Musical families, top new young talent and a rich mix of cultures feature in this year's Northern Streams Festival of Nordic & Scottish Music, Song & Dance in Edinburgh.
Taking place 26-28 April, this year’s festival features artists all based in Scotland with backgrounds and repertoire from Iceland, Finland, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Shetland, and North-East Scotland:
· Brian Ó hEadhra & Fionnag NicChoinnich with Órla Ní Eadhra and Ró Ó hEadhra (BFÓR): a family affair from Inverness drawing on the Gaelic traditions of Scotland, the Nordic countries and the North Atlantic Fringe. brian-fionnag.com
· Erin Mungall-Baldvinsdottir with Evie Alberti, Becka Gauld and Ben Shanks: members of Jelephant Folk Band in their full Nordic/Scottish mode ranging from Icelandic, Finnish, Saami and Gaelic. facebook.com/JelephantBand
· Sir-Reel Clarks ft: Aaron Clark: a music and song duo comprising Andy & Aaron Clark, carrying on their family’s musical heritage despite the challenges Aaron has faced to become a champion melodeon player. facebook.com/SirReelClarksFamilyBand
· Miguel Girão & Amy Laurenson (BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician of the Year 2023 winner): Guitarist and Piano duo drawing on Amy’s native Shetland traditions and Miguel’s exploration of Scandinavian cultures. amylaurenson.com/ & /miguelgirao.com
Event Organiser, Fiona Campbell, said: “I’m really excited about this year’s Northern Streams line-up. We have amazing talent in Scotland who are exploring the music and song of Scottish and Nordic cultures and coming up with new sounds, whilst respecting the past. This was one of the founding ideas behind the festival. And we have a variety of ways people can take part with concerts, workshops and a session.”
All events take place at The Pleasance, 60 Pleasance, Edinburgh EH8 9TJ.
The outline Festival programme is:
Friday 26 April
7.00pm Evening Concert
Brian Ó hEadhra & Fionnag NicChoinnich with Órla Ní Eadhra and Ró Ó hEadhra (BFÓR) + Erin Mungall-Baldvinsdottir with Evie Alberti, Becka Gauld and Ben Shanks. Featuring Nordic and Scottish music and song from talented artists based in Scotland, including from Gaelic, Icelandic and Finnish cultures.
Saturday 27 April
Workshops:
11.00am – 12.15pm
Brian Ó hEadhra & Fionnag NicChoinnich - North Atlantic Songs
12.30pm – 1.45pm
Erin Mungall-Baldvinsdottir and Ben Shanks - Icelandic/Finnish Songs
2.00 – 3.15pm
Miguel Girão - Tunes from the Wedding Traditions of Shetland
3.30 – 4.45pm
Sir-Reel Clarks - North East Scotland Tunes
7.00pm Evening Concert
Sir-Reel Clarks ft Aaron Clark + Miguel Girão & Amy Laurenson. Featuring Nordic and Scottish music and song from talented young artists based in Scotland, including BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician of the Year 2023 winner Amy Laurenson.
Sunday 28 April
2-5pm Open Music & Song Session – Free entry
For more details of the Northern Streams programme, guest artists or for booking links, visit the website. Ticket prices range from £7 for a workshop – £15 for the concert tickets, with concessions and discount deals worth checking if you plan to attend more than one event. Book your tickets in advance for a chance to Win an IKEA Voucher! (terms & conditions are on the Northern Streams website ‘Contact Us’ page)
Other ways to get details are by email: eltmsa@yahoo.co.uk or tel: 0795 191 8366, or Facebook – TMSAEdinburgh&Lothians and Twitter @northernstream1.
The Northern Streams festival is organised on a voluntary basis by the Edinburgh & Lothians Branch of the Traditional Music & Song Association of Scotland (TMSA) and acknowledges support from Tasgadh Traditional Arts Small Grants Scheme and the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo in association with the City of Edinburgh Council.