Roll up, roll up – musical circus set to raise charity funds

A TWO-day long musical extravaganza is set to arrive in both Lerwick and Scalloway next month to raise vital funds for two charities.

The Sleepless Circus will see The Dead Pans headline a day of live music across both Da Marlex and Scalloway Boating Club, with Fully Licensed and Black Out Fear completing the evening ticketed line-up on Saturday 11 October.

The weekend will also feature the return of musicians Jonny and Kennedy Stewart with their group the High Flying Bhajis, at a free event in the Marlex on Saturday afternoon.

And after Saturday’s late-night exertions the circus will then roll back into town on the Sunday, for a wind down jamming session and raffle draw.

The money raised from Sleepless Circus will go towards both MacMillan Cancer Support and Shetland Foodbank.

Organisers Regan Williamson, Peter and Scott Tomlinson are orchestrating the circus behind the curtain, with another Shetlander – Chloe Keppie – designing the distinctive Sleepless Circus poster.

Williamson said organising the event had been a long-held ambition.

“The music scene in Shetland is in a very good position and I have always wanted to put on my own events and thought now was a great time to bring together loads of acts, get them paid, and raise money for charity,” he said.

Saturday afternoon’s entertainment – starting at 2pm – includes singer Keirynn Topp, as well as “Faroese superstar” Siggy Danielson.

After the High Flying Bhajis in Da Marlex attentions turn to Scalloway, where new band Black Out Fear will lead into Fully Licensed at the boating club.

The Dead Pans will then bring the big top down by headlining the event.

Williamson said they had been supported by a range of sponsors, including L A Simpson, Kelvin Anderson, Aquatech Mechanical Solutions, ZETLand-scape, Art Machine and Da Marlex.

He thanked Anna and the Marlex staff for sponsoring the afternoon session and hosting the raffle on Sunday.

Williamson said that ticket sales for the Saturday night event were going well, and encouraged folk to snap them up before it is too late.

Saturday evening tickets are available here, and are currently priced at £15.