Experience the very best in traditional song, music, dance and storytelling at this year's Ceilidh Culture

TRAD takes over town this spring when Ceilidh Culture celebrates its fifth year from 24 March to 15 April.

More than 30 traditional arts organisations come together to showcase the very best in song, music, dance and storytelling.

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The opening concert on Saturday 24 March at the Queen’s Hall combines all of these art forms as a storyteller, a dancer and some of Edinburgh’s – and Scotland’s – finest musicians are brought together for the opening night of our annual celebration.

Other highlights in the programme include Moya Brennan’s return to Scotland with her new group Clannella, Christy Moore’s performance at the Usher Hall and the ever popular Peatbog Faeries.

This year’s Ceilidh Culture will also be the first year of the ‘Ceilidh House’, which will be hosted at a different venue every Saturday night and where the craic and ceòl goes on long into the wee hours.

The ‘Ceilidh House’ isn’t the only new addition for 2007. This year also welcomes the Filmhouse on board for screenings celebrating folk legends and highlighting Scotland’s importance in the world of folk music.

Ceilidh Culture is more than just a programme of artists and you too have the chance to be involved and get a taste for the traditional.

Adults and children of all ages will have the opportunity to take part in Gaelic singing lessons, storytelling workshops and poetry readings as well as learning how to play traditional instruments.

The original meaning of ceilidh is a house gathering where everyone would be expected to contribute a song, a dance or a story.

And that’s exactly the aim of the 2007 Ceilidh Culture programme – so join in!

• The Ceilidh Culture brochure is available across the city from Thursday 15 February. For more info check out www.ceilidhculture.co.uk