2009 – An Introduction
Bob Gibbon, Festival Director
Have you recovered from 2008 yet? Just when you think the festival couldn't get any better, along comes 2009. I can't quite believe what we've got lined up for you this year...
How do you follow the Scottish Fiddle Orchestra? Simple – bagpipes. We've managed to persuade the world-class Vale of Atholl Pipe Band (Grade 1) to come to Orkney! They will perform at a spectacular concert at the Pickaquoy Centre in Kirkwall alongside the Kirkwall City Pipe Band, Stromness Royal British Legion Pipe Band and the Orkney Traditional Music Project. Not to be missed!
We've got more Shelties than you can shake a stick at, including the masters of Shetland fiddlery, Fiddlers Bid, backed up by the junior all stars, the Shetland Sessions, and some late night Shetland stompers, Fullsceilidh Spellemannslag. Ireland is well represented by top new trad band Beoga, Niall Vallely's concertina led trio Buille, and the best voice in Ireland - Karan Casey. We've also got award-winning Orcadians, The Chair and Jeana Leslie and Siobhan Miller, plus the best of what's going on across the Firth these days.
As if being at Orkney Folk Festival isn't an education itself, we're putting on one or two things for the kids, including the amazing Kidsamonium, featuring trumpeting chickens and kazoos aplenty.
We've been working hard trying to create something that you can all enjoy. The Orkney Folk Festival is our chance to show you what we can do, and your chance to come and show us what you can do - it works both ways! You can come up and join in with the sessions, the open stage, or simply come and listen and absorb the atmosphere.
Orkney is a magical place, and the festival is a magical weekend. We look forward to seeing you.
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