ST ANDREW'S CELEBRATIONS 25th November - 4th December 2005

DUMFRIES AND GALLOWAY

Festival: Burnsong
Organised by Dumfries and Galloway Arts Association
Friday, November 25, Wednesday, November 30 @ Various Venues, Dumfries.
Tickets available from Lesley Pinder 01387 253383, www.dgaa.net, www.burnsong.com/ Check their website for any updates.
Burnsong is a unique, bi-annual project, created by Dumfries and Galloway Arts Association to inspire a new era of songwriting in Scotland, culminating in 2009, the 250th anniversary of Burns' birth.

Concert: Merry Muses
Burnsong
Saturday, November 26, 8:00 pm @ Cairndale Hotel, Dumfries. Tickets priced £10.00. Contact Lesley Pinder 01387 253383, www.dgaa.net
Fred Freeman reveals the spirited side of Robert Burns. A prolific author, music producer and academic, Fred has a unique knowledge of Scottish literature and folk music. He is joined tonight by a colourful band of talented singers and musicians. Great music, a good laugh and a bit naughty. Strictly for over 18s.

Club: Burnsong Club
Burnsong
Organised by Dumfries and Galloway Arts Association
Saturday, November 26, 9:30 pm @ Station Hotel, Dumfries. Tickets priced £5. Contact Lesley Pinder 01387 253383 www.dgaa.net

Masterclass: Song Clinic
Burnsong
Saturday, November 26, 10:30 am @ Robert Burns Film Theatre, Dumfries. Tickets priced £3. Contact Lesley Pinder 01387 253383 www.dgaa.net
‘Understand and survive the music industry.’ Advice for professional musicians on the big issues affecting musicians and songwriters. In the chair is Ronnie Gurr, former A&R director who signed groundbreaking bands, including Culture Club and The Stereophonics. Slide guitarist and frontman for alt.blues band Radiotones, David Arcari represents the Musicians’ Union to talk about the working rights of artists. Duncan McCrone, former vocalist with The Clydesiders and co-founder of Ranza Music, will advise on songwriting and copyright.

Workshop: Burnsong Collective Songwriting Day
Burnsong
Saturday, November 26, 11:00 am @ Station Hotel, Dumfries. Tickets priced £3.00. Contact Lesley Pinder 01387 253383 www.dgaa.net
A must-do event for young people. Write a modern musical in a day at Burnsong. After a special songwriting warm-up, you’ll work with a tutor in groups to write the musical, taking ideas from life, from love and friendship, from nature and politics. Just like Burns did. Challenging, informative but best of all, you’ll have a fantastic time. Open to age 14 and above.

Film: Dig!
Burnsong
Saturday, November 26, 8:00 pm @ Robert Burns Film Theatre, Dumfries. Tickets priced £4.40 (concs £3.25). Contact Lesley Pinder 01387 253383 www.dgaa.net
A hard-hitting feature length documentary, Dig! follows the fortunes and rivalry of promising American rock musicians, Anton Newcombe of Brian Jonestown Massacre and Courtney Taylor of the Dandy Warhols. Both men are hell-bent on staging a self-proclaimed revolution of the music industry. How they ultimately handle their stab at success is where their relationship falls apart . Directed by Ondi Timoner.

Concert: Boo Hewerdine, David Scott
Burnsong
Saturday, November 26, 8:00 pm @ Gracefield Arts Centre, Dumfries. Tickets priced £10.00 (concs £8.00). Contact Lesley Pinder 01387 253383 www.dgaa.net
Songs new and old tonight, a piano, a guitar and a few stories too. David Scott is the songwriting pivot of acclaimed Glasgow band, The Pearlfishers, a classy pop band, skilled at capturing the indescribable every day moments of life in song. Splendid E-zine. He’s an influential producer as well as presenter of BBC Radio Scotland’s Silverscreen Beats. Boo Heweredine has written for such diverse artists as Katrina and The Waves, Natalie Imbruglia and McAlmont. In performance, he delivers songs rich in melody with lyrics whose meanings are transparent as they are universal.Q Magazine

Film: Dig!
Burnsong
Saturday, November 26, 5:00 pm @ Robert Burns Film Theatre, Dumfries. Tickets priced £4.40 (concs £3.25). Contact Lesley Pinder 01387 253383 www.dgaa.net
A hard-hitting feature length documentary, Dig! follows the fortunes and rivalry of promising American rock musicians, Anton Newcombe of Brian Jonestown Massacre and Courtney Taylor of the Dandy Warhols. Both men are hell-bent on staging a self-proclaimed revolution of the music industry. How they ultimately handle their stab at success is where their relationship falls apart . Directed by Ondi Timoner.

Concert: Song House, Song Sharing 1
Burnsong
Saturday, November 26, 3:00 pm @ Oasis Youth Centre, Dumfries. Tickets priced £6.00 (concs £4.00). Contact Lesley Pinder 01387 253383 www.dgaa.net
Premiere! Be the first to hear new songs, written for this moment in Dumfries. In the Song House, established songwriters have produced brand new songs for Burnsong. Eight musicians, working in different musical styles – Riley Briggs, David Scott, Boo Hewerdine, Emily Smith, Niki King, Geoff Martyn and Sophie Bancroft – have taken up our challenge. How will they influence each other, what have they learned? This afternoon, Ronnie Gurr introduces four of these songwriters performing new songs and a few of their favourites.

Lunchtime Talk: Fred Freeman: Burns and Song
Burnsong
Saturday, November 26, 1.00 pm @ Robert Burns Film Theatre, Dumfries. Tickets priced £3.00 (concs £1.00). Contact Lesley Pinder 01387 253383 , www.dgaa.net, www.dgaa.net
In an illustrated talk, author and producer Fred Freeman shows how Burns was not just a poet but also a songwriter, gathering over 400 songs in his time. A revealing insight into the man we think we know.

Walk: Burns Town
Burnsong
Saturday, November 26, 11:00 am @ Robert Burns Centre, Dumfries. Free. Contact Lesley Pinder 01387 253383 www.dgaa.net
Meeting at the Robert Burns Centre, Wilson Ogilvie will guide you to the Dumfries haunts of Robert Burns, including his home and favourite drinking place, the Globe Inn. Retired dominie, Wilson Ogilvie is a member of the World Burns Federation and has an infinite wealth of knowledge of Scottish culture and all things Burns. Lively, interesting and conversational.

Club: Burnsong Club
Burnsong
Sunday, November 27, 9:30 pm @ Station Hotel, Dumfries. Tickets priced £5.00. Contact Lesley Pinder 01387 253383 www.dgaa.net
After a hectic day of song, sit back and relax at the Club Bar, the social gathering of Burnsong, where spontaneous performances can happen. You’re invited to take the stage with a few favourites of your own

Concert: Aberfeldy with Geoff Martyn
Burnsong
Sunday, November 27, 8:00 pm @ Cairndale Hotel, Dumfries. Tickets priced £10.00 (concs £8.00). Contact Lesley Pinder 01387 253383 www.dgaa.net
Edinburgh band, Aberfeldy are this season’s brightest pop band. They make slightly folky, acoustically orientated music, soothing and heartfelt with a light and catchy mix of pop hooks. Since the release of their debut album Young Forever in August 2004, they’ve had singles chart success as well as supporting Blondie and Scissor Sisters at Edinburgh’s Hogmanay. Irresistible and lively. Geoff Martyn has “a smooth, clear voice with a great range, and is musically clued up on everything he does.” Performing solo tonight, a new EP Bring Me Down by his band Jupiter and Teardrop, just released.

Film: Touch the Sound (2004)
Burnsong
Sunday, November 27, 5:00 pm @ Robert Burns Film Theatre, Dumfries. Tickets priced £4.40 (concs £3.25). Contact Lesley Pinder 01387 253383 www.dgaa.net
Touch the Sound takes us on a remarkable journey with Evelyn Glennie, one of the world’s foremost musicians, a Grammy-winning classical percussionist whose solo work is unrivalled. She is also deaf. From silence to music, from hearing to seeing and feeling, sound is felt through every sense of the body. A total joy and excitement in life and music making IMDb. Followed by Q&As with producer Leslie Hills

Concert: Song House, Song Sharing 2
Burnsong
Sunday, November 27, 3:00 pm @ Oasis Youth Centre, Dumfries. Tickets priced £6.00 (concs £4.00). Contact Lesley Pinder 01387 253383 www.dgaa.net
The musicians and songwriters taking part in the Song House – David Scott, Boo Hewerdine, Emily Smith, Niki King, Geoff Martyn, Riley Briggs and Sophie Bancroft – continue the challenge of creating song in new partnerships. Ronnie Gurr introduces informal performances from four more songwriters, and hosts a conversation about their creative process.

Lunchtime Talk: David Rovics: The Politics of Song
Burnsong
Sunday, November 27, 1:00 pm @ Station Hotel, Dumfries. Tickets priced £3.00 (concs £1.00). Contact Lesley Pinder 01387 253383 www.dgaa.net
David Rovics proves that protest music didn’t die with the 60s. An outspoken political protester, an ardent critic of US foreign policy, David Rovics is a humanitarian and supporter of social justice.Outspoken and dynamic, this is an event Robert Burns wouldn’t have missed.

Masterclass: Emily Smith: Traditional Song
Burnsong
Organised by Dumfries and Galloway Arts Association
Sunday, November 27, 3:30 pm @ Brig End Theatre, Dumfries. Tickets priced £3.00. Contact Lesley Pinder 01387 253383 www.dgaa.net
Dumfriesshire born singer Emily Smith has captured hearts with a voice that “blends delicacy with surprising power.” Her imaginative approach to instrumental arrangement gives a contemporary edge to traditional songs. Find out more about her interpretation and learn some of her favourites.

Workshop: Vocal Workshop
Burnsong
Sunday, November 27, 10:30 am @ Station Hotel, Dumfries. Tickets priced £3.00 (concs £1.00). Contact Lesley Pinder 01387 253383 www.dgaa.net
Develop your voice and express your soul through song in a jazz workshop presented by two extraordinary female vocalists, Niki King and Sophie Bancroft. Let their passion for beautiful song help you discover if there is a song inside you.

Lunchtime Talk: Nigel Osborne: The Healing Power of Song
Burnsong
Monday, November 28, 1:00 pm @ Station Hotel, Dumfries. Tickets priced £3.00 (concs £1.00). Contact Lesley Pinder 01387 253383 www.dgaa.net
Nigel Osborne is an established composer of opera and classical work. As Professor of Music at Edinburgh University, Nigel Osborne created the innovative and award-winning Music in the Community programme. A committed human rights activist, his vision of music as a universal language has brought joy and understanding in times of distress and fear. His recollections of working with war traumatised children in the Balkans is profound and moving.

Concert: Song Salon
Burnsong
Monday, November 28, 7:00 pm @ Station Hotel, Dumfries. Tickets priced £5.00. Contact Lesley Pinder 01387 253383 www.dgaa.net
A classical treat! Three young singers, accomplished students from the RSAMD, will perform

a repertoire of twentiethcentury Scottish song. Marie Claire Breen (soprano), Alison McNeill (mezzo soprano) and Andrew McTaggart (baritone) will be accompanied by pianist Christopher Baxter, also an RSAMD student. With familiar ballads and less well known songs, in an informal setting.

Concert: Sophie Bancroft, Niki King
Burnsong
Monday, November 28, 8:00 pm @ Cairndale Hotel, Dumfries. Tickets priced £10.00 (concs £8.00). Contact Lesley Pinder 01387 253383 www.dgaa.net
Niki King enchants audiences with her soulful voice. This award winning jazz/funk vocalist is now writing her most open and honest music ever, finding an extraordinary beauty and texture in her voice."She simply oozes presence, soul and charisma" Daily Record.Sophie Bancroft has music in her blood and her eclectic mix of jazz, country, blues and folky rock creates a sound that will appeal to everyone."This voice has elegant and ethereal qualities."The Scotsman.

Club: Burnsong Club
Burnsong
Monday, November 28, 9:30 pm @ Station Hotel, Dumfries. Tickets priced £5.00. Contact Lesley Pinder 01387 253383 www.dgaa.net
If your world revolves around music and songwriting, you'll need to make great contacts, observe life and maybe have a drink or two. At the Club Bar tonight you'll find all three with any luck. Get yourself on stage for a few favourites of your own. Hosted by popular traditional musicians Susie Kelly and Lionel McLelland, enjoy a friendly atmosphere, great music and chat.

Club: Burnsong Club
Burnsong
Organised by Dumfries and Galloway Arts Association
Tuesday, November 29, 9:30 pm @ Station Hotel, Tickets priced £5.00 (concs £0.00). Contact Lesley Pinder 01387 253383 www.dgaa.net
Our final Club event and a last chance to take the stage at the open mic. So relax and enjoy the people and songs of Burnsong in the easy-going atmosphere of the Club Bar. With the Fence Collective hosting tonight, it promises to be a lively one.

Lunchtime Talk: Karine Polwart
Burnsong
Tuesday, November 29, 1:00 pm @ Station Hotel, Dumfries. Tickets priced £3.00 (concs £1.00). Contact Lesley Pinder 01387 253383 www.dgaa.net
In her songwriting, Karine Polwart’s humanity and sense of justice, as well as her warmth and wit, shine through. A natural storyteller in performance, Karine Polwart talks with Valentina Bold, head of Scottish Studies at Glasgow University in Dumfries, about the enduring appeal of Burns’ songs to a modern audience. Ticket deal In conversation + gig (29th, 8pm) for £11.00.

Concert: Karine Polwart and Band with Wendy Stewart
Burnsong
Tuesday, November 29, 8:00 pm @ Cairndale Hotel, Dumfries. Tickets priced £10.00 (concs £8.00). Contact Lesley Pinder 01387 253383 www.dgaa.net
Borders based singer-songwriter Karine Polwart established herself on the UK folk-roots scene after scooping three prizes at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards 2005. Her edgy, evocative writing and vocal poise, first seen in Malinky and The Battlefield Band, resonate roots influences, her songs are contemporary and incisively lyrical. “A humane and literate songwriter.” The Scotsman.The traditional harp music of Wendy Stewart, formerly with Ceolbeg, is strongly influenced by the landscape of Dumfriesshire where she now lives. Discover the resonances, layers and quiet energy of this beautiful sound.

Concert: New Transmitters
Burnsong
Tuesday, November 29, 7:00 pm @ Oasis Youth Centre, Dumfries. Tickets priced £5.00. Contact Lesley Pinder 01387 253383 www.dgaa.net
New Transmitters is an innovative recording project, offering young musicians from Dumfries and Galloway the opportunity to record, perform and develop their music in a professional way.A wealth of talented musicians has been discovered, and tonight they’ll perform their original Blues and Rock, Pop and Traditional Scottish tunes. Don’t miss this vibrant mix of new songwriting and performance.

Film: Lomax the Song Hunter
Burnsong
Wednesday, November 30, 5:00 pm @ Robert Burns Film Theatre, Dumfries. Tickets priced £4.40 (concs £3.25). Contact Lesley Pinder 01387 253383 www.dgaa.net
Alan Lomax was a modern song gatherer. For a big part of his life, he travelled the world with his recording equipment, hunting for folk songs. Director Rogier Kappers retraces his journey around Britain and Spain on a remarkable odyssey, one that Burns would have relished.

Lunchtime Talk: Archie Fisher: Songs for Tomorrow
Burnsong
Wednesday, November 30, 1:00 pm @ Station Hotel, Dumfries. Tickets priced £3.00 (concs £1.00). Contact Lesley Pinder 01387 253383 www.dgaa.net
Archie Fisher is a legend, one of our most influential folk artists, with an international career spanning forty years. Well known to BBC Radio Scotland listeners and best loved as a vocalist and songwriter, you’ll never forget his "warm, sensitive voice, his light and beautiful touch on the guitar." Today he takes us on an evocative exploration of songwriting around the world.

Workshop: Fence Collective: Songwriting and Recording
Burnsong
Wednesday, November 30, 11:00 am @ Station Hotel, Dumfries. Tickets priced £3.00 (concs £1.00). Contact Lesley Pinder 01387 253383 www.dgaa.net
You want to write a song, but don’t know where to start. Kenny Anderson and Johnny Lynch run an independent label, Fence Records, where they release their own music as well as offering support to local bands and musicians to create and record their own work. Their releases are diverse, from acoustic singer songwriters to experimental electronic ambience. Great advice on how to write and record songs.

Concert: The Big Gig!
Burnsong
Wednesday, November 30, 8:00 pm @ Easterbrook Hall, Tickets priced £10.00 (concs £8.00). Contact Lesley Pinder 01387 253383 www.dgaa.net
Premiere. Fifteen outstanding Burnsongs are performed tonight for the first time. Selected by a prestigious panel of songwriters, composers and music experts, these songs were written by unsung songwriters, proving there is a song inside everyone. This is an important event in Scottish music. Musician and DJ Vic Galloway, who promotes the best Scottish music talent on BBC Radio Scotland and BBC Radio 1, introduces the songwriters. The brilliant Musicians Union Band plus friends perform their songs.

Concert: Fence Collective Showcase
Burnsong
Wednesday, November 30, 7:00 pm @ Cairndale Hotel, Tickets priced £10.00 (concs £8.00). Contact Lesley Pinder 01387 253383 www.dgaa.net
The Fence Collective live is a juicy prospect. Expect the unexpected. Such as the extraordinary King Creosote, who plays any instrument to hand, the song being more important than virtuosity! Deaf Mutes produce unabashed, epic, orchestral, psychedelic pop music for hearts and minds. The Pictish trail enjoy “mad cap folky nonsense” and HMS Ginafore is a country n western punk. A fantastic alternative St. Andrews Night gig.

Other Dumfries & Galloway Events

Concert: Roy Hendrie
Organised by Lockerbie Accordion and Fiddle Club
Tuesday, November 29, 7:30 pm @ Queen's Hotel, Lockerbie. Tickets priced £2.50.
Contact Mr A Brockbank 01576 202665

Session: St Andrew's Night
Organised by Stranraer Folk Club
Wednesday, November 30, 9:00 am @ Swan Inn, Stranraer.
Contact Gerda Pickin 01776 702973

AYRSHIRE AND ARRAN

Concert: Mick West Duo
Organised by Girvan Folk Club
Friday, November 25, 8:30 pm @ Queens Hotel, Montgomerie St, Girvan.
Tickets priced £5.00. Contact Margaret Millar, contact@girvanfolkfestival.co.uk
Mick West is considered by many to be one of the foremost exponents of Scottish Folk Song in the World.
www.girvanfolkfestival.co.uk