Events Archives - Page 12 of 34

Search For A Dinnie Stones Strongman At Aboyne Games

Jun 202014

Mark Felix will attempt to recreate Donald Dinnie’s amazing feat of strength.

World’s Strongest Man competitor, Mark Felix will take on the legendary Dinnie Stones challenge at 2014’s Aboyne Highland Games. With thanks to Eoin Smith.

After a global search, the annual Aboyne Highland Games have found a strongman worthy of attempting the ultimate strongman challenge – lifting and carrying the world famous Dinnie Stanes at this year’s games, which are taking place on Royal Deeside on Saturday August 2nd.

The event will also form part of the 800-strong Homecoming Scotland 2014 event programme which is designed to showcase hundreds of events and festivals across the country from mass participation to small community activity.

Strongman and World’s Strongest Man competitor Mark Felix will attempt to fill the athletic shoes of legendary Highland strongman Donald Dinnie. Mark will re-enact the famous scenario where he will attempt to lift and carry the original stanes, which weigh over 733 lbs, for a distance of over 5 yards, the width of the famous 200 year old Potarch Bridge.

Originally from Grenada, UK-based Mark has competed nine times at the World’s Strongest Man and is a previous World Record Holder for the IronMind Silver Bullet challenge. The muscleman will attempt to carry the stones over a replica of the Potarch Bridge placed in the centre of the Games arena, which has been created by pupils from Aboyne Academy.

Earlier this year, the Games were keen to find a strongman with credentials as impressive as Donald Dinnie. The search began initially by trying to locate a competitive weightlifter called Peter Puszer whose titles include Strongest Man in Slovakia. However, finding him proved to be the greatest challenge and the search went global, capturing the imagination of the local and national press.

Eventually, the mysterious Peter contacted the games, but was not able to visit to attempt to lift the stanes. Fortunately, the Games head-hunted muscleman Mark who is equally worthy of the ultimate strongman challenge.

Celebrated as the ‘World’s Greatest Athlete of the 19th Century’ with 20 Highland Games championships under his belt, Donald Dinnie famously carried the ‘Dinnie Stanes’ across the Potarch Bridge in Aberdeenshire in 1860 and then became a founding member of the Aboyne Highland Games in 1867.

If Donald Dinnie had the opportunity to compete in the Olympics in the 19th Century (or even possibly today) his strongman prowess and all round track and field talent would have catapulted him to true Olympic legend status. The Dinnie Stanes challenge is highly respected by strongmen and one that many have attempted, but not been able to complete without the use of aids in the past.

Ian Scott, chairman of the Aboyne Highland Games, comments:

“Donald Dinnie is a historical figure at the very heart of these games, as he was a founding member of the Games back in 1867. Having a World Strongest Man competitor take on the Dinne Stone challenge at this special Homecoming Scotland 2014 Games will be really exciting and one of the many highlights of this year’s games.

“We have a great range of events lined up for 2014’s Aboyne Highland Games and there really is something for all members of the family to enjoy.”

Mark Felix’s Dinnie Stanes attempt completes an exciting programme of events at this year’s games. More than 9000 visitors from all over the world will travel to Aboyne to enjoy an array of traditional events including the famous ‘heavies’ tossing the caber, throwing the heavy hammers, putting the shot, Tug o’ War, fiddle competition, as well as experiencing the stirring pipe bands and Scottish dancing.

And, all taking place in the stunning surroundings of Royal Deeside.

There will also be many other sporting events to see and take part in from the high jump to the junior sack race – a hugely popular event for children.

There is also the Fungle Hill race which offers the braver participants an extra tough circuit to test their legs on. Come and join us on August 2nd 2014.

Caroline Packman, Homecoming Scotland 2014 Director said:

“Aboyne Highland Games will see one of the most exciting feats of Homecoming Scotland 2014, when Mark Felix attempts to lift the legendary Dinnie Stones. Scotland is the perfect stage for events, and with over 9000 visitors from around the world set to visit Aberdeenshire in August, the Games will showcase the very best of Scottish tradition.”

Further information on the games and all of the activities can be found by visiting www.aboynegames.com

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The Phantom Band, Adam Stafford, Interesting Music

Aberdeen City, Gigs and Concerts No Responses »

May 302014

Interesting music promotions present The Phantom Band and Adam Stafford at The Tunnels on Friday 6 June 2014

Even the most adventurous alchemists return to their favoured base elements in the pursuit of maximum potency.

So it was that The Phantom Band – those wilfully mercurial outriders – reached album number three seeking a return to the first principles of performance that brought them together to begin with.

Strange Friend (due for release on 2nd June) was, in vocalist Rick Anthony’s words, borne out of:

“a desire to try and get back to that feeling of it just being a bunch of us in a room playing music together.”

It’s an attempt to capture the six of them live; raw, rugged, perhaps looser, but still fit to burst with earworms and oddities from every nook and cranny.

Strange Friend doesn’t have one firm concept at its root but several, infused with multiple meanings it reflects the constant percolation of voices within the Scottish six-piece, all jostling for their say.

Says Anthony of the album’s title:

“It can indirectly refer to a lot of different things,

“Living in a world that’s increasingly hyper-connected through the internet yet increasingly disconnected in terms of actual real human relationships. It could also refer to the band and our relationships to each other; our individual relationship to the band as a thing; our relationship to this particular album. It’s like a strange friend that we can’t quite shake. Or our relationship to music as a whole.”

Yet musically Strange Friend is perhaps the most straight-up set of recordings the band have put to wax.

Fans of their previous critically-acclaimed albums, fear not; those burbling, fluttering electronics that drag their sound through a wormhole and out into the 70’s alongside the soundtracks of John Carpenter and the kosmische of Kraftwerk and Neu! remain; the elements of folk; the woozy organ sounds.

The difference is now it feels as though an imaginary thread’s been pulled tight through it all; The Phantom Band were always a rock band that enjoyed pushing the pre-conceptions of what that could mean – never the other way round. Strange Friend, take the driving opening track and first single, ‘The Wind That Cried The World’.

Singer, Rick Redbeard commented:

“The verses have a kind of nursery rhyme musical naivety and we wanted the choruses to just sort of blast in. The lyrics were kind of stream of consciousness that alludes somewhat to the inherent meaninglessness and randomness of artistic creation. The whole track acts as a nice opener and first single; a sort of a statement of intent after being away for so long.”

It’s been three and a half years since anyone heard anything from The Phantom Band, something that they disregard as a notable time away.

“We’ve always moved at our own glacial pace,” says guitarist Duncan Marquiss.

Yet, with due respect to the group, their absence has been long enough to have been felt; their time taken in getting the record together was down partly to the inevitabilities of outside lives, partly due to a change of drummer – with Iain Stewart now behind the kit – and partly because of the fiercely democratic ethos the band has maintained since its beginning.

Strange Friend, like their previous outings, is the sound of six clearly distinct personalities attempting to inflict their will on the rest of the group – it’s no surprise the phrase ‘love/hate’ is brought up repeatedly by all its members in an attempt to describe their relationship with the band as an entity – but it’s that fission between each other’s contributions that provides the intangible individuality of their music.

“Like all true utopias it can feel impossible to maintain,” admits Marquiss.

“But we’d have fallen apart long ago if any one band member took the reins, and that friction between people throws up music that no single person in the band would have imagined otherwise. I still hope our utopia will turn into whisky fountains and flying sandwiches.”

It’s something that you can’t help but feel would be fully deserved for these most strange but wonderful returning friends.

Adam Stafford is a musician and filmmaker from Falkirk, Central Scotland. Now based in Glasgow he is the founder of Wise Blood Industries and was the singer and songwriter in the group Y’all is Fantasy Island (active between 05-11).

In November 2010 he recorded the solo LP Build a Harbour Immediately which was co-produced by Paul Savage (Mogwai/ex-Delgados) in Chem 19 Studios. It was released on Wise Blood in August 2011 to critical acclaim and featured on many End-of-Year lists in the music blogging community (read them HERE).

Recently he has been concentrating on live solo work and films. He has won seven international awards for his short documentary The Shutdown, made in collaboration with novelist Alan Bissett, directed a music video for The Twilight Sad’s single Seven Years of Letters (winner of Best Video at the New Scottish Music Awards 2011).

He recently completed a 2nd short film No Hope For Men Below (2012), a poetic dramatisation of The Redding Pit Disaster in Falkirk 1923.

In July 2013 Stafford issued the follow-up to Harbour, titled Imaginary Walls Collapse via Edinburgh label Song, by Toad and Canadian imprint Kingfisher Bluez to unanimously positive reviews.

In April 2014, Imaginary Walls Collapse was long-listed for The Scottish Album of the Year Award.

The Phantom Band + Adam Stafford

Friday 6 June 2014
The Tunnels (Room 1),
Carnegies Brae,
Aberdeen AB10 1BF.Phone (01224) 211121

Doors 8.00pm
Tickets £9+bf in adv / £11 on door
Available from http://www.wegottickets.com/event/268191

Limited amount will be available (no booking fee for cash sales) from iiMusic, The Academy, Belmont St.

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Walk to Beat Blood Cancer – Sun 18 May, Hazelhead Park

Aberdeen City, Charity No Responses »

May 092014

With thanks to Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research.

Join us at Hazlehead Park, Aberdeen and enjoy a splendid walk through the the park, whilst enjoying the view of all its beauty. Dog lovers are most welcome for our Paws to Beat Blood Cancer. You can walk in memory of a loved one, to celebrate a life saved or simply for a great day out!

This lovely walk leads through the nurseries and den wood, where you can take in all its splendour.

The walk starts at Hazlehead Park, Hazelhead Avenue, Aberdeen, AB15 8HB.

Registration / Sign In opens at 10.00 am with the dog walk starting at 10.30 am and the
walk starting at 11 am.

The Pre-registration fee until 11pm on Thursday 15th May, for adult walkers is £10, under 12s are just £5,

dog & owner is £15. For a discounted price of £25 for the family, simply register two adults and two children using the online registration form and your discounted price will be calculated at the end.

Registration fees on the day will be £15 for adults, £5 for under 12s, dog & owner £20 and a Family of 2 adults and 2 children will be £30.

Families are very welcome to bring their dog using the family price above.

Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research is a leading UK charity dedicated to improving the lives of patients with all types of blood cancer, including leukaemia, lymphoma and myeloma.

See more at: http://leukaemialymphomaresearch.org.uk/event/walking

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Christine Tobin To Play Blue Lamp, May 22

Aberdeen City, Featured, Gigs and Concerts No Responses »

May 012014

Singer Christine Tobin, who appears at The Blue Lamp on May 22, might be crowned Vocalist of the Year by order of Parliament by the time she arrives in Gallowgate, says promoter Rob Adams.

Christine Tobin appears at The Blue Lamp on May 22

Dublin-born Tobin, who studied at the Guildhall School of Music, has just been shortlisted for the title, along with recent Aberdeen Jazz Festival star Zara MacFarlane and two other singers, in the Parliamentary Jazz Awards, the UK’s most prestigious recognition for jazz musicians, educators, media workers and organisations.

Nomination is open to the public but the final decisions are made by the All Party Parliamentary Jazz Appreciation Group, whose members represent both Commons and Lords and work to raise the profile of UK jazz.

The results will be announced on May 13 in a ceremony on the Commons’ Terrace Pavilion and having come close to awards for Best Musician and Best Album in previous years, Tobin, 51, is hoping that this will be third time lucky.

“It’s always nice to get recognition for your work,”

says Tobin, who won Best Vocalist at the 2008 BBC Jazz Awards and a British Composer Award for her 2012 album Sailing to Byzantium. She also won a Herald Angel at the Edinburgh Fringe last August for the show that she’s bringing to Aberdeen, A Thousand Kisses Deep, her salute to singer-songwriter Leonard Cohen.

She will be accompanied by guitarist Phil Robson, who has worked with Barbra Streisand, and double bassist Dave Whitford

A Thousand Kisses Deep is also the title of Tobin’s latest Proper Note album, launched at a sold-out concert at Ronnie Scott’s in March. It comes just in time to mark Leonard Cohen’s 80th birthday year.

“I’ve been a fan of his since I was ten,” says Tobin.

“My sister had the Fill Your Head with Rock album, a diverse compilation of early 1970s music. Leonard Cohen’s ‘You Know Who I Am’ was on it and I loved it. Forty years later I still love it and I’m really looking forward to singing it at The Blue Lamp because it’s such a great, warmly-intimate venue.”

Thu May 22: Blue Lamp, 121 Gallowgate, Aberdeen 8pm 01224 641122 www.jazzatthebluelamp.com

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Transport Museum: Clubs Spectacular – 11 May 2014

Aberdeenshire, Events, Featured, History No Responses »

May 012014

The ‘Desert Rats’ will provide a living history display.

The award-winning Grampian Transport Museum hosts its first Clubs Spectacular on Sunday 11th May. With thanks to Martyn Smith.

More than 24 clubs and groups will be showcasing their vehicles on the museums outdoor circuit, giving museum visitors and car enthusiasts alike the opportunity to find out more about the wide range of car clubs in the area and their activities.

The lunchtime gathering will showcase a selection of vehicles, including Alvis, Ferrari and Jaguar to every day cars, represented by clubs such as the Fiesta Owners and the Aberdeen Mini Owners.

The Mazda MX5 Owners Club, with over 20 examples present at the event, will be celebrating the clubs 20th birthday and also marking 25 years since the model made its debut at the Chicago Auto Show.

Vintage vehicles will also be in attendance, with a pair of locally owned Stanley Steamers dating from 1910 and 1918, representing the Steam Car Club of Great Britain.

Along with the vehicle displays, the ‘Desert Rats’ will be providing an informative and interesting living history display throughout the afternoon.

Museum Curator, Mike Ward, is looking forward to the launch of the new event:

“We hope the event will act as a point of focus for the vintage and classic vehicle enthusiasts in the North-East Scotland and as a season opener for classic car events in our area. It promises to be a significant gathering of the best of our areas preserved road vehicles.”

Museum visitors will be able to browse the many cars and clubs on display with admission to the event included in the standard museum admission price.

Walking Frae The Broch To The ‘Deen – A Charity Fundraiser

Aberdeenshire, Charity 2 Responses »

Apr 252014

With thanks to Suzanne Kelly.

2 North 4 South is a fundraising event to raise money for individuals with learning disabilities in Aberdeen.

On the 31st of May & the 1st of June, a group of around 70 people will be walking non-stop, or with minimum stops, from Fraserburgh to Aberdeen over 24 hours.
The money they raise will be used to provide ‘fun’ for learning disabled people, such as musical instruments, movies, arts & crafts materials, and so on.

One of the organisers, Frederick Sarran commented about people with learning disabilities in our area, saying:-

“We, All Shapes And Sizes (ASAS), believe they need more than just ‘care’.”

The charity’s Facebook charity page can be found here: https://www.facebook.com/asascharity; its aims are set out as:

“Our aim is to enrich the lives of ALD’s by promoting social inclusion by means of outings and activities such as Arts and Crafts and more.”

Many of those doing the walk work with people with learning disabilities, young and old, but anyone who is up to the challenge is welcome to get in touch with the organisers and join in.

ASAS sets out its principles on its website:

“Our vision is to enhance life of Adults with Learning Disabilities/Difficulties (ALD) and mental health issues by promoting social inclusion to those individuals and to raise awareness & understanding to the public. By enhancing their lives & sense of wellbeing is to become a valued member of society via inclusion in all things.

“We aim to use a person centred approach directly to one individual and/or within a group, in order to aid & help facilitate crafts, arts, outings and other future activities within Balnagask Court (Aberdeen) and in the wider community. To enhance a sense of personal well being is to educate with a therapeutic approach and fun means, this results in building trust and confidence.

“Our values are to treat all individuals with respect and courtesy regardless of colour, gender, religion, etc… We act with dignity & care in a non-judgmental way towards all individuals, no matter of the level of difficulties they may have. Those values also apply towards each other members of All Shapes And Sizes.

“Our goals are to branch out and liaise with other charities sharing our values, for the good of all Adults with Learning Disabilities/Difficulties and mental health service users within the wider community. We aim to introduce further activities and continuous improvements to Balnagask Court communal area.”

There is a Facebook page for the event: https://www.facebook.com/events/237388926444110/
Tickets for the event are available here: http://asascharity.org/buy-tickets-for-2-north-4-south/

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Aberdeen Hotel To Get Granite City Rally Underway

Aberdeen City, Events, Information No Responses »

Apr 242014

An Aberdeen hotel will be transformed into a motorsport enthusiast’s paradise this weekend when the excitement of the Granite City Rally rolls into its car park. With thanks to Eoin Smith, Senior Account Executive, Tricker PR

Over 300 cars taking part in the event on Saturday, April 26 will be lined up at the Thistle Hotel Aberdeen Altens, which is being used as the start for the first stage of the rally.

All of the cars and their crews will be parked up outside the hotel the night before the rally, and will be undergoing final preparations.

Spectators are welcome to visit to look at the vehicles and meet with the drivers, crews and other fans.

In addition to being the official start line, Thistle Hotel Aberdeen Altens is being used as the rally headquarters and a number of officials will be based there during the day.

The awards presentation will take place at the venue later in the evening.

Stephen Gow, general manager of Thistle Hotel Aberdeen Altens, says, “It will be a fantastic spectacle to see all 300 cars lined up in the car park and one that we are sure will be of interest to rally fans.

“The Friday night is a perfect opportunity for all enthusiasts to speak with drivers and see their favourite cars up close, and the atmosphere will be absolutely electric. We always look forward to the event, as is creates a real buzz.

“The rally is a superb event for the city and we are pleased to offer our continued support. We have a very long association with the event organisers and we are all looking forward to what will be a fantastic weekend.”

The first car will leave the hotel at 9.01am, while the first car is expected to return by 3pm. All competitors aim to have completed rally by 5pm, ready for the awards ceremony. The Granite City Rally is the third event in the Scottish Rally Championships

Thistle has three hotels in Aberdeen – The Caledonian, Aberdeen Airport and Aberdeen Altens. There are 446 bedrooms across the three venues, and each has conferencing and banqueting facilities. Aberdeen Altens also has an on-site leisure club and spa. Further information is available at www.thistle.com

Whisky Kisses – A Musical Glenigma Which Has Matured Nicely

Articles, Events, Opinion No Responses »

Apr 112014

Whisky Kisses – A musical Glenigma which has matured nicely. Reviewed by Duncan Harley.

When the Scottish musical comedy Whisky Kisses came to Aberdeen’s Lemon Tree in 2010 it shone out as a production full of humour, energy and in the end some romance.
Described as a musical Glenigma and a battle for the bottle it came across to the Aberdonian audiences as a thoroughly enjoyable and truly Scottish musical starring amongst others Masashi Fujimoto of Mr Banzai fame.

The creators – Euan Martin, Dave Smith and Edinburgh based composer James Bryce all have a strong artistic connection with the Granite City and many Aberdonians were hard pressed to find a ticket for the first run.

Now chosen by those who know best in Scottish Arts such as Sir Cameron McIntosh’s Highland Quest, Whisky Kisses has been selected as the flagship show in Pitlochry Festival Theatre’s Summer Season for 2014.

Whisky Kisses is a hilarious musical show about a rare and ancient single malt whisky called The Glenigma and only one bottle of the golden nectar remains in the entire world.

The bidding race is on to decide who in the world will own it. A battle for the 100 year old bottle set in a beautiful remote highland distillery is on course. What could possibly go right?

Featuring Ben’s gay secretary Jeff plus Duncan and Lachie the two loyal distillery workers and a Mr Yomo of Japan the production is an absolute hoot from start to finish.

As with all Rightlines Productions however, there is a deeper message which in the case of Whisky Kisses is the question of how to live with heritage, how to share it, and how to enjoy it; while also knowing when to let it go, and to stop living in the past.

With hits such as “The Accidental Death of an Accordionist” and “Watching Bluebottles” the Rightlines team are on a winning ticket with this new production of “Whisky Kisses” and four years on from the original run, Whisky Kisses – like all good malts – has matured nicely.

Tickets are available from the box office at boxoffice@PitlochryFestivalTheatre.com and the 40 night run starts on May 23rd 2014.

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Emergency Services Head For Alford

Aberdeenshire, Events No Responses »

Apr 102014

Easter Holiday Treats Continue at Grampian Transport Museum. With thanks to Martyn Smith.

The Grampian Transport Museum will be welcoming members of the Emergency Services to the museum this Friday for a special ‘Emergency Vehicles Rides’ session.

Taking place on the dedicated road circuit, visitors will be able to enjoy a ride in one of a selection of vehicles, including the museum’s very own 1957 Dennis Fire Engine, Mountain Rescue Land Rover.

There will be representatives of Police Scotland and an Aberdeen Airport Fire Command and Control Appliance in attendance.

This unique event, which is timed to coincide with the school Easter Holidays, is an ‘added value’ extra which is available to all museum visitors. Rides will take place from 1pm – 4pm.

Further events taking place at the museum during the holidays include an ‘Easter Fun Afternoon’ on Thursday 17th April from 1pm – 5pm, with special activities plus Allan’s Magic & balloon maker, Easter crafts, face painting and quizzes.

On Easter Monday the museum will host another Rides Session, with a selection of buses from the Aberdeen & District Transport Preservation Trust making an appearance and offering visitors a nostalgic ride around the circuit.

Grampian Transport Museum
Alford, Aberdeenshire, AB33 8AE
019755 64517

Website: www.gtm.org.uk
Twitter- @transportmuseum
Facebook- Grampian Transport Museum

Summer Fitness Drive for Female Football Fans

Aberdeen City, Events, Sport No Responses »

Apr 072014

With thanks to Dave Macdermid.

AFC female staff with Emma Fisher (centre front). Newsline Media Limited.

Following the very successful ‘Football Fans In Training’ initiative, Aberdeen Football Club, in partnership with the SPFL Trust, has announced that it’s running a similar programme for female supporters.
The 12-week physical activity and healthy eating course, commencing on Monday 21st April, is designed to help women become fitter and lose weight, and to maintain these changes on a long term basis.

Each week will involve a level of physical training at Pittodrie. A classroom session will advise fans on how to eat more healthily, and introduce easy steps that can be taken to become fitter.

The sessions will be delivered by AFC’s Claire Garrett and Emma Fisher. Claire commented:

“We are really pleased to offer our loyal female supporters the opportunity to participate in this enjoyable programme which, to date, has only been available to males. However, it has been recognised that there is both a requirement and a demand for our female fans to be included in the initiative.”

Emma added:

“The sessions will be taken by female members of staff for female participants and will create a comfortable environment for people to discuss any issues relating to weight loss or body confidence. We would also encourage fans to bring a friend along and give FFIT Women at AFC a go!”

For further information or to register for the programme, contact scott.duncan@afc.co.uk. Participants must be aged 35 and 65 and be at least a dress size 16.

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