Comhairle’s New Year ceilidh

Following the weekly Friday night cèilidhs which have been ongoing since March, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar is to host a New Year’s Day Cèilidh live online at 7pm, subject to local restrictions.
By John A. MacInnes
Published 19th Nov 2020, 08:06 BST
There will be a selection of music guaranteed to set the toes tapping.There will be a selection of music guaranteed to set the toes tapping.
There will be a selection of music guaranteed to set the toes tapping.

The cèilidh will be streamed live on the Comhairle Facebook page, as well as being streamed into every care home in the Western Isles, and will also be available to watch back afterwards.

Colin George Morrison, media coordinator at the Comhairle, said: “We are very pleased to welcome back Willie Campbell, Iain ‘Costello’ Maciver and Calum Martin to host the live cèilidh on New Year’s Day.

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“The artists will be performing solo songs as well as singing together. This will include a specially composed song for the event, with all funds from sales of the song going to the Bethesda Hospice.”

There is an opportunity for the public to submit dùrachdan/New Year messages which will run at the bottom of the screen. Please email them to [email protected]. There will be a 140 character limit and the deadline is 5pm on Wednesday, November 25.

Willie Campbell said: “It’s been a difficult year for everyone so it’s been amazing to be able to sing for people on the livestreams. The goodwill towards the musicians that have taken part and the council for arranging them has been special to see.

“We’ve all noticed while playing that people are enjoying the music and socialising during them, it gives you a real sense of how the community has pulled together this year.”

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Calum Martin said: “It’s a real honour and a privilege to be invited by CNES into your homes along with some of my close musical pals to take part in this very unique and unusual New Year’s ceilidh. There is nothing quite like playing music together in a group setting.”

Iain ‘Costello’ Maciver added: “At first I wasn’t confident with the live element of the Covid cèilidhs but since becoming involved I’ve loved being part of the project and seeing how it has helped people through these uncertain times. I’m really looking forward to working with two of the best singer/songwriters I know and I’m so happy to be given the opportunity to perform live with Calum and Willie on what promises to be a fabulous ceilidh.”

Further details will be released over the coming weeks.

Related topics:FacebookWestern Isles