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Those who can't wait till January for Celtic Connections will get a taster next weekend.

Jon Fratelli, Colin MacIntyre, Eddi Reader, Roddy Hart, Tommy Reilly and Washington Irving are among the performers lined up so far, for the gig at Glasgow's Fruitmarket on October 29th.

Money raised will go to the Argyll based charity Mary's meals.

The gig will be the first major solo appearance for Jon Fratelli - with a preview of songs from his new album. Colin Macintyre will also offer a preview of his latest solo album, which is due to be released in spring 2011.

Colin - of Mull Historical Society fame - is behind the venture, along with Celtic Connections artistic director Donald Shaw.

Feeding projects

Both have strong connections with the organisation. Donald Shaw went to school in Oban with Magnus McFarlane-Barrow, who founded Mary's Meals eight years ago.

Colin's sister in law, Abeer Macintyre is the lead fundraiser for the charity and a similar event in January raised over £11,000.The money is used to set up feeding projects in impoverished communities in 15 different countries.

Both Colin and Donald are currently in Malawi to see the work first hand - and they point out that the ticket price of £18 is the average annual cost of feeding two children on the project - as well as potentially a very good night out.