LAS

Based around Scottish stepdance and Irish sean-nòs dancing, ‘Las’ (meaning to ignite), explore the cultural links between the two countries through dance, music, language and song. Bringing together five of Scotland and Ireland’s brightest young tradition bearers, they use songs in Gàidhlig and Gaeilge and Scottish and Irish traditional music as a base for exciting dance collaborations. Their musical and vocal prowess, combined with an innate understanding of the traditionally rooted core of the music that they perform, makes them a new force worth experiencing.
Las are:

Joy Dunlop (Scotland)

Joy Dunlop is a multi-award winning Gaelic singer and Scottish step-dancer. Originally from Connel, Argyll; she has performed throughout the UK, Europe, Canada, New Zealand and the USA. A fluent Gaelic speaker and Mòd Gold Medallist, Joy was nominated as ‘Gaelic Singer of the Year’ at the Scots Trad Music Awards 2010 and 2011 and won the Fatea ‘Tradition Award’ in 2010. She has also just been crowned the 2015 Pan Celtic International Traditional Singer of the Year and the 2015 Pan Celtic International Traditional Dance Champion.

Edel Ní Churraoin (Ireland)

Edel Ní Churraoin grew up immersed in the vibrant Connemara music and dance tradition. She plays the tin whistle, button accordion and piano and is also a vocalist and sean-nós dancer. Edel has won various dancing and music competitions and is a regular performer all over Ireland. She has also performed at festivals and concerts in France, Luxembourg and America.

Clíodhna Begley (Ireland)

Dancer and fiddle/viola player Clíodhna Begley comes from the Gaeltacht area west of Dingle in Co. Kerry. Having grown up in a musical family; Clíodhna was hugely influenced by her father, brothers, aunts and uncles. Clíodhna is a regular performer at venues and festivals all over Ireland and further afield. She is member of the band ‘Cuas’ as well as touring extensively with her father and two brothers. Clíodhna has featured on a number of recordings including the recently launched, ‘Tunes in the Church’ CD. 

Megan Henderson (Scotland)

Megan Henderson hails from Fort William in Lochaber. Coming from a musical family, she first began playing violin at the age of four. As a multi-instrumentalist, she also plays piano and accordion and is a vocalist and step dancer. Megan moved to Glasgow to study at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, undertaking the strings BMus Hons degree. She currently plays with Breabach and Salsa Celtica.

Catherine Sullivan (Ireland)

Born and bred in Rath Cairn, a Gaeltacht area in Co. Meath known for its rich local heritage, guitarist and singer Catherine Sullivan comes from a well known local musical family. She is also a champion Sean nòs dancer and has performed throughout Ireland and America to great acclaim.

Tickets for this concert costs £10 and are available from Cromarty Arts Trust