Three month long Mareel opening season

SHETLAND Arts has put together a three-month opening season for the isles’ new music and cinema venue Mareel, culminating in an official opening weekend from 16 to 18 November.

The star-studded programme includes a diverse range of acts and artists, highlights being Scotland’s popular indie band Aberfeldy; eminent singer/songwriter Dougie MacLean; American fiddler, banjo player and guitar virtuoso Bruce Molsky; and BBC Radio DJ Vic Galloway.

The opening season kicks off with the lighting up of the new arts venue next Thursday evening as part of the Mirrie Dancers project, commissioned by Shetland Arts.

This will be followed by Klub Revolution presenting Slam on 5 October, and the Shetland Community Orchestra inviting everybody to a concert on 6 October.

The following day The wonderful world of Cerys Matthews will entice the crowds through the doors.

Organisers said that plans were taking shape for the official opening weekend in November:

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• Friday, 16 November: Aberfeldy, with support from singer-songwriter Chris Bradley;
• Saturday, 17 November: Shetland Meets Appalachia – an exploration of our common musical roots featuring Bruce Molsky alongside special Shetland guests including Gary Peterson, Maurice Henderson, Maggie Adamson, Sheila Henderson, Brian Nicholson, the Cullivoe Fiddlers, the Heritage Fiddlers, and Lynda Anderson;
• Sunday, 18 November: Dougie MacLean.

Other highlights during the opening season period are:

• Vic Galloway Presents, which is the first in a series of regular music showcase concerts hosted by BBC Radio 1 & Radio Scotland DJ Vic Galloway, followed by a DJ set by the man himself, on 13 October;
• The Shetland Guitar Festival with headliners Stuart McCallym and Aziz Ibrahim on 27 and 28 October;
• a foot-stomping performance by Danish folk band Himmerland, on 8 November;
• Scottish duo Aidan Moffat & Bill Wells on 8 December; and
• 90s Britpop legends Happy Mondays, on 14 and 15 December.

Shetland Arts director Gwilym Gibbons said: “We are absolutely delighted to announce such a packed programme of high-quality events for the official opening season at Mareel.

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“We have had a huge amount of interest so far and we expect that things will only get busier in the run up to the festive season.”

Also during opening season, Shetland Arts will be launching Mareel’s cinema promotions – Gold & Silver Cards, Family & Friends Discount, and Ten4Nine.

For a full listing of events click here.