Welcome to the 26th Orkney Folk Festival
Off We Go Again! 22nd – 25th May 2008
43 Acts • 11 Venues • 250 Musicians (invited, there may be more!)
Tickets on sale now for the 26th Orkney Folk Festival
Tickets are now on general release for one of the best Folk Festival lineups this county has ever seen.
You can buy tickets on-line or by post via our booking form on the back of the programme which is now in general circulation, or visit the Box Office at the Pier Arts Centre in Stromness – Box Office Opening Times: From 7th May: Wednesday to Saturday: 10.30am-1pm & 2pm-4pm
Sunday 25th May Only: 12noon-4pm
Extended ticket sales for the Scottish Fiddle Orchestra Concert – Pickaquoy Centre – Friday 23rd May.
Tickets have sold so well we have decided to open up the venue to its full capacity. This releases another few hundred tickets for our audience so that hopefully there won’t be any disappointed fans. The concert is looking to be a sensational night, as it has been confirmed that the as well as the Orkney Traditional Music Project, there will be a guest appearance by the Kirkwall City Pipe Band. In all there will be over 100 musicians performing!
What's Happening: The line-up of visiting artists for the 2008 Orkney Folk festival is now fully in place. Heading up the line-up this year are 2 of the most outstanding American acts to ever dabble in celtic music. Solas have been loudly proclaimed as the most popular, influential and exciting Celtic band to ever emerge from the United States. Crooked Still come to show off their new line-up featuring Brittany Haas on Fiddle and Tristan Clarridge on Cello. Crooked Still will also be launching their new album – "Still Crooked", announcing their claim to be still at the top of the Bluegrass/Americana field.
Many award winning acts will be making an appearance this year – Martin Simpson, Anna Massie Trio, Breabach, Karine Polwart, Corrina Hewat & Annie Grace, Dochas to name just a few. Of course the usual line-up of local acts will also be taking part with a few new-comers among their ranks also.
Check-out the Visiting and Local artistes for information on this year's amazing line-up.
Discounted travel
Become a Patron of the Festival for discounted travel with NorthLink Ferries and discounts on merchandise in the Festival Shop. (Please note: NorthLink Ferries require passengers to carry a photo i.d. in order to board their ferries).
We are auctioning the original artwork of the Alex Leonard 'Giddy Limit' Folk Festival cartoon. If you would like to own an original framed Giddy Limit cartoon you can place your bid here: www.orkneyfolkfestival.com/auction/
Bids are hidden. The highest bidder will be contacted after the bidding closes on Sunday 25th May, 2008.
Open Stage: Following the success of the last couple of year’s Open Stage event, it is now a fixture in the programme. An opportunity for new musicians young or old to take to the stage and showcase their talents. There will be a special performance by last year’s winners; Maggie Adamson & Brian Nicholson, and a new selection of hopefuls set to entertain us. If you would like to take part in the Open Stage or if you need any further info please e-mail the Festival Office: info@orkneyfolkfestival.com
Further information will be added to the site as plans come together so please keep checking back.
For official photography of the 2007 festival please click on the following link.
Louis DeCarlo - Official Folk Festival Photography
The Orkney Folk Festival is a registered Scottish charity No SCO272280