Glenfarg Folk Feast line-up announced

Feb 5 2010 by Alison Anderson, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

THE world-famous Sands Family from Co Down in Northern Ireland headline this year’s Glenfarg Folk Feast (April 9-11), with Dundee’s Michael Marra also certain to be a crowd-pleaser.

The four-strong Sands Family – Tommy, Ben, Anne and Colum – have been internationally famous both individually and as an ensemble since the 1970s. Glenfarg Folk Feast offers a rare opportunity to hear these world class performers who are great ambassadors for Irish music and culture – and to benefit from their input in a series of workshops.

And flying the flag for upcoming young talent are Jeana Leslie and Siobhan Miller, winners of the BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Awards and Scots Trad Music Awards ‘Up and Coming Artist of the Year’ in 2008.

Jeana (fiddle, piano, vocal) from Orkney and Siobhan (vocal, piano, dance) from Penicuik are two talented young singers and musicians who met while studying at the RSAMD and are recognised as shining new stars on the Scottish music scene, both as individuals and as a duo.

Janet Russell, The Duncan McCrone Band, The Orwell Ceilidh Band, children's entertainer Mr Boom; and the club's own Farg Folk complete the line-up of performers.

There’s also the original song competition, which this year is on the theme 'Childhood Days', with proceeds going to CHAS; the 25th World Puff-A-Box Championship; children’s concert; singarounds and sessions.

There are also TMSA workshops led by Anne Sands (bodhran), Ben Sands (mandolin) and Tommy Sands (songwriting).

Concerts are in Glenfarg Village Hall, and other events take place in the Glenfarg Hotel.

This year’s Feast sponsors are Red Barn Studios, Celtic Spirit, TMSA (Perth Branch), Wells and Young, and Perth and Kinross Council.

Full details of events and tickets, including the extra-value weekend package for £35, go to the website www.glenfargfolkclub.com, telephone 01337 831403 or email tickets@glenfargfolkclub.com