Friends events part of Fest ‘n’ Furious.
The Friends of Wighton will be officially launched with a series of music events on Friday 29th and Saturday 30th September 2006. The events, part of the music series “Fest ‘n’ Furious”, will be held in Dundee Central Library’s Wighton Heritage Centre as well as in the Steps Theater, and Abertay University.
The Wighton Collection is one of the world’s finest collections of old Scottish music books. Brought together in the 19th century by Dundee merchant Andrew Wighton, the Collection is now kept in a purpose-built centre in Dundee Central library. The Friends of Wighton has been formed to help make the Wighton Collection and the Wighton Heritage Centre more accessible to the people of Dundee, Fife and Angus.
On Friday 29th September, from 11am, there will be a free Open Morning at the
Wighton Centre in Dundee’s Central Library where Friends will be on hand to
explain the Collection of music books. At 2pm, the distinguished scholar and singer Dr Kirsteen McCue will give a talk on the work of James Hogg, 18th century author and songwriter.
In the evening a harpsichord recital on the Wighton’s own concert grade
harpsichord will be given by David Hamilton. David will play some
rarities from the Collection and will accompany Kirsteen McCue in some songs
associated with James Hogg. The recital starts at 7.30pm, admission £5/£3.
On Saturday 30th September, the Friends of Wighton launch weekend continues
with a Gaelic Song workshop conducted by well known singer Wilma Kennedy.
Wilma is a first-rate teacher and even those with no Gaelic will enjoy the
workshop which starts at 10am in the Wighton Centre, admission £2/£1.
At 11am in the Hannah Maclure Centre at Abertay University, Bell Street,
there is a Cappuccino Concert. Dundee singer Helen Brown, renowned both for
her golden voice and her sense of humour, will mix classical and offbeat
settings of the Songs of Robert Burns. Tickets are £5/£3, to include a cup
of coffee and browse through the papers, and pre-booking is advisable.
The excellent young ceilidh band Randan will be giving some of the tunes
from the Collection a lively airing in a free lunchtime acoustic concert in
the Steps Theatre, Central Library. Special guest is renowned singer Maureen
Jelks and the concert kicks off at 12.30.
Maureen Jelks is also the tutor for the afternoon’s Scots song workshop
which begins at 2pm in the Wighton Centre. Tickets are £2/£1 and a
fascinating and fun afternoon is guaranteed.
Also, on Wednesday 4th October, 1.15pm – 1.45pm in the Wighton Centre, Dundee Central Library, the Friends of Wighton will hold the first in their series of monthly lunchtime recitals. Featuring Simon Chadwick (early clàrsach), this recital is a rare chance to hear old irish and Scottish Gaelic harp music performed on a replica of the medieval “Queen Mary” harp with brass, silver and gold strings.
Friday 29th September
11am: Wighton Collection,Wighton Heritage Centre, Dundee Central Library, Free
2pm: The Wighton Talk: – Kirsteen McCue “James Hogg Revisited “, Wighton
Heritage Centre, Dundee Central Library, Free
7.00pm: David Hamilton (harpsichord) & Kirsteen McCue (vocals), Wighton
Heritage Centre, Dundee Central Library, £5 / £3
Saturday 30th September
10am: Gaelic Song Workshop with Wilma Kennedy, Wighton Heritage Centre, Dundee Central Library, £2 /£1
11am: Cappuccino Concert, Helen Brown sings Robert Burns, Hannah Maclure
Centre, Abertay University, £5 / £3 (includes coffee)
12.30pm: Randan, with guest artist Maureen Jelks, Steps Theatre, Dundee Central Library, Free
2pm: Scots Song Workshop with Maureen Jelks, Wighton Heritage Centre, Dundee Central Library, £2 /
£1
Wednesday 4th October, 1.15pm – 1.45pm, Wighton Centre, Dundee Central Library
For more information contact
The Friends of Wighton
Secretary: 01334 474263
email: secretary@friendsofwighton.org
website: http://www.friendsofwighton.org
Fest ‘n’ Furious
website: www.fest’n’Furious.co.uk
Bookings: 01382 434940
Workshops: 01382 432473
Ends