Dipping into Glasgow Gaelic scene
GLASGOW's award winning Gaelic club night, Ceol's Craic hosts a celebration evening tomorrow (Saturday) for Kenna Campbell, in recognition of her 50 years of contribution to Gaelic culture and music.
The regular monthly event, which often plays host to Scotland's best Gaelic writers, musicians and singers, takes place at Sauchiehall Street's Centre for Contemporary Arts (CCA), and kicks off around 9pm.
It is 50 years since Kenna won her Mod Gold Medal in 1959 and her achievements in Gaelic music and culture since then are well recognised. A recent special commemorative concert for Kenna in Skye featured many of Scotland's top Gaelic musicians and included a presentation made "Do smeorach an Eilein" (to Skye's own songthrush).
The evening kicks off with Leabhar 's Craic, a literary event which celebrates Gaelic writers and literature and will feature readings, talks and discussions with leading writers Norman Campbell and Catriona Lexy Campbell.
Norman Campbell's classic Gaelic novel Deireadh an Fhoghair has been described by some critics as "like a Gaelic Sunset Song". By contrast, his second novel Shrapnel in 2006, set in the contemporary landscape of Edinburgh and its environs, has been compared with Trainspotting by Irvine Welsh. There are also hints of Joyce and Kelman but, above all, it is the author's own unique voice which stands out.
Catriona Lexy Campbell is an accomplished actress, writer and teacher. Her first novel for adults Samhraidhean Diomhair (Secret Summers) was published by r-Sgeul in 2009.
Critic and broadcaster John Ailig MacPherson said he has "read few books that gave him as much pleasure and optimism as Samhraidhean Domhair," demonstrating that "...there is hope for prolific and powerful Gaelic literature in years to come". Campbell will be reading from her new novel, and will be signing copies of the book on the evening.
Following this literary showcase the evening moves on to its musical apex, and performing with Kenna will be daughters Mary-Ann and Wilma Kennedy, niece Maggie MacDonald, and brother Seumas MacDonald, as The Campbells.
As a singer, teacher, song source and advocate for the Gaelic language, Kenna Campbell has made an invaluable contribution to Gaelic song. At the forefront of many of the Gaelic language and culture's significant developments, she is often remembered as the voice that moved a nation with her poignant rendition of the 23rd Psalm at the funeral of the late leader of the Labour Party, John Smith. In December 2006, she was inducted into the Scots Traditional Music Hall of Fame.
Ably supported by Glasgow's liveliest ceilidh band, Haudyerlugs, the evening promises to be one of fantastic music and dancing for all.
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Weather for Stornoway
Friday 25 May 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 11 C to 19 C
Wind Speed: 18 mph
Wind direction: North east
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 11 C to 20 C
Wind Speed: 15 mph
Wind direction: North east
