Choir A Fistful of Spookies to perform at Universal Hall, Finhorn on Friday night
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AN ECLECTIC group will perform a variety of songs from Georgian folk to Beach Boys classics in Findhorn this weekend.
A Fistful of Spookies - the UK contingent of Australia-based comedic chorale Spooky Men’s Chorale - are appearing at Universal Hall at 8pm on Friday, December 10 during their UK tour, supported by Forres Big Choir.
Group spokesman ‘Spooky Philip’ confirmed ‘Spookmeister’ Stephen Taberner started the Spooky Men’s Chorale in 2001to sing Georgian polyphony - their name came from the ‘spooky’ chords in Georgian music.
Philip said: “As the Chorale we’ve toured Australia, New Zealand, UK, Ireland, Denmark, Sweden and Germany. As the Fistful, we’ve added France, Spain and Finland. Our favourite gigs include at the Rudolstadt World Music Festival, Germany where the crowds went bonkers, the Tønder festival, Denmark and WOMAD festivals in England, New Zealand and Australia. In the UK, we’ve played at Sidmouth, Cambridge and Towersey Folk Festivals, St David’s Hall in Cardiff, and the Sheldonian Theatre, Oxford. The Chorale have played twice in Findhorn, but this will be our first visit as A Fistful of Spookies.”
The acapella singers charm their audiences with set lists including ABBA songs and tunes about power tools ... as well as an original repertoire. The full Chorale is a collective so numbers vary from 12 to about 17. The Fistful are bringing the full complement of seven UK-based “Spookies” to Findhorn.
“We love Universal Hall,” said Philip. “It’s special because of it’s fascinating history, beautiful location and stunning acoustics.”
Support act, mixed local community Forres Big Choir formed in 2004 and is led by Bill Henderson.
He said: “We are thrilled and honoured to open the evening with some of our favourite songs. The Spookies are an inspiration to choirs and we are delighted that the UK subset is performing again at Universal Hall. The Big Choir will be about 25-strong for this gig. Our set will include a Scots classic, a Ewan McColl favourite which will bring a few tears, a Neil Sedaka beauty from the 1960’s and a recently composed community choir favourite speaking to the climate crisis. As for the Spookies set, it will include a diversity of songs, emotions and humour with musical excellence!”
Tickets cost £14 with £12 concessions and £10 tickets for under-16’s are available at universalhall.co.uk or on the door.
