This years Up-Helly-Aa day concert on 31 January 2006 in the Garrison Theatre, the ‘Fiery Session’, promises to be one of the most exciting ever, according to Shetland Arts Trust Music Development Officer Davie Gardner, with not only some of Shetland’s most popular and diverse acts taking part, but also the whole event is being filmed by BBC 4 for a programme about Shetland music.

On the bill this year are Filska, Feet First Dance Group, Brian Gear and Violet Tulloch, Hom Bru, Jillian Isbister and High Strings – the Anderson High School fiddle group. There will also be a visit from the Junior Jarl Squad.

In addition to the music and dance content of the concert, there will also be an audio/ visual history of Up-Helly-Aa, running during stage change-over times. This tells the story of the festival itself plus the making of the galley and the torches, the guizers and their suits, the procession and burning, together with other important elements of the event.

The concert is promoted with the large number of people visiting Shetland for the festival very much in mind, taking place during the quieter period of an otherwise hectic day.

Davie Gardner said “This particular event seems to go from strength to strength each year and we are particularly delighted that the BBC will be there to film it this time around. It has been a sell-out for the last few years and there’s always a very special atmosphere, given the general excitement that surrounds the festival itself. It’s a very strong line up again this year so I think we can safely promise everyone a terrific afternoons entertainment to fire them up for the events taking place later that night”

Tickets for the event, priced £8 and £6, go on sale from Islesburgh Community Centre at 9am on Up-Helly-Aa morning (31 January 2006). Tickets cannot be reserved before-hand. Doors open at 1pm and the concert runs from 2pm – 4.30. Any tickets not sold during the morning will be available on the Garrison Theatre door from 1pm, but everyone is advised to buy early to avoid disappointment.

For further information contact Davie Gardner on (01595) 694001