Music Folk
Sangstream (Edinburgh’s Folk Choir) with vocal/fiddle/guitar duo Mairi Campbell and Dave Francis, storyteller David Campbell, piper Hamish Moore and others. Tickets from Woodwares or Kitcheners on Portobello High Street, or from choir members. ■ Scots Music Group Ceilidh St Bride’s Centre, Orwell Terrace, 346 1405. 7.30pm. £8–£10 (£6–£7). The Robert Fish Band provides the live music for this night of traditional music and dance. Alloway ■ Ayrshire Fiddle Orchestra Burns National Heritage Park, Murdoch’s Loan, 01292 443700. 2–4pm. Included in admission: £2 (children £1.25). See Thu 17.
Giffnock ■ Bodega Carmichael Hall, Eastwood Park, Rouken Glen Road, 577 4970. 8pm. £10 (£8). Gillian Chalmers, pipes and whistle; Ross Couper, fiddle; Tia Files, acoustic and bass guitar; Norrie MacIver accordion, guitar, djembe, vocals; and June Naylor clarsach and piano. Make up this busy, award-winning young Scottish band that cover traditional and contemporary roots, incorporating Gaelic and Scots. Stirling ■ Christmas Ceilidhs Tolbooth, Jail Wynd, 01786 274000. 8–11pm. Family ceilidh £6 or four tickets for £20; evening ceilidh £8 or four tickets for £27. Birl your partner around in true festive style. There will be an afternoon ceilidh dance for all the family and an evening event for slightly more seasoned flingers.
Sunday 20
Glasgow ■ Christmas Snowstorm Café Cossachok, Trongate 103, 553 0733. 9pm. £6. Classy Russian, Hungarian and gypsy festive music from Lev Atlas on violin and jazzer Nigel Clarke on guitar. Alloway ■ Ayrshire Fiddle Orchestra Burns National Heritage Park, Murdoch’s Loan, 01292 443700. 2–4pm. Included in admission: £2 (children £1.25). See Thu 17.
Monday 21
Glasgow ■ Yaman Tchai Ovna, Otago Lane, 357 4524. 8pm. £2. Indian classical sitar and flute music. Edinburgh ■ Phil Cunningham’s Christmas Songbook The Queen’s Hall, Clerk Street, 668 2019. 8pm. £21.50. The popular, and funny, Scottish accordion (and whistle and cittern) ace is joined by a selection of guests (including singers Eddi Reader, Karen Mathieson and Kris Drever, and John McCusker and Kevin McGuire) for his annual showcase of modern and traditional Christmas music.
Tuesday 22
Glasgow ■ Wing And A Prayer Tchai Ovna, Otago Lane, 357 4524. 8pm. £2. Folk/blues duo. Edinburgh ■ Phil Cunningham’s Christmas Songbook The Queen’s Hall, Clerk Street, 668 2019. 8pm. £21.50. See Mon 21.
Wednesday 23
Dunfermline FREE Christmas Session Dunfermline Folk Club, Thistle Tavern, Baldridgeburn, 01324 489241. 8pm. An oasis of cosiness and conviviality amid the Christmas rush, with homemade 88 THE LIST 17 Dec 2009–7 Jan 2010
music from anyone who cares to step up to the mic.
Thursday 24 Edinburgh ■ Rantum Scanctum The Jazz Bar, Chambers Street, 220 4298. 6pm. Donation. See Thu 17.
Sunday 27 Glasgow ■ Lev & Friends Café Cossachok, Trongate, 553 0733. 9pm. £6. Superb violinist Lev Atlas plays Russian, Hungarian, Gypsy, and jazz.
Monday 28
Glasgow ■ Michael Simons Tchai Ovna, Otago Lane, 357 4524. 8pm. £2. Glasgow- based guitarist plays acoustic folk, blues and beyond.
Tuesday 29
Edinburgh ■ Ceilidh Club The Lot, Grassmarket, 225 9922. 8pm. £8. Dance to live music with callers to lead you through the steps, featuring Heeliegoleerie. Livingston ■ Another Nicht Afore Ceilidh Party Howden Park Centre, Howden, 01506 777666. 7.30pm–midnight. £15. Start Hogmanay early with a ceilidh dance at the Howden Park Centre. Five- piece band The Gallivanters play a wide variety of music to get you twirling and reeling, with a caller to help you brush up rusty steps. Ticket price includes stovies and a dram.
Paisley ■ Festive Family Ceilidh Paisley Town Hall, Abbey Close, 887 1010. 7.30pm. £8 (£6). Celebrate the end of 2009 and burn off some of that Christmas dinner with a lively dance to a live band and caller.
Wednesday 30
Edinburgh ■ Sara Kamin Royal Oak, Infirmary Street. 8pm. £5. Reserve tickets at sarakaminmusic@yahoo.com Only UK date by the vocally powerful young Canadian songwriter who has an MSc in Performance Psychology from the University of Edinburgh. Support from David Ferrard, Karen Dietz and Tom Fairnie. ■ The Family Hoog Assembly Rooms, George Street, 220 3234. 7–10pm. From £11. A modern take on the ceilidh dance: as well as favourite Scottish dances (with caller) there are DJs too, all under the banner of The Family Hoog Allstars. Ages 9+; doors open 6.30pm. Run in aid of Bethany Christian Trust for the Homeless. ■ Scottish Fiddle Orchestra Usher Hall, Lothian Road, 228 1155. 7.30pm. £9–£21. Lively massed fiddles and nostalgic Scots music from the Orchestra in its 30th anniversary year. ■ Ceilidh Club The Lot, Grassmarket, 225 9922. 8pm. £8. See Tue 29. Dunfermline ■ The Peatbog Faeries Alhambra Theatre, Canmore Street, 01383 740384. 7pm. £16. High-energy, highly danceable Skye-born acoustic acid croftery led by pipes and twin fiddles with horns and a hint of reggae, ska and dub.
Livingston ■ The Nicht Afore Ceilidh Dance Party Howden Park Centre, Howden, 01506 777666. 7.30pm–midnight. £15. The five-piece Gallivanters get you twirling and reeling, and a caller helps you brush up those rusty stepping routines. Ticket price includes stovies and a dram.
Sara Kamin When they heard her full-bodied, soulful voice, Now magazine felt moved enough to exclaim, 'Somebody
give this lady some dollaz and get her on the radio.’ We feel the same way about the ex-Torontonian, now Edinburgher, and like the power and punch she brings to a tune. Also featuring performances by Edinburgh's own David Ferrard, Tom Fairnie and Karen Dietz. ■ Royal Oak, Edinburgh, Thu Dec 30
Thursday 31
Glasgow ■ Hogmanay Ceilidh St Andrew’s in the Square, St Andrew’s Square, 0870 013 4060. 7.30pm–1am. £35. Bring in the Bells with traditional music and dancing featuring The Ardoch Ceilidh Band and piper. Ticket also includes a dram and haggis. ■ Hogmanay and New Year 2010 Ceilidh Lauries Bar, King Street, 552 7123. 9pm–1am. £25. Ceilidh dance with live music and buffet to see in 2010. Edinburgh FREE Hogmanay Family Ceilidh National Museum of Scotland, Chambers Street, 225 7534. 2pm. Start your Hogmanay celebrations early with music provided by the Canongate Cadjers Ceilidh Band. ■ Rantum Scanctum The Jazz Bar, Chambers Street, 220 4298. 6pm. Donation. See Thu 17. ■ The Hoog Assembly Rooms, George Street, 220 3234. 7pm–3am. £50. Hoog it up until 3am with Hogmanay entertainment from ceilidh dance bands (Whisky Kiss and Teannaich) and plenty of DJ action. ■ Afore the Bells The Queen’s Hall, Clerk Street, 668 2019. 8.30pm. £40. A Hogmanay knees-up with ceilidh dance band HLI, a piper, haggis and a dram. ■ The Keilidh Princes Street Gardens, Princes St Gardens, 0844 8942010. 9pm–1am. £30. Big ol’ knees up with live music from Ceilidonia, Hugh MacDiarmid’s Haircut and Watergaw. Please note: No Admission after 11pm.
Stirling ■ Hogmanay Ceilidh Albert Halls, Dumbarton Road, 01786 473544. 8pm. £45. See in the New Year with the John Renton Scottish Ceilidh Band, the Anita
Mackenzie Highland Dancers and piper George Stevenson, washed down with Hogmanay punch and other festive fayre. ■ Lochearnhead Village Hall New Year Dance Lochearnhead Village Hall, Lochearnhead, 01862 8714552. 9pm. £10. Say goodbye to the old year with a Village Hall warm and welcoming atmosphere. Guests of all ages. BYOB.
Friday 1
Edinburgh FREE New Year’s Day Concert National Museum of Scotland, Chambers Street, 225 7534. 12.45pm, 1.45pm & 2.45pm. See in the New Year to the sounds of talented traditional musicians from Live Music Now.
Saturday 2
Melrose ■ Real Time – The Land, The Light and The Locals Wynd Theatre, The Wynd, 01896 820028. 8pm. £10. Popular Borders folk and traditional band Real Time are joined by fiddler Fiona Cuthill of Rallion and percussionist Stevie Lawrence of The Red Hot Chilli Pipers.
Wednesday 6
Edinburgh FREE Alex Hodgson The Jam House, Queen Street, 226 4380. 8pm. National Burnsong winner (twice) performs his couthy Scots contemporary folk with his band.
Thursday 7 Edinburgh ■ Rantum Scanctum The Jazz Bar, Chambers Street, 220 4298. 6pm. Donation. See Thu 17.