A TOWN in North-east Scotland will be taken over for the 40th year with the sounds of traditional music this weekend.
Recently named the first Scots Toun in the country, Keith will enjoy four days of concerts, ceilidhs, competitions and sessions for all ages, featuring many top performers including Blazin’ Fiddles as headline act.
Festival committee chair, Kathleen Anderson, said:
“Once again we have an extremely exciting, talented and enthusiastic line up of guest artists to entertain us at the 40th Festival with Young Traditional Musician of the Year winners, Bothy Ballad Champion of Champions, Scottish Trad Music Hall of Fame entrants, two of the best dance bands in the country, world-class fiddlers, young local bands and, of course, the fantastic Blazin’ Fiddles.
She continues: “Getting to the 40th festival is a fantastic achievement and thanks must go to all who have helped us get to this stage over the years – committee members past and present, guests performers, helpers and audiences. We hope to make this festival one to remember but most of all one that everyone enjoys.”
Organised by the Traditional Music and Song Association (TMSA) Keith branch, the Festival will have events from Friday night through to Monday morning as well as a display of photos, posters and programmes from the past 40 years in the Pop Up Festival office and shop.
Tickets are selling well though there is still availability for many events during 12-15 June, on a weekend that is also expected to enjoy good weather to enjoy the festival atmosphere.
Notes to editors:
Contact: Gary Coull – press officer – Tel: 07834 690410
- The 40th Keith TMSA Festival runs from Friday 12th June to Sunday 14th June in various venues throughout the town.
- Tickets and programmes are available from Mither Tongue, Mid Street, Keith and also from the Festival office located within the Pop Up Shop, 175 Mid Street, Keith. For more information log on to the website www.keithfestival.co.uk; e-mail keithfestival@gmail.com or phone Eddie Harvey on 01542 882908. Join the festival on Facebook at www.facebook.com/keithfestival
Festival schedule
Friday 12 June
A choice of three events to attend, all beginning at 8pm:
- The Opening Ceilidh in the Bowling Club (sponsored by Clydesdale Bank and Alex Grant & Co) which will feature some of the youngsters who were successful in the Burns Federation Competition.
- To celebrate the importance of songs and singing to the festival over the past 40 years, a Bothy Ballads & Other Songs concert will be held in the Plough Inn (sponsored by Shears Hair & Beauty Retreat and Barbara Anderson Fiddle School in Huntly). Following the concert in the Plough, at around 10pm, there will be a free sing-a-round where attendees can either join in, take part or just listen.
- An Old Time Dance is being held in the British Legion (sponsored by Tesco Keith and Cramond Insurance Life & Pensions) with music being provided by Graeme Mitchell and his Scottish Dance Band. Graeme was the winner of the accordion competition at the first festival in 1976.
Saturday 13 June
Saturday is billed as a family day and there will be informal music sessions in Shears, The Deli Shop, Plough Inn and Royal Hotel.
There are also the official TMSA competitions (sponsored by Alex Grant & Co). Competitors can register at the festival office which will, this year, be in the Pop Up Shop at 175 Mid Street. Entry is free for audience members.
The winners from the day’s competitions will perform at the Prizewinners Concert in St Thomas’ Hall (sponsored by Alex Grant & Co) starting at 6.30pm priced £6 adults/£2 children.
The headline act on Saturday night are Blazin’ Fiddles who are one of the top music groups in the country (sponsored by Alex Grant & Co). They will be performing at the Concert Ceilidh in the Royal Hotel (sponsored by Strathisla Distillery).
Two other Concert Ceilidhs are available on Saturday evening, beginning at 8pm, with events being held in the Bowling Club (sponsored by Peterkins and NFU Mutual) and the Plough Inn (Clark Thomson and Strathdee Properties).
Sunday 14 June
The official programme begins at 1pm in the Bowling Club when kids can go along to enjoy music and song at the Bairns Ceilidh.
2pm sees the start of the free Open Air Concert (sponsored by Alex Grant & Co and Keith Royal British Legion) which takes place in Reidhaven Square. In the event of bad weather the concert will take place in the Royal Hotel.
The Chorus Quaich Competition takes place in the Plough Inn lounge with a new start time of 3.30pm. Anyone can enter this free competition providing that the song they choose contains a chorus.
The Festival ‘officially’ finishes with the Farewell Concert in the Royal Hotel (sponsored by Alex Grant & Co and E W Simmers) beginning at 7.30pm. This is a chance for people to say cheerio to new and old friends.
Monday 15 June
However, it doesn’t completely finish there as the Plough Inn is host to the Orange Juice Ceilidh on Monday afternoon.
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TMSA contact details…
Contact: Fiona Campbell
Phone: 07922533915
Email: office@tmsa.org.uk
Website: http://www.tmsakeithfestival.blogspot.co.uk/
