More stars join acts in Ukrainian aid concert
Thousands raised already
I’m humbled by the response from the Scottish creative community
Jim Mackintosh
Eddi Reader, Dougie MacLean, Blazin’ Fiddles and The Vale of Atholl Pipe Band are the latest big name acts to sign- up to Concert for Ukraine – which is to be held in Perth Concert Hall on Wednesday next week.
Organisers have also said that Scotland’s Makar, Kathleen Jamie, is to give one of the first public readings of collective poem ‘Our Waking Breath - a Poem-Letter from Scotland to Ukraine’, created from single lines submitted by the public.
Tickets are selling fast for the concert, which has already raised over £15,000 for the Disaster Emergency Committee (DEC) Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal and anyone who wants to attend is being urged to act quickly as the concert is expected to sell out.
Perthshire-based poet Jim Mackintosh – who is organising the event along with Horsecross Arts, Alan McKinnon, Dave MacFarlane and Graeme Roger – said: “I’m humbled at the response from the Scottish creative community.
“When we came up with the idea to do the concert, everyone we asked who could possibly rearrange their lives to be able to perform said ‘yes’.
“Once word spread among artists, we were actively contacted by several top names who wanted to get involved.
“The concert is obviously going to be full of emotion, but we do want people to come along and enjoy themselves and
feel proud that they are doing something, albeit a small thing, to help the people of Ukraine.
“And, if people can’t make it but still want to show their support, they can still donate to the appeal through the Concert for Ukraine webpage.”
All the performers and their technical support teams have donated their services, and Horsecross Arts has waived the hire fee for Perth Concert Hall.
Other acts set to perform include Duncan Chisholm, Julie Fowlis, Hamish Napier, Oksana Mavrodii, Karen Matheson, Donald Shaw, Sheena Wellington, Matthew Zajac, Dolina
MacLennan, Phil Cunningham, Jonny Hardie, Aileen Ogilvie, Steve Byrne, Bruce McGregor, Mary Ann Kennedy, Gary Innes, Kathleen Jamie, Hamish MacDonald, Gerda Stevenson, Patsy Reid, Jim and Beth Malcolm, Mad Ferret, Rituala, Margaret Bennett, Ross Ainslie and Tim Edey.
Tickets cost £25, with all net proceeds from the event being donated directly to the appeal.
They are available online at www. horsecross.co.uk, by calling 01738 621031 or in person, between 10am and 4pm, Monday to Friday, at Perth Theatre’s box office.