Music
Harpist Esther Swift unveils Scottish tour
HARP player Esther Swift is preparing to go on a tour of Scotland. Following her sold-out show at last summer’s Edinburgh Festival Fringe, the composer and singer will begin her tour in the capital on 11 March. She’ll play eight gigs, including at venues in Caithness, North Uist, and Skye. Her tour will end on…
Read MoreCeltic Connections begins
GLASGOW’S Celtic Connections music festival kicks off its 30th season tonight. Around 1,200 musicians will stage 300 events at 25 venues throughout the city during the 18-day festival. Genres represented in the programme include “traditional folk, roots, Americana, jazz, soul, and world music”. Highlights include: Irish six-piece ensemble Notify, which celebrates its 10th anniversary at…
Read MoreNew Highland Clearances podcast and radio series
A NEW podcast and radio series is shining a light on an untold story from the Highland Clearances. Local resident Duncan Mackenzie, Ullapool Book Festival honorary president Chris Dolan, and Ullapool Museum have worked together on Hidden in Plain Sight. The eight-part docu-drama stars a cast of voices including actor David Hayman and broadcaster Mark…
Read MoreFamous farming faces sing ‘Silent Night’
A HOST of famous farming faces have recorded a version of Christmas favourite “Silent Night” to raise spirits this winter. Organisers from the Royal Scottish Agricultural Benevolent Institution (RSABI) wanted to raise awareness of the potential for loneliness within the Scottish agricultural community. Recording the carol is part of the RSABI’s #KeepTalking campaign to encourage…
Read MoreReview: ‘My Fair Lady’
Megan Amato reviews the musical production of My Fair Lady at the Edinburgh Playhouse theatre. A NIGHT at the theatre always brings a certain level of pomp and flair, but with a traditionally British production like My Fair Lady, the atmosphere almost lends itself to fancy hats and (faux, if preferred) fur stoles. Alas, while…
Read MoreNational Trust for Scotland podcast bags brace of prizes
THE National Trust for Scotland podcast has bagged a brace of awards. The Love Scotland podcast was named as the “brand extension of the year” and the “podcast of the year” at the Professional Publishers’ Association (PPA) Scotland Awards in Edinburgh. Judges described the podcast as “world class”. “It is slick, informative and ambitious, and…
Read MorePhil Cunningham prepares for Christmas tour
ACCORDIONIST Phil Cunningham returns this month for his “Christmas Songbook” tour. Eddi Reader, Karen Matheson, John McCusker, Kris Drever, Ian Carr, and Kevin McGuire are among the musicians joining Cunningham on stage. His band will visit Aberdeen, Dumfries, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Perth, and Stirling between 13 and 20 December. “We can’t wait to hit the road…
Read MoreSt Andrew’s Day marked by kirk bells CD launch
PERTH marked St Andrew’s Day with the launch of a CD of carols featuring St John’s Kirk’s “carillon”, an instrument that controls ringing bells. St John’s Kirk in Perth has 63 bells, the largest collection in the UK. Eight were cast before the Reformation, including Perth’s oldest bell – the “Ave Maria” – which was…
Read MoreThe Commitments bring soul to the Edinburgh Playhouse
Morag Bootland just can’t get enough of that sweet soul music. WELL, if Dublin has soul then there’s no doubt that Edinburgh does too. The Commitments rolled into the Edinburgh Playhouse last night and I was literally blown away by the energy that this show exudes. The soundtrack was always going to be a winner.…
Read MoreScottish Opera names 60th emerging artist
SCOTTISH Opera is marking its 60th anniversary by appointing its 60th emerging artist. The opera company’s emerging artists perform on stage, as well as working in-house with staff and visiting coaches to develop their skills. The programme began in 2009 and has since expanded to include behind-the-scenes roles in addition to opera singers. This year’s…
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