10TH ANNIVERSARY
Sunday 4 – Sunday 11 August 2013
Fiddle Frenzy is Shetland Arts’ week long Fiddle School and celebration of traditional Shetland musical culture. An opportunity to learn the secrets of Shetland Fiddle from a range of experienced tutors, explore the thriving musical traditions of our unique and beautiful islands, or simply be part of our Festival Week which is packed with a range of Frenzy Fringe options and Evening Concerts.
Fiddle Frenzy 2013 is curated this year by sisters Jenna & Bethany Reid who grew up immersed in the Shetland fiddle tradition and are now both Glasgow-based musicians and well recognised within the traditional music scene. Jenna working as a professional musician, member of Blazin’ Fiddles and her own Jenna Reid Band, and Bethany teaching music, and also performing in Jenna’s band and alongside Jenna in new four-piece fiddle group Rant.
Fiddle Frenzy 2013 Programme
PACKAGES
The Full Frenzy
Duration: 1 Week
Price: £400 / £300 concessions
Includes all evening concerts, opt-in additional class led by Jenna & Bethany Reid for group performance in Sat evening concert, and priority to sign up on optional Fringe Trips. More information at booking link.
Week of Classes
Duration: 1 Week
Price: £325 / £180 concessions
Includes all classes, opt-in additional class led by Jenna & Bethany Reid for group performance in Sat evening concert, and ticket to Saturday evening Fiddle Frenzy Finale: 10th Birthday Bash. Please note this option does not include other concert tickets. More information at booking link.
Day of Classes
Duration: two classes on any one day
Price: £70 / £50 concessions
On Sale Saturday 1 June
Includes two classes on any one day. Does not include evening concert ticket. Fiddle and guitar daily packages will go on sale Sat 1 June 2013, subject to availability.
CONCERTS
Fiddlers’ Bid
Date & Time: Sunday 4 August. Doors: 8pm, Starts: 8.30pm
Location: Mareel Auditorium
Price: £18 / £15
Fiddlers’ Bid are known internationally as leading exponents of Shetland’s rich fiddle tradition and are global ambas-sadors for Isles. Since forming in 1991, they have established an identity as a unique band with a harmonious sound developed though many years of playing together. Their 4 fiddle frontline showcases some of Shetland’s finest fiddlers – Chris Stout, Kevin Henderson, Andrew Gifford and Maurice Henderson, joined by a fantastic backing band featuring harpist Catriona McKay, guitarist Fionan De Barra, and bassist Jonathan Ritch, creating a display of stunning virtuosity at every concert.
Aly Bain & Phil Cunningham
Date & Time: Monday 5 August. Doors: 8pm, Starts: 8.30pm
Location: Mareel Auditorium
Price: £18 / £15
No strangers to Shetland, Phil Cunningham and Shetland native Aly Bain have been playing, touring, and recording together since 1988 and to date have recorded four albums and played to thousands around the world. Shetland Arts is delighted to welcome them to perform in Shetland again, helping celebrate the 10th anniversary of Fiddle Frenzy 2013. They are also performing an additional pre-Fiddle Frenzy concert in Cullivoe Hall, Yell, on Saturday 3 August.
Lau
Date & Time: Wednesday 7 August. Doors: 8pm, Starts: 8.30pm
Location: Mareel Auditorium
Price: £18 / £15
Winners of BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards Best Group 2013, Lau are modern folk music’s most innovative band. Brilliant musicians, thrilling performers, and free-thinking visionaries. Featuring the beautiful vocals and skillful guitar playing of award winning orcadian songwriter Kris Drever. Pioneering post-everything accordion and electronics from Martin Green and the timeless masterful and melodic creativity of scottish fiddler Aidan O’Rourke. They have long since es-tablished themselves as one of the most sought after and creative live acts performing today.
Fiddle Frenzy Finale: 10th Birthday Bash
Date & Time: Saturday 10 August. Doors: 8pm, Starts: 8.30pm
Location: Mareel Auditorium
Price: £15 / £12
Everyone is invited along to Mareel for the Fiddle Frenzy Finale: 10th Birthday Bash. This is an event jam-packed with local fiddle talent including Bryan Gear with Violet Tulloch, performances from the Fiddle Frenzy students, and a party atmosphere, celebrating 10 years of Fiddle Frenzy!
INFORMATION
Please note that concession prices now apply to those in full time education, and seniors. Please note package prices do not include travel to/from Shetland, or accommodation within Shetland. Daily flights to Shetland are available from Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Inverness with Flybe, or for those preferring to sail (which takes 12 hours!) contact Northlink Ferries. For information on accommodation options visit Promote Shetland online or phone them on 01595 989898. Due to a number of other large scale events taking place in Shetland this year around the time of Fiddle Frenzy, we recommend that once you have made the decision to join us, you confirm your travel and accommodation bookings as soon as possible thereafter.
This year will see the move of the Festival to Mareel, Shetland Art’s new music and cinema venue that opened its doors to the public in August 2012. This purpose built state of the art venue and cinema space will provide the ideal home for the Festival, and includes our Cafe Bar which will be home to the Festival Club open til 1am across the week. We will also use spaces within the neighbouring Shetland Museum & Archives for classes.
CONTACT
Please email enquiries to fiddle.frenzy@shetlandarts.org
Join us at our Fiddle Frenzy facebook page to keep up with news and announcements, and meet past visitors to the festival.
- “I felt like I’d been made an honorary Shetlander for the week…I’ll definitely be back next year…”
- “One of the best events I’ve been to…”
- “…being taught by world class musicians was an honour. I feel inspired, empowered and really looking forward to next year’s Fiddle Frenzy 2011″
- “… the flexibility offered during Fiddle Frenzy activities was a real bonus – it’s an admirable asset…..”
- “…it more than met my expectations, the week was excellent…” (Students’ comments)
- “Definitely one of the best…” (Scottish Arts Council Artistic Evaluation 2008)
