Tradfest set to sign off with a final weekend flourish
This weekend sees the continuation of Edinburgh Tradfest and its packed programme of traditional live music, storytelling and folk film from Scotland and around the world.
Now in full swing and attracting audiences to events across the city, the 11-day festival draws to a close on Monday with a concert at the Assembly Rooms, featuring vocal superstar Julie Fowlis and highly respected fiddler Laura Wilkie.
Among the highlights still to come are Lau Nau and Pekko Käppi – two of Finland’s most visionary musicians – who provide the accompanying music score for Je’Vida, the first ever film made in the Skolt Sami dialect, being screened at the Cameo Picturehouse at 5.30pm today. This will be followed by a concert at the Scottish Storytelling Centre this evening.
New young bands showcasing their talents at the ETF Spotlight event on Sunday include Miguel Giräo whose latest release, the Northern Isles Suite, is a collection of music for solo guitar composed of traditional melodies from Orkney and Shetland. Also performing are Elír, who take traditional songs from Scotland and Ireland and merge them with an eclectic range of influences.
Others appearing will be Noah Scott and Ciorstaidh Chaimbeul from Skye, who won the Danny Kyle Award at this year’s Celtic Connections, and Beatha, a vibrant folk trio, whose traditional folk melodies are infused with a contemporary flair.
A full weekend of workshops is scheduled, on everything from traditional Zimbabwean song and Scottish step dance, to how to sign, how to improve your onstage patter, and how your favourite music can provide a springboard to your own songwriting ambitions. These will feature Evie Waddell, Bruce Ncube, Svend-Erik Engh, Anna-Wendy Stevenson and Karine Polwart.
The Traverse bar is putting on late night music from 10.30pm this evening and tomorrow, with Isla Ratcliff, Dominic Blaikie, Simon Bradley and Anna-Wendy Stevenson leading the sessions.
Douglas Robertson, coproducer of Tradfest with Jane-Ann Purdy, said: “It’s fantastic to see so many people enjoying this year’s programme and the artists are just having the best time.” www.edinburghtradfest.com