Mareel nominated for Venue of the Year in Trad Music Awards
Mareel in Lerwick has been nominated for Venue of the Year at this year’s Scots Trad Music Awards.
Managed by Shetland Arts, the UK’s most northerly music, cinema and creative industries centre provides a year-round programme of live music, film, education and other performance events.
The shortlists were drawn from hundreds of public nominations by a panel of music industry experts, who also help choose the winners, along with the results of an online vote held over the next few weeks.
Shetland Arts director Gwilym Gibbons said: “In Mareel’s first year of operations we had over 100 ticketed events in the main auditorium, and the whole project has been going really well.
“It’s also great to be welcoming a nominee for Best Instrumentalist of the Year, Chris Stout, to Mareel, nominated for Venue of the Year and shortlisted for Best Building in Scotland, this week for what’s sure to be an unforgettable live performance.”
Stout is playing a concert on Thursday evening with Finlay MacDonald and Ross Martin, showcasing pieces from their new album The Cauld Wind, which was also recorded at the studio in Mareel.
Mareel was also shortlisted for the Andrew Doolan Prize for the Best Building in Scotland, by the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland (RIAS). The winner of that prize is due to be announced on Thursday.
Mr Gibbons said: “I’d like to thank the Shetland Arts team who worked tirelessly to get Mareel up and running. It’s a testament to their effort, commitment, and dedication that we’ve been nominated for Venue of the Year in our first year of operations.
“We’d also like to thank everyone who nominated Mareel, and ask that you please continue to support us with your votes.”
Public voting is now open at www.scotstradmusicawards.com.
Vivienne Rendall
Great news, well done Shetland Arts. Mareel is a fabulous venue for Shetland, well worth all the hassle in the building process.I’ve attended films, live music and other events there, and I live in Northumberland!!
Vivienne Rendall
Further to my earlier comment, I’ve just been speaking to a cousin in Yell, very upset because the late starting and finishing times of the various events at Mareel mean that she is not able to get to any of them and get home to Yell on the same evening. Would it be possible to rethink the start times of events with this in mind, and possibly be revolutionary in starting events say at 5pm? Worth a thought. I feel very sorry for the folk in the northern and outer isles.` If they have to stay in a hotel it makes it a very expensive night indeed.
fraser cluness
If you start things at 5 then folk cant get there after their work, but have to take time off work which is just as expencive. i sugested that they swop films about in the time slots so people from the north can at least get home before late (if a tall), but was informed its ‘never’ anything to do with them but the big boys south.
I can only attend week nights and due to programing i feel sometimes i have to wait until films come out on dvd to actualy get to see them.
They have a facebook page, maybe you should sugest it on there?
Ali Inkster
“it’s the big boys south” could be countered with. What damn fool singed a contract that allows others to dictate how you run your business. Not getting the films on the week of release would allow them to be shown at Times to suit life up here, and as there is no competition from other cinemas folks would still be coming through the doors. Also films would be cheaper thus allowing a chance of profit.
Brian Smith
Shocked to hear that the Mareel management singed a contract. What next will they do.