Saturday 2 April Workshops

The Pleasance, Edinburgh EH8 9TJ Choice of 2 workshops per slot. £8/6 each workshop. Tune workshops suitable for any melody instrument.
10.30am-12.30pm: 1. Learn the Jew’s Harp in 2 Hours – Ewan MacPherson (Scotland) (Please book in advance so we know how many Jew's Harps to supply to participants!)
2. Instrumental Tunes for melody instruments - Sigrid Moldestad (Norway)
1.00-3.00pm: 1. The basics of the Halling Male Dance - Anders Aasberg (Norway)
2. Traditional songs and great ideas for accompaniment - Hal Parfitt-Murray & Nikolaj Busk (Scotland/Denmark)
3.30-5.30pm: 1. Danish Couple and Male Dances - The Dancing Danes (Denmark)
2. Scottish/Irish Tunes for melody instruments – Gavin Pennycook (Scotland)

Saturday 2 April Children’s Folklore Session 11am – 12noon

The Pleasance, Edinburgh EH8 9TJ

Come with us on a journey through music, song, dance and story drawing on the different traditions of Scotland, presented by James MacDonald Reid (Artistic Director of the Drumalban Folk Ensemble) and friends. Of Argyll origins, James has always been interested in Scottish traditions and how they connect to other traditions across Europe. Recently he has been researching living Slavic and Norse folklore. This session is most suitable for ages 5+ but fun for all!

Tickets: £5 per child (children must be accompanied by an adult who can join in – and will be admitted free). Available through the Ceilidh Culture Box Office, Usher Hall, Lothian Road, Edinburgh: www.ceilidhculture.co.uk/ www.usherhall.co.uk or tel: 0131 228 1155 or on the door. (NB: a small booking fee applies to web & phone bookings).

Saturday 2 April Scotland, Sweden & Denmark Concert 7.30pm

The Pleasance Theatre, The Pleasance, Edinburgh EH8 9TJ £10/8

Celtic Nyckelharpa Project are Gavin Pennycook (nyckelharpa - Swedish keyed fiddle), Rob Truswell (guitar) and Esther Kuck (bodhran). They will be performing tracks from their recently produced first album of Scottish and Irish dance music using the unique sound of the nyckelharpa. Scottish-Australian fiddler & singer, Hal Parfitt-Murray, and Danish Nikolaj Busk’s first album, Hal & Nikolaj, won Debut of the Year at the Danish Folk Music Awards 2009 where Nikolaj also won Composer of the Year. ―…something really special” Roots Zone. They will be joined by members of The Dancing Danes, a group of young internationally travelled dancers, showcasing rare competitive Danish male dances.

Tickets for all Edinburgh & Glasgow events available through the Ceilidh Culture Box Office, Usher Hall, Lothian Road, Edinburgh: www.ceilidhculture.co.uk/www.usherhall.co.uk or tel: 0131 228 1155 or on the door. (NB: a small booking fee applies to web & phone bookings but not to those made in person).
Edinburgh Weekend ticket £32/£25: the 2 Edinburgh evening concerts and up to three Edinburgh workshops - save up to £12! (Please specify which workshops at the time of booking).
Glasgow Day Ticket £20/£15: the 3 workshops & ceilidh — save up to £9! NB: Weekend/Day Tickets only available from the Ceilidh Culture Box Office over the phone or in person or on the door. Concessions: Over 60s, student, unemployed, disabled, Young Scot + TMSA members.

Sunday 3 April ‘Day of Dance’ - Glasgow

Glasgow University Union, University Avenue, Glasgow G12 8LX
Your chance to learn from top Scandinavian and Scottish dancers
Norway: With many moves similar to breakdancing and streetdance, the traditional Halling dance form wowed Eurovision audiences when Norway won the 2009 song contest and choreography prize when performed by members of the group — Frikar. And now you can learn directly from one of those winners — Anders Aasberg.
Scotland: James MacDonald Reid and friends will give you an insight into and chance to try the older style of male Highland dance for yourself.
Denmark: The Dancing Danes, formed from top young dancers from across Denmark to perform internationally, will be teaching and demonstrating both couple dances and the rarer male Danish dances.
NB: Both male & female participants are welcome!

Dance Sessions Each session: £7/5 (Day ticket £20/£15)
1.00-2.30pm: Scotland — James MacDonald Reid & friends
2.45-4.15pm: Norway — Halling dance with Anders Aasberg
4.30-6.00pm: Denmark — with the Dancing Danes

Ceilidh & Dance Performance 7.00pm. £8/6 (or free as part of day ticket). Indulge in a wee bit of dancing, music, song, story and seeing what has taken place at earlier sessions. Featuring performances of Norwegian Halling dance with Anders Aasberg, the male form of Scottish Highland dancing with James MacDonald Reid and friends, and the Dancing Danes. PLUS bring your dancing shoes to enjoy the fun with ceilidh dances in between with music and calling from John Somerville & co. All welcome!

Tickets for all Edinburgh & Glasgow events available through the Ceilidh Culture Box Office, Usher Hall, Lothian Road, Edinburgh: www.ceilidhculture.co.uk/ www.usherhall.co.uk or tel: 0131 228 1155 or on the door. (NB: a small booking fee applies to web & phone bookings but not to those made in person).
Glasgow Day Ticket £20/£15: the 3 workshops & ceilidh — save up to £9! NB: Weekend/Day Tickets only available from the Ceilidh Culture Box Office over the phone or in person or on the door. Concessions: Over 60s, student, unemployed, disabled, Young Scot + TMSA members.

See Anders in action in Eurovision at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WCoL4NsDozw

Next Singers' Session 12 April 2011 - Royal Oak

Next Singers' Session 12/04/11 - Royal Oak

Just a reminder that the next monthly Singers' Session in the Royal Oak downstairs lounge (Infirmary Street, Edinburgh) is Tuesday 8 March, from 8pm until 11pm approx, and thereafter on the 2nd Tuesday of the month. No admission charge.

Northern Streams 2011 Programme 1-3 April now available! Events in Edinburgh & Glasgow

We now have the programme all in one place in a downloadable leaflet. You can find out when and where our great lineup of Scandinavian and Scottish artists will be performing and teaching 1-3 April 2011.

Artists coming for 2011 are:
Norwegian Musician of the Year 2010 - Sigrid Molestad & band; Fribo (Norway/Sweden/Scotland); Celtic Nyckelharpa Project (Scotland/Sweden); Hal & Nikolaj (Scotland/Denmark) - Danish Folk Music Award winners 2009; Anders Aasberg (Norway) - Eurovision 2009 winning dancer; James MacDonald Reid (Scotland) and The Dancing Danes.

For more information, click here to be taken to the relevant page on the main TMSA website: http://www.tmsa.org.uk/scottish-music-event.asp?e=1293&b=6

Next Singers' Session 08/03/11 - Royal Oak

Just a reminder that the next monthly Singers' Session in the Royal Oak downstairs lounge (Infirmary Street, Edinburgh) is Tuesday 8 March, from 8pm until 11pm approx, and thereafter on the 2nd Tuesday of the month. No admission charge.

Northern Streams 2011

We are pleased to announce that Northern Streams 2011 will be 1-3 April this year. We have invited back those who couldn't make it due to the volcano last year, namely, Anders Aasberg (Halling Dancer & Eurovision Winner 2009 from Norway); The Dancing Danes and Hal & Nikolaj (Danish Folk Award Winners 2009).

Joining them will be Sigrid Moldestad (Norwegian Musician of the Year 2010) and band, the Celtic Nyckelharpa Project featuring Gavin Pennycook, Folklorist - James MacDonald Reid and Nu-Nordic band, Fribo.

As part of Ceilidh Culture, we will have concerts, workshops and sessions in Edinburgh 1-2 April and are looking to have some events in Glasgow on 3 April. More details soon!

Meanwhile check out our Singers’ Gathering at the end of February and our regular Singers Session – more info below.

Next Singers' Session 08/02/11 - Royal Oak

Happy New Year! Just a reminder that the next monthly Singers' Session in the Royal Oak downstairs lounge (Infirmary Street, Edinburgh) is Tuesday 8 February, from 8pm until 11pm approx, and thereafter on the 2nd Tuesday of the month. No admission charge.

Also see below for details of the Singers Gathering 2011, 19 & 20 February, Howden Park Centre, Livingston. Singer in residence is Sheena Wellington, and Isla St Clair in concert.

The Singers' Gathering, 19-20 February 2011, Howden Park Centre, West Lothian

This is to let you know the good news that Howden Park Centre Box Office is now open for bookings for the Singers' Gathering 2011 - a joint venture between TMSA Edinburgh and Lothians Branch and West Lothian Arts Services.

It's a great programme with Singer in Residence, Sheena Wellington onstage with Isla St Clair with other great performers in concert and workshops!

The Box Office number is 01506 777666 or visit: www.howdenparkcentre.co.uk for details.

N.B. SPECIAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR GROUP BOOKINGS
It would be enormously helpful and save any confusion if those intending to come as part of a singing group or choir would book as a group rather than individually. For this, you will need get your one representative to phone the Box Office (Tel: 01506 777666) and request a "GROUP BOOKING FORM" which they will post out to you: you can then list/tick all your preferences and requirements for the whole group, and send it back with a single payment. Please do this as soon as possible so you all get places in the workshops you want to attend.

We have printed flyers to distribute to clubs and singing groups and individuals: please send any requests for these and numbers required to: trishsanter@aol.com
Anyone who has booked before for any of our events at Howden Park Centre or the Regal Bathgate should have received a flyer by post also.

Singers Session - Royal Oak - Tues 14 December

Just to let you know that in response to several suggestions, we are going to recommence having a monthly Singers' Session in the Royal Oak downstairs lounge (Infirmary Street, Edinburgh).

The first of these will be on Tuesday 14th December from 8pm until 11pm approx, and thereafter on the 2nd Tuesday of the month. No admission charge.

We shall run it for a few months to see what the response is, and if successful, hope to continue, except during the Festival Fringe, when the Lounge is in use every night for "Folk at the Oak".

The session will be primarily for singers, as there are plenty of instrumental and other mixed sessions elsewhere in town: it will not necessarily be exclusively unaccompanied: if singers wish to accompany themselves, or invite others present to do so, that is fine, but bear in mind the limited space in the venue for instruments as well as people! (No double basses please!)

When the branch first started up we always had a session after our Committee meetings, but in another venue with too much background noise: we hope that by using the Royal Oak's facilities we shall have our own space, and a more satisfactory ambiance.

Hope to see at least some of you there! Although it is near Christmas, carols are not mandatory!
Trish Santer
Convener - Edinburgh and Lothians Branch TMSA

Also coming soon details of the Singers Gathering 2011, 19 & 20 February, Howden Park Centre, Livingston. Singer in residence is Sheena Wellington, and Isla St Clair in concert.

Carrying Stream Session & Branch AGM

Sunday 7 November 2010
4.00pm – 7.00pm
ELTMSA welcomes all singers and musicians to their annual “Carrying Stream” session in The Royal Oak, 1 Infirmary Street, Edinburgh (downstairs lounge).
Please note this time is a little later than previously advertised due to a change in the venue opening hours.

The session will be preceed at 3.00pm by Edinburgh and Lothians TMSA Branch AGM. Members only may vote but we are happy to take new memberships on the day and observers are welcome!

Further details from eltmsa@yahoo.co.uk or 0795 191 8366 or 07762 101002.

Held in association with Edinburgh Folk Club’s 9th Carrying Stream Festival -
www.edinburghfolkclub.org.uk or www.carryingstreamfestival.co.uk/csf10.htm

Also put these dates in your diary now - Singers Gathering 2011, 19 & 20 February, Howden Park Centre, Livingston. Singer in residence is Sheena Wellington. More details soon...

More Music on a Midsummer's Night - Sangstream & special guests Danish folk choir NAESTVED-KORET

Saturday 19 June 2010
7.30pm
Augustine Church Centre, George IV Bridge, Edinburgh EH1 1EL
Tickets £7 on the door or reserve at MFEdinburgh@hotmail.com
Edinburgh's own Scots Folk Choir Sangstream performs with friends: Mairi Campbell and Dave Francis - THE CAST and special guests - Danish folk choir NAESTVED-KORET. All proceeds to charity The Medical Foundation for the Care of Vicitms of Torture. TMSA Edinburgh & Lothians Branch committee members are helping due to our Northern Streams connection!

Northern Streams 2010 / Hoots Man Alive! Traditional Male Dance Festival 16-20 April

NB: Booking & concession information is at the end of the listings.

DESPITE VOLCANOES WE ACTUALLY HAVE MOST OF THE PERFORMERS IN SCOTLAND SO EVENTS WILL HAPPEN THIS WEEKEND. UNFORTUNATELY NOT EVERYONE HAS BEEN ABLE TO COME SO THERE ARE SOME CHANGES TO THE HOOTS MAN ALIVE! SUNDAY PROGRAMME - PLEASE SEE BELOW OR CALL 0795 191 8366 FOR DETAILS.

Evening Concerts:
The Pleasance Theatre, The Pleasance, Edinburgh EH8 9TJ
Friday 16 April Sweden & Scotland Concert 7.30pm £11/9
Swedish folk group Svanevit (meaning ‘white swan’) creates unique combinations of instruments and voice mixing medieval ballads with merry schottisches, and of course the polska! Erik Ask-Upmark – harp, Swedish & medieval bagpipes; Anna Rynefors - nyckelharpa; Maria Larsson - fiddle; and Anders Larsson - mandola & vocal. James MacDonald Reid and friends will round off the evening with Gaelic song dances, examples of Scottish male Highland dance traditions, music and storytelling – prepare to be captivated!

Saturday 17 April Norway, Scotland & Denmark Concert 7.30pm £11/9
Boreas – named after the North wind - blows back into Edinburgh, combining Scots song and fiddle traditions with West Norwegian dance music and song melodies in contemporary arrangements. Featuring Lori Watson (a ‘New Voices’ at Celtic Connections 2010) – Fiddle/Vocals; Innes Watson – Guitars/Vocals; Britt Pernille Frøholm - Hardangerfiddle; and Irene Tillung - Button Accordion. Dancer, Anders Aasberg, part of the winning Norwegian Eurovision entry 2009 will demonstrate the male Halling dance. Winners of two Danish Folk Music Awards 2009, fiddler/singer - Hal Parfitt Murray and keyboard/accordionist - Nikolaj Busk, will be joined by the Dancing Danes.

Workshops:
Saturday 17 April Music, Song & Dance £8/6 each workshop
The Pleasance, Edinburgh EH8 9TJ
2 workshops to choose from in each time slot
Instrumental workshops suitable for any melody instrument
10.30am-12.30pm: Swedish songs / Norwegian tunes & accompaniment
1.00-3.00pm: Swedish tunes / Great ideas for accompanying & playing tunes and songs (Hal & Nikolaj)
3.30-5.30pm: Scottish & Borders Tunes / Scandinavian Dance workshop – no partner required!
Plus a music and song session in the Pleasance Bar (between workshops & concert).

Sunday 18 April Swedish Pipe Tune Workshop 1.00-5.00pm £15/£10
Dance Base, 14-16 The Grassmarket, Edinburgh EH1 2JU
Led by Erik Ask-Upmark, from Swedish folk group Svanevit, this opportunity is to try Swedish tunes that may be suitable for small pipes. The extended workshop will allow plenty of time to try tunes out to see which ones work the best and maybe even explore harmonies! NB: Erik will be leading in the key of 'A'.
A partnership between the TMSA Edinburgh & Lothians Branch’s Northern Streams festival and the LBPS.

Hoots Man Alive! Traditional Male Dance Festival
Sunday 18 April Dance Base, 14-16 The Grassmarket, Edinburgh EH1 2JU
A chance to experience raw energy, sweat and strength and learn from some of the top male dancers from around Scandinavia and Scotland. Each session will have a talk & performance and then workshop element. Male and female participants welcome, or you can just watch & listen!
Workshops £8/6 each workshop
12.30-2.30pm: Scotland: the male form of Highland dancing with James MacDonald Reid STILL HAPPENING - TICKETS ARE STILL AVAILABLE!
2.30-4.30pm: Norway: Norwegian Halling dance with Anders Aasberg POSTPONED TO A LATER DATE - EMAIL US YOUR DETAILS TO ELTMSA@YAHOO.CO.UK TO BE KEPT INFORMED
4.30-6.30pm: Denmark: Danish male dances from the men of the Dancing Danes! POSTPONED TO A LATER DATE - EMAIL US YOUR DETAILS TO ELTMSA@YAHOO.CO.UK TO BE KEPT INFORMED


Concert Ceilidh & Dance Performance 7.30pm £11/9
A great way to round off your Ceilidh Culture experience with a wee bit of dancing, music, song, story and seeing what has taken place at earlier workshops and in the rest of the Northern Streams festival. Bring your dancing shoes to enjoy the fun with ceilidh dances in between – all welcome! A partnership between the TMSA Edinburgh & Lothians Branch’s Northern Streams festival and Dance Base.
STILL HAPPENING - TICKETS ARE STILL AVAILABLE!

To book: www.ceilidhculture.co.uk or Box Office: 0131 228 1155. Weekend Ticket £45/35: includes the 3 Evening Events and as many of the workshops as you would like to attend during the Northern Streams festival - save up to £36! Specify workshops at the time of booking. Get ‘Hoots Man Alive’ tickets also from Dance Base: 0131 225 5525 or www.dancebase.co.uk. Special ‘Hoots Man Alive!’ Day Ticket for all 3 Sunday dance workshops and evening event £25/£19 (save up to £10!). Concessions: OAP, student, unemployed, disabled, Young Scot + TMSA & LBPS members.

Tuesday 20 April Northern Streams Glasgow Concert 7.30pm
Lauries Bar, 34-36 King Street, Glasgow G1 5QT. On the bill are:
• Boreas featuring Lori Watson – Fiddle/Vocals (and a ‘New Voices’ at Celtic Connection this year); Britt Pernille Frøholm - Hardangerfiddle; Innes Watson – Guitars/Vocals and Irene Tillung - Button Accordion. " an alluring and innovative musical union between Scotland and Norway." Sunday Mail.
• Anders Aasberg, part of the winning Norwegian Eurovision entry 2009 (song and choreography) will demonstrate the male Halling dance
• Members of Swedish folk group Svanevit - Maria Larsson - fiddle and Anders Larsson - mandola & vocal. “…absolutely haunting…a nearly perfect choice for Nordic folk enthusiasts.” Paula Kirman, Global Rhythm.
Tickets £8/6 available from Lauries Bar, or 0795 191 8366 or on the door. Concessions: OAP, student, unemployed, disabled, Young Scot + TMSA & LBPS members.

For more information: tel: 0795 191 8366 or email: eltmsa@yahoo.co.uk.

Or visit the performers' websites:

Anders Aasberg - http://frikar.com/index.html or watch the Eurovision 2009 entry performance - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-8JRtGMBUz0

The Dancing Danes - http://www.thedancingdanes.dk/?IdPage=36

James Macdonald Reid - some of James’s students performing the Highland dance of the Black Cocks is at: www.youtube.com/watch?v=BPDWsQbX6Bc

Svanevit - http://www.myspace.com/svanevitsweden & www.myspace.com/erikaskupmark

Boreas - www.myspace.com/boreasband

Hal Parfitt Murray and Nikolaj Busk - http://www.myspace.com/halparfittmurray
http://www.myspace.com/nikolajbusk

A Evening of Song - Fundraising concert for the TMSA & Scots Music Group

Friday 12 March 2010
7.00pm
The Lot, 4-6 Grassmarket, Edinburgh EH1 2JU
Come and join us for a great evening of song and support traditional music at the same time. Performers include: Wendy Carle Taylor, Linten Adie, Hazel Forsyth, Mary McGannon, Anne Renshaw, Miriam Remally. Bar & Raffle! Tickets £10; Conc. £8 (+ TMSA & SMG members). Tickets available from eltmsa@yahoo.co.uk or tel: 0795 191 8366 or on the door.