music – Page 48 – The NEN – North Edinburgh News

Bye, bye gravy – gravy, goodbye?

Roller Les says ‘aye’ to a pie – again!

Bay City Rollers’ front man Les McKeown has confirmed that he will be a judge at the 16th World Scotch Pie Championships which takes place at Dunfermline’s Carnegie Conference Centre next week .

Les, the voice of the 70’s supergroup with hits such as Bye Bye Baby, Shang A Lang and Give A Little Love, said: “I am known for my love of a great pie and I always stock up when I am on home ground. Touring non stop around the world with the band means we need to keep our strength up so we always say ‘aye’ to a pie!

“Being invited back to judge the best of the best though is a huge honour, I am already in preparation and plan to eat nothing for 24 hours before the big day so I can enjoy every bite of Scotland’s best and this year I know exactly what I am looking for.”

Last year’s winner, Stephen McAllister from The Kandy Bar of Saltcoats, said: “I was delighted when we were announced as the winner and to have been able to call our Scotch Pies the world champion as judged by a panel of experts has made a huge and positive impact on our business in the last year. The award was proof that The Kandy Bar team are the best in the land and we have gone from strength to strength.”

The competition is supported by Scottish Bakers and the Scottish Federation of Meat Traders. Both trade associations actively support and promote bakers and butchers in Scotland by encouraging and sharing best practice.

Alan Clarke, chief executive of Scottish Bakers, is delighted with the support that the Bay City Rollers are giving to the competition. He said: “They are an iconic Scottish Band and the Scotch Pie is an iconic Scottish product, we are delighted to announce that Les will join our group of professional judges again this year to select the best pies in the land.”

In addition to Scotch pies, bakers and butchers are invited to enter their best sausage rolls, bridies, specialty savouries, Scottish football pie, apple pie or savoury.

Butchers and bakers across Scotland will have the opportunity to become recognised as producing the highest quality products around the globe with awards given to those producing the best products in each category. The winner of the Scotch Pie category will be declared World Champion.

The competition, which has run for 16 years, aims to highlight that bakers and butchers create high quality artisan pastry products. Recognising the ‘great and the good’ in this way rewards excellence and raises the bar in the industry.

The competition, which takes place on Tuesday, is sponsored by wholesaler to the food industry, Bako Northern and Scotland. http://www.bakoscotland.co.uk/

Choirs required for Inverleith charity festival

The Christmas Charity Festival will be taking place at Inverleith Park on 6 & 7 December and organisers are looking for choirs to help provide some seasonal song at the popular event.

A number of slots are available throughout the day – if you’d like to take part contact Terry Crossley – email terry@greatscottishevents.org.uk – or telephone 0131 208 2500.

Visit www.christmascharityfestival.com for more info on the weekends’s events

Dead right: Edinburgh trio Young Fathers win Mercury Prize

Experimental Edinburgh hip-hop trio Young Fathers have scooped this year’s Mercury music prize.

The band, described as a ‘Liberian/Nigerian/Scottish psychedelic hip-hop electro boy band’, saw off competition from R&B artist FKA Twigs, former Blur frontman Damon Albarn’s first solo album and singer/ poet Kate Tempest to win the prestigious music prize for their album, Dead.

They formed in 2008, clocked up appearances at numerous festivals and have been described as a ‘psychedelic hip hop boy band’. The trio first met at an under-16s hip-hop night and have developed a reputation for making a unique blend of music, utilising diverse influences that reflect their different backgrounds.

Alloysius Massaquoi is from Liberia and Scots-born Kayus Bankole has Nigerian parents, while Graham ‘G’ Hastings’ origins are closer to home – he comes from Drylaw!

The winner of the £20,000 prize was announced by DJ Nick Grimshaw at north London’s Roundhouse.

Accepting the award, Alloysious Massaquoi said: “”We go out and do what we do. Thank you, we love you, we love you all.”

Graham ‘G’ Hastings told reporters: “We’ll take it in our stride. We always wanted to make something bigger than the city we were living in.””

The Young Fathers album Dead was acclaimed by judges as ‘a startlingly original take on hip-hop. Brimming with ideas, a potent mix of pop, rap, rhymes and rhythms. Ominous and exciting.’

Chair of this year’s judging panel Simon Frith said: “Young Fathers have a unique take on urban British music, brimming with ideas – forceful, unexpected and moving.”

Transplanted: music at the Botanics this Saturday

There’s music at the Botanics on Saturday afternoon:

Don’t miss Transplanted, a performance by string duo High Heels & Horse Hair (pictured below) which celebrates the rich diversity of Scotland’s plant life and its music.

In 1755 Scottish Baroque composer James Oswald published ‘Airs for the Seasons’, a remarkable compendium of 96 duos for violin and cello, each depicting a different plant or flower and written on a single side of paper. Inspired by these, and using the same criteria, eight of Scotland’s leading composers have written new miniatures exploring native plants and their many uses in society over the centuries.

Transplanted:

Saturday 18 October 2.30 pm — 4.30 pm

Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh Lecture Theatre, 20A Inverleith Row.

Price:£10 (£9 conc, £8 members)

Book via eventbrite – Click here to book

Traditional music sessions cap Year of Homecoming

SCOTLAND comes alive with traditional music and song this Autumn as the Homecoming Scotland 2014 Sessions begin their nationwide programme.

Presented by the Traditional Music and Song Association of Scotland (TMSA), with support from Homecoming Scotland 2014 and Creative Scotland, around 250 traditional Scottish music and song sessions will take place throughout the country until the December festive period, rounding off this Year of Homecoming.

Regular sessions are starting up in many corners of Scotland; from Inverness and Elgin in the north, to Dumfries and Newton Stewart in the south. With many more being added regularly, head to www.tmsa.org.uk to find full listings, as well as details of other traditional music and song events taking place throughout Scotland.

Fiona Campbell, TMSA convener said: “Sessions are traditional music in its simplest form – informal and regular meetings of singers and musicians, with an emphasis on inclusion, sharing and fun! At a Homecoming Scotland 2014 Session, we have arranged for a couple of musicians to keep the tunes and songs flowing to help people join in, to create a great social gathering, free to all. We encourage locals and visitors to come along and take part, soak up the atmosphere, and experience great folk on your doorstep.”

Cabinet Secretary for Culture and External Affairs, Fiona Hyslop, said: “I welcome this lively and inclusive addition to the Homecoming Scotland 2014 programme, that is shining a light on Scotland’s rich and deep cultural heritage. The sessions will celebrate Scottish traditional music, which is a key part of our culture and national identity.

“The programme offers a wonderful opportunity for people to take part in traditional music sessions around Scotland through informal and regular meetings of singers and musicians. Congratulations to the Traditional Music and Song Association of Scotland (TMSA) for presenting these sessions with support from Creative Scotland and Homecoming Scotland 2014.”

This year’s session programme is already jam-packed, with events taking place the length and breadth of Scotland as the 2014 homecoming celebrations enter their latter months. Alongside the TMSA’s comprehensive guide of traditional and folk events, Homecoming Scotland 2014’s listings can be found atwww.homecomingscotland.com.

For further information on the sessions, to find one near you, or to host a regular session, contact the TMSA national office, email office@tmsa.org.uk or visit www.tmsa.org.uk for event listings.

Edinburgh confirmed:

The Dalriada, 77 The Promenade, Portobello, Edinburgh, EH15 2EL. Sessions: Wednesday, 9pm – 12pm

No 1 High Street, 1 High Street, Edinburgh EH1 1SR. Sessions: Thursdays, 8.30pm – 11pm

more to follow

North Edinburgh Theatre: play your part!

News from Stephanie at the North Edinburgh Theatre Project:

Hello everyone,

Music Workshop

This is a special reminder for everyone who is interested in the music side of the 1d Tenement Opera project:

Lynda Peachey, our Musical Director, is leading a Music Workshop on Saturday 11 October (11a.m. – 2p.m) at North Edinburgh Arts.

Design & Costume

Ali Maclaurin, our Designer, is leading a Costume and Design Workshop on Saturday (11 October) 11a.m. – 2p.m. at North Edinburgh Arts.

You are very welcome to join in with these Workshops, even if you are not a regular participant; it will be great fun and of course we have a crèche, as well as tea and coffee during the break.

Our regular Theatre Workshop is on Friday 10 October 6 pm – 8pm at North Edinburgh Arts.

Please get in contact if you have any questions and we look forward to welcoming you.

Stephanie Knight,
North Edinburgh Theatre project

01578 750694

0 7817 359703
stephaniejaneknight@gmail.com

Edinburgh’s Christmas programme launched – and it’s a cracker!

It’s October, so we can start using the ‘C’ word now, right?

Edinburgh’s Christmas programme has been revealed and it promises to be bigger, better and more affordable than ever – especially for families and Edinburgh residents.

The Council has worked with event organisers, Underbelly, to ensure city residents get the best value for money this winter.

If you have an EH postcode, you will receive a 20 per cent discount on all shows, rides and events. There will also be special family prices available for most attractions – which Edinburgh residents can get on top of their 20% discount -plus new family attractions in East Princes Street Gardens for between £1 and £4.

The desire to offer value has been achieved without any compromise on quality – with the Starflyer, Big Wheel and Paradiso Spiegeltent all returning along with an expanded Santa Land and, the community opening event, Light Night on George Street.

You can find out more about the programme and tickets at Underbelly’s Edinburgh’s Christmas website, through Facebook (facebook/edinburghschristmas) and Twitter (@EdXmas).

Programme highlights include:

Light Night on George Street returning on 23 November with 60 school and community groups confirmed to perform on a series of stages up and down George Street to the theme of ‘Christmas Songs and Carols’. Last year, over 26,000 people took to the streets to enjoy this community event
A truly unique ice rink in St Andrew Square around the Melville Monument
The Paradiso Speigletent returns with a programme of world class entertainment including Scotch and Soda, the internationally acclaimed circus show direct from sell out runs at the Sydney and Brisbane Festivals, Stickman, comedy superstar Al Murray for 3 nights only and Edinburgh’s favourite all male burlesque troupe, Briefs
Santa Land in East Princes Street Gardens with the very successful Christmas Tree Maze, Santa Train and Santa’s Grotto, all seen in 2013, joined by a series of affordable family attractions priced between £1 and £4
Other attractions in East Princes Street Gardens include the Big Wheel, the Star Flyer, the Ice Rink on the East Princes Street Gardens terrace and the double decker Carousel

Last year (Christomas 2013/14), over 387,000 tickets were sold for Edinburgh’s Christmas and 73 per cent of people from Edinburgh said that Edinburgh’s Christmas was the sole or an important reason to come to Edinburgh that day.

Edinburgh’s Festivals and Events Champion, Councillor Steve Cardownie, said: “Edinburgh is always a special city during winter and this year, the Capital is certainly the place to be to celebrate Christmas.

“Our festive programmes are the envy of the world. The line up this winter with Underbelly will be bring back some of the city’s classic attractions such as Santa Land – which will be bigger than ever before – and the spectacular Light Night on George Street which returns for its second year. Not only will the East Princes Street Gardens ice rink make a return, after receiving well over 30,000 visitors last Christmas, but a new bespoke ice rink in St Andrew Square will be opened for the very first time.

“I am especially pleased that after feedback from Edinburgh residents and a concerted decision to tailor the programme to suit even more local people, this year’s programme offers a big range of free events and a selection of great value attractions from as little as £1.

“Our Christmas events provide a great boost to the Edinburgh economy, and this year’s offering is set draw residents and visitors of all ages into the city centre.”

Charlie Wood and Ed Bartlam of Underbelly said: ”We’re delighted to be presenting Edinburgh’s Christmas for the second year. Last year we re-imagined the event and brought record breaking numbers of people to Edinburgh.

“We’re very excited about this year’s innovations, including the new ice rink in St Andrew Square around the Melville Monument; the expanded Santa Land in Princes Street Gardens with more affordable attractions; and the new family prices and the 20% EH residents’ discount across the board.

“We want this to be a Christmas for all of Edinburgh and we think there’s something for everyone – from Scotch & Soda in the Spiegeltent to our Stained Glass project where 24 Edinburgh primary schools will show off their creations in Princes Street Gardens. Our ambition is to make Edinburgh the best place to spend Christmas, whether you’re a resident or a visitor. It maybe early to say this, but we are wishing Edinburgh a “Happy Christmas”.

Local band to release debut EP

Twin City Records are pleased to announce the forthcoming release of the debut EP from Edinburgh five piece The Indos.

The band – Michael Knowles (Guitar/Lead Vocals), Jamie Gilchrist (Guitar/Backing Vocals), Robbie Gilchrist (bass guitar), Dando Myrillas (guitar) and Greg Atkinson (drums) – all grew up together in North Edinburgh and got together through their mutual love of early 2000’s bands Arctic Monkeys and The Strokes. The local band also name The Yardbirds, The Kinks and The Who among their their influences.

Since forming, the band have been playing various venues throughout Glasgow and Edinburgh including Sneaky Pete’s, Cabaret Voltaire, Electric Circus, QMU & Ivory Blacks and they have caught the eye of several promoters.

‘Fifty Shades of Blue’ was written and composed by The Indos and recorded, mixed and mastered by Mark Morrow in his Edinburgh studio last month.

The EP will be available on CD from www.twincityrecords.com and to download from all good digital stores from 3 Novenmber. The EP will be launched at Edinburgh’s Cabaret Voltaire on Friday 31 October.

PYCP’s Gig Group to stage referendum sketch show

Pilton Youth & Children’s Project (PYCP) Gig Group is staging a drama sketch show about democracy and the independence referendum next week. Yes? No? Maybe So!! takes place in The Greenhouse on Tuesday (16 September) at 6.45pm.

Tickets are only 50p, and all proceeds go to a charity of the young people’s choosing – but hurry … places are strictly limited and tickets are selling fast!

“An outstandingly brilliant performance from the kids…this show will be a hit and these young stars will surely soon be appearing in West End shows…a must see!! ***** – PY Times

Now with reviews like that, can you afford to miss this show?

Look who’s talking: Blabbermouth line-up revealed

The National Theatre of Scotland reveals stellar Blabbermouth line-up

The National Theatre of Scotland has revealed the latest details of contributors to Blabbermouth, a unique twelve-hour event to celebrate Scotland’s contribution to world literature which will be performed on the eve of the Referendum.

Leading Scottish actors, Peter Mullan, Alex Norton, Colin McCredie, Douglas Henshall, Elaine C Smith, Julie Wilson-Nimmo are now taking part in this epic celebration of Scottish writing.

They are joined by writers, commentators, journalists, campaigners, artists, activists and composers including Dave Anderson, Peter Arnott, Anne Bonnar, Patrick Doyle, David Fagan, Iain Finlay Mcleod, Cathy Forde, Tommy Gorman, Theo Van Heijnsbergen, Craig Hogg (Generation 24), Richard Holloway, Kieran Hurley, Alexander Linklater, Susan Mansfield, Tricia Marwick, John Scott Moncrief, Alan Spence, Julia Taudevin and Alison Walker.

PJ Moore, Horse Macdonald, Findlay Napier, Cora Bissett and Katie Mackenzie are confirmed as additional guest musicians who will provide musical numbers in between the spoken word contributions. Previously confirmed musical acts include: MC Soom T, Lorraine McIntosh, and Ricky Ross who performing alongside the in-house Blabbermouth band made up of well-known Scottish musicians; Annie Grace, Neil McDermott, Cat Myers, Gav Prentice, Karine Polwart, Inge Thomson and Sarah Hayes & Joe Rattray of Admiral Fallow.

Blabbermouth is an one-day event taking place on the eve of the referendum, creating a moment in time to celebrate Scotland’s contribution to the world through its written word. Over a 12-hour period, more than 100 of Scotland’s greatest texts will be read live by some of the country’s politicians, schoolchildren, journalists, teachers, workers and students, novelists and performers. The only proviso they have been given is that whatever they choose to read, it has to have been written by a Scot.

Alongside the spoken word and music there will be a pop- up food and drink festival in the Quad of the Assembly which will include stalls from some of the country’s finest food producers and drinks tailored to reflect the occasion. The food and drink will be provided by Wild Dining and LA Events.

More than 60 people will be taking part in this extraordinary event and reading their favourite pieces of Scottish writing. Alongside the most recently-confirmed names are Amal Azzudin, Tam Dean Burn, Sir Harry Burns, Juliet Cadzow, Morven Christie, Emma Clifford, Janice Galloway, Stephen Greenhorn, David Greig, Scott Hames, Gerry Hassan, Kathleen Jamie, Paul Laverty, Liz Lochhead, Joyce McMillan, Aonghas Macneacail, Ewan Morrison, Ian Pattison, Lesley Riddoch, Anneika Rose, Ricky Ross, Gerda Stevenson and Jonathan Watson.

Also taking part are Rory Docherty, Nathan Epemolu, James Kane, Annie Lennox and Margot Smith who are members of BBC Scotland’s Generation 2014 project.

From royal correspondence between Queens in the early 1600s to contemporary Scottish song lyrics, famous comedy routines and inflammatory polemics, ecstatic sports commentaries and inspirational speeches, social comment and romantic poetry, Blabbermouth will provide an alternative and wide ranging, mosaic-like presentation of Scotland’s cumulative written word legacy on a remarkable day of readings and live music performances.

The event will be divided into four, two and a half hour sessions and every session will feature live music. As well as tickets for the individual sessions there is also a special ticket available for those who want to join the company for the full 12 hours.

Blabbermouth is a unique chance to celebrate Scotland’s contribution to the world in the final hours before the referendum.

National Theatre of Scotland associate director Graham McLaren said: “On the eve of the independence referendum, I want to create a moment for us to simply celebrate Scotland and its contribution to the world, in its own words, read by its own people.”

Blabbermouth is curated and conceived by Graham McLaren. Graham is currently an associate director of the National Theatre of Scotland, where his previous shows include A Doll’s House, A Christmas Carol andMen Should Weep. In July 2014 he directed the National Theatre of Scotland’s The Tin Forest Festival at the South Rotunda, part of the Games-time Festival 2014. His production of Joe Corrie’s Fife mining community classic In Time o’Strife is currently touring the UK.

Final line-up and schedule to follow at www.nationaltheatrescotland.comand full list of contributors to date below.

View the trailer here:

Full line-up confirmed to date: Dave Anderson, Peter Arnott, Amal Azzudin, Anne Bonnar, Tam Dean Burn, Sir Harry Burns, Juliet Cadzow, Morven Christie, Emma Clifford, Patrick Doyle, David Fagan, Cathy Forde, Janice Galloway, Tommy Gorman, Stephen Greenhorn, David Greig, Scott Hames, Gerry Hassan, Theo Van Heijnsbergen, Douglas Henshall, Richard Holloway, Kieran Hurley, Kathleen Jamie, Paul Laverty, Alexander Linklater, Liz Lochhead, Aonghas Macneacail, Colin McCredie, Iain Finlay Mcleod, Joyce McMillan, Susan Mansfield, Tricia Marwick, John Scott Moncrief, Ewan Morrison, Peter Mullan, Julie Wilson-Nimmo, Alex Norton, Ian Pattison, Lesley Riddoch, Anneika Rose, Ricky Ross, Elaine C Smith, Alan Spence, Gerda Stevenson, Julia Taudevin, Alison Walker and Jonathan Watson. Also participating are BBC Generation 2014 participants: Rory Docherty, Nathan Epemolu, Craig Hogg, James Kane, Annie Lennox and Margot Smith.

Box office Information

Wednesday 17 September 2014 – Assembly Hall, Mound Place, Edinburgh

Blabbermouth 1 – 12.00pm – 2.30pm/ Blabbermouth 2 – 3.00pm – 5.30pm

Blabbermouth 3 – 6.30pm – 9pm/ Blabbermouth 4 – 9.30pm – 12am

Each performance is approx 2 hours and 30 minutes.

Tickets – £10/£8 (concession)/ Concessions – Senior Citizen, Student, Disabled, Companion, Unemployed, Under 16s, Equity/Bectu/Scottish Society Playwright.

Book for all 4 – Get a day ticket for £30 (£20 concession)

Age Guide: 14+ Box Office: The Hub +44(0)131 473 2000 /hubtickets.co.uk/

Full details at www.nationaltheatrescotland.com

Get involved at www.dearscotland.net

Join the conversation: #blabbermouth