MUSIC
Siobhan Miller, Jeana Leslie, Ewan MacPherson
www.jeanaleslie-siobhanmiller.co.uk
Jeana Leslie and Siobhan Miller are two talented young singers and musicians recognised as shining stars on the Scottish folk scene. They are both blessed with lovely, natural voices that blend beautifully, and their performances focus strongly on communicating through traditional, contemporary and self-penned song. They came to prominence as winners of the BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Award in 2008, which was followed by both the Hancock Horizon Award and Up and Coming Artist of the Year at the Scots Trad Music Awards in 2009. Adding to these accolades, most recently Siobhan was named Citty Finlayson Scots Singer of the Year at the Scots Trad Music Awards 2011. Ewan MacPherson (Guitars / Vocals / Jews Harp) was born in Liverpool and one of the first ever students from Paul McCartney's Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts. A much in demand session musician he has performed with a wide range of artists including: Shooglenifty, The Treacherous Orchestra, Salsa Celtica, Seamus Egan, BBC Radio 2 Folk Award-winners Jeana Leslie & Siobhan Miller, Breabach, John Spiers (Bellowhead), The Battlefield Band, Dàimh, Emily Smith, Maeve Mackinnon, Bùrach, Lori Watson, Dannsa, Fine Friday and Claire Mann. His recording credits include: Gillie Mackenzie - Griais Jeana Leslie & Siobhan Miller - Shadows Tall Ewan Robertson - Some Kind of Certainty Malinky - Unseen Hours Croft no 5 - Talk of the Future Alasdair White (Battlefield Band) - An Clàr Geal Chloe Matharu - Next Market Day Ewan has released an album of self-penned songs in 2008 which included a collaboration with Vashti Bunyan, and also continuing his interests in Electronica with his band RoughCoastAudio, which debued in the Old Fruitmarket at Celtic Connections 2011. "..excellent and innovative guitarist." - NetRhythms www.ewanmacpherson.com www.fribo.co.uk They will be playing for us on Saturday the 8th at the West Street Arts Centre, 19.30, £10 (£9 members, £8 concessions) |
GOLDRUSHwww.scottishbluegrass.com/goldrush.htm
Goldrush was formed by Penicuik resident, John Sheldon, in 1989 and made its debut at the Guildtown Bluegrass Festival (founded by Jphn in 1987). Individually and collectively the band has decades of performing experience from the folk scene and many other festivals. The band also runs workshops and performs on the Scottish Bluegrass Association, Bluegrass in Schools programme, along with extensive charity work. Goldrush has forged a distinct and impressive identity, delivering cutting edge traditional bluegrass with Celtic roots that delights audiences everywhere. They are playing for us “unplugged” in the West Street Arts Centre on Saturday the 1st of September, 19.30 – 20.00, £7/£5. The Victorian Trout Conspiracy
www.victoriantroutconspiracy.webeden.co.uk
The full line-up of Scotland’s premier ska, dirty, urban, ghetto, funk band consist of conspirators from multiple bands, including Big Hnad, Bonbskare, Big Fat Panda and many more. They also have an acoustic branch with Phil Ramsay and Fraser Fulton playing guitar, trumpet, cajon and tambourine offering all the shenanigans of the full “VTC”, just with less decibels and fewer people. Come and join the conspiracy for an evening of guaranteed entertainment at The Fisher’s Tryst, Friday 7th Sept, 22.00 onwards (£7/£5). |
The Kennel Wages
www.reverbnation.com/thekennelwages
This fabulous young blues/rock band from Edinburgh consist of Danny Williams (Vocals and Harmonica), Joe Catterson (lead guitar), Reece Braid (Drums), Ruairidh Morrison (Bass). They
sound like The Rolling Stones, Elvis Presley, Muddy Waters, Johnny Cash…. Gigging regularly around Edinburgh and having recently supported The Doors Alive at the HMV Picture House, this
band are reminding the cats how to shuffle.
See them at The Fisher’s Tryst, Friday 14th Sept, 20.00 onwards (£7/£5).
This fabulous young blues/rock band from Edinburgh consist of Danny Williams (Vocals and Harmonica), Joe Catterson (lead guitar), Reece Braid (Drums), Ruairidh Morrison (Bass). They
sound like The Rolling Stones, Elvis Presley, Muddy Waters, Johnny Cash…. Gigging regularly around Edinburgh and having recently supported The Doors Alive at the HMV Picture House, this
band are reminding the cats how to shuffle.
See them at The Fisher’s Tryst, Friday 14th Sept, 20.00 onwards (£7/£5).
POETRY
Aonghas MacNecail
http://www.aonghasmacneacail.co.uk/
Aonghas MacNeacail poet and songwriter, was born in Uig, on the Isle of Skye. He is also a broadcaster, journalist, scriptwriter, librettist and translator. A native Gael, he writes in Gaelic and English and his collections of poetry have been published in both languages, and his writing has appeared in literary journals all over the world. A vibrant communicator, he broadcasts regularly on radio and TV. He has given poetry readings at major literary festivals across the globe - in Russia, Japan, Poland, Israel, the U.S.A., Canada, and throughout Western Europe. His work has been published in many languages, including German, Italian, Irish Gaelic, French, Hebrew, Finnish and Serbo-Croat. He is an experienced tutor of writing, and regularly works in schools, colleges and universities, running writers’ workshops with pupils and students of all ages. We are honoured to have Aonghas judge the Penicuik Turner Prize for us this year. You can also see and hear him in action at our ceilidh in Carlops Hall on Saturday September the 15th from 7.30 pm (£7/£5). He will be joined by his partner, Gerda Stevenson who is also an accomplished writer as well as a well known actress, along with other local artists and musicians. Simply Science by Words and Action
www.wordsandaction.co.uk
Simply Science is a fun, hands-on event for nursery to primary-aged children to experience, with accompanied adults. Watch out for erupting ingredients and hair-raising experiments! Can you solve the riddles and complete the challenges? Fun for everyone. Compliments the Curriculum for Excellence experiences and outcomes. West St Arts Centre, Monday 3rd Sept & Wed 5th Sept, 3.45pm –4.45pm, £6. Call Ramona on 07766916420 |
Colin Galbraith (aka Chas Stramash)
http://www.colingalbraith.co.uk/
Born in Paisley and raised in Bridge of Weir in the west of Scotland, Colin always had a predilection for writing and could often be found writing short stories and poems, and talking about the idea of becoming a journalist. Life took a different turn and he ended up doing other things but in 1999 he took up the pen again – and we’re glad he did! Colin also writes poetry, publishing several chapbooks through Edinburgh-based Smashing Press, and under the alias Chas Stramash: fringe fantastic (2005), poolside poetry (2007) and silly poems for wee people (2010), and poems from a coffee shop window (2012). You can meet Colin at the Penicuik Town Hall on Saturday the 15th from 12.00-14.00 and from 15.00-16.00 he’ll be doing a free* fun workshop for kids in the West St Arts Centre (age 7-12, must be accompanied by an adult). Colin will start of by introducing himself and his poetry (Silly Poems for Wee People) then get them to write their own poems using simple fun games – should be a hoot! One to comeThis lovely eclectic group of poets are giving a free* reading at the West Street Arts Centre, Saturday 8th Sept, 15.00-16.00. The
five members of the group will read their poems which are as diverse as their personalities and you’re very welcome to spend 6 minutes or 60 in their company. They won’t bite and they’d love to meet you. The Tyne & Esk Writers and Writing Space
tyne-esk-writers.com
Tyne & Esk Writers represents the writing groups in Midlothian and East Lothian. The name comes from the two rivers – the Tyne and the Esk – which flow through East Lothian and Midlothian respectively. The writing groups are nurtured and supported by the library services of the two counties. Writing Space are a new initiative from the Making Space group who found they also had a shared interest in poetry, prose and the spoken word. They are still developing and welcome any who would like to explore creative writing with them. Join them with the Tyne & Esk writers on Weds 5th & Thurs 13th, 19.00-21.00 for free evenings of poetry and music. |
TALKS & DISCUSSION
"FARMING REVOLUTIONS"
A living from the Edinburghshire Countryside . Reflections of country life over three centuries. With Colin Whittemore
Professor Colin Whittemore is a fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh and Emeritus Professor of Agriculture at the University of Edinburgh. On Tuesday the 4th, 19.00-20.30 (West St Arts Centre) he will talk on “Farming Revolutions” - starting in the 1700s with the beginning of lowland clearances around Penicuik, and the turning of run-rig tenancies into “family farms”, through to 1850s, then in the 1930s with the start of modern industrial farming and into the 1980s and the present with all its issues around environmental protection, animal welfare, food security ... The talk will conclude with the questions, Who owns farming? First the common people, then the Landlords, then family farming, then Government ... Now? The Supermarkets. Who owns the Supermarkets? Should ordinary people have a say in food security? If so, what would they say and how be heard? Debate will be welcomed and the theme will continue on Sunday 9th with “Is the Future Vegan” |
"IS the future vegan?"An open dialogue on the future of food and farming. Bring and share nibbles, news and
opinions. We'll start will a few drinks and nibbles before a short talk on the current status of farming and our environment. Then we'll get down to a discussion of options and ideas for the future in the form a circling where everyone can participate. Sunday 9th, 15.00-17.00, West St Arts Centre |