Second London Feis set to repeat success

After last year's very public launch in the House of Commons, and the undoubted success of the first edition, the second London Feis (Roehampton, 5-7 September) is fast approaching. The hope is that the event will become a firm date on the musical agenda for lovers of Scots music in and around London.

Feis is a Gaelic word for a festival or a feast. Over the last few years it has become synonymous with the Feis movement: a highly dynamic series of traditional music and Gaelic arts tuition festivals which now take place throughout Scotland 

The Feis movement in Scotland is currently very healthy. There is on average one Feis a week North of the border. Hundreds of talented young musicians have come up through these weekends, which are often held in schools. Older players or dancers have had their passion rekindled.  And the movement has been credited with playing a crucial part in the revival of traditional music in Scotland.  

"We always looked with some envy at what was happening over the sea in Ireland" says Donald Stewart, one of the organisers of the London Feis. "Now  Scotland has pretty much caught up and the tradition is once more in rude health, with young people in particular being proud to play traditional music." 

But, until last year, London had been left out of the loop. "That was something of an anomaly given that in terms of population, London is really Scotland's third largest city!" adds Donald. 

That anomaly has now been put right. Last year, the First Scottish Feis in England was held in the stunning location of Froebel College in Roehampton, south West London. It attracted 70 fiddlers, pipers, accordionists, guitarists, clarsach players, step-dancers and singers. The sessions went on late in the student college bar

Jim Hunter, a guitarist and a regular on the Feis circuit was impressed "It was my favourite Feis for many a year. I see it growing from strength to strength each year. 

With the degree of "competition" in London from all kinds of other music, from Irish to Icelandic, the London Scottish scene is still some way from being mainstream. But there is a sense amongst participants that they are part of something special, rubbing shoulders with a legendary piper like Allan MacDonald or fiddlers Iain Fraser and Gordon Gunn in a totally relaxed atmosphere. And that such a rare and thrilling experience is still something of a well-kept secret.

"It doesn't matter whether you're advanced or decidedly amateur, there is a place for everyone here. New players are always  welcome!", says Christine Yorston, another organiser and sister to the world-famous Fraser  fiddlers, Alasdair and Iain. The Feis will also feature a concert and a Ceilidh on the Saturday open to participants and public alike.

Many of last year's participants vowed to be back this year. But the London Scottish Feis, or Feis Lunnainn to give it its proper Gaelic name, still hopes to retain that intimate feel. As well as the zeal and freshness of one of the British capitals youngest festivals.

Places are still available for fiddle, pipes, whistle, guitar, Gaelic song, step dance and group work , or just to come along to the ceilidh on Saturday 6 September.

For details:

Feis Lunnain/The second London Feis : 5th-7th September 2008

Froebel College, Roehampton Lane

London SW15 5PJ

This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

www.feislondon.org

Contacts: Donald Stewart 07786 575 372, Christine Yorston 020 8348 0460, Etienne Duval 07785 346 356

---