The eagerly awaited return of the fabulous Newton Stewart & Minnigaff Traditional Music & Dance Festival takes place this weekend between Friday 8th and Sunday 10th July.
The big gigs will be staged in the Festival Marquee at the Vault Arts Centre in Newton Stewart, so there is plenty of fresh air and social distancing as the festival recognises the problems of Covid that have seen plans cancelled in recent years but provides an ideal venue to safely enjoy great music and a good time.
14 time Grammy winner Ron Block teams up with fellow banjo player Damien
O’Kane to conclude a special opening night that kicks off with Sarah Markey (pictured) and her band. Saturday brings a night of some of the best pipers in Scotland and Ireland with John McSherry and Francis McIlDuff along with guitar player Shane McCarten. With Malin Makes Music and Megan Níc Fhionnghaile also on the bill it will be another full programme of entertainment as it will be at the Festival finale on the Sunday. Guitarist Heather Cartwright will get the last night going with Gaelic singer Mairi McGillivray next to perform before a hotly anticipated Trad set from a trio of Blue Rose Code including Ross Wilson – a huge coup for the festival.
With a gigantic Highland Dance competition taking place in Minnigaff on Saturday, workshops throughout the weekend by leading musicians and tune and song sessions in local hostelries Newton Stewart and Minnigaff are the places to be this weekend.
The festival is supported by the Dumfries & Galloway Council Major Events Strategic Fund and sponsored by Whithorn’s Five Kingdoms Brewery. Tickets for gigs are £17 and £15 concessions but for a bargain weekend pass at £45 (£35 concessions) you can see everything. Book your place or find out more on tradmusic.com or phone 01671 404 924 or 07762 064 29
