Super line-up for fèis ceilidh
One of the highlights of Fèis Arainn is always the family ceilidh, and festival organisers are fortunate in having the same tutors as last year to provide the music for dancing. Those who attended last year will remember it as one of their best ceilidhs ever, writes Hugh Boag.
This year’s dance takes place in Whiting Bay hall on Wednesday July 26 from 7.30pm till 10.30pm and the musicians will include TV and recording star Mairi Macinnes, who helped found Fèis Arainn 19 years ago and who will sing; Gillian Frame on fiddle, an Arran girl who won the first young traditional musician of the year award Celtic Connections, and her husband Findlay Napier on guitar.
They will be joined by Gary Innes, a well-known star on accordion and broadcaster on BBC Alba, Lorne MacDougall an award-winning piper from Kintyre, and Allan MacDonald an accomplished percussionist from Edinburgh on drums.
It is an event not to be missed and at £7 for an adult ticket it must be the bargain of the season!
The evening for visitors and locals of all age groups whether you have young- sters participating in the Fèis or not, is the festival’s main fundraising event of the year. It is a BYOB event with a juice bar and, of course, a raffle. Tickets at the door.
The Fèis finishes on Friday July 28 with the concert given by the youngsters themselves. This will be held in the community theatre in Arran High School at 2pm and, again, is open to everyone.
Tha sinn dochas chi sinnan sibh! (We hope to see you there!)
The organisers are grateful to Creative Scotland through Fèisean nan Gàidheal and North Ayrshire Council for their invaluable financial support.