This year’s Blas Festival got off to a flying start with tickets starting to sell within hours of going on sale on 8 March. Despite concerns about funding dominating much of the latter part of 2010, the festival is going ahead and has programmed a core 20 events. News of additional funding is expected which will give the festival the support needed to programme further events in advance of its official launch in May, and enable Blas to deliver yet another successful series of events this September.

The festival will spreads its wings even wider this year to celebrate a greater taste of all that is Highland, including music, song, Gaelic language, local food, nature, poetry, literature, guided walks and other strands yet to be announced.

As usual Blas will celebrate the music of our Celtic cousins too, and artistes confirmed for Blas include American legends Cherish the Ladies, returning to Blas having been very well received in 2009. Celebrating 25 years as the most successful and sought-after Irish-American group in Celtic music history, Cherish The Ladies share their timeless Irish traditions passed down from fathers to their daughters. The all-female ensemble’s spectacular blend of virtuosic instrumental talents, beautiful vocals, captivating arrangements and stunning step dancing showcases all the facets of traditional Irish culture. It has been aid by the Boston Globe that “It is simply impossible to imagine an audience that wouldn’t enjoy what they do”.

Joanie Madden of Cherish the Ladies said: “We were absolutely thrilled to be a part of the Blas Festival a few years ago and can’t tell you how happy we are to be invited back! We loved everything that the festival is about and it truly is an amazing traditional cultural experience for both the Highlands and for anyone thinking of visiting the region to take in the music, song and dance at the various venues all over the area while experiencing fantastic people and breathtaking views. On our European tour this September, we are making our only appearances in Scotland at the Blas Festival, so if you want to see ‘the ladies’ – we’ll see you at Blas!!!!”

Other artistes confirmed to date are Karen Matheson and her band, Kathleen MacInnes and band, Corrina Hewat and Karine Polwart, Dàimh, the Glenfinnan Cèilidh Band, Addie Harper, Christine Primrose, Christine Stone, Darren MacLean, The Campbells of Greepe, Fiona J Mackenzie, Gabe MacVarish with Ross Martin and Luke Daniels, Iain Morrison and Daibhidh Martin, Maggie MacInnes and Colum Sands, The MacDonald brothers of Glenuig, Mairearad Green, The Monach Isle Cèilidh Band and pupils from the Centre of Excellence in Traditional Music. Aonghas Grant will celebrate his 80th birthday with us in a special event at Invergarry and Gaelic chart-bidders Mànran will also be part of the line-up.

One of the defining features of the festival is the participation of so many young people from the Fèis movement. Arthur Cormack of Fèisean nan Gàidheal said: “We are delighted that Blas is going ahead again this year. Despite having to reduce its funding commitment, the Highland Council has remained very supportive of the festival and Fèisean nan Gàidheal has been working hard to find alternative funding. Blas also offers a platform for the promotion of Gaelic and we have some exciting plans for this in 2011 and see the festival as an essential part of what we do since it gives the young people from the Fèisean an opportunity to appear alongside some of the best Highland artists working in traditional music.”

Festival Director Donna Macrae said: “Bringing their incredible talents and enthusiasm to Blas events, these young people are the ongoing strength of the traditions we hold so dear and they are the promise of a rich future cherishing both the ancient traditions and forging the new. We look forward to another wonderful celebration of Highland music and culture in all its aspects. We are grateful to all our funders and to the hundreds of people, including our promoters and volunteers, without whom the festival simply couldn’t happen. This is a real Highland wide community endeavour.”

Leader of the Highland Council, Dr Michael Foxley said: “Despite the difficult financial climate Highland Council is absolutely committed to supporting Blas which has become our paramount traditional music and cultural festival. In partnership with Fèisean nan Gàidheal we want to see Blas flourish and expand in the future.”

For full details and tickets visit www.blas-festival.com

Source: Fèisean nan Gàidheal