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Virtual music festival will ease disappointment of coronavirus cancellations


By Staff Reporter

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Fèis Rois is to stage an online traditional music festival next month, after having two of its popular annual events cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Dingwall based traditional music organisation has had to cancel its week-long Easter junior feis and also a 30th anniversary event in May.

Award winning fiddle player Lauren MacColl, from Fortrose, will be taking a workshop at the virtual feis.
Award winning fiddle player Lauren MacColl, from Fortrose, will be taking a workshop at the virtual feis.

Fèis Rois chief executive Fiona Dalgetty said: "Many participants and tutors were left disappointed at the loss of these two important events in the traditional music calendar.

"In a bid to cheer up those who were looking forward to the events, Fèis Rois has organised an online festival which can be enjoyed by people of all ages, from all around the world."

The inaugural Virtual Fèis Rois takes place from Friday to Sunday May 1-3 via Facebook Live.

A host of well-know faces in the traditional music world have been lined up to lead music and song workshops, including fiddlers Duncan Chisholm and Lauren MacColl, former Feis Rois participant Ali Levack and multi-award winning Scots singer Siobhan Miller.

Each night there will be a different concert, as there would have been during the actual events.

The first night will see acclaimed singer songwriter duo, Brian Ó hEadhra and Fiona Mackenzie, perform some of the songs on their new album, Tuath. On the Saturday night Lauren MacColl and Ewan Macpherson will delight the audience with some beautiful Highland fiddle melodies and a few good singalong songs. Lauren has also written a tune and will offer people the chance to have the tune named and given to them.

The final night will see the famous Fèis Rois tutors' concert come to life. With a line-up featuring leading Scottish musicians.

Ms Dalgetty said: "Usually our residential events are aimed at certain age groups, but this online format allows all ages to enjoy the same workshops and concerts and we are hoping that people from all over the world will join us for the first time. We want this virtual weekend to represent the breadth of work we do here at Fèis Rois and I think the range of workshops, calibre of tutors and performers participating does just that.”


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