2 ladies in Nova Scotia

In October the two ladies had the pleasure of attending 'Celtic Colors' in Cape Breton, NS. We spent a couple of enjoyable days exploring Annapolis. From there we drove to Cape Breton for a week of splendid music.
The following post displays scenic highlights.
Additional photos can be seen in our picasaweb album here.

Cape Breton scenes

Upper:

Welcoming fiddle, Sydney, NS, convention center

Center:

2 ladies on the Cabot Trail

Lower:

Welcoming moose

On the Air

I have acquired a sizable collection of Shetland CD's. Recently I presented a program of Shetland fiddle music on my local radio station (WMUA FM, 91.1, out of Amherst MA), with a good word or two about the Fiddle Frenzy. How the time did fly! I could have filled 24 hrs, but, in the 1.5 hr program, had to settle for a small sample of Tom Anderson, Aly Bain, Catriona MacDonald, Willie Hunter, Debbie Scott and Chris Stout, Fiddlers Bid and Blazin' Fiddles.

I recently purchased Debbie Scott's "The Selkie's Song", newly released on CD. Love it, especially her composition, 'Naomi Jane's Reel.'

Janet and I are considering a visit to Cape Breton for Celtic Colours in October, 2009. While this year's edition will feature Irish fiddlers, Chris Stout and Catriona McKay will be there, too, upholding Shetland tradition.

Mareel 2010

I am excited to learn that construction of Mareel, the new performance arts venue in Shetland, is about to begin, with opening planned for 2010. Descriptions and artist's renderings may be viewed at http://www.myspace.com/mareelshetland.

Unfortunately the dates of the Fiddle Frenzy do not work for either of the 2 ladies in 2009.
We hope to catch up with Mareel and the Frenzy in 2010.

The improved book of 'Frenzy' photos

Book Preview

The new, improved version of 'Keep Fiddling' is now available through the publisher, at the 'Blurb' web site. By clicking on the above book photo you will go to the site, where you may preview the book and order, if you wish. The soft cover version, 62 pages, is US$29.95.

The photos are identical to the previous version, except for the map of Shetland. I obtained official permission from Google to use their map and had to enlarge it to incorporate their logo. Beyond that, there are punctuation changes and minor changes in formatting of captions. The title is sligtly altered from Keep Fiddlin' to Keep Fiddling (too complicated to explain why).

While the 2 ladies appear as subjects in 7 of the photos, the remainder of the 80+ photos are scenic or relate to 'Frenzy' activities. The photo links at this web site contain my photos used in the book. There are additional photos in the book by Richard Wemyss of Shetland Arts.

Hope you'll take a look and enjoy.

New Year, New Book

I have created a book, Keep Fiddlin', from the photographs linked to on this page. I rushed copies for Christmas presents. I am quite pleased with the appearance, but feel a need to do some minor editing. So, I have removed the book link from this page. I hope to make it available again in 4-6 weeks. (Title from Catriona MacDonald - see post of Nov.17). Meanwhile, do as it suggests!