Artyness columnist and musician Liza Mulholland offers heartwarming news as winter's raging
With all the recent storms bringing weather that has felt unrelentingly grim, it’s so heart-warming and uplifting to have cheering things to look forward to in weeks and months ahead, and I’d like to share a few of those with you this week.
First up is the fantastic news that Fèis Rois’s Junior Fèis in Ullapool is back in-person this year in the first week of the Easter holidays. This residential week of music, Gaelic song, dance, drama, and art has been a staple in the traditional music calendar for many years and is simply one of the most incredible opportunities for youngsters.
Fèis Rois na h-Òigridh will run from Monday to Friday, April 4-8, and is open to children from P4 up to S1.
With a great line-up of tutors, all experienced in teaching and working with young people, the learning environment fostered at the event is one of positive friendly fun.
Booking opens at the beginning of March, with details on the Fèis Rois website, and do note that there may be financial help available if needed.
Another piece of exciting news is that the Under Canvas festival will return to the front lawn of Inverness’s Eden Court Theatre in the summer.
This daily feast of music, offering a huge number and range of artistes across afternoons and evenings, from July 1 to August 27, will this year be programmed and managed by Eden Court itself.
This fabulous outdoor festival has become a hugely popular event for locals and visitors alike: the iconic stretch tent, music drifting across the River Ness on a summer afternoon, the inviting smoky wafts of pizza from the wood-fired oven – all have come to signal the welcoming family-friendly atmosphere of Under Canvas.
There is an open call out just now for musicians and bands to play at the festival and I recommend checking out the details and guidelines for acts on the theatre’s website if you or musical friends are interested in taking part.
Veteran festival goers will of course have noted by now that our much-loved Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival will also return at the end of July and indeed it seems all three-day tickets are already sold out.
With Bella cancelled because of Covid the last two years, I imagine an early sell-out was inevitable due to tickets being carried over from those bought for 2020/21.
It appears some upgrade tickets might still be available though, so do check the website.
The line-up of artistes is superb and, with everyone overjoyed to be back, if you’re lucky enough to have a ticket, then you’re in for one heck of a party!
Something that fair lifted my spirits last week was my first gig in nearly two years.
Playing accordion with my friends in the Wounded Moose line-up was a blast – once I’d got over first-night nerves!
So, be warned, the Moose is now on the loose!