KARINE POLWART - Come Away In

with special guests Stephen Deazley, Lori Watson & Corrina Hewat

St. Giles’ Cathedral, High Street

Wednesday 1st January 2025

2pm – 5.40pm (Performances on the hour – duration approx. 30mins)

Free Event

‘Welcome into the house where there’s an open door and the fire is burning
Welcome into the house where we can rest a while from the world and its turning
Welcome into the house’

Join acclaimed folk singer and songwriter, Karine Polwart, Choir Director, Stephen Deazley, and 200 community singers for Come Away In - an atmospheric First Footin’ event at St. Giles’ Cathedral on New Year’s Day.

Part performance, part turning-of-the-year ceremony, Come Away In takes the Scottish tradition of First Footin’ as its inspiration. The opening of the door to friends and strangers alike is a nationwide gesture of hospitality, and an invocation of refuge, neighbourliness and shared resources. Celebrate crossing the threshold of the New Year in the embrace of massed voices and song, in the resonant, historic space of the city’s 900-year-old cathedral. 

Want to join the choir for this performance? 

All singers are welcome to join the Community Choir and perform with Karine Polwart, we would love you to join us for an uplifting start to 2025:

• Involvement is FREE
• No formal musical skills required. Parts will be simple and taught by ear
• Participation involves a commitment to:
  • 2 x 3.5 hour Edinburgh City Centre rehearsals on Sun 8 Dec & Sat 21 Dec (Arrive 1.15pm / 1.30pm – 5pm)
  • Some self-directed learning at home
  • A short rehearsal and 4 x 1/2 hour performances on New Year’s Day at St. Giles’ Cathedral
  • Above all else, bring your voices and a spirit of curiosity and generosity.
  • Rehearsal and performance spaces are fully accessible.
  • To participate please complete a registration form below
  • Please note places are limited and on a are first-come, first-served basis
  • Age Restrictions: Under 16’s must be accompanied by an adult aged 18yrs+
  • Please only register is you are able to attend all rehearsals and performance dates 

Please note participants are responsible for any travel our expenses incurred to attend the rehearsals and performance dates

Refreshments will be provided at both rehearsal afternoons and refreshments/packed-lunch on New Year’s Day. Please specify any dietary requirements in registration

'Singing in the New Year is such a massive communal tradition here in Scotland that opening the doors of St Giles Cathedral to 200 community voices just seemed obvious. It’s a glorious space designed for song. I hope our invitation to 'Come Away In’ captures a spirit of hospitality, sanctuary, and togetherness - things that need looking after in these times.’ Karine Polwart

For the full First Footin’ event programme, click here

CLICK HERE TO APPLY FOR COMMUNITY CHOIR REGISTRATION

First Footin’ is supported by:

Scottish Government’s Expo Fund   

Essential Edinburgh

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