Fèis Spè to return next week after Covid-19 lay-off

Looking for something to entertain and inspire the children this October holidays?

The annual Fèis Spè week is right around the corner and right back to normal following two years of upheaval due to Covid- 19.

The Fèis Spè week – for children in P1-S3 – provides tuition in a wide variety of traditional musical instruments as well as dancing, singing and sports.

It takes place this year at the Aviemore Primary School from this Monday (October 10) to Friday 14th October from 10.15am to 3.30pm.

There’ll be fiddles, guitars, clarsachs, chanters, whistles, kepyboards and percussion as well as Gaelic song, step dance and a wee bit of shinty.

Older children can get involved in group work and for the younger ones there is Fèis Bheag (P1-P3).

Elspeth Blackshaw, Chair of Fèis Spè said: “Fèis Spè provides a fantastic opportunity for youngsters to learn music and dancing from a great group of professional musicians – and they have great fun doing so.

"It’s an ideal way to either introduce children to music or for those already playing – a chance for them to improve and be inspired by some of Scotland’s best home grown talent.

"We are really looking forward to getting together again, in this our 30th year!”

There will be the usual Tutor’s Concert on the evening of Thursday 13th October, 7pm at the Aviemore Community Centre.

The Fèis Spè week costs £100 per child (bursary available).

The central aim of Fèis Spè is to offer young people in the Cairngorms National Park access to Gaelic arts tuition and performance opportunities through a programme of community-based traditional music tuition, with Gaelic language and culture at the heart of activities.

Fèis Spè is a member of Fèisean nan Gàidheal which oversees a network of 47 local Fèisean throughout Scotland.

Since its early years Fèis Spè has grown to provide pathways for young people from early years to the age of 22 in traditional arts.

A significant number of past participants have forged careers in traditional music including Findlay Napier, Ewan Robertson and Mhairi Hall while many more continue to enjoy participating in traditional music activities.

For more information or to book a place visit the Fèis Spè website www.feisspe.org.

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