March News
Its March already and Dòchas have been back out on the road after having a quick breather after the hectic Celtic Connections festival! Already this year the band have been celebrating after our singer and whistle player, Julie Fowlis, scooped the Radio 2 Horizon Award - as well as recieving her award, Julie, and her band performed at the star-studded awards ceremony held in London - Well Done Jules!
2006 so far has seen Dòchas visit new areas and we were really excited about our recent mini tour in England. Beginning in West Yorkshire, Dòchas took to the stage at the Otley Courthouse and played to a packed audience, and were extremely surprised to hear the local gaelic singing talent out in force for the gig! Joe Rusby was doing sound for us that night and did a brilliant job as usual! We had a great night, thanks to Simon for the great dinner and everyone for coming out to the gig! Next morning it was time to get on the road again, however not until Jenna and Eilidh managed a quick look at the local village markets - spending a fortune on chocolate brownies! Afterwards we then headed back to the van where we packed up and headed further down the motorway.
West Sussex was the next stop and with Martin at the helm, we were there in record time, just enough time to look in Debenhams! Graffam Hall in Chichester was the gig for tonight, and after the finding the hall (thank goodness for GPS!) we got set up and ready to have the sound check - then it was time for the gig. We had a great night and had a extra special visitor from Strathy - next time take your bagpipes Valerie!
The next morning we headed to our final gig of the weekend, back up the road to the New Vic Theatre in Newcastle under Lyme. This was a great gig, and a venue we weren’t used to - it was a theatre in the round - with the auduence surrounding the band! it was an amazing place to play and we were so well looked after - thanks to the team there for a great welcome.
Keep your eye on the gig guide to see whats in the Dòchas diary next. Also good luck to our piano and accordion player, Kathleen Boyle who’s out on tour in the USA with Cherish the Ladies. The original KT did a great gig with them at Celtic Connections and has been busy touring with them over the past few months. All the best KT, we’ll see you soon!