{"id":27821,"date":"2026-03-30T13:56:31","date_gmt":"2026-03-30T12:56:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/projects.handsupfortrad.scot\/handsupfortrad\/?p=27821"},"modified":"2026-03-30T13:56:35","modified_gmt":"2026-03-30T12:56:35","slug":"sian-to-headline-new-all-ages-traditional-music-weekend-in-paisley","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/projects.handsupfortrad.scot\/handsupfortrad\/sian-to-headline-new-all-ages-traditional-music-weekend-in-paisley\/","title":{"rendered":"Sian to headline new all-ages traditional music weekend in Paisley"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-medium\"><a href=\"https:\/\/projects.handsupfortrad.scot\/handsupfortrad\/files\/2026\/03\/May-Feis-Weekend-graphic-1.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"240\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/projects.handsupfortrad.scot\/handsupfortrad\/files\/2026\/03\/May-Feis-Weekend-graphic-1-240x300.png\" alt=\"F\u00e8is programme\n\" class=\"wp-image-27823\" srcset=\"https:\/\/projects.handsupfortrad.scot\/handsupfortrad\/files\/2026\/03\/May-Feis-Weekend-graphic-1-240x300.png 240w, https:\/\/projects.handsupfortrad.scot\/handsupfortrad\/files\/2026\/03\/May-Feis-Weekend-graphic-1-819x1024.png 819w, https:\/\/projects.handsupfortrad.scot\/handsupfortrad\/files\/2026\/03\/May-Feis-Weekend-graphic-1-768x960.png 768w, https:\/\/projects.handsupfortrad.scot\/handsupfortrad\/files\/2026\/03\/May-Feis-Weekend-graphic-1-19x24.png 19w, https:\/\/projects.handsupfortrad.scot\/handsupfortrad\/files\/2026\/03\/May-Feis-Weekend-graphic-1-29x36.png 29w, https:\/\/projects.handsupfortrad.scot\/handsupfortrad\/files\/2026\/03\/May-Feis-Weekend-graphic-1-38x48.png 38w, https:\/\/projects.handsupfortrad.scot\/handsupfortrad\/files\/2026\/03\/May-Feis-Weekend-graphic-1-600x750.png 600w, https:\/\/projects.handsupfortrad.scot\/handsupfortrad\/files\/2026\/03\/May-Feis-Weekend-graphic-1.png 1080w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 240px) 100vw, 240px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p><strong>F\u00e8is Ph\u00e0islig<\/strong>, the much-loved Renfrewshire arts charity, has announced the launch of a brand new event in its calendar, the&nbsp;<strong>May F\u00e8is Weekend<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Running from&nbsp;<strong>Friday 8th \u2013 Sunday 10th May 2026<\/strong>, this three-day celebration marks the first time in the organisation\u2019s history that its traditional music and Gaelic arts activities will be opened up to adults, as well as young people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The weekend promises a vibrant mix of live performances and concerts, educational workshops and informal music sessions, with people of all ages invited to get to grips with traditional music and Gaelic song and develop their skills.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The&nbsp;<strong>May F\u00e8is Weekend&nbsp;<\/strong>forms a core part of the organisation\u2019s 10-year anniversary programme. The milestone year has also seen a sell-out all-star show at Paisley Town Hall and the launch of the charity\u2019s own commemorative tartan to mark a decade of cultural pride.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Year-round, the charity also delivers a week-long F\u00e8is in July, weekly music lessons, a youth Gaelic choir and a C\u00e8ilidh Trail performance project. The organisation now reaches over&nbsp;15,000 people annually and this latest addition to the programme is set to engage hundreds more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The newly refurbished Paisley Arts Centre will take centre stage over the weekend, welcoming a Saturday night headline performance from award-winning Gaelic vocal harmony trio&nbsp;<strong>Sian<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Comprising three of today\u2019s most exquisitely gifted Gaelic singers \u2013&nbsp;<strong>Ceitlin Lilidh<\/strong>,&nbsp;<strong>Eilidh Cormack&nbsp;<\/strong>and<strong>&nbsp;Ellen MacDonald<\/strong>&nbsp;\u2013&nbsp;<strong>Sian<\/strong>&nbsp;are known for their boldly imaginative harmony work and deep feeling for tradition, creating a sound described as \u201cboth ancient and modern\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Their stunning concert will follow a full day of free intergenerational instrumental and singing workshops, catering to everyone from absolute beginners to advanced players. Tutors for the weekend include Gaelic singer&nbsp;<strong>Joy Dunlop<\/strong>&nbsp;and fiddle player and singer&nbsp;<strong>Chlo\u00eb Bryce<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Friday evening will see a relaxed, family-friendly ceilidh at Re:Hope Church, which includes an open floor segment encouraging attendees to share their favourite tunes, songs and stories. The weekend will draw to a close on Sunday with free, drop-in song and instrumental sessions delivered in partnership with Blend Coffee Lounge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>With the support of The National Lottery through Creative Scotland, the&nbsp;<strong>May F\u00e8is Weekend<\/strong>&nbsp;daytime workshops will be free to attend, while concerts and ceilidhs will operate on a pay-what-you-can model, ensuring the entire weekend is open to everyone.<strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-medium-font-size\"><a><\/a><strong>Grant McFarlane, Director of F\u00e8is Ph\u00e0islig, said&nbsp;<\/strong>\u201cMusic instruction is the backbone of our Scottish cultural ecosystem, allowing us to nurture new talent and share the joy of music making with so many.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-medium-font-size\"><a><\/a>\u201cThe new May F\u00e8is Weekend will place Gaelic music, song and culture firmly at the heart of the community and is another landmark moment for us as we celebrate a decade of cultural impact in Paisley. For the first time, we are opening our doors to all ages, creating a truly intergenerational space where anyone can enjoy Gaelic music and culture. Whether you\u2019re 85 or 5, there\u2019s a place for you here.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-medium-font-size\"><a><\/a>\u201cIt\u2019s fantastic to deliver a programme that is not only accessible and inclusive, but that celebrates the grassroots investment in music tuition that has driven F\u00e8is Ph\u00e0islig forward over the last ten years.&#8221;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Eilidh Cormack of Sian said:&nbsp;<\/strong>\u201cWe are delighted to be part of F\u00e8is Ph\u00e0islig\u2019s 10-year anniversary celebrations and the launch of their May F\u00e8is weekend. Having all come through the F\u00e8isean movement ourselves, we understand the huge importance and impact of these organisations and we would not be where we are today without the work that co-ordinators, tutors and volunteers do to inspire and engage children across Scotland with traditional music. We look forward to helping pay that forward to the next generation in Paisley in May.\u201d<strong><a href=\"applewebdata:\/\/B49C29CB-931B-483D-AADF-CCD43CCE3D62#_msocom_1\">[1]<\/a>&nbsp;<\/strong><strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Since its launch in 2015,\u00a0<strong>F\u00e8is Ph\u00e0islig\u00a0<\/strong>(<em>\/fe\u02d0\u0283 fa\u02d0\u0283l\u026ag\u02b2\/, pronounced faysh fash-lick<\/em>) has grown from a single summer event into one of Scotland\u2019s largest F\u00e8is programmes, providing professional and accessible tuition in traditional music and song.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>May F\u00e8is Weekend<\/strong>&nbsp;takes place from&nbsp;<strong>Friday 8 \u2013 Sunday 10 May 2026&nbsp;<\/strong>at Paisley Arts Centre and Re:Hope Church.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To secure a place for the free workshops or to purchase pay-what-you-can tickets for the weekend events, visit&nbsp;<a href=\"http:\/\/www.feisphaislig.com\/\">www.feisphaislig.com<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>F\u00e8is Ph\u00e0islig, the much-loved Renfrewshire arts charity, has announced the launch of a brand new event in its calendar, the&nbsp;May F\u00e8is Weekend. Running from&nbsp;Friday 8th \u2013 Sunday 10th May 2026, this three-day celebration marks the first time in the organisation\u2019s history that its traditional music and Gaelic arts activities will be opened up to adults, [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[9,37],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-27821","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","6":"category-news","7":"category-newsletter","8":"entry","9":"has-post-thumbnail"},"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","featured_image_src":null,"featured_image_src_square":null,"author_info":{"display_name":"simon","author_link":"https:\/\/projects.handsupfortrad.scot\/handsupfortrad\/author\/simon\/"},"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pcv15g-7eJ","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/projects.handsupfortrad.scot\/handsupfortrad\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27821","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/projects.handsupfortrad.scot\/handsupfortrad\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/projects.handsupfortrad.scot\/handsupfortrad\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/projects.handsupfortrad.scot\/handsupfortrad\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/projects.handsupfortrad.scot\/handsupfortrad\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=27821"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/projects.handsupfortrad.scot\/handsupfortrad\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27821\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":27824,"href":"https:\/\/projects.handsupfortrad.scot\/handsupfortrad\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27821\/revisions\/27824"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/projects.handsupfortrad.scot\/handsupfortrad\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=27821"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/projects.handsupfortrad.scot\/handsupfortrad\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=27821"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/projects.handsupfortrad.scot\/handsupfortrad\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=27821"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}