Sat 1st May @ Whiteness by Ardersier A GREAT DAY OUT – all in a good cause!!
STATUS QUO STEVE HARLEY
THE DONNIE MUNRO BAND
& Cockney Rebe
l
ERIC FAULKNER SKERRYVORE
THE COMMITMENTS, TORRIDON
Ticket Hotline: 0871 4720410
ess, also at Tickets available at 27 Castle Street, Invern Eastgate Centre Box Office. Eden Court Box Office (01463 239841) and icketmaster.co.uk or go online: www.rock4life.co.uk and www.t
to book online go to
, BIRO Saturday ticket £45
ROCK4LIFE will raise money for the
Highland Hospice
Make a difference to the lives of children and young people in your area Action for Children is one of Scotland’s leading charities, supporting the most vulnerable children, young people and their families. Working in the Highlands, our Gael Og and Family Support Services have been developed to meet the needs of your community.
Get involved with Action for Children in the Highlands: volunteer, fundraise, foster or work for us!
To find out more about our services and how you can help, call us on 01463 717227 Work for us: we offer a range of rewarding careers that really make a difference to people’s lives and we now have vacancies open. To find out more about the job opportunities with Action for Children in the Highlands, visit www.actionforchildren.org.uk/jobs or call 01463 717 227
Registered charity no. 1097940/company no. 4764232. A charity registered in Scotland no. SC038092
ART
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FILM
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KIDS
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MUSIC
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SPECIALS
<<<< Two of last month’s best gig the, erm, for mida ble Joy Formidab (left) and the exq uisitely compellin g Stornoway (right) - the night before fulfilling their desti ny the town of the sa of playing me name! Good nights - stop miss ing them, you!
w
rnessdotc e v n i n o s t’s t tall l ke c exc pt lik om t e, it s a h i
o
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i a
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’ on li n e !
d r o w e r Fo d r o w e r Fo “Is that my prize? Are my deserts no better?…” Yes,u well - we never said our prizes would be that swish - but there’s no need to be rude! Once more unto the breach, dear readers, once more… Gird your loins, it’s that time of year again, when we set aside our differences and prepare to find new ones - at the armageddon that is the ICA AWARDS. This year we have a night-time event - at the wonderful IRONWORKS venue, with entertainment in the form of the legendary night SPOT THE DIFFERENTS - which usually comprises of 3 floors of musical mayhem of all sorts at Hootananny but especially for us is setting up shop in Ironworks! When? That’s when! So forget about the post-election come-down and get yourself along... OK, it’s not all awards you know, there’s a million or so other things to do... Such as: ROCK4LIFE brings you the spectacle that is STATUS QUO playing a fabrication yard, ORKESTRE DEL SOL visit Eden Court, king of trolls BILL BAILEY plays a series of ridiculously tiny gigs, Scottish Ballet bring you those ‘violent delights’ and ‘violent ends’ alluded to on the cover in their gripping version of ROMEO & JULIET, DIAMOND DIVAS bring a touch of elegance and glamour to the Townhouse, National Theatre of Scotland breathe new life into family favourite PETER PAN, ‘vintage’ acts as diverse and SHOWADDYWADDY and SAM FOX (erm) put in appearances, Ridley Scott’s new take on ROBIN HOOD launches, ROSS COUNTY play in their first Scottish FA Cup FINAL (!!!!), CALEY JAGS hope to clinch bounce-back promotion to SPL, Moray Art Centre have RENAISSANCE DRAWINGS on show, a VINTAGE CAR RALLY will grace Inverness, ULLAPOOL BOOK FESTIVAL is on - and did we mention our EXCLUSIVE RICHARD DAWKINS INTERVIEW in advance of June event the Monster Science Festival?… And that’s really not the half of it! More inside as usual - and HERE:
whatsoninvernessdotcom whatson
06
Friday. 7th. May. THE awards. RESULTS. PRESENTATIONS. LIVE MUSIC. DJ’s. more.
this issue dedicated to the memory of Midge and of Maclaren...
FRIDAY 7TH MAY. FRIDAY 7TH MAY. FRIDAY 7TH MAY. FRIDAY 7TH MAY.
& TALKS
gs: ble g e
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SPORT
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THEATRE
ica May 2010 Contents:
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AND MORE
FEATURES
Art: MORAY CALEY JAGSART V ROSS CENTRE CO. p09 p11 Classical: Film: VUE,FITZWILLIAM EDEN COURT QTT p13 Clubs:PETER DAVE PEARCE p14 Kids: PAN + p15 Folk: BATTLEFIELD BAND p15 Classical: DIAMOND DIVAS p17 Folk: SHOOGLENIFTY Clubs: SPOT THE DIFFERENTS p15 p18 World:BALCONY LADYSMITH… Folk: PLAYERS + P16/17 p20-21 BROKEN RECORDS p23-25 p19 Rock: ICA AWARDS FRIGHTENED RABBIT p19 Retro: SHOWADDYWADDY p25 Stand-Up: DAVE SPIKEY p27 CD REVIEWS Comedy: THE STEAMIE Specials: ULLAPOOL BOOKS P28 p31 Musicals: OF LOVE… p33 p30 CAR RALLYELIXIR & CHARITY Special: FESTIVALp34-35 p33 RICHARDWINTER DAWKINS Talk: FOLK MUSEUM. p35 Sport: FITBA !!!!!!!! p37 Kids: BOOGIE p39 Comedy: BILL PETE BAILEY + p39-43 Film: INV FILM FESTIVAL p43 Dance: ROMEO & JULIET p45 Musical: LA BOHEME + p46
RENAISSANCE CLUBBING P11
HOODIE CULTURE...
ART
FILM
Features Listings
IAiN MACLAUGHLIN @ ICA P23
KIDS
MUSIC 15 16
Features Listings
17-27 28-30
p±9
REGULARS:
Future Month Events… To View p49 p08 Surfi p50 LocalngMusic p22 Local NEW: Bands Future Events… p51–53 p52 Eating p54–59 SurfingOut p53 Making The Most of You p60–63 Eating Out p54–59 Property p64–69 Xmas Pages p60–64 The Fly The WallMost of You p70–72 Making p65–69 ICA Jobs p73 Property p70–73 Ken p74 NEW:Kelman ICA Jobs p74-76 Eden The Fly Court WallFilm Guide p75-78 p77 Ken Kelman p78 more @ whatsoninvernessdotcom Eden Court Film Guide p79–86
SCIENCE FESTIVAL
P34-35
SPORT
Features Listings
Features Listings
37 38
SURFING SMASH HITS!
P53
NOT A BEE GEE...
Features Listings
P49+
NEW FOOTBALL SEASON P35
SPECIALS & TALK 31-35 36
P39
THEATRE
Aquascenersters....
Features 13 EC Cinema Guide 75-78
“I DO BELIEVE IN FAIRIES”... P15
Features Listings
BALCONY PLAYERS @ ICA
11 12
P13
THE BACK END 39-46 48
Features 50-74 EC Cinema Guide 75-78
EDEN COURT CINEMA GUIDE inside back NEW! NEW! EDEN EDEN COURT COURT CINEMA CINEMA GUIDE GUIDE p75–78 p75–78 Full 4 page guide to MAY Films !! P75-78 >
ICA | PO BOX 5635 IV3 8WR | 01463 715125 | editor@icaNOW.com | www.whatsoninverness.com
07
ESCAPE TO A
FRIDAY 11 JUNE
SATURDAY
soulwax (ft.XAVIER DE ROSNAY(JUSTICE) CASSIUS/DJ MEHDI /BUSY P)
CRYSTAL CASTLES • MARK KNIGHT • OPTIMO • SUBCULTURE • SENSU • HIGH CONTRAST ALABAMA 3 • BOYSNOIZE • DAN LE SAC VS SCROOBIUS PIP • AEROPLANE VECTOR LOVERS • KILLA KELA • GOLDIEROCKS • BOOM MONK BEN • THE PETEBOX DAVE CLARKE • BLOODY BEETROOTS DEATH CREW 77 • ROB DA BANK • HADOUKEN! DANANANANAYKROYD • FENECH SOLER • BENJI BOKO • VENDOR DEFENDER • GENERALJIMMY
PLUS MANY MORE ACTS TBA
MONSTER WEEKEND
12 JUNE
SUNDAY 13 JUNE
green velvet
KEVIN BRIDGES
SPECIAL GUEST: “THE BEST SCOTTISH STAND UP OF HIS GENERATION” THE SCOTSMAN
A SKILLZ • FRIDGE MAGNETS • LUCA • TINIE TEMPAH • ZANE LOWE • ANNIE MAC DUB PISTOLS • FREESTYLERS • SILICONE SOUL • FERGIE • GARY BECK • EDIT-SELECT B-TONE • TANGO IN THE ATTIC • STARSMITH • THE CORONAS • THE MACCABEES VITALIC • THE CUBAN BROTHERS • NORMAN JAY • BARRY ASHWORTH • DAVID E SUGAR PMCQ • KIDS ON BRIDGES • THE JAPANESE POPSTARS • PEARL AND THE PUPPETS
PLUS MANY MORE ACTS TBA
Nairn’s celebration of literature, drama, art , film and music beside the Moray Firth
5-13
JUNE 2010 Telephone: 01667 451804
www.nairnfestival.co.uk
imag info: Opening Times: We are open from Monday to Saturday 10am - 5pm. Exhibitions: Enjoy a range of events and exhibitions throughout the year. Facilities: Browse in our shop and enjoy refreshments in the ‘Cuach’ coffee shop.
Find us behind Inverness Castle:
Access: The museum is fully accessible, and there is a platform lift for access to the ground and first floor galleries. Two parking spaces are available for disabled visitors.
Why not stop in to our excellent Coffee Shop for Lunch?
Contact Details: Inverness Museum & Art Gallery, Castle Wynd, Inverness. IV2 3EB. Tel: 01463 237114. Email: inverness.museum@highland.gov.uk www.inverness.highland.museum
just 5 minutes walk from the Bus & Rail Stations and central parking.
ART > EXHIBITIONS > Nameless...
ART
NAMELESS @ Moray Art Centre, Findhorn, Sat 24 Apr-Sun 22 Aug
W
hat makes a masterpiece? These days it all seems to depend on the celebrity of the artist, but in fact that’s been the case for centuries. After all, why should a drawing “from the school of Titian” suddenly escalate in value when it’s discovered to be by Titian himself, even though it’s exactly the same object that it was before the discovery was made? Celebrity trumps ability and it was ever thus. It’s these kind of thoughts that will no doubt be barrelling around our minds when we check out Nameless, a collection of anonymous drawings from 15th and 16th century renaissance Italy. For the first time in Scotland, three major British collections are loaning precious drawings, seen only once in a generation, to the award winning, eco-designed Moray Art Centre. Renaissance drawings from the British Museum’s collection will be augmented by additional works from The Courtauld Gallery and the National Galleries of Scotland. The exhibition is timed to open concurrently with related exhibitions of the same period at The British Museum, London and The Uffizi, Florence and the Courtauld Gallery’s exhibition ‘Michelangelo’s Dream’, so the subject matter will be getting lots of attention. However the Moray exhibition is based upon a provocative and a timely new premise which the Courtauld Gallery’s Director, Ernst Vegelin, has called, “compelling”. The Renaissance period in Italy was inspired by classical Greece and Rome and the sudden awakening from the “Dark Ages”, the arts of painting, sculpture, architecture, poetry and music bloomed in a way that the world had never seen before. It was a period in which the observation of nature and the invention of perspective changed the way we see, forever. “Hundreds of similar precious drawings are kept within the vaults of galleries,” they note, “ but here is a chance to contemplate and enjoy these hidden individual works of art, unnamed and yet a gift to the future. This exhibition will allow the viewer to meet a work of art, without the influence and ‘patina’ of notoriety.” There’ll be a number of related cultural events taking place throughout the duration of the exhibition including performances of Renaissance music, drawing classes, talks, workshops and even a festival of Italian and Scottish Cuisine highlighting the best organic and ‘slow’ produced food from both countries. Check out their website at www.morayartcentre.org for full details.
11
ART & GALLERY > LISTINGS > more at whatsoninvernessdotcom
BEAULY GALLERY
Beauly Gallery begins May with a colourful varied selection of new works from Lynne Bennett-Mackenzie, Nicola MacDonell, Theresa Brown, Esther Armstrong & Sila Collins-Walden. Themes and media all vary immensly, all drawing on the essence of the Highlands for their inspiration. New keepsake gifts arrive in-store this month from The Natural Life Boutique along with beautiful new felt products from Ulrike Mulhe, Tweed jewellery from In The Moors, and a new range of artist prints from Sheila Maclean. beaulygallery.co.uk
CASTLE GALLERY
Oil Paintings by Isabell Dickson & Vega 8 - 29 May The exhibition will consist of land and seascapes of local areas well known to the artists. The startling sunsets and clarity of light on the Isle of Lewis have had a profound effect on Vega’s paintings. She uses bold, vibrant colour combinations to depict this starkly beautiful island and its surrounding waters in all weather conditions. Isabell Dickson works outdoors wherever possible and her paintings are a response to the land and seascapes around her, using bold strokes and deep colour to capture the excitement and grandeur of the Highlands with authoritative simplicity. castlegallery.co.uk
HICA
Jeremy Millar 2 May - 6 June This exhibition includes a new video work showing John Tilbury preparing a piano. Documentary in style, with no obvious intervention from Millar, the piece is a quiet and reflective consideration of the process, inviting the viewer to slow down and participate in the sense of ritual and reflective looking that such
an approach engenders. With reference to John Cage’s 4’ 33”, the film begins and ends with the start and finish of the preparation, the piano is played in a different sense, the soundtrack of the film constituting a new form of composition. h-i-c-a.org
There will of course be new work by gallery regulars. Kilmorack’s Summer Exhibition is always a must for those interested in contemporary Scottish art. kilmorackgallery.co.uk
INCHMORE GALLERY
MORAY ART CENTRE
to 15 May An Exhibition of West Coast artist Gillian Pattinson’s work - well known to Inchmore Gallery, for her unique still of painting stunning Highland landscapes. Also, Orkney artist Rebecca Marr has an Exhibition in the Upper Gallery. 22 May - 17 July Gwen Black & Robyn Kennedy Gifted Artist, Printmaker, Visual Arts Teacher and owner of Inchmore Gallery, Gwen Black well known for her abstract work. Distinguished Artist Robyn Kennedy is also exhibiting. Her understanding of patterning and skill in suggesting climatic moods provides us with some of the best Highlands and Islands inspiring landscapes. inchmoregallery.co.uk
KILMORACK GALLERY
Summer Exhibition from 8 May Kilmorack Gallery’s thirteenth summer exhibition starts on Saturday the 8th May. A new artist to the gallery is Angela Hunter with her bronze ‘The Realist and the Dreamer.’ In this a couple are frozen in time. The female has a grounded attachment to the base and the male is in flight, and together they form a balance perfectly. Kilmorack is also showing work by notable Glasgow-based rising stars Sam Carman and Blair Thomson. Cartman won the Nairn Art Prize last year with his painterly and tactile landscapes and it will be interesting to see new work. Thomson’s work is obviously inspired by his many visits to Japan and the techniques that come from his frequent use of Japanese inks.
Nameless - Anonymous Drawings From 15 & 16 Century Renaissance Italy . to August 22 See our Gallery feature. morayartcentre.org
Sòlas Gallery Gairloch
Sòlas starts the 2010 season with exciting new work by artists Rob Howard and Lyn Beckett. solasgallery.co.uk
THE STABLES, Cromarty
Highland Art Teachers Day Fri May 21 & Sat May 22 with Oliver Reed and Fiona Hutchison from Edinburgh College of Art. Open to all Art Teachers and Tutors in the Highlands. For cost and more info please contact info@cromartyartstrust.org.uk or phone 01381 600354
Tore art gallery
Tore Art Gallery moves into May with changing work from gallery artists alongside a continuing exhibition of larger figurative paintings by Denise Davis. New ceramics in smooth greens and blues have arrived from the Fangfoss Pottery. On May 21st the gallery hosts a talk, and exhibition, on the history of Redcastle by author and historian Graham Clark (booking essential)
TORE TWO at Inverness Airport
shows paintings by Clare Blois, Eileen Addly and others until the end of the month. tore-art-gallery.co.uk
WE FRAME IT
New hand embellished giclee’s by john lowrie morrison. See strip below. panoramic-scotland.co.uk
Qualified Staff • Museum Standard Framing Giclee Printing Service • Gifts Prints Limited Editions & Original Artwork A Gallery & Picture Framing Workshop
“We Frame It” Ltd. 06
www.panoramic-scotland.co.uk • 39 IV3 Tomnahurich St. Inverness • Tel/ Fax: 01463 223 400 ICA | PO BOX 5635 8WR | 01463 714125 | editor@icaNOW.com | www.icaNOW.com
CINEMA > VUE & Eden Court VUE
7th may • Furry Vengeance (PG) Dan Sanders, a real estate agent played by Brendan Fraser, faces problems with the wildlife of a planned housing location. Led by an incredibly clever raccoon, the animals delay the development and teach Dan about the consequences of his invasion on their homes. Also starring Dick Van Dyke and Brooke Shields. • Nightmare on Elm Street Jackey Earle Harley takes the role of the 80’s horror icon Freddy Kruger in this modern day version of the classic. Child serial killer Kruger takes his revenge on being killed by vigilante parents by terrorising and murdering teenagers in their dreams, with very real consequences. • The Back Up Plan (12A) After being artificially inseminated (unknowingly) with the help of her best male friend, Zoe (Jennifer Lopez), starts to date again. Complications arise when Zoe finds out the truth. • Hot Tub Time Machine (15) Four guys, bored with their middle aged lives, inadvertently travel back in time via hot tub. Confused about their discovery, they decide to just go with the flow, and re-live their glory days in the 80’s. Comedy starring John Cusack 14th May • Robin Hood Ridley Scott(Director; Gladiator) takes to the directors chair in this modern day rendition of the famous story. Starring Russell Crow as Robin Hood, a master archer vigilante standing up against the rule of King John. Also staring Mark Strong 21st may • Street Dance 3D (PG) In order to win the street dance championships, a street dance crew are forced to work with a ballet group in exchange for rehearsal space. Starring TV show winner George Sampson, dance groups Flawless and Diversity, and soundtrack by N-Dubz, Chipmunk and Cheryl Cole. • Prince of Persia (12A) Based on the best selling game series, Prince of Persia tells the story of Prince Dastan (Jake Gyllenhaal) who must team up with an enemy princess to stop an angry ruler from unleashing a sandstorm that could end the world. • Cop Out (15) Bruce Willis and Tracy Morgan team up in this gangster comedy. Jimmy(Willis), an exNYPD cop, becomes the victim of theft when his rare baseball card is stolen. Being as the money from the baseball card sale was to be going towards his daughters wedding, he teams up with his partner to track down the thief. 28th may • Tooth Fairy (PG) Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson returns to the big screen in this family fun comedy. Minor – league hockey player Derek (Johnson) receives an unusual sentencing for not believing in fairy tales: he must serve as a tooth fairy for 1 week. Also starring Julia Andrews. • Sex and the City 2 Carrie, Samantha, Charlotte and Miranda return in the sequel to the 2008 blockbuster movie. The film picks up where the last one left off, but the girls decide to spice things up by taking an extended trip to Abu Dhabi, with chaos and antics following them.
Kids Am - Sat/Sun 10.15am- all tickets 95p Seniors Club - Tue 12.30pm - £3 inc. tea/coffee/biscuits
myvue.co.uk - 08712 240 240
Eden court
Banksy is one of the UK’s most well known artists, his guerrilla graffiti art style has influenced many, but it’s his fiercely guarded anonymity that is his greatest asset. He has now pointed his spray can and stencil at the cinema world with Exit Through The Gift Shop (7th-10th). French shop owner, Thierry, is determined to capture Banksy on camera, but as Banksy doesn’t want to be known what we get instead is the world of graffiti art seen through the eyes of an incompetent Frenchman when Banksy turns the camera on Thierry. Russell Crowe and Ridley Scott first worked together on the Oscar winning Gladiator, this time they have turned to medieval England with an action packed look at Robin Hood (14th-27th). Crowe plays the eponymous hero who starts out in King John’s army as an archer but rises against him and becomes the outlaw that we all know and love. Tilda Swinton is one of the finest actors of her generation, winning an Oscar for Michael Clayton (my own personal favourite of her films is The Deep End, which I think, alongside Gena Rowlands in A Woman Under The Influence, is one of the greatest performances ever given by an actress), which she shows again in I Am Love (20th-26th). She plays the matriarch in a wealthy Milanese family who falls for a chef which awakens something in her that she never knew was there. Alfred Hitchcock is cinemas master of suspense. Forget about all these terrible horror films that have been lauded recently as the scariest films ever and come and see the original fright-fest, Psycho (29th-31st), which had been digitally re-mastered and re-released for its 50th anniversary. With the Bates motel looking better, and scarier, than ever this is a great chance to see a true classic on the big screen. Other digitally re-mastered classics making a well deserved cinematic return are; Marilyn Monroe singing ‘Diamonds are a girl’s best friend’ in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (8th-13th), one of the most romantic films ever made Letter From An Unknown Woman (16th&18th) and Frank Sinatra in the thrillingly exciting Cold War classic The Manchurian Candidate (23rd&25th).
eden-court.co.uk - 01463 234 234
iff
CUTTER’S WAY (15)
Inverness Film Fans
JEFF BRIDGES SEASON
@ Eden Court, Tuesday 11th May - 7.30pm
THE FABULOUS BAKER BOYS (15) @ Eden Court, Tuesday 25th May - 7.30pm
13 29
SALE Now On
Inverness Ice Centre everything’s cool... !
Learn 2 Skate Sessions... Booking Essential !!! 4 Week Course Starts
Wednesday 21st April • 4.30pm – 6pm
4 Week Course Starts
Wednesday 26th May • 4.30pm – 6pm From 4 Years old Only £5 per session or £16 per block
Special Events 19th May 2010
Highland Trinations Challenge 22nd May 2010
Inverness Ice Centre & Highland Hospice presents
NORTHERN FIRES AND STOVES 18c Carsegate Road, Inverness
TEL: 01463 236093
Strictly Come Dancing Tickets on Sale Now!
Bught Drive, Inverness. Tel: 01463 235711
www.inverness-ice-centre.co.uk
28th May - 31st May
Guided Walks High Level Munros Low Level Trails Mountain Skills Charity Walk Going Green for 2010
MUNROS, CORBETTS, GRAHAMS 01456 415379
www.outtaaffric.co.uk
Poster Image: Tom a’ Choinich from a photo by Tim Francis, Natural High Guiding
KIDS
KIDS > Music, Opera, Theatre....... oh my!
ENING TO:
LIST WHAT THEY’VE BEEN
CATCH GIRLS CAN’TBrin g Me Joy’
Mary J Blige - ‘You Crazy Thing’ Pink - ‘Love Is Such A D’Angelo - ‘Cruisin’’ The Bay’ Otis Redding - ‘Dock Of n This Town’ Rihanna ‘n’ Jay Z -’Ru
CHOICES FOR LIFE (pic) @ Inverness Sports Centre, Mon 17-Wed 19 May Girls Can’t Catch might currently be the new girls on the block but not for much longer. Possessed with swoopingly soulful voices, between the three of them they’ve sung with gospel choirs, top R & B stars, supported Girls Aloud and The Jonas Brothers. Their debut single ‘Echo’ released back in January is still doing the rounds on Radio 1 and their popularity looks to rise even further as they headline the Choices For Life tour throughout Scotland in May. The most important date on the tour is, of course, Inverness and they’re at the Sports Centre for three days, with over a thousand people expected to attend each show. Choices For Life is a lifestyle awareness event funded by the Scottish government for primary 7 age (i.e. 11-12 year old) school kids. Each event lasts 2 hours, is presented by local radio DJs and there are video clips, drama, quizzes and ends with a music performance. Over the years appearances and contributions have come from Blue, Sandi Thom, One True Voice, Li’l Chris, The Faders and various others. During the tour it’s been estimated that around 90% of all primary school children in Scotland will see the shows.
SCOTTISH OPERA’S BABYO @ Eden Court Jim Love Theatre, Fri 07-Sun 09 May Scottish Opera are obviously keen on attracting young fans. In this case the under-twos as they present a series of opportunities to introduce your tots to a wonderful world of sound and song. Enter a secret garden full of ducks and busy bees, welly boots, water and umbrellas and have fun while the singers create a magical, musical soundscape for you and your little ones to enjoy together. Just the sort of thing that could well inspire a primal, positive response from the wee folk and set them on their way to a lifetime of appreciation for the art form. This interactive opera experience is for 6 to 18 month olds (and their parents and carers) and lasts for approximately 30 minutes. To get the most out of BabyO, the organisers recommend that parents/carers are each responsible for one child at most.
PETER PAN @ Eden Court, Tue 01- Sat 05 Jun “This is as far as you can get from Bonnie Langford in green tights.” So says David Greig writer of National Theatre of Scotland’s ambitious stage production of J M Barrie’s Peter Pan, the first time the company have had a go at the classic. A spectacular set involving bungee-flying and an approach shorn of sentimentality, directed by John “Black Watch” Tiffany, it promises to be one of the theatrical highlights of the year. More about it next month, but book your tickets now as demand is bound to be huge.
15
KIDS & FAMILIES > LISTINGS > more at whatsoninvernessdotcom Sat 01 May
ROSEMARKIE COASTAL CAVES @ Groam House Museum, Rosemarkie, 2.30pm Great way to explore the caves with a guided walk. Meeting at the museum. Free Event 01381620961 THE KIRTLE AND THE TARTAN PLAID @ Highland Museum Of Childhood, Strathpeffer, 11am Scottish marriage customs in story, song and role-play with singer/ storyteller Lilian Ross. Sessions at 11am, 1.30pm and 3.15pm, lasting around an hour. Suitable for ages 3 to 103! Free but booking essential as space limited. 01997 421031
Thu 06 May
SALSA TASTER SESSION @ Winking Owl, Aviemore, 4pm Only £ 5 per person for a great latin workout followed by salsa tuition. Kids under 16 : 4 pm - 6 pm. Adults from 6.30 pm - 8.30 pm.
Fri 07 May
BABYO @ Eden Court The Jim Love Studio, 10.30am, 11.30am, 1.30pm Introduce your baby to a world of sound and song.
Sat 08 May
TREASURE ISLAND @ Eden Court Empire, 1.30pm, 7.30pm
BABYO @ Eden Court The Jim Love Studio, 10.30am, 11.30am, 1.30pm Introduce your baby to a world of sound and song.
Sun 02 May
Sun 09 May
ROSEMARKIE COASTAL CAVES @ Groam House Museum, Rosemarkie, 2.30pm Great way to explore the caves with a guided walk. Meeting at the museum. Free Event 01381620961 THE MAGIC OF RYVOAN @ Meet At Glenmore Visitor Centre Car Park , Walk in Ryvoan s magical mix of pinewoods, mountain and loch. Bag some views and exercise and see what the fairies have done to Lochan Uaine.No need to book. Phone 01478 861220 for infoFree FC event
Mon 03 May
ROSEMARKIE COASTAL CAVES @ Groam House Museum, Rosemarkie, 2.30pm Great way to explore the caves with a guided walk. Meeting at the museum. Free Event 01381620961 HERE BE DRAGONS @ Reelig Glen Car Park , A sense of adventure is needed as we go in search of dragons that live in Reelig Glen. Bravery required, armour optional! Booking essential, please call 01463 791575Free FC event.
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BABYO @ Eden Court The Jim Love Studio, 10.30am, 11.30am, 1.30pm Introduce your baby to a world of sound and song.
Sat 15 May
MOTHS V BATS @ Snh, Leachkin Rd, Inverness, 8pm Explore the marvels of moths WILDLIFE SOS! GOOD GARDEN ANIMAL HOMES @ Abriachan Forest Trust Cabin, 2pm (Pictured) Make a difference for our local wildlife and help make homes for birds, bats and minibeasts. This is a hands on family friendly session making bird feeders, minibeasts shelters and bat boxes. A Highland COuncil Countryside Ranger event. To book a place or find out more information,please call 01463 710786.Cost:Adults £ 5 and Children/Concessions £ 4
MON 17 May
CHOICES FOR LIFE @ Inverness Sports Centre See feature.
TUE 18 May
CHOICES FOR LIFE @ Inverness Sports Centre
WED 19 May
CHOICES FOR LIFE @ Inverness Sports Centre BIG TREES, LITTLE TREES @ Meet At Glenmore Visitor Centre Car Park , Can t see the wood for the trees? Join the ranger for a closer look at the pinewoods in Glenmore. No need to book. Phone 01478 861220 for infoFree FC event
Sun 30 May
LITTLE COOKS CLUB @ Baxters Highland Village, Families are welcomed at Baxters Highland Village which offers a family friendly restaurant, great foodie shopping and a range of free kids activities including a Little Cooks Club . Baxters Highland village will be holding its little cooks club on the last Sunday each month . The free one hour hands-on cookery sessions are for 5-12 year olds and must be pre-booked by calling the store on 44 (0)1343 820666. THE MAGIC OF RYVOAN @ Meet At Glenmore Visitor Centre Car Park , Walk in Ryvoan s magical mix of pinewoods, mountain and loch. Bag some views and exercise and see what the fairies have done to Lochan Uaine.No need to book. Phone 01478 861220 for infoFree FC event
TUE 1 june - Sat 5 june PETER PAN @ Eden Court eden-court.co.uk
MUSIC > CLASSICAL > Variety = name of the game
MUSIC
THE DIAMOND DIVAS @ Inverness Town House, Wed 12 May
S
ubtitled “From Mozart To Marilyn
Monroe”, which is a journey of
rather epic proportions – but
DIAMOND DIVAS
if anyone can handle it, it’s London’s DIAMOND DIVAS. Not perhaps the kind of classical fare you’d expect to find on these pages, but presented by the estimable Inverness Chamber Music Society and taking place at that >
> hotbed of all things classical, Inverness Town House, so that’s the genre we’re allocating it. Deal with it. And so to the Diamond Divas, consisting of CAROLINE CHILDE, CHLÖE WRIGHT and MATILDE WALLEVIK. Caroline has most notably sung alongside José Carreras in Paris and Switzerland, Chlöe has won a Tony Award for her performance on Broadway in Baz Luhrmann’s La Bohème and Matilde sings regularly at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, so they’ve got quite a track record between them. As the title of their show implies, they’ll be demonstrating a range of influences and styles that span several centuries and if you want a sneak preview of what to expect, check ‘em out at www.thediamonddivas.co.uk
THE EDINBURGH QUARTET @ Glen Urquhart Public Hall, Fri 07 May The Edinburgh Quartet is resident at the Ian Tomlin School of Music Napier University and at the University of Glasgow. It is among the UK’s longest-established college-based ensembles, having been founded in 1959 by Professor Sydney Newman at the University of Edinburgh, where it continues to play an integral role. After its formation the EQ quickly became established as one of the foremost British ensembles. Whilst its broad base of international activities has always enabled a deep study of the great mainstream of classical quartet repertoire, the Quartet is also enthusiastic to encourage newer writers. Having worked closely with Michael Tippett, its recording of Quartet No 1 was selected by the composer for re-release shortly before his death. This relationship was one of many, continuing to the present time, which won for the Edinburgh Quartet the Contemporary Music Prize at the Evian-les-Bains String Quartet Competition and the first PRS Award to be given by the Scottish Society of Composers. A testament to this can be found in the large and increasing number of recordings the Edinburgh Quartet has made of works by composers with whom it has been closely associated. www.edinburghquartet.com
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Sat 1 May:
Streetlife DJs £6 entry Fri 14 May:
Mallorca Lee £5 entry Sat 5 June:
DJ Firas £6 entry
Date TBC
Punk Night Open from Thurs/Sat till 3 pm For all info
Vault Vault Aviemore The Vault • Grampian Road • Aviemore
Tel: 01479 810 508
More great events including: 6 May • 8pm
“THE BONZO DOG DOO DAH BAND CHANGED MY LIFE FOREVER” 15 May • 8pm
SHOWADDYWADDY 19 May • 8pm
“WHISKY KISSES” 21 May • 9pm
PHILOMENA BEGLEY 22 May • 8pm Charity Ball withTORRIDON See Listings • Ring 01997 420124 Visit www.StrathpefferPavilion.org
MUSIC > CLUBBING > ICA Awards !!!!!! SPOT THE DIFFERENTS V 2010 ICA AWARDS @ Ironworks, Fri 07 May
R
ock meets clubbing as ICA’s Awards ceremony is embellished by the presence of the SPOT THE DIFFERENTS night, upping sticks and decks for the night from its usual Hoots locale. There’ll
be plenty of guitar stuff, more details of which you can find on page22, but if it’s dance music you’re after, here’s what to expect. HOOKER BARBIE - Raised on a diet of Elvis and love, Hooker Barbie brings the fun and the funk for your aural pleasure. “A real life hooker who gets paid to play with twelve inches,” if you believe what you read, HB explains where the urge first came from. “I’ve wanted to get into writing my own music for as long as I’ve wanted to DJ (fact fans watching Tim Simenon on top of the pops made me want to do what I’m doing today) A few years ago I started to get into the producing side of things and am loving exploring recording the soundscapes I hear in my head using my previous musical training and the equipment at HBHQ. I’m enjoying getting in the studio with them, adding to their sound and throwing my toys outta the pram to get my influence in the melting pot. After 19 years of DJing it’s great to get into the producing side of things, but ah, there is so much to learn......and so many ways of tactfully saying I think that sounds sh*t. Check out my website hookerbarbie.com new mixes will be posted on there.” BUTTERSCOTCH - “A time served vinyl purist, frolicking naughtily in Serato. Expect filthy funk, proper hip hop, 80’s ched and electro house. Rest assured this man is on a permo”. ROSCO - Experienced DJ Ross Watson, also known as Rosco is a talented DJ from the east coast of Scotland. He has been a playing the decks for the best part of a decade and has almost 7 years experience of playing out to the public. He plays various styles of house, techno and electro with solid beats and loose rhythms being the only constants.
SOUNDCLASH - SoundClash DJs consist of Teknique, Kaos Theory and Science Phyction (better known to their friends as Ally Ridgers, Ryan Maclean and Garry Hallam). As well as playing all over the North of Scotland you can find Teknique playing big cities such as Glasgow and Aberdeen (at Club Origin where he is resident). Kaos Theory and Science Phyction are no strangers to the music scene in the north having played everywhere and wowing crowds with their turntablism skills. 2010 is the year they have decided to do their own thing which has worked out a treat as Kaos Theory has been ripping dancefloors apart with his funky breaks and dirty bassline sets and Science Phyction, having already toured Texas and done Radio One sessions on the late great John Peel’s show has, since advancing to the world of Serato, taken his DJing to another level.
NB: the upstairs “Room2” will be designed by the mighty SPACEBALL crew - who will, of course, make things perfect. See you there.
RIP IT UP @ Ironworks, Sat 08 May A new club night supplementing Ironworks’ already impressive array of dancing opportunities. Rip It Up gives us the return of JAPANESE POPSTARS aka the Northern Irish trio of Declan “Decky Hedrock” McLaughlin, Gary Curran and Gareth Donohue. With a hatful of awards for their electronic jiggerypokery and a couple of notable tunes called rather amusingly “Rodney Trotter” and Del Boy’s Revenge” (as well as their own brand of Nike trainers) they’ve obviously got plenty to bring to the party. But maybe not quite as much as the legendary Jon Carter, who joins them on the bill. Truth be told, Carter is pretty much the definition of “party”, responsible for more lost weekends than a barrel of meow-meow. His Big Beat electronica and admirable open-mindedness should make for a great night.
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, Fri 07 May
RS @ Ironworks
BALCONY PLAYE
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ORKESTRA DEL SOL @ Eden Court OneTouch, Wed 19 May Long time ICA favourites, ODS are back. And they can hardly contain their excitement. Let them describe just how giddy with anticipation they actually are. “It’s US – your GREAT FRIENDS that you see only once or twice a year but turn out to be like NINE BROTHERS and a SISTER to you, and we might actually be relatives you don’t yet know about who move into a house down the road and then you discover you QUITE LIKE us as individual people. We’ve been away in the Costa DEL SOL (of our imaginations) thinking up all sorts of wired and wonderful tunes for our NEW SHOW for two hundred and ten, and what’s more, we have been successful! We have dissembled rhythms, notes and excessellent harmonies to make CONTAGIOUS DANCE MUSIC - (excellent for whistling) - for you! But what’s more, Ladies and Gentlemen, Orkestra del Sol’s new show is a musical GAME! It’s Top Trumps! Yes, TOP TRUMPS…. with REAL PEOPLE (us) instead of cards! A musical game of play-offs, one-upmanship, unnecessarily complicated routines, dubious links and CHALLENGES where you, the audience, see us, ORKESTRA DEL SOL, pit our musical wits against each other to see who will be the show’s TOP TRUMP. Get it? … You will. Awe and spectacle…hilarity and insinuation…. buffooning and midwifery… all will be revealed!” Phew! We’re exhausted just trying to take all that in. And when we have, we’re sure to decide that this is pretty much exactly what we look for in a night out. The only thing better than seeing them is, presumably, being them. www.eden-court.co.uk
SHE’KOYOKH @ Hootananny, Sat 22 May Klezmer music originated in the ‘shtetl’ (villages) and the ghettos of Eastern Europe, where itinerant Jewish troubadours, known as ‘klezmorim’, performed at joyful events, particularly weddings. It was inspired by secular melodies, popular dances and Jewish liturgy, the simple and often wordless melodies, intended by orthodox Jews for approaching God in a kind of ecstatic communion. And it sounds great, as this award-winning ensemble who 20 perform Ashkenazi Jewish, Eastern European, Balkan and Turkish folk music prove.
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THE AN TOBAR SESSIONS >>>>>>>>> @ Universal Hall, Findhorn, Fri 14 May Two of Scotland’s most exciting and acclaimed composers, present a stunning concert centred on a brace of contemporary musical pieces, which were originally commissioned by the An Tobar Arts Centre (Tobermory) in celebration of their tenth anniversary. The concert will also feature a specially written, new work by Dave Milligan and Aidan O’Rourke (Lau) which unites both of their respected ensembles for the first time. It’s an intriguing combination, demonstrating the creative possibilities that bringing together such disparate talents can often inspire.
DEVA PREMAL & MITEN @ Universal Hall, Findhorn, Fri 07 May Spiritual devotion expressed through song and chant. Deva is a classically trained musician, while singer/songwriter Miten has opened for the likes of Fleetwood Mac, Lou Reed and Ry Cooder. Their CDs have sold over a million copies, suggesting that the power of mantra still thrills thousands of years after it first came into being.
VIPER CENTRAL @ Hootananny, Wed 05 May At the forefront of a rising wave of Canadian talent in the bluegrass and old-time music genres, this Vancouver outfit has managed to create an original niche in an otherwise traditional style and yet simultaneously appeal to audiences both young and old. Blending instrumental prowess with innovative arrangements and creative vocal harmonies, their first album, The Devil Sure Is Hard To Please sets out the stall in an appealingly rumbustuous manner.
HATFITZ & CARA ROBINSON @ Hootananny, Sun 16 May One of Australia’s festival favourites Hat Fitz is joined on stage by Northern Ireland’s critically acclaimed vocalist extraordinaire and multi instrumentalist Cara Robinson on drums, washboard, flute and tin whistle. Even during the early stages of her career, Cara Robinson was writing and recording with notable artists from a huge range of musical genres, including David Holmes, LTJ Bukem and Corinne Bailey Rae. As a backing singer for Rihanna, she toured Japan and the UK as well as supporting Jamiroquai and Beverly Knight. Quite a CV then and it’ll be good to see what kind of delights they come up with together.
ALAN WEST BAND @ Hootananny, Wed 19 May One of the UK’s most popular country/Americana singers, West has toured regularly with such luminaries as Townes Van Zandt, Guy Clark, Sonny Curtis and Hugh Moffat. His new album The Way Of The World shows that the genre still has much to offer. Good stuff.
DUNCAN CHISHOLM & IVAN DREVER @ Glen Urquhart Hall, Sun 23 May @ Universal Hall, Findhorn, Wed 26 May Chisholm and Drever’s partnership stretches back to Wolfstone (The MothershipTM), but these days it’s stronger and more dynamic than ever, the combination of fiddle, guitar and song enchanting audiences in both mainland Europe and USA as well as their native land. Obviously there’s a vast amount of traditional music around and just about every month we’re spoilt for choice as to what to recommend, but this is a duo that consistently entertains.
THE CHIHUAHUAS @ Hootananny, Fri 28 More irreverent bluegrass following on from Viper Central earlier in the month and, like them, possessed it appears by the spirit of Hayseed Dixie. This Glasgow bunch have “interpreted” Prince’s Purple Rain for their
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JUNE 4- 6TH 2010
BOGBAIN FARM, INVERNESS Andy M Stewart & Gerry O’Beirne Moishe’s Bagel The Bevvy Sisters Blue Flint Tim Eady Collective Dean Owens & Bruce Macgregor Anna Massie & Mairearad Green Alan Frew Vaguely Rajun The Chiuhuahas
For Tickets and Full Programme info visit: www.northern-roots-festival.com email info@bogbainfarm.com or call 01463 772800 fundinginverness
SHUTTER
MUSIC > ROCK > ICA AWARDS vs SPOT THE...
CHARLIE’S RANCH
BALCONY PLAYERS
IAIN MACLAUGHLIN & THE OUTSIDERS
SPOT THE DIFFERENTS Vs 2010 ICA AWARDS @ Ironworks, Fri 07 May It’s the People’s Gongs. And we’re sashaying right along the musical waterfront with assistance from the most excellent Spot The Differents honchos, bringing their ever-popular shindig over the road from Hoots for the night. From about 10.30 there’ll be club stuff, details of which you can read about on page 17, but before that there’ll be some splendid rock shenanigans. So what can you expect? Well, how about the following...?: ■ BALCONY PLAYERS from Rotterdam playing a cabaret/busking take on their magnificent combination of klezmer, Balkan, ska and gypsy swing tunes. They might be strangers to your hearts right now, but we guarantee they’ll leave as your best friends ever!… ■ TEENAGE LOBOTOMIES Our awards house band play
They got drunk, They learned to play, They joined different bands, They left different bands, They got drunk, They grew up, They got drunker, They became songwriting phenomena They formed Charlie’s Ranch.” That clear? They’re very good. ■ SHUTTER
“Matt, Pete, Will and James combine to provide the listener with a pulsating instrumental post-rock listening experience. Watching Shutter live offers a distinctive and varied combination of musical flavours and grooves. Guitarists Matt Campbell & Pete Macdonald’s fluid interplay is a result of years playing together, generating riffs and sonic textures that jump between the highly melodic and thrash-heavy. The solid bass and innovative drumming of brothers James and Will Roberts gives Shutter an almost dance-music like
punk in a Ramones/Rancid manner which, we’re sure
groove which has made them accessible to the many
you’ll agree, is a very good thing indeed.
people in the Scotland looking for something different
■ IAIN MACGLAUGHLIN & THE OUTSIDERS
from their music.”
Impressive guitar cascades from the brightest of local talents. You might have read about just how good we think they are in recent issues of ICA, now here’s your chance to witness a band on the verge of something very special. ■ CHARLIE’S RANCH
“They met while at school,
Far be it for us to start tooting trumpets, but we reckon that’s got the making of a top night’s entertainment. And that’s just the half of it. We’d be honoured if you’d join us.
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MUSIC > ROCK & RETRO > GECKO 3 @ Mad Hatters, Sat 08 May Drawing influences from jazz, hip-hop, Latin, reggae, funk, rock and afro-beat. Think G Love & Special Sauce meets Jurassic Park round The Police’s house. Niiice.
IAN MCLAUGHLIN & THE OUTSIDERS @ Mad Hatters, Thu 13 May Just about the best local act around right now making thrillingly shivery guitar music. Catch them at the ICA awards and then do it again here. Highly recommended.
LORDS OF BASTARD/ THE WHISKEY WORKS @ Mad Hatters, Fri 14 May Edinburgh’s LOB describe themselves as “heavy metal bull****...that sounds like intelligence, maturity, sarcasm, justice and horrible dinners.” That’ll do it then. TWW meanwhile, are always popular when they bring their melodic pop from Glasgow to Inverness.
ESPERANZA SKA @ Mad Hatters, Sat 15 May Scots nine-piece ska band who’ve played alongside Toots & The Maytals, The Beat and others. How will they all fit on the stage? It’ll be a knees-up, mark our words.
TRIANGLE THEORY/SWAMP RADIO @ Mad Hatters, Fri 21 May TT are metal rockers who sound a bit like Metallica crossed with The Doors. A bit. Local combo SWAMP RADIO are regulars at Mad Hatters, but always impressive.
28 JACKS @ Mad Hatters, Sat 22 May Local act with a devoted following who’ll be looking to further develop their Jyrojets influenced sound in the year ahead.
THE HIP PARADE @ Mad Hatters, Thu 27 May 24
While Glasgow’s Hip Parade make perfectly acceptable indie-pop, we’ll be getting along early for Thurso’s ace, noisy NO EXIT WOUND and the increasingly assured HE SLEPT ON 57. We suggest you do the same…
SHOWADDYWADDY (pictured) Strathpeffer Pavilion, Tue 04 May The Seventies was a strange place and, even back then, SHOWADDYWADDY a gaggle of its weirdest inhabitants, despite the doo wop and rock’n’roll from which they took their inspiration only having happened just over a decade earlier. Nevertheless they racked up a succession of likeable hits and appeared on Top Of The Pops just about every week. Remarkably they’re still going, so, if you’re of a certain age, expect to know absolutely every song they perform. Nostalgia in bright suits and brothel creepers. www.strathpefferpavilion.org
RETRO & TRIBUTES @ IRONWORKS While it often seems something of an easy option, the retro and tribute shows at Ironworks are proving very popular and there’s no denying it offers the opportunity to witness a disorientatingly odd range of stuff. This month is no exception, kicking off on Tue 04 May with the double whammy of MODERN ROMANCE and IMAGINATION. Fittingly they’re playing in the week of the election, because last time they entered our consciousness was in the giddy early eighties when everyone was dancing madly against the rigours of an oppressive conservative government. Perhaps its something they’re going to have to get used to all over again. These days Modern Romance look more like bikers than the hair-gelled fops responsible for “Everybody Salsa”, “Ay Ay Ay Ay Moosey” and such nonsense, but they’ll no doubt be dragging their creaking bones around the stage with as much gusto as ever. As indeed will the irrepressible Leeeeee John, front man with disco royalty Imagination, particularly since he appears to have found a new lease of life thanks to recent American success. Glamour-girl turned pop singer turned actress turned reality TV star SAM FOX is apparently massive, so to speak, in India and might well be troubling the charts here again thanks to a Greatest Hits package being released and a tell-all autobiography on the way. She’s appearing at Ironworks on Fri 14 May. We’d really like to care.
Now we do care about NICK DRAKE. An archetypal doomed young artist, he made some lovely, tender songs in the seventies before dying tragically young, although his influence continues to seep into creations today by everyone from Amy McDonald to Pete Doherty and our own Abigail Gray. Keith James and Rick Foot are presenting a tribute to the great man called simply THE SONGS OF NICK DRAKE on Sun 23 May. Don’t miss it. Of course, you don’t have to wait until a band has gone before starting up a tribute and with Kings Of Leon being one of the most popular (and presumably pricey) combos around the similarly named KINGS OV LEON who play on Sun 30 May provide a more economically feasible way of getting your fix of Sex On Fire et al. www.ironworksvenue.com
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MUSIC > CD REVIEWS > Dum Dum Girls, Nick Cave & more DUM DUM GIRLS- I Will Be (Sub Pop) As one of the most influential labels of all time, Sub Pop has always been able to spot raw excellence and that’s very much on show here. Lead by Dee Dee, the girl who shares both a name and a spirit with a Ramone, the all-female quartet are like very early Blondie and ramshackle Madder Rose listening to Shangri Las and Bow Wow Wow records round The Breeders’ house. If you like Glasvegas you’ll absolutely adore the way they tear through wall of sound stories about damaged romance and messy teen angst. Eleven songs clock in at under half an hour, making every other band in the world sound tentative. We’re starting a petition tomorrow to get them to come and live here. BONNIE ‘PRINCE’ BILLY & THE CAIRO GANG- The Wonder Show Of The World (Domino) Talking of tentative, long-time ICA favourite Mr Bonnie Billy is no stranger to stretching things out a bit. And that doesn’t always make for easy listening. But when he’s on form as he is here- joined by Emmett Kelly and Shahzad Ismaily- there’s a hypnotic beauty to his languorously elaborate folk structures. MANSUN- Attack Of The Grey Lantern Special Edition (EMI) Remember Mansun? It’s a shame that more people don’t. The missing link between Britpop and the more elaborate creations of early Verve and Ride, this bumper re-release adds demos, live tracks and more to remind you just how good they were. “Skin Up Pin Up”, Take It Easy Chicken” and “Wide Open Space” make Muse look like buskers. NICK CAVE AND THE BAD SEEDS- Tender Prey/Henry’s Dream (Mute) Another set of re-releases, this time featuring videos, films and all sorts of refashioned audio jiggerypokery. At its heart though is confirmation of Cave as a consummate storyteller, songs like “Up Jumped The Devil”, “The Mercy Seat” and “John Finn’s Wife” sounding as fresh as the midnight hour when they were presumably first recorded. DROPKICK MURPHYS- Live On Lansdowne, Boston MA (Cooking Vinyl) This one has an accompanying DVD as well. Mr Technology you are spoiling us. Raucous punk rock at the band’s hometown St Patrick’s Day show, with a guest appearance from the (mighty) Mighty Mighty Bosstones with no concerns about being profound or such frippery. Ace. THE FUTUREHEADS- The Chaos (Nul) There was a time when The Futureheads were supposed to be, er, the future. Sadly that time seems to have passed and they’ve even been accused of borrowing rather to heavily from Bruce Springsteen on this one. Sadly they don’t have The Boss’ way with emotional force, settling instead for ever diminishing echoes of discarded potential. HJALTALIN- Terminal (Cargo) Is there anyone in Iceland who doesn’t make records? Apparently not. Seven of them here get together to invest an Arcade Fire spirit with big swoops of soul and classicism. Which works rather well. Bet they’re seismic live. JACKIE LEVEN- Gothic Road (Cooking Vinyl) Gigs up here have proved the veteran Leven to still be one of Scotland’s most engaging performers. And a man with no intention of limping dodderingly towards any kind of National Treasure platitudes. Ralph McTell, punk poet Patrik Fitzgerald and the wonderful Tilda Swinton all guest on an album that references everything from Russian submarine disasters to the Jarrow March. Tremendous. THE LODGER- Flashbacks (This Is Fake DIY) Leeds quartet making intricately orchestral pop that never strives for glib immediacy, preferring instead to, well, lodge, at the edges of that special place in your heart. Very, very promising. LOCAL ACTS THE GALIPAYGOS-Look Out For The King (Galipaygos) New album from one of the city’s most enduringly appealing combos. No radical new direction here, but songs like “This Ship Will Sail Tonight”, Poor Man’s Mind” and the title track all demonstrate a deft facility for investing commerciality with a graceful integrity. CALL TO MIND- A9 EP (Belly Of The Mountain) Based in Glasgow, but we still consider them our own, particularly since they make such engagingly imaginative music. Pop through a kaleidoscope and, on a track like Running With Scissors, very impressive indeed. Come home.
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MUSIC > LISTINGS > more at whatsoninvernessdotcom Sat 01 May
DEAD GREATFUL @ Blackfriars, 9.30pm ROCK 4 LIFE @ Whiteness, By Ardersier, Status Quo, , Steve Harley, McFly, Donnie Munro, Vatersay Boys
Sarah MacDougall is a storyteller, entertainer and pop-troubadour with a haunting voice and songs to match. GARY INNES, EWAN ROBERTSON, MARTIN @ Hootananny, 9pm
Tue 04 May
GAY-NESS @ Cactus Jaks, 9pm Hosted by Ms Mona Bitmore 01463 235506
THE GALIPAYGOS @ The Market Bar, 9pm Bit of a rough day? Quickly irritated? Bad hair day? The Galipaygos will get you out of the deepest well. Five young guests from Inverness who surprise us with uncut, refreshing americana. 01463 233292 THE MAN FROM DELMONTE @ The Room, 9.30pm ANYONE FOR GRAVY @ Ceol Mor, 9pm Covers band with a great name. MAD FERRET @ Flannagans Bar, Elgin, 9pm, 9pm The Law headline. TURBULENCE! @ Chieftain Hotel, 9pm Mayday bash with a night of dubstep breakbeat, jungle and dnb, with Djs Dropz , Silent Assassin , Raboon, and guest Dj Steve Dell. open to 1am , £ 3 at the door KARLA BARNARDIE @ Dows Bar, 9pm CEILIDH BY THE CASTLE @ Brodie Castle, 2pm Fire in the Kitchen Ceilidh Band. Free Entry. ANKOR LIGHT AND FRIENDS @ Coffee Affair Church Street, 9pm DJ GORDIE PETERS @ The Vault, Aviemore, 9pm CATCHING AMY @ Hootananny Madhatters, 9pm
MODERN ROMANCE & IMAGINATION @ The Ironworks, 7.30pm Modern Romance had 8 major hits in the 80 s. Then they went away. Now they’ve come back. Such is life.£ 28 0871 789 4173 FERGUS & GREG @ The Market Bar, 9pm
Wed 05 May
DA VINCI PIANO TRIO @ Boat Of Garten Community Hall, The Osprey Music Society A programme of music, readings and anecdotes to include: Mendelssohn: Schubert: Ravel: Spanish Cello pieces: Kreisler: Arrangements for trio of Chopin and ElgarTicket Prices: £ 12 members: £ 14 non members: £ 5 students: £ 2 under 16 VIPER CENTRAL @ Hootananny, 9pm Vancouver-based uptempo bluegrass.
Thu 06 May
DJ STEVIE T @ The Vault, Aviemore, 10pm TWISTER @ Hootananny Madhatters, 9pm
ROBIN AND BILLS WITH BALCONY PLAYERS @ The Market Bar, 9pm SALSA TASTER SESSION @ Winking Owl, Aviemore, 4pm
DEVA PREMAL & MITEN @ Universal Hall, Findhorn, 8pm ROCK NIGHT @ Phoenix Bar, Inverness, 8pm THE DUPLETS WITH MAEVE MACKINNON @ Eden Court One Touch, 8pm Take yourselves to hear impassioned delivery of Scots, Gaelic and contemporary songs and tunes from some of this music’s finest exponents. 01463 234 234 EZRA @ The Room, 10pm THE EDINBURGH QUARTET IN CONCERT @ Glen Urquart Public Hall, 8pm Celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, the Edinburgh Quartet returns to the Hall after their first visit in November as part of the Nava Rasa Ensemble. CHASING RAIN @ The Market Bar, 9pm Four guys originally from the far reaches of the UK now make up Inverness frues-sters Chasing Rain. 01463 233292 YOUR SINGING LANDLORD @ Blackfriars, 9.30pm Landlord Del Entertains 01463 233881
Sat 08 May
11 MILE DRIVE @ The Market Bar, 7pm 6 piece Alternative Indie/ Rock. 01463 233292 PAUL MACIVER + GYPSEY TRAVELLING BAND @ Phoenix Bar, Inverness, 9.30pm
Fri 07 May
GECKO 3 @ Hootananny Madhatters, 9pm Jazzy hip hop and funk from Edinburgh 01463 233 651
DEAD GREATFUL @ Ceol Mor, 9pm SCOTT MACDONALD @ Hootananny, 9pm ICA AWARDS vs SPOT THE DIFFERENTS @ The Ironworks, 9pm Tickets £5 whatsoninverness.com
THE MAN FROM DELMONTE @ The Room, 4pm
MON 03 May
BILLY MORRISON @ The Market Bar, 9pm SARAH MACDOUGAL @ The Coffee Shop Strathpeffer, 8pm
LIVE BAND NIGHT @ The Vault, Aviemore, 10pm
DAVE SIDLEY @ Dows Bar, 9pm
ROCK KARAOKE @ Ceol Mor, 9pm
Sun 02 May
BILLY MORRISON WITH CHASING RAIN @ The Market Bar, 9pm
Glen Urquhart Public Hall, 8pm Celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, the Edinburgh Quartet returns to the Hall after their first visit in November as part of the Nava Rasa Ensemble.
THE EDINBURGH QUARTET @
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SCHIEHALLION @ Dows Bar, 9pm Fine traditional music DINGWALL CHORAL SOCIETY PERFORMS MOZART S FINAL COMPOSITION @ Strathpeffer Pavilion, 7.30pm His Requiem Mass in D minor; and Haydn s Nelson Mass .strathpefferpavilion. org 01997 420124 RIP IT UP WITH THE JAPANESE POPSTARS & DJ JON CARTER @ The Ironworks, 9pm
MUSIC > LISTINGS > more at whatsoninvernessdotcom RIP IT UP is an Inverness based club night launched for the new decade specialising in jam packed bills and mixing up genres and established names such as Jon Carter with the latest names such as The Japanese Popstars and working with hot local talent such as Polymath, We See Aliens and Butterscotch.£ 8 0871 789 4173 ANKOR LIGHT AND FRIENDS @ Coffee Affair Church Street, 9pm LORELEI LOVERIDGE @ The Old Brewery, Cromarty, 8.30pm Canadian Lorelei Loveridge is a songwriter, performer, writer, photographer and general jill-of-alltrades. She lived for 11 years in Saudi Arabia, experienced religious zealots, compound invasions, terrorist chase, earthquake, tsunami, war in Lebanon, crazy drivers, nutty expats and more, and survived to tell the tales in story and song. 01381 600277
A great night is guaranteed. Ladies, your presence is requested - to keep the men under control! Presented by Inverness Chamber Music Society.
Thu 13 May
DAVEY COWAN @ Hootananny, 7pm Always popular 01463 233 651 ROCK KARAOKE @ Ceol Mor, 9pm MARTIN STEPHENSON @ Hootananny, 9pm Ex Daintee now based up here. Always worth seeing. 01463 233 651
THE BALLACHULISH HELLHOUNDS @ Hootananny, 9pm YOUR SINGING LANDLORD @ Blackfriars, 9.30pm
Sat 15 May
28 JACKS @ The Market Bar, 7pm Heirs to Jyrojets’ crown. 2010 could be their year. 01463 233292 ALTERNATIVE X (OVER 18S) @ The Ironworks, 10pm THE REVVS @ Ceol Mor, 9pm
IAIN MCLAUGHLIN & THE OUTSIDERS + DAVE? @ Hootananny Madhatters, 9pm One of the most impressive local talents. we’re expecting big things in the year ahead. 01463 233 651
TURBULENCE! @ Phoenix Bar, Inverness, 9pm Dubstep breakbeat jungle and dnb from Highland Junglists with visuals courtesey of Dj Rossco. £ 3 on the door. Open to 1am
DAVY COWEN @ The Market Bar, 9pm
MYSTIC SHOES @ The Room, 9.30pm
DJ GORDIE PETERS @ The Vault, Aviemore, 9pm
DJ STEVIE T @ The Vault, Aviemore, 10pm
SCALLAIDHE @ Blackfriars, 9pm
TWISTED BLUES @ Blackfriars, 9.30pm
“SONGS FOR THE STAGE” @ Strathpeffer Pavilion, 8pm This Ross-shire based mixed vocal group will perform solos, ensembles and choruses from musicals such as Cabaret, Company, Drood, Oliver, Phantom and Kurt Weill s opera Street Scene. 01997 420124
GARY INNES @ Hootananny, 9pm
Sun 09 May
BALCONY PLAYERS @ Hootananny, 9pm Inventive gypsy jazz meets kletzmer meets ska meets swing meets lots and lots more. From Rotterdam. Recommended. 01463 233 651 BILLY MORRISON @ The Market Bar, 9pm
Mon 10 May
BETH WIMMER @ The Coffee Shop, Strathpeffer, 7.30pm BILLY MORRISON @ The Market Bar, 9pm
Tue 11 May
BILLY MORRISON @ The Market Bar, 9pm
Wed 12 May
Fri 14 May
SUCKER PUNCH @ The Market Bar, 7pm NAKED STRANGERS / SARAH BILLS AND THE HASBEENS @ Ceol Mor, 9pm Watch out for Sara Bills ace version of Guns Of Brixton. Naked Strangers from Ullapool are ace too. LIVE BAND NIGHT @ The Vault, Aviemore, 10pm LORDS OF BASTARD @ Hootananny Madhatters, 9pm Heavy metal from Edinburgh. 01463 233 651 ROCK NIGHT @ Phoenix Bar, Inverness, 8pm
THOMAS TRUAX @ The Market Bar, 9pm Having recently recorded a covers album made up of songs featured in David Lynch’s films and played at the Edinburgh Fringe, this is definately a gig not to miss, especially for Lynchian Fans. myspace.com/thomastruax
THE WHISKEY WORKS @ Hootananny Madhatters, 11pm Indie/powerpop/emo 01463 233 651
THE DIAMOND DIVAS - FROM MOZART TO MARILYN MONROE @ Inverness Town House, One for the gentlemen. The end of season party is a cabaret-style evening of song and entertainment from three glamorous and fun-loving young ladies from London, known collectively as The Diamond Divas.
SAM FOX @ The Ironworks, 7.30pm After the recent success of her Greatest Hits collection, Samantha Fox hits the road with her live band. 0871 789 4173
THE AN TOBAR SESSIONS: AIDAN O ROURKE S AN TOBAR BAND AND THE DAVE MILLIGAN TRIO @ Universal Hall, Findhorn,
BONNIE MACALLUM @ Dows Bar, 9pm REGINA DEN @ The Room, 10pm
SHOWADDYWADDY! @ Strathpeffer Pavilion, 8pm ANDY MURRAY @ Dows Bar, 9pm ANKOR LIGHT AND FRIENDS @ Coffee Affair Church Street, 9pm DJ GORDIE PETERS @ The Vault, Aviemore, 9pm ESPERANZA SKA @ Hootananny Madhatters, 9pm Excellent nine piece ska act. 01463 233 651 SCONE FAERIES @ Hootananny, 9pm
Sun 16 May
BILLY MORRISON @ The Market Bar, 9pm HATFITZ & CARA ROBINSON @ Hootananny, 9pm Australia meets Ireland for a rare collaboration. 01463 233 651
Mon 17 May
BILLY MORRISON @ The Market Bar, 9pm
Tue 18 May
PETER GRIGGS @ Inverness Town House, 1.10pm American guitarist Peter Griggs is bringing a Latin programme for his return to Inverness Town House. Cost:£ 4 / £ 3 / £ 1 children BILLY MORRISON @ The Market Bar, 9pm
Wed 19 May
ORKESTRA DEL SOL @ Eden Court One Touch, 8pm Orkestra del Sol - Top Trumps tourBursting with anarchic humour, wildly skilful musical arrangements
MUSIC > LISTINGS > more at whatsoninvernessdotcom and a roguish sense of theatre, Orkestra del Sol delight in taking the brass band format to a whole new level. 01463 234 234
KEVIN FRASER @ Dows Bar, 9pm
No Exit Wound and our own He Slept on 57 01463 233 651
ESTHER O’CONNOR @ The Market Bar, 9pm
BEAULY PIPE BAND @ Beauly Square, 7.30am
STRATHPEFFER AND DISTRICT PIPE BAND @ Strathpeffer Square, 8.30pm
DJ STEVIE T @ The Vault, Aviemore, 10pm
ANKOR LIGHT AND FRIENDS @ Coffee Affair Church Street, 9pm ALAN WEST BAND @ Hootananny, 9pm British country at its best.
Thu 20 May
ROCK KARAOKE @ Ceol Mor, 9pm ROBIN & BILLS @ The Market Bar, 9pm DJ STEVIE T @ The Vault, Aviemore, 10pm
Fri 21 May
THE GALIPAYGOS @ Ceol Mor, 9pm THE FUMES @ The Room, 10pm LIVE BAND NIGHT @ The Vault, Aviemore, 10pm JAMES MACKENZIE AND THE AQUASCENE @ The Market Bar, 9pm
DJ GORDIE PETERS @ The Vault, Aviemore, 9pm 3 CARD TRICK @ The Room, 9.30pm
DAVY COWAN & RACHAEL PARKER @ Hootananny, 9pm
Fri 28 May
THE MYSTIC SHOES @ Ceol Mor, 9pm LIVE BAND NIGHT @ The Vault, Aviemore, 10pm
SHE’KOYOKH @ Hootananny, 9pm Stunning klezmer sounds.
Sun 23 May
NO1 SUN @ The Room, 10pm NAKED RED @ The Market Bar, 9pm
TEA & TUNES WITH DUNCAN CHISOLM & IVAN DREVER @ Glen Urquhart Public Hall, 4pm Duncan Chisholm and Ivan Drever, with their dynamic performance of fiddle, guitar and song are now established as one of Scotland’s top duos, playing venues and festivals across the UK, Europe and the USA. HIGHLAND CHAMBER ORCHESTRA @ Strathpeffer Pavilion, 3pm THE SONGS OF NICK DRAKE @ The Ironworks, 7.30pm
ROCK NIGHT @ Phoenix Bar, Inverness, 8pm SCHIEHALLION @ Dows Bar, 9pm Fine traditional music CAM PENNER @ Cromarty Old Brewery, 8.30pm Cam Penner hails from a Mennonite community in Southern Manitoba, where his parents, the town rebels, ran an illegal roadhouse and his grandfather, a bootlegger, delivered his goods to the rural community bringing much needed remedy.
SINGING WORKSHOP WITH CORRINA HEWAT @ The Stables, Cromarty, 11am Singing Day at The Stables in Cromarty. This day long workshop will be led by one of Scotland s foremost performers and local girl Corrina Hewat. Corrina is well known on the Scottish music scene as a harp player and singer with her trio (Annie Grace and Karine Polwart).
Sat 29 May
Mon 24 May
NO1 SUN @ The Room, 9.30pm
BILLY MORRISON @ The Market Bar, 9pm
MYSTIC SHOES @ Hootananny Madhatters, 9pm
BEDHEAD @ Dows Bar, 9pm
LOU BROWN @ The Coffee Shop Strathpeffer, 7.30pm
YOUR SINGING LANDLORD @ Blackfriars, 9.30pm
Tue 25 May
STRATHPEFFER AND DISTRICT PIPE BAND @ Strathpeffer Square, 8.30pm
TRIANGLE THEORY @ Hootananny Madhatters, 9pm ROCK NIGHT @ Phoenix Bar, Inverness, 8pm PHILOMENA BEGLEY & BROKEN WING BAND @ Strathpeffer Pavilion, 9pm
BRIAN O HEADHRA @ Hootananny, 9pm Traditional sounds 01463 233 651
Sat 22 May
BIG BOB’S BLUES BAND @ Blackfriars, 9.30pm WE ARE MARS & SUPPORT @ Ceol Mor, 9pm ALTERNATIVE X (UNDER 18S) @ The Ironworks, 6pm 28 JACKS / THE NEW DECADES @ Hootananny Madhatters, 9pm CHLOË GOODCHILD @ Universal Hall, Findhorn, 8pm
GRAEME PLATT @ Bakoo, 10.30pm DAVE SIDLEY @ Blackfriars, 9.30pm TINA TURNER TRIBUTE @ Mosset Tavern, Forres, TWISTED ANGEL ROCK NIGHT @ Phoenix Bar, Inverness, 9pm
LOCKSTOCK @ Dows Bar, 9pm
BILLY MORRISON @ The Market Bar, 9pm
ANKOR LIGHT AND FRIENDS @ Coffee Affair Church Street, 9pm
Wed 26 May
DJ GORDIE PETERS @ The Vault, Aviemore, 9pm
ROBIN & BILLS @ The Market Bar, 9pm DUNCAN CHISHOLM AND IVAN DREVER @ Universal Hall, Findhorn, 7.30pm
Thu 27 May
Sun 30 May
KARAOKE @ Dows Bar, 6.30pm KINGS OV LEON (TRIBUTE) @ The Ironworks, 7.30pm
BLUE BELLY @ The Market Bar, 7pm
MYSTIC SHOES @ Hootananny, 9pm
ROCK KARAOKE @ Ceol Mor, 9pm
Mon 31 May
THE HIP PARADE @ Hootananny Madhatters, 9pm Support from Thurso’s excellent
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BILLY MORRISON @ The Market Bar, 9pm
SPECIALS/TALK > Books & Beyond
SPECIALS
ULLAPOOL BOOK FESTIVAL @ Ullapool, Fri 07- Sun 09 May
N
ow in its sixth year, the Ullapool Book Festival is one of the literary highlights of the year, set apart from other fests by its emphasis on celebrating Highland culture and Gaelic writing. And again this year, that aspect is well represented with several poets and authors reading
from their work, Andrew Greig and Iain Finlay Macleod being the most notable. For many though, the highlight will be the appearance of Iain Banks, Scotland’s most celebrated contemporary writer. While best known for his mainstream fiction, he also pens well-regarded and inventive science fiction and it’s an exclusive preview of his latest SF stuff that he’ll be unveiling at the festival when he appears on Fri 07 May at 7.30pm. You’ll even get the opportunity to ask him a question or two. For full details of a packed programme, go the Festival website at www.ullapoolbookfestival.co.uk
BEYOND 2012: A NEW CIVILIZATION @ Highland Conference Centre, Nairn, Mon 17-Wed 19 May
A
conference bringing together academics, scientists, activists, environmentalists and mystics to discuss the future of the planet. Which means, you get the likes of Nassim Haramein and Lawrence Joseph alongside Wind Eagle and Rainbow Hawk. Hosted by the Shen Foundation
it should at least be a little bit different from your usual earth summit.
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SPECIALS
SPECIALS/TALK > VARIOUS > Cars, Bikes, Feet
CLASSIC VEHICLE SHOW @ Inverness City Centre, Sat 22 May One of the finest sights in town last year was the line of vintage cars parked on Church Street as part of the first Classic Vehicle Show, immaculately restored to give the impression of just having left the garage and instilling in most folk (even non-drivers) a yearning for a Golden Age for which nothing less than the term “motoring” will do. In a time when every car apparently has to be silver or black and sacrifice any individuality for anonymous efficiency, it was lovely to be able to see such magnificent cars close up. The Rally is back again this year, with a parade through town and the chance once more to chat with owners about the cars. It’s like Top Gear never happened. Which has to be a good thing.
MARK BEAUMONT @ Eden Court, Sun 02 May Mark Beaumont will probably first have come to the attention of Scottish viewers with his BBC Scotland documentary about cycling across the USA, an often funny, occasionally frightening and generally inspiring account which never got the nationwide media/public attention it deserved. More recently you might have caught him undertaking an even more arduous ride, this time from Alaska to the southern tip of South America, cycling over a hundred miles a day for six months. It’s an awesome accomplishment, but once again the programme was relegated to a stupid late-night slot, so an entertaining and awe inspiring feat again remains underappreciated. The least you can do then is go along and cheer Beaumont to the rafters when he comes to Eden Court as part of a nationwide tour recounting some of his adventures. And he’s had plenty of them. A remarkable athlete and good, old-fashioned adventurer.
MAGGIE’S MONSTER BIKE & HIKE @ Great Glen Way, Sat 01 May There might even be a few budding Mark Beaumonts taking part in this 24 hour team relay race along the Great Glen Way. Enter a team to walk, run or cycle this magnificent route or just get along to cheer the participants. There are checkpoints at Fort Augustus, Invermoriston, Drumnadrochit and Arbriachan. And of course, it’s in a wonderful cause, raising funds for Maggie’s Cancer Caring Centres.
MOONLIGHT MEANDER @ Portree, Sat 15 & @ Culbin Forest, Sat 29 May Popular 10 mile walk for ladies - to raise funds for Highland Hospice. Great fun, good cause! 01463 227913 or email events@highlandhospice.org.uk
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RICHARD DAWKINS on why we Professor Richard Dawkins, evolutionary biologist and bestselling author of books including The Greatest Show on Earth and The God Delusion, is to be the opening speaker at the MONSTER SCIENCE FESTIVAL 2010 being organised by Inverness College UHI. In this exclusive interview, he tells ICA why he finds science so inspiring.
Richard, you have spoken at prestigious venues all over the world – what made you want to be part of the Inverness Monster Science Festival? RD: I enjoy speaking at festivals. I find that many people are very interested in science: even at literary festivals scientific writers often get very large and enthusiastic audiences. And it’s not just science geeks either: often it’s people who simply have a general interest in culture and learning. So festivals are a great way to bring science to a wider audience. As for why I wanted to speak in Inverness in particular, well, I am told the Highlands are often rather neglected because they seem too remote, and that seems unfair to me. Science does seem a bit of a monster to many people, doesn’t it? Why do you think that is? Why does it have such a bad image? RD: I think it’s partly because science is so powerful, and technology – which is really just science in action – can be rather frightening. Science is about the nature of reality, so if you want to do anything effective it has to be based on science: that’s true whether your purpose is good or bad. If you want to achieve something bad, H-bombs, for instance, are a very effective way of doing that. But equally, science is very effective at achieving good things: it’s at the heart of the green revolution in agriculture, for instance, and it also underlies our ability to cure and prevent diseases, create effective anaesthetics, perform safe surgery, and so on. I think another reason may be that many people feel a bit left out of science because they don’t understand it. It always strikes me as odd that it is socially acceptable to admit to ignorance of science in a way that, say, admitting ignorance of Shakespeare is not. Some science certainly is very hard to understand, but much of it is perfectly accessible with a bit of effort and I think people are missing out on a lot of wonder and pleasure if they just assume it’s going to be too hard. Do you think part of the problem is that scientists seem to keep changing their minds about things? RD: Science certainly does change its mind, but that’s one of its glories: it is constantly checking and testing its own theories, and updating them as new information and results come in. That 34 means that an earnest endeavour to arrive at
the truth is at the very heart of science. Science does not simply gather facts: it sets up a hypothesis – a proposed explanation of some phenomenon – and then sets about trying to falsify it. To disprove it, in other words. And the longer the hypothesis can survive this process without being falsified, the closer to the truth it is likely to be. Orthodox scientific philosophy says that nothing can ever be declared to be categorically true, it can only be said to be unfalsified. Personally I think that’s going rather too far. After all, by this very strict standard we would not be able to state categorically that the Earth is round or that it orbits the sun. To my mind, that would be philosophy gone mad! There are some cases where the hypothesis has been so rigorously tested and there is so much evidence, all of it overwhelmingly consistent, that it is reasonable to say something is a fact and not just a theory. Evolution, by the way, is one of those cases. So evolution is not just a theory? RD: In the scientific sense of the word, evolution by natural selection is a theory, yes. But you have to remember that the scientific definition of ‘theory’ is different from the everyday one. In everyday language ‘theory’ just means a hypothesis, a guess almost. But in science it means a hypothesis that has been upheld by observation or experiment and is accepted as an explanation for known facts. What do you think of the way the media cover science stories? RD: The media very often do science a grave disservice, and I think this is another reason why many people think science is constantly changing its mind, even when it isn’t. Scientific findings are often subtle and nuanced, but the way they are reported is often highly simplistic and sensationalised, especially when it comes to healthrelated stories. So one week we read stories such as ‘Scientists say alcohol is bad for health’ and then a few weeks later we read, ‘Scientists say alcohol is good for health’, and it seems they can’t make up their minds. But the reality is that almost anything that does you good is harmful if you have too much of it. If a middling amount does you good, and you do an experiment comparing various small amounts, you might conclude that the stuff is good for you. But then somebody else comes along and does an experiment comparing various large amounts, so they conclude that the stuff is bad for you. Both are right. There is no contradiction. And it is perfectly possible for a substance to have a beneficial effect on, say, the heart, whilst increasing the risk of a particular form of cancer. Good scientists will be meticulous about expressing their findings, but too often the press reports them in an unsophisticated, over-simplistic way. And that’s dangerous, because it can cause unnecessary anxiety or, perhaps even worse, complacency. Some things are too important to be reduced to a soundbite. What do you think are the most important or exciting scientific discoveries so far? RD: There are two ways of answering this. Personally I am very drawn to science as an enlightening force,
shouldn’t be scared of science... something that extends our understanding and appreciation of the universe we live in. So I would have to say Darwin’s theory of evolution by natural selection, of course; Newton’s realisation that the Earth is not the centre of the universe, his theory of gravity, and his recognition that the Earth and sun are subject to laws that apply throughout the universe. Then there are the insights provided by Einstein and, later, quantum physics. These all extended our vision, indeed our imagination, dramatically. But it’s also possible to focus on the practical benefits of science, in which case I’d have to say the germ theory of disease, which was the major breakthrough in our ability to prevent and cure illness; and also the laws of thermodynamics, which were what lay behind all the technological developments of the Industrial Revolution and helped create the society we know today. But for me the true joy of science lies in its ability to expand our understanding and appreciation of the world around us. So you don’t agree with the claim that science strips life of all its mystery and awe and beauty, then? RD: No, definitely not. In fact, one of my books, Unweaving the Rainbow, is all about this. It was Keats who said that Newton, by explaining how rainbows are formed, had destroyed the magic and romance of them. But of course explaining things does not strip away the wonder of them: it enhances it. For instance, it is thanks to our understanding of rainbows that we came to understand that all known waves – radio waves, x-rays, microwaves, cosmic waves – are part of the same huge spectrum, and that the light we can see is just a very tiny portion of that spectrum. Science can not only demonstrate the existence of parts of the spectrum outside the tiny band that human eyes can see, but astronomers can use the spectrum to analyse the nature of stars and what chemical elements they are made of. It is also the spectrum that allows us to deduce that the universe is expanding and therefore started as a Big Bang. It even allows us to pinpoint when the Big Bang happened. So what started as an explanation of the rainbow turned into an explanation of the entire universe. How can that strip life of its wonder and beauty? On the contrary: we are hugely enriched by it. What do you think will be the next big breakthrough in science? RD: There’s one huge breakthrough already in sight, thanks to the revolution in molecular biology that has taken place since Watson & Crick decoded the human genome: in future, doctors will be able to take less of a ‘one size fits all’ approach, and will instead be able to prescribe precisely the right treatment for you, based on the exact genes you possess. Some of the even bigger breakthroughs – such as understanding human consciousness or how the laws of physics came into being – are much further off, but I am quietly confident that science will one day be able to explain them too. After all, science can already explain so many things that were once thought to be forever beyond our reach. Along with just about every other scientist, I am watching developments with the Large Hadron Collider at CERN with enormous interest: it is a stunning monument to human curiosity, ingenuity and international cooperation, and has the potential to
transform our understanding of the universe. People sometimes say that science is just another form of faith: the faith that everything has a natural explanation. Don’t they have a point? RD: Science works, so if it is a form of faith, then it is justified faith. Cars move, planes fly, computers compute, life support machines keep patients alive, all because science works. Think of spacecraft going off to other planets and beyond. Their routes, slingshotting around moons and planets, are based on a complex sequence of extraordinarily detailed and precise calculations, which are all based in, and dependent on, our scientific understanding of the universe. If science didn’t work, if our understanding of gravity and orbits or the size and laws of the universe were seriously flawed, then spacecraft wouldn’t stand a chance of getting to the right place. But they do get there. Science works. The evidence is there, and you don’t need faith to be able to see it. As for the idea of the supernatural, that’s really a counsel of despair. If something is supernatural, it just means we can’t understand it. It’s fine not to understand things yet: but if something were supernatural it would mean it would be forever beyond our grasp. History is full of things that were once assumed to be forever beyond our grasp, but for which science has since provided explanations. Supernaturalism is not just giving up, it is complacently revelling in giving up. It was the science fiction writer Arthur C Clark who said that any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic. If a medieval peasant could see the technology we take for granted now – televisions, iPods, the internet, even cars – it would all seem like magic to him, and to demand a supernatural explanation. The lesson of history is that even those things that may appear now to require a supernatural explanation, really don’t. You obviously think we’re missing out on a lot if we don’t understand at least a bit about science. What advice would you give to someone who would just like to learn the basics? RD: Well, in the same way as you don’t need to play an instrument in order to appreciate music, you don’t have to don a lab coat and play with Bunsen burners to appreciate science. There have been a number of excellent TV documentaries, there are books. There is the Monster Science Festival! Perhaps the most important thing is to let go of the fear and just approach science with an open mind. Don’t be put off if you don’t understand absolutely everything – just try to get the gist. Read it as poetry, almost. There are a number of excellent scientific authors who write wonderfully poetically. Peter Atkins and Carl Sagan, for instance. And Richard Dawkins? RD: Well, perhaps you should ask someone else about that! Richard Dawkins’s talk at the Monster Science Festival 2010 is on Tue 1st June. The Festival runs throughout June, with events for schools and the general public. Full details at
www.monsterfest.co.uk
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SPECIALS & TALK > LISTINGS > more at whatsoninvernessdotcom Sat 01 May
THE KIRTLE AND THE TARTAN PLAID @ Highland Museum Of Childhood, Strathpeffer, 11am BUSHCRAFT DAY @ Abriachan, 2pm Try your hand at making a shelter, building a fire or foraging with experts on hand to guide you. Please book on 01463 710786 Cost:£3/ £ 2 STRATHPEFFER VILLAGE MARKET @ Strathpeffer Community Centre, 9.30am WHISKY TASTING @ Brodie Castle, Forres, 2.30pm Tickets from www.nts.org.uk/ events or 0844 493 2156 BOOK SIGNING BY GAVIN D SMITH @ Brodie Castle, 1pm Renowned author of many books on whisky.
Sun 02 May
DKMA CAR BOOT SALE @ Old Tesco Site, Forres, 8am Helping to raise funds for DKMA’s Trip to Compete at the Championships in Florida 2011. £ 6 a car, £ 10 a van. 07707490773 for info.
Mon 03 May
CHARITY QUIZ NIGHT (REDCROSS) @ Phoenix Bar, Inverness, 8pm HERE BE DRAGONS @ Reelig Glen Car Park , Booking essential 01463 791575
Tue 04 May
QUIZ NIGHT @ The Cairngorm, Aviemore, 9pm POKER NIGHT @ Phoenix Bar, Inverness, 9pm
Wed 05 May
House Museum, Rosemarkie, Renowned experts Val and John Lord demonstrate how tools of flint, bone and antler were made in prehistoric times - see www.groamhouse.org. uk for details 01381620961
Fri 07 May
ULLAPOOL BOOK FESTIVAL @ Ullapool Village Hall, Ullapool Book Festival invites writers and poets to celebrate literature in all its forms.
Sat 08 May
ULLAPOOL BOOK FESTIVAL @ Ullapool Village Hall,
Sun 09 May
BEYOND 2012: A NEW CIVILIZATION @ Highland Conference Center, Nairn,
Wed 19 May
QUIZ NIGHT @ The Picture House, 9.30pm
Sat 22 May
QUIZ NIGHT @ Phoenix Bar, Inverness, 8pm
CHARITY BRIDAL BALL @ Strathpeffer Pavilion, 8pm With popular band Torridon, in aid of Health and Happiness
Tue 11 May
Sun 23 May
Mon 10 May
POKER NIGHT @ Phoenix Bar, Inverness, 9pm QUIZ NIGHT @ The Cairngorm, Aviemore, 9pm
Wed 12 May
CHARITY TREASURE HUNT @ Phoenix Bar, Inverness, 2pm In aid of Cancer Research DKMA CAR BOOT SALE @ Old Tesco Site, Forres, 8am
QUIZ NIGHT @ The Picture House, 9.30pm
Mon 24 May
MAKING FASCINATORS WITH HOBBY HAVEN @ Culloden Academy Community Room, 7.30pm
Tue 25 May
Fri 14 May
SALSA NORTH - STRESS FREE SALSA @ Victoria Hall, Cromarty,
Sat 15 May
STRATHPEFFER VILLAGE MARKET @ Strathpeffer Community Centre, 9.30am
Thu 06 May
SALSA NORTH - STRESS FREE SALSA @ Victoria Hall, Cromarty,
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QUIZ NIGHT @ The Cairngorm, Aviemore, 9pm
ULLAPOOL BOOK FESTIVAL @ Ullapool Village Hall,
LEARN TO FIRST AID - SAVE A LIFE @ Strathpeffer Community Centre, 01997 421989
ANCIENT TECHNOLOGY DEMONSTRATION @ Groam
POKER NIGHT @ Phoenix Bar, Inverness, 9pm
BEYOND 2012: A NEW CIVILIZATION @ Highland Conference Center, Nairn,
MOTHS V BATS @ Snh, Leachkin Rd, Inverness, 8pm Explore the marvels of moths
ENERGY SAVING TRUST TECHNOLOGY SHOWCASE @ Eden Court Maclean Room, 12pm The local Energy Saving Scotland advice centre are organising this free public event to help householders find out how to generate their own heat and electricity. 0800 512 012
Tue 18 May
DKMA CAR BOOT SALE @ Old Tesco Site, Forres, 8am
QUIZ NIGHT @ The Picture House, 9.30pm
DAWN CHORUS @ Meet At Glenmore Visitor Centre Car Park, 6am
Conference Center, Nairn, The future of the planet examined.
Sun 16 May
DAWN CHORUS MORNING WALK @ Meet At Dog Falls Car Park, Glen Affric, 6am DKMA CAR BOOT SALE @ Old Tesco Site, Forres, 8am
Mon 17 May
QUIZ NIGHT @ Phoenix Bar, Inverness, 8pm BEYOND 2012: A NEW CIVILIZATION @ Highland
QUIZ NIGHT @ Phoenix Bar, Inverness, 8pm QUIZ NIGHT @ The Cairngorm, Aviemore, 9pm POKER NIGHT @ Phoenix Bar, Inverness, 9pm
Wed 26 May
QUIZ NIGHT @ The Picture House, 9.30pm
Sat 29 May
NORTH KESSOCK COMMUNITY MARKET @ North Kessock Village Hall,
Sun 30 May
CROC NA BOULL GARDEN @ Muir Of Ord, 3 acre garden currently being established within an existing natural setting of mature trees. gardensofscotland.org DKMA CAR BOOT SALE @ Old Tesco Site, Forres, 8am
Mon 31 May
QUIZ NIGHT @ Phoenix Bar, Inverness, 8pm
SPORT > Fooball, Golf & The Hard Slog…
SPORT
SCOTTISH CUP FINAL: ROSS COUNTY V DUNDEE UTD @ Hampden, Sat 15 May You see, we told you it was going to happen. The greatest thing about Ross County’s stirring triumph over Celtic wasn’t even the victory itself, but the style of play with which they achieved it. Manager Derek Adams has got County playing just about the most attractive football in Scotland, more akin to the deft elegance of Arsene Wenger’s teams than the hoof-and-hope style favoured by the majority of Scottish sides. They didn’t just beat Celtic, they played them off the park and they’ll be hopeful of surpassing even that achievement against a Dundee United team who themselves are exceeding expectations. Dingwall will be a ghost town once again and we get the feeling we’re in for a corker of a season closer. Victory for County along with promotion for ICT could make this the start of a Highland footballing renaissance.
INVERNESS 54 HOLE OPEN @ Inverness Golf Clubs, Fri 28-Sun 30 May Inverness, Loch Ness and Torvean Golf Clubs are jointly hosting and promoting the inaugural City of Inverness 54 Hole Open which will be played 28 to 30 May. The format of the event will comprise one strokeplay round on each course with the overall champion being the player with the lowest aggregate score for the three rounds. Other prizes will be awarded for the best handicap aggregate as well as for the individual scores on each of the three courses. The event starts at Inverness GC on Friday 28, moves to Loch Ness Golf Course on Saturday 29 and culminates at Torvean on Sunday 30, where the champion will be crowned and the prize giving will take place.
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SPORT > LISTINGS > more at whatsoninvernessdotcom Sat 01 May
RAITH V ROSS COUNTY @ Stark’s Park, 3pm INVERNESS CT V DUNDEE @ Caley Stadium, 3pm MAGGIES MONSTER BIKE AND HIKE @ Great Glen Way 24hr team relay race along the Great Glen Way. Charity Fundraiser for Maggie’s Cancer Caring Centres. Enter a team to walk , run or cycle this magnificent route, or just cheer them along!Checkpoints at or near Fort Augustus, Invermoriston, Drumnadrochit and Abriachan. ROSEMARKIE COASTAL CAVES @ Groam House Museum, Rosemarkie, 2.30pm Great way to explore the caves with a guided walk. Meeting at the museum. Free Event 01381620961
Sun 02 May
MAGGIES MONSTER BIKE AND HIKE @ Great Glen Way, ROSEMARKIE COASTAL CAVES @ Groam House Museum, Rosemarkie, 2.30pm
Mon 03 May
ROSEMARKIE COASTAL CAVES @ Groam House Museum, Rosemarkie, 2.30pm
Tue 04 May
ZUMBA @ Dunbar Blackbelt Academy, 10am
Wed 05 May
HIGHLAND ATHLETICS SCHOOLS TRACK AND FIELD TRIALS @ Queens Park, Inverness, 6pm
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Highlandathletics.co.uk
Sat 08 May
NAVIGATION FOR NUMPTIES ORIENTEERING @ Fort Augustus, 1pm greatglenway.com HIGHLAND AND ISLANDS REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS @ Queens Park, Inverness, 9am Highlandathletics.co.uk
Tue 11 May
ZUMBA @ Dunbar Blackbelt Academy, 10am
Wed 12 May
HIGHLAND DISABILITY SPORT JUNIOR ATHLETICS CHAMPIONSHIPS @ Queens Park, Inverness, 10am All disabilities
Sat 15 May
NAVIGATION FOR NUMPTIES @ Tbc The culmination of the Navigation for Numpties workshops: A high level hill walk designed to try out your new navigation skills.9.00am - 5.30pm location to be arangedGrade D greatglenway.com
Tue 18 May
ZUMBA @ Dunbar Blackbelt Academy, 10am
Sun 23 May
PETROFAC ATHLETICS LEAGUE @ Queens Park, Inverness,
Tue 25 May
ZUMBA @ Dunbar Blackbelt Academy, 10am
Fri 28 May
CITY OF INVERNESS 54 HOLE OPEN @ Inverness Golf Clubs 54 hole golf tournament. Spread over three courses - Inverness GC on the 28th, Loch Ness GC on the 29th OUTTA AFFRIC - THE 7TH GLEN AFFRIC WALKING FESTIVAL. @ Glen Affric Set amidst arguably the most beautiful Glen in Scotland. naturalhighguiding.co.uk
Sat 29 May
CITY OF INVERNESS 54 HOLE OPEN @ Inverness Golf Clubs 54 hole golf tournament. Spread over three courses - Inverness GC on the 28th, Loch Ness GC on the 29th BREAST WAY ROUND 2010 @ Fort William To Inverness Approximately 100 pink clad female bikers, (and a few men wearing decorated bras on the outside of their leathers) raising money for Macmillian Cancer Support. breastwayround.com OUTTA AFFRIC - THE 7TH GLEN AFFRIC WALKING FESTIVAL. @ Glen Affric
Sun 30 May
CITY OF INVERNESS 54 HOLE OPEN @ Inverness Golf Clubs OUTTA AFFRIC - THE 7TH GLEN AFFRIC WALKING FESTIVAL. @ Glen Affric, naturalhighguiding.co.uk
Mon 31 May
OUTTA AFFRIC - THE 7TH GLEN AFFRIC WALKING FESTIVAL. @ Glen Affric
THEATRE > COMEDY > Grey areas...
THEATRE
BILL BAILEY @ Ullapool MacPhail Centre, Fri 14 May @ Portree Community Centre, Wed 19 May @ Drumnadrochit Craigmonie Centre, Sat 22 May @ Eden Court OneTouch, Tue 25 May
Just a few decades back yer funny man was expected to do far more than just stand on stage and crack gags about the price of fish. A few songs, a brace of impressions and a spot of tap dancing were also the very minimum requirements for anyone expecting to deliver a proper night’s entertainment. BILL BAILEY is, we imagine, not that light on his feet when it comes to dancing, but his musical prowess and ability to weave prodigious talents into something with mass appeal sets him far apart from most of the one-trick merchants clogging up the country’s stages in the name of comedy. If you don’t believe us, then you’ll get a great opportunity to see for yourself when he kicks off a nationwide tour with several dates in the Highlands, including (improbably) Ullapool, Portree, Drumnadrochit and Inverness. A recent TV prog showed his interest in bird watching, so perhaps that explains the duration of his sojourn up here, but whatever the case, we’re in for a real treat. And what’s the show about? We’ll let him explain: “Are you sure about our world? How many things do you actually know for certain? There’s not much about the world that is simply black and white, apart from pandas maybe and OK, skunks but that’s about it. Most of our world is a grey area, and this is where I’m going. A magical musical, mystery tour through a human history filled with doubt, to a place where certainty reigns and where religion, death, egg-custard, twigs, and Giant African Land Snails are here to stay. So do you refuse to accept there are things you don’t understand, do you desire to see the world only in black and white, or do you accept doubt into your life, make uncertainty your friend, do you embrace the greyness? There is a also a complex subtext about clouds, squirrels and getting older, but you’ll have to figure that out for yourself.”
That we are positively beside ourselves with eager anticipation goes without saying. Be there. www.billbailey.co.uk/tour for ticket details.
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SPOT THE DIFFERENTS
V
Friday 7th May @ Ironworks
5 LIVE BANDS - 6 DJ's - 18 AWA
SHUTTER
if juggernauts and rockets were made of music, they’d be made of this. New album to be launched 1st July 2010 - think you’ll get a preview?
BALCONY PLAYERS
= Rotterdams answer to ska + folk + swing
IAIN MACLAUGHLIN & THE OUTSIDERS
brooding grunge-mo from gravelly-voice crooner & his gang. Bigger stages far from home beckon soon...
TEENAGE LOBOTOMIES Ramones-esque punk from our official awards house band!
tinyurl.com/ica2010
#icaawards
sponsored by
s
THE 2010 ICA AWARDS 8pm – 3am
ARDS - LOADSA HANGOVERS!!!
CHARLIE’S RANCH
route one good times direct from wood and wire to your brain and feet. Feel the breeze in your hair and suck in the righteous clean air...
BUTTERSCOTCH
filthy funk, proper hip hop, 80’s ched and electro house
SOUNDCLASH
SoundClash djs consist of Teknique, Kaos Theory and Science Phyction, playing funky breaks and dirty bassline sets
ROSCO
house, techno and electro with solid beats and loose rhythms
HOOKER BARBIE
Raised on a diet of Elvis and love, Hooker Barbie brings the fun and the funk for your aural pleasure
08717894173 ironworksvenue.com The 2010 ICA Awards will take place on Friday 7th May at Ironworks, Inverness. At ICA, we are excited beyond the very limits of our underpinnings to announce that SPOT THE DIFFERENTS – the eclectic Hootananny club night featuring a diverse mix of live bands and DJs that has become the stuff of legend to the select few lucky enough to get in – are upping sticks and transplanting the whole at kit and kaboodle for one night only to IRONWORKS. buy online:
whatsoninverness.com
£5
the door ages 14+
THEATRE > COMEDY > Stand up...
CRAIG HILL – 40 LOVE @ Eden Court OneTouch, Sat 01 May Craig Hill is a regular visitor to Inverness, but this is unlike anything he’s attempted before. Two shows in the one night for you to choose from to check out his joyously camp comedy - 7.30pm or 10pm. Not, it is claimed (despite the title), a show about tennis…
KATY BRAND @ Eden Court Empire, Mon 03 May One of those comedians who never quite hits the target as effectively as she herself thinks she’s doing. Adopting the “funny fat person” role that Dawn French inhabited for yonks with ever decreasing levels of success, Brand calls this the “Big Ass Tour” giving you some idea of where the laughs will be had. Fine if that’s your bag, just a bit “meh” to us.
KEVIN BRIDGES (pictured) @ Eden Court Empire, Mon 17 May Now, here’s a real new talent. Finally Scottish comedy seems to have cast off a legacy taking in The Big Yin and Still Game, with Burnistoun, the mighty Limmy and, of course, Frankie Boyle all providing laughs aplenty. And Bridges has slipped effortlessly into their ranks, rewarded with slots on Have I Got News For You and Michael “irritating skippy, yelpy man” McIntyre’s comedy showcase for a stand up talent that combines observation with razor sharp wit and a kind of downbeat loveability. Obviously, the Scottish stuff carries a greater resonance up here than in that London, but he’s got none of the parochial tics that hold back so many of his peers and you sense that hardly a comedy panel show will be made over the next twelve months without him getting the phone call. So, before you get well and truly sick of him take advantage of the opportunity to see him at his most freshly hilarious. And, if you can’t wait to check him out again, head along to RockNess in June where he’s the first comedian ever to be featured on the bill.
BOB DOOLALLY @ The Loft, Fri 21 May Familiar to TV viewers, “retired football manager” Bob ‘The Gob’ Doolally’s witterings about days gone by, characters who’ve influenced him and the state of the Scottish game, should make for a load of chuckles. Certainly more fun than the SPL itself these days (although no less comedy than the SFA).
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THEATRE > COMEDY > Des Dillon X2... BLUE HEN @ Eden Court, Wed 19 May
O
ne of the most genuinely innovative pieces of theatrical writing to have come to Eden Court was the excellent “Singin’ I’m No A Billy He’s A Tim” and NLP Theatre Company who produced it are back with a new comedy, BLUE HEN, starring CHARLES LAWSON AKA Jim McDonald from Coronation Street. Written by DES DILLON it tells the story of two blokes, Paddy and John who decide to try and make money from rearing chickens in the back green on the roughest scheme in Coatbridge. A dark comedy, with the obligatory warning about strong language, it promises to be a treat. And of all the soap stars appearing in town this month, Lawson is by far the most accomplished actor as far as we’re concerned. Should be good.
DES DILLON’S TALL TALES @ Spectrum Centre, Thu 27 May Fans of Des Dillon are well catered for this month. Not only has he written Blue Hen (see this page), but he’s also presenting an evening of his own called Tall Tales. A fine raconteur and stand up, he’s definitely worth checking out and it’s good to see the Spectrum Centre putting on shows again.
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THEATRE > COMEDY > More shows...
WHEN HARRY MET SALLY @ Eden Court, Mon 24-Sat 29 May
H
ard though it may be to believe, there was actually more to the movie When Harry Met Sally than “I’ll have what she’s having.” Though its impact has been diluted by the relentless torrent of rom-coms, it was actually a rather touching piece of work that had a few good points to make about the boundaries of friendships between men and women. Now it’s been adapted for the stage, starring SARAH JAYNE DUNN (Mandy Richardson in Hollyoaks) and RUPERT HILL (Coronation Street’s Lothario Jamie Baldwin) and featuring a jazz soundtrack from Jamie “Mr Dahl” Cullum and his brother Ben. Don’t expect too many profound points to be made, but it should be a nice bit of feel-good theatre.
POP STAR - THE MUSICAL @ Eden Court, Thu 20-Sat 22 May Just how many soap stars can Inverness accommodate in any one month? They come over here and take our stage etc. Not only are a couple appearing in When Harry Met Sally (see above), but this pastiche of reality TV finds SARAH JANE BUCKLEY and CIARA JANSON from Hollyoaks, John “NASTY NICK” Altman and SAM KANE - who’s been in Brookside, Coronation Street AND Emmerdale! - all featuring. It’s even directed by Emmerdale’s LISA RILEY. They come over here and take our stages etc. Also appearing are ROB MCVEIGH from Any Dream Will Do and ANTONY COSTA, ex-Blue singer who has appeared on every single TV programme ever (apart recently, from The Chart Show, ahem). Over two dozen songs study a tale about six wannabe stars so if you want your theatre to be even more like Saturday night TV forever and ever then get along…
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THEATRE > DANCE > Violent Delights... ROMEO AND JULIET SCOTTISH BALLET @ Eden Court Empire, Wed 12-Sat 15 May
THEATRE
O
f all Shakespeare’s works, ROMEO AND JULIET seems to be most consistently resonant with ensuing generations. That’ll be the whole timelessness of love malarkey we expect. Baz Luhrmann’s movie adaptation did much to bring the story to a new audience, just as
West Side Story had done a couple of generations earlier. And, long before that, one of its most sublime interpretations came courtesy of Prokofiev’s achingly beautiful score to the balletic vision of doomed romance. Now it’s the turn of the mighty Scottish Ballet to present a modern retelling of the work, created by Dutch National Ballet resident choreographer KRZYSZTOF PASTOR. Scottish Ballet dancers, for whom the piece was created, bring these iconic roles to life with emotional intensity and breathtaking performances. Time-shifted to the Italy of the 1930s and taking in the next two decades, it’s a relocation that makes perfect sense and further adds to the emotional force of the piece as well as allowing for some most impressive staging. While the accompanying Team Capulet and Team Montague t-shirts might seem to some a step too far towards contemporising proceedings, it can easily be forgiven when backed up by such an impressive production. And it least it isn’t as spectacularly dumb as RSC’s announcement that they’re going to stage R&J through the medium of Twitter. LOL. Not. And there’s an opportunity to learn more about this production courtesy of Scottish Ballet’s
Outside In enterprise, which offers a unique opportunity to get a little closer to the company and what they do. Using excerpts from the piece, elements of sets, props and lighting and interviews with the artistic team, orchestra members and dancers, you’ll be able to explore all aspects of the performance. During the Inverness run, Outside In will take place on Fri 14 May from 4-5pm. Tickets are £5, with £3 discount when buying tickets to the Romeo and Juliet performance at the same time. www.eden-court.co.uk
SOLO WORKS-DAVID HUGHES DANCE @ Black Isle Leisure Centre, Sat 08 May An intimate evening with choreography veteran Hughes sharing his unrivalled dance experience. Essential for anyone with an interest in dance.
45
THEATRE > MUSICALS > WHISKY KISSES @ Eden Court, Thu 20 May
Y
ou may have seen this one on BBC’s “MacMusical” series which traced
the creation and production process
of this work from EUAN MARTIN and DAVE SMITH, writers of the ace Accidental Death
Of An Accordionist. It tells the tale of two international whisky collectors at a remote Highland distillery competing for a bottle of the fabled Glenigma. “At the auction the
stakes are high, but is this simply a battle for the bottle or will the unique Scottish experience change everyone’s lives forever?” Bet everyone orders a dram at the bar during the interval…
KATYA KABANOVA @ Eden Court OneTouch, Tue 04 May A big hit last time it came to town, Norman Tucker’s translation of Janacek’s original is a sublime mixture of lyrics, music and drama weaving a moving tale of marital crisis and sexual guilt into an intimate, intense love story.
LA BOHEME @ Eden Court Empire, Thu 06 May Malcolm McLaren’s recent untimely death reminded us of how he introduced to a whole new generation Puccini’s startling facility for fabulous tunes and sweeping passion. Check out his take on Madame Butterfly at http://www. youtube.com/watch?v=H2Drw2_HmK0 for proof. Now here comes another of his iconic works, LA BOHÈME, the story of the love affair between Mimi and struggling writer Rodolfo. Tony Award winning director STEWART LAING has updated the action to the modern art scene of 21st century New York, emphasising how the vibrant characters stand out against the drab reality of their lives, their dreams of riches lost so easily in the chaos of the city that never sleeps. And, of course, great tunes.
THE BONZO DOG DOO DAH BAND CHANGED MY LIFE FOREVER @ Strathpeffer Pavilion, Thu 06 May Written by ANDRE BARREAU of the Bootleg Beatles no less. Looking into the “strange Xeroxed world of the tribute act”, something that a member of one of the best around ought to know lots about. Expect loads of sixties hits, great humour and even some enlightening insights. www.strathpefferpavilion.org
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THEATRE > LISTINGS > more at whatsoninvernessdotcom Sat 01 May
CRAIG HILL - 40 LOVE...? @ Eden Court One Touch, 9am, 5pm, 7.30pm This show is soooo not about tennis! 01463 234 234 TREASURE ISLAND @ Eden Court Empire, 1.30pm, 7.30pm CRAIG HILL - 40 LOVE...? EXTRA SHOW DUE TO DEMAND @ Eden Court One Touch, 10pm Always popular comedian. 01463 234 234
unrivalled dance experience with his audience. £ 10 / £ 8 over 60s / £ 5 under 16s01381 621 252 BABYO @ Eden Court The Jim Love Studio, 10.30am, 11.30am, 1.30pm Introduce your baby to a world of sound and song.
Sun 09 May
BABYO @ Eden Court The Jim Love Studio, 10.30am, 11.30am, 1.30pm Introduce your baby to a world of sound and song.
Mon 03 May
Wed 12 May
Tue 04 May
Thu 13 May
KATY BRAND’S BIG ASS TOUR @ Eden Court Empire, 8pm Straight from that there telly. 01463 234 234
KATYA KABANOVA @ Eden Court One Touch, 7.15pm A moving tale of marital crisis and sexual guilt, Janá?ek’s intimate, intense love story is a perfect blend of lyric music and drama. 01463 234 234
Wed 05 May
KATYA KABANOVA @ Eden Court One Touch, 7.15pm
Thu 06 May
LA BòHEME - PUCCINI @ Eden Court Empire, 7.15pm La bohèmeGiacomo PucciniThis iconic opera tells the story of the love affair between Mimi and the struggling writer Rodolfo. 01463 234 234
ROMEO AND JULIET @ Eden Court Empire, 7.30pm The timeless tale of doomed love. 01463 234 234
“SONGS FOR THE STAGE” @ Strathpeffer Pavilion, 8pm This Ross-shire based mixed vocal group will perform solos, ensembles and choruses from musicals such as Cabaret, Company, Drood, Oliver, Phantom and Kurt Weill s opera Street Scene. 01997 420124 ROMEO AND JULIET @ Eden Court Empire, 7.30pm
Fri 14 May
ROMEO AND JULIET @ Eden Court Empire, 4pm, 7.30pm A BOSIE FOR LUCK @ The Warehouse Theatre, 7.30pm FRED MACAULAY @ Eden Court One Touch, 8pm
THE BONZO DOG DOO DAH BAND CHANGED MY LIFE FOREVER! @ Strathpeffer Pavilion, 8pm Written by Andre Barreau of The Bootleg Beatles Tickets £ 8 (£ 5 for school pupils) from the Pavilion 01997 420124 and theboothstrathpefferpavilion. org 01997 420124
Sat 15 May
Fri 07 May
KEVIN BRIDGES @ Eden Court Empire, 8pm Kevin’s delightfully well observed debut show reveals his inner-most thoughts on a variety of topics from his home-land of Scotland to the world beyond. 01463 234 234
LA BòHEME - PUCCINI @ Eden Court Empire, 6pm BABYO @ Eden Court The Jim Love Studio, 10.30am, 11.30am, 1.30pm Introduce your baby to a world of sound and song.
Sat 08 May
LA BòHEME - PUCCINI @ Eden Court Empire, 7.15pm SOLO WORKS - DAVID HUGHES DANCE @ Black Isle Leisure Centre, 8pm In this intimate evening of the finest choreography veteran Hughes shares his physical heritage and
48
ROMEO AND JULIET @ Eden Court Empire, 2pm, 7.30pm GILDED BALLOON COMEDY CIRCUIT @ Universal Hall, Findhorn, 8pm
Mon 17 May
Wed 19 May
WHISKY KISSES @ Strathpeffer Pavilion, 8pm A brand new musical comedy from Right Lines Productions, by the writers of “The Accidential Death of an Accordionist”. 01997 420124 THE BLUE HEN @ Eden Court Empire, 7.30pm Des Dillon’s dark comedy Blue Hen is a gritty, moving story about two
men living on the roughest scheme in Coatbridge. 01463 234 234
Thu 20 May
POP STAR THE MUSICAL @ Eden Court Empire, 8pm This comedy-drama takes an ironical and cynical look and lifts the lid on reality TV shows. 01463 234 234
Fri 21 May
BOB DOOLALLY @ The Loft, 9pm A legend in his own liquid lunchtime, Bob ‘The Gob’ Doolally is now recognised as one of the most original and unique character comedy acts in Britain. Retired football manager and ex-player who now hacks out a living as an after-dinner speaker and third-rate media pundit. 01343 850111 POP STAR THE MUSICAL @ Eden Court Empire, 8pm
Sat 22 May
POP STAR THE MUSICAL @ Eden Court Empire, 8pm
Mon 24 May
WHEN HARRY MET SALLY @ Eden Court Empire, 8pm
Tue 25 May
WHEN HARRY MET SALLY @ Eden Court Empire, 8pm
Wed 26 May
WHEN HARRY MET SALLY @ Eden Court Empire, 8pm
Thu 27 May
WHEN HARRY MET SALLY @ Eden Court Empire, 8pm DES DILLON’S TALL TALES @ Spectrum Centre, 7.30pm Excellent stand up comedy. 01463 221842
Fri 28 May
WHEN HARRY MET SALLY @ Eden Court Empire, 8pm When Harry Met Sally is adapted from one of the greatest romantic comedy films of all time, starring Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan. 01463 234 234
Sat 29 May
WHEN HARRY MET SALLY @ Eden Court Empire, 2pm, 8pm
Tue 01 Jun
PETER PAN @ Eden Court Empire, 7pm up. 01463 234 234
MUSIC
CLUBBING
not on this month, but
.co.uk edencourt 4 234 01463 23 venue.com ironworks 4173 0871 789
FUTURE EVENTS: Thu 03 Jun
REGINALD D HUNTER @ Ironworks. Top comedy. Fri 04 Jun
ABAGAIL GREY @ Eden Court OneTouch. Claire Campbell’s fab folky five piece. Sat 05 Jun
THE PROCLAIMERS @ Ironworks. The duo return. Sun 07-Tue 09 Jun
THE VAGINA MONOLOGUES @ Eden Court. All woman show about, well, guess. Fri 11-Sun 13 Jun
ROCK NESS @ Dores. Vampire Weekend, Pendulum, Blondie, Crystal Castles, The
Macabees, Dananananaykroyd are among latest names announced with even more to be announced very soon! Sat 12 Jun
CAROL KIDD @ Eden Court. “The best kept secret in British jazz” according to Frank
Sinatra.
Sun 13-Tue 15 Jun
JIMMY CARR @ Eden Court Empire. Three nights now for the deadpan comic.
Tue 15 Jun
PETIT MAL @ Eden Court. Spectacular circus show. Thu 17 Jun
MORECAMBE @ Eden Court Empire. One man show about comedy genius Eric Morecambe. Sat 19 Jun
CHEER FESTIVAL @ Eden Court. North Scotland’s premier cheerleading event. Wed 30 Jun
BARB JUNGR @ Eden Court. Incredible singer covers everyone from Neil Diamond to Iggy Pop.
Sat 24 Jul
NEW SOUL CITY @ Ironworks. Featuring TV star and soul fan Craig Charles. Wed 28 Jul
JASON MANFORD @ Eden Court. Hugely likeable Manchester comedian. Fri 30 Jul
SKERRYVORE @ Ironworks. Trad meets rock from Tiree.
Fri 06-Sat 07 Aug
BELLADRUM 2010. Amy McDonald, Feeder, Divine Comedy, The Wailers, Candi Staton, The Levellers, Wolfstone, The Vatersay Boys, Stornoway, Erland and the the Carnival, Alex Gardner, Egyptian Hip Hop, Young Fathers, Unicorn Kid, The Woodentops and so much more! 49
50
ICA | PO BOX 5635 IV3 8WR | 01463 715125 | editor@icaNOW.com | www.whatsoninverness.com
8 WHAT WE’VE BEEN SURFING: tinyurl.com/yjlhwka Communist-era shop windows.
fromthebasement.tv Live performances par excellence from a whole range of bands.
loltheist.com LOLcats meets religion. We’re not entirely sure about this one. dafont.com Lots of new fonts to download. tenwordwiki.com Wikipedia entries in exactly ten words. E. g. Lance Armstrong - “Inspirational unitesticled cycling legend. Singlehandedly invented the rubber wristband industry.”
cultsha.com Great addition to the Daily Mash/Onion satirical news thang. fashematics.com Fashion reduced (elevated?) mathematical formulae.
to
earthshots.org Daily photo contest featuring some wondrous pics.
tinyurl.com/yg2o7fb Make your own ambient music with this neat gizmo. downtimetown.com All about lesser known boardgames.
likepunkneverhappened. blogspot.com Archive for Smash Hits magazine from its golden age.
iartistlondon.com DIY versions of art pieces by Damien Hirst, Banksy, Tracey Emin etc.
vintagecookbooktrials. wordpress.com Making stuff using recipes from old cookbooks.
wetcanvas.com Wide ranging arts and crafts forum.
mathspig.wordpress.com Maths blog that comes recommended.
highly
I THE LOCAL BANDS
t’s not all sensitive young folk with floppy fringes, cover version combos or traditional musicians round these parts. Oh no. Although you’d be forgiven for not noticing, there is actually a burgeoning scene based around drum’n’bass, dubstep and that ilk and at its forefront are DJ Dropz, DJ Raboon and DJ Silent Assassin aka Highland Junglists. Influenced by the likes of Goldie, Hype, Grooverider and Andy C, they were drawn together in mid 2008 by a love of D’n’B and dedicated themselves to spreading the sound as well as the aforementioned dubstep, jungle, speed garage, breakbeat and general turntablism. If you’re fans of the likes of Chase’n’Status, Caspa and the magnificent Beardyman you’re bound to be as impressed as we are by Highland Junglists and, while they’ve no records under their belts yet, production work is imminent. As to what to expect from their sets, we’re told that “DJ Dropz’ double-drop of 2Pac’s California Love and DJ Zinc’s Ska is a sure fire winner every time, classic v classic.”
201 0
The best thing about being up here is, they say “the challenges that exist when you’re involved with more underground music and ensuring you get a quality response to it” while, as an outfit for whom travel is vital, they (like all of us) despair at how isolated the Highlands become in the winter. Oh, and they’ve met the donkey from Shrek. “No, really, we have.” They’re currently looking for MCs, so if you think you have what it takes, get in touch with them. tracks & demos > www.myspace.com/highlandjunglists or see them live on the dates below.... 1st May 15th May
9pm - 1am 9pm - 1am
Chieftain Hotel Flames (Pheonix Bar)
highland junglists
James Mackenzie and The Aquascene W
hen it comes to underrated instruments, the cello rarely gets the props it undoubtedly deserves, so all hail The Aquascene, whose Erin Hall-Gardiner makes full use of its gorgeous resonance. The sextet, consisting of the aforementioned Hall- Gardiner on cello and vocals, mainman James Mackenzie on guitars and vocals, Cameron Hall-Gardiner on guitar, Neil Cameron on fiddle, Calum Chisholm on drums and percussion and Caroline Truslove on bass got together “around tea time 9/10/09” to make mellow acoustic rock for fans of Damien Rice, Swell Season and Frank Turner. Indeed they can turn their hand to a fine cover of Rice’s “Volcanoes” should it be required in any given situation. Numbering the likes of Neil Young and Peter Green among their heroes, there’s far more to them than mere technical proficiency as you’ll see if you catch their monthly residency at the Market Bar (next date 21 May) or their appearance at Ironworks relaunched Northlander night on 29 May. There’s also a debut EP being launched at Hoots on 01 July, kicking off their “push The Boat Out Tour”. You can find them online at www.theaquascene.co.uk or see them live on the dates below.... 21st May 29th May
10:30pm 10pm
The Market Bar Ironworks
Even More Local Bands? The latest podcast, highlighting the music of Inverness will be online from 01 May. Featured acts include SHUTTER, CALL TO MIND, IAN MCLAUGHLIN & THE OUTSIDERS, ZOMBIE MILITIA, THE BALL DEEP, HE SLEPT ON 57, JAMES MACKENZIE & THE AQUASCENE and THE SIDE. Links to the show will be mailed to various industry bigwigs so they can hear what great music is being made up here. An additional future podcast will then feature not only Inverness acts, but also bands from the Western Isles…
www.netsoundsunsigned.podomatic.com
netSounds u n s i g n e d netsounds unsigned is a weekly new music show based in Inverness that promotes unsigned artists. Our show is available to download as a podcast through iTunes, Podomatic and our MySpace page. Type to enter text Every show features 100% unsigned music from Scotland and beyond and attracts over 600 downloads every week from as far a Þeld as South America and Australia and as close to home as the Scottish Highlands. Every week, presenters Jamie Macdonald and Murray Cameron trawl the web and their dedicated mailboxes to source the best new unsigned acts to include on netsounds unsigned. Previous shows have included live sessions with local Inverness bands as well as exclusives with THE LOST BROTHERS and LITTLE COMETS. Netsounds unsigned have covered major festivals in the North of Scotland such as ROCKNESS, BELLADRUM TARTAN HEART FESTIVAL and GO NORTH to give exposure to unsigned artists through their music and interviews. Netsounds unsigned have also recently held a series of successful club nights in Inverness showcasing local unsigned acts alongside acts from central Scotland netsounds unsigned is a non proÞt organisation with a passion for promoting new music. For more information contact: Jamie Macdonald: jamie@netsoundsunsigned.com
www.myspace.com/netsoundsunsigned
Welcome to
Schiehallion 8th & 28th May
High Teas Daily
Bedhead
Buy one - get one half price!
who join Dows live music scene this month.
only £9.95 with this advert
2 for 1 Lunches Monday to Friday 12 - 2.15pm
21st May
Please check ICA listings for more dates and performers
New Menu now Available
www.dowsbarandrestaurant.co.uk • FREE Wi-Fi now available Dows Bar & Restaurant, Balloan Park, Inverness, IV2 4PF • Tel 01463 719960
1EATING OUT: This month one local eaterie is going to win the coveted ICA Restaurant Of The Year award. We’ll let you know next month who’s got that accolade, but in the meantime, here are the dishes that ICA’s very own reviewers have enjoyed most over the months.
Starters LITTLE ITALY 8 STEPHENS BRAE INVERNESS “I kicked off with Mozzarella In Carrozza, a neat twist on a toastie. Bread fried, presumably, in olive oil and then sandwiching mozzarella, ham and sun dried tomatoes, all accompanied by a zingy tomato sauce and salad. This was billed as a light lunch in itself and were it not for our relentlessly voracious hunger, would certainly have done the same for us. It’s the sort of thing that if done badly could have ended up as a heavy handed riot of grease, but this was done spectacularly well, the flavours perfectly balanced and the dish presented beautifully.”
STEAK ACADEMY 8 QUEENSGATE INVERNESS 01463 709409 “I called it right on the coin toss and got to order a la carte, going for chef Stuart’s imaginative take on Cullen Skink. Here was the first suggestion of his witty interpretation on Tartan Dining, the haddock and leek enclosed in ravioli with a smoked fish creamy sauce on top and the whole thing topped with crispy potato slithers. Underneath there was a slice of fried bread, taking the rejigging of the soup and croutons thing just that one step too far, but ace pasta and lovely flavours.”
THE EXCHANGE 38 ACADEMY ST, INVERNESS 01463 713307 “Haggis is apparently something invented by the English, if you believe what you read (and we always do), but deep-frying it is surely the best way to wrench it back North of the Border and Haggis Fritters, served with a side salad of onions, lettuce and an entirely unnecessary hillock of cress was mighty fine indeed. Crispy fritters with a tasty haggis filling that only lightweights with innards “issues” would dare to deny. Spicy tomato chutney was the perfect accompaniment. In the future all haggis will be cooked this way.”
MAINS JOHNNY FOXES 26 BANK ST, INVERNESS 01463 236577 “Billed as the Monarch Of The Glen, this dish was obviously targeting tourists on their way to the tartan shop (as was a chicken in whisky cream concoction called Rob Roy), but proved to be a delicious way of cooking the most locally abundant of meats. Haunch of venison was wrapped in Parma Ham and served with rosemary mash, veg and a blueberry and red wine gravy. The venison itself was perfectly cooked, still moist and retaining the gamey edge that sets it apart from just steak. An inventive and skilfully executed dish.”
CONTRAST BRASSERIE 20 NESS BANK, INVERNESS 01463 227889 “Pork Belly with Black Pudding was the best dish of our entire meal and the one whose complexity most justified its status on the a la carte menu. ‘It couldn’t have been cooked more perfectly,’ according to my companion, the combination of nicely fatty browned pork and black pudding that wasn’t too heavy, a winner in itself. Even more so when set alongside a monkfish fritter sliced into a lattice shape to echo the pork at the heart of proceedings, complete with its own ‘crackling’ top. It was served with delicious minted peas.”
RAJAH 2 POST OFFICE AVENUE INVERNESS 01463 237190 “My companion loved his Chicken Mughlai. ‘A very rich tomato based dish with plenty of ginger, chillis and some kick,’ he noted, adding, ‘it packed a punch of heat, but not enough to numb your face, just enough to tickle your taste sensations and make you savour the next fork. Not unlike a Pathia, but with more ginger and chilli.’ There was also a lovely fruitiness and sweet onion depth to the curry, making it both rich and moreish. This remains the best place for Indian food in town. Here’s to the next thirty years.”
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Coming Soon:
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DESSERT REDCLIFFE HOTEL GORDON TERRACE INVERNESS 01463 232767 “The puddings were real showstoppers and, as with the rest of the meal, suggested that whoever is in the kitchen is a rare talent. I had Chocolate and Orange Terrine, a taste combination that has, via the Terry’s Chocolate Orange, already conclusively proved itself to be a good one. And this was very good indeed. Rich, almost obscenely luxurious chocolate served with a shot glass containing an intense strawberry granita and already a contender for best dessert in town.”
TABOO RESTAURANT @CORRIEGARTH HOTEL 5-7 HEATHMOUNT ROAD INVERNESS 01463 242730 “My Pears Poached In Claret and Nutmeg were delicious, as was the accompanying crème anglaise (or vanilla custard), obviously freshly made. It was served with a fine homemade ice cream. The dish as a whole showed great ambition and suggests that should you go along to eat in the evening, you’d be well advised to leave room for the puds, since they’re obviously pretty special. Taboo is only five minutes’ walk from the centre of town and very much deserves to be on anyone’s map of great value lunchtime options. You won’t be disappointed.”
CASTLE RESTAURANT 41 CASTLE STREET INVERNESS 01463 230925 “Puddings, more than anything else, provide Proustian taste and sight sensations guaranteed to whisk you back to meals of your youth, either at home or round your Nan’s. A case in point was my Lemon Meringue Pie, accompanied by an admirably indulgent mountain of whipped cream and tasting exactly like it did thirty five years ago. The Strawberry Cheesecake wolfed down by my companion was equally retro, though obviously unintentionally so, its red jellied topping glowing bright enough to divert aircraft flying overhead. Spirits were raised by a certain gentle reassurance that no matter how much the world splinters and changes, some 57 things will always stay the same. Which has to be a good thing and goes some way to explaining why so many people love the Castle. Long may it skip to its own timeless beat.”
Making the most of you. Ever Thought About Changing Your Hair?
But you never actually go through with it? Well you are not alone; I hear it all the time. ‘I have always wanted to go blonde but my husband likes me brunette.’ ‘I would love to be brave enough to go short...my kids would kill me though.’ ‘I want a really modern style but when I mention it to friends they don’t seem keen.’ Any of this sound familiar to you? Ladies, it’s time to wear YOUR hair how YOU want. Be confident and strong in YOUR decision and embrace the change. Changing your hair can have a huge impact on you and mark big moments in your life... the end of a relationship and new beginnings...start of a new job....hitting a certain age...many brides change their hair after getting married after they have spend an age growing it for their big day.
hair by ego creative team
[ health • style • beauty • fitness ] Changing your hair can be nerve wracking that’s for sure, but the results and the confidence it can give you when you look in the mirror and feel fantastic is second to none. Getting the right haircut for YOU can really change your whole appearance... you can also target problem areas, like make your nose look smaller, face look thinner, hide facial scars... let’s face it your hair can make you look years younger ,or if you get it wrong, years OLDER! The best advice I can give you is whenever going for a hair redesign make sure you choose the best...it must be an experienced designer SPECIALISING in redesigns and cutting...you need to know you are in safe hands. Also, book a consultation first They are free in reputable salons and it gives you a chance to really talk over ideas with your designer. And for those of you who always want to keep up to date but love long hair, here’s what in style at the moment if you want to be one step ahead! Hair is still getting bigger with a freedom of movement and with big hair comes big accessories... bows are in big time right now... top tip to getting more volume, when we do fashion shows and we want huge hidden volume we crimp in at the roots only, mini crimpers are great for shorter hair Side slung baggy pleats are also bang on trend as are top knots. From Caroline at Ego Hair Design.
Top International Super Stylist comes to Ego Hair Design from L.A Meet Cutting & Redesign Specialist
Christoph Clever He is ready to transform your hair We are delighted Christoph turned down top job offers in Vienna and Germany to join our team at Ego as our
New Creative Director. To say Christoph has no ordinary CV is an under-statement! Our top hair designer has worked and trained all over the world with some of the biggest industry names... from training with Germany’s No.1 hair guru Peter Schweitzer (essanelle), to Tony & Guy L.A & New York, Wella academy L.A and more recently tended the locks of L.A.’s finest directors, musicians and producers.We are so convinced you are going to adore Christoph and his work we are going to give you an Introductory Offer you can not resist.
Grab what are only a handful of HALF PRICE OFFERS! It’s 2 cut&design services, with cutting & redesign specialist Christoph, but pay only for one. YES... Get 2 haircuts for the price of 1! Grab you best friend, your mother, you sister, anyone, come and experience what can only be described as the best new stylist in Inverness. Remember he could have chosen any of the 50 salons in town. He chose EGO! Book now on 01463 220234
Don’t just take our word for it, here is what his L.A clients had to say about their preferred hair designer:
Testimonials: “Christoph was wonderfull, he spent time on my consultation and is a real perfectionist. I highly recommend him to anyone” Sheila “He did an amazing job. I LOVE him!” Jeanne “I looked in the mirror at my hair this morning and said YES!” David Barkly “Christoph is the best stylist I have ever been to. He did exactly what I wanted and I will definitely be back” “He was awesome and made what I envisaged possible, I will definitely recommend him to my friends and family” 10/10 “I LOVE christoph and LOVE my cut, thanks for everything” Amanda
This introductory offer is for a limited time only so you must book your 2 for 1 Cut & Design fast.
Word is spreading quickly about this International Creative Director so book now on 01463 220234 and quote 2 for 1 offer.
01463 220234
| 32 Kenneth Street, Inverness
www.1stEgoHairDesign.com
follow us on facebook for salon gossip and special offers @ www.facebookego.co.uk
Making the most of you. [ health • style • beauty • fitness ] Be A Strong Woman Today’s women need to be strong in every situation. Life is showing that we are even stronger than men. We have this “GO” in everything that we do. We work because there is never enough money and also because we want to, but, alongside taking care of our homes and families, time just seems to slip away. Wouldn’t it be perfect if we could find a little time to take care of ourselves? Not necessarily shopping and visiting the hairdresser once a week but finding a way of looking good. So what can we do without wasting our precious time? First of All: Put a smile on your face every day. Wake up one hour earlier than you would usually. Eat a healthy breakfast; put on your makeup choosing shades and lipsticks with gloss in colours that suit you best. Mess up your hair a little bit-you don’t have to look like an angel every day. Be a bad girl sometimes! Choose your outfit before you go to bed; it makes things much easier in the morning. Try a different look every day, not because of all the different things in your wardrobe but because of your changing emotions. If you feel happy, angry or romantic, try to show it. Be a rock star if you feel like one. Try to show your personality through your look – that is the key to success. Be unusual not boring; everyone has great ideas so show your potential through creativity. Look inside your soul and take inspirations from your own life. Put on some heels, listen to your favourite music and walk
out with confidence. NAOMI CAMPBELL WALK Look everyone straight in the eye, show no fear. No one can stop you with this strong attitude. Repeat to yourself, ‘I am the best, better than ever; I rock in every aspect of my life. I am strong today.’ If you believe this everyone else believes it too. Men....they love strong women. So what are you waiting for? Take control and show them who actually rocks this world. from Agata Jolanta Skurska (Passion Boutique)
“Put on some heels, listen to your favourite music and walk out with confidence.”
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Tuesday 13th April 2010, 10am Dunbar Blackbelt Academy Inverness Ice Centre • Tel: 01463 243007
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ICA PROPERTY:
Property Market Springs Back Looking at the figures, 2010 is turning out to be a welcome relief from the doom and gloom of last year’s credit crunch crisis. Halifax’s latest statistics, for example, tell a tale of house price increases which are slowly redressing 2009’s dismal results and restoring some confidence in the economy. The headline figures include the conciliatory news that prices in
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the first three months of 2010 were 0.6% higher than in the final quarter of 2009. While this increase may be modest, it follows a 3.6% rise between the third and fourth quarters of last year and, more importantly, maintains an all-important upward trend during some testing times. “The return of the lowest stamp duty threshold to £125,000 affected housing demand at the end of 2009 and in early 2010,” commented Martin Ellis, Halifax’s housing economist. “The bad weather in the first two months of this year also had an impact on demand.” To be fair, you would be hard pushed to outdo the torrid times of last year. If you cast your mind back, the first three months of
hspc.co.uk | 01463 231173 | 30 queensgate inverness
2009 were pretty dismal racking up 180 sales according to HSPC’s figures. In stark contrast, this year’s first quarter figures smashed through the 200 barrier ensuring sale values jumped 17%. Without a shadow of a doubt, these figures wouldn’t have been as impressive had it not been for the remarkable sales through HSPC in March. With 91 completions amounting to £15.7 million of sales, March saw something of a return to form. Indeed, according to Halifax’s figures, house prices in March were 5.2% higher nationally compared to a year earlier. In the Highlands, that figure reached 6% with an average annual price rise of £10,420.
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Mhairi Spence’s latest success - HSPC sponsored athlete
March was indeed an impressive month and if it is to mark the turning point in the Highland property market, it will have done it in style. Compared to a year ago, March’s figures show a 57% jump in the value of properties sold and a 47% increase in the number of completions. Not surprisingly, the increase in average house prices mentioned earlier has been accompanied by a £4,204 increase in the rolling quarterly average. Add to this a massive 50% increase in the number of new properties on sale and it seems the recovery is set to continue apace.
Another year closer to the all important and exciting London Olympic Games in 2012 and people ask if I will be there, right now I am fighting and focusing on making competition selections for this year. There is still a long way to go before anyone can think about the excitement of competing on home soil in; what is considered to be one of the greatest sporting events. However this weekend I had a taster of what it could be like if I am successful in qualifying and competing at the Olympics in London. Our third World Cup from a series of five was contested on home soil in Medway Park; Kent. This World Cup in Medway was my second
competition of the season so far and it proved to be much more of a success in comparison to the first one which was contested in Cairo. This competition began quite well as I scored 21 victories in the fencing out of a possible 36 which put me in to 4th place. Then I proceeded to clock an average time in the pool which held me in 6th position. Next was the riding which was where my success ended as sadly the horse I drew had troublesome time with the athlete who rode him before me and did not quite want to do as he was told and so this put me right out of the running for a top 10 finish. I carried on to clock a good time in the new combined running and shooting event and finished a respectable 26th. With regards to these world cups generally I go in to them with the hope and
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ICA PROPERTY:
expectation of finishing top 10 so I was massively disappointed with my 26th especially as it was due to some miscommunication between my steed and I. After brushing myself down literally and meta phorically from this result I had a few weeks of focused training before it was time for our home nation world cup. Exciting times and heightened expectations on all of the GB athletes I was a team of 8 strong who qualified for
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the final, an intimidating number. So again the day kicks off with my favourite event the fencing where I stormed to victory only losing 9 of my 36 fights. Then after a painful time in the pool producing a good time I stood in second equal. Next loomed a n o t h e r favourite of mine the horse riding. However it was fair to say I was feeling rather apprehensive after my disaster in Cairo. Luckily I did not
hspc.co.uk | 01463 231173 | 30 queensgate inverness
need to fear as I rode really well and my steed and I communicated wonderfully only knocking one pole. Phew! This kept me in medal contention where I held my own in the shooting and struggled around the 3 time 1km loops (my least favourite) to finish in 3rd position. A great and euphoric feeling to finish on the podium in front of a very loud and supportive home crowd for the first time in a world cup and individually since 2006. After recovering from this tiresome but wonderful World Cup it is back to the grind and a training camp to Prague and then on to some more world cups in May and June. Thank you to HSPC for supporting me in my long slow quest to realising my Olympic dream.
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the ica wall. Get your wallpaper paste out and come & paste up a ‘poster’ on our flyposting wall. A single space costs from just £49 And that now goes in 67,000 magazines!! phone 01463 715125 today!!
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Hell is not a myth... Our Lord Jesus spoke of “Hell” “...the fire that never shall be quenched.” Mark 9:42-48. When He did so, He was warning of stark and horrible reality. He was no waster of words; hell is real! Neither Christ nor His ministers speak of hell in order to frighten people into salvation. They speak of it because it is a fact. Just as a sensible father warns his child not to touch the stove because it will burn him, even so, true preachers earnestly warn people to avoid hell because it burns – everlastingly. In each case the fear of harm is intelligently and reasonably used to warn of danger and to change behaviour. Never did Christ, nor do His people, stoop to the use of any dishonest alarms to turn men to righteousness. When the Lord Jesus warned of hell we know He was not deceiving His hearers. He was speaking of reality.
We Shall All Live On Forever If there is no life after death, then the doctrines of Heaven and hell have no meaning. But through all centuries of recorded history mankind has not been able successfully to escape the conviction that there is a life for all beyond the grave. Many have tried to escape it, and to deny the fact, but the conviction still prevails. Life hereafter is more, however, than simply a universal human conviction; it is revealed in the Bible. In His Word, God has revealed and established the certainty of our continued, conscious existence after death. Our Lord Himself unmistakably proclaimed this truth. “Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear His voice, and shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.” John 5:28-29.
There Is No Second Chance The Bible holds no promise of salvation in the world to come. There is no second chance hereafter. “Now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” II Corinthians 6:2. Today salvation is available for all through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ. But death closes forever the door of opportunity. ‘‘It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgement’’ Hebrews 9:27
It Is The Christ-rejecter’s Choice What is hell? It is that place beyond the possibility of relief where souls suffer the torment of their sinful character forever. Those who had the opportunity to be saved will forever be tormented with the conscious memory that they were given a choice and they chose to reject Christ. Hell is defined as “the fire that never shall be quenched.” Mark 9:43. Many who have been warned against this everlasting retribution have replied that a just God could not send anyone to an endless hell, and that no one sin nor any accumulation of sins could merit endless punishment. This is a commonly held but serious fallacy. It is not God who sends anyone to hell. God’s infinite love has provided a way through the death of His Son to save all from hell. They who reject or neglect the way of salvation truly send themselves to hell. All will be without excuse.
So come to Jesus today He died for you. “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.’’ John 3:16. Ask Him to put out sin’s fire in your life, to deliver you from its bondage, and to prepare you for an eternal abode with Him in Heaven. He sent His Son to die for your redemption. Repent, forsake your sins, and believe now in Him.
Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth that shall he also reap. Galatians 6:7 You are warmly invited to Culloden Gospel Hall, Keppoch Road, Culloden, INVERNESS Gospel Meeting: Sunday at 6.30pm (except 4th Sunday) Friends and Neighbours: 4th Sunday at 3.30pm
Visit www.cullodengospelhall.com
Published by Words by the Wayside Registered Scottish charity SC041290
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BE A SUCCESS WITH BUSINESS GATEWAY. Are you a budding entrepreneur looking to turn your business dream into a reality or perhaps you are an existing business looking for ideas to take your venture on to the next level? Whatever stage your business is at, Business Gateway can provide the help you need to get things moving. Through a combination of online advice, one to one support and a local programme of workshops and events, businesses across Inverness are getting the assistance they need to make a success of their venture. Mark Mackintosh, Regional Development Officer, Business Gateway Inverness is confident entrepreneurs in the area have the drive and enthusiasm to make their vision a reality. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Starting a business is a big step but we are here to make sure the path is smooth. Hundreds of people in the area are now running successful companies after coming to us for support. Our team of experts provide constant and vital information that will help anyone, regardless of experience, to set up on their own and realise their dream of being their own boss.â&#x20AC;? Business Gateway has a wealth of information available to help budding entrepreneurs begin the start up journey. There is even an online business start up tool to guide businesses through the process as well as a comprehensive briefing on the common mistakes when starting up and how to avoid them. In addition to the online support Business Gateway also organises a series of free workshops and events which address the issues facing the Inverness business community. A full programme of events can be found at www.highland-opportunity.com, and to book your free place contact Lynn Allan on 01343 563 634 or email lynn.allan@highland-opportunity. com.
To find out more about events in your area, or how Business Gateway can help your business visit www.bgateway.com or call 0845 609 6611. Alternatively contact your local office on 01463 713889.
KEN KELMAN: Clive...
Walking down Inverness’ answer to a Parisian boulevard the other week, or Church Street as it’s know locally, I was struck by the incredible likeness to Clive Anderson a man in a coffee shop had. Not that he was carrying a painting, photograph or waxwork of Mr Anderson, no, he himself looked very much like him. A thought entered my brain as I looked at him, not “gosh, he looks like Clive Anderson” as you might expect in such a circumstance, more along the lines of “gosh , he looks like…” .. “damn what do you call him now? .. that bloke off the telly .. he’s a barrister or solicitor or a lawyer or something” “ he used to present Whose Line is it Anyway the only place you ever see Greg Proops on television, for probably very good reason” “he’s been on Have I Got News For You too and QI” .. “dang I should know this, he had a chat show once, only reason anyone remembers it is because he upset the Bee Gees and they walked out on him, or more correctly stormed out in the campest possible manner” .. “he has the same first name as another comedian. That Australian bloke, the round fellow, the one I once bumped into in the Cambridge branch of Sainsbury’s and then again outside WH Smiths. If only I could remember his name then that would be the trigger I need to recall who the look-a-like in the coffee shop looks-a-like” All this is passing through my head as I stand looking lost outside Coffee Affair, where I’m now too embarrassed to go in, because look-a-like and everyone else inside has seen me wandering up and down outside looking puzzled and slightly deranged. Back to the point in hand though, and my internal dialogue is still in hot debate over who the Aussie comic is, since he’s been identified as key to my remembering the name of the chap the chap in the shop looks like. “he’s kinda balding, roundish and not on TV quite so much these days, not that 74
any of this is any help in remembering his name” .. “he’s written quite a few books, travelogues I think. I tried to read one once but found I couldn’t read it without imagining him saying the words and he speaks so darn slowly I got frustrated at how long it was taking and gave up. If only I could remember the book’s cover and visualise his name under the title” .. And then something miraculous happened, the distraction of trying and failing to think of the Australian’s name had freed up some other part of my brain to ponder uninterrupted and come up with the word “Anderson”. And now that I had his surname it wasn’t long before I remembered his first name was Clive.” Excellent I know knew who it was the guy in the shop looked like and could relax and go have a coffee somewhere else, somewhere I hadn’t been staring in to for ten minutes. But no! I now couldn’t move on until I’d identified the other comedian, the one with the drawl, the one who’d be good on QI but I don’t think has actually been on it yet, the Aussie guy. And so another five minutes is spent summoning up the Antipodean’s surname, even though I’d solved the original dilemma of the looka-like I couldn’t rest, I told myself it didn‘t matter but I don‘t think I was listening. I now knew I had to be careful not to introduce anyone else into the mix or I could easily set off a chain reaction that wouldn’t end until I’d made a long list of the names of everyone I’d ever heard of. Turns out it’s James, he’s called Clive James. Once again it came to me when I stopped thinking about it having been distracted by a wave from across the street. A short time later the friend I was meeting for coffee arrived and I was excited about pointing out the Clive Anderson look-a-like in the coffee shop, but by then he’d left. KEN
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£5.00 £6.50 £6.00 £4.00 £1.00 off all tickets Save £1.00 per film
FRIENDS SPECIAL EVENTS exclusive screenings for Eden Court Friends. MON 10 MAY 11.30 Gentlemen Prefer Blondes & THU 13 MAY 10.30 Storm DREAM AND SCREAM Bring your baby to one of our Dream And Scream screenings, specially for parents and carers of new babies aged 0–12 months. Look out for ‘Dream & Scream’ on individual screenings AUDIO DESCRIBED & SUBTITLED FILMS Eden Court offers a range of accessible film screenings. Look out for the (AD) for Audio Described, and (S) for subtitled screenings.
CEMETERY JUNCTION (15)
SCREENING DATES MAY BE SUBJECT TO CHANGE
‘Extras’ comedy dream-team Gervais and Merchant share the director’s chair for this feel-good 70’s period comedy. Working class Freddie spends his time with his mates – fighting, drinking and chasing girls. But when he bumps into his old school sweetheart, he has some choices to make that will change everyone’s life forever. Director Ricky Gervais, Stephen Merchant Starring Emily Watson, Ralph Fiennes, Ricky Gervais
UK I 2010 I 94 mins I www.cemeteryjunction.co.uk
FRI 30 APR – THU 06 MAY Fri 30 April 18.00, 20.00 I Sat 01 May 14.00, 18.00, 20.00 I Sun 02 13.30, 17.00, 19.00 I Mon 03 18.00, 20.00 Tue 04 11.30 (Dream & Scream), 19.00 I Wed 05 14.00, 19.30 I Thu 06 18.00, 20.00
ROBIN HOOD (CERT TBC) A decade after Ridley and Russell first collaborated (Gladiator) they reignite their winning formula to bring us a Robin Hood like we have never seen before. With Russell strutting his stuff as the philanthropic green hero, Kevin Costner’s version will be banished into Sherwood Forest forever more (along with Bryan Adams...we hope) Director Ridley Scott Starring Russell Crowe, Cate Blanchett, Mark Strong, Matthew Macfadyen
USA / UK I 2010 I 148 mins (TBC) I http://www.robinhoodthemovie.com/
FRI 14 – THU 27 MAY
Fri 14 18.00, 20.30 I Sat 15 14.00 (Dream & Scream), 18.00, 20.30 I Sun 16 13.30, 19.30 I Mon 17 18.00, 20.30 Tue 18 11.30, 19.00 I Wed 19 14.00, 19.30 I Thu 20 11.30 (Dream & Scream), 18.00, 20.30 I Fri 21 18.00, 20.30 Sat 22 14.00, 18.00, 20.30 I Sun 23 13.30, 19.30 I Mon 24 18.00, 20.30 I Tue 25 14.00, 19.00 I Wed 26 19.30 Thu 27 14.00, 18.00, 20.30
SEX AND THE CITY 2 (CERT TBC) The wait is over. Get your girlfriends together and join Carrie, Miranda, Samantha and Charlotte for a night of friendship, fun and fashion with Sex and the City 2. Director Michael Patrick King Starring Sarah Jessica Parker, Kim Cattrall, Kristen Davis, Cynthia Nixon
USA I 2010 I TBC mins I www.sexandthecitymovie.com
FRI 28 MAY – THU 10 JUN
Fri 28 18.00, 20.30 I Sat 29 14.00 (Dream & Scream), 20.30 I Sun 30 13.30, 17.00 I Mon 31 14.00, 20.30 Tue 01 June 11.30, 19.00 I Wed 02 19.30 I Thu 03 11.30 (Dream & Scream), 18.00, 20.30 I Fri 04 18.00, 20.30 Sat 05 14.00, 18.00, 20.30 I Sun 06 13.30, 19.30 I Mon 07 18.00, 20.30 I Tue 08 11.30, 19.00 I Wed 09 14.00, 19.30 Thu 10 18.00, 20.30
From 01 April 2010 Eden Court Cinemas will be known as The Robertson Screens Robertson is a privately owned portfolio of individual companies working in construction, investment, development and facilities management services throughout the UK. robertson.co.uk
13:48 book by phone: 014638/4/10 234234
EDEN COURT FILM may:may film leaflet
Page 3
KICK-ASS (15) AD
STORM (15)
www.kickass-movie.co.uk
www.sturm-derfilm.de
Dave Lizewski is perplexed by the lack of lycra-clad superheroes in his neighbourhood. He decides that the only way to go is be his own superhero. Despite having no powers whatsoever, Dave’s creation, “KICK-ASS” not only inspires a host of copycat heroes (who also have no powers) but reminds the local Mob that they don’t like superheroes on their patch. Time to KICK-ASS!
As Chief Prosecutor at the War Crimes Tribunal in The Hague, Hannah Maynard struggles to retain both personal and political integrity as the plot turns on itself in this taut political thriller from acclaimed director Hans-Christian Schmid.
Director Matthew Vaughn
Germany / Denmark / Netherlands I 2009 I 102 mins
Starring Nicolas Cage, Mark Strong, Aaron Johnson
FRI 07 – THU 13 MAY
USA / UK I 2010 I 117 mins
Fri 07 20.15 I Sat 08 18.00 I Mon 10 18.00 I Tue 11 19.00 Wed 12 11.30 I Thu 13 20.30 (Friends Evening Screening)
FRI 30 APR & MON 03, WED 05 & THU 06 MAY Fri 30 Apr 20.15 I Sat 01 May 17.45 I Sun 02 19.15 Mon 03 18.15 SUBTITLED I Wed 05 19.00 I Thu 06 11.30
PERRIER’S BOUNTY (15) When his debt to loan shark Darren Perrier is called in, Michael escapes to the mountains with his father and his best friend. Broke, on the run and with just 24 hours to find the cash, Michael is forced to confront his true feelings for his friend and make amends with his father. With Perrier and his gang in hot pursuit, time is running out for Michael. Only fate, luck and a gang of savage dogs can save him.
Director Hans-Christian Schmid Starring Kerry Fox, Anamaria Marinca, Stephen Dillane
THE KREUTZER SONATA (18) Based on Tolstoy’s controversial 19th Century work, The Kreutzer Sonata probes the darker side of society, exploring the rich complexities of love, obsession, and paranoia in a raw, emotional and sexually charged thriller. Director Bernard Rose Starring Danny Huston, Elisabeth Röhm, Matthew Yang King, Angelica Huston USA I 2008 I 99 mins
Starring Jim Broadbent, Brendan Gleeson
FRI 07 – THU 13 MAY
Ireland / UK I 2009 I 87 mins
Fri 07 18.00 I Sat 08 20.15 I Sun 09 17.00 I Mon 10 20.15 Tue 11 11.30 I Wed 12 19.30 I Thu 13 18.00
Fri 30 Apr 18.15 I Sat 01 May 20.15 I Sun 02 17.15 Mon 03 20.30 I Tue 04 19.30 I Wed 05 11.30 I Thu 06 18.15
THE HEADLESS WOMAN LA MUJER SIN CABEZA (12A)
Veronica hits something on the road. Maybe it was a dog? Instead of stopping though, she carries on, but as time goes by, she becomes obsessed that she might have killed someone. As Veronica tries to piece together the events, her family attempt to erase all traces of the accident...something suspicious is going on...but what? Director Lucrecia Martel Starring Maria Onetto, Claudia Cantero, Cesar Bordon Argentina / France / Italy / Spain I 2008 I 89 mins In Spanish with subtitles
FRI 07 – MON 10 MAY Fri 07 18.15 I Sat 08 20.30 I Sun 09 16.45 I Mon 10 20.30
www.banksyfilm.com Renowned graffiti artist Banksy’s first cinematic outing was the hot ticket at the Sundance Film Festival. Exit ... tells the true story of an eccentric French shop keeper turned documentary maker who attempts to locate and befriend the elusive Banksy, only to have the camera turned back on him! As Banksy describes it, “It’s basically the story of how one man set out to film the un-filmable. And failed”. Director Banksy Starring Banksy, Shepard Fairey, Rhys Ifans USA / UK I 2010 I 85 mins
FRI 07 – MON 10 MAY Fri 07 20.30 I Sat 08 18.15 I Sun 09 19.30 I Mon 10 18.15
Chalk-and-cheese chums David (Thomas Turgoose, This is England) and Emily live in a Norfolk caravan park. When Emily is forced to move away, David helps her hide out in a remote cave on the beach so they don’t have to be parted. From the team behind Slumdog Millionaire, this is a coming of age love story with a difference. Director Tom Harper Starring Thomas Turgoose, Rafe Spall, Holly Grainger, Steven Mackintosh UK I 2009 I 93 mins Fri 14 20.45 I Sat 15 13.30, 18.15 I Sun 16 19.15 Mon 17 18.15, 20.15 I Tue 18 19.30 I Wed 19 11.30
LETTER FROM AN UNKNOWN WOMAN (U) Philandering concert pianist Stefan arrives home to find a letter ... and so unfolds the story of Lisa, one of the many women he had shared a brief encounter with over the years (and then forgotten). Lisa hadn’t forgotten him though – this haunting tale is one of cinema’s greatest unrequited love stories and is thought to be one of Max Ophül’s great masterpieces. Director Max Ophüls Starring Joan Fontaine, Louis Jourdan USA I 1948 I 87 mins
SUN 16 & TUE 18 MAY
GENTLEMEN PREFER BLONDES (U) Enjoy Monroe at her very best as she declares “Diamonds are a girl’s best friend” in this classic film from Hollywood’s golden age. Director Howard Hawks Starring Marilyn Monroe, Jane Russell, Charles Coburn USA I 1953 I 91 mins
SAT 08 – THU 13 MAY
NEW DIGITAL PRINT
Sat 08 14.00 I Sun 09 19.00 Mon 10 11.30 (Friends Coffee Morning) I Tue 11 14.00 Thu 13 11.30
LION’S DEN LEONERA (15) http://www.leoneralapelicula.com
EXIT THROUGH THE GIFT SHOP (15)
www.thescoutingbookforboys.co.uk
FRI 14 – WED 19 MAY
Director Ian Fitzgibbon
FRI 30 APR – THU 06 MAY
THE SCOUTING BOOK FOR BOYS (15)
Shot entirely on location in Batán Penitentiary, Buenos Aires, this unflinching drama tells the story of pregnant Julia, who is wrongly convicted of murder and awaits trial in one of Argentina’s most notorious prisons. Befriended by fellow inmate, Marta, Julia is faced with the prospect of life and motherhood behind bars. Director Pablo Trapero Starring Martina Gusman, Laura García, Rodrigo Santoro Argentina / South Korea / Brazil I 2008 I 113 mins In Spanish with subtitles
FRI 14 – SUN 16 MAY Fri 14 18.15 I Sat 15 20.15 I Sun 16 16.45
NEW DIGITAL PRINT
Sun 16 17.00 I Tue 18 14.00
I AM LOVE IO SONO L’AMORE (15) www.iamlovemovie.com Tilda Swinton plays the matriarch of a wealthy Milanese family. She lives in a carefully ordered world where her duties to husband and children dominate her life. But this life undergoes a huge change when a chance encounter leads her to cast off her high-society matriarchal persona and embrace a new-found sexual freedom. Director Luca Guadagnino Starring Tilda Swinton, Gabriele Ferzetti Italy I 2009 I 119 mins In Italian, Russian and English with subtitles
THU 20 – WED 26 MAY Thu 20 20.45 I Fri 21 18.15 I Sat 22 20.15 I Sun 23 16.45 Mon 24 20.45 I Wed 26 14.00
THE GHOST (15) www.theghostwriter-movie.com Winner of Best Director at this year’s Berlin International Film Festival and based on Robert Harris’ acclaimed novel, The Ghost tells the story of a ghost-writer hired to complete the memoirs of a controversial former British PM; as he delves deeper he uncovers a multitude of politically explosive secrets. He soon realises his life is in jeopardy as the hunter becomes the hunted. Director Roman Polanski Starring Ewan McGregor, Pierce Brosnan, Kim Cattrall France / Germany I 2010 I 127 mins
THU 20 – WED 26 MAY Thu 20 14.00, 18.15 I Fri 21 20.45 I Sat 22 17.45 Sun 23 19.15 I Mon 24 18.15 Wed 26 11.30 (Dream & Scream)
book online: eden-court.co.uk THE MANCHURIAN CANDIDATE (15) Digitally restored and looking better than ever, Frankenheimer’s Award-winning paranoid political thriller features an uncharacteristically hard-bitten Frank Sinatra and a quite brilliant Angela Lansbury (you know – from Murder She Wrote!). With a brainwashed American platoon and a decorated soldier programmed to assassinate political enemies, we have all the right ingredients to keep you hooked till the end. Director John Frankenheimer Starring Frank Sinatra, Laurence Harvey, Janet Leigh, Angela Lansbury
Winner of the Golden Leopard at the Locarno International Film Festival, She, A Chinese tells the story of a young Chinese woman (Mei) who leaves her village life behind for the excitement of the big city. A series of unfortunate relationships and difficult journeys lead her to question who she is and what she really wants from life. Director Xiaolu Guo Starring Lu Huang, Wei Yi Bo, Geoffrey Hutchings, Chris Ryman UK / France / Germany I 2009 I 102 mins In Mandarin and English with subtitles
FRI 28 MAY – MON 01 JUN Fri 28 18.15 I Sat 29 20.15 I Sun 30 16.45 I Mon 31 20.15
USA I 1962 I 126 mins
SUN 23 & TUE 25 MAY
SHE, A CHINESE (18)
NEW DIGITAL PRINT
Sun 23 17.00 I Tue 25 11.30
PSYCHO (15)
NIGHTWATCHING (18)
Alfred Hitchcock’s slasher classic is digitally restored and back on the big screen for its 50th anniversary...Welcome to Bates Motel ... Check in. Relax. Take a shower?
Martin Freeman gives an outstanding performance as Rembrandt in Peter Greenaway’s Nightwatching, the story about the creation of “The Night Watch”; Rembrandt’s most celebrated work.
USA I 1960 I 108 mins
SAT 29 – MON 31 MAY
Sat 29 18.00 I Sun 30 19.30 I Mon 31 18.00
Neth / Can / UK /Fr / Pol I 2007 I 141 mins
STAFF PICK GLADIATOR (15)
UZAK DISTANT (15) Winner of the 2003 Cannes Jury Prize, Uzak is one of a number of great pieces of cinema to emerge from Turkey in recent years.
NEW DIGITAL PRINT
This month’s Staff Pick has been chosen by our very own Russell Crowe obsessive Jeni MacDonald ...Since seeing Gladiator when I was 13, I have dedicated my life to becoming second-wife material for Russell Crowe. One day I will meet him and be able to say “marry me…quick!!” Erm, whatever you say Jeni!
Starring Russell Crowe, Joaquin Phoenix
Starring Muzaffer Ozdemir, Emin Toprak, Zuhal Gencer Erkaya
UK / USA I 2000 I 155 mins
Turkey I 2002 I 109 mins In Turkish with subtitles
Wed 12 19.00 I Thu 13 17.30
THE INFIDEL (15) http://infidelmovie.com/ Mahmud is a loving husband, doting father and a “relaxed” Muslim. He utters the odd profanity, sometimes misses prayer, and sometimes even eats during Ramadan... In his heart he is as Muslim as it gets, but when he finds his birth certificate it turns out that he is not only adopted, but he is actually a Jew! Director Josh Appignanesi Starring Omid Djalili, Richard Schiff, Archie Panjabi
WED 12 & THU 13 MAY
THE JEFF BRIDGES INTERLUDE
Forgotten how cool Jeff Bridges is? We haven’t! Catch up with big Jeff in two of his most memorable big screen outings. Full details on the web.
CUTTER’S WAY (15) Director Ivan Passer Starring Jeff Bridges USA I 1981 I 104 mins
TUE 11 19.30
FRI 28 – MON 31 MAY
THE FABULOUS BAKER BOYS (15)
Fri 28 20.45 I Sat 29 17.45 I Sun 30 19.15 Mon 31 18.15
Director Steve Kloves
USA / UK I 2010 I 104 mins
India / UK / USA I 2006 I 117 mins
THU 06 20.15
INTIMACY (18) France / UK / Germany / Spain I 2001 I 120 mins
THU 13 20.15
BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN (15) Canada / USA I 2000 I 134 mins
WED 19 MAY 19.00
Family Films Every weekend, we show brilliant films the whole gang will love. From classics to new releases – full details on the web.
THE SPY NEXT DOOR (PG) SAT 01 SUN 02
11.30 14.00
Director Ridley Scott
Director Nuri Bilge Ceylan
THU 27 MAY 20.45
THE FALL (15)
Starring Anthony Perkins, Janet Leigh
Starring Martin Freeman, Eva Birthistle, Toby Jones, Nathalie Press
Wed 26 19.00 I Thu 27 11.30, 18.15
This month’s DECADE FILMS are a trilogy of celluloid smashes with distinctly differing flavours. Full details on the web.
Director Alfred Hitchcock
Director Peter Greenaway
WED 26 & THU 27 MAY
ESSENTIAL FILMS OF THE DECADE (PART 2)
Starring Jeff Bridges, Beau Bridges, Michelle Pfeiffer USA I 1989 I 113 mins
TUE 25 19.30
THE RAILWAY CHILDREN (U) SAT 08 SUN 09
11.30 13.30
NANNY MCPHEE & THE BIG BANG (U) SAT 15 SUN 16
11.30 14.00
HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON (PG) SAT 22 SUN 23
11.30 14.00
HACHI – A DOG’S TALE SAT 29 SUN 30
11.30 14.00
(U)
8/4/10 13:48 Page 1 book online: eden-court.co.uk
EDEN COURT FILM may:may film leaflet
>>>timetable APRIL Fri 30
18.00 18.15 20.00 20.15
Cemetary Junction Perrier’s Bounty Cemetary Junction Kick-Ass
Sat 01 11.30 14.00 17.45 18.00 20.00 20.15
The Spy Next Door Cemetary Junction Kick-Ass Cemetary Junction Cemetary Junction Perrier’s Bounty
Sun 02 13.30 14.00 17.00 17.15 19.00 19.15
Cemetary Junction The Spy Next Door Cemetary Junction Perrier’s Bounty Cemetary Junction Kick-Ass
Mon 03 18.00 18.15 20.00 20.30
Cemetary Junction Kick-Ass (Subtitled) Cemetary Junction Perrier’s Bounty
Tue 04 11.30 19.00 19.30
Cemetary Junction Dream & Scream Cemetary Junction Perrier’s Bounty
Wed 05 11.30 14.00 19.00 19.30
Perrier’s Bounty Cemetary Junction Kick-Ass Cemetary Junction
Thu 06 11.30 18.00 18.15 20.00 20.15
Kick-Ass Cemetary Junction Perrier’s Bounty Cemetary Junction The Fall
Fri 07
18.15 18.00 20.15 20.30
The Headless Woman The Kreutzer Sonata Storm Exit Through The Gift Shop
Sat 08 11.30 14.00 18.00 18.15 20.15 20.30
The Railway Children Gentlemen Prefer Blondes Storm Exit Through The Gift Shop The Kreutzer Sonata The Headless Woman
Sun 09 13.30 16.45 17.00 19.00 19.30
The Railway Children The Headless Woman The Kreutzer Sonata Gentlemen Prefer Blondes Exit Through The Gift Shop
Mon 10 11.30
Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (Friends Coffee Morning) Storm Exit Through The Gift Shop The Kreutzer Sonata The Headless Woman
MAY
18.00 18.15 20.15 20.30
Tue 11 11.30 14.00 19.00 19.30
The Kreutzer Sonata Gentlemen Prefer Blondes Storm Cutter’s Way
Wed 12 11.30 19.00 19.30
Storm Gladiator STAFF PICK The Kreutzer Sonata
Thu 13 11.30 17.30 18.00 20.15 20.30
Gentlemen Prefer Blondes Gladiator STAFF PICK The Kreutzer Sonata Intimacy Storm (Friends Evening Screening)
Fri 14
Sat 22 11.30 14.00 17.45 18.00 20.15 20.30
How To Train Your Dragon Robin Hood The Ghost Robin Hood I Am Love Robin Hood
Sun 23 13.30 14.00 16.45 17.00 19.15 19.30
Robin Hood How To Train Your Dragon I Am Love The Manchurian Candidate The Ghost Robin Hood
Robin Hood Lion’s Den Robin Hood The Scouting Book For Boys
Mon 24 18.00 18.15 20.30 20.45
Robin Hood The Ghost Robin Hood I Am Love
Sat 15 11.30 13.30 14.00 18.00 18.15 20.15 20.30
Nanny Mcphee and the Big Bang The Scouting Book For Boys Robin Hood (Dream & Scream) Robin Hood The Scouting Book For Boys Lion’s Den Robin Hood
Tue 25 11.30 14.00 19.00 19.30
The Manchurian Candidate Robin Hood Robin Hood The Fabulous Baker Boys
Sun 16 13.30 14.00 16.45 17.00 19.15 19.30
Robin Hood Nanny Mcphee and the Big Bang Lion’s Den Letter From An Unknown Woman The Scouting Book For Boys Robin Hood
Wed 26 11.30 14.00 19.00 19.30
The Ghost (Dream & Scream) I Am Love Nightwatching Robin Hood
Mon 17 18.00 18.15 20.15 20.30
Robin Hood The Scouting Book For Boys The Scouting Book For Boys Robin Hood
Thu 27 11.30 14.00 18.00 18.15 20.30 20.45
Nightwatching Robin Hood Robin Hood Nightwatching Robin Hood Uzak
Fri 28
Tue 18 11.30 14.00 19.00 19.30
Robin Hood Letter From An Unknown Woman Robin Hood The Scouting Book For Boys
Sex and the City 2 She, A Chinese Sex and the City 2 The Infidel
Wed 19 11.30 14.00 19.00 19.30
The Scouting Book For Boys Robin Hood Brokeback Moutain Robin Hood
Thu 20 11.30 14.00 18.00 18.15 20.30 20.45
Robin Hood (Dream & Scream) The Ghost Robin Hood The Ghost Robin Hood I Am Love
Fri 21
Robin Hood I Am Love Robin Hood The Ghost
18.00 18.15 20.30 20.45
18.00 18.15 20.30 20.45
18.00 18.15 20.30 20.45
Sat 29 11.30 14.00 17.45 18.00 20.15 20.30
Hachi – A Dog’s Tale Sex and the City 2 (Dream & Scream) The Infidel Psycho She, A Chinese Sex and the City 2
Sun 30 13.30 14.00 16.45 17.00 19.15 19.30
Sex and the City 2 Hachi – A Dog's Tale She, A Chinese Sex and the City 2 The Infidel Psycho
Mon 31 14.00 18.00 18.15 20.15 20.30
Sex and the City 2 Psycho The Infidel She, A Chinese Sex and the City 2
Eden Court, Bishops Road, Inverness IV3 5SA Box Office 01463 234 234 / Administration 01463 239 841 SUPPORTED BY
Eden Court Highlands (trading as Eden Court) is a company registered in Scotland (company number SC63216) and a charity registered with the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (registered number SCO08237)
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Holidays from price £321 per person (based on departure 19th June), free HB, Free nights and free care on selected holidays.
0844 415 6653
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0845 130 1114
Early booking discounts available
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Friday 7th May | Ironworks | 8pm – 3am
Vs
5 LIVE BANDS 6 DJ’s 18 AWARDS LOADSA HANGOVERS!!! £5 @ THE DOOR AGES 14+ The 2010 ICA Awards will take place on Friday 7th May at Ironworks, Inverness. At ICA, we are excited beyond the very limits of our underpinnings to announce that SPOT THE DIFFERENTS – the eclectic Hootananny club night featuring a diverse mix of live bands and DJs that has become the stuff of legend to the select few lucky enough to get in – are upping sticks and transplanting the whole kit and kaboodle for one night only to IRONWORKS.
Buy tickets online : whatsoninverness.com