Congratulations to Care for a Ceilidh who have been nominated in Community Project of the Year sponsored by Gordon Duncan Memorial Trust in the MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards 2018. Vote now!
We asked Donald Macleod of Care for a Ceilidh the following questions.
Tell us about yourself
Care for a Ceilidh is an initiative where traditional musicians and dancers visit care homes, hospices and special needs schools to perform short concerts. We’ve had over 200 concerts since 2013 in venues all over Scotland. All of the performers give their time and talent for free, and we are exceptionally grateful for their support.
Why are you involved in Scottish music?
Organising the ceilidhs is in many ways quite selfish. Not only do I get to hear brilliant traditional music from amazing performers, but the reception from the audience is always fantastic.
Any particular career highlights?
We had organised a ceilidh at the 2014 Mòd and one of our performers, Ceitlin L R Smith, had qualified for the final of the Gold Medal and the Traditional Gold Medal. The Gold Medal final was in the morning, the Trad final in the evening, and our ceilidh was in the afternoon. Ceitlin had finished runner up in the Gold Medal final, and I didn’t expect her to be able to perform at the ceilidh given she had the Trad final in the evening. However, despite being exhausted, she came to the ceilidh and sung her Trad final songs to great reception. She then went on and won the Trad Gold Medal that evening, a hugely worthy winner!
What are your plans for the future?
Although people must be getting sick of me singing “You are my sunshine” at the ceilidhs, we will hopefully continue to visit more care homes in the future.
Read more about Care for a Ceilidh
Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/CareForACeilidh
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/
If you wish to attend the final ceremony, tickets are available to buy via: https://www.horsecross.co.uk/whats-on/the-mg-alba-scots-trad-music-awards-35002 For box office call 01738 621031 or email box@horsecross.co.uk. Bands performing on Saturday 1st December include includes Croft No Five, Mànran, Karine Polwart Trio, Hannah Rarity, Eabhal, Catriona Watt, Gordon Duncan Experience and Gerda Stevenson. and more to be announced. There will also be a late night ceilidh after the Awards till 1am.
If you would like to support Hands Up for Trad in their work with Scottish trad music and musicians please consider supporting our Patreon campaign. We have 3 tiers starting at $1 a month and everything helps support us in our work. Read more at www.patreon.com/handsupfortrad
