Hello! Here is my December newsletter with news and information to take us through the festive season. I hope you have a good one, and wish you all the best for the New Year.
 Breaking news! I now have a page on Facebook, so head on over and Like Stewart Hardy Music. The page contains up to date information on interesting events to keep you going between newsletters and is run by Ali Say. |
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Masterclass for Folk Fiddle and
Echoes of the North
Sat 23rd Jan @ St Mary's Heritage Centre, Gateshead
** Tickets are now on sale - please tell your family and friends**
I will be holding a Folk Fiddle Masterclass devoted to the music of James Hill, in the afternoon of Saturday 23rd January 2016. In the evening I will be playing a concert, "Echoes of the North." As well as solo pieces and duets with my great friend and wonderful guitarist, Frank McLaughlin, we will be joined by one of Scotland's finest traditional singers, Mick West, to explore the shared heritage of Tyneside and Clydeside. Tickets for the Masterclass are £3 and available from gateshead.gov.uk/whatson. You can buy tickets for the concert (£10 / £7) directly from me ( stewart@stewarthardy.co.uk / 0191 237 2358) or on 0191 285 9554. |
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At 11am on the same day, author and Northumbrian Piper, Graham Dixon, will be talking about his experiences writing and producing The Lads Like Beer book and CD; a celebration of the fiddle music of James Hill's Tyneside. Tickets for this are free but reserve your place gateshead.gov.uk/whatson.
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The Holly and The Ivy
4th, 11th, 17th and 18th Dec @ Beamish
"A lively, cheerful, thoughtful look at Midwinter and Christmas through music, song, dance, stories, rituals and customs." I'll be joining Hexham’s accordionist, singer and all round good guy, David Oliver, and the brilliant dancer and musician, Laura Connolly, in this stimulating and varied show. We take the show to many schools throughout the region and there are also public performances at Beamish as part of their Christmas Evenings - although I hear that these were sold out in October! If you've got tickets, do please come and say hi, and remember - audience involvement is actively encouraged!
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Maddison's Thread
Weds 9th Dec @ Biddulph Up In Arm
Sun 13th Dec @ The Causeway Inn, Hartlepool
Working with singer Lee Maddison in Maddison's Thread is such a joy. His songs are particularly inspiring and I always look forward to our gigs. We had a great one in October at Haggler's Corner in Sheffield, supporting Gren Bartley and we are off to do a Biddulph Up In Arms concert on 9th Dec supporting Bob Fox. Then we will be here in the North East at The Causeway Inn in Hartlepool on Sunday 13th Dec. Keep up to date with these gigs on the Maddison's Thread Facebook page, and for a taste of Lee's music check out the video at the end of this newsletter.
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It's not too early to think about Christmas! These CDs and books would make great presents for family and friends, or to buy for yourselves! Order now via the website for CDs and books, or BandCamp for Digital Downloads.
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 Bottle Bank Band @ Scots Fiddle Festival
On Fri 20th and Sat 21st Nov, Bottle Bank Band were privileged to be a part of the Scots Fiddle Festival 2015 in Edinburgh. We really enjoyed kicking off the festival, opening the Friday night concert in The Queen's Hall. In a lovely review in The Herald Scotland, Rob Adams wrote,
"the four fiddlers created a vivid sound peppered with wit, gorgeous harmonies, rhythmical drive and a great sense of adventure."
We also stayed up late and performed at the Festival Club along with other great acts from the festival events! The workshops that Sophy and I led on the Saturday were well attended and great fun. Thanks to all who supported us. (Image credit: Allan MacDonald / Scots Fiddle Festival)
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 More Exciting Bottle Bank Band News!
Yes, we finally made it into the recording studio at the end of November! We are very excited by how it went, and are looking forward to the mixing sessions in January.
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 JSArts Fiddle Technique Workshop
As expected, we had a wonderful time on the Fiddle Technique workshop at JSArts in November. Do look ahead and book up now for course in 2016! [I have just heard there is only one space left for the Fiddle Technique weekend on 18th-20th March - get in quickl]
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Maddison's Thread "Tumbleweed"
Cluny Studios, live session.
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