Carrickfergus Traditional Music Society tuning up for festival showcase thanks to Council Grants Programme

Funding awarded under Mid and East Antrim Council’s Grants Programme has made it possible for a local Traditional Music group to bring the ‘joy of music and dance to the community’.

Carrickfergus Traditional Music Society’s Vice Chairman, Barry Macaulay, says the grant will allow the group to stage their ‘Uke ‘n’ Trad Fest’ on 14 March 2020 in the prestigious Town Hall and showcase the talent within its membership.

“We are delighted to receive this grant from Mid and East Antrim Borough Council for our event on 14 March”, Barry continues.

“We have held a number of events for members and families in the past but not to this scale. The funding allows us to book a prestigious venue for the evening programme of music and dance and open it up to the public.

“We are really keen to bring the joy of music and dance to the local community. During the day we will have a Sing a Long Music Jam and in the evening we will stage a ‘Hooley’ to showcase the talent within our Society. Due to the funding we can offer all activities free of charge to the public.”

Community and voluntary groups, sport clubs and individuals are invited to learn more about the wide range of opportunities available for grant funding by visiting Council’s website at www.midandeastantrim.gov.uk/grants.

Applications are welcome under the Grant Support, Good Relations Grant, AED/Defibrillator, Everybody Active 2020, Policing and Community Partnership Small Grants and Rural Business Grants schemes, and details of how to make an application, as well as deadlines for submissions, can all be found on the website.

Carrickfergus Traditional Music Society holds a fortnightly Trad Music Session at Flame Gasworks , which is completely cross-community and open to everyone from all backgrounds.

In 2018 the Society launched a Ukelele Session known as the Flame ‘n’ Ukes, which is also proving very popular among new and experienced musicians alike.

You can find out more about the ‘Uke ‘n’ Trad Fest’ , which includes a ‘Singalong and Music Jam in Dobbins Hotel in the afternoon of Saturday 14 March; followed by the evening ‘Hooley’ in the Town Hall with performances from the Flame ‘n’ Ukes, Keltic Flair Irish/Scottish Dancers, Interactive Ceilidh Dance and Traditional Music Ensembles.

More details on their Facebook page @carrickfergustradsession