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Portsoy gets folk festival fever





Shauna Mullin with Philipe Barnes. Shauna delighted audiences in Banff and Portsoy with her superb vocals last year, and she is sure to to please the crowds again this year.
Shauna Mullin with Philipe Barnes. Shauna delighted audiences in Banff and Portsoy with her superb vocals last year, and she is sure to to please the crowds again this year.

Shauna Mullin with Philipe Barnes. Shauna delighted audiences in Banff and Portsoy with her superb vocals last year, and she is sure to to please the crowds again this year.

ANTICIPATION and excitement is building for Portsoy’s second annual folk festival – on the weekend of May 27-29.

The organisers of this year’s Second Haal of music, song and story are delighted that Dr Catherine Campbell, of The School of Scottish Studies, a published authority on the renowned Greig-Duncan Collection of folk music and songs, has agreed to be one of the judges of the inaugural singing competition on the Saturday afternoon.

The competition is for The Jimmy McBeath Award – in recognition of the Portsoy folk legend – open to unaccompanied under and over-16s singing a song of their choice from the Greig-Duncan Collection and to an acoustically accompanied duo or trio, again singing a song from the collection. Anyone interested in finding out more about the competition or the remarkable collection of more than 3,000 songs and tunes should consult the festival website at www.bothyfolk.com

The website also has full details of the event’s extensive activities.

WORKSHOP

They include a new workshop in Irish set dance delivered by Jerry O’Reilly, an internationally-renowned expert in Irish traditional song and dance.

The Haal has again been organised by the local Folk at the Salmon Bothy club, and its chairman, Bob Philips, said: "Last year’s event was a great success, and we are hoping to build on that with some new features.

"Keeping with the Irish theme, we have the exceptional Shauna Mullin returning with her band.

"Shauna has just returned from a month-long US tour with Irish supergroup Danu. She delighted audiences in Banff and Portsoy with her superb vocals last year, and she is sure to please the crowds again.

"Also on Saturday we are very lucky to be able to welcome Donegal fiddle group FiDil, who are heading for the top with their spectacular fiddle show.

"We are also fortunate the lads are hosting a fiddle workshop on Saturday morning in one of our new venues, the luxurious drawing room of Durn House.

"Durn House will also host a cauld wind pipe recital which will feature Ulliean piper Rory O’Connell supported by local musicians.

Portsoy girls at the singer-songwriters event 2010 which featured Gifford Lind. This year Gifford will be working with youngsters at Portsoy Primary during the festival and helping them write songs.
Portsoy girls at the singer-songwriters event 2010 which featured Gifford Lind. This year Gifford will be working with youngsters at Portsoy Primary during the festival and helping them write songs.

Portsoy girls at the singer-songwriters event 2010 which featured Gifford Lind. This year Gifford will be working with youngsters at Portsoy Primary during the festival and helping them write songs.

"Our own traditions are by no means forgotten though. We have traditional story-telling and poetry in Beggars Belief Café on Saturday and Sunday mornings with Lorna Summers and Sheena Blackhall, while Ian Walker and Gifford Lind, two very accomplished singer-songwriters, are to lead a songwriters’ workshop on Sunday and also lead some of the informal sessions in the Station Hotel."

Lind will also be working with children at Portsoy Primary, helping them to write their own songs.

TRIBUTE

One of the highlights for North-east folk will be the festival’s tribute to Portsoy legend Jimmy McBeath.

This year the Friday night concert line-up is headlined by Frieda Morrison, backed by The Ladies of Birseland. They are supported on the bill by master of ceremonies for the evening John Valentine.

Mr Philips enthused: "When you add in sessions in the Shore Inn led by Moonshine Madness and friends, late night and open mic sessions in the Station Hotel, I think we are assured of a spectacular weekend of music for people to participate in or just listen to."

Information and tickets are available from the website www.bothyfolk.com and Mr Philips on 01261 842571 or bobphilips25@live.co.uk

The Station Hotel, Portsoy, tel 01261 842327, will also have a festival office open from midday on Friday, May 27.


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