Shetland Folk Festival 2009

Thursday 30th April to Sunday 3rd May 2009
various venues, Shetland Isles, Scotland, ZE1 0PJ, Scotland MAP
£14 for an adult, £6 for a child (under 18), £28 for a family (2a +2c)

Last updated: Mon 23rd Mar 2009

The 29th Shetland Folk Festival shall be held between Thursday 30th April and sunday 3rd May 2009. The Festival comprises of concerts throughout the isles as well as a Festival Club in Islesburgh Community Centre, Lerwick with both formal and informal concerts, workshops, a real ale bar, and sessions continuing into the wee hours of the morning.

The Shetland Folk Festival is a non-profit, volunteer driven organisation, dedicated to presenting the best folk music from around the globe to the local community and visitors alike.
This year's line-up is headlined by Cara Dillon, with other artists due to play including Frigg, Shooglenifty, Nordic Tone, Felpeyu, Madison Violet, Emily Smith, The New Rope String Band, Dàimh, Gadelle, Zar, Saltfishforty, Hat Fitz & Itchy, The Brock McGuire Band, and Jani Lang Band.

The festival features a Folk Club in Islesburgh Community Centre (entry limited to Season Ticket holders ONLY) with concerts, workshops, session rooms, food and bar. Previous years have also included special Outreach Concerts held on the adjacent isles of Cullivoe & Haroldswick although you are expected to arrange your transport there by ferry yourself.

TICKETS
Festival Membership is priced at £14 for an adult, £6 for a child (under 18 on the first day of the festival), or £28 for a family (consisting of two adults and 2 under 18s). Membership entitles you to gain entry into the Festival Club (numbers permitting) and purchase discounted price tickets. SFFS members will, on average, pay £4-5 less for each concert ticket purchased. Ticket prices for SFFS members will range between £7 and £13. (Tickets are non-transferable and non-refundable).

CAMPING & OTHER ACCOMMODATION
Amongst others, there is a campsite at the Clickimin Centre in Lerwick. There are also B+B's, hotels and guesthouses.

GETTING THERE - ferries
There are daily flights and ferries connecting mainland UK to Shetland but booking is essential at Festival time. Northlink Ferries currently operate the overnight ferry service between Aberdeen and Shetland but early booking is probably essential especially as the first ferry before the festival starts (i.e. leaving Aberdeen on Wedensday 29th April 2009), renowned for impromptu sessions, is likely to be packed with performers.

GETTING THERE - by plane
You can also fly from Glasgow/Edinburgh and Aberdeen with British Airways to Sumburgh, Shetland's main airport. There are several flights a day.

The festival organisers have put out an appeal for sponsors to help cover the cost of the event this year, to join existing sponsors who include the Sumburgh-based search and rescue team.

More information will be here when available.