What's On At Eden Court In May

30th April 2009

Scottish Chamber Orchestra
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Sunday 03 May | 20.00 | Empire

Igor Stravinsky Danses Concertantes
Joseph Haydn Sinfonia Concertante in B flat
Carl Maria von Weber Konzertstück in F minor Op 79
Maurice Ravel Le Tombeau de Couperin

Piano/conductor Christian Zacharias
Oboe Robin Williams
Violin Christopher George
Cello David Watkin

As this year's Classical Concert Series draws to a close, we'll
welcome the SCO and the stunningly talented Christian Zacharias
to Eden Court. Zacharias is one of the greatest German pianists
of modern times.

Known for his consistent and uncompromising individuality,
Zacharias has achieved international recognition since he won the
Geneva Competition in 1969. Over the past eight years Zacharias'
relationship with the SCO has matured into something to be
cherished. Their mutual ease and understanding imbues their
performances with the quality of chamber music. Zacharias takes
the dual role of soloist/director in the Weber and conducts work
by Haydn, Ravel and Stravinsky.


SOLAS
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Tuesday 05 May | 20.00 | OneTouch

There's a super treat in store for fans of celtic fusion next
week, with the rare appearance in the Highlands of the
international supergroup, SOLAS.

Hailed as the most popular, influential, and exciting Celtic band
to emerge from the United States in recent years they have
performed at folk festivals around the world. The Solas sound is
anchored by founder members Seamus Egan, who plays flute, tenor
banjo, mandolin, whistle, guitar and bodhran, and fiddler
Winifred Horan. They are two of the most respected musicians in
acoustic music. Mick McAuley from Kilkenny plays accordion and
concertina; Eamon McElholm from Tyrone plays guitar and
keyboards.

SOLAS can count the likes of Bela Fleck, Emmylou Harris and rap
producer Timbaland amongst their fanbase. This is a rare chance
to see how they do Celtic folk 'across the pond' - don't miss
it!

Find out more, and have a listen - here
[http://solasmusic.com/site/]


Julian Arguelles & John Abercrombie
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Wednesday 6 May | 20.00 | OneTouch

In his first visit to Scotland in more than 20 years, guitar
legend John Abercrombie will join forces with the amazing talent
of Julian Argüelles. Alongside 2 of the world's most outstanding
improvisers, bassist Michael Formanek and drummer Tom Rainey,
they will play new music by Argüelles intertwined with some
timeless and well known jazz classics.

Between them, the two have performed with the likes of Gil Evans,
Miles Davis, Billy Cobham (who played here last year), Django
Bates, Steve Swallow, Dave Holland, Peter Erskine, Jack
DeJonette, Carla Bley, Kenny Wheeler and the Brecker brothers.

This will be a must see and hear gig both for jazz fans...

Find out more here [http://www.julianarguelles.com/] and here
[http://http://www.johnabercrombie.com/]


Tailor of Inverness
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Thursday 7 & Friday 8 May | 19.30 | OneTouch

For those of you who missed this stunning, award-winning piece of
theatre on its last visit here we've secured another four dates
for you! Tailor will be with us on Thu 7 & Fri 8, then again on
Sun 17 & Mon 18 May. Matthew Zajac's wonderful telling of his
father's story is a modern classic of theatre. What's even better
is that it's a true Highland story, told in a unique and touching
way. Don't miss it this time, or you'll kick yourself!


The Stairwell Sisters
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Thursday 14 May | 19.30 | OneTouch

Prepare yourself for one of the hottest acts on America's
old-time music circuit. The Stairwell Sisters have been variously
described as "rowdy, wild and funky" and "gleefully good with
distinctly dirty knees". They appeared at last year's Celtic
Connections festival in Glasgow, after which the Scotsman said
they were 'the find of the festival'.

The Stairwells are one of the most in-demand acts on the US roots
music scene with a massive repertoire of timeless tunes and
smart, original material that has been turning audiences on from
coast to coast. Be prepared for an evening of energetic
musicianship and tight vocal arrangements. They mix fiddle,
banjo, dobro, guitar, slap bass and tiple to create great tunes
with more chomp and jive than a 20s jukebox...

Not sure if you'll like it? Well - try this
[http://www.stairwellsisters.com]


Lisa Knapp & James Yorkston
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Saturday 16 May | 20.00 | OneTouch

I'm particularly looking forward to this event - the twin talents
of Lisa Knapp and James Yorkston are hitting the Highlands as
part the Scottish Arts Council's TUNEUP
[http://www.tuneup.org.uk/] programme.

James Yorkston started out as bassist for punk band Huckleberry,
before turning his talents to acoustic music as the support act
for Bert Jansch. He has worked and toured with the legendary John
Martyn. A hugely talented player of both original and traditional
music, he was musical director for the Lal Waterson Tribute as
part of theBBC's Electric Proms
http://www.bbc.co.uk/electricproms/

at which he first performed with the hugely talented Lisa Knapp.

Lisa Knapp burst on to the alternative scene in 2007 with a
stunning debut album which went on to become Mojo Magazine's
[http://www.mojo4music.com]folk album of the year. She was
nominated for two BBC Folk Awards in 2008. Her debut album
catapulted her to the heart of both the traditional and nu-folk
scenes and won her main stage shows at the Cambridge Folk
Festival and The Green Man Festival in 2007. Lisa has performed
at festivals across the UK and abroad and has collaborated with
artists including Shirley Collins, Fairport Convention,
Bellowhead.

Check out the sites - James Yorkston
[http://www.myspace.com/jamesyorkston] | Lisa Knapp
[http://www.myspace.com/lisaknappmusic]


Voiceworks | Sins....Some Deadly
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Friday 22 May | 19.30 | OneTouch

Local group Voiceworks are a collection of hugely talented
singers, whose combined talents are significantly greater than
the sum of their individual parts. Their appearances at EC are
amazingly popular. This year's offering from these fab folks is a
combined offering of The Lady or the Tiger? and Passionella (from
The Apple Tree).

The evening's entertainment will comprise songs from the famous
quartet from Rigoletto and John Rutter's splendidly jazz-like
version of 'It was a Lover and His Lass'… You'll also be treated
to two one-act musicals from The Apple Tree trilogy by Jerry Bock
and Sheldon Harnick, which opened on Broadway on 18th October
1966 in an original production by Mike Nichols.


Allo Allo
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Monday 18 - Friday 23 May | Various Times | Empire

This is my own personal highlight for May. I remember the TV
version of Allo Allo from my childhood, getting ready to go to
bed and watching this secretly!! You'll be transported in an
instant back to occupied France, and to the enchantingly filthy
Cafe Rene... This brilliant stage version stars the beautiful
Vicki Michelle (from the original series!!) who will reprise her
role as Yvette Carte-Blanche, and Jeffrey Holland (you know..
Spike from Hi De Hi) who will take on the part of hapless cafe
owner and philanderer Rene Artois.

I can't think of a better way to ward off the effects of a global
credit crunch, a crumbling economy and the looming swine flu
pandemic ... can you?


Stones in his Pockets
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Thursday 28 & Friday 29 May | 20.00 | Empire

From the writer of the amazing Women on the Verge of HRT comes
this multi-award winning comedy with a distinctly Irish flavour.
When a major Hollywood film studio descends on a village in rural
Ireland, the demand for extras from the local community is huge.
As the story unfolds, just two talented actors brilliantly bring
to life over 15 extraordinary characters. Fans of Father Ted,
Ardal O' Hanlon or anyone who likes a good old fashioned laugh
should book now!


The Ducky
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Tuesday 12 & Wednesday 13 May | 19.30 | OneTouch

Borderline Theatre's follow up to 2008's award winning production
The Wall, The Ducky is a new comedy with romance, set in the
small Ayrshire town of Stewarton. It follows the lives of a gang
of young folks as they return to their miserable hometown during
the summer holidays. I think most folk can relate to this, coming
home - finding things different, not being able to settle in...
Ultimately, The Ducky is about love and death, families and
homecoming, it's about growing up and realising that nothing is
forever….and it is very funny!

Find out more about Borderline Theatre - here
http://www.borderlinetheatre.co.uk/

For more about Eden Court Theatre, Inverness go to
www.eden-court.co.uk/