Posts for May, 2022

Join us on the eve of the Braemar Gathering for an evening of Scottish Trad with Ross Ainslie, Ali Hutton and Owen Sinclair.

Ross and Ali have a long history of shared musical roots from their days with the Vale of Atholl pipe band, at the age of 12. They were mentored by one of the most innovative pipers in the last 30 years, the late great Gordon Duncan. Gordon sparked a deep passion in Ross and Ali for playing pipes with other instruments and they went on to be founding members of the musical powerhouse Treacherous Orchestra as well as playing with bands such as Old Blind Dogs, Salsa Celtica, Dougie Maclean, Shooglenifty, Zakir Hussain, The Levellers and Capercaillie.


After much anticipation and encouragement from fellow musicians and fans alike, two of Scotland’s foremost musicians joined forces in 2016 to form one of the most formidable duos in recent Scottish music history. Following on from the success of their debut album ‘Symbiosis’, Ross Ainslie and Ali Hutton released their second album ‘Symbiosis II’ in spring 2018 to huge critical acclaim. Winners of the best duo category at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards in 2017 and nominees for the same award in 2018, Ross and Ali have been working hard on creating a repertoire full of new and original material. With panoramic soundscapes, the full 4-piece touring band revolves around skilfully played guitar, cittern, whistles and bagpipes, which are the bedrock of the award-winning duo’s sound, as well as musical arrangements that include strings, the extensive use of synthesisers, drum kit and bodhran –all resulting in a much bigger touring sound as they continue to build adventurous and epic arrangements. Ross and Ali have a long history of mutual musical roots, both being founding members of the award-winning powerhouse Treacherous Orchestra. The duo also started their musical careers with the Vale of Atholl Pipe Band at a very young age and are both protegees of the late great Gordon Duncan, whose influence is evident throughout their musical collaborations – arguably some of which have now surpassed that which even he could have seen in them. Gordon instilled a great passion in them for playing pipes with other instruments and they have gone on to play in many leading Scottish bands including Old Blind Dogs, Salsa Celtica, Dougie Maclean, Shooglenifty and Capercaillie. Ross and Ali’s live performances deliver music with an energy and passion that can only come with a shared and rich musical history – the music they create is both exciting and beguiling with an undeniable synergy that can only be forged from a lifetime of friendship. Ross Ainslie is one of Scotland’s finest traditional musicians and composers, playing pipes, whistles and cittern. He is renowned for his highly acclaimed solo material, and as a skilled performer and prolific collaborator. Ali Hutton is a hugely successful multi-instrumentalist on the Scottish music scene, having performed and worked alongside some of the most respected musicians and bands on the scene today.

“Skilful acoustic instrumental playing is elaborated and developed into bold, funky, adventurous arrangements that sometimes transform into full on Folk Rock, like Treacherous Orchestra on Acid”
fRoots


“Ross Ainslie and Ali Hutton have once again proven themselves to be not only masters of Scottish traditional music but at the very forefront of the movement that continues to breathe new life into the music, inspiring the next generation. Symbiosis II is truly hypnotic.”
Folk Radio

Glasgow-based saxophonist and composer Brian Molley has led his group Brian Molley Quartet, playing their own unique blend of jazz and world music, to a number of notable successes, including selection for the prestigious Made in Scotland programme for Edinburgh Festival Fringe an unprecedented 3 times. International touring has included performing at Rochester International Jazz Festival New York for Made in the UK ’15, as well as several collaborative projects, tours and recordings in India. BMQ have released 3 acclaimed albums, CLOCK, Colour and Movement and Modern Traditions and their 4th record, Intercontinental, a unique collaboration with world-renowned Indian persuccionmist Krishna Kishor is set for release in summer 2022.


Performing music from their brand new album Modern Traditions, Brian Molley Quartet once again deliver their own exhilarating blend of jazz and world music as reflected by their wide and varied travels. From straight-ahead high-octane jazz to tender ballads, from driving Indian Raga to Scots traditional folk song, Modern Traditions once again demonstrates BMQ’s versatility and is filled with contemporary jazz by a long-established group at the height off their powers.


‘BMQ Never waste a note’ Mojo Magazine
‘A Treat’ Rolling Stone
‘Mesmerising’ Huffington Post
’The Finest in UK Jazz’ Time Out


Brian Molley – Saxes/flute
Tom Gibbs – Piano
Brodie Jarvie – Double Bass
Stuart Brown – Drums

Jack Badcock performs live in concert with BBC Young Traditional Musician of the Year 2021 Michael Biggins.

Singer and guitarist, Jack Badcock is a hugely experienced performer, having toured extensively around the world, in Europe, North America, Asia and Australia, predominantly as frontman and founding member of his multi-award winning, internationally renowned world-folk band ‘Dallahan’. He has also performed or recorded with Rura, Siobhan Miller, Dougie MacLean and The Royal Scottish National Orchestra among many others and was a finalist in the BBC Young Traditional Musician of the Year Award.

Recitals for Wrigglers’ are concerts especially tailored for babies and toddlers delivered by professional violinist Louise Bevan and cellist Clea Friend. The music is performed in an informal environment where the children are allowed to move around and express themselves! Programmes last 30-40 minutes and provide an original, educational and interactive experience of live classical music suitable for the whole family.

Startcatchers and Superfan Performance are bringing Little Top, a magical first circus experience for babies’ birth – 18 months!
Be transported to a playful, upside down, topsy-turvy world where people can fly, patterns fill the air, & anything is possible.
Little Top invites babies and their grown-ups to experience spectacular balances, astonishing tumbles and inventive juggling all in a specially-designed set that miniaturises the magic of the Big Top.

An evening of live music and dancing all to raise funds for a great cause. All proceeds in the aid of Robert Andrew Munro Foundation.
Some of the finest musicians from Strathspey and beyond in the line up including:
Dougie Burns and the Cadillacs, Blind Broken, Ailsa Villegas, George Gordon, Kyle Powell, Howard & Christine, Anne Dickson!
Learn to dance Salsa with Frankie!

There will be a bar on the night together with teas, coffees, home baking and a raffle.

Come and join in all the fun with afternoon teas, games for all the family, and a best-decorated cake competition themed: Queen Jubilee (any size cake) with adult and child categories entries to be handed into the village hall between 12pm & 2pm

Join us in celebrating the Queen’s Jubilee, one of the hundreds happening across the UK. Dress up, bring out the flags and bunting, bring food to share and we will provide music, film, drinks, games and a whole afternoon of fun and nostalgia.

If the sun shines, we will lunch outside on the games field.

Following the online release of our new dance pieces filmed in Cairngorm National Park, we are offering a weekend of teaching these dances. Mazurka, Waltz and 2:50 to Vigo. They are suitable for Intermediate/Advanced dancers, from Friday to Sunday.

In addition, for Beginners, we are offering classes teaching Strathspeys, Jigs, and Reels Saturday and Sunday.
We are delighted to welcome musician Karen Steven to join Fin Moore in playing for classes.

WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU IN PERSON!

FRIDAY 6-8 pm MAZURKA SATURDAY 10-12 pm and 2-4 pm WALTZ SUNDAY 10-12 pm and 2-4 pm 2:50 to VIGO


For intermediate /advanced dancers, priority will be given to those coming for the whole weekend. A waiting list for this level will be formed for those who wish to do one day, and these places will be confirmed by June 3rd
Registration and deposit of £20 to enquiries@dannsa.com Registration closes May 27th. Pay in full at the weekend.

SEE FILMS on
DannsaScotland
YouTube
photo by David Russell

Artisans from across the highlands gather in some of the most beautiful venues in order to exhibit and sell their wares . Arts, Craft and Foods come together under one roof – a lovely experience for all ages