Now that we are in October, and with the Royal National Mòd soon to take place just along the road in Paisley, it is only right that the What’s On section is packed with Mòd Phàislig 2023 events.
The official Mòd syllabus (containing details of all the competitions) and fringe programme (containing many similar events to those I list below) are available online from modphaislig.com.
Reading through the fringe programme today, it struck me that there really does appear to be something for everybody. There is a nightly festival club in The Sneddon (the venue I wrote about last week); “late and live” listings of who is playing in what pub; football games, shinty games, church services, nature walks, premier competitions, and a selection of wonderful concerts taking place throughout the week.
One such concert is Gun Sireadh Gun Iarraidh – the Frances Tolmie Collection Concert by Ainsley Hamill and Kenna Campbell.
This is a newly created show to launch the reworked Gaelic song collection of Frances Tolmie, which was edited by Kenna and Ainsley.
Throughout many years teaching at The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, Kenna has passed this collection to her students and the concert will be a chance to listen to songs from the book accompanied by a Scottish folk all-star house band.
Joining Ainsley and Kenna onstage will be a host of incredible singers, including Ceitlin Lilidh, Mischa Macpherson, Màiri Callan, James Graham, Rachel Walker, Mary Ann Kennedy, Wilma Kennedy, and Seumas Campbell.
Countless singers have benefited from Kenna’s wisdom and expertise over the years (myself included), so it will be a real delight to see her onstage in such a beautiful venue as the Paisley Town Hall portraying these songs alongside so many of her family members and former pupils.
I am looking forward to attending the concert and reviewing it in future weeks as well as getting my hands on a copy of the book.
To close this week’s article, let me bring your attention to the first item in the What’s On section, the second of the dementia-friendly Gaelic singing sessions this coming Wednesday.
What’s On
Wednesday October 11: Seinn Còmhla – dementia-friendly Gaelic singing at 2pm in Partick Victoria Park Church, formerly Partick South, Dumbarton Road.
Friday October 13: Mòd 2023 Opening Concert with Breabach in Paisley Town Hall at 7.30pm
Saturday October 14: Our Language Our Music in Paisley Town Hall at 7.30pm
Tuesday October 17: The Frances Tolmie Collection Concert with Ainsley Hamill and Kenna Campbell in Paisley Town Hall at 8pm.
Wednesday October 18: The An Comunn Gàidhealach Gold Medal Final in Paisley Town Hall at 7:30pm
Thursday October 19: The Traditional Gold Medal Final in Paisley Town Hall at 7.30pm
Saturday October 21: Niteworks in Paisley Town Hall at 7pm.