Bairns book launch to kick off new arts programme

A BOOK launch by local children’s author Ann Marie Anderson which will include a family-friendly concert from music group The Revellers will form part of a new performing arts programme.

The reading and party for Myrtle an Meenie will take place at Mareel on Saturday 30 October at 2pm.

It will also feature artist Dirk Robertson, who has contributed illustrations for the book.

Falling on Halloween weekend, bairns are encouraged to dress up for the event – there will even be a prize for the winner.

After the book reading, bairns can boogie around to a short set by The Revellers.

Free tickets for the launch are available to book online, in person at the box office at Mareel and ShetlandMade at Sumburgh Airport. Tickets can also be booked by calling 01595 745 500 (Wednesday – Sunday, 10am – 10pm).

It is the first event in Shetland Arts’ new We Are Live programme covering comedy, dance, film and literature and music.

The commissions are supported by Creative Scotland’s Performing Arts Venues Relief Fund.

A number of other events are planned as part of the programme.

It includes a piece from Christie Williamson, Chris Stour and Catriona Mackay as they build on their recent Da Flit sound work.

Comedy group The Imposters will perform an improvised musical pantomime during the Christmas season, with live musical accompaniment.

Local folk band Herkja will team up with Shetland Museum and Archive, Shetland Film Archive and the Kist o Riches (Tobar an Dualchais) archive to write and perform new music inspired by Shetland’s visual and aural history.

Dancer and choreographer Kathryn Spence and filmmakers JJ Jamieson and Liz Musser will step into Shetland’s landscape to create a new work of screen dance, presented as an installation across multiple screens.

Hosting two gigs, Da Gret Nort Gaff will see comedians Rosco McLelland and Liam Withnail perform in Shetland for the first time alongside Shetland comedian Marjolein Robertson.