Aberdeen will add another string to its bow by hosting a major gathering to explore the unique legacy of the fiddle traditions in countries across the globe.
In the first event of its kind, the sound of 100 fiddlers from eight countries will create a fascinating insight into the richness and vitality of fiddle music.
The University of Aberdeen’s Elphinstone Institute, a leading centre for the study of Scottish culture and traditions, has organised the North Atlantic Fiddle Convention (NAFCo) - Crossing Boundaries, and will take place from 25-29 July.
Dr Ian Russell, Director of the Elphinstone Institute said he was delighted that Aberdeen is hosting this international event. He said: “The North East has been home to some of the most celebrated fiddlers and composers, from Scott Skinner to Bert Murray. Their influence has been heard far beyond our shores. The Institute is delighted to welcome back their tradition and many others through an international line-up of musicians, fiddlers and musicologists, including Aly Bain as the festival’s patron, Alasdair Fraser, Liz Doherty, Johnny McCarthy, John Carty, Connie O'Connell, Carl Mackenzie, and many more.”
He added: “This is a rare opportunity for the North East public to capture one of the most important cultural connections created in Aberdeen.”
Around 100 events will take place at venues across the city during the four-day celebration from workshops, demonstrations, concerts, and ceilidhs, to informal music sessions and busking sessions. The event is open to everyone of all ages, with guests attending from Cape Breton, Ireland, Norway, Sweden, the Faroes, Orkney, Shetland, England, USA, and Scotland.
One of the attractions will be free lunchtime concerts featuring festival performers at the Lemon Tree on Thursday 26-Saturday 28 July in the Lemon Tree. There will also be two busking trails providing lunchtime music at the following venues: the Art Gallery, the Bon Accord Centre, outside the St Nicholas Centre, the Trinity Centre, The Academy, Provost Skene House, and the Maritime Museum. Visiting and local musicians will play between noon and 3.00 pm every day.
Some of the major concerts that will be staged, include:
Wednesday 25 July at Elphinstone Hall, Old Aberdeen -
Alasdair Fraser, Liz Doherty, Paul Anderson, Trevor Hunter with James Alexander and Dennis Morrison.
Thursday 26 July at the Lemon Tree, Aberdeen -
Liz Doherty, the Swedes (Karin Eriksson & Goran Premburg, plus dancers Ingegerd Sigfridsson and Mats Nilsson), the Cullivoe Fiddlers from North Yell, Shetland, Carmen Higgins, plus the Faroese (Kári Sverrisson, Angelika Nielsen, Justin Philbrow).
Thursday 26 July at Woodend Barn, Banchory –
John Carty, Connie O'Connell, Carl Mackenzie, Mary Janet MacDonald (stepdancer), Janine Randall, Carol Anderson, Karen Steven & Pete MacCallum.
Friday 27 July, The Lemon Tree, Aberdeen -
John Carty, Johnny McCarthy, and Connie O'Connell, the Norwegians Hardanger fiddlers (Frank Rolland, Øyvind Vabo, Håkon Hogemo, Åse Teigland, Steinar Rygg), Carol Anderson, from Shetland - Trevor Hunter with James Alexander and Dennis Morrison.
Saturday 28 July, The Music Hall, Aberdeen
'Grand Concert & Ceilidh Dance'
Alasdair Fraser, Liz Doherty, the Swedes, the Norwegians, Carmen Higgins, Mats Melin (Scottish dancer), plus Scottish fiddlers. Dance to Hallyrackit.
The full programme listing is available by contacting the Elphinstone Institute on: (01224) 272996 or from their website: www.abdn.ac.uk/Elphinstone/
The keynote speakers at the conference are Dr Burt Feintuch, Professor of Folklore and English, University of New Hampshire, USA; Dr Jan-Petter Blom, Emeritus Professor of Social Anthropology, University of Bergen, Norway; Scottish fiddler Alasdair Fraser, Director, Valley of the Moon Scottish Fiddling School, USA; and Professor Mícheál Ó Súilleabháin, Director of the Irish World Music Centre, University of Limerick.
Further Information:
NAFCo, The Elphinstone Institute, 24 High Street, Aberdeen AB24 3EB Tel: +44 (0)1224 272996, Fax: +44 (0)1224 272728, E-mail: elphinstone@abdn.ac.uk Website: www.abdn.ac.uk/Elphinstone/
University Press Office on telephone +44 (0)1224-273778 or email a.ramsay@admin.abdn.ac.uk.