If you happen to be a working musician in Shetland, who harbours more ambition than simply playing the local circuit, have you ever wondered just how you could go about breaking out and making an impact on the national or even international scene – but don’t quite know how to set about it? Well, if so help may be at hand.

On Saturday and Sunday 24th and 25th June 2006 ‘Shetland Arts’ are to hold three public workshops aimed at helping you do just that, entitled “Everybody’s Makin’ It Big – But Me”.

On Saturday 24th June from 1pm – 3pm in Islesburgh room 16, the first subject will be “Attracting National Radio Airplay”. This workshop will concentrate on how to significantly increase your chances of attracting airplay on both local and national radio stations and will also look at the recent exciting advances and opportunities offered by internet radio and live podcasts

The workshop will be delivered by Mark Radcliffe from BBC Radio 2 (late of the famed ‘Mark and Lard’ Radio 1 afternoon show) and Tom Morton, who hosts BBC Scotland’s daily afternoon music show.

This will be followed from 3.20 – 5pm by a workshop simply entitled ‘Getting Bigger and Better Gigs’, which will offer advice on how you can go about getting the kind of gigs that every jobbing musicians desires and again this will be aimed at accessing the national circuit.

This workshop will also be held in Islesburgh’s room 16 and will be delivered by Andy Shearer, who is programme manager for both Perth’s new Concert Hall and the Lemon Tree in Aberdeen, and Iain McQueen – operations manager at the Queens Hall in Edinburgh. Both have extensive knowledge of event promotions and programming and have worked with many of the world’s top bands in this respect, so there might be a few stories to tell too.

Both workshops will be followed by question and answer sessions.

Then on Sunday the 24th the spotlight turns on DJ’ing when leading decks-master Jon Da Silva (Manchester Hacienda), who initially inspired such revered names as Sasha, will be in the Sound Hall, Lerwick to deliver a practical DJ’ing skills workshop for local DJ’s and aspiring DJ’s from 2pm – 4.30pm. Decks will be supplied for this course, so no need to bring your own.

Jon will also offer an insight into how best to set up your own gigs and how you can hopefully get gigs on the national circuit. Again this workshop will be followed by a question and answer session.

Shetland Arts Music Development Officer Davie Gardner said “These workshops will be vital for anyone who has any kind of ambition as regards employment opportunities in the wider music industry and even if you don’t harbour such ambitions they will be fun and informative. They also offer a unique chance for locals to meet some well know people face to face. I’m delighted that we have been able to attract such a high profile and experienced group of people to deliver these workshops. It hopefully speaks volumes about how Shetland and its music is viewed in the outside world”

All workshops are open to the general public and all age groups and they cost £5 each – under 16’s are free. Places are limited, so to ensure your place you should register for these at Shetland Arts either by phoning (01595) 694001 or e-mailing either david.gardner@shetland-arts-trust.co.uk  or jacqui.clark@shetland-arts-trust.co.uk  .

For further information contact David Gardner on either (01595) 694001 or 07748-153574.