Latest news with #TheVoiceFrance
The Herald Scotland
29-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Herald Scotland
Mauchline Holy Fair is still Bard to the bone
Running from Saturday May 24 to Saturday May 31, this year's Holy Fair promises an eclectic mix of entertainment and heritage, all culminating in a show-stopping Main Event on the final Saturday. With a packed programme already unveiled – and more acts to be announced in the weeks ahead – this year's festivities are shaping up to be one of the biggest and most diverse yet. The celebrations begin with a touch of mystery, as Fairburn Hotel hosts a Murder Mystery Night on Saturday May 24, inviting sleuths to crack the case over a thrilling evening of intrigue. On Tuesday May 27, things take a more academic turn with a lively Quiz Night at the Black Bull Inn, testing locals and visitors alike on their knowledge of Burns and Mauchline's rich local history. Other highlights across the week include a fascinating Mossgiel Talk at Poosie Nansie's Inn (Monday 26), and on Wednesday 28th, the return of the much-loved 'Burns Women' – a spirited play combining storytelling and song, performed by the Burns Bachelors at the Mauchline KS Club. Thursday May 29 will see the Songs for All Community Choir and the Ayrshire Fiddle Orchestra take to the stage at Mauchline Church Hall, bringing with them rousing performances of traditional Scottish music. Then on Friday 30th May, there's a Cosy Night in the Snug at Poosie Nansie's Inn – an intimate celebration of the songs and poetry of Burns, sure to delight fans of the Bard. The MacDonald Brothers will appear The grand finale of the week is, of course, Mauchline Holy Fair Day on Saturday May 31. From 11am to 5pm, the village will be transformed into a bustling hub of entertainment, music, and community spirit. A grand parade and pipe band will kick off the day, followed by a range of activities and performances across multiple stages. On the Main Stage, this year's headliners are none other than The MacDonald Brothers, pictured right inset. Ayrshire's own Craig and Brian MacDonald will bring their celebrated mix of Scot-pop-rock to Mauchline, following a successful international tour. Their multi-instrumental talents and signature vocal harmonies are sure to make for an unforgettable performance. They'll be joined by the boundary-pushing Unison Anthems, who blend traditional bagpipes with world percussion to perform dynamic covers of artists from Calvin Harris to Adele. The Holy Fair team are also delighted to be welcoming Jeremy Levif back for 2025. As seen on the Voice UK and The Voice France, Ayrshire-based Levif is a French pop-rock singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, a four-chair turner, semi-finalist of the Voice UK and finalist of The Voice France in 2023! Also on the bill are the high-energy Borland Ceilidh Band, a staple of Scottish folk festivals known for their infectious enthusiasm and crowd-pleasing sets. Elsewhere, the Nance Tinnock Stage will be curated once again by the Burns Bachelors, offering poetry, music and storytelling celebrating the enduring legacy of Robert Burns. There's also the Folk Stand, where leading Ayrshire folk acts will perform throughout the day, and Mauchline Church, which will play host to local artists performing traditional music. For families, the Holy Fair offers plenty to do, with a fair-style kids' play area, face painting, balloons, Uncle Billy, and vintage vehicle displays. There will also be an art competition and song and music writing sessions for aspiring creatives of all ages. The evening will round off in spectacular style with the Saturday Night Final Fling – a village dance held in the Mauchline Club from 7.30pm until late, bringing the week to a rousing close. With a programme that blends history, music, community, and celebration, Mauchline Holy Fair 2025 looks set to be a true highlight of the Scottish cultural calendar. More acts and details are due to be revealed in the coming weeks, so keep an eye on Mauchline Holy Fair's social media and website for updates. One thing is certain – this year's Holy Fair is not to be missed.
The National
25-03-2025
- Entertainment
- The National
Lebanese singer Shana impresses with debut on The Voice France: 'I want to represent my country'
The Voice France has launched its 14th season, and the long-running show continues to make waves and break barriers – most recently with another Lebanese contestant making an immediate impact. Shana, whose full name is Shana Farjallah, quite literally turned heads with her debut appearance on Saturday's episode, delivering a standout performance of You Keep Me Hangin' On. In many ways, it was the perfect introduction. The singer began the track – originally recorded by Motown group The Supremes in 1966 – a cappella, showing off her strong vocals before the beat kicked in and she took it up a notch. It didn't take long for two of the four coaches, French pop stars Florent Pagny and Zaz, to turn their chairs, signalling their eagerness to mentor her through the competition. 'At 24, you already know how to do it in an adventure like this and you'll begin to see all the little imperfections,' said Pagny. 'Ultimately there's so much sensitivity in your voice. It makes me think 'Ah yes, your palette is vast, and with that kind of talent there's really something there'.' Zaz added: 'Shana, you have a sensitivity that is very, very raw and I want to hear more of that. And I really want to get you into [that space], because this fragility, you need to inhabit it." It was Zaz's easy-going charm – not to mention her blend of jazz and soul – that won over Shana, setting up a promising partnership that could go far this season. While the competition is still in its early stages, Shana's performances have already resonated across Lebanon, where her name is trending on social media. In a recent interview with Lebanese newspaper An-Nahar, she expressed hope that her journey on The Voice would help shift public perceptions of her homeland. 'The most important thing for me as a Lebanese is that people in Lebanon know who I am, what I've done, and that they hear my music," she said. "I want to represent my country and show that we, as Lebanese, can succeed wherever we want." Shana's appearance on The Voice France marks a new milestone in her burgeoning career, which also has ties to Dubai. Born in Lebanon, she began her journey more than three years ago as an RnB singer, releasing a handful of English-language singles and, most recently, the album Identity Crisis. During that time, she also honed her live performance skills as part of the musical programme at The Theatre Dubai, co-founded by Lebanese-Armenian musician Guy Manoukian. While her debut on The Voice France featured an English-language performance, there's a strong chance her repertoire will include Arabic songs as she progresses further in the competition. 'This is new for me, something I've never done before, but I decided to give it a try. I've come to feel that Arabic songs are more expressive than others,' she told An-Nahar. 'They connect me more deeply with my family, my people, and the Middle East as a whole. I also discovered that my voice is very capable of expressing emotion in Arabic.' Shanna is among a growing number of Middle Eastern artists competing in the French version of The Voice. Contestants are reportedly not required to be French citizens to enter. Instead, they must either reside in France or be able to travel there for the various stages of the programme. Notable Lebanese participants in the past include singer Hiba Tawaji, who reached the semi-finals under the mentorship of Lebanese-French pop star Mika before launching a successful career, and Lara Bou Abdo, then 16, who made a strong impression with her performance of Fairuz's Li Beirut in 2021.
