In keeping with the Festival’s original aim of promoting artists who are ‘up and coming’ and new to Scottish audiences, we have invited the following performers:
• Christine Kammerer (Song, Story, Lyre, Piano) - Denmark. Celebrated for her fusion of Nordic & Celtic folk music, blending symphonic elements with ancient songs and cross-cultural storytelling Christine also specialises in early music/Viking Age music. We understand this is her first performance at a folk festival in Scotland!
• Joss Cameron, Amy Dudley & Steve Tyler (Song, Story, Piano, Guitar) – Scotland
Traditional singer, Joss Cameron, will be joined by friends to present rousing songs and captivating tales of Scotland’s rich history with the sea - with haunting melodies and audience participation – a celebration of our maritime heritage.
• Gro-Marthe Dickson (Song & Piano) – Norway Gro-Marthe Dickson is a Norwegian singer that has been put in the big genre box called jazz but her experience and background are also from folk, soul, and even pop music. Her latest project is exploring connecting with the heritage of her Scottish granny and this will be her first performance at a festival in Scotland!
• Kristina Leesik, Anna Whiteford & Rose Logan (Fiddle, Accordion, Hardingfele) – Sweden & Scotland This young trio are active musicians in Scotland, Norway, Finland and Sweden and create a magical bond between these countries and traditions with polskas, reinländer, jigs and reels.
More details are at: www.northernstreams.org or available by email: eltmsa@yahoo.co.uk or tel: 0795 191 8366, or Facebook – TMSAEdinburgh&Lothians
Outline Festival Programme:
All events take place at Scottish Storytelling Centre, Royal Mile, Edinburgh EH1 1SR
Friday 18 April
Songs, Shanties, Sagas & Stories about Vikings, Pirates and the Sea Evening Concert,
7.00-9.30pm. Featuring:
• Christine Kammerer (Song, Lyre, Piano) - Denmark
• Joss Cameron, Amy Dudley & Steve Tyler (Song, Piano, Guitar) - Scotland
Saturday 19 April
Workshops:
10.30am – 11.45am Joss Cameron Pirates, stories and songs of the high seas – Family Workshop
Join Joss for a sea-faring workshop bringing maritime history & songs to life. With her expertise in maritime history, sea shanties and storytelling, the experience welcomes all sailors and explorers to join in!
10.30am – 11.45am Rose Logan From Shieling To Støl
From the Isle of Raasay to the mountains of Norway, explore & learn the music which accompanied traditional farming life at summer grazing pastures.
12.00pm – 1.15pm Kristina Leesik Swedish Tunes
Kristina is a "Riksspelman" (national folk musician) of tunes from Södermanland in Sweden. In this workshop you'll be learning tunes from Kristina's repertoire, with focus on Swedish fiddle techniques and groove.
2.15 – 3.30pm Christine Kammerer Viking & Danish Songs & the Lyre
Christine specialises in early music/Viking Age music, taking you back to the Viking Age with songs and tunes on the Lyre as well as Danish folk songs of today. No prior knowledge of the Danish language is required!
3.45 – 5.00pm Joss Cameron Trad Songs & Sea Shanties
Joss is a traditional Scots singer from Leith, known for a deep connection to her traveller cultural roots. She has performed internationally and will share some of her rich heritage of folk songs, ballads & Shanties.
Evening Concert & Ceilidh
7.00-10.30pm. The Concert features:
• Gro-Marthe Dickson (Song & Piano) - Norway
• Kristina Leesik, Anna Whiteford & Rose Logan (Fiddle, Hardingfele, Accordion) – Sweden & Scotland
Finishing with a Ceilidh in the Storytelling Court with the Trio above playing for dances being taught from Scotland, Sweden, Norway and Denmark (possibly Viking ‘steps’) plus we expect a few songs from guests.
Sunday 20 April
Workshop 12.30 – 1.45pm - Gro-Marthe Dickson Songs and singing of Norway
Get a glimpse of the rich traditions of Norwegian folk music, voice and storytelling, including the traditional vocal style called kveding. No prior experience of Norwegian needed — just curiosity and passion for music.
Open Music & Song Session 2.00 - 5.00pm – Storytelling Court FREE entry
Round off the festival by playing, singing, maybe dancing or simply enjoying great music made together. Free entry *! (*NB: If venue capacity is reached we may have to restrict entry. Donations are welcome to help cover the room hire costs)
Tickets & booking information
Tickets are being sold by our venue, The Scottish Storytelling Centre, 43-45 High Street, Royal Mile, Edinburgh EH1 1SR for us this year. There is a booking fee of £1.50 per transaction (not per ticket) for online www.scottishstrytellingcentre.com (search for Northern Streams) and phone bookings 0131 556 9579. In person sales at the Box Office do not attract a booking fee. You can also use the direct links on the Tickets page of the Northern Streams website https://northernstreams.org/tickets/
Prices: Concerts £14/£12 each (cheaper than in 2024!); Workshops £10/£8.00 each
FESTIVAL PASS = 2 concerts and 5 workshops – £50 full price and £40 concession – search for the Northern Streams Festival Pass option to create a log-in to facilitate this one-off purchase.
Concessions are TMSA Members; Over 60; Student; Unemployed; Young Scot Card; People under 18; Arts Workers; People with disabilities – an accompanying carer is free if booked at the same time. Please note that we may ask for evidence of the concession at the time of booking or venue. Children under 18 attending must be accompanied by a parent/guardian.
Northern Streams is organised on a voluntary basis by the TMSA Edinburgh & Lothians Branch
Image: Christine Kammerer from Denmark and her Lyre
Where possible we will update our listings to notify of cancelled, postponed and rescheduled events, however we STRONGLY ADVISE that you check with the venue/organiser in the first instance for updates.
All information (whether in text or photographs) is supplied in good faith but should not be relied upon as being a statement of representation or fact.GOT AN EVENT TO SHARE? It's free to post your events on What's On Edinburgh, click here to find out more!
Want to be the first to hear about what's happening in Edinburgh? Follow us on Facebook and join the What's On Scotland Group!Loud Poets invite poets to share their work at their regular open mic, taking place monthly at the Scottish Storytelling Centre.
READ MOREThe exhibition by Jill de Fresnes is centred around filmed interviews with 12 Scottish women who worked as herring gutters from the 1920s through to the 1960s.
READ MORECatch Susanna Orr Holland, an experimental world folk singer-songwriter, at the Scottish Storytelling Centre on 21st November for the launch of her second album!
READ MORETo accompany the launch of Susanna Orr Holland’s new album Return of the Swallows, Chris Booth will offer a Work That Reconnects workshop.
READ MOREThrough storytelling, poetry and prose, four widely published Italian Scottish women writers will describe their diverse journeys of navigating, rooting and belonging.
READ MOREActor and writer Paul Case's nightmarish solo horror theatre piece explores the intersection of class, race and sexuality during the violent beginnings of Australian history.
READ MORECome along to the home of Scottish storytelling for a drop-in session of traditional tales with storytellers Mark Borthwick and Alice Fernbank on Saturday 29th November!
READ MOREWelcome to Queer Folks’ Tales, the Scottish Storytelling Centre's hugely popular bi-monthly storytelling series where queer storytellers share stories of LGBTQ+ lives, past, present and future.
READ MOREJoin human rights organisation Amos Trust at the Scottish Storytelling Centre for a powerful night of music, dance, poetry, film and conversation that celebrates Palestinian culture and resilience.
READ MORECome with family and friends to dance Scottish dances and sing well-known songs with the Minnow Ceilidh Band on 7th December at The Scottish Storytelling Centre!
READ MOREGather round the Scottish Storytelling Centre's Christmas tree for an hour of stories, songs and live harp music on 13th December!
READ MOREJoin us at the Scottish Storytelling Centre on 16th December for a seasonal miscellany of stories, poetry, music, and readings from Yuletide and beyond!
READ MOREIt’s time to shout “Oh yes it is!” because Macastory are bringing their Panto for wee ones and big ones back to the Scottish Storytelling Centre – and you’re invited!
READ MOREHave you got what it takes to sit through the most tedious show ever and receive a certificate verifying your extraordinary willpower?
READ MOREFour of Scotland’s leading magicians come together for an evening like no other — minds will be read, laws of nature will be defied, and dad jokes will be told.
READ MOREBack by popular demand! Scotland’s favourite trickster is jingling all the way into the festive season with a brand-new magic and comedy spectacular.
READ MOREIn this exciting hands-on workshop, young people aged 12+ will explore the world of card magic — not just the techniques, but the theatre behind it.
READ MOREInsane Magic finally make their MagicFest debut, ending the year with a bang in a Christmas special packed with festive wonder, jaw-dropping illusions, and a sprinkle of fan-favourite classics!
READ MOREAfter a hugely successful 2025 Edinburgh Fringe run with five-star reviews, Jamie Leonard returns with his most exciting hour yet: Wonder Boy!
READ MOREJoin us at the Scottish Storytelling Centre for this world premiere performance of an enthralling new work, written and performed by Iddo Oberski!
READ MORE
Edinburgh Ceilidhs invites you to their regular ceilidh in the Charteris Centre with caller Ken Gourlay, ceilidh band and piper!
READ MORE
Annasach Ceilidh Band invites you to our regular ceilidh in the hidden gem of Edinburgh’s Old Town, The Counting House!
READ MORE
Join us at Club Tropicana Edinburgh for an unforgettable day filled with the chart-topping tracks of Morgan Wallen, Dolly Parton, and many more!
READ MORE
You are warmly invited to join us at the German Church for our Rhyme Time for Under 5s, once a month during term time!
READ MORE
Castle Chorus is a small, friendly choir open to anybody who loves singing. If you’re interested in coming along, singing some songs and meeting new people, feel free to just turn up on a Thursday!
READ MORE
Treat yourself and your loved ones to an exceptional early evening piano recital at the beautiful candlelit venue of St Giles' Cathedral!
READ MORE
Join Southside Community Choir rehearsals on a Wednesday evening at Binks Hall in the Greyfriars Charteris Centre. Suitable for everyone, just come and sing with a friendly bunch of people!
READ MORE
The Edinburgh Royal Mile Chamber Music Series returns to St Giles, Cathedral for its second season, following a widely acclaimed launch.
READ MORE