Performing Arts

2005 saw the most extensive programme ever of performing arts. Wherever you were and at whatever time there was music, dance or theatre close by.

Moira Stewart who coordinates the Festival music programme faces a big challenge to surpass the success of 2005. However, it's one she's prepared to take on and early indications are very positive and exciting.

Friday Night's Concert will feature the hugely popular McCalmans, local fiddling legend Paul Anderson, and they'll be supported by a feast of singing including some great performers from Norway. More ...

To buy your tickets online - click HERE

This year the Saturday Night Ceilidh features the Celtic rock band Laverock from the Udny area. They have been entertaining crowds at ceilidhs, weddings and fundraisers for over five years. Equally experienced at the Aberdeen Exhibition Centre, the Egyptian Pyramids, Highland hotels, modest family gatherings or outdoor events, Laverock can cater for all Scottish music and dance requirements. More at http://www.laverock.net/

Over the Saturday and Sunday the harbour and Loch Soy will feature a brilliant bill of song, music, dance and busking with many of our old friends including:

	Alex & Madeline Green
	Anne McArthur Dancers
	Buckie Pipe Band
	Gaye Antony
	Huntly Pipe Band
	Les & Sheila Wheeler
	Local Vocals
	Skip 2 the Beat
	Sisters of the Desert (Belly Dance)
	Stefanie Jacobs Dancers
	The Bothy Group
	Turriff Silver Band

Plus new performers this year include:

Shona Mooney the fiddle playing winner of the 2006 BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician of the Year will be accompanied by Tom Oakes on guitar and flute. More at http://www.shonamooney.co.uk/

Haggerdash are one of Scotland's most popular Folk groups. The band includes Davy Logan, Davy Lees and Billy Stewart who have all been involved in folk music for many a year either as solo artists or with other groups. More at http://www.haggerdash.co.uk

Helge Arildsoe will be joining us with his unique Scandinavian blend of traditional music, sea shanties and some of the songs he has written himself over a career that spans 25 years. More at http://www.shanty.dk/helge1.htm

With a combination of instruments including guitar, mandolin, bodhran, banjo, whistle, mandola, bouzouki, mouth organ complementing fine vocals, harmonies and a keen sense of humour, an entertaining performance by North Sea Gas is guaranteed. More at http://www.northseagas.co.uk

Danny Spooner (from Daylesford in Victoria) and Margaret Walters (from Sydney in New South Wales) have teamed up to tour in the UK in 2006. Seasoned performers, they each have a pronounced preference for an unaccompanied style of singing (augmented occasionally by Danny on concertina). Both are strong lead singers with extensive repertoires of British and Australian traditional material. They love chorus songs, sea shanties and harmonies, and quality contemporary songs.

The star studded Highland Band of the Royal Regiment of Scotland will be marching from the Loch to the New Harbour and back at some point on Sunday ... more

If you would like to join the programme of performing artists in 2006 please contact Moira Stewart.

And on the subject of music, we're proud to announce that we're facilitating the third year of our school music programme. As part of the Youth Music Initiative and in conjunction with Aberdeenshire Council, there will be a four-month series of singing and instrumental tutorials led by Dave Francis and his team in the Banff Academy cluster of Primary Schools.

We hugely appreciate the support given to this project by the head teachers and staff of the schools and we look forward with them to the final concert 'Ballads n' Beats' to be held on Friday 23rd June at 7pm in Banff Academy where children from all the schools will perform.

The McCalmans