Craignish hall reaching out to the area’s young
WITH a bumper programme of music, drama and art well under way at the Craignish Village Hall, the committee is looking to reach out to get young people involved.
The Ardfern venue’s 2017/18 arts programme has already had a number of packed-out shows, and the stage is now set for more shows and workshops. As a result, a growing number of volunteers have been undertaking a wide range of vital behindthe-scenes roles.
Members of the hall committee are very keen to involve more young people in decision-making about the use of the hall and there will be a drop-in session at the hall later in the summer when people can find out about volunteering.
Programme manager John Saich, a former member of Scottish band Capercaillie, said: ‘Craignish Village Hall was expertly designed for a wide range of uses. We are a little off the beaten track for many touring companies, and we don’t have the size of population here that you’ll find in the towns and cities. That’s why the grants we receive from Creative Scotland, Argyll and Bute Council’s Supporting Communities Fund and the Craignish Trust are vital in allowing us to promote new talent and ultimately involve the community in the creative process.’
In 2016, pupils from the school were again taking a leading role, composing and recording music for a dance production entitled Tales of the Corryvreckan, with local and professional musicians and dancers.
John explained that the committee want to encourage more projects like this and get more youngsters involved with the arts in Craignish.
Committee member Ali Allport added: ‘Ardfern and the Craignish peninsula have a richly diverse demographic and the village hall has always been the kitchen from which interesting and life enhancing exhibitions, concepts and performances are served up.’
As for the arts programme itself, music continues on Tuesday August 1 when flamen- co jazz-fusion guitarist Eduardo Niebla makes a special appearance at Craignish on his UK tour.
In August, the hall is set to host a book evening and a craft and textiles workshop, while Mull Theatre’s production of
FACE:Isobel and Luke Norris’s play Growth, are both coming to Ardfern later in the year.
Looking ahead to early 2018, there will be yet more music with BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician of the Year finalist Iona Fyfe, with more events in dance and theatre to be announced soon.
For all inquiries about the arts programme visit craignish.org.uk or contact John Saich by e mail: cvh.artsevents@gmail.com.