Paid for contentWelcome to the 35th Shetland accordion and fiddle bonanza
IN MANY ways it seems no time since the last notes of the very successful 34th Festival faded away in October 2023. Like Christmas, it looms up quickly, and as ever there is a great programme of music and dance lined up.
The programme was recently released, and it contains all details of what is happening, and when. The details can also be found on the official webpage at www.shetlandaccordionandfiddle.com and contains lots more detail about visiting artistes.
The Festival Hub as ever is in the Islesburgh Community Centre, and this is where the official opening will take place on Thursday 10 October at 1pm, and unusually the opening is being performed by not one, but six people, all of whom have been very regular visitors to, and supporters of, the festival for many years. Sheila Bain, Billy Stuart, Isobel and John Michie, and Peggy and Les McIntosh are well known locally, and the committee are pleased they have agreed to be the official guests.
The festival has always had as its main aim to provide top class music for both listening and dancing, and to take the entertainment all over Shetland. Concerts will be held in Ollaberry, Voe, Vidlin, Scalloway, Cunningsburgh, Sandwick, and of course in the Festival Hub in Islesburgh.
One change that has been made this year, reflecting feedback from festival-goers, is that two of the events each evening will be a concert only, while there will be, as in previous years, a dance following the others. This will help people who aren’t able to stay for a dance mid-week, while allowing all Hub members who want to dance to head back to Islesburgh where the dancing will be going on until the wee sma’ oors!
Amongst the visiting musicians are some of Scotland’s top dance bands, the Sandy Nixon Dance Band, Nicol McLaren and the Glencraig Dance Band, and the Scott Band Dance band. Graeme Mackay has performed in the past as a solo accordionist, but this time also has his band with him.
Those who heard On the Piste at the festival a few years ago will no doubt be keen to again hear this accordion trio with their superb mixture of continental music. Other groups include the James Corbett Trio and Charlie Kirkpatrick and friends.
Senior Fiddle Champion Anne Mitchell is making a welcome return, as is another top fiddler, Ian Robertson. Although hailing from Buckinghamshire, he comes from a family steeped in Scottish music, and his great grandmother played piano for the legendary Scott Skinner.
Scandinavian music too has always been popular in Shetland, and this year the festival features no less than two groups. Faeroese group Spælimenninir í Nólsoy appeared here in 2019 and are now making a return visit. Making their first appearance at the festival is the Kristian Rusbjerg Trio from Denmark, and the committee are pleased to be able to bring these top musicians to Shetland.
Not to be outdone, local musicians will be out in force, with Maggie Adamson, Andy Kain, and Brydon Priest amongst the fiddlers, as well as Shetland Young Fiddler of the Year Kristie Williamson. Accordionists include Bruce Peebles, Brian Morrison, and Alan Small along with Gemma Donald, with many others featuring in the dance bands, which include the Cullivoe Band, the David Halcrow Band, Callum Nicolson Band, and Da Fustra.
The Grand Dance at Clickimin on the Saturday night is always one of the highlights of the festival. Making their first appearance there is young local band Filskit, who have been proving very popular since being formed only a year ago. With 12 bands and 26 popular dances, this year should prove no exception. There will again be a top quality DVD of the Grand Dance and this can be pre-ordered from the Festival Shop in the Hub.
Earlier on Saturday the festival showcases the local youth talent in the Youth Concert in the Hub. A packed room 16 will enjoy players from all local tutors, and afterwards the youngsters can enjoy getting together for music making in the Youth Sessions.
Sunday, being the final day of the festival, is a more relaxing day with two concerts featuring some of the most popular items from the Festival. They take place simultaneously in the afternoon in the Hub and the Garrison Theatre.
One part of the Festival, which is not programmed, is the number of sessions which happen all over the Hub – in the side rooms, the corridors, and even the stairwells! Here everyone, regardless of their ability, can join in and just ‘have a tune’!
The committee are very pleased that as usual there are many visitors already booked to come to Shetland for the Festival, musicians, dancers, and musical enthusiasts alike, and they hope that, along with local support, everyone will enjoy the 35th Shetland Accordion and Fiddle Bonanza!
Ticket are available online at https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/shetland-accordion-fiddle
