Rura at Dalry Town Hall

From Kirsten Ansell at The Catstrand


Rura will be playing at the Dalry Town Hall on Wednesday 15th April at 7.30pm. Details available here

Rugged yet disciplined, heartfelt whilst rousing and anthemic, refreshingly contemporary but rooted in tradition… Rura are a band inarguably at the forefront of Scottish folk.
Internationally renowned for their punch-packing mix of highland pipes, whistle, flute, fiddle, bodhran, guitar and voice, Rura are one of the most exciting bands of their generation. Steven Blake, Jack Smedley, David Foley and Adam Brown create muscular, yet intricately arranged and lyrical instrumentals to match singer/songwriter Adam Holmes’ haunting songcraft – a perfected mix that has seen them rise to headline status at festivals throughout the UK and Europe.

Since bursting on to the scene in 2010, as award winners at Glasgow’s Celtic Connections festival, Rura have firmly established themselves as a major force. The release of their heralded first album, Break It Up, in 2012 (produced by Lau and Kan fiddler, Aidan O’Rourke) was accompanied by multiple award wins and nominations – including the running for the BBC Radio 2 Horizon Award 2013 - and now the five-piece’s second release is just around the corner. Due for release in spring 2015, it is one of the most hotly-anticipated albums in recent years – and from a band of the very same.

“What every festival needs…barnstorming!” BBC Radio Scotland
“Scotland’s hottest folk prospects” The Scotsman

www.facebook.com/ruramusic
@RURAband

Festival Forecast In The Heart Of Galloway

From Sid Ambrose Wigtownshire Area Arts Convenor

Nostalgic acts booked for several of the regions festivals

Music lovers and festival fans may have noticed a strong nostalgic vibe emanating from some of our region’s major events being held in deepest grooviest Galloway this summer.
Lulu, Status Quo, Grandmaster Flash, Squeeze, the Waterboys and Big Country are like a who’s who of bygone rock royalty. In search of meaning l read some tea leaves and consulted with the bones to find out why, it appears that a frothy cloud of nostalgia has been snagged on the lofty peak of the Merrick and looks to be settled in place for our northern summer. However fans of contemporary and new music need not be alarmed as strong westerlies have blown in a smattering of current acts such as Example, Tom Odell and The Cat Empire.

This retro and newbie mash up may have been influenced by the Gulf Stream which flows northward past our shores, but it is more likely that the population demographic of ageing stalwarts and bright young things have championed for a series of line up’s that reflect the eclectic musical tastes of our collective shires and dales. Wickerman, Eden and now Palmerston Park may have secured some of the music industry heavy artillery but let’s not forget the likes of Knockengorroch who have booked timeless acts such as Shooglenifty and the Peatbog Faeries for their World Ceilidh in May. Electric Fields who champion new Scottish music have just released their line-up of new pretenders and our "way out west" event Park Fest in Stranraer will probably combine a weekend of Young Guns and veteran performers in late August. Youth Beatz are building a national reputation amongst a tween audience whilst Dumfries and Galloway Arts Festival continue their 30-year run of bringing quality and diversity to pocket sized venues all along the A75 corridor.

So what’s the long range forecast for the regions festivals and events l hear you ask. Well barring external factors such as those that affect the economy and travel l feel that future of our festival industry is so bright we are probably going to need shades, the combination of niche market events, family friendly gatherings and rock offerings means that we must be several isobars above other comparable regions when it comes to outdoor live music. In my experience live performance can never be matched by pub jukeboxes or in- car stereos and luckily for us you can hardly swing a selfie stick in Galloway without hitting a festival.

The Phantom Band, Hector Bizerk And Golden Teacher Set to Storm the Castle!

From Electric Fields

Electric Fields, one of Scotland’s hottest new music festivals returns after making its spectacular debut in 2014! The Phantom Band, Hector Bizerk and Golden Teacher are amongst the first wave of artists, with the festival headliner due to be revealed soon. Having its biggest line-up to date and upping its capacity, an extra 1000 festival goers can also expect to see up to 50 artists & bands performing over 4 stages within the fields of Drumlanrig Castle situated in the stunning Queensberry Estate in Dumfries & Galloway.

Last years headliners Fatherson

THE PHANTOM BAND - HECTOR BIZERK- GOLDEN TEACHER

PAWS - VICTORIAN TROUT CONSPIRACY - RANDOLPH’S LEAP – ESPERANZA

MIAOUX MIAOUX - MONOGRAM - JONNIE COMMON - PRONTO MAMA

MAN OF MOON - NUMBERS ARE FUTILE - KILL THE WAVES

CRASH CLUB - ROOT SYSTEM

As well as having twin main stages (The Arc & Carse Valley), this year, Scotland’s Hit The Road project will be taking place during the day in the ‘To Lose La Trek’ stage, giving young musicians aged 14-19 years old their first taste of touring and playing festivals. A brand new alternative stage has been also added, curated by The Skinny, one of Scotland’s most diverse and widely distributed music & culture must-read magazines. A spokesperson for Electric Fields said ‘Last year, this started as a grass roots idea, and despite us increasing the capacity, we’re remaining grass roots but as we made such a healthy impression, we’re adding more artists and an awesome new stage. It’s only year 2, we have to luxury to grow and be diverse…and we cannot wait to reveal the rest of the line-up!’

Jim Gellatly – DJ & Broadcaster, XFM Radio.
"My dream festival line-up, with so much amazing emerging music from Scotland."

Ally McCrae – DJ & Broadcaster.
“Honestly, what a day. The line-up was strong, the two stages worked a treat, the weather, the people, the setting… ah, it was awesome! ”

New Chorus Awards Launched to Celebrate Choirs all over Scotland

From Rebecca Giblin

Special stories from singing groups across Scotland are being hunted out for the newly launched Chorus Awards. Anyone can nominate a group, individual choir member or musical director for the Local Connection, Newcomer, Milestone, Unique Story, Inspiration and Young People categories.

Scotland Sings has launched the Chorus Awards to showcase the wonderful activities choirs are involved in and to celebrate the people helping to make great things happen. Anyone can make a nomination and choir members can even put themselves forward for one of the six categories.

Alison Burns, Scotland Sings Coordinator, says of the new awards, “What’s great is that this is not about the best singer or which choir has sung to the biggest audience, it’s all about the stories behind what makes each group so special. I know of one choir that has members from teenagers up to 80 year olds who sing together every week. What other awards would celebrate something like that?”

image by photographer Ros Gasson 

So, whether you’re part of a choir that is experimenting with new music or know an inspirational musical director who is bringing a community together, the Chorus Awards are the way to recognise and applaud this contribution.

Nominations can be made via an online form by the closing date of Friday 15th May (the event or activity being highlighted should have taken place between 16th May 2014 and 15th May 2015).

Winners will be announced online on Friday 19th June and will form part of a showcase on the Scotland Sings website. To find out more about the individual categories and make a nomination see the website here

Daimh at the Catstrand

From the Catstrand

Dàimh celebrate 15 years since their first album with a Scottish tour that showcases why they have earned the reputation of being the "Gaelic Supergroup" in the intervening years. 2014 saw the group win the “Eiserner Eversteiner” European Folk Music Award in the 23nd German Folkherbst competition and also nominated for Folk Band of the Year in the Scots Trad Music Awards.

A unique concert presenting a mixture of self penned material from their most recent ***** album, Tuneship, combined with some choice old Highland favourites arranged anew in Dàimh's inimitable style. Much of the material performed will be featured on the band's first live album, due to be recorded in the Hebrides this spring.
The archetypal pipe and fiddle led instrumental powerhouse of Angus MacKenzie and Gabe McVarish with Ross Martin on Guitar now sees Gaelic Champion Griogair Labhruidh cemented as the vocal Main Man and features a new member in the shape of Murdo "Yogi" Cameron on Mandola and Accordion.

This is a great Gaelic band and definitely worthy of the title Gaelic Super Group.
BRIGHT YOUNG FOLK

Dàimh have carved a reputation from the bedrock of Gaelic culture... authentic Gaelic music with a modern edge and a magnificent range of expression. This could be one of the best Scottish releases of 2014.
FOLKWORLD

Love, life, loss and Lochaber; Tuneship displays the growing maturity of a group whose work screams of place but which is rooted firmly in the present.
SUNDAY HERALD

Absolute Classics concludes the season with the Fournier Piano Trio

From Ivy Moon Press

Outstanding, astonishing and unique, are just three of the adjectives which have been used to describe a concert by the Fournier Piano Trio. “When you can blow off a 400 seat concert hall with just three people playing, you know something extraordinary has happened,” said one enthusiastic reviewer.

And a mini tour of the region by this distinguished and exciting trio, will mark the grand finale to the highly successful 2014/15 Absolute Classics series. Since winning the 2013 Parkhouse Award, the London-based trio has been rapidly emerging as one of the world’s leading young piano trios. The young group of classical musicians are Taiwanese-British pianist Chiao-Ying Chang; Korean violinist Sulki Yu; and Australian cellist Pei-Jee Ng. All are leading musicians of their generation and have given recitals at some of the world’s most prestigious classical venues, including the Purcell Room and the Wigmore, Carnegie and Royal Festival halls.

As a trio, these three remarkable musicians have made critically acclaimed debuts at both the Purcell Room and Wigmore Hall in London and in 2011 embarked on its first European Tour after being selected for New Masters on Tour at the International Holland Music Sessions which culminated in their debut at the Amsterdam Concertgebouw. They have appeared at music festivals across the world, including Singapore, Hong Kong and Australia and have made regular visits to the Trondheim International Music Festival. Plans are afoot to record their debut album later this year for USK Recordings.

The Fournier Piano Trio begin their four-day concert series at Kirkcudbright Parish Church on Thursday, March 26, at 7.30pm. On Friday, March 27, the performance will take place at Annan Academy Performing Arts Centre, at 7.30pm. The venue is Greyfriars Church Dumfries on Saturday, March 28, again at 7.30pm, and Sunday, March 29, sees the final date in the Absolute Classics 2014/15 series when the trio will play out the last performance at the Buccleuch and Queensberry Arms, Thornhill, at 3.30pm.

Programmes include pieces by Haydn, Faure, Tchaikovsky, Schumann, Schubert and Dvorak.
Tickets in advance from www.absoluteclassics.co.uk or on the doors.

Absolute Classics returns in August with its popular summer festival and will once again feature the International Music Platform, bringing some of the world’s most highly-acclaimed musicians to Dumfries and Galloway. Director, Alex McQuiston, said: “It’s been an amazing year for classical music in the region. We have hosted some truly astounding performances, many to packed audiences and the feedback has been inspiring as well as very encouraging.

“The success of the programme is evidence that the people of Dumfries and Galloway are fully supportive of what we are trying to achieve: to bring the best calibre classical musicians from across the world to this predominately rural region. “We’re back in August with the popular International Musicians Platform - a 10-day concert series and weeklong masterclass series attracting performers and students from all over the world.

“In the meantime, Absolute Classics would like to thank everyone who supported us - the venues, the performers, the funders and, of course, the audiences - over the 2014/15 series and who all helped it to be so successful. “We look forward to seeing you all in August.”

Big Country to Support Status Quo at Palmerston Park

From Sid Ambrose

As the build-up to their first concert project grows momentum, Queen of the South are pleased to announce another top band will perform at their home ground later this year, with Big Country booked to support headline act Status Quo.

Having previously played in Dumfries at the Big Burns Supper in 2014, Big Country, one of Scotland’s well known bands, make a welcome return to the town to play Palmerston Park on the 5 th of June.

The band now fronted by vocalist Simon Hough first hit the music scene over 30 years ago, and became globally known following the release of classic singles “Fields of Fire”, “Chance” and signature song “In A Big Country”, which all went onto become massive worldwide hits, selling over 2 million copies and driving their album “The Crossing” to three prestigious Grammy nominations in the United States of America.

The bands appearance at Palmerston will be sandwiched between gigs in Sale and the Let’s Rock Bristol Festival. Commercial manager, Victoria Thomson commented “We were all really excited when we made the announcement that Status Quo would headline the first ever concert to be held at Palmerston. Now that we’re in a position to start announcing the support acts, the excitement continues to grow”.

“For us to secure Status Quo and now one of Scotland’s top bands, Big Country, it’s just simply unbelievable. It is great for the regions music fans as well as our loyal football supporters. It really is a fantastic time to be involved with a club that are going places.”

Following the Club’s announcement, that Status Quo would top the bill in June, tickets for the concert have been selling well and can be purchased via Queen of the South Football Club’s official website here.

Further support acts will be announced in due course.

Wave Blues Band at A the Airts

From Sara Bain

The Dumfries and Galloway-based Wave Blues Band takes its audience back to a time of smoke-filled rooms in a Chicago bar, bourbon-soaked floorboards and the soulful sounds of a harmonica crying from the speakers.
By staying true to the original intention of this vibrant and exciting musical genre, the band has played to sell-out audiences and rowdy encores for a number of years. It has captured the hearts and imaginations of music lovers across the age and social spectrums as well as garnering a keen interest from younger audiences new to the sound. Founded in 2012 by jazz guitarist Brian Thomson, the Wave Blues Band plays authentic Chicago and Detroit electric blues from the ’20s to ’50s.

Brian said: “In my earlier years, I played the London clubs, including the Ricky Tick Club, with the likes of John Lee Hooker, Sonny Boy Williamson II, Jimmy Reed and Big Joe Turner: all major American blues artists in the ’60s. I also played backing with acts such as Georgie Fame and John Mayo, well before they were famous! “I’ve always loved the blues and have played it for years, on and off.“Since retiring, I’ve had more time to get back to it and formed the Wave Blues Band which has a wide repertoire of some of the most classic electric blues numbers plus a few of our own.”

Members of the Wave Blues Band are Brian on guitar and vocals; David Dryfe from Penpont, blues harp, well-known in blues and folk clubs throughout Scotland; Fraser Clark, keyboards, formerly of the D-Bass Jazz fusion band; and Edinburgh-based Ben Jerret, drums, a former Moffat Academy pupil who is currently studying music. “We try to keep the sound as authentic as possible,” Brian explained. “All the numbers we play are based on the original lyrics – the way the songs were written – and stay true to the intention of the artist. We mix these with some of our own compositions and some rearranged jazz standards to produce an exciting set.”

The band has a busy year lined up, with a number of gigs across the region and their first CD recording in May. They will be bringing their popular performance to A’ The Airts, Sanquhar, on Friday, April 3, at 7.30pm. Further information from the A the Airts website

DG Arts Festival Programme Announced

From DG Arts Festival

The Scottish Chamber Orchestra and comedian Hardeep Singh Kohli will be among the headliners at the Dumfries and Galloway Arts Festival.

A total of 82 acts will perform at 42 venues across the south-west over 10 days at the end of May. The event, which is in its 36th year, will also feature performances by the award-winning folk singer Bella Hardy and Scotland's Makar Liz Lochhead.

Young musicians: John Gilderdale-Smith, from Castle Douglas; Zoe Bestel, of Wigtown; Robyn Stapleton from Stranraer; and Deri Ronan, of Thornhill.

The programme was launched at Loch Arthur, Beeswing, on Wednesday. Organisers have pledged to showcase world-class music, theatre, comedy and literature in towns, villages and remote rural areas across the region.

Highlights include:

HARDEEP SINGH KOHLI – HARDEEP IS YOUR LOVE
FRIDAY 22 MAY, 7:30 PM. £15
THE CORNER HOUSE HOTEL, HIGH STREET, ANNAN DG12 6DL
Master of pace and quick-witted patter, there’s much more to Hardeep Singh Kohli than being a media funny man in a colourful turban.

SCOTTISH ENSEMBLE FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE
FRIDAY 22 MAY, 8:00 PM. £20
EASTERBROOK HALL, THE CRICHTON, BANKEND ROAD, DUMFRIES, DG1 4TA
This event was kindly supported in memory of NLH.

A celebration of two of Russia’s most celebrated composers heralds the sensational start to this year’s Dumfries & Galloway Arts Festival.

KIDDER THEATRE NORMAL / MADNESS
SATURDAY 23 MAY, 7:30 PM. £10
THE SWALLOW THEATRE, MOSS PARK, WHITHORN, NEWTON STEWART DG8 8DR (also showing in New Galloway)
Kidder Theatre brings the very best in drama to the region with its critically acclaimed humorous and heart-breaking play Normal / Madness.

GAVIN MARWICK’S – JOURNEYMAN SPECTACULAR
SUNDAY 24 MAY, 7:30 PM. £15
CASTLE DOUGLAS TOWN HALL , ST ANDREW STREET, CASTLE DOUGLAS DG7 1DB
Described as ‘a folk festival on stage’, Gavin Marwick’s Journeyman Spectacular is a phenomenal musical experience of short sets of 10 performers and a constantly changing musical line-up.

STANLEY ODD
SUNDAY 24 MAY, 8:30 PM. £12
THE CORNER HOUSE HOTEL, HIGH STREET, ANNAN DG12 6DL
5.00PM – WORKSHOP WITH DAVE HOOK
Alternative Scottish hip-hop with heart, mind, wit, grit, conscience and superb live musicianship, Stanley Odd’s sound is reaching well beyond the rapidly burgeoning subculture from which it emerged, borne on an escalating grapevine buzz that’s set to ramp-up several notches further, with the release of their second album Reject.

Musical Line Up at A the Airts this March

From Ivy Moon Press

A’ the Airts in Sanquhar has a great line-up of talented musicians set to perform for its March music series.

On Friday, March 6, Scottish folk singer Pauline Alexander brings her “unforgettable and incomparable voice” to the art centre's main stage. Hailed as one of the finest voices to have emerged in the Scottish folk scene in recent times, Pauline comes with highly acclaimed guitarist Edwin Gallacher. Their concert this year at the Edinburgh Fringe received a standing ovation.

In the short time that they have been together, Pauline and Edwin have been nominated for an Isambard Folk Award, toured folk clubs and festivals around England and Scotland as well as appearing on STV Glasgow’s Riverside Show.

The duo have opened for the likes of Dougie MacLean and more recently, The Pearlfishers during their Celtic Connections show as well as supporting Shelagh McDonald.

Recently she performed at Dumfries’ Big Burns Supper with their show “A Fine Voice and Mesmerising Guitar” at the Electric Theatre Workspace. It was particularly poignant performing in Dumfries and Galloway as Alive Radio was one of the first of many radio stations to feature Pauline’s music when she was invited to appear on Mark Smith’s Drivetime radio show.

The duo’s manager, Stephen Thomson of Cracker Dog Records, said: “I fell in love with Pauline’s singing after initially having mistaken her voice for Eva Cassidy’s. “It is unusual to hear someone with such a fine purity of voice. At that time, Pauline was not actively pursuing a career in music and I felt compelled to promote her and her music. “With Edwin’s masterful accompaniment it really has been a winning formula. The result is sublime.”

On Friday, March 20, A' the Airtswelcomes back Lanarkshire-based band Luckenbooth for another fine evening of traditional and contemporary music from this talented outfit’s wide repertoire.

Luckenbooth are Christine on keyboard, whistle and percussion; Mhairi on fiddle, viola and vocals; Alex on lead vocals, guitar, mandolin, whistles and flute; Jim on guitar, bouzouki, mandolin and the occasional vocal. The band plays mainly around Scotland’s central belt at clubs and festivals.

Two band members come from a classically trained background. Luckenbooth gigs are always tailored to the audience and they like to get the crowds singing along, so choose their material accordingly.

All in all, the audience is guaranteed a fine evening of easy listening and solid entertainment.

Both performances take place at 7.30pm.

Moffat Book Events Listings this Spring

From Moffat Book Events

28th February Writer's Workshop and book Launch

Michael Malone acclaimed crime writer wlil lead a writers workshop and talk about his new book "Beyond the rage"

Venue : Old Well Theatre, Old Well Road.Moffat 

Writers workshop 1pm till 2 pm 

Book launch 2pm

Tickets for workshop  5 pounds

27th March Karen Campbell in conversation

Karen Campbell, now resident in Galloway, author of the Anna Cameron books and "This is where I am " will talk about her new book "Rise"

Venue: Old Well Theatre, Old Well Road Moffat.

Time 1 pm. 

Tickets 5 pounds

23rd April An evening with Michael Kerins and Moffat Music Live

Storyteller and raconteur, Michael Kerins, who was a big hit at Moffat Academy last year. , presents his fund of stories and yarns accompanied by Moffat Music Live's, fabulous mix of blues, rock and folk music.

Venue: Buccleuch Arms Hotel, High Street, Moffat

Time: 8 pm

Tickets 5 pounds

Moffat Book Events is pleased to acknowledge the assistance of the Scottish Book Trust Live Lit scheme.

28th April Afternoon tea with Alexander McCall Smith

The author of the "No1 Ladies detective agency" and "44 Scotland Street" and many many more comes to Moffat to take tea and talk about his work.

Venue : Moffat House Hotel, High Street, Moffat  

Time : 2.30

Tickets: 10 pounds (includes afternoon tea)

28th May In partnership with Moffat Music Live: "Words and Music" : Liz Lochhead and friends [part of Dumfries and Galloway Arts Festival]

Liz Lochhead, Scotland's Makar.  will be accompanied by local writers and poets and Moffat Music Live's usual mix of great music and great musicians

Venue : Moffat Town Hall, High Street Moffatl

Time 8 pm

Tickets 10 pounds

Bar.

Moffat Book Events and Moffat Music Live is pleased to acknowledge the support of Dumfries and Galloway Arts Festival.  

Tickets will be available from Moffat Bookshop, 

5 Well Street, Moffat DG10 9DP    01683 478 088

www.moffatbookevents.com

Have your say on DMC 2015

From The Stove Network

Hector Bizerk playing live at the Stove during DMC2013

It’s back! Dumfries Music Conference is making it’s grand return this April, heralding the opening of 100 High Street. For those of you who have not attended DMC event’s in the past, we’ve included record fairs, live music, song writing workshops and seminars with music industry professionals.

This will be the third year the Stove has hosted the Music Conference and the DMC team would love to hear from you what you would like to see and be part of at this years event. Have you got a great idea or suggestion?

Please take a moment out to fill in our quick survey available online here and help shape DMC 2015!

Surprise guest for Lee’s Burns Supper

From Kerry Willacy

Barman Lee McQueen was amazed when a special guest accepted his invitation to appear at a Burns-themed fundraiser. The Globe worker, a popular accordionist, planned a modest evening to raise funds for the SNP locally. He was amazed when former First Minister Alex Salmond accepted his invitation to speak at the event on 26th February. As a result, the fundraiser has “grown arms and legs” with an array of local talent supporting the event which will be held in the Cairndale Hotel.

Robyn Stapleton, a BBC Radio Young Traditional Musician of the Year, will sing and Ian McIntyre, past president of the Burns Howff club, will act as Master of Ceremonies. There will also be an auction featuring memorabilia signed by Mr Salmond, a unique designer hat by Milliner Tracey Little and a handmade Burns quilt by Ann Hill.

Joan McAlpine MSP, who helping to organise the evening, said: “This is a great coup for Lee who has worked incredibly hard to make the evening a success. Lee helped to organise the entertainment when Alex Salmond visited Dumfries just before the referendum. Mr Salmond was completely overwhelmed by the scenes of welcome at the Devorgilla Bridge and promised to return to the town to thank all the activists.”

Ms McAlpine added: “Tickets are selling fast and we are confident of raising a substantial amount to support the campaigns of our SNP candidates Richard Arkless in Dumfries & Galloway and Emma Harper in Dumfriesshire, Clydessdale and Tweeddale.”

Tickets can be obtained from Lee by texting 07835 405471 or by emailing dumfriesburnssupper@gmail.com

Kirkmahoe Open Mic with Alan McClure

From David Clark and Kirkmahoe Concerts

Alan McClure at A the Airts

From A the Airts

Singer, songwriter, poet, storyteller and teacher, Alan McClure’s unique performances are humorous, entertaining and inspirational.

Lead singer of The Razorbills, Alan’s talent lies in his lyrics and poems of politics, nature and human relationships, which he communicates to his audiences with wit and masterful musicianship.

Alan comes to A’ the Airts, Sanquhar’s community arts centre, on Friday, February 20. Doors open 7pm and Alan’s performance will begin at 7.30pm.

Tickets and further information from A’ The Airts, 8-12 High Street, Sanquhar.

Tel: 01659 50514.

The Poozies - Workshop and Concert in Moniaive

From Wendy Stewart

The Poozies, an all-female four-piece folk band, who have been delighting audiences in Britain and worldwide for over 20 years with their own unique brand of contemporary/traditional music are coming to Moniaive!

On Saturday 14th March, as the latest in the series (remember the Magnolia Sisters?!) of year round concerts organised by Moniaive Folk Festival, the band will be teaching a group workshop (instruments and singing) from 2 -4pm and giving a concert at 7.30pm at Moniaive Institute (with bar). There will be a hearty stew (veggie option) available at the Craigdarroch from 6pm so you can make a whole day of it !
Day ticket – concert, workshop and meal £18 full/£14 concessions, Concert only £10/7, Concert plus workshop OR meal £14/11, Workshop alone £6/4.
Note – meal not available separately. Group tickets / family discounts available, please ask.
For tickets and more info contact Wendy Stewart / Alan James 01387 820 241 alan@snademill.co.uk

In this inspirational band of women, the passion of Sally Barker’s vivid voice is reinforced by the percussive power of her rock solid guitar, you`ll know her name as Tom Jones` finalist on BBc 1`s The Voice 2014, who narrowly missed out on the top spot after being the bookie`s fave , and supported Sir Tom at three of his summer gigs! Alongside Sally, irresistible energy bursts from Eilidh Shaw’s faultless fiddle and the magical melodies of Mairearad Green’s delicately dextrous accordion weave around, all grounded by the growling groove of Mary Macmaster’s capacious Camac electro harp and rounded off by the blending of four different yet sympathetic voices in heart-wrenching harmony.

The POOZIES are masters of arranging and their music takes you on a journey through a sometimes fantastical landscape, highlighting the powerful combination of dextrous rhythmic punching acoustic guitar as it combines with the fantastic Camac electro-harp. The rhythmic duo underpin the unfolding arrangements, whether it be an original composition or a traditional melody. Perhaps even more spine-tingling are the close vocal harmonies which intensify the songs and which are drawn not only from the rich vein of traditional Scottish Gaelic culture but also from any enticing genre.

This supremely gifted quartet waste no time in getting down to business, quickly putting the audience under their spell with their soothing and toe tapping range of celtic ballads, gaelic tunes and stirring vocal harmonies.
Its a pleasure to watch such gifted musicians at the top of their game because the experience is joyful and effortless and whilst the bulk of it is rooted in traditional music this is no twee diddly aye outfit. Their arrangements have a contemporary edge that makes you wonder if at any moment they might suddenly start rocking out or become a punk band. Even their name is a little bit punk, taken from a pub ‘Poosie Nansies’ that Robert Burns frequented. Poosie means ‘pussy’ and no not the cat variety. Punk or not, this group have plenty more to offer.
Dylan Matthew Edinburgh Fringe review 2014 Famous Spiegeltent

The Poozie recipe is a fragrant casserole of inventive interpretations, creative collaborations and melodic mastery, saturated by the spice of open-mindedness with which they happily explore the musical universe. This is a rare opportunity to hear them in Moniaive as part of their nationwide tour.

Svetlana Mochalova and Slava Sidorenko with Absolute Classics

From Absolute Classics

February Concerts
Svetlana Mochalova, cello & Slava Sidorenko, piano

Date: Thursday 19th February
Time: 7:30pm
Location: Buccleuch Centre, Langholm
Cost: Book directly with the Buccleuch Centre: 013873 81196

Programme:
Schumann Adagio&Allegro
Beethoven Sonata op.5 no.2
James McMillan Kiss on Wood
Myaskovsky cello sonata no.2

Date: Saturday 21st February
Time: 6:30pm
Price: £50.00 including arrival drinks and three course set menu
Book Directly with Cavens: 01387 880234
Location: Cavens Country House Hotel

Programme:
Schumann Adagio&Allegro
Beethoven Sonata op.5 no.2
James McMillan Kiss on Wood
Myaskovsky cello sonata no.2

Date: Sunday 22nd February
Time: 3:30pm
Location: Buccleuch & Queensberry Arms, Thornhill
Cost: Adults £12.00, Under 26 Free
Book on line: www.absoluteclassics.co.uk

Programme:
Brahms Sonata in E minor
Brahms six songs arr. cello and piano (selection)
Scriabin preludes for piano
Rachmaninoff cello & piano sonata

Status Quo to play Palmerston Park

From Sid Ambrose

Several weeks ago l was invited in my capacity as Wigtownshire Arts Convenor to join a working group who were looking at staging a major rock gig in Palmerston Park. Now even the most geographically challenged amongst you will realise that the hallowed turf of Queen of the South is not in Wigtownshire, however as the roles of the four area Arts Convenors have evolved we have realised the need to work across the region bringing our individual  experience and expertise to specific projects.

Fast forward to the beginning of February and l am delighted to announce that Status Quo and special guests will be performing outdoors at Palmerston on the 5^th June. The response through social networks has been overwhelmingly positive with almost one hundred Face Book shares within my own networks in the space of a few hours. 

Some music trendies may have scoffed but it got me thinking, why would Status Quo work in Dumfries and Galloway? There are several reasons why these purveyors of old style rock and blues will appeal to a Galloway audience. Firstly it suits our slightly older age demographic, secondly we have been softened up by a constant stream of classic hits from West Sound Radio, which incidentally has a higher listenership locally than Radio One, and who can argue with a track record of 64 British chart hits and 22 top tens. 

I am not sure if the double denim clad “Quo Army” still exists and have memories of them invading Wembley and other mega stadiums back in the 80,s and early nineties. However l am sure that a fair few from around the UK will be joining our local rockers and quo aficionados on the 5^th June. 

For those wishing to attend the gig it will kick off at 5pm and the £45 ticket price will include performances by as yet to be confirmed special guests. The concert is being organised by Queen of the South in association with Dumfries and Galloway council and Worldwide Events. I hope this is the first of many successful events for Queen of the South and perhaps they might carve out a musical niche promoting big name classic rock and pop acts.

Tickets will go on sale via the Queen of the South website here on Monday 9th February at 10am.