22nd July – Claire Hastings

BBC Radio Scotland Young Musician of the Year for 2105 Claire Hastings is the special guest at Irvine Folk Club on Wednesday 22nd July. She is well thought of by her peers and music critics alike – even if she plays the Ukulele as her chosen instrument!
Claire is from Dumfries and sings and plays with a confidence that belies her years. She has a very fine voice and is said to be a compelling storyteller. After she graduated from the RSAMD with a degree in Scottish Music, Claire and her Ukulele travelled round the world for 18 months before she decided that being in Glasgow is where she really wanted to be.
She has been involved in a variety of workshops around Scotland including leading a Singing Workshop on Mull for people with Dementia and more recently delivered Tiny Tunes for Tiny people to a Mother & Baby Group in Edinburgh.
Claire has also undertaken several teaching projects including one for people in Glasgow with Mental Health issues and working with Feis Rois in Dumfries & Galloway primary schools teaching Scottish music and singing. Currently she is training to be a Colourstrings teacher and maybe she will explain what that is to those of us who don’t know.
As well as all of that, Claire is part of a duo with Robyn Stapleton and part of the Top Floor Taivers band. Claire’s debut album is promised for early 2016!
At the Irvine Club on the 22nd July, the talented Jenn Butterworth will be alongside Claire. So to hear the current Young Trad Musician of the Year, get along to Irvine Folk Club for 8pm on 22nd July to Vineburgh Community Centre in Quarry Road where it is BYOB.
And finally, Saver Tickets priced £40 are now available for this year’s Marymass Folk Festival and cover concerts on the Thursday, Friday and Marymass Saturday Night. It’s a bargain. Contact Joyce on 01294 551047 or email JoyceIFC@aol.com