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Sarah Markey confirmed for festival

13 Jan 20
by Nathon Jones
Sarah Markey

Chuffed to bits to have secured the fabulous talent that is flute player Sarah Markey for this July's 7th annual Newton Stewart & Minnigaff Traditional Music & Dance Festival. Sarah will be performing with her band on opening night, Friday 10th July 2020, at the McMillan Hall, Newton Stewart.

Sarah Markey is a contemporary traditional flute player and singer who creatively blends Irish and Scottish styles to create self-penned tunes and contemporary folk songs.  She was a BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician of the Year finalist in 2019 and has toured all over Europe and internationally with some of the folk scene’s top artists.  She is joined by her stellar band; Jack McRobbie (guitar/piano accordion), Marty Barry (banjo/bouzouki/vocals) and Charlie Stewart (double bass/fiddle), all of whom are established musicians in their own right and together they create a raw, driven, uplifting performance.   

Summer 2020 will see the release of Sarah’s debut solo album featuring some of her new compositions on flute, folk songs as well as accompaniment from her band.  Also appearing on the album will be special guests Calum Stewart (uilleann pipes), Rubén Bada (bouzouki), Hayley Keenan (piano/strings), Conor Markey (bouzouki) and Eamonn Nugent (bodhrán).

Weekend passes are available online now using the link below or you can purchase individual concert tickets from 1st February 2020.

Buy Weekend Passes

In Other News

Outstanding sponsorship support from Five Kingdoms Brewery

Serving local produce ensures that the project supports local businesses and the local community. A huge favourite are the beers from Five Kingdoms Brewery which are brewed in Isle of Whithorn. We are hugely grateful to Alastair and his team for their very generous support for this year's festival.  

12 Jul 24
Nathon Jones

Workshops at this year's festival

With so many outstanding musicians in Newton Stewart this weekend it would be foolish not to take full advantage, and we've done just that with a superb programme of traditional music workshops which are included as part of the Weekend Pass ticket, £10 per adult or £Free for under 25s.  

11 Jul 24
Nathon Jones

Highland dancing competition unable to go ahead this year

It is with a heavy heart that we announce the postponement of this year's Highland dancing competition at Newton Stewart & Minnigaff Traditional Music & Dance Festival. Continued funding cuts have meant some very difficult decisions have had to be made, however we do hope to bring this back in 2025.  

26 Jun 24
Nathon Jones

More Trad News

Trad Music Trust

The 10th annual Newton Stewart & Minnigaff Traditional Music & Dance Festival takes place over the 12th-14th July 2024. It's an incredible achievement. The charity has created a viable, sustainable, event that continues to grow and develop, proudly celebrating the very best in traditional Scottish, Irish and World music. Make sure you book early for what is shaping up to be the biggest event yet!

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