Arts Archives - Page 18 of 31

Wasps Open Studios 31 October & 1 November

Aberdeen City, Information No Responses »

Oct 292015

With thanks to Keith Byres.

Wasps Artists Studios open their doors this weekend from noon to 5pm.

We have a range a range of events, demonstrations and tours of artists studios. In conjunction with the open weekend we are exhibiting studio work in Under the Hammer.

Wasps Artists Studios provides affordable studio space to artists throughout Scotland and has been established in Aberdeen since 1981.

Come along to to the open weekend and the exhibition and experience a flavour of the creative energy in the city.

Spectre: Andrew Watson Reviews

Aberdeen City, Opinion No Responses »

Oct 292015

Spy thriller Spectre is Daniel Craig’s fourth outing as James Bond. It’s not as good as the previous Skyfall, though even that wasn’t particularly remarkable. Aberdeen Voice’s Andrew Watson watched the most expensive Bond movie yet in its second day in cinemas.

There were just over a dozen people at Vue on Aberdeen’s Shiprow during the Tuesday morning showing, which was probably good given that most people were at work at that time of day.
Casting-wise the composition of its starring actors is interesting. Much time was spent placing the voice of main antagonist Ernst Stavro Blofeld.

Indeed Christoph Waltz is best known by many as Jamie Foxx’s sidekick in Django Unchained.

He’s very soft spoken like Bond’s previous adversary, Skyfall’s Raoul Silva (Javier Bardem).

Anyway, the film primarily revolves around Bond and his main love interest Dr Madeleine Swann, played by Léa Seydoux. She’s the daughter of a man with serious links to a shadowy organisation called Spectre.

Basically Bond starts the film following the death wish of M (Judie Dench). Her assignment from beyond the grave lands him in some serious trouble. It turns out that new management at MI6 wants to steamroll the ‘00’ project, and 007’s transgression justifying this process.

He goes rogue anyway, and tracks down Swann’s father. Upon revealing his daughter’s location, someone to help Bond in M’s search for answers, he urges him to protect her before killing himself.

This is amidst the new setup of the British intelligence services, soon to turn global, warring with the old guard like the current M (Ralph Fiennes). The latter is, of course, in favour of the ‘00’ project.

When Bond seems certain to die, inextricable links are made between himself and Blofeld. The revelation concerning Bond’s childhood almost makes enduring some of the film’s less watchable moments worthwhile just for this alone. Of course, looking back it was Bond’s upbringing that made Skyfall intriguing.

However, barely a couple minutes of key dialogue within a film clocking almost two and a half hours is a lot to ask. Highbrow types maybe wouldn’t have the patience.

The fascinating detail revealed is seemingly the one of few things of substance revealed in the duration; the rest just cars, combat and explosions. The whole “Bond, James Bond” routine early on in the film in this particular outing is meant to be brooding and sexy, but just comes off as corny.

Yes, despite how more serious Bond has become in the Craig-era there are, thankfully you suppose, some lights moments; the third ‘c’, comedy.

Overall it’s typical of most Bond films that have preceded it: spy thriller slightly more intelligent than your average exploding action film. Shaking, but not too stirring.

Trail To Tranquility Premiers At Belmont 14.11.15

Aberdeenshire, Featured, Information 1 Response »

Oct 292015

Trail to Tranquility and Trouble Again in Tranquility are to premier on 14 November at Aberdeen’s Belmont Cinema. Suzanne Kelly, who played a role in Trail to Tranquility, reports.

Trail to Tranquility was written by and produced by Alistair Baranowski and directed by Paul Vernon. Trouble Again in Tranquility was written by Stewart Walker. They were shot on location at the Tranquility Wild West Town in Huntly.

Located near the Glendronach Distillery in Aberdeenshire, Tranquility was begun in 2005 and is a reconstruction of a small frontier town in the old American West.

Award-winning director Paul Vernon said:

“Trail to Tranquility has been very well received at some exclusive previews, so I know you are all in for a fun treat in the old Western tradition of good guys vs bad guys.”

Also appearing on the same programme is another short western – Trouble Again In Tranquility – which is a follow-up to last year’s short Trouble In Tranquility.

Of Trail to Tranquility, Alistair Baranowski said:

“I think the making of this film has been a labour of love by everyone involved in front & behind the cameras. We were extremely lucky to have some great young & talented local actors on board helping us out. There’s plenty of action throughout the film to satisfy all western fans & there’s some fantastic cinematic work from our award winning director, Paul Vernon.”

Acctor Karl F Hiemeyer who played the US Deputy Marshal said:

“It was a lot of fun working with director Paul Vernon, Mikey Mcallen and the rest of the cast and crew for TTT. It was a great experience for me and memories for a lifetime. The makeup crew did a fantastic job throughout.”

Paul Vernon added:

“With some enthusiastic new talent from the south, some lively returnees from last year’s ‘Return of a Son’ and a few firm loyal favourites from the Town itself, we hit the ‘Trail To Tranquility’ running. We had two and a half days to shoot a 30 minute film – no mean feat. However with the whole team totally committed to the project, working hard and pulling in the same direction we managed to pull off a great looking film.

“With plenty of action, fist fights, gun play and plain old skullduggery this is a romping western in the good old tradition of the Wild West.”

Mikey McAllen, who plays outlaw Kelly, said:

“Working on Trail to Tranquility was something really different for me. I really enjoyed portraying the outlaw Kelly – this is a guy who doesn’t care about anything other than himself.

“This is my first western and playing this cowboy villain was a great new experience for me. It has now made me want to push myself more in taking on a variety of different roles for future projects. Not only did I get to neet and work with some fantastic actors but having the chance to work with an amazing and creative director Paul Vernon as well, made it a very positive experience. It was a big shame the production had to come to an end as I had so much fun.

“I can’t wait to see the finished piece of Trail to Tranquility.”

Tranquility Wild West Town is open to the public only on our “Open Days” or “Round Ups”.

Ticket Hotline – from Ally on tranquility_town@hotmail.c o.uk

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Rebecca At HMT: Duncan Harley Reviews

Aberdeen City, Articles, Featured, Opinion No Responses »

Oct 292015

Emma Rice has taken the Daphne Du Maurier 1938 bestseller out of the box, shaken it about a bit and injected a good measure of humour. Does it work? Duncan Harley reviews Rebecca at HM Theatre, Aberdeen.

Lizzie Winkler as Bea and Andy Williams as Giles in REBECCA photo by Steve Tanner.

Billed as a study in jealousy, and described by Du Maurier as “a sinister … psychological and rather macabre … tale about a woman who marries a widower”, the story is indeed a dark one.

Following the mysterious death of Rebecca, his first wife, Maxim de Winter returns to his Manderley estate in Cornwall with a new bride, Mrs de Winter.

From the outset, all is not as it seems and the new mistress of the house sets out to uncover the secrets of the past.

Along the way she must stand up to the sinister housekeeper Mrs Danvers, assert her new-found authority and finally enable her new husband to come to terms with the unburied memories which desperately haunt him.

Says Rice:

“Rebecca challenges us from the grave with her lack of care for society’s rules … I celebrate all of the wonderful female characters … from the passionate and loyal Mrs Danvers to the new Mrs de Winter, who wakes from her fairy tale slumber in front of our very eyes.”

Gender roles are to the fore in this adaptation. Men are men, and get up to man-like things such as drinking and womanising. Women are women and get up to dressing up and organising things. The exception to the rule is the unseen but omnipresent and very dead Rebecca de Winter, a manipulative sexual predator, incapable of love and intent only on satisfying her own pleasure.

Traditionally Rebecca is a morbidly dark tale but Emma Rice has lightened the story line somewhat. Sea shanties, performed by a sou’wester clad troop of jolly Cornish sailor men, lighten up the darkly intense mood and a Warhorse style puppet-dog sticks his nose into groins everywhere. There are episodes of knockabout and slapstick and at one point Jack – Rebecca’s cousin and ex-lover – attempts the great double-flickaroo’ cigarette trick.

Perhaps the most unlikely comedy turn comes via Katy Owen. Alongside playing the anguished harbour-side waif Ben, she plays Robert – the young Welsh house-boy. In a series of rollickingly hilarious skits Katy literally has the theatre audience in stitches.

Imogen Sage as Mrs de Winter, and Emily Raymond as the creepy Mrs Danvers, excel and LeslieTravers’ stage set is a triumph. Doubling both as decaying stately home and stormy quayside, the set appropriately suggests a place where nothing is as it seems. Rebecca’s wrecked boat becomes the wine cellar; the parlour effortlessly morphs into a boathouse and later a storm-swept harbour mouth.

If criticism were due, it would be on the grounds of a slightly hurried second half. The plot involves a lot of soul-searching and problem-solving, and at times the action moves perceptibly too fast for those unfamiliar with the storyline to follow. The notion of a Judge Jeffries style coastguard, played by Andy Williams, was also hard to swallow. But in them far off days in Cornwall, perhaps the local Coastguard did indeed double as hangman.

All in all though, the production works wonderfully well and the entire cast gave a polished and thoroughly professional performance.

After the final curtain call and as we all made our way down to the exits, a fellow theatre-goer was heard to remark:

“I wonder what Daphne would have made of it all?”

Her companion whispered:

“I think she would have approved wholeheartedly.”

Adapted and Directed by Emma Rice – Rebecca plays at HM Theatre Aberdeen until Saturday 31st October

Tickets from Aberdeen Performing Arts Tel: 01224- 641122

Words © Duncan Harley, Images © Steve Tanner

Aberdeen Forward Courses: From 31.10.15

Aberdeen City, Charity No Responses »

Oct 222015

With thanks to Angela Theobald.

Environmental charity Aberdeen Forward are hosting a range of workshops and courses up until the end of 2015.

Aberdeen Forward works closely with local communities, businesses and individuals to educate and promote projects that help to protect our environment, reduce waste and encourage sustainability.

Course Details

Hobby Club: Every Wednesday, 10am-12pm/1.30pm-3pm, these are drop in craft sessions. Donation of £2 per person.

Upholstery afternoon class: 2pm-5pm, £200, every Monday in this block

2nd November to 7th December

Upholstery weekend class: 31st October to 1st November, 10am-4pm, £200

If you book with a friend, we will give you a £10 discount each.
Also if you are already booked onto another course with CFine, you will get a £10 discount.
There will be breakfast and a homemade lunch included.

Back to Basics Sewing courses 2015: 6pm-8pm, £92, every Thursday in each block

19th November to 17th December – a two week break for xmas and new year – then the last date on 14th January

Advanced Sewing courses 2015: 6pm-8pm, £92, every Monday in each block

16th November to 14th December – a two week break for xmas and new year – then the last date on the 11th of January

Crochet: 6:30pm-8:30pm, £60, Every Wednesday in each block

November 4th, 11th, 18th

Booking:

To book or find out more please contact atheobald@cfine.org or 01224531376.

Venue:

Unless otherwise stated, the venue is:
Aberdeen Forward, 2 Poynernook Road, Aberdeen, AB11 5RW

Lampie Date For Philip Clouts’ Quartet: 29.10.15

Aberdeen City, Featured, Opinion No Responses »

Oct 222015

With thanks to Rob Adams.

Pianist Philip Clouts’ quartet plays the Blue Lamp in Gallowgate on Thursday, October 29 as part of a UK tour to mark the release of a new album, Umoya, one of the first releases on the new jazz imprint of American classical label Odradek.

It’s an album that confirms the Cape Town-born Clouts’ ongoing love affair with South African music as well as encompassing rhythms and melodies from around the world.

“Jazz and world music have been important to me throughout my musical life,” says Clouts, who grew up in London.

“I’m inspired by both the freedom of jazz and the rootedness of world music with its sense of dance, community and spirituality. Listening to both genres always suggests a variety of rhythmical, harmonic and melodic approaches.”

Although he came over to the UK from Cape Town with his family as a young child in the early 1960s, Clouts grew up hearing the music of his homeland thanks to his parents having brought their favourite records with them.

After his two older brothers began taking piano lessons, he impressed the family by picking up what his siblings were playing by ear. His own piano lessons didn’t go so well initially but hearing the great British pianist Stan Tracey on a television programme when he was twelve attracted him to jazz and made him take the instrument more seriously.

He later formed the band Zubop and toured all over the UK, playing jazz with a definite South African flavour, before he moved to his current home in Dorset where he put together a quartet that continues the African connection and embraces his other musical influences. Sufi music, Nigerian dance rhythms and folk music from Romania and Southern Italy, as well as gospel music, all figure in his latest compositions.

His quartet currently features saxophonist Samuel Eagles, bass guitarist Alex Keen and the Yamaha Jazz Scholarship-winning drummer Dave Ingamells, all players who have, says Clouts, taken to the multi-cultural mix of his music with real enthusiasm.

“Umoya is the Zulu word for ‘life force’. It can also be translated as ‘soul’ and ‘spirit’ and I’m really pleased with the way Sam, Alex and Dave bring out these aspects out of the music,” says Clouts.

“We played at the Lemon Tree in Aberdeen about a year ago, with a slightly different line-up, and we’ve heard a lot about the Blue Lamp being the best jazz venue in Scotland. So we’re really looking forward to being back up there.”

Peacock Presents ‘This Is Performance Art’ (TIPA)

Aberdeen City, Events No Responses »

Oct 152015

With thanks to John Morrison, Marketing & Communications Manager, Peacock Visual Arts.

After the success of TIPA Aberdeen in 2011, Peacock Visual Arts is delighted to host ‘This Is Performance Art’ (TIPA), a 3-day series of events celebrating the history of performance art from across the globe.

TIPA is curated by Nikki Milican OBE and will run from the 29-31 October 2015. The event will include performances in the main Peacock gallery, Aberdeen City Centre, as well as workshops, film screenings and opportunities to meet the artists and hear them discuss their work.

This edition’s roster of performance artists, many of whom are visiting Scotland for the very first time, are social, political, and always questioning, with the aim of inspiring viewers to explore performance art beyond TIPA.

TIPA’s global roster includes Sinéad O’Donnell, Nigel Rolfe, VestAndPage, Ilija Šoškić, with Dragica Cakic, Wladyslaw Kamierczak & Ewa Rybska, who are all highly acclaimed artist within the field of performance art.

The 3-day event will be in conjunction with Performance Art East, Northeast, West, which is being run by Aberdeen University from 30-31 October 2015.

Tickets are available on the door, in advance from Peacock Visual Arts, or by calling 01224 639539 and cost £5 per day, or £12 for a 3-day pass. Concessions cost £3 per day and £10 for a 3-day pass.

About Peacock Visual Arts:

Peacock Visual Arts is the leading contemporary visual arts organisation in Aberdeen and the NE of Scotland, bringing artists and the public together through exhibitions‚ events‚ talks‚ residencies‚ film screenings‚ gigs and workshops to make and present art in exciting and innovative ways.

More Info: What’s on at Peacock Visual Arts October 2015

Lemon Tree Tour Date For Lucy Rose

Aberdeen City, Featured No Responses »

Oct 152015

With thanks to Warren Higgins, Chuffmedia.

Lucy Rose is pleased to announce details of a new single, ‘Till The End, released on 9th October 2015. It is taken from her critically acclaimed, top 10 second album, Work It Out, released through Columbia Records.

Produced by Rich Cooper at London’s Snap Studios, Work It Out finds Lucy Rose at her most direct, fully electrified, and unashamedly flirting with the notion of having created a bold pop record.

It’s a sound that has resonated with radio stations’ playlists and the general public alike, and the confidence at which Lucy Rose performs them has transformed this previously unassuming acoustic musician into a whole new field.

An interactive video of ‘Till The End which allows fans to select which instrument they’d like to see Lucy performing was a fantastic opportunity to see the multi-instrumental talent of this young Warwickshire musician, and it’s a song that has quickly become a live favourite this Summer.

Following Work It Out’s debut in the UK top 10, Lucy has been enjoying a Summer of festival performances ahead of her huge UK headline tour in October and November which culminates in a date at London’s Forum on 18th November.

She plays The Lemon Tree, Aberdeen on the 27th October.

Autumn Tour:
19th October – Manchester Academy 3
20th October – Bath Komedia
21st October – Cardiff Tramshed
23rd October – Norwich Waterfront
24th October – Wrexham Central
25th October – Carlisle Brickyard
27th October – Aberdeen Lemon Tree
28th October – Glasgow Oran Mor
29th October – Belfast Empire
30th October – Dublin The Button Factory
1st November – Leeds University Union
2nd November – Exeter Phoenix
3rd November – Southend-on-Sea Chinnery’s
7th November – Liverpool O2 Academy2*
8th November – Oxford O2 Academy*
9th November – Leicester O2 Academy2*
10th November – Northampton Roadmender
12th November – Newcastle Riverside
13th November – Warwick Arts Centre
14th November – Portsmouth Wedgewood Rooms
15th November – Nottingham Rescue Rooms
17th November – Stoke–On-Trent Sugarmill
18th November – London The Forum

www.lucyrosemusic.com

*Tickets from ticketweb.co.uk / 0844 477 2000

For more info contact warren@chuffmedia.com on 020 8281 0989

City Date For Hector: The True Story Of ‘Fighting Mac’

Aberdeen City, Featured, Information No Responses »

Oct 082015

With thanks to Liz Smith.

The Scottish Premiere of Hector, a co-production between Eden Court, Comar and Ed Littlewood Production, opens on Wednesday 21 October at Eden Court, Inverness, followed by an extensive Scottish tour and concludes with two performances at the Ambassadors Theatre, London in December. Aberdeen’s Lemon Tree will host the production on Tuesday October 27.

The play tells the story of a crofter’s son, Hector MacDonald, who became a Knight of the Realm and Queen Victoria’s favourite general.

Kate Nelson directs and Steven Duffy plays Scottish legend and fallen hero Sir Hector MacDonald and features a stellar cast including Gowan Calder, Stevie Hannan, Raj Ghatak, Valentine Hanson and Kevin Lennon.

The Composer and Sound Designer is Pippa Murphy, Artist in Residence at the Scottish Parliament, set design is by Ali Maclaurin and lighting design by Simon Wilkinson.

Based on new and extensive research Hector reveals the true story of “Fighting Mac”, Sir Hector MacDonald, and is an exploration of the elitist English class system, the poisonous influence of rumour and gossip and the devastating power of the global press.

Rising from humble beginnings, MacDonald was the son of a crofter, born and raised on the Black Isle to Gaelic speaking, Presbyterian parents. After briefly working as an apprentice to a draper, he joined the army and rose through the ranks to become an NCO.

As a result of distinguished service during the Second Afghan War he was offered either the Victoria Cross or a commission. Unusually he took the commission and eventually rose to the rank of Major General. He was knighted in 1901. Following his appointment as Commander of Ceylon, allegations of scandalous liaisons surfaced, and he was forced to return home under a cloud.

Sir Hector MacDonald is buried in Edinburgh, as are his wife and son. He did not have a military funeral and despite the efforts of his family to have a private burial, 30,000 people turned out to pay their respects. Today, in Scotland, he is still considered a hero and a statue to commemorate his memory was erected in Dingwall in 1907 and an annual service of thanksgiving and remembrance for his life of is still celebrated in Malbuie, his birth place.

Was he guilty? Or was he the victim of a plot fabricated by an English Establishment to remove a Gaelic-speaking upstart who got above himself? The only way to find out is to book now for an evening packed with suspense, tension and drama.

Hector is a new production of So Great a Crime, originally developed at the Finborough Theatre in 2013

Hector is supported by Creative Scotland

Listings Information:

Eden Court, Inverness

Wednesday 21 October 7.30pm
Tickets: £16/£14
Box Office 01463 234 234
www.eden-court.co.uk

Paisley Arts Centre

Friday 23 October 7.30pm
Tickets: £10/£6 + £1 booking fee
Box Office 0300 300 1210
www.renfrewshireleisure.com/arts

The Brunton, Musselburgh

Saturday 24 October at 7.30pm
Tickets: £12.50/£10.50 Under 18s £7.50
Box Office: 0131 665 2240
www.thebrunton.co.uk

The Lemon Tree, Aberdeen

Tuesday 27 October 7pm
Tickets: £13.20
Box Office 01224 641122
www.aberdeenperformingarts.com/venues/the-lemon-tree

The Kirkgate, Cockermouth

Thursday 29 October 7.30pm
Tickets: £12/£8
Box Office 01900 826448
www.thekirkgate.com

Adam Smith Theatre, Kirkcaldy

Friday 30 October 7.30pm
Tickets: £12.50/£10.50
Box Office 01592 583302
www.onfife.com

Birnam Arts, Dunkeld

Wednesday 4 November 7.30pm
£12/£10/£5 U16s
Box Office: 01350 727674
www.birnamarts.com

Woodend Barn, Banchory

Thursday 5 November at 7.30pm
Tickets: from £6.50-£11.00
Box Office 01330 825 431
www.woodendbarn.co.uk

The Byre Theatre, St Andrews

Friday 6 November at 7.30pm
Tickets: £12/£10
Box Office 01334 475000
www.byretheatre.com

Gardyne Theatre, Dundee

Saturday 7 November 7.30pm
Tickets: £12
Box Office 01382 434940
www.gardynetheatre.org.uk

Traverse Theatre, Cambridge Street, Edinburgh

Tuesday 11 & Wednesday 12 November 7.30pm
Tickets: £16/£13/£8
Box Office 0131 228 1404
www.traverse.co.uk

Druimfin, Tobermory

Saturday 14 November at 7.30pm
Tickets: £10/£8
Box Office: 01688 302211

Astley Hall, Arisaig

Tuesday 17 November 7.30pm
Tickets: £8/£6
01687 450264 & on the door

SEALL@Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, Isle of Skye

Wednesday 18 November at 7.30pm
£12/£5 students
Tickets 01471 844207
www.seall.co.uk

Victory Hall, Benderloch

Thursday 19 November 8pm
Tickets: £9/£7
01631 720498

Innellan Village Hall, by Dunoon

Friday 20 November 8pm
Tickets on the door: £9/£7

Ambassadors Theatre, London

Wednesday 9 December at 2.30pm & 7.30pm
Box Office 08448 112 334

Peacock Presents ‘PUTNEY POEMS’ Exhibition

Aberdeen City, Featured, Information No Responses »

Oct 082015

Peacock Visual Arts presents ‘PUTNEY POEMS’ an exhibition by Hugh T. Rowson.

Peacock Visual Arts is delighted to announce ‘PUTNEY POEMS’, an exhibition by Hugh T. Rowson.

The exhibition will include paintings and a new print produced at Peacock.

Rowson has provided a quote from his son to accompany the exhibition:

“Any theory about how the mind thinks or learns should be considered with due care, because thinking and learning are highly idiosyncratic processes and difficult to model without violating their inherent complexity.”
– Chess for Zebras by Dr. Jonathan Rowson 2005

About the artist:

Hugh Rowson seeks to bring life to inanimate objects in a variety of mediums. Personal poems are juxtaposed to create watercolour fluidity. The medium of pen and ink facilitates a depiction of detail in architectural subjects. Rowson typically transfers images from thumb-nail sketches to completed paintings; a process full of uncertainty and chance.

Rowson also creates special ambiguity with the use of strong, meaningful, pattern and decoration as common themes in a symbolic language.

Opening: Saturday 10th October, 2-4pm
Exhibition runs from: 10th October – 7th November

More Info: What’s on at Peacock Visual Arts October 2015

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