Arts / Return of Christmas spree gigs will be ‘emotional, but lots of fun’
SHETLAND fiddler Kevin Henderson will revive his late father’s tradition by laying on a trio of ‘Peerie Christmas Spree’ gigs this December.
He will play alongside Tim Edey and Brendan Begley, while Orcadian duo Saltfishforty will also be on the bill.
The musicians – along with local support and guests, which will be announced in due course – will kick off the spree at Sandwick’s Carnegie Hall on Friday 2 December.
They will then hotfoot it over to the Muckle Roe Hall the following night before finishing up with an afternoon session in Mareel in Lerwick on the Sunday.
The late Davie Henderson, who was involved with the Shetland Folk Festival, promoted the annual series of local concerts – usually in rural public halls – until his death in 2014.
The tradition was then continued by friends and family, although the last Christmas spree took place in 2016.
Kevin Henderson – who lives in Norway – said he was “really looking forward” to heading to Shetland, having only been back once since the summer of 2019 to play the folk festival.
“I have fond memories of the previous Xmas spree gigs we did previously and it’s just great to be getting the chance to do it again,” he said.
Henderson explained that the festive spree was something his dad set up for himself and Brendan Begley a number of years ago when their US tour had to be cancelled.
“So he decided to try and do something so we had some income,” he continued.
“It then became a yearly event for a number of years and it’s really great that we have the opportunity to do something again.
“I have to say a huge thanks to Haltadans and to Lewie Peterson for being onboard to get things happening with it. It’s going to be emotional but it’s going to be a lot o’ fun.”
Tickets for all three concerts, which are priced at £20, are available online.
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