Live Music, Theatre & Comedy

DUE TO COVID-19: POSTPONED UNTIL 2021, DATE TBC Bold, creative, and original; Tannara (Owen Sinclair, Robbie Greig, Becca Skeoch and Joseph Peach) have established themselves as one of the UK’s most interesting and unique contemporary folk groups. Formed in 2014, the band came about as a natural extension of the four members’ love of making music together. Fuelled by this, they’ve covered considerable musical ground over the past five years. With a background in Scotland’s native traditions, their ceaseless musical development is a melting pot of ideas, genres and sounds, from indie rock to electronica, as well as Scotland’s vibrant and diverse folk scene. Unafraid to experiment, their music is an electrifying meeting place for a world of sounds; punchy and clean, riotous and gritty, tender and honest. On fiddle, harp, guitar, accordion and vocals, Tannara make an intensely considered musical world which is uniquely theirs. Their debut album “Trig” was released in 2016. Produced by Rachel Newton, their first offering as a band was a raw, joyous, reflection of a band finding its sound. It was received to great acclaim, from critics and audiences alike. Described by Living Tradition Magazine as “Simply Outstanding”, it was longlisted for “Album of the Year” at the 2016 Scots Trad Music Awards, the same year in which the band were nominated for “Up and Coming Artist of the Year”. From open air festivals, to intimate housconcerts, and everything in between, the band love playing live. A fact that’s reflected by their so far busy schedule of performances and radio appearances across Europe, with highlights including Cambridge Folk Festival, and Festival Interceltique de Lorient, a performance described as “Fiery and Graceful” by The Herald. The band released their second album “Strands” at Celtic Connections Festival 2019. The album represents a significant development for the band, who’ve spent the past two years writing and recording it. 'Strands' was produced by guitarist Owen Sinclair and accordionist Joseph Peach, with input and guidance from Lau’s Martin Green. They’ve created a whole world around the band’s music; of found sounds and samples, synthesisers, and guest performances from Mattie Foulds on percussion and Josie Duncan on backing vocals. The Herald: “Fiery and Graceful”. The Times: "Tannara blend fiddle, guitar, harp and accordion with sensitivity, dynamic variation and tonal awareness". Living Tradition Magazine: “Simply Outstanding”. Doors at 7.30pm   BYOB Tickets: £13 (£11 concession; £5 under 16)   Purchase tickets: email or tel 01381 600354 or on the door if there is availability

DUE TO COVID-19: POSTPONED UNTIL 2021, DATE TBC Martin Stephenson has been one of the UK’s most perceptive songwriters and best-loved musicians for over 30 years. Born in Durham and raised in nearby mining village of Washington, he  excelled at table tennis before his musical abilities pushed their way to the front, but when they did, he was hooked. “My teacher was like a cross between Allen Ginsberg and Jim Morrison, he was like this Vietnam hippie,” remembers Stephenson. “He had a massive cosmic perception and  taught loads of young lads from rough backgrounds how to get rid of the competitive spirit that brought a lot of unhappiness.” Before he was anything else, Stephenson was a busker. It was the beginning of an instinct, a need, for live performance that continues to this day. “I used to see a sunny morning when I was 18 and thought ‘I’m just going to go on the street and play, nobody knows who I am anyway.’ The doo-wop singers used to do that, stand on street corners. That’s how I started off.”  Stephenson formed his band The Daintees in his teens with the deliberate intention of showcasing a broad range of musical styles.  Kitchenware Records, based in Newcastle, had already become one of the most important indie labels of the decade with a roster that included Prefab Sprout, Hurrah! and the Kane Gang. Stephenson’s richly detailed and nuanced songwriting was the perfect fit, and the distribution deal via London Records gave the band a real platform. His 1986 debut album Boat To Bolivia displayed an extraordinary maturity, from the country charm of Candle In The Middle to the Cohenesque acoustics of Rain, and sounds as fresh today as it did then. A degree of UK chart success followed with the top 40 albums Gladsome, Humour & Blue in 1988 and Salutation Road in 1990. After 1992’s The Boy’s Heart, Stephenson called time on the original Daintees, setting about a solo career and the prolific outpouring of quality material that shows no sign of slowing down. Never pandering to a particular scene, his dexterity and ease with a varied mix of musical styles was immediately apparent. His path was destined to be a lifelong journey through the music he loved: folk, ragtime, jazz, rockabilly, punk-pop, country blues and more. He has honed his skills over the years but his lightness of touch and engaging spontaneity remain. For him music is a vocation, not a career and his restless troubadour spirit has amassed an extraordinary catalogue of over 40 albums. Over the two decades since claiming his own musical independence, Stephenson has released a succession of strong self-produced albums such as Yogi in my House, The Lilac Tree, Collective Force, Western Eagle, California Star,  Haunted Highway and Bayswater Road. 2019 saw the launch and celebration of Daintees album Chi Chi & The Jaguar and solo albums Brady Square and Thomasina. His critically acclaimed albums from the 80s have been re-recorded and celebrated in  strong 30th anniversary tours. This year, 2020,  sees the 30th anniversary celebration of Salutation Road  and another exciting UK tour with the band. 2017 Stephenson was invited to perform in Glasgow at the BBC Quay Sessions with Roddy Hart and Tom Robinson was delighted to invite him in for a session at BBC Radio 6 in London at the end of November. Oct 2019, Tom Robinson invited him back for another BBC Radio 6 session and choose  several of Martin’s tracks for his favourite songs of the week. Legendary Scottish comedian and musician, Billy Connolly, dedicated a section of the 2019 BBC Scotland TV documentary, Made in Scotland  to Martin Stephenson. Requesting a live performance of his hauntingly beautiful Rain from the Bolivia album, and despite frail health, Connolly chose to stay and pass the time with kindred spirit and fellow creative soul. Stephenson humbly responded with the gift of Billy’s Banjo, a freshly penned and composed song to his brother in spirit. Connolly called him “My kind of musician”. Martin has toured with John Martyn , Roy Buchanan, Aztec Camera, Microdisney, The Go-Betweens,  Hothouse Flowers, Bob Geldof, Del Amitri, Janis Ian, Indigo girls and Melissa Etheridge, but remains endearingly modest and unaffected. When not writing, recording or gigging, which isn’t often, he’s in his home near Invergordon in the Scottish Highlands, much involved with his own label, Barbaraville. The Cromarty Stables, as well as being one of Martin’s closest gigs, is also one of his favourites. Martin Stephenson really is a spiritual traveller with a style all his own. For him the highest level of achievement is kindness, the greatest currency good will. Doors at 7.30pm   BYOB Tickets: £13 (£11 concession; £5 under 16)   Purchase tickets: email or tel 01381 600354 or on the door if there is availability

DUE TO COVID-19: POSTPONED, NEW DATE TBC Seer Quartet was founded in early 2019 at the Royal Academy of Music in London. As current undergraduate students, they receive regular coaching from eminent chamber musicians including Martin Outram, Jim Sleigh, Jo Cole, and members of the Doric String Quartet. In their first year together, the quartet have performed across the UK, including at concert series in Norwich and London. They have a strong commitment to outreach work, and have recently been working in collaboration with Open Academy and Camden Music with primary schools in North London.  The quartet will perform Ludwig van Beethoven, String Quartet in G, Op.18 No.2 and Benjamin Britten, String Quartet No.1  Musician Biographies  Violinist Elodie Chousmer-Howelles is a Calleva Trust scholar at the Royal Academy of Music and enjoys performing both as a soloist and chamber musician across the UK. Elodie has performed at venues such as the Elgar Room (at the Royal Albert Hall), the House of Lords and the Wigmore Hall in London. Elodie currently plays a Zygmuntowicz violin on loan from the Royal Academy of Music.    Emma Baird is a Scottish violinist studying at the Royal Academy of Music under Ying Xue from the Doric String Quartet. She started playing at the age of 4 with Christine Nelson and later studied with Professor Andrea Gajic at RCS Junior Conservatoire and St Mary’s Music School. Since beginning her undergraduate studies, Emma has taken part in numerous chamber music and orchestral projects. She is also an ambassador of the Benedetti Foundation.    Rachel Spence (hailing from Fortrose on the Black Isle) studies viola with Martin Outram at the Royal Academy of Music in London, where she holds the Sir Elton John Scholarship. She has appeared as a soloist at festivals including the London Strings Festival, and been principal viola of the Verbier Festival Junior Orchestra and the Berlin Opera Academy. She plays a Panormo/Milanese viola c.1790, on loan from the Royal Academy of Music.  Sophie Oliver ​is an undergraduate music scholar at The Royal Academy of Music. Prior to starting at The Academy, she was an active member of the Bromley Youth Music Trust, where she won the Rotary Trotman Final. A supporter of charity projects, she organised her own solo recital, raising nearly £2000 for Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. Sophie also extends her love of music beyond the cello, and she is now a student ambassador for English Chamber Orchestra.  Doors at 3.30pm   Tea & coffee on sale Tickets: £13 (£11 concession)  *School children go FREE!* Purchase tickets: email or tel 01381 600354 or on the door if there is availability

Enjoy a night of fine music, dancing and craic courtesy of the Feis Rois Ceilidh Trail 2020. This band of five talented young musicians will entertain with a family-friendly, authentic, traditional ceilidh with caller - so no problem if it's your first time!  Suitable for all ages and plenty of 'rest' time to catch your breath and take in the brilliant music produced by these talented youngsters. Tickets: £7 / £4 under 16s Book by email or tel 01381 600354 or purchase on the door

Inverness-based cellist, Katy Bell, plays works for cello and piano by Faure, accompanied by Robin Versteeg. The two Cello Sonatas were written in the last decade of Faure’s life and are different to his earlier popular works. This concert is an opportunity to hear the poetry of these late works. Doors at 3.30pm   Tea & coffee on sale Tickets: £13 (£11 concession)  *School children go FREE!* Purchase tickets: email or tel 01381 600354 or on the door if there is availability

The Alistair McCulloch Trio annual Scottish tour has become a firm fixture on the traditional music calendar. Featuring renowned Ayrshire fiddler McCulloch, alongside past Scottish folk instrumentalist of the year, Aaron Jones of Old Blind Dogs (bouzouki, guitar and vocals) and founder member of Capercaillie Marc Duff (whistles), the trio has gained a formidable reputation for its dynamic concert performances. Collectively Alistair, Aaron and Marc have appeared on dozens of albums. Their widely acclaimed ‘Off the Hook’ release perfectly encapsulates the feel of their live shows, blending traditional, contemporary and self-penned material. The album showcases the combined talents of three of Scotland’s most respected and established traditional musicians. “Off the Hook is a masterclass in traditional jigs and reels, its fiddle, bouzouki and whistle turned up to 11” (The Guardian) “Off the Hook….a broad range of music and song played exceptionally well” (Living Tradition) Alistair McCulloch is one of Scotland's most established fiddle performers, teachers and composers and one of the fiddle instructors at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. To date he has performed in over 20 countries, including Australia, New Zealand, China, the Middle East and throughout Europe and North America. Doors at 7.30pm   BYOB Tickets: £11 (£9 concession; £5 under 16)   Purchase tickets: email or tel 01381 600354 or on the door if there is availability

As the name suggests, Highland Swing is a swing and jazz Big Band based in the Highlands. Formed in the summer of 2004 by a group of jazz enthusiasts, it aims to keep the music of the swing and dance eras alive. This year, the band is celebrating 15 years of performing.  So, get your glad rags on, shine up your shoes and get ready to dance. "It don't mean a thing if it ain't got that swing!" Doors at 7.30pm   BYOB Tickets: £13 (£11 concession; £5 under 16)   Purchase tickets: email or tel 01381 600354 or on the door if there is availability

Scotland-based singer-songwriter Lizabett Russo merges her native traditions with elements of contemporary jazz, avant garde folk and world music, a range of influence effortlessly spanned by her powerfully versatile voice. The BBC have championed her work - featuring on both BBC Radio 3 and Radio 6 as well as the BBC stage at Latitude Festival. She has also toured extensively around Europe, Canada and Asia. Musically Russo's influences are wide ranging. Echoes of her native Transylvania (Romania) are beautifully interwoven with avant garde folk, contemporary jazz and world music. Lizabett will be accompanied by the award-winning jazz guitarist Graeme Stephen. Today he leads and contributes to a multitude of musical projects in Scotland and overseas, playing a wide array of styles from free improvised jazz to Scottish folk. Stephens peerless improvisational skills and talent for composition make him one of Scotlands most exciting and prodigious musical talents. "This is simply world-class work, by any standard"  - Tom Robinson, BBC Radio 6 Videos: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aaRPQkS_Pz8 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZHFnbO_jj4   Doors at 7.30pm   BYOB Tickets: £11 (£9 concession; £5 under 16)   Purchase tickets: email or tel 01381 600354 or on the door if there is availability

Join Fyrish String Quartet as they perform the gleaming Haydn Sunrise Quartet and the tempestuous Mendelssohn Quartet in F Minor in a performance fit for an October’s afternoon in the Cromarty Stables. Fyrish String Quartet are based in Edinburgh and are comprised of violinists Joe Hodson and Emma Donald, violist Sarah Leonard, and cellist Tim Cais.  Doors at 3.30pm   Tea & coffee on sale Tickets: £13 (£11 concession)  *School children go FREE!* Purchase tickets: email or tel 01381 600354 or on the door if there is availability

DUE TO COVID-19: POSTPONED, NEW DATE 12 NOVEMBER 2020 Liane Carroll, Sara Colman & Sophie Bancroft “Totally inspiring to see real women at the top of their musical game and having great fun.” ★★★★ The Argus It’s easy to see during their performances that these three are obviously real friends. A must for jazz and non-jazz fans alike, their set is a glorious mix of styles, all accessible, impeccably performed and with superb harmonies dextrously performed with informality and a real sense of joy.   Plus Fionna Duncan & Brian Kellock - Fionna, who made her name with the Clyde Valley Stompers in the 1950s and is also a celebrated teacher, is regarded as the fairy godmother of the Scottish jazz scene. Don't miss this very rare opportunity to hear her work her magic in the company of her favourite accompanist, Scotland's finest jazz pianist Brian Kellock. Witness true masters of their craft at work. This is always a cracking evening with a relaxed, 'jazz-club' atmosphere to the gig.  Bring your refreshments and settle back for a musical treat in the presence of these jazz greats. Tickets: £13 / £11 conc / £5 under 16 Purchase tickets: by email or tel 01381 600354 or on the door. BYOB This event was formerly programmed for 16 April 2020.