September is now upon us and the island of Jura is gearing up for another fantastic weekend of great music and craic. The island comes together with true community spirit to stage this amazing event! Last year’s 20th celebratory festival was enhanced by having an extra special concert in the Jura Distillery cooperage early Sunday evening with the mighty Wolfstone. A concert in the cooperage was going to be a ‘one off’ event. However, by popular demand theyhave decided to stage another one this year the top band being the mighty Skerryvore.
And Saturday’s line-up of Blazin’ Fiddles, Kathleen MacInnes, Rura and the Robyn Stapleton Trio and a ceilidh by Fergie MacDonald Ceilidh Band in Craighouse village hall will ensure that this will be a memorable event. Wherever you wander in and around Craighouse during the weekend, music and dance will draw you in.
The organisers are delighted again to welcome the Islay Pipe Band and Rock of Malt, who will be supporting the Tayviallich Boys in the Big Marquee on Saturday night with music by The Homecoming String Band in the Jura Hotel bar. Sessions abound all week-end in the Jura Hotel Bar, the Antlers tearoom, Busker’s Bush and just about everywhere you look!
Joan Moran, Chair of the Jura Music Festival, said, “It’s testament to our success that we’ve been shortlisted 3 times for ‘Best Event’ at The Annual Trad Awards. Tiree only just beat us last year!” She added, “Our locals concert/ceilidh on Friday night is a highlight for Jura/Islay as we feast upon our own home-grown talent of which there are many. This concert is free!” She invited everyone to come along and hear Jura’s own David MacDonald Family Ceilidh Band and many, many more.
She explained that the initial aim of this festival was to bring professional traditional musicians to the ‘quiet’ island of Jura! They set up an educational account which assists any young person wishing to follow this path and registered ourselves as a charity. “We have given grants and assistance to individuals and groups from anything from tuition to buying a musical instrument and lessons.”
Joan said that it is not a festival to be missed. “We welcome our neighbours on Islay to come and enjoy it with us. The organisers wished to thank everyone who is involved, home and away, for their continued support.
Details of ticket prices, times, transport and all venues are on their web-site www.juramusicfestival.com and Facebook Page will be up-dated frequently before the festival.
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