Event Archives - Page 3 of 4

New Music Venue Opens In Aberdeen – Fri May 3rd

May 022013

With thanks to Ruth Sawers.

A new music venue, Downstairs is set to open in the Malt Mill on the 3rd May, with the emphasis on the provision of affordable music for everyone, while promoting up and coming local talent.

Downstairs is the brainchild of the Dunfermline pair, Gavin Bassett and David Mcghie, both having previously worked in the catering trade.

David’s background is in management with Belhaven while Gavin’s experience includes working in a rock bar and in gig promotion.

Determined to combine their individual strengths and step further into the promotion of up and coming talent, Aberdeen’s Malt Mill ended a countrywide search for the ideal space for the project.

Having Aberdeen connections, Gavin and David were aware of the thriving music scene and felt there was room for another venue where everyone could enjoy the talents of what Aberdeen has to offer the music world.

Bringing with them £6000 of equipment, including a brand new PA system and back line, the benefits to the local music scene is fantastic.

Add to this a desire for flexible working arrangements, Downstairs is set to become one of very few, readily equipped, city entertainment venues accessible to local bands, artists and promoters who want to organise, take responsibility for and run, their own events.

Downstairs aims to host live music of all genres plus live comedy and open mic nights, five nights a week – all for affordable entry fees.

Let’s hope Aberdeen welcomes and supports them.

For further information contact:

Ruth Sawers at seesawevents@live.co.uk or by telephone on 07858703467 or
Gavin Bassett at gdbars@gmail.com or by telephone on 07411511823

Richard Thompson Plays Edinburgh

Events, Featured, Information, Opinion No Responses »

Feb 082013

Richard Thompson returns with a brand new, guitar-driven record. “Electric” is released by Proper Records on Monday February 11th. Richard, who is a frequent visitor to Aberdeenshire, sent Aberdeen Voice an advance copy. Those who’ve heard it so far love it.

richardthompson-and-guitar-by-pamela-littky-aberdeen-voice

By Suzanne Kelly.

Richard’s Electric Trio will be taking to the road for a major UK tour on Wednesday February 20th, and will tour the USA starting in March.

The tour reaches Scotland on Thursday 28 Feb with a concert at Edinburgh’s Usher Hall.

Electric

After taking the bold step of recording his last album of new songs live, when it came to recording “Electric”, Thompson turned to Buddy Miller (Robert Plant’s Band Of Joy, Solomon Burke, Emmylou Harris, Patty Griffin) to produce it, recording at Miller’s home studio in Nashville, Tennessee.

Miller, who is renowned himself for his guitar skills recently told Rolling Stone:

“I played along on the record, playing rhythm guitar for him, and I got a two-week guitar lesson while he camped out in my house.”

The disc was recorded as an electric trio with Thompson, drummer Michael Jerome and bassist Taras Prodaniuk, who both sing background vocals. Jerome and Prodaniuk formed part of the band which recorded and toured Thompson’s UK Top Twenty album “Dream Attic”, released in August 2010.

They make up the trio with Thompson on his forthcoming UK dates, his first extensive tour in two years.

Guests on “Electric” include the legendary Alison Krauss, who joins Thompson on “The Snow Goose”. English singer-songwriter Siobhan Maher Kennedy, formerly with River City People and now resident in Nashville, adds vocals on several tracks as well. Fiddle great Stuart Duncan also plays on the record: one of America’s leading bluegrass musicians, he played on recent albums by Robert Plant/Alison Krauss and Elvis Costello and will be familiar to UK audiences from BBC4’s Transatlantic Sessions.

Richard Thompson himself commented that:

“We did it ridiculously quickly. But it sounds great. It turned out surprisingly funky, sort of a new genre – folk-funk. It’s quite snappy, somewhere between Judy Collins and Bootsy Collins.”

“Electric” will be released as a Standard CD, Deluxe two–disc set and on 180 gram vinyl.

TRACK LISTING

1. Stony Ground
2. Salford Sunday
3. Sally B
4. Stuck On The Treadmill
5. My Enemy
6. Good Things Happen To Bad People
7. Where’s Home?
8. Another Small Thing In Her Favour
9. Straight And Narrow
10. The Snow Goose
11. Saving The Good Stuff For You

Recipient of a BBC Lifetime Achievement Award, Mojo’s Les Paul Award and curator of the prestigious Meltdown Festival at the Southbank in 2010, Thompson was most recently honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award for Songwriting by the Americana Music Association.

“Electric” was recorded earlier this year, 2012 marking the fortieth anniversary of Richard Thompson’s debut solo album, “Henry The Human Fly”. Thompson has now released some forty albums, played on countless other classic recordings, and written more than 400 songs, some of which have been covered by R.E.M., Robert Plant, Elvis Costello, The Futureheads, Bonnie Raitt, Dinosaur Jr., Linda Ronstadt, Los Lobos, and many more.

Rolling Stone has hailed him as “a perennial dark horse contender for the title of greatest living rock guitarist.”
The Independent recently described him as “probably the best guitarist this country has produced, an utterly sui generis talent…”

Thompson says of his fellow trio members:

“Michael Jerome has been with me for about 12 years. He’s actually from Texas; he is a great musician, able to respond to anything that’s put in front of him. Taras Prodaniuk worked a lot with Dwight Yoakam, and more recently with Lucinda Williams. His roots may be in country music, but he’s another extremely gifted and versatile musician.”

For more information and to pre-order the album visit …
http://proper-records.co.uk/richardthompson-electric/

For an extensive biography visit: www.richardthompson-music.com
For tickets to concert at Usher Hall, Edinburgh, Telephone 0131 228 1155.

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Be Free To Walk On Fire At Haddo

Aberdeenshire, Featured, News No Responses »

Sep 212012

Is it really possible to walk on fire? If so, is it the supernatural at work, mind over matter or the power of physics? Aberdeen Voice’s Nicola McNally asked Be Free about their forthcoming Firewalk event.

In the Northern Hemisphere, the sun is rising later now, and nightfall comes sooner. The time of Autumn equinox is here.

In traditional sky lore, the Harvest Moon is the full moon closest to the autumnal equinox. In 2012, for us in the Northern Hemisphere, the autumnal equinox comes on September 22.

That makes the September 29-30 full moon the Harvest Moon.

Be Free’s next motivational/personal empowerment event will be a timely Fire Walk at Haddo House on 29th September 1pm-5pm.

Firewalking participants will be guided by international motivation coach, Graeme Pyper, and given the opportunity to fire walk this equinox in the beautiful setting of Haddo House.

Graeme Pyper has worked in the field of Human Potential Coaching for over two decades. Having started in sports excellence, he can now be seen bringing his experience to an international audience. Graeme is the founder of Be Free, and he is supported by the Be Free Team when delivering his bespoke training.

Graeme is a lively character who has been known on occasion to dip his toe into the stand- up comedy circuit, which he explains is the counter balance to working as a practitioner / trainer in such areas as hypnosis, NLP, Corporate Stress Management, Social Work, Cognitive Restructuring, Restorative Justice, Conflict Resolution and BSL.

Graeme spent many years studying the cognitive arts, spending time with teachers from many cultures. He has a remarkable way of bringing his teachings to life and making them real for the individual situations of each audience member. Among the empowerment tools Graeme uses are fire walking and glass walking. In 2008 he set a new world record for the longest fire walk at Archaelink, Oyne.

Through the years Graeme has been asked by various bodies, including The Scottish Government and local authorities to have input on positive behavioural change programmes. Graeme was instrumental in developing a youth justice service from concept through to delivery which was recommended for an award at The Howard League in 2012. The service was shortlisted out of two thousand nominations.

Be Free’s Firewalk events are ever popular. Participants may complete their walk for their own charitable causes and personal empowerment reasons. Anyone considering trying their first firewalk is encouraged to get in touch.

You can join Be Free at this September event by contacting the team for further information:

Contact Graeme Pyper
Mobile 07971927765
Email graeme.pyper@btopenworld.com
Be Free can also be contacted on facebook.

Where?
Haddo House
Methlick
AB41 7EQ
Phone: 0844 493 2179
Email: haddo@nts.org.uk

Disabled Facilities: Lift to first floor. Disabled parking to side of house
Car Parking: Parking available in public car park

Solid Performance From Alasdair

Aberdeen City, Sport No Responses »

Jul 062012

With thanks to Dave Macdermid.

Turriff’s Alasdair Hamilton finished a creditable ninth out of thirty-three competitors at the Stoke Mandeville International Invitation 70m archery event.

Broch Archery Club member Alasdair was the second placed British competitor in the competition, which was won by Canada’s Kevin Evans.

Alasdair narrowly missed being selected for a place in the Great Britain archery squad for the London 2012 Paralympics later in the year, being pipped in the men’s compound by a single position.

For further information contact Dave Macdermid on 07805 436988,
dave.macdermid@bigpartnership.co.uk

Be Free – A Solstice Firewalk

Community, Featured, Information No Responses »

Jun 222012

Summer Solstice – a standing still of the sun on the longest day. In that magical moment of stillness, before the sun starts its journey back towards the Winter Solstice, the possibilities presented by the Universe are unlimited. This Summer Solstice 2012, Aberdeen Voice’s Nicola McNally and Rob Scott joined Be Free at Haddo House to celebrate with a Firewalk ceremony.

Gathering before dusk, the Be Free team – Graeme Pyper and Clare Rochford, with their ‘3 stripes’ Fire-keepers Dougie Bogie and Arron Pyper – made all their preparations for the event.
Working away to the sounds of shamanic drums on an eclectic soundtrack in Haddo’s grounds on this longest day of the year, the fire was soon glowing as wood smoke and laughter filled the air.

Graeme explained:

“The path for the Firewalk is aligned with the setting Solstice sun, to the West of Haddo House. The new path is prepared over the existing Firewalk path here. Each piece of wood is set in place by hand by the Fire-keeper as a mark of respect to those walking the fire. Silver birch wood, symbolising new beginnings, is used to line the path.”

Once the preliminary work was done to set up the fire path and participants had placed their personal offerings into the flames to burn, the Firewalkers were led into Haddo House to assemble for the workshop part of the evening with Graeme.

As Be Free’s founder, Graeme Pyper has an ardent interest in Extreme Human Potential and the relationship between mind and body. He has experience in a wide range of ancient Eastern techniques which have been virtually unknown in the Western world and he combines these Eastern techniques with Western psychological approaches.

As a workshop leader, Graeme is inspiring and relaxed and uses his sense of humour to good effect. The group of firewalkers at Haddo were inspired to share their wishes and motivations for completing their Firewalk.

There was a mixture of men and women – Aberdonians, Australians, Americans – some experienced and some new to Firewalking. One returning Firewalker, the beautiful and brave Dee, was aiming to complete the walk; she had started Chemotherapy treatment that very day and her determination to succeed was obvious.

Another group member, Emma, was walking to commemorate the 5th anniversary of her grandfather’s death and she carried his wristwatch.

One by one, to the sounds of wild applause and respect from the others, they walked barefoot through the fire.

Others in the group were walking for charitable causes and personal reasons.

The emotion and motivation of the firewalkers was so strong, encouraged by Graeme to approach their Firewalk with courage and excitement.

As the sun set, Fire-keepers Dougie and Arron had the Firewalk path all prepared and the group were led out into the dark night towards the glowing embers of the candlelit path west of the main House. They assembled in a circle. One by one, to the sounds of wild applause and respect from the others, they walked barefoot through the fire.

Singly, in pairs, or in groups they went across the burning path and were met with a huge hug from Graeme waiting at the other side as they completed their spiritual or personal quest.

The Summer Solstice has had spiritual significance for thousands of years as humans have been amazed by the great power of the sun. On this year’s Summer Solstice, June 21st at 00:09, this Firewalk provided a celebration which continued with music and stories around the fire until the sun reappeared on the horizon at Haddo House.

Clare Rochford of Be Free told Aberdeen Voice:

“Be Free’s mission is to take people beyond what they thought possible and free them from what inhibits them.”

In their closing ceremony this Solstice, where the participants earned their stripes, this mission statement seemed like the perfect description of what we all experienced that night – yes, the two Aberdeen Voice team members walked across the Solstice Fire for AV that night!

To find out more about Be Free’s Firewalking events, contact Graeme Pyper on 07971 927765 or email Graeme.pyper@btopenworld.com

solstice-firewalk-1

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VSA Fun Day – Sunday June 10

Aberdeen City No Responses »

Jun 072012

With thanks to VSA Fundraising Officer Claire McBain.

There will be something for everyone on Sunday (June 10) at Duthie Park between 10am and 4pm when the Celebrate Aberdeen weekend is rounded off with a huge family fun day.
Voluntary Services Aberdeen, the UK’s largest city social care charity supporting people in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire, is preparing to say a big thank you to those who have volunteered over the past year with its biggest ever fun day.

VSA Day, the charity’s annual fun day at Duthie Park, Aberdeen, sponsored by CNR, was established in 2007 to celebrate and thank volunteers, staff and supporters who have made a difference over the year and to highlight the significant work of VSA in the local community.

Kenneth Simpson, chief executive at VSA, said:

“I’m delighted to be hosting VSA Day for the sixth time, especially given the big jump in size this year. We’ve doubled our stallholder numbers and attracted more entertainment than ever. Visitors can relax watching musicians, dancers and cheerleaders or get involved with military fitness, zumba and yoga.

“Aberdeen Football Club will be on hand to give budding soccer stars a tutorial and, as usual, our funfair and face painters will be out in force. Shoppers will be satisfied too, whether it’s delicious cakes, sparkly jewels or pocket money treats they’re after.

“Our staff are firmly behind VSA Day and we’ll have a healthy turnout of stalls headed by our services. Easter Anguston Farm will bring their popular farm shop and plants into the city while Craigton Grove, a residential setting where twelve adults with learning disabilities live as independently as possible, is bringing Aberdeen back to its childhood with a day of old fashioned races, like the egg and spoon.

“We’ve had turnouts of thousands in past years and expect even more this time – not just because of our increased offering but with Celebrate Aberdeen hitting town the day before, VSA Day will be the perfect way to bring the feel-good weekend to a close.

Elaine Michael, day care manager, runs several VSA services that will be represented on the day. She said:

“It’s a great opportunity for us to demonstrate what VSA is all about. Each service can make their cause stand out and explain to the public exactly what they do.

Our Friends for Life club, an informal weekly youth club creating bonds between like-minded children with additional support needs, will hold a sumo wrestling challenge and Maisie’s Children’s Centre staff are busy baking for their homebakes stall.

Each year we have a walkathon too; a gentle challenge for both mainstream children and those with additional support needs. This year we’re adding an extra ingredient of fun with a fancy dress option.

“VSA Day is an ideal occasion for people in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire to have fun and support their local community at the same time.”

VSA is always looking for volunteers to help on the day. VSA Day will be held on Sunday 10 June between 10am and 4pm at Duthie Park, Aberdeen. Admission is free. VSA, sponsored by Shore Porters, will also be part of Celebrate Aberdeen on Saturday 9 June.

For further information, photographs or to arrange an interview, please contact Claire McBain on 01224 358611 or e-mail claire.mcbain@vsa.org.uk

More information about VSAvisit www.vsa.org.uk

Upcoming Events At Peacock – April/May 2012

Aberdeen City, Articles, Community, Events, Featured, Information No Responses »

Mar 292012

With thanks to Kylie Roux.

THE OBSIDIAN ISLE – Gayle Chong Kwan

The Obsidian Isle is a significant new body of work from Venice Biennale exhibitor Gayle Chong Kwan. The installation of large-format photographs & sculptures documents a fictional island located off the west coast of Scotland, on which reside one country’s lost and destroyed buildings and places.
The Obsidian Isle explores ideas of collective history, national identity, landscape, and tourism through the prism of the senses and the distortion of memories.

Exhibitions runs 24 March – 5 May 2012

KIN – Gray’s pre-degree show

KIN is an exhibition by Gray’s School of Art’s BA Hons printmaking students.
The exhibition gives an exciting insight into a great variety of different approaches to print and printmaking and showcases a diverse range of works made in preparation for the students’ degree show later in the year. So come along to support the students and see the artistic talents of tomorrow.

Preview Night Friday 23 March | 6 – 8pm | all welcome!
Exhibitions runs 24 March – 5 May 2012

BIG JESSIE – Donald Urquhart

Drag queen turned draughtsman, Donald Urquhart presents Big Jessie, a selection of bold, new hand printed works in his distinctive cartoon-like black ink style, created at Peacock Visual Arts.

To be shown at The Brunswick Hotel, Merchant City, Glasgow.

Preview Thursday 26 April |Brutti Ma Buoni,
The Brunswick Hotel, Merchant City, Glasgow | 7pm – late
Exhibition runs 27 April – 27 May 2012

TEMPORARY ART SCHOOL – Poets in the City Workshop + Meet-up

The Temporary Art School is a one month live project happening throughout the city of Aberdeen in March 2012. TAS was devised by a group of people living and working in both Aberdeen and Glasgow who have come together to put on classes and workshops for all which experiment with what an art school can be and continue in a long tradition of self-organised education.

This Friday Poet Gerard Rochford will be giving a new workshop on the word whether it be spoken, written or sprawled in the streets. Please bring along a poem of two which you have written you would like someone to have a look at it and if you have never written one, in Gerard’s words ‘by the end you will have.’ email atemporaryartschool@gmail.com to reserve a space.

Friday 16 March | 5-9pm

ABERDUINO – Electronic Jiggery-pokery

Aberdeen’s own electronic tinkerers and artist’s hackerspace will be running on the second or third Tuesday of every month from now on – so put the date above in your digi-diary.

Come along if you’re interested in micro-controllers, soldering irons, circuit bending, electronic jiggery-pokery and chin scratching.

Tuesday 17 April | 6.30 – 8.30pm | FREE
*Note – The event is FREE but call us on 01224 639539 to let us know if you’re coming along.

RELIEF PRINTING WEEKEND WORKSHOP – Beginners

Come along to try out the oldest form of printmaking. No experience necessary.

Saturday 7 + Sunday 8 April | 10 – 4.30pm | £130/95 conc.

ETCHING WEEKEND WORKSHOP – Beginners

Learn the techniques and processes involved in the traditional art of etching. No experience necessary.

Saturday 21 + Sunday 22 April | 10 – 4.30pm | £130/95 conc.

GET ANIMATED AT PEACOCK

Ever wondered how Wallace and Gromit move? Well book onto our animation workshops to find out.

Throughout April, July, August & October | 10 – 4pm | age 10 + | £35

Call 01224 639539 for more information and to book a place on any of our courses.

Upcoming Events At Peacock – March/April 2012

Aberdeen City, Articles, Community, Featured, Information No Responses »

Mar 152012

With thanks to Kylie Roux.

THE OBSIDIAN ISLE – Gayle Chong Kwan

Preview Night Friday 23 March | 6 – 8pm | all welcome!
Exhibitions runs 24 March – 5 May 2012

Event – Gayle Chong Kwan in Conversation

Gayle Chong Kwan in conversation with Dr Dominic Patterson, a lecturer in modern and contemporary art and theory at the University of Glasgow. To reserve your place please email sarah@peacockvisualarts.co.uk or call 01224 639539.

Saturday 24 March | PVA | 3 – 4pm | FREE

KIN – Gray’s pre-degree show

Preview Night Friday 23 March | 6 – 8pm | all welcome!
Exhibitions runs 24 March – 5 May 2012

TEMPORARY ART SCHOOL – Poets in the City Workshop + Meet-up

Friday 16 March | 5-9pm

ABERDUINO – Electronic Jiggery-pokery

Aberdeen’s own electronic tinkerers and artist’s hackerspace will be running on the second or third Tuesday of every month from now on – so put the date above in your digi-diary.

Come along if you’re interested in micro-controllers, soldering irons, circuit bending, electronic jiggery-pokery and chin scratching.

Tuesday 17 April | 6.30 – 8.30pm | FREE
*Note – The event is FREE but call us on 01224 639539 to let us know if you’re coming along.

RELIEF PRINTING WEEKEND WORKSHOP – Beginners

Come along to try out the oldest form of printmaking. No experience necessary.

Saturday 7 + Sunday 8 April | 10 – 4.30pm | £130/95 conc.

ETCHING WEEKEND WORKSHOP – Beginners

Learn the techniques and processes involved in the traditional art of etching. No experience necessary.

Saturday 21 + Sunday 22 April | 10 – 4.30pm | £130/95 conc.

GET ANIMATED AT PEACOCK

Ever wondered how Wallace and Gromit move? Well book onto our animation workshops to find out.

Throughout April, July, August & October | 10 – 4pm | age 10 + | £35

Call 01224 639539 for more information and to book a place on any of our courses.

Football Legend On Lookout For Exclusive Friends

Aberdeen City, Articles, Community, Information, News, Sport No Responses »

Mar 092012

With thanks to Dave Macdermid.

Organisers of the Denis Law Soccer Tournament, which replaced the longstanding Aberdeen International Football Festival last year, are looking to cement the financial future of the event with the formation of a ‘Friends’ group comprising 200 members.

Scotland legend Denis, the Patron of the DLST, is passionate about the tournament.

“Sport and in this case, football, forms an important part of a child’s upbringing and I firmly believe the experience and enjoyment that kids get from this event in my home town will stay with them forever. The organisers need your support to be able to sustain this worthy cause and I would urge you to become a Friend to ensure it can continue as an annual event. I look forward to seeing you at some point during the year to thank you personally.”

And everyone who signs up at £200 per annum to become a ‘Friend’ will get the opportunity to do just that as there will be ‘Friends of DLST’ reception at Aberdeen Sports Village, hosted by Denis himself.

In addition, Friends will receive recognition of support within the tournament programme, venue and website, a quarterly e-newsletter and entry into a prize draw for a complimentary team to be included in the DLST corporate football event.

This year’s tournament will take place at ASV between July 16th and 21st with action at 16 and Under and 14 and Under age groups.

Anyone wishing to become a Friend can pay via BACS, cheque or debit card via the ‘Friends of DLST’ link on www.aberdeensportsvillage.com or by contacting ASV Events Manager Fiona Cardwell on 01224 438926 or fiona@aberdeensportvillage.com

Carer Determined To Fundraise To Help Disabled People

Aberdeen City, Articles, Community, Information, News No Responses »

Sep 302011

A Charity Dinner Dance in aid of Future Choices is being held on Saturday 8th October 2011 at Pittodrie Stadium.With thanks to David Forbes.

Future Choices is a local charity set up to support Disabled people in the City of Aberdeen, with a range of social and recreational activities already established for it’s members.

The charity is geared towards encouraging and enabling disabled individuals to get out of there homes to meet up and interact, and have many more classes and activities lined up for the future.

This is the second year in which the dinner dance has been organised to raise funds for Future choices.

Last year, £1,500 was raised towards setting up activities and resources. This year it is hoped that much more will be raised enabling the charity to realise a long standing ambition to acquire a vehicle so that they can provide a greater level of basic support to disabled people in Aberdeen.

The event includes a 3 course meal, live singer and some special guests.

There will also be a raffle and auction. Future Choices are very grateful to the News team at STV for the gift of a signed football which will be going to the auction prize pool. The group are also very grateful for the help and support from Staff Members at Mecca Bingo in Berryden – every bit of help makes a huge difference.

Charity Dinner Dance in aid of Future Choices.
Saturday 8th October 2011
Pittodrie Stadium
6.30pm – 00.30am

Call 07821700046 to book ticket(s)

If you wish to support this event but will be unable to attend, please call and pledge a donation, or purchase raffles or merchandise.

More info.

Following the closure of the Choices Day Centre in 2008, a group of former users of the Centre , their friends and families came together to form “Future Choices” which is now registered with the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR). ( Registered charity number 040085 )

Future Choices gives disabled people and able-bodied people choices for their future together.
See: http://www.aberdeenccn.info/Networks/FC/FCHome.asp

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