As ever, it’s a packed program featuring some of the best music Shetland has to offer throughout each day and evening. For the full lineup visit www.flavourofshetland.com/music

Some of the many highlights I’m looking forward to include…

Fullsceilidh Spelemannslag, who are making two appearances this year; tonight at 22.00 and Saturday at 17.30 where they will release their new album. Entitled “Spreefix”, the recording was produced by omni-talented Jonathan Ritch (of Fiddlers’ Bid fame) at Wethersta Studio outside Brae.

Friday night is sure to be a spree with The Revellers and Hom Bru headlining.

Norman and the Folding Deck Chairs, Shetland’s young jazz prodigies take to the stage at noon on Saturday, with The Vinyls and Scaldin Bragg closing proceedings in the evening.

To round things off, Sunday afternoon features a bouquet of Shetland’s finest females singers including Sheila Henderson, Izzy Swanson (Mahogany), Freda Leask and Young Musician of the Year Erin Sandison.

Notable this year is the number of bands playing acoustic sets, in part due to Shetland’s most pervasive drummer, Archer Kemp, breaking his elbow a few weeks ago (wishing you a speedy recovery Archer).

See you on the pier…

Here’s a photo slideshow, which will be updated throughout the weekend, courtesy of Marvin Smith

• 11.00 – Brack da Bröd
• 11.30 – Lerwick Brass Band
• 12.00 – Sheila Henderson
• 13.00 – Rummle
• 14.00 – Donald Anderson Band
• 15.00 – Scaldin Bragg

On a cold, grey, windy night an enthusiastic crowd gathered at the North Ness, Lerwick to see the first turf dug out on the site of Mareel, Shetland Arts’ long awaited Cinema, Music and Education Venue which will be up and running early in 2011.

At 6.30 pm, on Wednesday 25 May, to the strains of Europe’s ‘The Final Countdown’, Sandy Cluness, Shetland Islands Council Convener, donned a hard hat and climbed aboard a bright yellow digger to break the first ground.  The building phase of the £12 million venue was under way.  Mr. Cluness who has always been a staunch supporter of Mareel said it is‘one of the most exciting projects we’ve seen in Shetland for a very long time.’

Local construction firm DITT Construction Ltd has been awarded the contract and representatives of the company were on site to join in the celebrations.  The building has been designed by Gareth Hoskins Architects and funding has come from Shetland Islands Council, European Regional Development Fund, The Scottish Arts Council Capital Lottery Fund, Shetland Development Trust, Highland Islands Enterprise and the Gannochy Trust.

The crowd then moved along the waterfront to the Shetland Museum and Archives where Shetland Arts Director, Gwilym Gibbons, thanked everyone for their support in getting Mareel to this stage.  In particular he mentioned his colleague, Kathy Hubbard, Arts Development Manager with Shetland Arts, who was instrumental in raising funding.  Indeed, Kathy told of the very first meeting when the possibility of such a venue was only a dream.  A party atmosphere took over, refreshments were served, and music was provided by young local band, Brack da Brod, well known performers Sheila Henderson and Brian Nicholson

Thus begins the next stage of Mareel.  A webcam is sited so that you can watch the progress of the building on www.shetlandarts.org

For more information call:
Gwilym Gibbons, Director of Shetland Arts on 01595 743843
Peter Tait, Director DITT Construction Ltd on 01595 692733

Note to editors:

The funding package secured by Shetland Arts Development Agency to design and build Mareel consists of contributions from the following partners:
Shetland Islands Council   £5.19m
European Regional Development Fund  £2.82m
Scottish Arts Council Capital Lottery Fund £2.12m
Shetland Development Trust   £0.965m
Highland Islands Enterprise   £0.965m
Gannochy Trust     £0.050m