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Greetings from a beautifully balmy Ohio! I hope that you're all having a lovely summer period and that the sun is at least trying to shine wherever you are. I've had a fantastically busy time recently, with workshops at Glasgow's West End Festival, a lovely appearance at the Solas Festival with Soisgeul, the Gaelic Gospel Choir and lots of local Mòd adjudicating stints and I'm pleased that summertime looks to be just as busy.
Please do have a look at some of my upcoming events mentioned below and who knows, we might even bump into each other somewhere along the way! I hope that you all have a really lovely summer.
Leis gach deagh dhùrachd.
Joy x
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Mòd Ohio / Grandfather Mountain Song Week & Highland Games
Tomorrow brings my adjudicating stint at the Great Lakes Mòd, Ohio - a lovely event, designed to encourage singers new to performing and also those interested in poetry, Gaelic readings and prose. I've just heard though that floods and tornados are forecasted - wish me luck! I'm also holding a Gaelic song workshop Sunday morning, please contact Anne Alexander with any last minute bookings for either event.
I'm also really looking forward to my first ever time teaching at the Grandfather Mountain Gaelic Language and Song Week, with the lovely Gillebride MacMilllan and Kathleen Reddy. We'll all be teaching both language and song classes from absolute beginner to advanced level, with extra special additional activities also on offer. You can can find out more about this event over on their official website. I'll also be adjudicating at the North Carolina Regional Mòd, which is part of the Grandfather Mountain Highland Games - see their website for details of how to take part. There might even be a Gaelic song workshop or two there to boot!
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Las
I'm thrilled to finally be able to tell you about my newest project - the creation of an female Scottish and Irish band entitled Las. It's been a long held ambition of mine to create a Scottish and Irish music and dance collaboration and I'm so excited that this has finally come to fruition. Now for the official bit:
Based around Scottish stepdance and Irish sean-nòs dancing, ‘Las’ (meaning to ignite), explore the cultural links between the two countries through dance, music, language and song. Bringing together five of Scotland and Ireland’s brightest young tradition bearers, they use songs in Gàidhlig and Gaeilge and Scottish and Irish traditional music as a base for exciting dance collaborations. Their musical and vocal prowess, combined with an innate understanding of the traditionally rooted core of the music that they perform, makes them a new force worth experiencing.
Las are:
Joy Dunlop (Scotland)
Joy Dunlop is a multi-award winning Gaelic singer and Scottish step-dancer. Originally from Connel, Argyll; she has performed throughout the UK, Europe, Canada, New Zealand and the USA. A fluent Gaelic speaker and Mòd Gold Medallist, Joy was nominated as ‘Gaelic Singer of the Year’ at the Scots Trad Music Awards 2010 and 2011 and won the Fatea ‘Tradition Award’ in 2010. She was also crowned the 2015 Pan Celtic Traditional Singer of the Year and the 2015 Pan Celtic International Dance Champion - the first to ever win both categories.
Edel Ní Churraoin (Ireland)
Edel Ní Churraoin grew up immersed in the vibrant Connemara music and dance tradition. She plays the tin whistle, button accordion and piano and is also a vocalist and sean-nós dancer. Edel has won various dancing and music competitions and is a regular performer all over Ireland. She has also performed at festivals and concerts in France, Luxembourg and America.
Clíodhna Begley (Ireland)
Dancer and fiddle/viola player Clíodhna Begley comes from the Gaeltacht area west of Dingle in Co. Kerry. Having grown up in a musical family; Clíodhna was hugely influenced by her father, brothers, aunts and uncles. Clíodhna is a regular performer at venues and festivals all over Ireland and further afield. She is member of the band ‘Cuas’ as well as touring extensively with her father and two brothers. Clíodhna has featured on a number of recordings including the recently launched, ‘Tunes in the Church’ CD.
Suzanne Houstan (Scotland)
Suzanne Houston is a Glasgow-based pianist, whistle player and singer. She graduated with a 1st class honours in Scottish Music from RSAMD in 2011, and previous to that attended the National Centre Of Excellence In Traditional Music at Plockton High School for 3 years. 2013 saw the release of her latest solo album "What Will We Play Next?" as well as an album alongside Adam Brown, "Pitch Invasion”.
Catherine Ni Shuilleabhain (Ireland)
Born and bred in Rath Cairn, a Gaeltacht area in Co. Meath known for its rich local heritage, guitarist and singer Catherine Ni Shuilleabhain comes from a well known local musical family. She is also a champion sean-nòs dancer and has performed throughout Ireland and America to great acclaim.
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We can't wait to head out on our first ever tour this summer, visiting four venues throughout Scotland mid-August. We'd love it if you could come along and support us, please take a look at the poster above for all dates, venues and ticket details. Special thanks to Enterprise Music Scotland for their financial support of this tour, we couldn't have done it without you!
For more information about us or to just say hi, please visit our Facebook page - why not give us a 'like' to keep up with all Las shenanigans.
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Earagail Arts Festival
I'm excited to be part of this year's Earagail Arts Festival, held in beautiful Donegal, Ireland. I'll be part of two special events - a workshop and concert both entitled, The Modern Bards.
Also featuring the talents of Griogair Labhruidh, Doimnic Mac Giolla Bhríde, Niall O’Gallagher, Séamas Barra Ó Súilleabháin, Eoghan Mac Giolla Bhríde and special guests, the event brings together singers, poets and raconteurs from Scotland and Ireland that like to push the boundaries of traditional arts. Described as "a unique chance to see the most innovative and daring exponents of traditional Gaelic arts, with Irish and Scots Gaelic living and breathing in song and verse." it sounds like it's going to be a great day - nach tig sibh ann?!
Workshop Information
http://www.eaf.ie/events/the-modern-bards-workshop/
Concert Information
http://www.eaf.ie/events/the-modern-bards/
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Lake District Summer Music Festival
I'll also be heading to the Lake District this August to perform a concert with my brother Andrew, as part of the Lake District Summer Music Festival's 30th birthday celebrations.
The first of the ever-popular Blackwell events, in partnership with Lakeland Arts Trust, we're marking the 150th anniversary of the birth of Blackwell’s architect Baillie Scott (1865-1945) with a programme of Scottish material, featuring Gaelic songs, traditional and contemporary tunes and some Scottish step dancing to boot!
You can read more information about the concert here and if you present your Blackwell concert ticket at the Arts & Crafts House ticket desk after 2pm, you can also get £1 off the admission price to the House.
Joy and Andrew Dunlop
Monday 3rd August 2015
5pm
Blackwell Arts & Crafts House, near Bowness
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