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How to tune in this weekend


10 Jul 20
by Nathon Jones

Newton Stewart & Minnigaff © Dabhand's Blog

Today would have seen us welcome in the 7th annual Newton Stewart & Minnigaff Traditional Music & Dance Festival with visitors from all over Scotland, the UK, Ireland and the world joining the local communities of Minnigaff and Newton Stewart for 3 days of tunes, songs and the best o' craic'.

What a line-up it was as well....Karen-Marie Keenan, Cameron Nixon (BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician of the Year Finalist), Ali Levack (BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician of the Year Winner!), Sarah Markey and Band, Damien O'Kane and Ron Block, Paula Herries School of Dance, Grainne Brady and Band and Ulaid. <sob!>

Anyway, not ones to be beaten easily, we have secured all of the above for next year's festival which runs from 9th-11th July 2021 so please put that in your diaries. Tickets are already available online at www.tradmusic.com and we're delighted to be offering a 50% discount for key workers to thank you for your outstanding work in keeping us all safe and well, and not just during these difficult times; a thank you has been long overdue.

This year we're running a very special online version of the festival featuring all of the above, which will be available to view on the festival's YouTube channel at Trad Festival YouTube from 6pm on Saturday 11th July 2020.  We hope you'll all join us for that.

We'll be leaving the footage up for a month and are running a JustGiving fundraising campaign alongside it to raise much-needed funds for next year's event and to support the work Trad Music Trust do to encourage, develop, support and promote traditional music and dance learning, composition and performance in Dumfries & Galloway.

You can donate online now, until 10th August 2020, by clicking the Donate Online button below.

Thank you all so much for your support over the years.  We're so sad that we won't be getting to see any of you this weekend.  Jeezo, are we ready for a tune btw!

Please enjoy this year's offering and we'll look forward, very much, to seeing you all next year, if not before.

Donate Online

In Other News


MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards 2024 - Vote Now!

This year, 10 years since the very first Newton Stewart & Minnigaff Traditional Music & Dance Festival, we need your support more than ever. Despite continued funding cuts the event was still glorious, and the music absolutely mighty. Vote now to help save this vital traditional music festival!  

1 Oct 24
Nathon Jones

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

Trad Music Trust

Newton Stewart & Minnigaff Traditional Music & Dance Festival will celebrate its 10th anniversary over 11th-13th July 2025. 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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