Moniaive Folk Festival is New Scottish Tradition
May Music in Scotland's Festivals Village in Dumfries and Galloway
Apr 24, 2009
There's a good reason why the tiny village of Moniaive in Dumfries and Galloway has become known as Scotland's Festivals Village. Not only is there a very successful annual Folk Music Festival held there over three days every May, but the beautiful little village also has a Bluegrass Festival, a Guitar Festival, and a Burns 'n' Bogle Festival, with other occasional festivals in the past devoted to beer and to comic books.
Moniaive Famous Residents
The acclaimed comic book artist Alan Grant, famous for his work on Judge Dredd and Batman, is just one of several artists, musicians and writers who live in Moniaive. Members of the rock band Franz Ferdinand can also be seen in the village from time to time, with singer Alex Kapranos owning a house there, complete with its own recording studio.
Moniaive Folk Festival 2009 Main Musicians
The Folk Festival in Moniaive was begun in 2001 and built steadily so that today it brings over 1000 visitors into the village to enjoy the music, the atmosphere, the workshops, the pub sessions, and the surrounding Dumfries scenery.
Irish band Dervish are among the headlining acts performing at Moniaive in 2009. They appear at the main Saturday night concert in the Marquee at the Craigdarroch Arms, along with the Absolutely Legless Irish Dancers, the Late Jake Thackray, the Applejacks Appalachian Dancers, and Darcy Carson.
Moniaive's Celtic Connections Connection
No fewer than four of the guests at this year's Moniaive Folk Festival were also booked for the renowned Celtic Connections Festival, Scotland's main winter music festival held in Glasgow each year.
Moniaive Folk Festival Workshops
On Saturday morning several of the artisrs are giving workshops in various venues around the village, so visitors have chance to try their hand, or brush up their skills, on the guitar, the whistle, and the bodhran. There are also workshops on singing, traditional singing, Irish Dancing with Diane Newman, and Appalachian Dancing with the Applejacks.
Activities and Events at the Moniaive Folk Festival
Saturday afternoon sees a special children's concert, and throughout the long weekend there are kid-friendly events such as puppet-making, mask-making, storytelling, and movies.
There are Open Mic concerts, Chanter and Piping Competitions on Saturday morning, and of course impromptu late-night sessions in the local pubs.
Moniaive Folk Festival Prices
A weekend ticket including camping at the 2009 Moniaive Folk Festival costs £35, plus a £1.50 booking fee if booking online. A weekend camping pass for the main campsite in the village costs £11.50. A weekend camping pass for a quieter campsite also costs £11.50. Both can be booked online at the website below.
The Moniaive Folk Festival for 2009 takes place from Friday 8th May to Sunday 10th May. For further information and to make online bookings visit the Moniaive Folk Festival website.
 |
 |
 |
 |
