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!
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