Events Archives - Page 17 of 34

Arches Aladdin’s Cave Offers Opportunities For Artists

Aberdeen City, Events, Featured, Information No Responses »

Jul 212013

The Aberdeen Antiques and Arts Centre has been established at 24 South College Street since 2005, yet many people know little or nothing of its existence. Now it’s offering opportunities for artists to showcase their work for display and sale. With thanks to Suzie Reid.

Hiding behind a small, rather unimposing front door you’ll find that the Aberdeen Antiques and Arts Centre is deceptively large.

It houses antiques and
collectables, books, furniture, art, jewellery, vintage clothing, vintage and retro artefacts, up-cycling and much more.

There’s something of interest for everyone who ventures through the Centre’s doors, with its many wee Aladdin’s caves and an upstairs loft.

Twenty two booths and numerous display cabinets are occupied and stocked by a number of local traders.

So, what are these opportunities?

The Centre is inviting local sculptors, photographers, painters and jewellery makers, in fact artists working in all media, to fill a display space with their work, offering publicity and a potential sales outlet. If you have good quality examples of your work, this could be an opportunity for the right buyer to find you. Staff at the Centre would like to meet you, right now. Are you interested?

Very soon, the BBC’s Antiques Roadtrip will be visiting to film another episode and it’s hoped that a small exhibition can be set up before the end of July. Although Centre staff realise that this is very short notice, they’re sure it will be well worth the effort.

After the cameras have gone, the plan is to continue utilising this space as an outlet for local art. It will be a place to give visibility to unknown but ambitious artistic talent and to help artists become known and sell their products.

If this sounds like something that interests you, why not pop down to The Arches and introduce yourself and your work? Alternatively, you can contact the Centre at

www.aberdeenantiques@btconnect.com

They would love to hear from you.

www.aberdeenantiquecentre.com

The centre is open from 11am to 4pm mon – Fri, and 10am to 5pm on a Saturday.

70s Clock

Image 1 of 9

Credit: Fred Wilkinson.

Stoney Folk’s Silver Jubilee

Aberdeenshire, Featured, Gigs and Concerts No Responses »

Jul 012013

With thanks to Charlie West.

The Folk of Stonehaven will be celebrating the town’s 25^th annual Folk Festival this July. The weekend festival began in 1989 with a series of concerts in the Town Hall and a number of fringe activities including workshops, sessions and a Tradition Bearers singing concert.

The festival has grown over the years to include many more events such as the World Paper’n’Comb Championship – a fun ‘competition’ with a different theme each year and the unique Aqua Ceilidh held in the Open Air swimming pool.

Dancing is to a live ceilidh band and includes well known favourites such as the Splashing White Sergeant and Drip the Willow. Rain or shine this is one for all the family.

This year the organisers have placed an emphasis on highlighting some of the exciting new young talent alongside well-established artists such as Scotland’s Dougie MacLean and Paul Brady ( pictured above ) form Ireland. Dougie is well-known as a singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist and is famously the composer of Caledonia.

In the 70’s Paul started with the supergroup Planxty, going on to establish a very successful solo career in America before returning to his roots in Ireland.

Among the new breed of up-and-coming talent is Rura – a five-piece band featuring pipes, fiddle, bodhrán, guitar and vocals and including three BBC Young Tradition finalists, and Zoe Bestel, the girl with the ukulele, a singer-songwriter of amazing talent and depth of understanding whose repertoire of self-penned songs covers a range of subjects, often with an interesting twist.

There will also be the North East Folk Collective led by Sharon Hassan – a group of 13-18 year olds with some amazing tunes and tight arrangements all ensuring the good health and future of Scottish folk music.

In addition to the Town Hall concerts, there is also a full programme of activities on both Saturday and Sunday. On Saturday there is, weather permitting, a concert in the square, featuring festival artists and local singers and musicians.

In case of rain the concert will be held in the Town Hall. At 12 noon in the Belvedere Hotel, a tutor from Scottish Culture and Traditions (SCAT) will lead slow sessions giving less-experienced musicians a chance to learn some tunes and join in the fun.

There will be a big singaround during the afternoon with Danny Couper and Arthur Johnstone showcasing some of the best of traditional Scots song and singers and a series of hosted sessions and workshops throughout the afternoon.

At 1600 the World Paper’n’Comb Championship kicks off, with the theme Loud Shirts. Just about anything goes and fancy dress is optional.

Sunday starts with the unique Aqua Ceilidh in the Art Deco open air pool. The pool has heated seawater so it is always at a pleasant temperature for dancing to the NE Folk Collective Ceilidh Band. This is followed by the Cowie Fringe in the nearby recreation club. This is a mix of festival artists and guests with additional fun things for kids of all ages to do, rounded off with a fun Family Ceilidh.

Also around the town there is the Tradition Bearers concert featuring four of the best traditional singers in the UK followed by the Chorus Cup – a fun completion to see who can get the loudest chorus. There will also be workshops with members of the band Breabach and sessions around the town.

For full details, visit www.stonehavenfolkfestival.co.uk.

Tickets are available online from the Town Hall Trust web site http://stonehaventownhall.org.uk/ from Celtic Chords in Barclay Street, Stonehaven or from the ticket line 07766 851596.

Thursday 11^th July

Stonehaven Folk Festival weekend starts here :

Opening Concert in Stonehaven Town Hall – featuring Dougie MacLean, one of Scotland’s most successful, respected and popular musicians, Singer-songwriter, composer and ‘magical’ performer, he is also a fine guitarist and fiddle player. He will be supported by local singer and musician Ken Clark.

Friday 12^th July

Stonehaven Folk Festival big Concert Ceilidh night in the Town Hall starts at 7:30 ‘till late (well 1 o’clock). Featuring Ray Moore, Rura, Mairearad Green and Anna Massie plus the Occasionals Ceilidh Band.

Saturday 13^th July

Stonehaven Folk Festival Weekend : things gets going at 11 o’clock with workshops, sessions, afternoon Open Stage at the Plainstones (Town Square) featuring local artist and Festival guests. Evening concert in the town Hall, guests are the North East Folk Collective, Kristina Olsen and Braebach.

During the day there will be a singaround led by Danny Couper and Arthur Johnstone. There will also be the Steenhive Big Sing with Christine Kydd – a chance to join a group of people and sing together, no experience is necessary and Christine will ensure everyone has fun while learning some songs and harmonies. Don’t forget the World Paper’n’Comb championships – this year with a “Loud Shirt” theme.

Sunday 14^th July

Stonehaven Folk Festival Weekend – the day gets going with Aqua Ceilidh in the town’s open air pool, a great way to clear the cobwebs. Dancing to the North East Folk Collective with dances such as Drip the Willow and the Splashing White Sergeant. The day continues with the Cowie Family Fun Day at the Recreation Club plus more sessions around the town.

During the afternoon there is a Tradition Bearers concert with four great traditional singers Henry Douglas, Bella Hardy, Jerry O’Reilly and Moira Stewart followed by the Chorus Cup competition.

The Festival closes with an evening concert in the Town Hall featuring Zoe Bestel, Bella Hardy and legendary singer songwriterPaul Brady.

Workshops with members of Breabach and day two of the Steenhive Big Sing with Christine Kydd.

MC For the weekend will be Martin Kasprowicz

Although tickets are usually available on the door, people are advised to buy tickets in advance as most concerts sell out.

Tickets are available from Celtic Chords, 8 Barclay Street in Stonehaven (01569 763193) or by calling the ticket ‘phone 07766 581596 or visiting the Stonehaven Town Hall web site http://www.tickettailor.com/checkout/view-event/id/7885/chk/0d5c

There will also be a Festival Office located in the Upper Town Hall over the weekend; it opens from 4 o’clock on the 11^th July for ticket sales and programme information.

Dickens, Journalism, And Fellowship: Tues July 9

Aberdeen City, Events, Information No Responses »

Jun 282013

Dr Paul Schlicke of the Aberdeen branch of the Dickens Fellowship has been in touch to confirm that an evening of first class Dickens-related activity will be going ahead on Tuesday 9 July in the University of Aberdeen’s Sir Duncan Rice Library.

Dickens, Journalism, and Fellowship: An Exhibition, Lectures and an Online Tour
will be hosted in collaboration with The University of Aberdeen Centre for the Novel and The Friends of Aberdeen University Library.

Dickens’s talents as a novelist and performer are well-known.

What can be overlooked are his considerable journalistic talents and his voluminous output, both as a Parliamentary reporter and as a periodical journalist.

Dickens lived in times of colossal social upheaval and chronicled the times as a journalist as well as a novelist.

To give further context to Dickens’s work in the journalistic field, visitors will have a unique opportunity to view the exhibition of 19th century journalism devised by Anthony Burton, Formerly Director of The Forster Collection at The Victoria and Albert Museum.

Paul is visibly enthused by the exhibition,

“The exhibition was devised for a conference on 19th century journalism at the University of Buckingham last year. It is quite simply stupendous. Don’t miss it! It will remain up in the library after 9 July”

The programme

5.30 pm: arrival, wine reception, and exhibition. Ground Floor Foyer, Sir Duncan Rice Library

6.00 pm: Lecture: An Introduction to Dickens’s Journalism by John Drew, Professor of English, University of Buckingham, and Director of Dickens Journals Online and Dr Tony Williams, formerly joint honorary secretary of the International Dickens Fellowship. Room 224, Sir Duncan Rice Library

6.40 pm: John Drew, An Online Tour of the Dickens Journals Online Project. Room 224, Sir Duncan Rice Library

7.00 pm: Tony Williams, A Brief History of the Dickens Fellowship. Room 224, Sir Duncan Rice Library

7.20 pm: questions and return to ground floor for final viewing of exhibition.

8.00 pm: Library closes

John Drew and Tony Williams are both particularly distinguished Dickensians and superb speakers. We are very fortunate that they are coming to Aberdeen, and they deserve a bumper turnout.

To plan for catering and seating, could anyone planning to attend please send an RSVP to scc.events@abdn.ac.uk

Transport Museum SpeedFest 2013

Aberdeenshire, Events, Featured, Sport No Responses »

Jun 282013

With thanks to Chris Anderson, Marketing and Events Organiser, Grampian Transport Museum.

The North East’s most prestigious motoring show takes place on Sunday 30^th June at the Grampian Transport Museum in Alford.
A selection of 130 specially invited vehicles will be on show from a 1926 Frazer Nash to the latest models from event sponsor John Clark Motor Group.

Visitors to the event will be thrilled by the sights and sounds of some truly historic cars as a selection are put through their paces in a series of fast-paced auto tests & pursuits.

With top names in performance cars such as Lamborghini, TVR and Ferrari on show, SpeedFest 2013 will be an action packed day out for all the family.

The event gets under way at 11am where visitors can secure an “early bird” ride in a selection of the day’s participating cars. Then follows a comprehensive programme, that includes some stunning precision driving from world famous stunt driver Russ Swift.

Museum curator, Mike Ward, is looking forward to the event,

“With so many fantastic vehicles on show, this year’s SpeedFest is shaping up to be a great event. The car owners take great pride in their vehicles and it is great that we can gather so many together in one place to celebrate the story of post-1955 sports and performance cars.”

Amongst the star exhibits is a Chevrolet Camaro, the winning car from the International Race of Champions in 1976. The vehicle averaged a phenomenal speed of 168mph for over an hour around the oval circuit at Daytona, driven by Benny
Parsons.

The list of names he raced against reads like a who’s who of motor racing at the time – Emerson Fittipaldi, James Hunt, Mario Andretti and Jody Scheckter, to name but a few.

“It is a really special car and one which has a unique history. It may not be the most photogenic of vehicles but I’m sure it’s sheer power & speed will wow the crowds on Sunday” comments Mr Ward.

This year’s special guest is Russ Swift, returning by popular demand following his superb demonstration of skill at the 2010 SpeedFest. Russ is an Autotest Champion and arguably the best exhibition stunt driver in the world. He uses Mini Coopers for his act and his appearance has been made possible by the John Clark group who will themselves be presenting the very latest cars from Mini and their other dealerships.

Group chairman, John Clark, is delighted to be sponsoring one of the North East’s top motoring events:

“We are really pleased to be sponsoring this years SpeedFest event at the Grampian Transport Museum. The event promises to be a fantastic day out for all the family.”

SpeedFest gets underway at 11am on Sunday at the Grampian Transport Museum, Alford. Tickets are priced at £10 for adults, £7 for Concessions & £5 for children while Family entry is just £25. Visitors are urged to buy their tickets in advance from the museum website to guarantee an “Early Bird Ride”. See www.gtm.org.uk for further details.

Somerset Goes Caracas For Lampie-bound Jazzer

Aberdeen City, Featured, Gigs and Concerts No Responses »

Jun 212013

A South American musician who is due to play in Aberdeen next week has unwittingly set off an unprecedented clamour for concert tickets in a tiny hamlet in Somerset. Thanks to Brookfield-Knights.

Venezuelan pianist Leo Blanco, who was a major hit when he played Aberdeen Jazz Festival in 2007, had never heard of Broomfield before it appeared on a tour schedule sent to him by his British agent.

Then messages started arriving via his website, asking if there was any way he could personally arrange to supply tickets for his concert on July 6 as it had sold out, or if he had plans to play in the West Country again in the future.

“We hadn’t heard of Broomfield ourselves,” says Loudon Temple of Brookfield-Knights, organisers of Blanco’s current tour. “We were put in touch with a promoter called Music on the Quantocks who had never presented jazz before, but had had some success with concert pianists, chamber music and light opera and liked the idea of a Venezuelan pianist coming to the local village hall to play a solo concert. They sold out Leo’s date in about 48 hours.”

Music on the Quantocks uses no posters or leaflets in its promotions. Everything is done by electronic media and word of mouth and it seems that people hearing about Blanco’s Somerset gig and sharing links to YouTube clips led to his Broomfield visit becoming a must-see locally.

“Leo’s still building a reputation in the UK and isn’t signed to a major record company, and we certainly weren’t aware of any big pockets of fans in Somerset,” Temple continued, “But there are plenty of really good films of him available on YouTube and I think that’s helped in this situation. It shows that musicians can create a demand for their music just through the music itself.”

Constant requests for Blanco tickets eventually led to Music on the Quantocks adding an extra concert the following night, Sunday July 7. It also sold out within 48 hours and Blanco now faces the distinction of playing to five times the population of Broomfield over two nights.

Peter Lewis of Music on the Quantocks admitted:

“The demand for tickets took us by surprise – pleasantly – and we’re now looking forward to welcoming Leo down here for the weekend. Everyone’s talking about it.”

A spokesperson for Jazz at the Blue Lamp, where Blanco is appearing next Thursday (27 June), confirmed that there are still tickets available for the Aberdeen concert.

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Tunnels Has It Taped

Featured, Gigs and Concerts, Information No Responses »

Jun 172013

By John Skelton.

Julian Koster of seminal 90’s indie outfit Neutral Milk Hotel, recently reformed and announced as the first headline act for the 2014 Primavera Festival, graces Aberdeen in the guise of The Music Tapes, performing at The Tunnels on Tuesday June 25, doors 19:30.

Joined on brass by label mate and member of The Olivia Tremor Control Robbie Cucchiaro, you just know this has to be a unique sound.

Julian merges tales of circus tents and talking televisions with the eerie wail of his singing saw, heard punctuating many of the tracks on magnum opus In The Aeroplane Over The Sea, and the more traditional banjo. Featured in the band are various self-made instruments, including a giant metronome and a mechanical organ tower.

With Julian’s roots in power pop outfit Chocolate USA and of course his time in Neutral Milk Hotel, The Music Tapes have a strong sense of melody. This is reflected on the deep cut ‘Takeshi and Elijah’ from the latest album. Listen to it here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wpFJce5jJ7M

The live show is a spectacle and a wonder; audience participation is encouraged and Julian’s captivating short stories are equally vital elements of the sound and style of The Music Tapes’ performances as the songs themselves.

This is a rare chance to see a truly unique talent.

David Harris of Spectrum Culture says:

“But the night of singing songs, gigantic metronomes and magic had to end, and Koster left us with the best trick of all. For a few hours, he made us believe that we could return to those warm summer nights, the grass soft under our feet, a time where the evenings spread out forever and only the light of fireflies guided us towards our uncertain futures.”

http://www.mergerecords.com/artists/music

The supports are also a treat.

First up we have Daemons AKA David Officer. His successful Kickstarter campaign to launch an EP/record label attracted considerable attention, including a request to play in front of the King of Norway!

David manipulates field recordings to create immersive ambient soundscapes, such as this http://daemons.bandcamp.com/

Autumn Hang are the synthy techno-pop reincarnation of John Peel favourites Bomb Circle. Their unique blend of lo-fi midi blips and early Aphex Twin has also recently garnered them enthusiastic praise from monthly esoterica bible Wire. https://soundcloud.com/autumn-hang

Last, but absolutely not least, we have the dark folk stylings of Washington Irving, on the rise after a successful tour supporting national heroes Frightened Rabbit earlier in the year http://washingtonirving.bandcamp.com/

Advance tickets can be had for the wallet-friendly price of £7.50 from http://www.wegottickets.com/event/221472 or £9 from the door on the night.

You might want to get in quick, as it’s certain to be a busy one!

St Fittick’s Community Garden Set To Flourish

Community, Events, Information No Responses »

Jun 172013

With thanks to Ed Walker.

With the help of local community support and our Roots and Shoots team, Aberdeen Forward is about to launch the long awaited St Fittick’s garden project with a week of activities from Monday 17th to Friday 21st.

The local charity will begin to transform an area of wasteland into a community garden for everyone in the Torry community thanks to a grant of over £50,000 from the Landfill Communities Fund.

Andy Devine, Project Officer with Aberdeen Forward’s Roots and Shoots team said:-

“‘With the help of the Roots and Shoots team at Aberdeen Forward and community groups such as the Grampian Police Cadet’s, we are going to build and install a set of raised beds as part of the community garden which, when finished, will be an asset to the area as a whole.

“However, we also need your encouragement, help and support to make the project a reality and that is why we are running a community day on Thursday 20^th June from 10am-2pm.”

The day will be a great opportunity for individuals, relevant community groups and organisations to come along and show support for the project and help out with small tasks such as bed filling, litter picking and stone picking. Other groups from around Aberdeen will also be present so aside from helping move the project forward, it will be a great chance to meet up with like minded groups from the neighbourhood.

Andy added:-

“Aberdeen Forward we believe in investing in the future of Aberdeen and that’s why we are giving the area over to the community so that they can take ownership of the garden and ensure it is looked after for the community to enjoy in the future.”

If you feel that your community group could perhaps get involved with helping out preserving the gardens for the future, or maybe you just want to express your thoughts on the project, get in touch with us at admin@aberdeenforward.org or 01224 560 360.

45p Per Musician – But A Wealth Of Talent

Aberdeen City, Events No Responses »

Jun 142013

Thursday June 20th sees the joining on stage of two of Scotland’s best acts! With thanks to Ruth Sawers.

Finding Albert, crowned 2012 best new Scottish band at the Scottish variety award, and last year’s runner up Amy Sawers will be appearing at Aberdeen’s exciting new venue, Downstairs, where the ethos is all about quality entertainment at an affordable price.

With support from the very talented Craig John Davidson this night is a special treat for Aberdeen’s live music lovers, and an admission charge of £5 – a mere 45p per musician – makes this an event not to be missed.

Finding Albert

In April 2012, Scottish 5-piece Finding Albert released their ‘Life & Times’ EP as a follow-up to their self-titled debut album released six-months earlier.

Even before release, the EP was already turning heads – recorded and produced entirely within the band, a process critical to their style and development (with assistance from Calvin Harris), before being mastered at Abbey Road Studios in London.

It rounded off a fantastic year for Finding Albert, which saw them grow out of obscurity to become regular festival performers, enjoying frequent radio play, and playing alongside some of the UK’s biggest acts.

A band that believes passionately in the translation from recording to live, they are known for their high-energy performances, whilst still retaining the musicianship and delicate (and frequently orchestral) arrangements that have won them so many followers.

The band won the coveted Herald/Clyde1’s ‘Best New Scottish Act’ at the Scottish Variety Awards in March 2013. In the same month, Finding Albert released their long-awaited second album “feints” – which they consider their best creative achievement to date. The band is currently touring the UK and Europe.

“If there’s any justice, this band will be selling out stadiums next year.”- A McCrae, BBC Radio1

“Destined for greatness…may just be Scotland’s best kept secret, but not for long.” – J Gellatly, The Sun

Amy Sawers

Recent recording at the Diving Bell Lounge, Glasgow (Snow Patrol, Frightened Rabbit) has borne fruit in the guise of ‘Laburnum‘, which Amy will shortly be touring.

Named runner up in Herald/Clyde1’s ‘Best New Scottish Act’ at the Scottish Variety Awards in March, things have been busy for this Amy and her band.

The early days saw Amy recording with Fat Hippy Records, releasing an EP and Mini-album (“Feather” and “So Called Love Stories…” respectively) to further acclaim amongst peers and professionals. These recordings ensured regular radio play on both Radio Scotland and Northsound Radio, and one track “Black Bones” even made it to the No.3 spot in the Australian Indie Radio Charts (Feb 2008).

“Beneath A Canvas Sky And A Cardboard Sea” (self-released) has seen the band taking even further strides into the public consciousness. One track, “Free Like The Sun” was chosen to feature in the cult Channel 4 series ‘Skins’ (series 3).

Her music also features on the soundtrack to the independent movie “Attack Of The Herbals”

Amy has shared stages with Alabama 3, Brakes, The Phantom Band, Dawn Of The Replicants, Eugene McGuiness, Ida Maria and even Girls Aloud (odd but true!), and hosting the main stage at Stonehaven’s new year celebrations.

Craig John Davidson

Craig John Davidson is well known within the Aberdeen music circles and has in the past self-released 3 albums:

Soaked In Harm (2008),
Curiosity (2009)
All In Song (2010).

Craig signed to Fat Hippy records with in January this year and released his fourth album, entitled ‘The Last Laugh’ on April 29.

“Davidson plays all of the sounds on the album apart from some strings on one song and it’s the rippling and intricate acoustic guitars which stand out from the off as Davidson wraps them in layers and swathes of sound” – Paul Kerr
http://paulkerr.wordpress.com/2013/04/27/craig-john-davidson-the-last-laugh-fat-hippy-records/

The night is also being put on by local events company seesaw events. For any further enquires please contact Ruth at seesawevents@live.co.uk or on 07858703467

Finding Albert,
Amy Sawers,
Craig John Davidson.

Downstairs @ The Malt Mill
Thurs 20th June
£5 Admission

Surfing The Don: A Touring Photography Exhibition

Aberdeen City, Events, Featured, Information No Responses »

Jun 102013

By Suzanne Kelly.

The life of the River Don corridor has been unveiled in a photography exhibition launched at St Machar Cathedral on Saturday 1 June.

It is the largest visual celebration of the area in recent times, the result of a group of Aberdeen photography enthusiasts who embarked on an exciting and dynamic community-led project to capture the past, present and future of the area.

Award-winning artist Alicia Bruce supported the group in selecting, editing and presenting the touring exhibition and the publication Surfing the Don.

Following the launch it will tour city venues, the Scottish Parliament and Europe.

Alicia said,

“I’m delighted to be working with talented photography enthusiasts a few footsteps from where I grew up. The River Don gets overshadowed by its sibling the Dee. It’s time the ‘Donny’ got a share of the spotlight.

“This project caught my imagination as I lost many hours looking at photographs on the SURF Aberdeen Facebook group seeing the places I went on childhood adventures. I can’t wait to see everyone’s faces light up as they see their work printed large scale for the first time. There is so much talent within our group and I’m certain some of these photographers will go on to bigger things.”

Aberdeen-born Alicia collaborated with a project team comprising local people from all walks of life, including postman Andy Coventry, Archaeologist Abeeer Eladany, her six year daughter old Nadine Ralston and photography graduate Blazej Marczak.

The images presented were taken on everything from professional cameras to camera phones. Project activities have involved regular collaborator meetings across the city, photo workshops, exhibition visits and online discussions.

Alicia added,

“It’s an iconic project for the River Don and we wanted to ensure we had a variety of iconic venues to showcase the work. St Machar Cathedral is the ideal venue to launch the exhibition. Its proximity to the river means visitors will view the images and, we hope, feel inspired to walk along the river.”

The exhibition is a community-initiated product of the Sustainable Urban Fringes (SURF) Aberdeen Project.

SURF Aberdeen is part of the Interreg IVB North Sea Region Programme, and is jointly funded by Aberdeen City Council and the European Regional Development Fund.

SURF brought people, organisations and ideas together to initiate a renewed focus to the River Don corridor.

Many of the community members met via the project’s Facebook page, where they had been posting their photographs and celebrating their enthusiasm for the river and surrounding areas.

Sinclair Laing, SURF Aberdeen project manager, said,

“The River Don corridor cuts a beautiful swathe of blue and green through north Aberdeen. This urban fringe plays an important role by providing urban breathing space for Aberdeen’s people and wildlife. It also hosts important cultural and built heritage and helps to support opportunities for sport, recreation, employment and education

“This community-led exhibition project will help raise the profile of this valuable, yet often overlooked, part of Aberdeen. This is a stunning exhibition and I offer my congratulations and thanks to Alicia and the rest of the exhibition participants for their initiative, hard work and creativity.”

Photographer Vicky Mitchell said,

“The exhibition means the chance to show off the beauty of the river and its importance to those who live in communities nearby. It also is giving me the opportunity to show my work to the people of Aberdeen. The project has been a great experience and full of lots of highlights such as working with some great people, securing some fantastic venues and spending even more time on the Don.”

Regular project contributors have been: Abeer Eladany, Alicia Bruce, Andy Coventry, Blazej Marczak, David Davidson, Darren Wright, Gregor McAbery, Katherine MacLean, Kirsty McAbery, Lynne Digby, Nadine Ralston, Sinclair Laing and Vicky Mitchell.

With additional exhibition contributors: Anita Welsh, Carrie-ann Holland, Craig Douglas, David Brazendale, Glenn Cooper, George Crighton, Ian Cairns, John Rutherford, Ken Dobbie, Mike Stephen, Nicola Youngson, Ruth Bone, Countryside Ranger Service, Susan Thoms, Stephen Bly and Hugh Mullady.

Tour dates

2 June – 6 July St Machar Cathedral – The iconic launch venue in the River Don Corridor.

7 July – 4 Aug Seventeen, Belmont Street – Supporting Aberdeen’s bid as UK City of Culture.

13 – 28 July Sir Duncan Rice Library, University of Aberdeen – Drawing parallels with Victorian wet-plate images by George Washington Wilson.

21 – 29 September Natural History Centre, University of Aberdeen – A touch and feel exhibition incorporating taxidermied examples of local wildlife.

September 2013 Regensburg, Germany – A cultural exchange made possible by Aberdeen Twinning.

Other venues to be confirmed include The Scottish Parliament and venues along the River Don corridor itself

Alicia Bruce is an award-winning Scottish photographer and educator. She studied photography at Aberdeen College and Edinburgh Napier University. Her work is a collaborative process with the communities she photographs, addressing social and political themes and issues. Alicia’s photographs are held in various private and public collections, including National Galleries of Scotland.

Her education work is rooted in participatory practice. She regularly teaches in communities, schools and further education settings teaching courses for Street Level Photoworks, City of Glasgow College, Stevenson College, eca, The Fruitmarket Gallery and The National Galleries of Scotland. She is Freelance Specialist Interest Rep on Engage Council.

Alicia is an experienced and established arts educator, lecturer, and community worker. Her recent Valleys Project about an ex-mining town in Wales is currently being exhibited at Diffusion, Cardiff International Photography Festival alongside the work of David Bailey, Philip Jones Griffiths and Jeremy Deller. Alicia’s photographs were recently celebrated by The Scottish Parliament in a Parliamentary Motion.

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Acoustic Lineup Due To Perform At Distinctly Downstairs

Aberdeen City, Events No Responses »

May 312013

With thanks to Dan Leckie.

A lineup of highly talented Aberdeen-based acoustic musicians is about to perform at a Distinctly Downstairs gig, the second such event, though the first to highlight an all-acoustic lineup.

These gigs are held once a month, on the second Saturday of each month.

With the first Distinctly Downstairs show having been highly successful, the second is set for 8th June, starting at 7.30pm.

Downstairs – an exciting venue where the gigs are held – has newly opened at the Malt Mill.

Said manager Gavin Bassett:

“Distinctly Downstairs is a night of some of Aberdeen’s finest local talent, a distinct showcase of musical genius and creativeness that the city has to offer. Supporting local music is what Downstairs as a venue aims to do so these events organized by Dan Leckie, quite fittingly, are Distinctly Downstairs!”

Headliner Craig John Davidson is an Aberdeen-based singer-songwriter who has been writing and recording from home since he was 15 years old. In his songs, Craig brings an intelligent eye to the problems in modern society as well as interpreting the influences and challenges most young citizens meet today.

This uncompromising style and approach has earned him a good fan following, all enamoured of his unique vocals and accomplished finger-picking ability, comparing him to a young Bert Jansch or Elliot Smith.

So far, Craig has self-released 3 albums: Soaked in Harm (2008), Curiosity (2009), and All in Song (2010). He has recently signed to Fat Hippy Records and this gig is part of the Last Laugh Tour, promoting Craig’s first Fat Hippy release, The Last Laugh. The Scottish Daily Record gave the album a 4-star review, saying:

“Davidson indeed has the Last Laugh – his album is excellent.”

At the gig, Craig will be joined onstage by guitarist Innes Cardno.

http://www.reverbnation.com/craigjohndavidson
http://www.myspace.com/craigdavidsonaberdeen

Russo is, in her own words:

“a musician, a singer, a songwriter…far from home but at home in my music wherever I am. I see the world through my eyes – the eyes of someone who has seen much but has so much more to see and learn. My vocal style and songwriting incorporate elements of folk, classical and soul combined with a sense of urgency and originality which is very much belonging to the here and now.”

Russo is due to self-release her first EP in June; indeed, this will be her first gig since the release of her EP.

Facebook: www.facebook.com/LizabettRusso
Website & Blog: www.lizabettrusso.wordpress.com
Soundcloud: www.soundcloud.com/lizabett-russo

Robbie Strachan is a former member of the London four-piece band The G String Snaps, in which he contributed songwriting and was the lead vocalist. As such, he was the UK Songwriting semifinalist in BBC Introducing’s 2010 pop category, receiving airplay for his highly celebrated song Nefertiti Was a Queen on BBC Radio 6 and BBC Radio Scotland. His set features quirky lyrics and highly rythmical strumming.

R.D. Wyness is a local singer-songwriter, playing original acoustic songs, mainly in folk and blues styles. He has been making live appearances since 2003 or 2004, when he played a college gig at the Blue Lamp.

http://www.facebook.com/RDWynessMusic
http://soundcloud.com/r-d-wyness

June Stevenson is a singer/songwriter in the process of recording her 2nd album. Her 1st album was released in September 2012, entitled Newfound Heights. She will be playing some of her new sounds on the night, to help promote her upcoming new album (yet to be titled), and will also be performing a couple of cover songs. On the night, she will be accompanied by Chris Paterson on acoustic guitar.

Said June:

“We hope to see you there and look forward to your company!”

http://www.JuneStevensonMusic.com
http://junestevenson.bandcamp.com/
http://www.reverbnation.com/junestevenson
http://www.facebook.com/pages/June-Stevenson/134999239865255
http://www.youtube.com/therocklady1963
http://soundcloud.com/junestevenson

Debut Album Newfound Heights is now available from both Amazon & ITunes:

UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Newfound-Heights/dp/B008KCCLKM/ref=sr_shvl_album_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1351775511&sr=301-1
USA: https://itunes.apple.com/album/newfound-heights/id546240482?v0=9989&ign-mpt=uo%3D1
And: http://www.spotify.com

As for his own aspirations regarding this show, event organizer Dan Leckie commented:

“It is my hope to feature, at this gig, a thrilling collection of supremely talented music acts that will keep the crowd interested and entertained. Hopefully, those attending the gig will enjoy the performances on display, perhaps finding out about a new artist they really like or supporting their friends playing an exciting mix of their own tunes.”

The third Distinctly Downstairs gig will be on 13th July, again at Downstairs.

Distinctly Downstairs
Downstairs at the Malt Mill,
82 Holburn Street
Aberdeen
AB10 6BY
Tel: (01224) 654456

Facebook pages

event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/549800571728603/
venue page: https://www.facebook.com/DownstairsAberdeen

The second Distinctly Downstairs gig will be on 8th June, starting at 7.30pm
Admission fee is £3, payable at the door

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