Shetland Arts recently introduced a new team of community programmers to enhance their rural programme, launching with a tour of rural halls by exciting local bands Beltane Ree and Fjanna! They will be performing at Quarff on Thursday 30 November, Sandness on Friday 1 December, Delting on Saturday 2 December and Symbister on Sunday 3 December.

Beltane Ree is a newly formed Shetland band playing a mix of contemporary and traditional music from Shetland, Scotland, Ireland and further afield as well as their original compositions. The band line up consists of Alison Anderson and Helen Whitham on fiddle, Pauleen Wiseman on fiddle/piano, Terry Irvine on banjo/mandolin, Maurice Jamieson on bass, Adam Johnson on guitar and Steve Anderson on drums!

Young Shetland trad band Fjanna have scooped up many accolades locally and nationally in the traditional music scene over the last year. Fjanna is made up of Mike Laurenson on accordion, Jodie Smith on fiddle , Anya Johnston on fiddle and piano and Arran Philip on drums and bagpipes.

This tour is the first of a series of specially selected tours to local communities, selected by our community promoters from across Shetland. The team is composed of Kirsty Nicolson (West Mainland), Dominic Mann (North Mainland), Liam Brannan (South Mainland) and Selina-May Miller (Isles) who bring their skills and enthusiasm to vibrant new programmes. As well as working with local halls, the team is keen to hear feedback and suggestions from local community groups and schools.

The team will further develop Shetland Arts’ connection to the rural communities throughout the isles, each focussing on their particular geographic area. Coming together as a team they will programme a variety of cross art-form events including music, theatre, dance, comedy and literature.

“I hope it will bring folk together, get something different on and showcase some local talent as well as inspire folk with some different acts.” Selina-May Miller (Isles)

Tickets are available now, online at www.shetlandarts.org, over the phone on 01595 745500 or in person at Mareel.