Oban Fèis marks 30 year milestone with Easter extravaganza

Additional events will include an evening music session for advanced players on April 2 at The Rockfield Centre and the annual family cèilidh on April 3 at the Argyllshire Gathering. 

The week will be rounded off by a Fèis Participants’ Concert on April 5 at Oban Primary Campus, which is a showcase of the week’s activities. It will be open to parents, family and friends.
 
A tutor team of 30 experienced traditional musicians from across Scotland has been developed for the Easter Fèis, with lots of the popular tutors returning to teach in Oban each year, and having themselves come up through the Fèis movement.

Places booked before February 18 qualify for an early bird rate of £90 - which includes a free 30th anniversary t-shirt - after which the cost is £100 excluding t-shirt. Sibling discounts apply. Spaces are filling up quickly so  organisers are urging families to book as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

Fèis Latharna chairperson Davy Macdonald said: “We’re very proud to be celebrating 30 years of Fèis Latharna in 2024, and really look forward to this year’s Easter Fèis. We’ve a great programme of activities and brilliant tutors lined up for the week - there’s so much on offer and the event has an amazing atmosphere.

"Our Easter Fèis is a great way to get a taste of Gaelic or use the language, plus try different instruments. People

don’t need their own instrument to take part as these are provided for everyone.

"Our Easter event forms just part of what Fèis Latharna is about. We run Saturday classes throughout the year, as well as one-off master classes, our Sunday Sessions group work project and Argyll Cèilidh Trail.

"Next up, we’re taking part in Seachdain na Gàidhlig (World Gaelic week), and will be hosting a group work music workshop involving 11-18 year olds from the Oban and Lorn area, building on Fèis Latharna’s successful Sunday Sessions.

"Participants will learn to sing, play and arrange new material, and then perform/share it along with other tunes at an informal public cèilidh in partnership with Oban Gaelic Choir on February 19.”

Entirely run by volunteers, Fèis Latharna is grateful for support received from the following organisations towards its work: Fèisean nan Gàidheal, Creative Scotland, Bòrd na Gàidhlig, Argyll & Bute Council, William Grant Foundation, Argyll Community Housing Association, Eilidh MacLeod Memorial Trust, Rotary Club of Oban and the Argyll & Bute Trust.