STARS of a major new production are to appear at a charity concert in Inverurie Town Hall next month.
FROM Scotland's (Famine Relief for Orphans in Malawi) Concert from Malawi will take place on Sunday, June 21 at 7pm and will include performances from the acclaimed Garioch Fiddlers and the Rhona Mitchell School of Drama.
In addition, it will fea
ture the stars of a new show developed by Kennedy Productions Company, which was set up by Fiona and Morven Kennedy, the daughters of the late Scottish entertainers Calum and Anne Kennedy. Fiona Kennedy is Patron of FROM Scotland.
Highland Heartbeat is a television and stage production which features contemporary and traditional Scottish music.
The Highland Heartbeat television show was filmed in a variety of Scottish locations and is narrated by well-known Scottish actor Brian Cox. It was recently launched in the USA on Public Broadcasting Service.
The stage show is being launched at the Eden Court Theatre, Inverness between July 27 and August 1. Thereafter it will tour the Highlands before a coast to coast tour of the USA begins in September. Further information about Highland Heartbeat, visit www.highlandheartbeat.com.
Appearing at the Inverurie Concert for Malawi will be singers Frances McCann, a recent graduate of GAMTA and Ross Davidson, a current GAMTA student. Also appearing will be Maureen MacMullan from Coatbridge who is currently at Berklee School of Music in Boston and Darren MacLean from Skye - the current Mod Gold Medalist.
Fiona Kennedy said: "As Patron of FROM Scotland I am thrilled to be bringing Highland Heartbeat to the Concert for Malawi in Inverurie. FROM Scotland's work is incredibly important; in the last week they have agreed to supply another two feeding stations which will bring their expenditure for food up to £550 per month.
"It is really important that we help to raise the charity's profile amongst a wide audience – the money raised at the concert will be used to buy food and probably hygiene kits.
"Hopefully Highland Heartbeat will do this; myself and the outstandingly talented young cast will certainly be ready to give Inverurie some great entertainment and a taste of our quality production, just before we perform at Eden Court and then take off on a major American tour."
Since being formed in 2005, FROM Scotland has raised more than £80,000.
FROM Scotland member Lewis Taylor said: "In Malawi, £80,000 goes much further than it would here. The feeding programme is still ongoing with the children being fed in varying numbers, up to 700 daily.
"Most of these are in the villages in the south of Malawi but since the start of this year we are now supporting a project further north. The clinic in Mwanayaya village - which was funded last year - is being well used and now has solar lighting and the health workers house is now complete and inhabited.
"In Sekeni village the birthing unit which we funded is complete and is being used as a training centre. It has been given the accolade Centre of Excellence."
Lewis added: "We have provided funds to repair a roof where local school children go on overnight stays; refurbish a feeding station; build two classrooms in Mwanayaya village with solar power; Open Arms Infant home to help furnish a newly built Open Arms 2; help repair damage done by a whirlwind to Ekwendeni Hospital buildings in December 2008; and fund an irrigation scheme which is in its initial stages.
"Ongoing activities include providing a composting toilet for Mwanayaya School and the upkeep and maintenance for the two clinics."
Tickets for the Concert for Malawi are available from Strachan's Newsagents and Inverurie Music Centre or by calling (01467) 681208.
