Each year An Lanntair and Heb Celt work in partnership to create some of the most anticipated events in the programme. This is certainly true of this year’s opening show, Atlantic Blast, which first aired on our stage a decade ago and is making a special comeback this year. The project combines the talents of Norrie Maciver, Calum Alex Macmillan, Alasdair White, James Duncan Mackenzie & DC Macmillan, who are well known locally, but also to national and international audiences as members of a remarkable list of bands including Manran, The Battlefield Band, Breabach and Face the West. It’s a don’t miss!
There is also local talent on show on Thursday, when we see the Western Isles Trad Orchestra make their HebCelt debut. Led by Jane Hepburn Macmillan (Face the West), this fun ensemble will be undertaking an afternoon family show, as we will be following a slightly different format to previous years on that day. Therefore, there will be no early evening show on Thursday, but having left you all space to attend the opening festivities at the main area, its back to An Lanntair to party into the wee small hours with the Beinn Lee Ceilidh Band.
The Hebridean theme continues in our evening concerts on both Friday & Saturday, when we present two very special shows that premiered at this year’s Celtic Connections in Glasgow. Firstly, Oran Ur is a celebration of new Gaelic songwriting, with an impressive lineup of singers and musicians – Gillebride Macmillan, Isobel Ann Martin, Ewen Henderson, Mairi Macmillan, Seonaidh Macintyre, Innes White and Alice Macmillan.
Then on Saturday Maggie Macinnes presents The Kalokerinos Tapes, a show that is based on original arrangements of songs recorded by her mother, the late Flora MacNeil of Barra. Flora was one of the Hebrides most respected tradition bearers and appeared at An Lanntair many times, so we are delighted to be staging the show as part of HebCelt. Maggie will be accompanied by Calum Park, Conal McDonagh, Wendy Weatherby, Dan Brown and Alex Palmer.
Don’t forget that in addition to the main concerts you can also take the opportunity to attend workshops with tutors incl. Peatbog Faeires Ross Couper, piper James Duncan Mackenzie and Old Man Luedecke. Or you could join in with our Gaelic Language Taster Sessions, attend the late-night clubs, take a look around our exhibition or just sit back and soak in the sights and sounds of Festival Week in our café bar. Whatever you choose to do, we look forward to seeing you in An Lanntair during Heb Celt week.
Slainte
Alex MacDonald
Head of Performing Arts/Cultural Projects
