Workshops and a concert from Mari Black & Heather McAslan.

Saturday 10th February, St George’s Church, High Heaton, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE7 7HP.

• 4.00pm – 5.00pm Fiddle workshop, led by Mari Black
• 5.00pm – 6.15pm Workshop for all instruments, led by Mari Black (melody instruments) & Heather McAslan (accompanying instruments). This will run as two separate workshops but will join together at the end for a jam session.
• 7.30pm – 9.30pm Concert (doors 7.10pm)

Prices are as follows:

• Attend one workshop (4pm or 5pm) – £15
• Attend both workshops (4pm and 5pm) – £25
• Concert – £10

MARI BLACK

Called “one of the brightest fiddlers around today” (Brian O’Donovan, WGBH radio), multistyle violinist MARI BLACK’s passion for sharing joyous fiddling has led her around the globe in an effort to preserve and celebrate traditional music. Raised on a rich blend of traditional musical styles, Mari burst onto the international stage when she became Scotland’s Glenfiddich Fiddle Champion, 2-time U.S. National Scottish Fiddle Champion, and 2-time Canadian Maritime Fiddle Champion, all within a three-year period. Ever since then, she has been spreading her love for dance-based music, performing at Celtic festivals, celebrated folk venues, world music concert series, and
acclaimed classical venues including New York’s Carnegie Hall. Mari’s ear-catching original compositions draw on a broad range of stylistic influences, and her two CD recordings – Flight and Unscripted – reflect her playful explorations through a diverse range of music: Celtic, Americana, jazz, klezmer, Balkan, tango, and more.

Mari’s dedication to traditional music extends far beyond the concert stage, as reflected in her work as a teacher, composer, dancer, competition judge, and musical ambassador committed to connecting people through music. She teaches regularly at prestigious camps and workshops around the country, and is committed to instilling passion, curiosity, and joy in her students of all ages. No matter where she’s playing, Mari’s favourite thing to do is sweep audiences away on a spirited musical adventure, celebrating tradition and exploring possibility in the dance-driven musics of the world! Mari is currently based in Boston USA, and you can follow her musical adventures at:
www.MariBlack.com

HEATHER McASLAN

Based in the heart of Glasgow’s rich trad music scene, pianist/mandolinist HEATHER McASLAN has dance at the root of everything she plays! Growing up with classical piano training and a deep love of traditional dance, Heather found a natural bridge between these two passions when she started playing in local dance bands. Later, she followed her feet to discover the balfolk styles of Europe and contra dance in the US, incorporating elements of these traditions into her playing. The result: a signature groove-driven accompaniment style that never fails to set toes tapping! Today, Heather can be found playing concerts and dances up and down the UK. She is a director of the
Acadia School of Traditional Music & Dance in Bar Harbor Maine, USA, and still finds time to help foster community in local sessions in Glasgow and Edinburgh.

In addition to her playing, Heather is a caller of ceilidh, contra, and balfolk dancing. Her engaging and dynamic calling style welcomes first-time dancers and seasoned festival-goers alike. She is devoted to creating an environment in which all participants can join, and is a strong proponent of gender neutral dance calling. She is a co-founder and organiser of the Brighton Ceilidh Collective’s Rant series – a monthly community dance now entering its tenth year. If you catch this multi-faceted world traveller over a pint, you might also discover that she holds a doctorate degree in physics, leads the data science team at a UK tech start-up, and is slowly hiking her way through the 282 Munro mountain peaks of Scotland.