be staging events in the Caithness area as part of that." 
|
 WHAT'S ON
THE BIG VOTE
Does Caithness have enough wind farms? Local Guides
|
