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Latest Festival News


All the latest festival news as well as news and updates from the traditional music scene in Dumfries & Galloway including concerts, workshops, artist updates, new music releases, music reviews and more. We'll also be featuring news and views from some of our favourite traditional music artists and traditional music news from around the world.

Moniaive Folk Festival This Weekend

The 18th Moniaive Folk Festival takes place this weekend over 10th-12th May and, as ever, it's another outstanding line-up including Kinnaris Quintet, Oakes, Bews & Thorpe, Aidan O'Rourke and Kit Downes, Findlay Napier, Sheelanagig, Cera Impala, Calum McIlroy, Samson Sounds and more. Don't miss it!  

8 May 19
Nathon Jones

Learn Photography with David Moses

Starting on 4th June 2019 in Newton Stewart, from 6pm-8pm, over 6 weeks you'll learn camera skills, exposure, composition, editing, post processing and more from one of Dumfries & Galloway's most sought after photographers. The course costs £45.00 (over 25's) or FREE for under 25's.  

7 May 19
Nathon Jones

Stall Holder Opportunity 13th July

The Highland dancing competition and family fun day takes place at Minnigaff Playing Fields on Sat 13th July from 10am-5pm and includes inflatables, rides, entertainment and food/drink. Covered market stalls are available for £20.00 per stall or £15.00 per stall if you have your own gazebo/cover.  

2 May 19
Nathon Jones

Play For The Festival Tour

We're back on the road with the Play For The Festival Tour in May and June, performing live to raise funds for Newton Stewart & Minnigaff Traditional Music & Dance Festival and Trad Music Trust. Catch us at Portpatrick this Fri 3rd May, Newton Stewart on 24th May and Portpatrick again on 1st June.  

1 May 19
Nathon Jones

Resonate Dumfries & Galloway

Paragon Music will be facilitating a series of workshops in Newton Stewart entitled 'Resonate Dumfries & Galloway' at the ARC, Newton Stewart, on May 13th, 20th, 27th & June 3rd 10th and the opportunity to meet new friends and enjoy creating and discovering music, dance and visual art.  

1 May 19
Nathon Jones

Girvan Folk Festival 3rd-5th May

Don't miss the 45th Girvan Traditional Folk Festival this weekend. That's right, 45 years of outstanding traditional music and one of the best festivals on the circuit. As ever, it's a fantastic line-up of guests along with tune and song sessions that are always a big part of the Girvan weekend.  

29 Apr 19
Nathon Jones

Dougie MacLean Tickets Going Fast!

If you are planning on catching the fabulous Dougie MacLean's intimate and unique performance at the gorgeous Newton Stewart Cinema on Sunday 14th July, please make sure you book early. We've less than 50% of tickets left now so please don't leave it too late.  

26 Apr 19
Nathon Jones

Jones Bros Live This Week

Tonight, Thu 25th Apr, at The Buccleuch and Queensberry Arms Hotel, Thornhill; Mill on the Fleet, Gatehouse of Fleet, on Fri 26th; Star Hotel, Twynholm, on Sat 27th and The Buccleuch Arms, Moffat, on Sun 28th; Festival Director Nathon Jones and twin brother Aaron perform as part of D&G Arts Live.  

25 Apr 19
Billie Jones

Buskers raise £185.17 for The Vault

If you happened to be in Newton Stewart on Saturday 20th April 2019, you'd have heard the many buskers who performed outside the former RBS building to raise funds for the proposed new arts centre project, The Vault. A fabulous £185.17 was raised taking the overall total past the £2,000 mark!  

24 Apr 19
Nathon Jones

New partnership with VisitScotland

Very proud to see the festival listed in the VisitScotland Dumfries & Galloway and Greater Glasgow & The Clyde Valley 2019-2020 Guides, 100,000 of which are printed and distributed throughout Scotland and the UK as well as being available as e-Brochure downloads from the VisitScotland website.  

24 Apr 19
Billie Jones

Busking fir the airts!

This Saturday 20th April, Trad Music Trust and friends will be busking from 11am - 4pm outside the former RBS building at 40 Victoria Street, Newton Stewart - the proposed new arts centre venue - to raise funds to support The Vault Arts Centre development and the work of the Trad Music Trust.  

17 Apr 19
Nathon Jones

Online Registration Now Open

South West Scotland's biggest Highland dancing competition is now open for registrations and we're expecting another fantastic event at Minnigaff Playing Fields on Saturday 13th July 2019; showcasing, celebrating and championing a wonderful Scottish tradition.  

15 Apr 19
Nathon Jones

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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