THE heritage of Moray is centrestage next month at the in-person Keith TMSA Festival (9-11 June 2023) – one of the longest-running folk festivals in Scotland.
Showcased in a special show, ‘The Moray Suite’ is a series of songs and music written by local Moray loon, Colin Campbell Jr. who hails from Fochabers. The story of Colin’s life growing up and living in Moray, is told through the medium of a multi-media live show, in a unique storytelling experience.
The piece has been previously performed at Speyfest and in various other venues throughout the region but will be the headline act of the Saturday night Keith Festival line-up at The Royal Hotel (sponsored by Barbara Coutts Fiddle School, Lifestyle Magazine and Tidy Green Clean).
Festival committee chair, Kathleen Anderson, said: “After the success last year of our first in-person Festival since the pandemic, we’re delighted to bring you another jam packed weekend of traditional music and song.
“Amongst many highlights, The Moray Suite is sure to be one of those. A fantastic original set of songs and tunes performed by some of the best traditional musicians in the country – all of whom are from Moray.
“There really is something for everyone at Keith Festival be that formal concerts, informal sessions, sing-a-rounds, competitions or kids events. We want folk to come and enjoy the music but also take part and show off their skills too. Scotland’s traditional music and song is for everyone and we can’t wait to share the weekend with you all.
“The main thing about our festival is that people enjoy themselves and I have no doubt that everyone who comes along or takes part will do just that.”
The Keith Traditional Music and Song Association (TMSA) Festival officially begins on Friday evening with revellers having a variety of events to attend. A Bothy Ballads & Other Songs concert will be held in the Plough Inn (sponsored by Shears Hair & Beauty Retreat, North East Windows & Doors and Anderson Bain).
Following the concert in the Plough, at around 10.30pm, there will be a free sing-a-round where attendees can either join in, take part or just listen.
For those who prefer to dance along to the traditional music an Old Time Dance is being held in the British Legion (sponsored by Alex Grant & Co, Moray West Offshore Wind Farm and Strathdee Properties) with music being provided by Ewan Galloway & his Scottish Dance Band. Informal music sessions will be held in The Ploo, Royal Hotel, Railway Club and Bowling Club during the evening.
On Saturday the day starts with the official TMSA competitions (sponsored by Alex Grant & Co) which are held in various venues throughout the town. Entries can be made at the Festival Office from 9am. There will also be informal music sessions in Shears, the Deli Shop, Boogie Woogie, The Ploo, The Royal and the Railway Club. The winners from the competitions will perform in the Prizewinners Concert (sponsored by Alex Grant & Co) at 6.30pm in St Thomas’ Hall.
Along with the featured Moray Suite concert on the Saturday night, the ever-popular Concert in the Bowling Club will be held at 8pm (sponsored by Peterkins, Tidy Green Clean and Roehill Springs).
Sunday’s official programme begins at 1pm in the Bowling Club when kids can go along to enjoy music and song at the Bairns Ceilidh and there will be a variety of sessions and sing-a-rounds throughout the day. 2pm sees the start of the free Open Air Concert (sponsored by Alex Grant & Co and The Plough Inn) 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 (sponsored by Springfield Properties, E.W. Simmers & Son and Boogie Woogie) takes place in the Plough Inn lounge with a start time of 4pm. 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) beginning at 7.30pm.
This is a chance for people to say cheerio to new and old friends.
However, it doesn’t completely finish there as the Plough Inn is host to the Orange Juice Ceilidh on Monday afternoon.
The Keith TMSA Festival runs from Friday 9th June to Sunday 11th June as a whole weekend of events throughout the friendly town being held for music and song lovers.
Tickets for all events are available from Mither Tongue, Mid Street, Keith; by phoning Sandy on (01542) 882638; and from the Festival office located within the Pop-up Shop at 145 Mid Street, Keith on the weekend. For full details log on to the website www.keithfestival.com or e-mail keithfestival@gmail.com. Follow the festival on Facebook at www.facebook.com/keithfestival or on Twitter @KeithFestival.
ENDS
Contact: Gary Coull – Press Officer – Tel: 07834 690410
Photo caption: The Moray Suite Photo of performance
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TMSA contact details…
Contact: Fiona Campbell
Phone: 07834690410
Email: office@tmsa.scot
Website: http://www.keithfestival.com
