Coldstream Community Centre will host this first event of the Border Gaitherin, with a line up of young performers, aged five-22, who will providing songs, dances, and instrumental items from both individuals and groups.

Coldstream Primary School pupils, with Susie Kelly, the traditional music development officer, will get the evening off to an enthusiastic start.

Other acts to follow will include High Line Fiddlers from Kelso, solo accordionists, Riddell Fiddles, highland dancers, Shona Mooney's Fiddle Group, The Small Hall Band, and Robyn Kinsman Blake.

This year 'Folkestra' — The Sage Gateshead's regional youth folk ensemble, is welcomed to Coldstream.

The group includes several young talented players from the Borders as well as from the north of England. They have been playing recently in Madrid and are due to be playing in The Albert Hall, London, during the summer.

Finally, there is the exciting young trad group, The House Sister, two thirds of whom are from Kelso. Carly Blain and Rachel Cross, together with keyboard player and singer Kira Slater recently enjoyed huge success at The Wynd in Melrose as part of the 'Northern Streams' series of concerts.

'Cool Concert' is supported by Scottish Borders Council Traditional Music Development staff — Shona Mooney and Susie Kelly.

Tickets will be available at the door — £3 adult and £2 children.
"The Border Gaitherin Coldstream 2008, focuses on providing a range of traditional instrumental and song workshops featuring internationally renowned artists as both tutors and performers,"explained Liz Marroni, one of the organisers.

"Blend this with its reputation as a very friendly event, with something for all the family, in the beautiful surroundings of Coldstream, and you have a recipe for a great weekend."

The weekend event generally attracts traditional music enthusiasts from both sides of the border, as well as from Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen.

This year, once again, visitors are coming from Canada and the United States to see world class musicians in fiddle, flute, bodhran and song this year, with Liz Doherty, Desi Wilkinson, Junior Davey and Mairie Campbell.

For all The Border Gaitherin event details, please see the website at www.bordergaitherin.com