Sly & Robbie headline Celtic Connections' Jamaican Burns Night

Celtic Connections, held the city of Glasgow, Scotland from Monday January 15th until Friday 1st February 2009 has announced the acts for a special Jamaican Burns Night.

In tribute to Scottish poet Robert Burns, Celtic Connections celebrates the 250th Burns Night with a unique mini-carnival of Scottish and reggae sounds, sights and tastes on Sunday 25th January at the Old Fruitmarket.

The Jamaican Burns Night is curated by Sushil K Dade, and features a line-up topped by Sly & Robbie, and the evening will also feature Karine Polwart, Edward II, Sharon Shannon, in what's being called the all-star Future Pilot Dub Arkestra.

Joining them will also be Edwyn Collins, and the Arkestra will be performing 'dub' versions of music by Collins' iconic Glasgow group Orange Juice, alongside specially-created versions of classic Burns songs.

The line-up for 2009 already includes Celtic Connections Opening Concert "The Cape Breton Connection", Drever, McCusker & Woomble, Kathleen MacInnes, The Wilders with The Hot Seats, Bassekou Kouyate & Ngoni Ba with Jayme Stone & Mansa Sissoko, and Youssou N'Dour and Old Blind Dogs. Plus Under One Sky, a special commission uniting twelve Scottish and English musicians of different genres, from Gaelic singer Julie Fowlis to ex-Blur guitarist Graham Coxon. For the line-up details as available please click here.

Most of the festival concerts take place at Glasgow's Royal Concert Hall but other venues include the City Halls, the Old Fruitmarket, The Classic Grand, and The National Piping Centre. Many events sell out very quickly and as well as the predictably popular artists, there are also many specialist events, almost too numerous to mention, such as a Hurdy Gurdy night, Accordian Night and Scottish Pipe Band performances.

Other highlights to expect include the nightly Celtic Connections Festival Club (for season ticket holders), the free Open Stage Sessions at Glasgow's Royal Concert Hall Exhibition Hall, workshops every weekend, talks, films and dance.

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