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Adrian Clark's Cultural Diary

30th September 2008

Adrian Clark is the Area Cultural Officer for Caithness, Sutherland and East Ross
This is his latest listing of events in the north.

St Fergus Gallery, Wick www.highland.gov.uk/stfergusgallery
27 Sept to 25 Oct M, T, Th 12 to 5.30pm, Fr 2 to 8pm, Sat 10.30am to 1pm
Foyer Gallery Launch - A Select Exhibition by Local Artists and Craftspeople
Monique Sliedrecht, Merran Gunn, Alice Calder, Martina Cross and Helen Moore
Forthcoming Exhibition
1 Nov to 29 Nov ~ Highland Journey by Robin Gillanders

Swanson Gallery, Thurso www.highland.gov.uk/swansongallery
27 Sept to 25 Oct ~ Highland Journey by Robin Gillanders
In June of 1934, the writer and poet Edwin Muir borrowed a car from his friend and fellow Orcadian, Stanley Cursiter, and set out on a tour around Scotland. In the introduction to his book Scottish Journey, published the following year, he states:

'… my intention in beginning it was to give my impression of contemporary Scotland; not the romantic Scotland of the past nor the Scotland of the tourist, but the Scotland which presents itself to one who is not looking for anything in particular, and is willing to believe what his eyes and ears tell him.'

In 2006 photographer Robin Gillanders set out in Muir's footsteps to make an extended journey around the Highlands and Orkney inspired by Muir's travels - not as a writer, but as a photographer. He has diverted, not just from Muir's route, but from his remit, by commenting on some of the major contemporary issues facing these remote areas.

This exhibition is a selection from the 50 photographs made over a period of 75 days. They have been made with a 5x4 camera, the film being processed in the converted shower of a campervan purchased specially for the journey.
M, T, W - 1 to 5pm, Fr - 1 to 8pm, Sat - 10am to 1pm

Browns Gallery, Tain
John Bellany Exhibition
Monday 22nd September - Saturday 25th October 2008
10am - 5pm (or by appointment)
Browns Gallery
Castle Brae, Tain
IV19 1AJ
+44 (0) 1862 893 884 www.brownsart.com

Timespan Gallery, Helmsdale
INSIDE OUT/OUTSIDE IN
Inside Out - Kyra Clegg
Outside In - Judith MacLachlan
23 August - 25 October 2008
Two artists look at inner space and exterior places through the framework of housing and landscape.
INSIDE OUT
Kyra Clegg's sculptural works are based on houses. These structures inhabit their own landscapes - small scale environments which can never be lived in except through the imagination. created from a diverse range of materials which include wax, porcelain, metal and feathers, their textures and scale invite the viewer to inhabit an inner space where different events and inhabitants can be imagined
OUTSIDE IN
Judith MacLachlan's work is about the merging of the landscape with the domestic interior. This may include not only objects, but ideas taken from things read, heard on the radio or events trivial or momentous, The colours and textures of the paintings may be drawn from a scrap of plastic found on the beach to something overheard in conversation

www.timespan.org.uk 01431 821327

HIGHLAND ARCHAEOLOGY FESTIVAL
archaECOlogy
MUSIC | HISTORY | ENVIRONMENT | CRAFT | THE HIGHLANDS

Strathnaver Museum in partnership with Timespan and Mackay Country
When: October 4 2008. 10am - 4pm
Where: Log Cabins Borgie Forest - between Tongue and Bettyhill, North Sutherland
On Saturday 4 October 2008, everyone is welcome to come along to the log cabins in Borgie forest and enjoy a day of activities, which will explore the rich historical and natural diversity of the area.
Led by experts in archaeology, environment, craft and music, participants will have the opportunity to discover methods of historical sustainability as they create their own woodland instruments.

Admission is free
Participants must bring their own: Packed lunch; Sturdy boots/wellies and suitable outdoors clothing
Children up to 12 yrs old should be accompanied by a guardian. Guardians of those older children wishing to attend unaccompanied must fill in a consent form on the day.

Event co ordinator: Rachel Skene - Strathnaver Museum
Event Leaders
Elliot Rudie - Historian, artist - Strathnaver Museum
Arthur Dutch - Tin smith, crafts man
Henry Fosebrooke - Woodland arts and craft - Woodland Orchestra
Ruth Macdougall - Environmental artist, youth arts curator - Timespan
Paul Castle - North Sutherland Ranger
Contact: art[AT]timespan.org.uk or strathnavermus[AT]ukonline.co.uk

There will be a free mini bus taking participants from the East coast, to and from the event!
Seats are limited to 16, so booking is essential. The bus will begin in Golspie at 8am, passing through Brora, Helmsdale and Kinbrace. To book a seat on the bus, please contact Ruth: art[AT]timespan.org.uk

Timespan is supported by The Highland Council

North Lands Creative Glass
Exhibition of Works for Sale
Joanne Kaar, Monique Sliedricht and Shelagh Swanson
Old Workshop Gallery, Lybster
22 Sept to 10 Oct, 10am to 4pm, M - F

Ferrycroft Visitor Centre

Photographs of Lairg Auction Mart by Roddy Ritchie
Mon-Sun 10 to 4 pm
Admission Free ~ with Animal Sculpture Park and totally new Displays
www.highland.gov.uk/ferrycroft

A Highland Council Facility. Closes mid October for the season
The Audio Trail of Ord Hill continues. Phone 01549 488082 (Eng); 488083 (Gaelic)

Independent Museums supported by The Highland Council

Dunbeath Heritage
Refit now nearly complete
http://www.dunbeath-heritage.org.uk

I Oct
The Lappan - An Illustrated History of a Dunbeath Croft
An illustrated talk by Barbara Hiddleston on the history of "The Lappan", an area of Latheronwheel with an interesting past which raises many questions. Dunbeath Heritage Centre (ND160294). Wheelchair access.
An illustrated talk by Barbara Hiddleston on the history of "The Lappan", an area of Latheronwheel with an interesting past which raises many questions. Dunbeath Heritage Centre (ND160294). Wheelchair access.

Historylinks, Dornoch
http://www.historylinks.org.uk

Tain Museum/ Tain Through Time
http://www.tainmuseum.org.uk

Tarbat Discovery Centre
http://www.tarbat-discovery.co.uk

Strathnaver Museum
http://www.strathnavermuseum.org.uk

LOCAL PROMOTERS
Assisted by The Highland Council

Ardross Hall
World Class Acoustic Guitarist Performs In Ardross
Lovers of good quality guitar music are in for a treat when acoustic guitarist John Goldie performs in Ardross Hall on Friday 3 October to promote his new CD album - "This time and place".
John Goldie is without doubt a world class musician, incorporating a wide range of influences including jazz, blues, Celtic and funk. He expertly and effortlessly combines melody, chords, bass-lines and percussion together to produce outstanding solo work. From quirky original compositions to unique versions of pop and rock tunes this is indeed a performer not to be missed.
After a successful career as a sideman and session player touring worldwide and playing on countless albums, a chance meeting with jazz guitarist Martin Taylor led John to decide on a change of musical direction, focussing on developing a solo guitar repertoire whilst performing with Taylor both as a duo and eventually with the award winning group Spirit of D'jango.
The performance in Ardross starts at 8pm and tickets costing £8 or £6 concession are available in advance by telephoning - 01349 880591. The event is one of a programme of arts events organised by the community run hall and supported by a grant from The Highland Council's Education, Culture and Sports Service

Rosehall and District Community Arts

Thur 9 Oct (7.30pm) National Poetry Day.
Maggie Haggith, Assynt poet, and Agnes Dickson, Gaelic singer

Mon 13 (8pm) Au Courant Baroque Trio
Baroque violin, viola da gamba and harpsicord. Each of its members is an acclompished soloist, and all three have ties to the renowned Oberlin Conservatory of Music in the US.

Fri 31 (8pm) Benchtours in 'The Lesson'
Thought provoking yet funny, charming yet sinister, familiar yet bizarre, The Lesson is a fresh, bright and brilliant play by one of the foremost absurdist writers of all time. Ionesco's writing changed the face of 20th century theatre and has inspired and excited generations of theatre lovers.

The Lesson is given by an ageing professor to his new, young, female student, a keen and confident foil to his intense yet faltering manner. But the balance shifts throughout their exchange until their meeting takes a truly unexpected turn. Benchtours have a reputation for fast paced visual theatre. Translated by Donald Watson and directed by Gerry Mulgrew Recommended for ages 14 plus

All in Rosehall Hall. Bookings and Enquiries 01549 441291

Lochinver Village Hall

Wed 22 Oct ~ 8pm
Offshore by Birds of Paradise
Where the land meets the water, where the urban meets the rural, Alan Wilkins' new play explores what happens when a landscape changes, when a town loses its young people and the sea loses its fish.
Set in a small community in Scotland, the spotlight falls on the remote village to reveal a complex web of interdependencies - life in this rural idyll is far from easy or straightforward.

Fri 24 Oct ~ 8pm
Anarkali - Traditional Music Band from Glasgow (with local connections)

Tickets on the door

Lyth Arts Centre
www.lytharts.org.uk
Wed 1st Oct 5.30 - 7pm Folk Musicians' Workshops. Guitar [AT] vocals/bodhran & whistle/accordion.
Workshops lead by Iain Thomson, Marc Duff and John Somerville.
Wed 1st Oct 8pm Scottish Folk Music Iain Thomson (The Singing Shepherd) and his trio with local band, Emptyhouse. An enjoyable evening of music with great singers.
www.iainthomsonband.co.uk www.emptyhouse.info
Sat 18 Oct 11am - 3pm Poetry Workshop lead by Anne Marie Fyfe and Richard Douglas Pennant.
An opportunity to get down to some serious writing with some help from experienced writers and workshop leaders.
Sat 18 Oct 8pm Jazz & Poetry with The Frank Harrison Trio, Richard Douglas Pennant and Guests.
This is a new type of event for Lyth which brings together two art forms that have a natural affiliation.
Sun 19 Oct 10am - 5pm Jazz Musicians' Workshops. Brass, reeds, guitar, piano, bass and percussion.
Workshops in improvisation and masterclasses lead by musicians from the following two bands.
Sun 19 Oct 7.30pm Jazz Buffet with The Kevin Mackenzie Quartet and The Frank Harrison Trio.
Two top rate bands with an hour's interval for the buffet.
www.kevinmackenzie.co.uk www.frankharrison.net www.richarddouglaspennant.com www.poetrysoc.com

Invergordon Arts Society
[AT] Invergordon Academy 7.30pm
Wed 1 Oct Robert Torrance (Violin), Jeremy Beglie (piano)
Wed 29 Oct Nathaniel Boyd (cello), Simon Lane (piano)
Wed 12 Nov Alexander Gibson Opera School
Wed 26 Nov Piano Trio
Tickets £9 on the door
Wick Pipe Band
November
Sat 29th 10am to 4pm Fun Day teas and lunches, Pipe Band Hall, Wick


This year's Neil Gunn Lecture will be given by Lesley Riddoch, broadcaster, author and wind energy supporter. The Lecture is part of the Inverness Book Festival and takes place on Friday the 3rd. October at 7pm in the One Touch Theatre at Eden Court, Inverness. Lesley's theme will be whether the legacy of powerful writers like Neil Gunn is being used to open or close debate about the future of development in the Highlands and Islands.

Price £7 - reduced rate £5 - tickets and info 01463 234 234

Invergordon Players
The Dragon Box & Tears For Louise
24th & 25th October 2008, 7.30pm

Venue: Invergordon Arts Centre

The Invergordon Players present a night of short plays by local authors. The Dragon Box, by Theo Seller is a short play set in the gritty flats and alleyways of that well known film-noir setting...
Inverness. Follow Sam Gunn, private eye, as he investigates the mystery of the Dragon Box and delves deep into the underworld of crime, blackmail and bingo addiction!

Tears For Louise, by Peter Whiteley, is a trilogy of short plays (John Lennon's Dead; And
Everything Begins; Begonias On Sunday) exploring the stresses and traumas within the different generations of a family, and the effect the ubiquitous Louise has on them all.

Ticket prices (inclusive of all plays): £5 & £3 concessions (unemployed, under 16s, over 60s)
Tickets available from Noreen & Kellys, Invergordon, and
www.thebooth.co.uk

OPPORTUNITIES

MEAL HOUSE LIMITED
(Media Entertainment Arts and Learning)

Studio rental will soon be available to all of the creative industries.

The Old School, Academy Place, Brora is in the process of being turned into an Artist Co-operative. This is made possible through the MEAL House initiative. Rental fees vary depending on which studio space is applied for.

Please contact Wendy Sutherland if you require any further information.

T. 01408 621086 info[AT]wendysutherland.com


Now in its 7th year, Tell-a-Story Day is the annual day-long celebration of storytelling, and the perfect opportunity for people of all ages across the country to come together for some DIY storytelling and share in the magic of live stories!

This year's Tell-a-Story Day falls on Hallowe'en, Friday 31st October - the old Celtic New Year when the year turns from light to dark, the boundary between this world and the next dissolves, and spooks and spirits abound. All over Scotland on 31st October, people will be telling stories in schools, libraries, community centres, churches, homes, forests...as well as some more unusual venues.

Tell us about your Tell-a-Story Day plans! Register with the Scottish Storytelling Centre by Monday 13th October to receive a free event support pack and see your event listed on the Centre's website.

To register visit the Festival section of the website - www.scottishstorytellingcentre.co.uk/festival.co.uk, email jill[AT]scottishstorytellingcentre.com or call us on 0131 652 3272.
Caroline Budge, National Storytelling Coordinator

THE HIGHLAND COUNCIL
OUTDOOR EDUCATION [AT] BADAGUISH OUTDOOR CENTRE

The Highland Council, in partnership with Northern Constabulary, has recently negotiated the long term lease of four superb lodges at Badaguish, situated in the Cairngorms National Park in Glenmore.

This accommodation is available to all Highland Council groups eg schools, social services, community learning etc, for outdoor activity and personal development courses. Work teams are also welcome to make bookings for team meetings, for a single day or overnight stays. Any voluntary or community group based in the Highland Council area is also entitled to book at the same discounted rates (from £40 per night per lodge)

There is a 17 seater minibus available for hire to groups who have a Highland Council registered minibus driver or PCV licence holder.

A newly renovated meeting room, seating 20+, with projector, screens etc is available. Price from £20 per half day.

For information on all aspects of the centre, including bookings, please contact Phil Swainson, the Centre Coordinator on 01479 861734 or 07766 500062, e mail phil.swainson[AT]highland.gov.uk or Badaguish[AT]highland.gov.uk

Glencanisp Lodge

For a week of writing inspiration come to a writing retreat at Glencanisp Lodge in the north-west Highlands of Scotland. There are no qualifications required to come and no compulsory activities, just an opportunity for writers to develop their work in progress in a peaceful and stunningly beautiful environment.

Two retreat weeks are available in 2008:
18-25 October
The woods and moors will be in the height of autumn colours with stags starting to roar for the rut.

This is the third year Glencanisp Lodge has hosted writing retreats. Over this time, the retreats have provided space, tranquillity and stimulation for more than 30 published and aspiring poets, short story writers and novelists including Margaret Elphinstone, Rodge Glass, Jason Donald, Paula Jennings and Colin Will.

Any writers are welcome on the retreats, which cost £400 per person. The retreats run from Saturday to Saturday, a whole week's writing time. Everyone gets a private and comfortable room to themselves, many of which have spectacular views out to the iconic mountain of Suilven or into the mature woods around the Lodge. Delicious home-cooked food is included. A writing facilitator is on hand to give feedback if desired.

To reserve a place on a retreat please send a deposit of £200, cheque made out to 'Top Left Corner' to: Mandy Haggith, 95 Achmelvich, Lochinver, Sutherland, IV27 4JB Scotland

Email: hag[AT]worldforests.org Phone: +44 (0)1571 844020 Mobile: +44 (0)7734 235704

Scottish Screen has recently launched a Digital Projection Equipment Programme to support organisations in non-urban areas in Scotland. I thought this may be of interest to venues or groups in the Highlands, and would be grateful if you could forward this email to any appropriate organisations.

Funding, up to a maximum of £35,000 depending on the scale of the operation, is available to buy digital projectors, screens and associated audiovisual apparatus. In addition a downloadable resource, Tentpoles and Pixels, outlines the key issues to be taken into account when setting up an independent digital cinema.

All information can be found on the Scottish Screen website at:

http://www.scottishscreen.com/digitalprojection/

HI-Arts will also be managing a fund for small organisations, such as film societies, to buy portable digital projections kits. Details http://www.hi-arts.co.uk/


Scottish Arts Council - funding deadlines
The Scottish Arts Council are currently reviewing the performing arts programming fund and anticipate being able to invite applications for a deadline in January 2009 for projects taking place after 1 April 2009. Details of the fund and how to apply for it will be published in our guidelines and our website as soon as they are available. (www.scottisharts.org.uk)

Arts & Business Scotland
CashBack for Communities - Art of the Pitch
The Scottish Government is currently supporting a matching grant scheme administered by Arts & Business Scotland aimed specifically at encouraging business sponsorship of arts activities to help divert young people from becoming involved in crime and anti-social behaviour. The funding, £600,000 over two years, comes from the CashBack for Communities initiative which uses money seized from criminals to provide free activities for 10-19 year olds throughout Scotland.
To promote the grant scheme, Arts & Business is planning two "Dragons Den" style events called "Art of the Pitch". The first event will be held in Glasgow on Monday 1st December at the City Halls 6.00pm - 9.00pm. A second event will be held in Aberdeen in early 2009.
Art of the Pitch - How do I apply?
Please complete and return the attached Art of the Pitch application form by Wednesday 1st October. Six projects will be shortlisted by Monday 27th October and asked to complete a fuller CashBack for Communities application form. This will give you the opportunity to refine your proposal and to provide the business Dragons with background information in advance of the event.
Art of the Pitch - Who can apply ?
Any organisation can apply if they are providing arts activity for 10 to 19 year olds. The arts activity should be primarily for the target groups set out in the guidelines, (Looked after Children, the Young Carers community, children at risk in relation to alcohol, drugs, violence or crime, or to encourage young people who have little or no experience of the arts). All arts activities supported by the grant must be free to the young people. The arts activity should start within the first six months of 2009.
The arts project should cost a minimum of £15,000 to deliver. If the activity is part of a larger project, the £15,000 available through Art of the Pitch must go towards activities which meet the CashBack for Communities eligibility criteria.
To check full details regarding eligibility criteria and priority funding areas please go to www.AandB.org.uk/Scotland. If you have any queries please contact Jeanie Scott or Katriona Holmes, Arts & Business Scotland on 0131 220 2499 or email Scotland.grants[AT]aandb.org.uk.
The Scottish Government's CashBack initiative is also supporting a range of sports and other activities for 10-19 year olds across Scotland. www.cashbackscotland.com.

Highland 2007 Legacy Programme
1st round closed on 22 August. There were 38 applications for the North Highland Area and as a whole the fund was heavily over-subscribed. The decision-making process involves local councillors and a Pan Highland Committee. It is expected that the decisions will announced in early October.

The deadline for the second of the two annual rounds is 6 February
Guidelines and applications can be downloaded from www.highland2007.com

GRANT SEARCH

The Highland Council has taken out a subscription to a grant search facility (Grantnet) for a year
This allows anyone to undertake a search if they are looking for funds
It is a free service
All you need to do is register (it is very easy!)
And you can then search for funds
Anyone can register including community groups, schools, small businesses etc
Please encourage as many people as possible to register and use the service
As the level of usage may well determine whether or not the council thinks this is a useful facility to provide in future
The Grantnet link can be accessed via this webpage

http://www.highland.gov.uk/learninghere/grantsandallowances/

SAC INSPIRE FUND AWARDS

http://www.scottisharts.org.uk/1/latestnews/1005676.aspx

New stage for existing applicants who were unsuccessful first time round

As you may be aware Regional Screen Scotland is the new independent organisation set up to support the development of cinema provision in rural and non-urban areas around Scotland. It is currently being set up by Hi Arts at the request of Scottish Screen.

Ron Inglis has been appointed the director of RSS and will commence work from the 1st of October. He will initially be based in Inverness on roninglis[AT]regionalscreenscotland.org www.regionalscreenscotland.org

DIGITAL PROJECTION EQUIPMENT GRANTS

One of the functions of Regional Screen Scotland is supporting film clubs, community groups, and other bodies seeking to present a planned annual programme of DVD screenings. I have enclosed details of a funding programme of small grants of up to £5,000 which are available on a rolling basis up until the 28th February 2009.

I would be very grateful if you could circulate these details to groups that you think might be interested in your area.

Free Listings
www.hi-arts.co.uk
www.wherecanwego.com

This is the 9th of an occasional Cultural Diary for North Highlands (Caithness, Sutherland, East Ross). It will mainly cover Highland Council activities but will also feature significant other events, activities and opportunities.

Please email information to adrian.clark[AT]highland.gov.uk

Area Cultural Officer, (Caithness, Sutherland & E Ross)
Education, Culture & Sport, The Highland Council
Community Learning Office, Ardross Road, Alness IV17 0QA
(01349) 885114