FORTHCOMING EVENTS
Hogmanay Cabaret Dinner Dance
Wednesday 31st December
SCOTTISH HOSPITALITY OF THE YEAR AWARDS 2009
SUNDAY 1ST MARCH 2009
The Crowne Plaza Hotel, Glasgow
Scotland’s national hotel awards will be presented at the glittering 6th annual Awards Night Party on Sunday 1st March 2009 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Glasgow. This great fun filled event, this year was attended by more than 500 of Scotland’s top hoteliers and The Cabinet Secretary Mr John Swinney MSP was present along with compere Sally Magnusson and guest singer, Michelle McMannus.
The Scottish Hotels of the Year Awards uniquely single out excellence over a wide array of specific achievements in many categories. These in-depth awards are designed to be as precise and useful as possible for both the public and the industry.
Rather than simply being a few ‘top’ awards, these distinctions are comprehensive and look deeply into all key aspects of the hospitality business. “A simple, easy-to-run awards system would be, frankly, a cop-out” says awards chairman Gary McLean, “although this year we have listened to feedback and have improved the grouping of awards as the event has matured”.
The “Scottish hotel Oscars”, to quote The Herald, are the culmination of nominations, expert judging visits, voting and a year’s feedback by consumers, plus voting by the Awards Panel and Judges. Much lengthy input is contributed on a voluntary basis. Last year a remarkable 24,149 votes were cast by HotelReviewScotland.com’s readers, each one checked before being accepted.
The theme for the 2009 awards is “Homecoming Scotland, Contemporary Scottish Song and Dance” This is in keeping with the Visit Scotland Homecoming Scotland theme for 2009.
This event is not open to the public but do feel free to cast your vote for your favorite hotel in
Scotland at http://www.scottishhotelsoftheyear.com later this year when the voting begins.
An Evening Concert
with
BOX CLUB
FRIDAY 27TH MARCH 2009
BANCHORY TOWN HALL
Bursting with energy and enthusiasm, Box Club are ready to take the music world by storm. With a front line of four young virtuoso accordion players and a remarkably strong rhythm section, this inventive outfit from Glasgow can’t fail to impress. Four accordions together could be considered a bold experiment but it is one which works extremely well when in the hands of such accomplished musicians.
Having met through the vibrant Glasgow music scene, Gary Innes, John Somerville, Mairearad Green and Angus Lyon bring their own individual style of accordion playing to the band. Bright west coast traditional tunes intertwine with driving reels and jigs, eastern European polkas, beautiful airs and Strathspeys in joyful quirky, tight and imaginative arrangements.
Within the group’s sound there exists a subtlety that one wouldn’t expect when faced with four accordions on stage. The strong accompanying team of Michael Bryan on guitar, Duncan Lyall on double bass and Martin O’Neill on drums and percussion is an integral part of the Box Club sound - complementing the accordion front line with a creative mixture of rhythmic lines and grooves.
Elements of traditional, folk, jazz and classical as well as other worldly styles are all incorporated within the group’s sound. With the majority of the material penned by the members themselves, the music can never be accused of being staid.
What binds the group together is a wonderful appreciation of each others’ music, with all members’ styles shaped by different regions of Scotland and the influences they bring with them. Coming to Banchory in March 2009, this is a night not to be missed.
Tickets are priced at £12 each and are available at our shop.
PICNIC CONCERTS
WITH
ALY BAIN AND PHIL CUNNINGHAM 2009
Saturday 1st August 2009 ~ Banchory
Friday 7th August ~ Thirlestane Castle, Lauder
Another summer with, Aly & Phil who are performing for pdf PRODUCTIONS in two spectacular venues where they will provide evenings of exceptional entertainment with the finest traditional music and hilarious tales in a style only they know how. This is a must see concert with sell out audiences everytime. Those who attended in 2008 were asking for tickets for next year already!
Widely regarded as one of the most exciting and innovative accordion players of the times, Phil Cunningham has taken this instrument from strength to strength, setting the standards by which many young players fix their sights today.
Phil’s early work with leading Scots band Silly Wizard (1976-1986) reclaimed a place for the
accordion in the traditional music world and his astonishing dexterity and musicality has delighted audiences across the world.
The accordion being only one of the strings to his bow, as a multi-instrumentalist he works
extensively in television and film as a composer, musical director and presenter. He is much sought after as a record producer and he manages to juggle all of these diverse commitments enabling him to continue touring and recording with long time musical partner and friend Aly Bain.
Aly Bain is Scotland's supreme traditional style fiddler. His playing is unique - driving,
impassioned and pure - with vibrant, unmistakable tone that has earned him a following of
ardent fans throughout the world. Born in Lerwick, Shetland in 1946 Aly began playing the fiddle at the age of eleven. In his early twenties, Aly headed to mainland Scotland. His dramatic playing, with great tone and technical ability brought early recognition as an outstanding musician of the folk music revival, and almost overnight, raised the level of expectation for music lovers throughout the country. His teaming up, star collision, with brilliant accordionist/composer Phil Cunningham has added yet another dimension of appreciation for audiences everywhere. They have toured and recorded together since 1988 and to date they have recorded five albums, released on Aly's own record label Whirlie Records. In 2005 they were awarded Best Duo in the annual BBC Folk Awards.
