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CalMac Blog
23/11/2020

Are ye dancin'? Are ye asking?

Tarbert Music Festival, Tarbert Loch Fyne

Are ye dancing this St. Andrew's Day? Yes, we're asking. This year, CalMac is teaming up with an incredible charity called Care For A Cèilidh? who are known for bringing the benefits of music and dance to residents of special needs schools, care homes and hospices all over the country. COVID19 has sadly put a stop to their regular in-person performances, so we're helping them to bring a one-off online special, featuring some fantastic performers from Scotland's traditional music scene to a screen near you.

Led by west coast legend, Donnie MacLeod, Care For A Cèilidh? has been making a huge difference to the care community across Scotland for the last seven years - helping them to stay connected and entertained with visits which feature live, in person performances from top musicians and performers.

Sadly, the COVID19 Pandemic has paused these visits at a time when they are needed most. So, CalMac has been working with Care For A Cèilidh? and a team or world class performers to broadcast an online version which schools, care home and hospice residents - and all of you - can enjoy safely, on November 30. (Set a reminder, mark it in your diaries!).

This Care For A Cèilidh? Special will be available worldwide and will form part of this year's St Andrew's Day celebrations which collectively shine a light on Scotland's shared values of kindness and compassion, as well as our culture and unique heritage.

The performers taking part include Ewan Henderson of Mànran Hannah Rarity - BBC Scotland Young Traditional Musician of the Year; dancer Rachel McLagan of Flings & Things ; The Laurettes ; fiddler Sally Simpson who performed as part of Sting's My Song's World Tour in 2019.... AND fantastic chart toppers Robert Robertson of  Tide Lines and Martin Gillespie of Skerryvore .

This Care For A Cèilidh? special performance has already been pre-recorded in Glasgow, and will be available across the globe to view for free via our own social media channels and YouTube on 30 November.

We'd love for you to join us and watch the performance online, perhaps even spread a little kindness by sharing it on social media using #CalMacKindness and the #WeAreScotland hashtags with a wee note on what kindness means to you.

In addition to supporting Care For A Cèilidh? to take their show online, CalMac will also make a donation to the  Eilidh MacLeod Memorial Trust in acknowledgement of the effort of the performers who are supporting the event.

Watch the teaser video here.

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