An Edinburgh canal barge hosted the first of five well being concerts on Monday, and Live Music Now Scotland director Carol Main said every single person both on the boat and off was in high spirits.
Construction workers nearby enjoyed the music from their worksite, people leaned out of flat windows to wave, kayakers beamed as they paddled by, and Main said joggers smiled from the canal banks.
“Our goal is to improve mental health and well-being by allowing people to experience music in a natural environment. We felt that traditional Scottish music is particularly well suited to an open air, flexible setting like this,” said Main.
Live Music Now Scotland is working with a variety of community partners to bring a mix of people to the private onboard performances. On Monday, a Polish group was invited to the event to reduce the impact of social isolation.
“We asked the musicians to learn a traditional Polish tune, and they did. It was hugely moving to see these Scottish musicians joining cultures and identifying with people through music. That’s the power of music,” said Main.
The concerts will be held each Monday in August with a final performance in September on the All Aboard canal boat, which is moored at the Polwarth Pontoon on the Union Canal.
The Canal Concerts are being held in partnership with Health All Round.
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