The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #112954 Message #2395969
Posted By: Tattie Bogle
23-Jul-08 - 10:43 AM
Thread Name: Linlithgow Folk Festival 11th-14th Sept
Subject: Linlithgow Folk Festival 11th-14th Sept
THE 10TH LINLITHGOW FOLK FESTIVAL The annual Linlithgow Folk Festival will take place from the 11th to the 14th of September and the build-up got underway last Sunday, with the official launch of the programme.
A full colour, twelve page guide to all that is happening at the annual celebration of traditional music, dance and song in the Royal Burgh was unveiled at the monthly music session at the Black Bitch Tavern. And with this year marking the tenth Festival, the organisers are promising something for all ages at this milestone event.
The biggest-ever programme includes Concerts in various venues, two Ceilidhs, musical cruises and sessions at the Union Canal Centre, children's events, a craft fair, singing and instrument workshops, sessions and gigs in local pubs, and an "Open Stage" for budding performers. There will also be a "Best of the Festival" showcase on the Saturday afternoon and a chance to see a top bluegrass band from the United States.
The headline concert on Saturday September 13th at 8pm in the Academy Theatre will see a welcome return to Linlithgow for some artists who appeared in the very first year. Guitar wizard, Eddie Walker, is also a great singer and was top of the bill at the debut year in 1999. He is appearing in a new duo with the outstanding harmonica player, Fraser Spiers, well known on the Scottish blues and jazz scenes. Eddie and Fraser range through blues, ragtime, hillbilly. Swing jazz and traditional styles and have been earning rave reviews all over the country. They will be supported by David Francis and Mairi Campbell, who make up the duo, The Cast. Their singing of "Auld Lang Syne" to the older tune features in the soundtrack of the film "Sex in the City". The Cast played at the very first Linlithgow Folk Festival fundraising event in May 1999.
The Folk Festival Association has worked closely with a number of partner organisations over the years, such as the Canal Society, and this year is teaming up with Linlithgow Primary School to stage a Family Ceilidh in the school hall on Friday September 12th. The Ceilidh, led by local band COCKLEROY, will showcase some of the tremendous talent in the school and give pupils the opportunity to perform. Last year's very successful Outdoor Ceilidh at the Vennel will be repeated on the Sunday afternoon, with COCKLEROY once again at the helm.
The Festival kicks off with the traditional Lecture, this year delivered by Linlithgow's own Ewan McVicar, the renowned author, storyteller and songwriter, who will take a fascinating look at the Bo'ness Rebels Literary Society, a group which did so much to promote Scottish song writing in the 1950s and 60s.