The Blas festival, which after the success of its first year has been nominated in the “Event of the Year” category at the forthcoming Scottish Traditional Music Awards, is now extending an invitation to cultural events promoters to take part in next year’s festival.

For next year’s Festival, Nairn and Badenoch & Strathspey have been added to the areas in which Blas worked in its inaugural year, namely Caithness & Sutherland, Ross & Cromarty, Skye & Lochalsh, and Lochaber. While Blas organisers are currently working on booking acts and securing venues in these areas, they are also keen to work in close co-operation with others who would like to participate in this year’s festival. Any community groups and promoters in the areas mentioned who would be interested in hosting concerts or other events, or would like to suggest a special event featuring artists who perhaps do not normally work together, should contact Blas as soon as possible. The organisers are also keen to hear from hoteliers who may be able to host a festival ‘club’ in their area which would follow an event held locally.

Interested community groups and promoters will be reassured that Blas will provide funding for the payment of artists’ fees, accommodation, travel and other costs. It will also undertake all office administration, including contracting/booking of artists, venues and accommodation. However, local event organisers would be expected to provide an appropriate number of volunteer helpers, local poster/flyer distribution, and make sure that practical arrangements in the immediate run-up to events are in place. Any event arranged in this way would be risk-free to local organisations and in return for their help co-operation they will be guaranteed a generous percentage of box office takings.

Speaking on behalf of Blas, Festival Director Donna Cunningham, reiterated the importance of encouraging community organisers and promoters to become involved in the festival. “It is abundantly obvious to us that there is already a considerable of energy, talent and experience throughout the Highland area in terms of organising and setting up events and festivals. It would make sense for Blas to work in co-operation with key individuals and organisations involved in this field so as to maximise the quality and impact of the festival. It will ensure that the benefits resulting from Blas will be spread better throughout the Highlands. “

Blas 2006 runs from Friday 1st September until Saturday 9th September and, as it has done from the outset, will celebrate traditional music in the Highlands and endeavour to be innovative. It will also continue to have a strong focus on Gaelic, young people and Highland communities, as well as international artists and audiences.

Gaelic Version:




Cothroman an cois Blas 2006

A’ leantainn air fèis na bliadhna a bha soirbheachail ga rireabh, tha Blas a-nise a’ sireadh bhuidhnean a bhios deònach obrachadh cuide riutha airson Blas 2006 a chur air adhart, eadar 1 agus 9 An t-Sultain 2006. Mar sin, tha fiachadh a’ dol gu buidhnean aig a bheil ùidh ‘san fhèis anns na sgìrean a leanas - Gallaibh, Cataibh, Rois & Crombaidh, An t-Eilean Sgitheanach & Loch Aillse, Loch Abar, Inbhir Narann agus Bàideanach & Srath Spè.

Tha luchd-obrach Blas an-dràsta ag obrachadh gus luchd-ciùil fhaighinn agus cuideachd ionadan a chuir air dòigh anns na sgìrean sin ach fhad’ ‘sa tha an obair sin ga deànamh bu math le Blas cluinntinn bho dhaoine no buidhnean a tha deònach cuirmean no tachartasan eile a chur air dòigh ‘sa sgìre aca fhèin. ’Se amas Blas a bhith a' co-obrachadh gu dlùth le daoine a tha airson comh-pàirteachadh anns an fhèis. Cuideachd, tha iad airson cluinntinn bho dhaoine a tha airson tachartas sònraichte a mholadh do Bhlas a tha taruinng còmhla buidhnean do luchd-ciùil nach eil ag obair còmhla ann am biteantas. A bharrachd air an sin bu toigh le Blas brath fhaighinn bho òstairean a tha deònach ‘club’ fèis a chumail san sgìre aca.

Bi Blas a tabhainn caochladh seirbhisean a tha saoradh buidhnean coimhearsnachd bho uallach mòr. Bi iad, mar eiseampleir, a’ maoineachadh tuarastal an luchd-ciùil, àite-fuirich, cosgaisean siubhail agus mar sin air adhart. A thuilleadh air an sin, bi Blas a’ gabhail as laimh rianachd oifis, a' gabhail a-staigh cunnradh/fastadh luchd-ealain, àiteachan-cluiche, àiteachan-fuirich agus siubhal.

Ach bithear a' sùileachadh gum biodh Luchd-eagrachaidh an Tachartais ag ullachadh na h-obrach prataigeach gu lèir air latha/oidhche an tachartais agus a’ dèanamh cinnteach gu bheil luchd-obrach saor-thoileach gu leòr air am fasdadh, a leithid dorsairean, luchd-taic agus luchd-cuideachaidh. Airson an uallach seo a’ gabhail as laimh gheibh iad pàirt den t-suim a bheirear a-steach aig na tachartasan agus tha Blas an dòchas nach bi cosgaisean nan tachartasan fhèin a’ tuiteam air luchd-eagrachaidh ionadail.

Interviews in Gaelic and English can be arranged through Cailean on 01470 532481 or PR@blas-festival.com

For further information on the Blas Festival contact:-
By e-mail:
(please copy emails to both Donna Cunningham & Brian Ó hEadhra):
Brian: arts@blas-festival.com

Donna: management@blas-festival.com

By post:
Donna Cunningham - Festival Manager/Brian Ó hEadhra – Artistic Co-ordinator
Blas Festival, c/o Craig Cottage, Crask of Aigas, By Beauly, Inverness-shire, IV4 7AD