ICA Magazine - Issue 117 - May 2012 by ICA

plus EDEN COURT FILM GUIDE

issue 117 MAY 2012

AND comedy festival pull-out (centre pages)

Mental-ness. May’s ‘Garden Of Earthly Delights’ - all for free inside!

May’s moveable feast is here:

ART

May 2012

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from 10

KIDS

1. Inverness’ first Comedy Festival - the Bill Bailey-named ‘Happyness’. 2. The world champions of breakdance among others at Eden Court. 3. The first Brew At The Bog - new Scottish music with craft ales. 4. Extraordinary exhibition from a man who blurs the boundaries between art and terrorism. Really. 5. Open air Macbeth at Cawdor castle - historically relevant or not. 6. Scottish Ballet’s stunning take on A Streetcar Named Desire. 7. Top clubbing events: Choose from Simian Mobile Disco, Skepta, Funk D’Void, N-Trance or, erm, Gareth Gates. 8. Some multimedia thing for kids about Icelandic sheep done by Italians. 9. The first of the new Shinty ‘Derby Days’ initiative. 10. Showaddywaddy. Think about that one...

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MUSIC

Given that you are all likely to find it difficult to travel to 1986 and experience the womb-like warmth of a rammed Talulah Gosh gig this month, it is a good, good job we have some mind-blowingly inconceivable alternatives to distract you from that loss.

FILM

“I asked you a hundred times would you be my best friend?”...

So, what was all that about 1986? See - you forgot, didn’t you...

PLUS EDEN COURT FILM GUIDE: May shows.......................................p31–38 HAPPYNESS pull-out......... centre SPILL: BrewDog’s James Watt ��p17 IG:LU events round up.....................p26

Win BREWDOG goodies.................p17 Win Brew At The Bog tickets.......p50 Win Northern Roots tickets..........p15 Win BFest tickets...................................p50

19 church st inverness 01463 715125 mail@icanow.com NEXT ISSUE OUT 28 MAY !! deadline for submission: FRI 11 MAY

SPECIALS SPORT

PROPERTY.............................................. P46 EATING OUT ......................................... P49 MTMOY: FASHION/BEAUTY..... P54 MTMOY: HEALTH/FITNESS........ P57 CLASSIFIEDS.......................................... P58 SURFING............................... P60 KEN KELMAN ....................................... P60 QR CODES ............................................... P61 GOSKIRK PETTINGER FEAT...... P62

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from 39 THEATRE

CONTENTS ROAD........................................................... P05 ART . ............................................................. P07 FILM ............................................................ P10 KIDS ............................................................ P13 SPILL........................................................... P17 MUSIC......................................................... P18 SPECIALS ................................................ P27 SPORT ........................................................ P39 THEATRE ................................................. P42

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from 42

BACK

The Queen and the CorpOlympics might think 2012 is all about them, but for us humble burghers of the North, it’s shaping up to be a bumper summer for entertainment. Fighting the last of the recession off with fun that’s the idea. To return to our the song, “In my mind, in your mind, we’re both the same, I think. So why should we be so sad?” SEE YOU OUT THERE!

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road

THE VIPER VROOM Proving that old-school machismo has not entirely left the future cars building, is the new SRT Viper - recently unveiled at the New York Auto Show. Sure, it looks pretty in a high heels, short skirt and Wonderbra-assisted curves kind of way - but hey, lots of cars look pretty these days - even budget models are at it. But the Viper (and even moreso its evil GTS twin) has always really been about performance, despite its needy appearance. To that end: A hand-assembled, all aluminium, 8.4 litre V10 engine delivering more torque than any (naturally aspirated) sports car on the planet (600 lb-ft). A 50% improvement in torsional stiffness coupled with significant weight reduction and a .364 drag coefficient all point towards a tasty performance. Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re not thinking mpg, are you? Would you drive one? Let us know: vote online: bit.ly/ICA117R or scan the QR on the pic

Dicksons of Inverness The Friendly Power In Motoring

www.dicksonsofinverness.co.uk for all the latest deals

call: 01463 322904

Corrie Motors

corrie.toyota.co.uk

ART

Events

at The Stables, Cromarty FILM

‘Wooden It Be Nice’ Craft Fair

Saturday May 26th & Sunday May 27th • 10-5pm Entry Free

Drawing Day with Philip Hughes

Saturday June 9th • 11am - 4.30pm • Cost £45

Lecture/Masterclass with Philip Hughes Sunday June 10th • 2pm • Entry Free

KIDS

Philip Hughes Exhibition Opening Sunday June 10th - 13th Open Daily 11am - 6pm • Entry free

Singing Workshop with Corrina Hewat Saturday June 23rd • 11am - 4pm • Cost £15

MUSIC

For more information contact: www.cromartyartstrust.org.uk e: info@cromartyartstrust.org.uk phone 01381 600354

SPECIALS Thu 10 May, 7.30pm • Inverness Ice Centre

SPORT

Strictly Inverness Launch Night & Fashion Show

£10 (£7.50 under 18/concessionary). Includes a glass of wine and nibbles. Hosted by Miss Scarlet Diamonte. Features dances from our adult competitors. Models include players from ICTFC

Fri 11 & Sat 12 May

THEATRE

Strictly Inverness 2012 Adult Competitions, SOLD OUT! Sun 13 May, 2pm • Inverness Ice Centre

Junior Strictly Inverness

£9 (£6.50 for under 18s/concessionary) Ten junior couples compete for the ‘Strictly Junior’ trophy. Come along and vote for your favourite! Tickets: 01463 246 473

BACK

All proceeds split between Highland Hospice & Inverness Ice Centre Highland Hospice & Inverness Ice Centre are registered charities, Nos SC011227 and SC033343

Inverness Ice Centre

MULTIMEDIA

This is his artist’s statement for the show: I am here to kill your pain to make you brave to break all habits to release you from the torment of socially inappropriate imperatives to kiss and slow the fancy footwork of the bully to plant a rose tinted lens on top of the fence that divides us as a temporary fix before all fields of safety connect to encourage your own private trip till it gets out of hand arriving gently but never silent with absolute precision on the land

Should be extraordinary in so many senses of the word.

The art other exhibition at IG:LU this month finds the comic genius that is CHRIS (SIMPSONS ARTIST) [2] tickling our funny bones with works that have seen him go from Facebook phenomenon to internationally sought-after artist. It runs from MON 21–SUN 27 MAY and will make you smile a lot. Which is a good thing.

KIDS MUSIC

The range of artistic expression at IG:LU (19 CHURCH ST) continues to impress and it’s established itself as a multi-media venue where you never quite know what to expect, but will always engender some sort of response, whether positive or negative. And that always has to trump those who promote homogenised, sanitised “art” notable only for its soul-snuffing ordinariness. So, following on from a thoughtfully provocative exhibition on suicide and depression, and the unveiling of a bright young talent in travel photography, this month brings a couple of gems starting with the enigmatic RICHARD MADDALENA, a man whose mission is “to engage the seats of power and tell them truths”. He also recently landed himself a job demonstrating “imaginary chocolate eating” and has been commented upon by folk as diverse as Francis Bacon, Noam Chomsky and Kate Bush. Creator of the “anti-coercion device”, he explains the concept behind them as “to not let the fear of power extinguish your desire to make yourself heard.” His show at IG:LU is called ABSOLUTE PRECISION [1] and runs from FRI 04–MON 21 MAY, incorporating three dimensional and wall mounted work, with Maddalena himself giving guided tours either in person or, curiously, over a mobile phone.

FILM

Telling the Truth

1 SPECIALS

PICTURES

SPORT

PERFORMANCE

THEATRE

OBJECTS

BACK

INSTALLATIONS

ART

BEAULY GALLERY ART

ALL THINGS BRIGHT Works from DAVID BODY, ANNETTE PURDIE, BARBARA CLARK, LOUISE SCOTT and CHRISTINE CALLUM-MACINALLY. Traditional styles contrasting against stylized works. Now open 7 days a week. beaulygallery.co.uk

opportunity to sell their work directly to the public within an exciting new pop-up gallery in the Eastgate Centre, Inverness. 5 makers will be selected to take part in a two week showcase for their area. These showcases are back to back for 6 months. Regions:Shetland, Orkney, Caithness, Sutherland, Ross & Cromarty, Inverness-shire, Skye & Lochalsh, Moray, Argyle & Bute.

IG:LU

ABSOLUTE PRECISION Mon 04–21 May A thought-provoking new show from one RICHARD MADDALENA who picks at the threads between ‘art’ and ‘terrorism’. The show involves 3 dimensional and wall mounted work with a performance element - a kind of guided tour - conducted either in person or via mobile phone! NB: Some of the show will stay in place for the Happyness Comedy Festival until 27 May UnoffIcial

Sponsored by:

FRINGE

IONA GALLERY, KINGUSSIE,

THE MAKING OF LONGBIRD: WILL ANDERSON, to 27 May theionagallery.co.uk

KILMORACK GALLERY

ALLAN MACDONALD & LYNN MCGREGOR RSW 4 May to 9 June It is now two years since Allan MacDonald’s sell out solo show at Kilmorack Gallery and this body of new work, entitled ‘the silence and the storm’ has further developed his almost devotional works. [PIC BELOW] McGregor’s is one of the or purest abstract expressionist Scottish landscape painters. Sea and sky have always been a large part of her life. She looked onto it as a child growing up in Pittenweem and, with home and studio on an uninhabited island in Northern Ireland, it is all-consuming in her current life. kilmorackgallery.co.uk

at IG:LU

CASTLE GALLERY

NOTES ON BIRDS AND OTHER BEASTS, Jenny McLaren & Fiona Watson, 05–26 May Paintings, collage and prints. castlegallery. co.uk

EDEN COURT GALLERY

SEPARATION by Cherie, Gorth & Euchrid – Blink Gallery, thru May THE FORCE & FORM OF MEMORY by HighLife Highland In the Stalls/1st Floor Gallery. An exhibition of mixed works by 76 specially selected artists from across Scotland and throughout the UK, based on the theme of memory. Each artist has their own individual response to the topic, creating a lasting sensory and visual experience for the onlooker. All works are for sale.

ELGIN LIBRARY

LANDSCAPES AND PORTRAITS by Hannah Walls, Sat 19 May–Fri 1 June

ELGIN MUSEUM

BLESSED BY BEAUTY by Mary Wolf, Wed 9 May

H-I-C-A

DOUG FISHBONE: NEITHER HERE NOR THERE, to 6 May, Two recent video works by the London based conceptual artist Doug Fishbone as featured last month. h-i-c-a.org

HIGHLAND PRINT STUDIO COLLOGRAPH CLASS to 29 May 01463 718999 highlandprintstudio.co.uk

HUNG

LYNN DOHERTY, 04–31 May From Fearn in Ross-shire, Lynn uses a mix of acrylic and oil pastels to create her pieces – usually a modern take on Ross-shire landscapes – she is creating a new body of work for this exhibition. CROUCHTE HIGHLAND CONTEMPORARY ARTS/CRAFTS SHOWCASE 2012 Crouchte is a high quality, selected showcase, where cutting edge designer-makers are given the

HAPPYNESS FRINGE EVENTS: Mon 21–Sun 27 May • CHRIS (SIMPSONS ARTIST) SHOW To celebrate Inverness’ first comedy festival, this comedy genius seemed like an appropriate artist to exhibit. Featuring new images and words plus some old favourites. • DAILY COMEDY-THEMED FILMS Mon–Fri at 3pm (see P10) Free! • BREAKIN’ CONVENTION AFTERSHOW Tue 22 May, time tbc. Essentially a private party for some of the world’s very best breakdancers - but you could be there too apply for places online at www.theIG.LU. Yes, they will be breaking, MC-ing and partying. • HAPPYNESS WRAP PARTY Sun 27 May, 11.59pm Another after-show, this time with the crew from the first ever Inverness Comedy Festival - the Bill-Bailey-named ‘Happyness’. Again, a private event but we have a special opportunity for a few people to sneak on the list. Apply as usual at www.theIG.LU

IMAG

TRIUMPHS & TRAGEDIES, to 19 May Inverness Museum & Art Gallery mark the return of their summer opening hours with a portraits exhibition of the Royal House of Stuarts. inverness.highland.museum

INCHMORE GALLERY

DISCARDED THOUGHTS, 5–30 May Exhibition of painted sculptures and sculpted paintings by local artist MARK LOMAX, along side “Craft Month”.inchmoregallery.co.uk

MORAY ART CENTRE

FROM SCOTLAND TO SPAIN to 26 May His first exhibition in the UK for twenty years, marks a homecoming for the internationally renowned artist GEOFF MACEWAN. morayartcentre.org

STRATHPEFFER COMMUNITY CENTRE

COMMUNITY ART FAIR, 12–13 May a chance to see and purchase a variety of local art from paintings to glassware and textiles to woodcarvings. Free entry.

SUTOR CREEK CAFÉ, Cromarty CROMARTY SEA AND SKY Paintings by Pat Hay, to 15 July Inspired by beautiful landscapes and seascapes.

TORE GALLERY

NEW STILL LIFE PAINTINGS A colourful exhibition of new Still Life paintings by gallery artists including JENNIFER MACKENZIE, ISABELL DICKSON, FIONA MATHESON, CLARE BLOIS and CHRISTINE O’KEEFFE. A mixed show of painting, printmaking, ceramics, jewellery runs alongside.

ULLAPOOL VISUAL ARTS

LK243 UnderSail, to 20 May Work created by IMI MAUFE as part of an Artist residency during the Tall Ships’ Races 2011. IMPRESSIONS, 26 May–17 June Exhibition of Paintings and Textiles by CYRIL and HAZEL REED.

ART FILM KIDS MUSIC SPECIALS SPORT

Geoff MacEwan

PRINTS AND PAINTINGS

MORAY art CENTRE 14.04. - 26.05.2012 The Park, Findhorn, Forres, IV36 3TA | 01309 692426 info@morayartcentre.org | www.morayartcentre.org Facebook: morayartcentre | Twitter: MorayArtCentre

Open Tuesday to Friday 10am to 5pm & Saturday 10am - 4pm ADMISSION FREE

BACK

THEATRE

FROM SCOTLAND TO SPAIN

FILM COMEDY

DOCUMENTARY

DRAMA

FAMILY

ROMANCE

Festival Time As you’ll have seen from this month’s issue, the festival season is starting earlier than ever with both music and comedy shindigs taking place. And cinema is joining the trend, with the LOCH NESS FILM FESTIVAL taking place in DRUMNADROCHIT, LEWISTON and ABRIACHAN from FRI 25–SUN 27MAY. Highlight for many will be the wonderful Ealing comedy Whisky Galore at Craigmonie Centre on Sat 26 May, but there’s also the attraction of independent Scottish features Attack of the Herbals, The Big Slick and The Suppressor as well as a selection of Short Films. Go to www.lochnessfilmfestival.co.uk There are also several movies showing at EDEN COURT as part of the nationwide GREEN FILM FESTIVAL, but details have yet to be finalised, so head to ukgreenfilmfestival.org to see what’s where. Finally, if you’re in town, head to IG:LU at 19 Church Street for a fine selection of stand-up related movies. With a different title screening each day at 3pm from 23–27 MAY as part of their Inverness Comedy Festival (Happyness) Fringe events, there’ll be particular treats for fans of Lenny Bruce and Bill Hicks. [see all five listed in PINK >>>] Two of the comedians appearing at Happyness - BILL BAILEY and DYLAN MORAN - will appear at Eden Court introducing films in which they appear. See the centre pages pull-out for more details.

Away from the festivals, there are a couple of impressively stone cold bonkers turns on the big screen this month, both sharing a celebration of the dark side. THIS MUST BE THE PLACE [1] (EDEN COURT, 25-31 MAY) sees SEAN PENN playing a Goth Nazi Hunter, apparently modelled on The Cure’s Robert Smith, in looks if not raison d’être, while JOHNNY DEPP (who else?) plays the vampiric Barnabas Collins in Tim Burton’s remake of the DARK SHADOWS TV series (EDEN COURT, 11-24 MAY) It co-stars HELENA BONHAM CARTER as all Burton’s films are contractually obliged to do. You might have thought that the undead genre had, well, died, but this is just the start of a succession of releases over the next year that includes ABRAHAM LINCOLN:VAMPIRE HUNTER, TWILIGHT:BREAKING DAWN:Pt2, DRACULA 3D, INNOCENCE (“like Gossip Girl with teeth”), HIGH MIDNIGHT (vampire/Western mash-up starring Liz Hurley), BYZANTIUM (from Neil “Interview With The Vampire” Jordan) and perhaps most enticing of all, our very own TILDA SWINTON starring in the newie from the brilliant Jim Jarmusch, ONLY LOVERS LEFT ALIVE, about vampires falling in love across two centuries. Best not put your garlic and crosses away just yet.

FILM

TUE 15 MAY

AN AMERICAN IN PARIS @ Eden Court (IFF FILM) sponsor of the Fringe Events to the Happyness Comedy Festival @ IG:LU >>> see the films listed in PINK >>>

TUE 01 MAY

RASHÔMON @ Eden Court (IFF FILM*)

*Inverness Film Fans [InFiFa] meet fortnightly at Eden Court for screenings & discussion. New Member’s welcome. For programme details visit: www.invernessfilmfans.org

FROM FRI 04 MAY

FROM FRI 18 MAY

TITANIC @ Eden Court TASTE THE WASTE @ Eden Court (GREEN FILM FESTIVAL)

SUN 20 MAY

SAT 26 MAY

BREATHING @ Eden Court

FRI 18 MAY

HAPPY @ Eden Court (GREEN FILM FESTIVAL)

SAT 19 MAY

FROM MON 21 MAY

SAT 05 MAY

THE CUP (PHÖRPA) @ Eden Court

FROM WED 09 MAY

KHODORKOVSKY @ Eden Court

THU 10 MAY

DELICACY @ Eden Court

FROM FRI 11 MAY

DARK SHADOWS @ Eden Court & @ Vue Cinemas (tbc) See main feature BABYCALL @ Eden Court

FROM FRI 25 MAY

THIS MUST BE THE PLACE @ Eden Court SEE MAIN FEATURE AND ABOVE << MEN IN BLACK III @ Vue Cinemas tbc WILL SMITH & TOMMY LEE JONES find another dimension... BLACKTHORN @ Eden Court THE BIG SLICK @ Loch Ness Backpackers Lodge, Drumnadrochit, 7pm (LOCH NESS FILM FESTIVAL) ATTACK OF THE HERBALS @ Loch Ness Backpackers Lodge, Drumnadrochit, 9pm (LOCH NESS FILM FESTIVAL)

THE AVENGERS @ Vue Cinemas (tbc) ROBERT DOWNEY JR. CHRIS HEMSWORTH THE CITY DARK @ Eden Court SALMON FISHING IN THE YEMEN @ Eden Court (GREEN FILM FESTIVAL) MIRROR MIRROR @ Eden Court CARANCHO @ Eden Court HEADHUNTERS @ Eden Court TINY FURNITURE @ Eden Court HAPPYNESS FRINGE: I AM COMIC @ IG:LU, 3pm THE PIRATES! IN AN ADVENTURE WITH SCIENTISTS! @ Eden Court

SUN 06 MAY

HAPPYNESS FRINGE: SUPER HIGH ME (18) @ IG:LU, 3pm

TUE 22 MAY

WHISKY GALORE @ Craigmonie Centre, Drumnadrochit, 8pm (LOCH NESS FILM FESTIVAL) A CAT IN PARIS @ Eden Court LE HARVE @ Eden Court MARLEY @ Eden Court

SUN 27 MAY

MOZART’S SISTER @ Eden Court HAPPYNESS FRINGE: LENNY (15) @ IG:LU, 3pm THE SUPPRESSOR @ Abriachan Hall, 4pm (LOCH NESS FILM FESTIVAL)

WED 23 MAY

HAPPYNESS FRINGE: AMERICAN: THE BILL HICKS STORY (15) @ IG:LU, 3pm

THU 24 MAY

CHALET GIRL @ Eden Court Introduced by Bill Bailey HAPPYNESS FRINGE: KING OF COMEDY @ IG:LU, 3pm

FRI 25 MAY

A FILM WITH ME IN IT @ Eden Court Introduced by Dylan Moran

TUE 29 MAY

THE AFRICAN QUEEN @ Eden Court (IFF FILM)

FROM FRI 01 JUN

SNOW WHITE & THE HUNTSMAN @ Vue Cinemas tbc with CHARLIZE THERON & CHRIS HEMSWORTH

NB: FULL EDEN COURT FILM GUIDE FROM P29

ART FILM

Banff Beltane Bash Celtic Fire Festival 6th & 7th May 2012

KIDS

Day Tickets £5/£3 Weekend Tickets £6/£5 Gates open 6pm on Sunday 11am on Monday

MUSIC

Banff Castle, Castle Street, Banff, AB45 1DL TEL: 01261 815325

www.banffcastle.org.uk

SPECIALS SPORT THEATRE BACK

KIDS ART

FILM

MUSIC

SPORT

SPECIALS

THEATRE

Kids Play. Surprisingly, the Easter period didn’t offer much in the form of kids’ entertainment, leaving, we suppose, more time for them to get on with cleaning chimneys and selling matches. May, however, brings a host of interesting events, providing fuel for both body and soul: KINDUR – THE ADVENTUROUS LIFE OF ICELANDIC SHEEP [1] (EDEN COURT ONETOUCH, WED 16 MAY) is brought to you by TPO, the groundbreaking Italian company whose previous show, Butterflies, utilised all manner of multimedia and interactive shenanigans. This one sounds just as innovative, with kids being given a light-up badge signalling their turn to travel round an Icelandic landscape with the Kindur (Icelandic for “sheep”) of the title, exploring volcanoes, geysers and waterfalls. It’s for anyone five and up. From visions of the wild outdoors to something inspired by urban existence. JAMP [2] (UNIVERSAL HALL, FINDHORN, SAT 05 MAY) is a new circus theatre for Scotland, created by Scottish performing arts company Bright Night International (BNI) and Glasgow Parkour Coaching (GPC). Incorporating elements of parkour, physical theatre and dance, this show tells stories of extraordinary meetings on an ordinary street, with a simple bench and a bus stop becoming a meeting point, a playpark, a hiding place or a battleground. For a taster of what to expect go to http://tinyurl.com/cl6wekh More celebration of physicality at UNIVERSAL HALL on SAT 19 MAY at 4pm in the form of BY THE SEAT OF YOUR PANTS [3], the latest creation by Edinburgh based Plutôt la Vie. It’s billed as “a hilarious, slapstick venture into the world of three men and a chair! Nothing to be done and nothing to do. Fritz, Franz and Rudy sit and wait. Expectation! Hope! Boredom! Delight! Not to take things sitting down, they put their best feet forward to make the grade and avoid a kick in the pants.” Sounds like Waiting For Godot meets the Marx Brothers! Stimulation of a rather more cerebral form comes in the shape of SENSORY O [4] (EDEN COURT, 17–19 MAY). Following on from Scottish Opera’s successful Baby O, this is the next step up and is aimed at children between the ages of 18 and 36 months. Featuring a mixture of live and recorded vocal music, and percussive sounds performed on a ‘playable’ set, Sensory O also uses smells, textures, actions and simple but striking visuals to inspire the imagination and bring the adventure to life.

KIDS

SUN 29 APR

BUTTERFLY RESCUE DAY @ Arderseir Common. The small blue butterfly needs your help! Its caterpillars only eat a rare plant which we have been growing from seeds. Today we will be planting them along the foreshore between Ardersier Common and Fort George. Please give us a hand if you can. Tools will be provided but please bring your own gardening gloves. Meet at Ardersier Common car park between Ardersier and Fort George. 2–4pm01463 710786. Free.

TUE 01 MAY

For children from 3 years. Cost £4 per person. For bookings or more information phone Elisabeth Julian on 01309 691225 or visit www.treebadour.co.uk.

SUN 06 MAY

WED 16 MAY Theatre

KINDUR @ Eden Court [pictured above] See Preview P13

THU 17 MAY Theatre

CELEBRATE THE FESTIVAL OF THE BUDDHA’S SENSORY O @ Eden Court See Preview P13 ENLIGHTENMENT @ Eden Court Maclean Room. Talk, taster meditation sessions, children’s activities, ritual. 9.45am-4.30pmAll BY THE SEAT OF YOUR PANTS welcome. www.bigmind.org.uk. @ Deskford Community Ctr, Buckie, 7.30pm The zany world of three men in silly beards and a chair. It’s a fast funny show with plenty of clowning for families with children over eight. BOOK SALE @ Elgin Library

FRI 18 MAY Theatre

TUE 08 MAY

OBSERVING THE MOON @ Smithton/Culloden Free Church, 7.00pm Highlands Astronomical Society meeting, a talk by Ken Kennedy of Dundee Astronomical Society. Youngstars (8 – INVERNESS CLASSIC VEHICLE SHOW 14yrs old) spacegazer.com. @ Inverness City Centre. For the third year running the popular Classic Vehicle Show will take place in Inverness City Centre streets. Vehicles from different eras will occupy the WILD FOODS AND FORAGING @ Scottish Dolphin Centre, Spey Bey. Wild city centre streets and there will be a variety food wander to discover which animal is eating of entertainment including street performers, what and to get some tips on foraging for your musicians and kids activities. A fun day out for own table. Children must be accompanied by an all the family. adult. Booking is essential. KILMORACK GALA DAY @ Teanassie Primary School By Beauly

SAT 12 MAY

SENSORY O @ Eden Court See Preview P13

Annual

FRI 04 MAY Annual

Special Events

SAT 05 MAY

DINGWALL MODEL FAIR @ The Royal British Legion, Dingwall. Including at least 3 model railway layouts, raising money for MFR Cash for Kids and Macmillan cancer relief.

Annual

SAT 19 MAY Special Events

HORRIBLE HISTORY: CRIME & PUNISHMENT @ The Falconer Museum, Forres. Experience the seamier side of history - mock trials, witches, crime and even a set of stocks to try. SENSORY O @ Eden Court See Preview P13 KILTARLITY COMMUNITY GALA @ Tomnacross School, Kiltarlity. Various stalls; bungee trampoline; roundabout; displays; tug-owar; teas and food; live music and dancing and much more.

HERITAGE OPEN DAY @ Elgin Library. Come along and discover your heritage. Hands BY THE SEAT OF YOUR PANTS on activities and experts to help you find @ Universal Hall, Findhorn, 4pm See P13 out more about where you live. Free.www. morayconnections.com. OAKYDOAK AND BLUEBELL SATURDAY KIDS MATINEE @ James Milne Institute, Findhorn Village, 2pm @ Strathpeffer Community Centre. Treasure Treebadour Puppet Theatre. For children from 3 Buddies. Children under 5 must be accompanied years. Cost £4 per person. For bookings or more by an adult. Sweets, popcorn. JUNIOR STRICTLY INVERNESS 2012 information phone Elisabeth Julian on 01309 @ Inverness Ice Centre. Ten junior couples 691225 or visit www.treebadour.co.uk. JAMP @ Universal Hall, Findhorn, 2pm compete in this spectacular afternoon See preview p13 of entertainment for all the family. Judges’ scorings and audience votes determine the ORGANIC PEPPER @ James Milne winners. Also features performances from local HIGHLAND BABY SHOW 2012 dance schools. To book, please call Highland @ Culloden Free Church One stop shop for all Institute, Findhorn Village, 2pm maternity and baby needs. Treebadour Puppet Theatre. Hospice on 01463 246473. Theatre

Theatre/Puppets

SUN 13 MAY Annual

Theatre

Theatre/Puppets

FRI 01 JUN

ART

Student Summer Placements  Gain 8 weeks paid work experience to enhance your CV

FILM

 Attend a 2 day residential training course on personal development and employment skills

KIDS

Where? In private businesses and social enterprises in the Highlands and Islands When? June – August 2012 Who? open to all current university students

Supported by

For your chance to win: EMAIL win@icanow.com

Join us for a 10k twilight walk, picnic and entertainment to raise money for local Marie Curie Nurses.

Walk Ten Inverness at Belladrum Estate

TEXT Text ROOTS + your name to 07786206955

Saturday September 1, 2012

WEB win.whatsoninverness.com

www.mariecurie.org.uk/walkten 08700 340 040 Charity reg no. 207994 (England & Wales), SC038731 (Scotland) Q163_m

WIN WIN WIN WIN !!!!

SPORT

2 FREE Weekend Tickets Fri 1 - Mon 3 June

THEATRE

Tickets & more info at

Lochnessfilmfestival.co.uk

BACK

WIN WIN WIN WIN !!!!

SPECIALS

MUSIC

Placements advertised now! www.talentscotland.com/ summerplacements

We’ve got a CRATE of BREWDOG beer and TEN of their fine T-SHIRTS to give away!! All YOU have to do is: text: 07786 206955 keyword ‘CRATE’ or ‘TEE’ plus your NAME email: win@icanow.com subject ‘BREW CRATE’ or ‘BREW TEE’ web: brewdog.whatsoninverness.com just visit & enter qr: scan this >>> NB: Beer promo only open to over 18’s. Er, obviously, duh...

JAMES WATT: BREWDOG co-founder BREW AT THE BOG, BOGBAIN, Sat 05 May

BREWDOG are the revolutionary young punks of the beer scene. Founded in 2007 by friends JAMES WATT and MARTIN DICKIE, who ploughed their life savings into the enterprise, they’ve risen to become the largest independent brewery in Scotland, based in Fraserburgh, with a heap of awards and even their own chain of bars – all built around a refreshingly irreverent vision. Responsible for the world’s strongest beer (the 55% ABV End Of History, packaged in the bodies of small, stuffed dead animals!) as well as previous record holders Tactical Nuclear Penguin and Sink The Bismarck (the latter a response to the Germans taking the title), they’ve also got an ever-growing range of fine brews bringing ale to a whole new audience. With BrewDog announced as official beer suppliers to the forthcoming Brew At The Bog festival, we caught up with James Watt to find out more:

now? I don’t. How’s the introduction of a minimum unit price for alcohol going to affect you? It won’t affect us directly because our beers are not priced according to their alcohol content, but by their own value which is calculated on a number of factors. Our products are made by people who care deeply about the beers they produce and we believe that the alcohol content is merely a number attributed to a beer as opposed to a figure it should be judged against. Is binge drinking really such a new thing? It’s more important to look at how much it is increasing in recent years. The attitude towards alcohol in this country is creating a culture that encourages vast consumption of alcohol for no pleasure or real gain. We want to show people that beers and other craft produced alcohol products can be enjoyed sensibly.

How do you go from being a fisherman to a beer maker? I don’t know how Captain Bird’s Eye would do it, but I started off by making beer in my garage with my best friend and was told by an industry expert that I should jack in my day job. So I did.

One of our number is just starting to brew his own beer. What’s the secret of a great ale? A love and knowledge for what you do. Brewing beer that we want to drink. Using really, f***ing tasty ingredients.

What was the original concept behind Brewdog? We wanted to make good beer. That’s at the heart of what we do and always will be. On top of that, our dedication to changing perceptions and attitudes to beer and alcohol on a broader level lends itself well to the Punk movement, which we have adopted as our image and public image. It supports what we do and what we’re about and gets people excited about the message we want to spread.

How do you convince the punters that there’s more to life than just lager? Ask them not to knock it ‘til they’ve tried it.

Have you been surprised at the swiftness of your success? We’re more enamoured by the willingness of the public to support our cause and contribute towards the craft beer revolution. It’s exciting and extremely pleasing to know we’re stalwarts of a community which was always waiting for a flag bearer. Raising £2.2mil in under 5 months with Equity For Punks was pretty ace. What was the driving force behind creating the strongest beer in the world? Cocking a snook at the moralisers? It’s in our nature to change perceptions and with them, boundaries. So during our experimentation, we discovered we could brew high alcohol content beverages and did so to produce delicious, craft products for our public. Who wants 10 cans of yellow, tasteless lager just to tick Saturday night off your to-do list, when you can actually drink tasty, quality craft beer

Who decides on the names? Why the punk ethos? Everyone we employ contributes to new beers, new names and new ideas for what we say and do. As do the fans. Everyone at BrewDog believes in the same ideals and wants the same thing for the craft beer industry, which means we’re guaranteed welcome contributions to everything we do. The punk thing? We want to change some pretty deep set attitudes towards beer and alcohol and we want to challenge perceptions and shake up the system in the process. So it just fits. What’s your involvement with the Brew At The Bog festival up here? We’re the beer sponsor. We think the festival is awesome and they have the same ethos as us, so it seemed like a great match. Beer and music are made for each other. Does this mean there’ll be a Brewdog pub in Inverness one day? Anywhere is possible. As long as there is a craft beer audience there, it’s on our radar. AND FINALLY: Where do you want the company to go over the next few years? Space.

MUSIC CLASSICAL CLUBBING

FOLK

JAZZ/world

ROCK

Up On The Farm Busy times ahead at BOGBAIN FARM with a host of events worth heading along for. Many of you might still be recovering from the Whisky Festival there at the beginning of April, but it’s a different drink attracting your attention during BREW AT THE BOG FESTIVAL [1] (BOGBAIN FARM, SAT 05 MAY) in the form of rising stars of the craft brewing scene, Brewdog (see P17). There’ll be plenty of opportunities to sup their award winning beers (including 5am Saint, Punk IPA and 77 Lager) as you take in a strong line-up of Scotland’s new music that includes TOMMY REILLY, FATHERSON, LITTLE KICKS, FINDLAY NAPIER & THE BAR ROOM MOUNTAINEERS, KITTY THE LION, WOODY PINES, HE SLEPT ON 57 and tons more, with 32 bands across three stages. VIC GALLOWAY and ALLY MCCRAE are hosts. The organisers tell us, “The festival is wee. Don’t expect anything too fancy or w*nky – there is going to be beer and there is going to be music. Lots of it. No circus tricks, no gimmicks, it’s back to basics. Oh yeah, there will be food too.” Sounds mighty good to us. Then from 01–03 JUN, it’s time at Bogbain for BRUCE MACGREGOR’S NORTHERN ROOTS FESTIVAL, with a top, top quality line-up including BLAZIN’ FIDDLES, LE VENT DU NORD, KATHLEEN MACINNES BAND, WIZZ JONES, FURNACE MOUNTAIN, GROANBOX BOYS and THE BRUCE MACGREGOR BAND. The smart trick this festival pulls is that you don’t need hundreds of bands to make a festival if (simply really) every band is great. Again, there’ll be plenty of fine ale and great food, making it nigh on essential for fans of folk and traditional sounds. Tickets for the whole weekend are £69. This includes entry into EVERY concert - 2 afternoon concerts, 3 evening concerts and 3 festival clubs. Or you can buy tickets for the individual concerts via www.ticketsoup. com. Festival club tickets can also be bought on the night.

It’s not all festivals at Bogbain though and one date worth circling in your diary this very minute is SAT 19 MAY, when husband and wife duo MARK STUART & STACEY EARLE play as part of a mammoth tour taking in intimate venues. If Stacey’s surname sounds familiar it’s because her brother is Steve Earle and indeed she played in his band The Dukes for many years. Her and Mark’s music charts similar blues/country/ rock to her brother’s, their new album “Dedication” being a thing of some beauty. Americana fans won’t want to miss it. For details of all Bogbain gigs go to bogbainfarm.com

> > > >

WE WERE PROMISED JETPACKS SKEPTA SIMIAN MOBILE DISCO SCO SHOWADDYWADDY OUTSIDE TRACK DODGY MUGNEKYO TAIKO MORE

CLASSICAL SAT 28 APR

VERDI’S REQUIEM @ Eden Court Empire, 7.30pm The Inverness Choral returns with one of the most popular - and dramatic - works in the repertoire. 01463 234 234

SUN 29 APR

CHORAL EVENSONG @ Inverness Cathedral, 5.30pm. Purcell in G minor; the Lord is my Shepherd - Stanford.

WED 02 MAY

SCOTTISH CHAMBER ORCHESTRA @ Eden Court Empire, 8pm DVORAK Czech Suite, MOZART Piano Concerto No 20 in D minor, K466, BEETHOVEN Symphony No 2, JAKUB HRUSA conductor JONATHAN BISS piano. 01463 234 234

CLUBBING SAT 28 APR Clubbing

GARETH GATES @ Miami Nightclub Yes, really - only he’s not singing, for he is now getting a reputation as a pretty nifty DJ.

SAT 05 MAY

N-TRANCE @ Miami Nightclub The duo who originally formed in Oldham as the Acid House Second Summer Of Love ushered in the nineties, are best known for their trance dance classic Set You Free, as well as a host of covers ranging from D.I.S.C.O to, remarkably, Do You Think I’m Sexy?, even taking in a clattery techno tune, The Mind Of The Machine, featuring STEVEN BERKOFF! How many of those will get an airing? Will they reprise their version of the theme from Roobarb and Custard? Is the Third Summer Of Love upon us? Better get along and find out.

FRI 18 MAY

ADRIAN BOORMAN, TRICIA MCLAUGHLIN & MALCOLM PEARCE @ Brodie Castle, 7.30pm Step back in time 400 years to hear the group serve up a delectable menu of musical treats including vocal and instrumental works by Purcell, Gibbons and their English and European contemporaries, interspersed with colourful period anecdotes. SPRINGTIME SCHUBERTIADE @ Tore Art Gallery, 7.30pm. This concert revives the spirit of the Schubertiade, the kind of communal musicmaking that Schubert so enjoyed. The programme includes the famous “Shepherd on the Rock”, a selection of Serenades and Lieder for various combinations of voice and instruments, and some piano duets. The Black Isle Singers will perform Brahms’ Liebeslieder Waltzes, written as a tribute to the Viennese Landler style. SEATS MUST BE BOOKED IN ADVANCE (limited space) Suggested donation £12 including refreshments. Proceeds to the British Heart Foundation (Inverness Branch).

FRI 25 MAY

MONIKA STADLER @ The Little Theatre, Nairn. Taking time out from her globe-trotting career, the renowned Viennese harpist Monika Stadler returns as part of a short concert tour of the Highlands. Tickets from Sandra McGowan on 01667 455899, or at the door on the night. nairndrama.org.uk for more information.

SUN 27 MAY

ANTHONY HEWITT @ Nairn Comm Ctr, 7.30pm One of the UK’s best young pianists returns to Nairn with a programme of Schumann, Schubert, Chopin, Liszt, Scriabin and Goss. www.musicnairn.org.uk. 01667 453476

SUN 29 APR

CHORAL EVENSONG @ Inv Cathedral 5.30pm

MAY DAY WEEKENDER @ Ironworks Soma’s mighty FUNK D’VOID (most famous for end-of-nighter anthem ‘Diabla’) is joined by SILICON SOUL aka duo Craig Morrison and Graeme Reedie for what’s billed as a “weekender” despite only lasting one night. Should be excellent though. And earlier in the day there’s the added attraction of a DJ masterclass from both F D’V and SS. It’s free, but places are limited, so you have to register. Go to www.musicplus.org.uk/soma to find out more.

CLUBBING PICK: SKEPTA @ MIAMI NIGHTCLUB Sat 19 May Fans of the TV show Misfits will know the episode where Curtis travels repeatedly back in time to a club playing Skepta’s Rolex Sweep from 2008 - something which can’t have done any harm in raising his profile. Whilst it didn’t trouble the top 30 at the time, Skepta subsequently hit that milestone four times and his latest album, The Honeymoon, is/was scheduled to drop anytime... now! Originally a member of Tottenham’s ‘notorious’ Meridian crew, there’s an undeniable authenticity to his grime sounds and an inevitable self-regard – clear right from the off when he called his debut album Greatest Hits. The songs are the usual mix of champagne’n’bling narratives, but there’s no denying his talent for coming up with distinctive creations. Good to see him in Inversnecky, eh?

FRI 11 MAY

SIMIAN MOBILE DISCO @ Ironworks A great month for clubbing and one of the highlights will be the welcome return to the Highlands of James Ford and James Shaw, the duo who broke free from the shackles of their rock band Simian, to explore dance shapes using analogue equipment. The resulting Attack Decay Sustain Release album proved enormously influential and provided a starting point for an extensive ensuing career both as remixers and architects of their own delightful visions. Expect to hear lots from their soon to be released third studio album, Unpatterns. Ace.

CLUBBING REGULARS WEDNESDAYS

BROKE WEDNESDAYS @ Love2Love 11- 3am WEDNESDAY with SI PAUL - TOWIE @ MIAMI (The Only Wednesday Is ‘Ere) Party Pop & Rnb

THURSDAYS

THURSDAY 118 @ MIAMI with Alottarhythm intelligent grooves pop and r’n’b.

FRIDAYS

BACK TO THE FRIDAYS @ Love2Love 10.30pm - 3am Bringing you the best music from today, tomorrow and the past DMFAO @ MIAMI ( DANCE MY F***IN ASS OFF) With Allottarhythm Man Doors 10-3am RETRO FRIDAY NIGHTs @ HUSH, 9pm

SATURDAYS

THE BIG SQUEEZE @ Love2Love 10pm - 3am The working week is over - celebrate with style! MIAMI’S SOUND MACHINE @ MIAMI

SUNDAYS

118 / JUKE BOX with Si Paul… @ MIAMI The only night in Inverness where YOU get to choose the music all night 10.30 til 3am.

FOLK

THU 26 APR

to leek any details at the moment. Arf. What with the prolific preponderance of rock’n’metal bands hailing from the valleys, shouldn’t wonder if there’s at least one bit of shredding slipped in...

THE CAMPBELLS OF GREEPE & SPECIAL GUESTS @ Eden Court Empire, 8pm Five voices, one family, nine Mòd gold medals through three generations.

THU 10 MAY

FRI 27 APR

SAT 12 MAY

JAMES GRANT @ Eden Court OneTouch, 8pm Love & Money frontman plays material from all his critically acclaimed solo albums and a smattering of the old favourites in a solo acoustic setting.

WE SEE LIGHTS/JOHN MCINTOSH @ Hootananny

COAST @ Ironworks, 7.30pm Celtic rockers based in Southampton, but drawing on influences growing up in North Uist.

FRI 25 MAY

MUSIC PLUS SONGWRITING MASTERCLASS @ Eden Court Music Plus are running a workshop for songwriters where FINDLAY NAPIER (of the Bar Room Mountaineers), LOUIS ABBOTT (of Admiral Fallow) and KIM EDGAR (Burns Unit), highly regarded as three of Scotland’s finest songwriters will play through their songs and take them apart to show their songwriting processes. There will also be informal Q&A at the session to give you a chance to ask the things you would like to ask established songwriters. For details, go to www.musicplus.org.uk/songwriting

STRATHPEFFER & DISTRICT PIPE BAND @ Strathpeffer Square. The event lasts about one hour with a showcase of Highland Dancing - weather permitting.

BRIAN O hEADHRA & FRIENDS @ Hootananny.

ALLY MACKENZIE @ Hootananny

JOHN AND SOFIE @ Hootananny

SAT 28 APR

SUN 13 MAY

BORDER CONNECTIONS @ Hootananny Traditional sounds with renowned accordionists Gary Forrest and Lynn Tocker and fiddler Roddy Matthews, veteran of Take the Floor.

ISLA GRANT @ Strathpeffer Pavilion, 8pm 01997 420124 Folk

RACHEL HAIR TRIO @ Cromarty Old Brewery, 8.30pm. SCHILTRUM @ Hootananny

WED 02 MAY

SCHIEHALLION @ The Gellions

THU 03 MAY

HUT PEOPLE @ Hootananny High-octane folk with exotic Quebecois percussion.

FRI 04 MAY

THE GAELIC SOCIETY ANNUAL SHOWCASE @ Eden Court Empire, 7.30pm THE SPORRANATIONALS @ Hootananny

ABAGAIL GREY @ Old Bridge Inn, Aviemore Claire Campbell & co rustle up their musical magic in the cosy surrounds of the OBI. 01479 811 137 PAPER AEROPLANES @ Hootananny. Welsh indie popsters

MON 14 MAY

LADIES OF COUNTRY: IN HONOUR OF MS BILLIE JO SPEARS @ Eden Court Empire, 7.30pm. 01463 234 234 See RETRO >>>

WED 16 MAY

RODDY WOOMBLE @ Ironworks, 7.30pm Idlewild frontman who’s a regular visitor to the Highlands and increasingly exploring more traditional sounds.

Folk/Rock

TED CHRISTOPHER @ Gellions, 10pm

SAT 05 MAY

INVERNESS MUSIC FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS CONCERT @ Eden Court OneTouch, 7.30pm The Inverness Festival Association will present another outstanding concert of highlights from this year’s Inverness Music Festival as a tribute to the breadth of young talent we have on display in the Highlands. 01463 234 234 BOX O BANANAS @ Boat Of Garten Community Hall, 7.30pm. One of the events at The Osprey Festival. THE ADULT FEIS @ Ullapool 3 days of workshops, concerts, recitals, talks and music sessions for adults. The workshops are led by some of Scotland’s most renowned traditional musicians and artists. Everyone welcome (aged 18+) from complete beginners to advanced musicians. feisrois.org. JOHN MITCHEL & SOFIE JONSSON @ The Greenhouse, Dingwall. Folk duo bringing together Scotland and Sweden. Nice. ALLY MACKENZIE @ Hootananny

SUN 06 MAY

WELSH SHOWCASE @ Hootananny Sounds intruiging but we find ourselves unable

FRI 18 MAY

MAK-IN-DIN @ The Gellions, 10am ANGUS NICOLSON & COLL MACDONALD @ Hootananny

SAT 19 MAY

STACEY EARLE & MARK STUART @ Bogbain Farm. Armed with clever acoustic guitar interplay, lovely harmonies, and some fantastic songwriting, this duo are one to watch. Based out of Tennessee, Earle (yes, she’s Steve’s sister) and Stuart draw from blues, pop, country, rock, and more in their heartfelt music. Promoted in conjunction with Medicine Music. Tickets are £12/10 in advance or £13/11 on the door. 01463772800 THE SATURDAY SET WITH MATT SILLARS @ The Greenhouse, Dingwall. TIM O SHEA @ Hootananny STRATHPEFFER & DISTRICT PIPE BAND SATURDAY NIGHT PERFORMANCE @ Strathpeffer Square

THU 24 MAY

ANDY CHUNG @ The Gellions, 9.30pm. BURST THE BELLOWS @ Hootananny.

SAT 26 MAY

STRATHPEFFER & DISTRICT PIPE BAND SATURDAY NIGHT PERFORMANCE @ Strathpeffer Square GAELIC SONG WORKSHOP WITH MARY SMITH @ Macphail Centre, Ullapool. Acclaimed Lewis Gaelic singer and tradition bearer Mary Smith will share her extensive knowledge of Gaelic song. feisrois. org.

MUSIC

Folk/Country

SUN 27 MAY

DOREC-A-BELLE @ Hush Nightclub Local all-girl, indie-folk band are only a year old but already they’ve notched up glowing acclaim for their gorgeous four-part harmonies, song-writing and musicianship, reflected in the increasingly high-profile gigs they’re being invited to do. Support spots for The Staves,The Bonfire Band and guitar virtuoso Nick Harper, and festival gigs at Belladrum, Live at Troon, Glasgow’s Summer of Song, along with radio play on Radio Scotland’s Iain Anderson Show, Celtic Music Radio, and various local and online stations, indicate this band are definitely one to watch! They launch their first recording, a fivesong Album Sampler, in Hush, Academy St, Inverness, on Sunday 27th May 8.30pm. Free and all welcome.

WED 30 MAY

TANNAHILL WEAVERS @ Universal Hall, Findhorn, 7.30pm. The Tannahill Weavers are one of Scotland ‘s premier traditional bands. Their diverse repertoire spans the centuries and swings from instrumentals and reflective ballads to footstomping reels and jigs to demonstrate the rich musical heritage of the Celtic people.

FRI 01 JUN Folk

BRUCE MACGREGOR’S NORTHERN ROOTS FESTIVAL @ Bogbain Farm. NR is back for its 4th year and it just

keeps growing. This year the lineup boasts acts such as BLAZIN’ FIDDLES and LE VENT DU NORD, as well as festival favourites, GROANBOX BOYS. www.northernrootsfestival. co.uk. 01463772800 SEE MAIN FEAT P18/19 JAMES HICKMAN & DAN CASSIDY @ Glen Urquhart Public Hall. Not, alas, the Olympic swimmer, but a much admired Brit/ US folk roots duo, Dan being the brother of the late Eva Cassidy.

SAT 02 JUN

BRUCE MACGREGOR’S NORTHERN ROOTS FESTIVAL @ Bogbain Farm SEE MAIN FEAT P18/19

THU 26 APR

ROOT MA TOOT BIG BAND @ Hootananny Swing band. 01463 233 651 CASTLE BLUES @ Castle Tavern, 8pm MORAY JAZZ CLUB @ Elgin City FC, 7.30pm As Thu 12

FRI 27 APR

THE BLUE NOTE NITE @ The Greenhouse, Dingwall, 7.30pm Highland Hotclub - Gypsy Swing quartet from Inverness.

SAT 28 APR

HOOLEY IN THE HIGHLANDS @ The Legion, Dingwall Trevor Loughrey, Martin Cuffe, The Jacks, The Brothers, New Gambler, Slange Ava, Paula Macaskill, Baton Rouge, Country Disco.

SHOOGLE(!) PRESENTS: THE HORNDOG BRASS BAND @ The Old Bridge Inn, Aviemore Heavy heavy brass grooves with funk, ska and jazz influences, it’s what Shoogle(!) is aw aboot! www.horndogbrass.com

SUN 03 JUN

WED 02 MAY

Folk/Country

Folk

BRUCE MACGREGOR’S NORTHERN ROOTS FESTIVAL @ Bogbain Farm SEE MAIN FEAT P18/19 Folk/Country

HOOLEY IN THE HIGHLANDS @ The Legion, Dingwall

JAZZ/WORLD PICK:

SMALL AS THE WORLD @ EDEN COURT, Tue 01 May Scots sax man & composer, PHIL BANCROFT’s multi-media jazz celebration of what ‘Home’ means in today’s world, combining humour with the power of music and, unusually, the audience’s inner world and memories. Featuring AIDAN O’ROURKE, and guitarist GRAEME STEPHEN, you can get your words & images projected during the show itself. www.smallastheworld.com Small the world may be, but that doesn’t lessen the excitement when you get to experience different parts of it in the Highlands. And you’re not going to be short of choice this month, with BHAJAN SANDHYA’s devotional Indian singing at UNIVERSAL HALL, FINDHORN on FRI 25, the dynamic and spectacular MUGENKYO TAIKO DRUMMERS at EDEN COURT on WED 30 and the glorious Balkan sounds of BUDAPEST CAFE ORCHESTRA (with goulash!) on FRI 25.

THE BLACK ISLE STOMPERS PLAY DIXIELAND @ Castle Tavern

WED 23 MAY

OUTSIDE TRACK @ Eden Court One Touch, 7.30pm. “Simply a consummate blend of skill, talent, flair and intensity. 01463 234 234

FRI 25 MAY Jazz/World

BHAJAN SANDHYA @ Universal Hall, Findhorn, 8pm An evening of Indian Music. THE BUDAPEST CAFE ORCHESTRA @ Glen Urquhart Public Hall, 8pm. Balkan sounds, with goulash provided!. HIGHLAND HOTCLUB @ The Greenhouse, High Street, Dingwall, 7.30pm. Gypsy Swing quartet from Inverness.

WED 30 MAY Jazz/World

MUGENKYO TAIKO DRUMMERS @ Eden Court Empire, 7.30pm. Thundering rhythms on huge taiko drums interweave with delicate bamboo flute and subtle percussive soundscapes in a spellbinding display of fluid grace, precise choreography and sheer athleticism. 01463 234 234

ROCK REGULAR FOLK & ROCK NIGHTS: MAY

SCHIEHALLION @ Gellions Every Wed, Sun & most Sat ANKOR LIGHT @ Coffee Affair Every Sat Evening. ROBIN ABBOT @ Market Bar 30/07/14/21/28/ BILLY MORRISON @ Market Bar 24/01/08/15/22/29 ROBIN AND BILLS @ Market Bar 26/03/10/17/24/27

WED 25 APR

ADMIRAL FALLOW @ The Old Bridge Inn, Aviemore, 9pm A welcome return for OBI favourites Admiral Fallow just before they go off and conquer the world!... admiralfallow.com.

THU 26 APR

ADMIRAL FALLOW @ Ironworks ...And by conquering the world, we meant Ironworks. Well, it is the centre of the universe, right? [note to reader: insert something funny about a black hole attracting stars but try hard to avoid irony]

FRI 27 APR

FOUND ON THE FLOOR, FILTHPACT & THE OBSCENITIES @ Flannagans Bar, Elgin, 8pm A Night of Punk, Metal. You need it. THE WORLD’S GREATEST MICHAEL JACKSON TRIBUTE EVER STARRING BEN @ Ironworks, 7.30pm The acclaimed tribute show promises to provide the world’s closest experience to an original Jackson concert and recreates the iconic stages of Michael’s incredible career from as early as his Jackson 5 days to his worldwide sell-out arena tours. Careful you don’t use too much hairspray. www. michaeljacksonuk.com/. 0871 789 4173 THE FUMES @ The Room WOT’S NEXT @ Market Bar

SAT 28 APR

SELECTIVE SERVICE @ Madhatters Rock mixed with funk, blues and reggae from a Scottish act who are building quite a reputation and even played an instore gig at Liam Gallagher’s Pretty Green shop in Glasgow. Big things are brewing for them. DONNIE LIVINGSTONE @ Market Bar

SUN 29 APR

CHARLIES RANCH/NAKED RED @ Hootananny

SAT 05 MAY WED 06 JUN

THE BLACK ISLE STOMPERS PLAY DIXIELAND @ Castle Tavern. Swing and Latin in the Castle Tavern. Misc.

KEITH & KRISTYN GETTY & FRIENDS LIVE IN CONCERT @ Eden Court Empire, 7.30pm. 01463 234 234

BREW AT THE BOG: NEW MUSIC FESTIVAL @ Bogbain Farm. Bogbain has teamed up with craft beer revolutionaries, BrewDog, for this brand new one day music and beer festival. With BBC Radio 1s ALLY MCCRAE & VIC GALLOWAY as our hosts for the day, Brew at the Bog features the best in up and coming musical talent. Visit www.brewatthebog.com for more info and to buy tickets. 01463772800 SEE MAIN FEAT P18/19 Misc.

THE SOLID SILVER 60S SHOW 2012 @ Eden Court Empire, 5.15pm, 8.30pm.

01463 234 234 See RETRO >>>

STETSONHEAD @ Market Bar

FRIDGE MAGNETS/THE MIRROR TRAP @ Mad Hatters Aberdeen electrorockers Fridge Magnets are kicking up a bit of a storm. Ones to watch.

KAV @ Madhatters

SAT 26 MAY Misc.

SAT 19 MAY

THE GALIPAYGOS @ The Market Bar

COLOUR CODED/JAMES MACKENZIE/ CLASSICGRAND @ Madhatters Indie rockers from Dundee headline

THE MAN FROM DELMONTE @ The Room

BY HOOK OR BY CROOK @ The Room

SUN 06 MAY

SUN 20 MAY

Rock/Country

Rock

MEGAN BLYTH AND BARRY MACKAY @ The Market Bar KINKY KARMA @ The Room

WED 09 MAY

ANDY DUNCAN @ The Market Bar

FRI 11 MAY

DODGY @ Ironworks, 7.30pm. Unfairly neglected when it comes to recounting tales of Britpop’s glory years, Dodgy’s summery pop still stands up today. They’ve reformed with the original line up and their new album sees them still fuelled by joyful melodies. 0871 789 4173 THE WHISKEY RIVER BAND @ Market Bar Always popular local act. MYSTIC SHOES @ The Room ELEVEN:ELEVEN/CARNIVORES @ Madhatters

SAT 12 MAY

DAVE SHARP @ The Market Bar Ex-Alarm member plays blues, roots, rock’n’roll. FI5HER @ The Room

80’S MANIA @ Eden Court Empire, 7.30pm. Europe’s Official 1980’s Tribute Concert starring the legendary Top of the Pops and Radio One DJ/Presenter MIKE READ as your Video Roadshow Host. 01463 234 234

THE FUMES @ The Room

ANDY DUNCAN @ The Gellions

LEWIS HAMILTON @ The Market Bar

TUE 22 MAY

PAUL HEATON - PEDALS AND PUMPS TOUR @ The Old Bridge Inn, Aviemore, 8pm. Ex-Beautiful South and Housemartins frontman comes to the Old Bridge Inn for a pitstop as he makes his way around Britain on two wheels as part of his second Pedals and Pumps tour. But how long before we get the ‘Martens reformed? Hmmm? Well?...

FRI 25 MAY

WE WERE PROMISED JETPACKS @ Ironworks, 7.30pm The mighty ‘Jetpacks have long brought their thunderous sounds to Inverness, so we like to think we’re pretty much single-handedly responsible for their success. Think of this as a homecoming celebration for a band who alongside Twilight Sad, Frightened Rabbit and Fatherson are spearheading a Scottish musical renaissance.

WE ARE ALL OUTSIDERS CLUB NIGHT @ Madhatters Club night featuring Iain McLaughlin & The Outsiders playing a sometimes surprising mix of their own material, cover versions and new arrangements... The makings of a cool night.

FERGUS AND GREG @ Market Bar

THU 17 MAY

THE PIGEON DETECTIVES @ Ironworks, 7pm. Yorkshire indie rockers whose last album, the fabulously named “Up Guards and At ‘Em”, recorded in Brooklyn, showed them still capable of some impressive songwriting. A busy year of re-establishing themselves in the nation’s consciousness begins with this tour. Hoping for better haircuts here though... Rock/Country

ANDY DUNCAN @ The Gellions

FRI 18 MAY

ANDY DUNCAN @ The Gellions

WED 30 MAY

ANDY DUNCAN @ The Market Bar

THU 31 MAY

STEVIE REBEL @ The Gellions, 10am. HEAVENS BASEMENT/ ROADWAY/ TOBY MICHAELS @ Madhatters Poodle rock as a force for good? You decide. Support comes from locals Roadway and Toby Michaels.

FRI 01 JUN

CAL @ Strathpeffer Pavilion, 8pm

RETRO ROUND UP:

RODDY WOOMBLE + PAPER AEROPLANES @ The Old Bridge Inn, Aviemore, 8pm. www.roddywoomble.com.

Rock

SUN 27 MAY Rock

RETRO

MON 14 MAY

STETSONHEAD @ Hootananny

RANT @ The Chieftain

TWISTER @ The Market Bar

Rock

NORTH HIGHLAND COLLEGE SHOWCASE @ Madhatters Great chance to see some of the best new talent coming through North Highland College as embryonic careers in music take shape. Or just a fine night out.

LITTLE KICKS @ Madhatters Scots indie four piece with a barrelload of catchy songs.

Rock

JNR FATS BAND @ Madhatters

WED 16 MAY

THE UPBEAT BEATLES @ Eden Court Empire, 8pm ‘The fab-est four around today, THE UPBEAT BEATLES are the nearest you’ll ever get to the real thing!’ Part of the Happyness Festival.

MUSIC

Rock/Alternative

SHOWADDYWADDY @ Strathpeffer Pavilion, 8pm. In the seventies, Showaddywaddy were paying tribute to teddy boy sounds made less than twenty years earlier. And who’d have thought they’d still be doing so with such success in 2012? Tickets £17.50. 01997 420124

MESSIANE @ Market Bar BIRO @ The Room ANDY MURRAY @ The Gellions

Sounds spanning half a century this month, kicking off with the SOLID SILVER 60S SHOW @ Eden Court on SAT 05 MAY. Headliner is Peter Noone from Herman’s Hermits, something of a heartthrob in his day and possibly still the object of wistful desire for ladies. Chris Montez and the Tremeloes’ Brian Poole complete a line up that’s bound to deliver a heap of hits. If you like your tunes a little more down home, you’ll be checking out LADIES OF COUNTRY @ EDEN COURT on SUN 14. Originally scheduled to include (like last time), the legendary Billie Jo Spears, but her demise means the star US attraction is Jeannie C Reilly, whose “Harper Valley PTA” remains a corker. She’s joined by Lynn “Rose Garden” Anderson, Ireland’s Sandy Kelly and our own Ann Williamson. More flitting between generations at Eden Court this month comes from 80s MANIA on FRI 20 and the selfexplanatory UPBEAT BEATLES on THU 26, though on the same night as the latter (THU 26) we might just have to give the Fab Four a miss, heading instead to STRATHPEFFER PAVILION, where the Teddy Boy pop of SHOWADDYWADDY will be bringing back all sorts of 70s memories like Choppers, punk rock, Spangles and the like.

ART FILM KIDS MUSIC SPECIALS

WIN WIN WIN WIN !!!!

SPORT

Northern Roots Festival 2 Weekend Tickets • 1-3 June • [see page 15] Brew at The Bog

THEATRE

2 Tickets • Sat 5 May • [see page 50]

Bfest

2 Tickets • Sat 11 Aug • [see page 50]

BACK

WIN WIN WIN WIN !!!!

www.strathpefferpavilion.org

May & June at The Pavilion...

Wed 16 & Thu 17 May, 10am-5pm

Food & Craft Fair FREE

Sat 26 May, 8pm

Showaddywaddy TICKETS £17.50 / £16.50 / £6

Fri 8 June, 8pm

Scottish Ensemble

Fri 1 June, 8pm

Cal

TICKETS £12, STANDING EVENT

TICKETS £10/ £5

Dates For Your Diary: 21 June: Celtic Dream 5 July: The Alexander Brothers 20 July: Scottish Chamber Orchestra Tickets from Pavilion Office 01997 420124 or

24HR HOTLINE: 08444 771000 www.wegottickets.com • www.ticketweb.co.uk

Inverness’ quirkiest artspace: 19 Church St > 19 LOCAL UNDERGROUND

even

#28

RICHARD MADDALENA:

Mon 04–Mon 21 May 2012

absolute precision

I am here to kill your pain to make you brave to break all habits to release you from the torment of socially inappropriate imperatives to kiss and slow the fancy footwork of the bully to plant a rose tinted lens on top of the fence that divides us as a temporary fix before all fields of safety connect to encourage your own private trip till it gets out of hand arriving gently but never silent with absolute precision on the land

www. theIG. LU /event28 or visit facebook/IGLUvenue n FREE ADMISSION - open Mon–Fri 11am–4pm; Sat 12–4pm

U n o ff Ic ia l F R IN G E a t

Sp on so re d

by :

even

#30

IG :L U

breakin’ convention aftershow party

even

Mon 21–Sat 26 May 9 2 #

The Sadler’s Wells based hip hop and breaking festival stop by to kick back chill out and cut loose as they see fit. Some lucky punters will get to be there. To apply for places visit www.theIG.LU/event 30 It’s like that y’all.

chris (simpsons artist) The internationally revered artist brings a special show to celebrate Inverness’ first comedy festival, Happyness. We don’t know a funnier artist, so this is a perfect fringe event for the festival www.theIG.LU/event 29 n Mon–Fri11-3 / Sat 12-4

even

#36

Tue 22 May

daily free movie, 3pm t

Sun 27 May

happyness wrap party The Gilded Balloon team & crew are heading to IG:LU after the last gag is gigged. You could too. Apply for a place online www.theIG.LU/event 36

#31 Mon 21 May I am comic (15) t even #32 Tue 22 May lenny (15) even

#33 Wed 23 May american: bill hicks (15) t even #34 Thu 24 May king of comedy (PG) even

#35 Fri 25 May super high me (18) t

even

coming up in june – a stunning exhibition from ROSIE NEWMAN and an exciting gig from Glasgow’s TWO WINGS... more next month...

SPECIALS CHARITY

CLUBS

MARKETS

MUNICIPAL

TALKS

“Hello Soil, Hello Trees” Nine days of events about soil. Sound like your idea of fun? Well, actually, it might prove to be rather enlightening. HIGHLAND SOIL BIODIVERSITY FESTIVAL [1] runs from 19–27 MAY at various sites and takes the form of both talks and field trips raising awareness of the importance of soils for nature and wildlife up here. There’ll be talks about everything from the soil itself to species that depend on it and visits to sites where you’ll be able to cut your own peat. Places are limited for many of the events, and will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Go to www.highlandbiodiversity.com to find out more. From the soil itself to the trees that grow in it. TONY KIRKHAM [2] will be giving a Royal Horticultural Society talk based on his tremendous TV series “The Trees That Made Britain” at CAWDOR CASTLE on SAT 19 MAY. As one of the bigwigs at Kew, Kirkham has a wealth of experience and his television work has shown him to be an engaging and entertaining communicator so this should be well worth getting along to. Another with plenty to say is JOHN BIRD [3], founder of The Big Issue (EDEN COURT, TUE 08 MAY). As someone responsible for an enterprise that’s changed countless lives and perceptions, he’s well equipped to talk about communication and social responsibility and how there should be a balance in organisations between what they do for profit and the effect it has on society at large. He’s never reticent about speaking his mind, so expect some stridently held opinions in this, the second in a series of UHI talks. We heard rumours that NAS president, Jane Asher, was to be a speaker at the National Autistic Society evening, AUTISM: ACCEPTING DIFFERENCE, NOT INDIFFERENCE at EDEN COURT on THUR 17 MAY, but she’s not, so don’t go along expecting to hear about cake decorating and Paul McCartney. Instead there’ll four speakers with professional and personal experience of the condition bring vividly to life the challenges and rewards of living with autism. DR ROBERT MOFFAT, National director of the National Autistic Society Scotland; GLYN MORRIS, who set up the National Theatre’s annual Inspiration Day, Author DEBI BROWNE, who was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome in adulthood and Inverness’ ELKIE KAMMER who is diagnosed with AS and works with kids with developmental conditions. Compere is MFR’s NICKY MARR. eden-court.co.uk

TUE 01 MAY

OBSERVING THE MOON @ Smithton/culloden Free Church, 7.30pm. Highlands Astronomical Society meeting, a talk by Ken Kennedy of Dundee Astronomical Society. Youngstars (8 – 14yrs old) 7.00pm - 7.30pm spacegazer.com.

THU 03 MAY

WHERE THE WATERS ROAR: ICELAND @ Grant Arms Hotel, Grantown On Spey. Join wildlife lecturers and former birdwatching tour leaders, Ralph and Brenda Todd, as they take you on a journey through Iceland. Misc

SUN 06 MAY Annual

BOAT OF GARTEN OSPREY FESTIVAL as Sat 05

@ Ullapool Village Hall. Book festival in beautiful setting. ullapoolbookfestival.co.uk. Charity

SPRING GATHERING @ Nethy Bridge POND DIPPING @ Milton Loch Community Woodland Car Park, Boat Of Garten. Bring wellies, waterproofs and a sense of adventure! Saranne Bish 01479 873914. Misc

GRAND TOURNAMENT OF FOOTE @ Urquart Castle. Cheer on your champion as our fully armoured foot knights collide in a series of colourful and bone-jarring bouts.

STRICTLY INVERNESS 2012 @ Inverness Ice Centre. 18 and over only. To book, please call Highland Hospice on 01463 246473. INTRODUCTION TO WILDLIFE GARDENING @ Inverness Floral Hall. Course for adult learners to discover more about the wildlife of Inverness and how your garden can help. Floral Hall 01463 713553 invernessfloralhall.com.

SAT 12 MAY Annual

FRI 04 MAY Annual

WILD FOODS AND FORAGING @ Scottish Dolphin Centre, Spey Bey. Wild food wander to discover which animal is eating what and to get some tips on foraging for your own table. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Booking is essential. Misc

QUIZ NIGHT FOR SAVE THE CHILDREN @ Strathpeffer Spa Golf Club, 7.30pm. Teams of 4 £20 per team. To enter email: ssgc1888@gmail.com. THE FORBIDDEN PLANET @ Birnie Village Hall Near Elgin, 7.30pm. David Paterson will relate how Mars has long fascinated astronomers and scientists and will look at the history of its exploration. SPACES AND PLACES IN THE PICTISH LANDSCAPE @ Fortrose Community Theatre, 7.30pm. An illustrated talk given by Stratford Halliday. 01381 621252

SAT 05 MAY Annual

SPECIALS

BOAT OF GARTEN OSPREY FESTIVAL @ Boat Of Garten Arts and Crafts Workshops, Wildlife Walks, Golf and Archery taster events & more. Meet the Author event on Sunday, with Sir John Lister-Kaye and Sally Magnusson, “Ospreys” talk by Roy Dennis, Art and Photography Exhibition, all day Cafe and a licensed Bar. boatofgarten.com/community/ osprey-festival

HIGHLANDS ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY SOLAR @ Observatory, Culloden Battlefield. Saturday public observing session. Weather permitting - check spacegazer.com. 2ND SCOTTISH THEME DAY @ Elgin City Centre. Join the fun and help to celebrate the 12th Sprit of Speyside Whisky Festival with loads to do and see for all the family. See the spectacular Moray Gig, marvel at the vintage cars, enter the award winning competitions and relax and enjoy the Scottish Music, dance and drama while sampling the delights of the Scottish themed market. Activities will be held around the City Centre and in St Giles Centre. Charity

DINGWALL MODEL FAIR @ The Royal British Legion, Dingwall. Including at least 3 model railway layouts it will raise money for MFR Cash for Kids and Macmillan cancer relief. Misc

FOOD AND CRAFT MARKET @ Strathpeffer Community Centre. Locally produced bread, vegetables and home made produce, traditional sweets and crafts. The Strathpeffer Guides will be fundraising by running a Car Wash during the event.

CELEBRATE THE FESTIVAL OF THE BUDDHA’S ENLIGHTENMENT @ Eden Court Maclean Room. Talk, taster meditation sessions, children’s activities, ritual. 9.45am-4.30pm. bigmind.org.uk.

MON 07 MAY

OSPREY NEWS @ RSPB Loch Garten Osprey Centre 7.30pm. rspb.org.uk Annual

BOAT OF GARTEN OSPREY FESTIVAL as Sat 05 WOODLAND WANDER @ Boat Of Garten Post Office. Part of the Osprey Festival. Come for a wander around the countryside with your local countryside ranger and discover the wildlife on your doorstep!

INVERNESS CLASSIC VEHICLE SHOW @ Inverness City Centre For the third year running the popular Classic Vehicle Show will take place in Inverness City Centre streets. Vehicles from different eras will occupy the city centre streets and there will be a variety of entertainment including street performers, musicians and kids activities. A fun day out for all the family. ULLAPOOL BOOK FESTIVAL @ Ullapool Village Hall. ullapoolbookfestival.co.uk. HERITAGE OPEN DAY @ Elgin Library Come along and discover your heritage. Hands on activities and experts to help you find out more about where you live. Free. morayconnections.com.

Misc

TUE 08 MAY

AN ARCTIC JOURNEY @ Grant Arms Hotel Osprey Suite, 6pm. This talk focuses on the fauna of the region. Graham will also talk about his ocean crossings, exploration of trappers huts and isolated Inuit village. FREE EVENT. JOHN BIRD @ Eden Court Talk by the founder of the Big Issue SEE FEAT. BOOK SALE @ Elgin Library

WED 09 MAY

ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY TALK BY TONY KIRKHAM @ Cawdor Community Centre, 11am. Cawdor Community Centre for talks then refreshments followed by a tour of Cawdor Gardens with Head Gardener Derek Hosie. see MAIN FEATURE <<< BOOK SALE @ Elgin Library

THU 10 MAY

BARN OWLS: PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE? @ Grant Arms Hotel Osprey Suite, 6pm. What is happening to our beautiful Barn Owls? In this talk Dr Graham Lenton looks at British owls status today. Charity

STRICTLY INVERNESS LAUNCH NIGHT WITH FASHION SHOW @ Inverness Ice Centre. Strictly Inverness is a four-day glittering dance extravaganza to raise funds for both Highland Hospice and Inverness Ice Centre. Tonight’s launch event, hosted by Brian Elrick, incorporates a fabulous fashion show. Ticket price £10 (inc glass of wine). Misc

RSPB OUTING TO BRAHAN ESTATE & LOCH KINELLAN @ Brahan, 9am.

FRI 11 MAY Annual

ULLAPOOL BOOK FESTIVAL

HIGHLANDS ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY SOLAR @ Observatory, Culloden Battlefield. spacegazer.com. Charity

STRICTLY INVERNESS 2012 @ Inverness Ice Centre. Misc

EXPLORE GLEN AFFRIC @ Tbc. Come along and explore Glen Affric. Booking essential. Corinne McCallum 01463 710786. GAELIC COFFEE MORNING @ Balnain Hall, Glenurquhart, 10am. (all abilities). More info: 01463-226757, seonag@cli.org.uk.

SUN 13 MAY Annual

ULLAPOOL BOOK FESTIVAL @ Ullapool Village Hall. ullapoolbookfestival.co.uk. Charity

JUNIOR STRICTLY INVERNESS 2012 @ Inverness Ice Centre. See KIDS p14. To book call Highland Hospice 01463 246473. Misc

THE SEER WITHIN @ Blacksmiths Inverness. Clairvoyant workshop myinnerpeace.co.uk.

MON 14 MAY

BOAT TALKS - ABERNETHY A FOREST FOR THE FUTURE @ Boat Of Garten Community Hall, 7.30pm. This talk by Jeremy Roberts will describe how the RSPB balances superb natural characteristics of the forests with the need for management, to safeguard some of Britain’s rarest wildlife.

SPECIAL EVENTS LISTINGS CONTINUE ON P37 >>>>> Feel free to pull-out the Eden Court Film Guide and Happyness Comedy Festival mini-programme Otherwise, see you on P37

May

cinema@ 01463 234 234 www.eden-court.co.uk

SALMON FISHING IN THE YEMEN

(12A) D&S

Director Lasse Halström I Starring Ewan McGregor, Emily Blunt, Kristin Scott Thomas UK I 2011 I 106 mins I fishingintheyemen.com

Ewan McGregor stars as a fishing expert coerced into introducing salmon to the parched wadis of The Yemen in order to make a fishing-mad sheik’s dream come true. From the director of Chocolat and the Oscar-winning screenwriter of Slumdog Millionaire comes this inspirational comedy.

FRI 04 – THU 17 MAY

DARK SHADOWS

(Cert tbc) S, D&S

Director Tim Burton I Starring Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter USA I 2012 I tbc mins I darkshadowsmovie.warnerbros.com

In 1752 Barnabas Collins betrayed a powerful witch who doomed him to a fate worse than death by turning him into a vampire and burying him alive. Two centuries later Barnabas is freed from his tomb and emerges into the 1970s. Directed by Tim Burton and featuring an all-star cast.

FRI 11 – THU 24 MAY

BLACKTHORN

(15)

Director Mateo Gil I Starring Sam Shepard, Eduardo Noriega Spain/USA/Bolivia/France I 2011 I 102 mins I magpictures.com/blackthorn

Re-imagining the last days of the outlaw’s life, this engrossing Western sees Butch Cassidy live to a ripe old age under the pseudonym James Blackthorn. Hoping to see his family again before he dies, Cassidy sets out on the long journey home. Sam Shepard’s performance as the grizzled, weatherbeaten outlaw is stunning.

FRI 25 – THU 29 MAY

THIS MUST BE THE PLACE

(15)

Director Paolo Sorrentino I Starring Sean Penn, Frances McDormand Italy/France/Ireland I 2011 I 112 mins I thismustbetheplace.ie

When summoned by his estranged dying father, retired rock star Cheyenne travels to New York, only to arrive too late. It is only now he learns the torment his father faced in Auschwitz and so begins his search for the Nazi war criminal his father had sought for decades. A charming oddball road movie.

FRI 25 – THU 31 MAY Welcome to the Robertson Screens. At Robertson we’ve always been a keen supporter of the arts: from brass bands to theatre shows to music festivals and now cinema. We helped to redevelop Eden Court and we’re proud that we can continue to work in partnership with them by sponsoring the cinemas. We hope you enjoy your film. robertson.co.uk Robertson – Investing – Building – Caring

MIRROR MIRROR

mirrormirrorfilm.com Director Tarsem Singh Starring Julia Roberts, Sean Bean

(PG)

USA I 2012 I 106 mins

An evil queen takes over a kingdom in fairytale comedy adventure ‘Mirror Mirror: The Untold Adventures of Snow White’. Directed by one of cinemas greatest visionaries Tarsem Singh. FRI 04 – MON 07 MAY

CARANCHO

(15)

caranchofilm.com

KHODORKOVSKY

(12A)

khodorkovsky-movie.com

Argentina/Chile/France/South Korea I 2010 107 mins I Spanish with subtitles

Disgraced lawyer, Sosa, chases down road accident victims, representing them against insurance companies whilst knowing that his clients will receive only a fraction of the financial reward. But when he meets paramedic Luján he sees in her hope of a new life. FRI 04 – WED 09 MAY

HEADHUNTERS

HODEJEGERNE (15) magpictures.com/headhunters Director Morten Tyldum Starring Aksel Hennie, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau Norway/Germany I 2011 I 100 mins Norwegian and Danish with subtitles

Roger Brown’s secret life as a high end art thief pays for his luxurious lifestyle. But when his luck runs out Roger finds that the hunter becomes the hunted. An intense thriller based on the Jo Nesbo novel of the same name. FRI 04 – THU 10 MAY

Director James Cameron

Starring Mikhail & Pavel Khodorkovsky

Starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Kate Winslet

Germany I 2011 I 116 mins

USA I 1997 I 194 mins

(Russian, English and German with subtitles)

James Cameron’s Oscar-winning epic starring Leonardo Di Caprio and Kate Winslet returns to the big screen in the 100th Anniversary since the sinking of the unsinkable ship.

In 2003 Mikhail Khodorkovsky was officially jailed on embezzlement charges but many believe his true crime was daring to disagree with Vladimir Putin. In this revealing documentary his supporters speak out about the rampant corruption in Russian politics.

FRIENDS PREVIEW SCREENING DELICACY

Starring Lena Dunham, Laurie Simmons USA I 2010 I 99 mins

Director David and Stéphane Foenkino Voices Audrey Tautou, François Damiens France I 2011 I 109 mins

MON 21 – WED 23 MAY

A French woman mourning over the death of her husband three years earlier is courted by a Swedish co-worker in this funny, charming movie starring Amelie’s Audrey Tautou. THU 10 MAY

BABYCALL

A CAT IN PARIS UNE VIE DE CHAT (PG) uneviedechat-lefilm.fr (foreign language site) Director Jean-Loup Felicioli, Alain Gagnol Starring Dominique Blanc, Bruno Salomone

(15)

babycall-film.no Director Pål Sletaune Norway/Germany/Sweden I 2011 I 96 mins Norwegian and Swedish with subtitles

Single mother Anna and her eight year old son move to a new apartment to escape her violent ex-husband. But this new life brings new problems and she soon realises they are not as safe as she thinks they are.

Director Peter Lord

Director Karl Markovics

BREATHING

France/Netherlands/Switzerland/Belgium 2010 I 62 mins

Starring Noomi Rapace, Kristoffer Joner

vivaverve.com/breathing

SAT 05 – SUN 06 & SAT 12 – SUN 13 MAY

Director Lena Dunham

A recent college graduate struggles to adapt to life in the real world in this independent comedy drama written, directed and starring Lena Dunham.

LA DÉLICATESSE (12A)

thepirates-movie.co.uk

The Pirate Captain – head of a terribly unsuccessful band of buccaneers – sets out to win the hotly contested Pirate of the Year award. A swash-buckling adventure from the creators of Wallace & Gromit.

(15)

tinyfurniture.com

FRI 11 – TUE 15 MAY

UK/USA I 2012 I 87 mins

SAT 19, SUN 20 & THU 24 MAY

TINY FURNITURE

WED 09 & THU 10 MAY

THE PIRATES! IN AN ADVENTURE WITH SCIENTISTS! (U) S Voices Hugh Grant, Martin Freeman

(12A)

titanicmovie.com

Director Cyril Tuschi

Director Pablo Trapero Starring Ricardo Darín, Martina Gusman

TITANIC

Dino is a cool cat. By day, he lives with a little girl called Zoe and by night he clambers over the roofs of Paris with Nico, a big-hearted jewellery thief. A delightful old school animation. Tickets £4.00 SAT 26 & SUN 27 MAY

LE HAVRE

(PG)

janusfilms.com/lehavre Director Aki Kaurismäki

(15)

Starring Thomas Schubert, Karin Lishka Austria I 2011 I 93 mins I German with subtitles

Nineteen year old Roman Kogler starts a probabtionary job in a morgue shifting corpses. When faced with a dead woman who shares his surname, he wonders if this could be the mother who gave him up for adoption. FRI 18, SAT 19 & MON 21 MAY

Starring André Wilms, Blondin Miguel Finland/France/Germany I 2011 I 93 mins French with subtitles

A French shoe-shiner takes an African refugee boy under his wing and risks everything to convince his community to protect the boy from deportation. A beautifully optimistic film from Aki Kaurismäki. FRI 25 – THU 31 MAY

Your exclusive ica 4-page pull-out guide to Happyness !! MEET THE STARS OF THE SHOW!

WED

THU

FRI

SAT

SUN

23rd - 28th May 2012

www.happy-ness.co.uk

Tickets on sale NOW: www.eden-court.co.uk 01463 234 234

> NEW annual comedy festival for Inverness > FIVE days & nights of top quality comedy > FOURTEEN performers > FRINGE events > GREAT venues > FREE events too

Performers continued:

Free events:

WED

THU

FRI

SAT

SUN

Events:

At a glance timetable:

WED

THU

FRI

SAT

SUN

Mon 21 11am 3pm

Happyness Fringe – CHRIS (SIMPSONS ARTIST) & RICHARD MADDALENA EXHIBITIONS @ IG:LU (until 3pm) FREE Happyness Fringe – Movie: I AM COMIC (2010) FREE

Tue 22 11am 3pm

Happyness Fringe – CHRIS (SIMPSONS ARTIST) & RICHARD MADDALENA EXHIBITIONS @ IG:LU (until 3pm) FREE Happyness Fringe – Movie: LENNY (1974) FREE

Wed 23 All Day 11am 3pm 8pm

PHOTO EXHIBITION @ Eden Court Empire FREE Happyness Fringe – CHRIS (SIMPSONS ARTIST) & RICHARD MADDALENA EXHIBITIONS @ IG:LU (until 3pm) FREE Happyness Fringe – Movie: AMERICAN: THE BILL HICKS STORY (2009) FREE BILL BAILEY @ Eden Court Empire

Thu 24 All Day 11am 3pm 6pm 8pm

PHOTO EXHIBITION @ Eden Court Empire FREE Happyness Fringe – CHRIS (SIMPSONS ARTIST) & RICHARD MADDALENA EXHIBITIONS @ IG:LU (until 3pm) FREE Happyness Fringe – Movie: KING OF COMEDY (1983) FREE BILL BAILEY introduces “Chalet Girl” @ Eden Court Cinema BILL BAILEY @ Eden Court Empire

Fri 25 All Day 11am 3pm 6pm 8pm 8:30pm 9:30pm

PHOTO EXHIBITION @ Eden Court Empire FREE Happyness Fringe – CHRIS (SIMPSONS ARTIST) & RICHARD MADDALENA EXHIBITIONS @ IG:LU (until 3pm) FREE Happyness Fringe – Movie: SUPER HIGH ME (2007) FREE DYLAN MORAN introduces “A Film With Me In It” @ Eden Court Cinema DYLAN MORAN @ Eden Court Empire JOE HEENAN, PATRICK MONAHAN, DAVEY CONNOR, ZOE LYONS, BRUCE MORTON @ Madhatters JARRED CHRISTMAS, ROB BECKETT, HANNAH GADSBY, MARK NELSON, PATRICK MONAHAN @ Eden Court OneTouch

Sat 26 All Day All Day various 4pm 6pm 8pm 8:30pm 9:30pm

PHOTO EXHIBITION @ Eden Court Empire FREE STREET GAMES @ Falcon Square; @ High Street; @ Eden Court forecourt FREE PUNCH & JUDY – 11am @ Falcon Square; 2pm @ Eden Court Empire ; 4pm @ Falcon Square (30 mins) FREE FOOTBALL MATCH: Caledonian Thistle vs Happyness Comedians @ Bught Park FREE GAELIC NEW TALENT @ Hootananny FREE THE UPBEAT BEATLES @ Eden Court Empire FRED MACAULAY, STU MITCHELL, ROB BECKETT, DAVEY CONNER, HANNAH GADSBY @ Madhatters PATRICK MONAHAN, MARK NELSON, JARRED CHRISTMAS, BRUCE MORTON, ZOE LYONS @ Eden Court OneTouch

Sun 27

All Day PHOTO EXHIBITION @ Eden Court Empire FREE All Day STREET GAMES @ Falcon Square; @ High Street; @ Eden Court forecourt FREE various PUNCH & JUDY – 11am @ Falcon Square; 2pm @ Eden Court Empire; 4pm @ Falcon Square (30 mins) FREE 6pm SO YOU THINK YOU’RE FUNNY? SHOWCASE @ Hootananny FREE 8pm ARDAL O’HANLON, FRED MACAULAY @ Eden Court Empire 8:30pm JOE HEENAN, STU MITCHELL, ROB BECKETT, DAVEY CONNER, HANNAH GADSBY @ Madhatters 9:30pm JARRED CHRISTMAS, PATRICK MONAHAN, MARK NELSON, ZOE LYONS, BRUCE MORTON @ Eden Court OneTouch 10:30pm PATRICK MONAHAN, ZOE LYONS, HANNAH GADSBY, ROB BECKETT and the ensemble cast @ Madhatters

Booking information:

Box Office 01463 234234 [Mon-Sat 10am–8pm; Sun 11am–8pm] www.eden-court.co.uk | www.happy-ness.co.uk

MARLEY

WERNER HERZOG SEASON

INVERNESS FILM FANS

(15)

1950’S AWARD-WINNERS SEASON

magpictures.com/marley Director Kevin Macdonald Starring Bob Marley, Cedella Marley Booker USA/UK I 2012 I 145 mins A stunning documentary on the life and music of Bob Marley using private archive material to produce a thrilling insight into the legendary singer-songwriter. From the Oscar-winning director of Touching The Void.

SAT 26, SUN 27 & THU 31 MAY

MOZART’S SISTER

NANNERL, LA SOEUR DE MOZART mozartssister.com Director René Féret

RASHÔMON

(12A)

Director Werner Herzog Germany/Canada I 2011 I 107 mins

Director Akira Kurosawa Starring Toshirô Mifune, Machiko Kyô, Masayuki Mori

Japan I 1950 I 88 mins I Japanese with subtitles

Werner Herzog probes the human psyche to explore why people kill.

TUE 01 MAY

TUE 01 & THU 03 MAY

AN AMERICAN IN PARIS

(U)

Director Vincente Minnelli

Starring Klaus Kinski, Claudia Cardinale, José Lewgoy

West Germany/Peru I 1982 I 158 mins German and Spanish with subtitles Fascinating insight into the man who dragged a 300-tonne boat overland to build an opera house deep in the depths of the Amazon.

THE AFRICAN QUEEN

(PG)

Director John Huston Starring Humphrey Bogart, Katharine Hepburn

Nannerl was Mozart’s older sister and a musical prodigy in her own right. Forbidden to play the violin or compose, she is determined to find a way to challenge the social order.

SUN 27 – THU 31 MAY

All screenings will be presented by the Inverness Film Fans. For more info see: invernessfilmfans.org

MAY ADVENTURE FILMS GUM FOR MY BOAT

(No Cert)

gumformyboat.com Director Russell Brownley USA/Bangladesh I 2009 I 33 mins An alluring documentary touching on the redemptive power of surfing in Bangladesh. WED 23 MAY

CANCER TO CAPRICORN: PATH HAPPYNESS COMEDY FESTIVAL OF THE MODERN GYPSY (No Cert)

CHALET GIRL

(12A)

Director Russell Brownley

chaletgirl-movie.com Director Phil Traill Starring Felicity Jones, Bill Nighy, Bill Bailey

USA I 2010 I 45 mins An insightful documentary about the modern gypsy’s search for the perfect wave.

UK/Germany/Austria I 2011 I 96 mins This feel-good comedy will be introduced by Bill Bailey as part of Happyness Comedy Festival.

THU 24 MAY

A FILM WITH ME IN IT

(15)

WED 23 MAY

A group of Tibetan monks finds themselves torn between spiritual enlightenment and their love for soccer in this heart-warming comedy.

SUN 06 MAY

TUE 08 MAY

NOSFERATU THE VAMPYRE

NOSFERATU: PHANTOM DER NACHT (15) Director Werner Herzog Starring Klaus Kinski, Isabelle Adjani, Bruno Ganz West Germany I 1979 I 107 mins German with subtitles Herzog’s stylistic re-make of the 1922 German expressionist classic.

THU 17 MAY

Director James Cameron

Director Roko Belic Starring Gregory Berns, Roy Blanchard

Starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, Michael Biehn

USA I 2011 I 76 mins

UK/USA I 1984 I 107 mins

tastethewaste.com

Hindu and Tibetan with subtitles

West Germany I 1972 I 93 mins German with subtitles In the 16th Century, the ruthless and insane Aguirre leads a Spanish expedition in search of the city of gold.

thehappymovie.com

FRI 25 MAY

(IN CELEBRATION OF BUDDHA DAY) Director Khventse Norbu Starring Orgven Tobgyal, Neten Chokling, Bhutan/Australia I 1999 I 93 mins

Director Werner Herzog Starring Klaus Kinski, Helena Rojo, Del Negro

LATE NIGHT CLASSICS THE TERMINATOR (15)

Combining real life stories of people from around the world and powerful interviews with the leading scientists in happiness research.

PHÖRPA (PG)

AGUIRRE, DER ZORN GOTTES (PG)

UK GREEN FILM FESTIVAL HAPPY (cert tbc)

Director Ian Fitzgibbon Starring Dylan Moran, Mark Doherty USA I 2008 I 88 mins A dark Irish comedy starring Dylan Moran, who will also be introducing the film as part of the Happyness Comedy Festival.

THE CUP

SUN 06 MAY

AGUIRRE, THE WRATH OF GOD

TUE 29 MAY

France I 2010 I 120 mins

(PG)

Director Werner Herzog

USA I 1951 I 113 mins

UK/USA I 1951 I 105 mins

Starring Marie Féret, Marc Barbé

FITZCARRALDO

Starring Gene Kelly, Leslie Caron, Oscar Levant

TUE 15 MAY

(12A)

INTO THE ABYSS – A TALE OF DEATH, A TALE OF LIFE (12A)

FRI 18 MAY

TASTE THE WASTE

(Cert tbc)

SAT 12 MAY

ROBOCOP

(18)

Director Paul Verhoeven Starring Peter Weller, Nancy Allen, Kurtwood Smith USA I 1987 I 102 mins

Director Valentin Thurn Starring Klaudia Fischer, Jö Franck

SAT 26 MAY

Germany I 2010 I 92 mins I German with subtitles On the way from the farm to the table, more than half of our food is thrown away. Why do we waste so much and how can we stop it?

Staff Pick PRIMER

(12A)

USA/Vietnam/France/UK I 2011 I 83 mins A definitive investigation into light pollution and the disappearing stars.

primermovie.com Director Shane Carruth Starring Shane Carruth, David Sullivan USA I 2004 I 77 mins Hailed by our cinema programmer, Paul Taylor, as one of our most interesting staff pick’s ever, Primer was chosen by Box Office Assisstant Niall Strachan (Bronto Skylift’s frontman). Winner: Sundance Grand Jury Prize 2004.

SAT 19 MAY

THU 24 MAY

SUN 20 MAY

THE CITY DARK

(Cert tbc)

thecitydark.com Director Ian Cheney

Eden Court, Bishops Road, Inverness IV3 5SA Box Office 01463 234 234 Administration 01463 239 841

MAY

Tue 08 11.30 Headhunters 19.15 Salmon Fishing In The Yemen 19.30 Aguirre, The Wrath Of God

Tue 01 11.30 Into the Abyss 19.15 Bel Ami 19.45 Rashomon

Wed 09 11.30 Salmon Fishing In The Yemen 14.00 Carancho 19.15 Headhunters 19.45 Khodorkovsky

Wed 02 11.30 Bel Ami 19.15 In Darkness 19.45 The Kid With A Bike Thu 03 11.30 The Vow Dream & Scream 14.00 Bel Ami 18.00 The Kid With A Bike 18.15 Into the Abyss 20.15 In Darkness 20.30 Bel Ami Fri 04 18.00 18.15 20.30 20.45

Salmon Fishing In The Yemen Carancho Headhunters Mirror Mirror

Sat 05 11.30 The Pirates! In An Adventure With Scientists! 13.30 Mirror Mirror 14.00 The Pirates! In An Adventure With Scientists! 17.45 Headhunters 18.00 Mirror Mirror 20.15 Salmon Fishing In The Yemen 20.30 Carancho Sun 06 11.30 The Pirates! In An Adventure With Scientists! 14.00 The Pirates! In An Adventure With Scientists! Subtitled 17.15 The Cup 17.30 Salmon Fishing In The Yemen 19.45 Fitzcarraldo 20.00 Headhunters Mon 07 11.30 Salmon Fishing In The Yemen Friends Coffee Morning 18.00 Headhunters 18.15 Mirror Mirror 20.15 Carancho 20.30 Salmon Fishing In The Yemen

Thu 10 14.00 Salmon Fishing In The Yemen 18.00 Headhunters 18.15 Khodorkovsky 20.15 Salmon Fishing In The Yemen 20.30 Delicacy Friends Preview Screening Fri 11 18.00 18.15 20.15 20.30

Dark Shadows Babycall Salmon Fishing In The Yemen Dark Shadows

Sat 12 11.30 The Pirates! In An Adventure With Scientists! 13.45 The Pirates! In An Adventure With Scientists! 14.15 Dark Shadows 17.00 Salmon Fishing In The Yemen 18.00 Dark Shadows 19.45 Babycall 20.30 Dark Shadows 22.00 The Terminator Sun 13 11.30 The Pirates! In An Adventure With Scientists! 13.30 Dark Shadows 14.00 The Pirates! In An Adventure With Scientists! 16.45 Dark Shadows 17.00 Babycall 19.15 Dark Shadows 19.30 Salmon Fishing In The Yemen Mon 14 18.00 Dark Shadows 18.15 Salmon Fishing In The Yemen 20.30 Dark Shadows 20.45 Babycall

TICKET PRICES

Tue 15 11.30 14.00 19.15 19.30

Babycall Salmon Fishing In The Yemen Dark Shadows An American In Paris

Wed 16 11.30 Salmon Fishing In The Yemen Dream & Scream 14.00 Dark Shadows 19.15 Salmon Fishing In The Yemen 19.30 Dark Shadows Subtitled Thu 17 11.30 Dark Shadows 18.00 Dark Shadows 18.15 Salmon Fishing In The Yemen 20.30 Dark Shadows 20.45 Nosferatu The Vampyr Fri 18 18.00 18.15 20.15 20.30

Dark Shadows Happy Breathing Dark Shadows

Sat 19 13.00 17.45 18.00 20.15 20.30

Titanic Dark Shadows The City Dark Dark Shadows Breathing

Sun 20 13.00 Titanic 14.15 Dark Shadows 16.45 Dark Shadows 17.15 An American In Paris 19.15 Dark Shadows 19.45 Taste The Waste Mon 21 18.00 Dark Shadows 18.15 Tiny Furniture 20.15 Breathing 20.30 Dark Shadows Tue 22 11.30 Dark Shadows 19.15 Dark Shadows 19.45 Tiny Furniture Wed 23 11.30 Dark Shadows Dream & Scream 18.00 Tiny Furniture 19.45 Dark Shadows 20.00 May Adventure Films

Thu 24 11.00 Titanic 14.00 Dark Shadows 18.00 Chalet Girl Happyness Fest 18.15 Dark Shadows Subtitled 20.30 Primer Staff Pick 20.45 Dark Shadows Fri 25 18.00 A Film With Me In It Happyness Fest 18.15 Le Havre 20.15 Blackthorn 20.30 This Must Be The Place Sat 26 11.30 A Cat In Paris In English 13.30 Blackthorn 14.00 A Cat In Paris In French With Subtitles 17.00 This Must Be The Place 18.00 Blackthorn 19.00 Marley 20.30 Le Havre 22.00 Robocop Sun 27 11.30 A Cat In Paris In English 13.30 Marley 14.00 A Cat In Paris In French With Subtitles 17.00 Le Havre 17.15 This Must Be The Place 19.00 Mozart's Sister 19.30 Blackthorn Mon 28 18.00 Blackthorn 18.15 Mozart's Sister 20.15 This Must Be The Place 20.45 Le Havre Tue 29 11.30 14.00 19.15 19.30

This Must Be The Place Blackthorn Mozart's Sister The African Queen

Wed 30 11.30 Mozart's Sister 19.15 This Must Be The Place 19.45 Le Havre Thu 31 11.30 Le Havre 18.00 This Must Be The Place 20.00 Marley 20.30 Mozart's Sister

FRIENDS SCREENINGS exclusive screenings for Eden Court Friends. Friends Coffee Morning – MON 07 11.30 Salmon Fishing In The Yemen (12A) Film starts 11.30am – Coffee served from 10.30am

All Tickets pre 5.00pm

£6.00

Adults (over 18)

£7.00 (Fri & Sat £7.50)

Friends Preview Screening – THU 10 20.30 Delicacy (12A) Film starts 20.30pm – Coffee served from 19.30pm DREAM AND SCREAM Bring your baby to one of our Dream And Scream screenings, specially for parents and carers of new babies aged 0–12 months. Look out for ‘Dream & Scream’ on individual screenings

Adult Concession

£6.50 (Fri & Sat £7.00)

Under 18’s & Students

£5.00 at all times

Eden Court Friends

£1.00 off

AUDIO DESCRIBED & SUBTITLED FILMS Eden Court offers a range of accessible film screenings. Look out for the (AD) for Audio Described, and (S) for subtitled screenings.

SUPPORTED BY

Eden Court Highlands (trading as Eden Court) is a company registered in Scotland (company number SC63216) and a charity registered with the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (registered number SCO08237)

TUE 15 MAY Annual

SPRINGTIME ON THE FARM @ Black Isle Showground. Explore Gilchrist and Tarradale farmland down to the Beauly Firth watching for yellowhammers and skylarks. Martin Hind 01349 868563. THE BIGGEST TWITCH @ Grant Arms Hotel, 9pm. Ruth Miller and Alan Davies tell the tale of the highs and lows of 2008, aiming to set a new world record for the highest number of bird species seen in a single calendar year.

WED 16 MAY

EASTER ROSS BIODIVERSITY FORUM: VOLUNTEERING IN THE COUNTRYSIDE @ The Greenhouse, High Street, Dingwall. Part of Highland Biodiversity Week. An evening of talks & displays focusing on how you can volunteer to improve the natural heritage in your area. Martin 01349 868563. Charity

FOOD & CRAFT FAIR @ Strathpeffer Pavilion. Free entry for the public, teas on sale with delicious home baking. 01997 420124

THU 17 MAY

AUTISM: ACCEPTING DIFFERENCE. NOT INDIFFERENCE @ Eden Court, 7.30pm See main feat page FOOD & CRAFT FAIR @ Strathpeffer Pavilion.

FRI 18 MAY Misc

INTRODUCTION TO WILDLIFE GARDENING @ Inv. Floral Hall. invernessfloralhall.com.

SAT 19 MAY Annual

HIGHLANDS ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY SOLAR @ Observatory, Culloden Battlefield. spacegazer.com. Misc

TRAD. MAY FAIR @ Moray Steiner School, Forres Craft Activities, Live Music. SOIL BIODIVERSITY FORUM @ Great Glen House, Inverness A collection of eight illustrated talks on subjects ranging from the function of soil and the importance of ecosystem integrity to geodiversity and links to people, landscape and culture; and from different soil types and associated land uses to the effects of invasive non-native species on the soils they are growing in. Free event, booking essential Contact monika@rowan-tree-consulting.co.uk. DINGWALL BIOBLITZ: 24 HOURS, BIODIVERSITY AND YOU!!! @ Meet At The Greenhouse, Dingwall. Join us on Saturday evening to learn how to identify and record moths and bats, and how many you can spot! Free event, everyone welcome. Martin Hind 01349 868563. HIGHLAND ESCAPES SHOW @ Culloden Free Church. The only independent holiday, travel and days out show in the Highlands. highlandescapesshow.co.uk.

SUN 20 MAY Annual

CHEQUERED SKIPPER HUNT @ Spean Bridge. Come and see one of Scotland’s rarest butterflies, the Chequered Skipper, that only occurs within 30 miles of Fort William and nowhere else in the UK. Contact monika@ rowan-tree-consulting.co.uk). Misc

DINGWALL BIOBLITZ: @ Meet At The Greenhouse, Dingwall. See Sat 19 May PLANTING DAY FOR THE MILLIONTH TREE @ Dundreggan, Glen Morriston. Join wildlife cameraman Gordon Buchannan as he plants Trees for Life’s millionth volunteer planted tree on their reserve at Dundreggan, Glen Morriston. The day will start with examining which moths visited the estate during the night, and there will be making music with the Woodland Orchestra, bush craft skills with Wild-Things!, looking at soil beasties, guided walks of the estate and a bbq. Free event- fiona@treesforlife.org.uk

MON 21 MAY

RED KITES IN THE HIGHLANDS BY BRAD CHAPPELL @ Boat Of Garten Community Hall, 7.30pm. Telling the story of the re-introduction of the red kite to the region and of the feeding station at Tollie, the talk also inc history of the kite and how to identify one. Annual

BELMADUTHY DAM FIELD SESSION @ Belmaduthy Dam. An East Highland fieldtrip continuing James Merryweather’s talk (19 May) in the field. Contact monika@rowan-treeconsulting.co.uk for booking.

TUE 22 MAY

SOILS & WILDLIFE @ Eden Court An illustrated mid-week lecture about the influence of soils on the habitats and species that are found in, on and around them. Free event, booking essential

WED 23 MAY Misc

SPRINGTIME ALONG THE RIVER SGITHEACH, EVANTON @ Evanton Car Park. 01349 868563.

THU 24 MAY

AGRICULTURAL IMPROVEMENT OF THE BLACK ISLE & THE INNER MORAY FIRTH BEFORE 1900 @ Eden Court An illustrated lecture by local historian David Alston. Free event, booking essential.

FRI 25 MAY Annual

MANAGING YOUR GARDEN SOILS FOR WILDLIFE @ Culloden House Hotel. Guided walk around the gardens at Culloden House Hotel to learn about the history of the area and how the garden has been managed through the years. Katy Martin 01463 710786. Misc

NATURE ON OUR DOORSTEP @ Inverness Floral Hall. invernessfloralhall.com.

SAT 26 MAY Annual

HIGHLANDS ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY SOLAR @ Observatory, Culloden Battlefield. everyone welcome. spacegazer.com. WILDFLOWER COUNT @ Muir Of Ord Get the most out of Plantlife’s annual wildflower survey. Come on a practical workshop, full of ideas and tips on what to look for, while enjoying a walk through the countryside. info:

01349868563. RSPB OUTING TO TROUP HEAD @ Highland Council Car Park, 8am. Booking essential on 01997 433283 Misc

THE LIVING WORLD BENEATH YOUR FEET! @ Abriachan. Part of Highland Biodiversity Week. In partnership with Abriachan Forest Trust. Places are limited so booking is essential. Katy Martin 01463 710786. EXCLUSIVELY HIGHLANDS MEET MAKERS @ Culloden Battlefield.

THE

SUN 27 MAY Annual

QUESTION TIME: THE FUTURE OF HIGHLAND SOILS CHAIRMAN PLUS 4 SPEAKERS @ Eden Court A panel of four speakers from different backgrounds will be asked to present balanced arguments in a “Question Time” style event to close Highland Soil Biodiversity Week. Free event, booking essential (Contact monika@rowan-tree-consulting.co.uk). 01463 234 234 THE BIRDS OF BADENOCH: KINGUSSIE TO NEWTONMORE @ War Memorial Opposite Duke Of Gordon Hotel, Kingussie. Part of Highland Biodiversity Week. Duncan Macdonald 01479 873706. Misc

EXCLUSIVELY HIGHLANDS MEET MAKERS @ Culloden Battlefield.

THE

CHARITY PLANT SALE AND BARBECUE @ Foulis Castle Steading, Evanton. Sale of plants raised by local gardeners, baking and other home produce. Barbecue. In aid of Maggie’s Centres and Canine Partners. Entry free.

SPECIALS

CONTINUED FROM P28 For events 01–14 May turn back...

MON 28 MAY

OSPREY NEWS @ RSPB Loch Garten Osprey Centre , 7.30pm. rspb.org.uk

TUE 29 MAY

LEWIS AYRES: SEEING GLORY - THE MYSTERY REVEALED @ Pluscarden Abbey, Elgin, 2.45pm. Exploring the character of all our thinking about an existence in God.

FRI 01 JUN

HIGHLAND BABY SHOW 2012 @ Smithton/ culloden Free Church. One stop shop for all maternity and baby needs. Tickets: £2.50. Children FREE. TRACKING AND THE ART OF SEEING THE UNSEEN @ Scottish Dolphin Centre, Spey Bay. Spey Bay is home to many secretive and hard to spot animals. Hone your tracking skills and discover how to see the unseen on this guided walk. NATURE ON OUR DOORSTEP @ Floral Hall. invernessfloralhall.com.

SAT 02 JUN

CAWDOR CASTLE GARDEN TOUR @ Cawdor Castle, 2pm. HIGHLAND BABY SHOW 2012 @ Smithton/culloden Free Church. One stop shop for all maternity and baby needs.Tickets: £2.50. Children FREE.

SPORT ATHLETIC

BALL

COMBAT

EXTREME

RACING

Derby Days. By the time you read this, the football season will be about to enter its last round of matches, concluding what could turn out to be the most significant in Highland history. Massive congratulations to ROSS COUNTY on earning promotion that rarely looked in doubt past Xmas, and we’re giddy with excitement at the prospect of local SPL derbies next season. Throw Aberdeen into the mix (if you must) and a third of the top league is made up of teams from the North. That makes us officially a Powerhouse.

The other big sporting highlight this month is the SCOTTISH SIX DAYS TRIAL [2] in FORT WILLIAM from 04–12 MAY. Billing itself, with some justification, as “the greatest motorcycle trial in the world”, it’s been attracting riders from all over the world since its inception in 1909, as cherished by trials riders as the TT is to road racers. In addition to the racing, there’s a packed schedule of entertainment, including a mini music festival Rock The Fort, bars, stalls and much more. For details go to http://www.ssdt.org

SPORT

It’s all going Derbytastic in shinty too. Having acquired a new sponsor in the form of the Orion Group, they’ve come up with the idea of Premiership Derby Days [1] taking place on the Bank Holiday weekends of SAT 26 MAY and SAT 25 AUG. The May fixtures see LOVAT host local rivals GLENURQUHART in Kiltarlity whilst in Kingussie, two of shinty’s greatest rivals, KINGUSSIE and NEWTONMORE, battle it out for first round bragging rights. The two other derbies are KILMALLIE versus FORT WILLIAM in Lochaber and BUTE versus KYLES ATHLETIC. For more info visit www.shinty.com or call the Camanachd Association direct on 01463 715931.

SAT 28 APR

TUE 08 MAY

WED 16 MAY

Athletics

Other

Athletics Outdoor

MAGGIE'S MONSTER BIKE AND HIKE 2012 @ Fort William To Inverness. 24-hour fundraising team challenge. The event goes from Fort William through to Inverness covering 73 miles along the Great Glen Way. If you have any questions related to Maggie's Monster Bike and Hike, for info:› monster@maggiescentres.org or call 0300 123 1801.

THE SCOTTISH SIX DAYS TRIAL @ FW INVERNESS VOLLEYBALL CLUB @ Hilton Community Centre, Oldtown Road.

CULBIN FOREST RUN @ Culbin Forest, Near Forres. The 14th anniversary of this family festival of forest running. Full details at www.forresharriers.org.uk.

WED 09 MAY

SUN 20 MAY

Other

BLACK ISLE CYCLE CHALLENGE @ Resolis Memorial Hall. This year's Black Isle Cycle Challenge features routes for all abilities. highlandhospice.org. Team/Football

FOOTBALL: ROSS COUNTY V HAMILTON ELGIN V MONTROSE

SUN 29 APR Athletics

MAGGIE'S MONSTER BIKE AND HIKE 2012 @ Fort William To Inverness.

Team

Other

THE SCOTTISH SIX DAYS TRIAL @ FW Outdoor/Walking

THU 10 MAY Other

THE SCOTTISH SIX DAYS TRIAL @ FW Outdoor/Walking

FRI 11 MAY Other

THE SCOTTISH SIX DAYS TRIAL @ FW Outdoor/Walking

SAT 12 MAY

TUE 01 MAY

INVERNESS VOLLEYBALL CLUB @ Hilton Community Centre, Oldtown Road.. Every Tuesday during school term time. Mixed volleyball for anyone aged over 16. All welcome.

FRI 04 MAY Other

THE SCOTTISH SIX DAYS TRIAL @ Fort William. See Preview P39. ssdt. org.

BENROMACH FORRES 10K @ Benromach, 2.30pm.

SPORT

SAT 05 MAY

SPEYSIDE DUATHLON @ Near Glenrothes Distillery. 20.7-mile duathlon covering some of the wonderful yet most hidden parts of Rothes and surrounding area. speyside-duathlon.com SCOTTISH SIX DAYS TRIAL @ FW

Other

Athletics

SUN 06 MAY

RACE THE STEAM TRAIN @ Boat Of Garten, 10am. Steam Train ride from Aviemore to Boatof-Garten as part of the Osprey Festival. Runners will then set off on a 5 mile offroad run on good forest trails and race the Steam Train back to Aviemore ﬁnishing at the Cairngorm Brewery. Other

THE SCOTTISH SIX DAYS TRIAL @ FW WHOLE WAY WALK @ Various. (6th-11th May) Walk all or part of the Great Glen Way with the Great Glen Way Rangers. Booking required: 01320 366633. Outdoor/Walking

MON 07 MAY Other

THE SCOTTISH SIX DAYS TRIAL @ Fort William.. Outdoor/Walking

MORAY AND HIGHLAND JUNIOR ORIENTEERING CHAMPIONSHIPS @ Culbin Forest, Near Forres.

TUE 22 MAY Team

THE SCOTTISH SIX DAYS TRIAL @ FW.

INVERNESS VOLLEYBALL CLUB @ Hilton Community Centre.

Outdoor

ORIENTEERING @ Sanquhar Community Woodlands (forres). If you like maps and outdoor exercise, come and try orienteering with Moravian Orienteers. This event also counts for the Moray Schools League. Registration at Forres Academy Car Park from 10.15 to 11.15. Adults £4 juniors £3. Full details at www.moravianorienteering.org.

SUN 13 MAY Athletics

Athletics

Outdoor

Athletics

Other

Team

GORDON CASTLE HIGHLAND GAMES AND COUNTRY FAIR @ Gordon Castle. Fabulous programme of heavy events, massed bands, athletics, highland dancing, food and crafts, outdoor sports and demonstrations plus lots for children and families to enjoy. gordoncastle. co.uk.

CAPE WRATH CHALLENGE@ Durness, 10am. (13th-19th) The six-day Cape Wrath challenge, with ﬁve days of running, including a half-marathon and 10K. capewrathchallenge.co.uk. Outdoor

THE SPEYSIDE KILTWALK 2012 @ Buckie. The Speyside Kiltwalk will be a breathtaking walk through Scotland’s whisky country, from the Moray coast towards the Cairngorm Mountains following the valley of the River Spey. Enjoy the company of two local pipe bands and local Speyside wildlife, visit two world famous inns and do your bit for Scotland's children. thekiltwalk.co.uk. ORIENTEERING @ Battan Forest (near Kiltarlity).invoc.org.uk. Outdoor/Walking

AVIEMORE WALKING FESTIVAL @ Cairngorm Hotel, Aviemore. (13th - 18th) Put a spring in your step with guided gentle strolls along loch shores to challenging high level mountain walks in the breathtaking Cairngorm Mountains. nbremner.f2s.com

TUE 15 MAY Athletics Outdoor/Walking Team

INVERNESS VOLLEYBALL CLUB @ Hilton Community Centre

SAT 26 MAY Athletics

LAGGAN ROAD RACE @ Laggan Village Hall, 2pm. LAGGAN 10k Highland Road Race and 1 Mile Fun Run. SHINTY: Kingussie v Newtonmore Lovat v Glenurquhart Kilmallie v Fort William Bute v Kyles Athletic Inveraray v Kinlochshiel For full info visit www.shinty.com

SUN 27 MAY Team

THE CHEER FESTIVAL @ Eden Court, 9.30am.

WED 30 MAY Outdoor

THE ROSEISLE FOREST RUN @ Near Kinloss. The second event in the Moray Forest Runs Series. All proceeds to Roseisle Village Hall. www. forresharriers.org.uk.

FRI 01 JUN Outdoor/Walking

OUTTA AFFRIC 2012 @ Glen Affric. (1st-4th June) OuttaAffric offers both high and low level guided walks in the area of outstanding natural beauty that is the Glen Affric National Nature Reserve. Festival goers can sample the true remoteness of the area on the high-level walks with a programme that retains the Munroist feel, covering eight Munros in the peaceful Glens of Affric and Cannich. Highlights for 2012 include the Western Affric Munros, a walk in from Glen Cannich taking the boats across Loch Mullardoch and a Bushcraft experience amidst the ancient Affric Forest. naturalhighguiding.co.uk/ affric.htm.

COMING SOON TO featuring

ne, Peter Noo and le o o P n Bria Vanity Fare

THE CAPTAIN’S COLLECTION

SOLID SILVER SIXTIES SHOW MUSIC Sat 05 May

DRAMA Wed 09 & Thu 10 May

STEWART LEE

DRAMA Wed 02–Fri 04 May

ON OUR WAY TO LISBON

COMEDY Sun 13 May

KINDUR

FAMILY Wed 16 May

80S MANIA

BREAKIN’ CONVENTION

HAPPYNESS

UPBEAT BEATLES

DANCE Tue 22 May

Box Office: 01463

COMEDY FESTIVAL Wed 23 – Sun 27 May

234234

www.eden-court.co.uk

MUSIC Sun 20 May

MUSIC Sat 26 May

www.facebook.com/edencourttheatre www.twitter.com/edencourt

THEATRE CABARET

COMEDY

DANCE

DRAMA

MUSICAL

Stand Up and Get Down You only have to hear the title of Inverness’ new comedy festival, HAPPYNESS [1], and you’re guaranteed to have the theme tune of the art’s most enduring exponent, Ken Dodd, running around your head for the rest of the day. Doddie’s not playing this year, but, if it’s the success it deserves to be, maybe he’ll be tempted up. With the (relative) proximity of Edinburgh and just about every comedian on earth decamping there for the summer, it’s surprising that it’s taken so long for the Highlands to do something similar, albeit on a much smaller scale. Running from 23–27 MAY, the festival’s name was dreamt up by one BILL BAILEY, a big fan of the Highlands. And the inventively peculiar bearded fellow is one of the star attractions, along with the likes of DYLAN MORAN, ARDAL O’HANLON, FRED MACAULAY and MARK NELSON. There’ll also be new talent, Gaelic performers and much more. While the bulk of events take place at EDEN COURT, there’ll also be some more bijou shows at HOOTANANNY - if you like comedy, don’t miss the opportunity to experience the special thrill of seeing real talent up close and intimate. Tickets for all: Eden Court, 01463 234234, eden-court.co.uk More info in our centre-page pull-out and at happy-ness.co.uk Unofficial HAPPYNESS FRINGE events will be hosted at IG:LU including special art exhibits for the week (see P8) and with daily 3pm film screenings (see P10) and a post-festival Wrap Party on SUN 27 MAY limited places may be available for this - check www.theIG.LU for details. Fringe events sponsored by Inverness College UHI - see overleaf for details of upcoming open day & open eve.

EDEN COURT is the essential venue for theatrical excitement this month, with not just the comedy fest, but also some sterling drama, opera and dance. See our listings for more, but a highlight looks like being the BREAKIN’ CONVENTION 2012 [2] on TUE 22 MAY. For one day the venue will be transformed into something of a hotbed of hip hop, street dance and breaking, with freestyle sessions, DJ demos, workshops and even a graffiti wall. Then in the evening there’s a show curated by eminent hip hop theatre artist JONZI D and marshalled by MC, dancer and one-time Orkney boy TONY MILLS. The latter ditched a prospective career as a vet for the world of dance and when you see some of the inspirational artists on show you might be tempted to do the same. Names not to miss are VAGABOND CREW and CLASH 66, but there’ll be plenty more grabbing the attention, including Highland crews. It all rounds off with an aftershow at IG:LU which we’re fully expecting to turn into a remake of the “It’s Like That” video. For a sneak peek of some of the talent on show: www.breakinconvention.com/videos To apply to win places at the after-show party, visit www.theIG.LU

P44–45

STEWART LEE

SCOTTISH BALLET

MACBETH @ CAWDOR

TUE 24 APR Comedy/Drama

HI-DE-HI! @ Florians Theatre Inverness 7.30pm By Paul Carpenter

WED 25 APR Comedy

SARAH MILLICAN : THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLICAN @ Eden Court Empire, 8pm. Observational and self deprecating gags from the ubiquitous Ms Milligan. 01463 234234 Comedy/Drama

HI-DE-HI! @ Florians Theatre 7.30pm

THU 26 APR

HI-DE-HI! @ Florians Theatre 7.30pm Drama

STICK GRANNY ON THE ROOF RACK @ Eden Court One Touch, 7.30pm.

FRI 27 APR Comedy/Drama

HI-DE-HI! @ Florians Theatre 7.30pm

SAT 28 APR Comedy

PRITCHARD VS. DAINTON LIVE SHOW @ The Ironworks, 8pm Comedy/Drama

HI-DE-HI! @ Florians Theatre 7.30pm Musical/Opera Other

VARIETY EVENING WITH FISH & CHIP SUPPER @ Strathpeffer Community Centre, 7pm. BYOB. Tickets available from Community Centre.

SUN 29 APR Comedy

GILDED BALLOON EARLY EVENING COMEDY SHOW @ Hootananny Other

AN EVENING OF MEDIUMSHIP WITH TV PSYCHIC TONY STOCKWELL @ Eden Court Empire, 7.30pm

MON 30 APR Drama

PASSING PLACES @ Eden Court 7.30pm Alex and Brian are two local lads, desperate to leave their mundane lives and dead end jobs in Motherwell so they hit the road and head north for Thurso, where the surf is up all year round. 01463 234234

WED 09 MAY Dance/Contempoary

SCOTTISH BALLET: A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE @ Eden Court Empire, 7.30pm. See Theatre Picks >>> 01463 234234

ON OUR WAY TO LISBON @ Eden Court One Touch, 8pm.

FRI 11 MAY Dance/Contempoary

A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE @ Eden Court SEE THEATRE PICKS >>> Musical/Opera

KIDNAPPED @ Eden Court One Touch, 8pm. Cumbernauld Theatre Company present Kidnapped - A Scottish Swashbuckler Adapted from the original Robert Louis Stevenson novel. Forged from the fury of the Jacobite rebellion, Stevenson’s classic novel Kidnapped recounts the captivating story of young Davie Balfour and his astonishing personal journey across the lochs and glens of old Scotland as he fights to right the wrongs done to him by his scheming Uncle Ebeneezer of the House of Shaws.

SAT 12 MAY Dance/Contempoary

A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE @ Eden Court SEE THEATRE PICKS >>>

SUN 13 MAY Comedy

STEWART LEE: CARPET REMNANT WORLD @ Eden Court Empire, 8pm Stewart Lee’s last appearance up here was just about the finest demonstration of standup we’ve ever seen, managing to mess with ideas of truth, set fire to the fourth wall and, of course tell some very, very funny jokes. You were left feeling simultaneously thinking you knew exactly what he was like and hardly knowing him at all, which is probably pretty much the ideal. His TV show showed the relentless way that he can deconstruct ideas and indeed the very notion of his own comedy persona, while utilising a glorious economy and rhythm of language to deliver the finest of punchlines. Or, and this is the brave bit, not. It’s no surprise that he has as much affection for freeform improvised jazz as three minute punk rock. Carpet Remnant World is his new show and though early reviews suggested the material had lost some of its bite, we’re sure that by now it’ll be honed into something every bit as impressive as last time. The one truly unmissable stand-up in Britain.

TUE 15 MAY Other

HIGHLAND SEER CLAIRVOYANT NIGHT @ Chieftain Hotel, 7pm. Demonstration of Seership from Barbara Mieklejohn. Free. jo@ myinnerpeace.co.uk.

WED 16 MAY Drama

Drama

ON OUR WAY TO LISBON (OR THE ITALIAN JOB!) @ Eden Court One Touch, 8pm Tells the story of how, in 1967, Glasgow Celtic became the first British team to win the European Cup with victory over the mighty Inter Milan.

THU 10 MAY Dance/Contempoary

A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE @ Eden Court SEE THEATRE PICKS Drama

TWO ONE ACT PLAYS @ The Little Theatre, Nairn, 7.30pm. Nairn Drama Club presents two one act plays - “Have a Nice Day” and “A Dog’s Life” Tickets £6 on the night. Sandra McGowan 01667 455899 or visit nairndrama.org.uk. Drama/Kids

KINDUR - THE ADVENTUROUS LIFE OF ICELANDIC SHEEP @ Eden Court One Touch, 10.30am, 4.45pm. Kindur - the adventurous life of Icelandic sheep TPO Company, Italy. Discover a stunning Icelandic world through TPO’s award winning

digital technology and multimedia. 01463 234234

THU 17 MAY Drama

TWO ONE ACT PLAYS @ The Little Theatre, Nairn, 7.30pm. nairndrama.org.uk. Drama/Kids

SENSORY O @ Eden Court Jim Love Studio, 10.30am, 1.30pm. Journey into a magical, night-time world, take a train ride through the jungle, and meet a friendly lion who sleeps under the stars. Following the phenomenal success of BabyO, Scottish Opera’s groundbreaking show for 6 to 18 month olds, Sensory O is a brand-new interactive performance for toddlers and their carers. Musical/Opera

SCOTTISH OPERA: TOSCA @ Eden Court Empire, 7.15pm. Anthony Besch’s celebrated production has travelled to opera houses around the world since it was first created for Scottish Opera in 1980. 01463 234234

FRI 18 MAY Dance

SCOTTISH OPERA: TOSCA @ Eden Court Empire, 7.15pm KIRSTIE SIMSON & MICHAEL SCHUMACHER @ Universal Hall, Findhorn, 8pm. A welcome return to Findhorn of these two extraordinary world class performers with a piece entitled My Skin is Still Singing.Michael Schumacher is a supremely versatile dance artist with an impressive track record that includes dancing with the Frankfurt Ballet, Twyla Tharp Dance and Feld Ballet, Dana Caspersen, Anouk van Dijk, and Sylvie Guillem. Drama

SHYLOCK @ Eden Court OneTouch, 8pm. Quite a month for Shakespeare fans, with Macbeth at Cawdor Castle on 31 May, and here a one man show anatomising another of the Bard’s greatest villains. Or, according to some more recent arguments, one of his mostmaligned victims. In this poignantly powerful and at times humorous show, Shylock is explained to us through his (only) friend Tubal via a series of clever impersonations from Pontius Pilate to Edmund Kean, from Portia to Dracula. Leading us through the whole of Shylock’s conundrum in The Merchant of Venice he gives a rousing rendition of all Shylock’s scenes, playing all the characters, in itself no mean feat. Performed by GUY MASTERSON, widely acclaimed as the world’s best exponent of solo performances. TWO ONE ACT PLAYS @ The Little Theatre Nairn, 7.30pm. Drama/Kids

SENSORY O @ Eden Court The Jim Love Studio, 10.30am, 1.30pm.

SAT 19 MAY Comedy/Drama

SKIRLIE BY CHARLES BARRON @ The Warehouse Theatre, Lossiemouth, 7.30pm. In an Aberdeenshire school that had better remain anonymous, something strange is

Pleased to sponsor the HAPPYNESS COMEDY FESTIVAL FRINGE EVENTS at IG:LU: CHRIS (SIMPSONS ARTIST) EXHIBITION, Mon 21–Sat 26 May, 11am–3pm (Noon Sat) DAILY STAND-UP THEMED MOVIES, Mon 21–Fri 25 May, 3pm See pages 08, 10 and 43 of this ICA issue.

Drama/Kids

SENSORYO @ Eden Court The Jim Love Studio, 10.30am, 1.30pm.

TUE 22 MAY Dance/Contempoary

BREAKIN’ CONVENTION 2012 @ Eden Court Empire, 7.30pm. The critically acclaimed international festival of hip hop dance theatre, brings jaw-dropping performances by companies from around the world and around the corner. 01463 234234 SEE MAIN FEAT.

WED 23 MAY Comedy

HAPPYNESS COMEDY FESTIVAL: BILL BAILEY @ Eden Court Empire, 8pm. Bill Bailey, the man who coined the name of the Happyness Festival returns to one of his favourite parts of the world to unveil new material on that surreal/prog/genius axis.

THU 24 MAY

HAPPYNESS COMEDY FESTIVAL: BILL BAILEY @ Eden Court Empire, 8pm. A second night of mayhem. 01463 234234

FRI 25 MAY

HAPPYNESS COMEDY FESTIVAL: DYLAN MORAN @ Eden Court Empire, 8pm. The magnificent meanderings of Dylan Moran who always gives the impression he’s either a little bit drunk or some sort of bewildered Messiah. HAPPYNESS COMEDY FESTIVAL: JOE HEENAN, PATRICK MONAHAN, DAVEY CONNOR, ZOE LYONS, BRUCE MORTON @ Madhatters, 8.30pm. HAPPYNESS COMEDY FESTIVAL: JARRED CHRISTMAS, ROB BECKETT, HANNAH GADSBY, MARK NELSON, PATRICK MONAHAN @ Eden Court OneTouch, 9.30pm.

SAT 26 MAY

HAPPYNESS COMEDY FESTIVAL: PUNCH & JUDY @ Falcon Square 11am & 4pm @ Eden Court 2pm HAPPYNESS COMEDY FESTIVAL: THE UPBEAT BEATLES @ Eden Court Empire 8pm HAPPYNESS COMEDY FESTIVAL: FRED MACAULAY, STU MITCHELL, ROB BECKETT, DAVEY CONNER, HANNAH GADSBY @ Madhatters, 8.30pm. HAPPYNESS COMEDY FESTIVAL: PATRICK MONAHAN, MARK NELSON, JARRED CHRISTMAS, BRUCE MORTON, ZOE LYONS

@ Eden Court OneTouch, 9.30pm.

SUN 27 MAY

HAPPYNESS COMEDY FESTIVAL: ARDAL O’HANLON & FRED MACAULAY @ Eden Court Empire, 8pm. HAPPYNESS COMEDY FESTIVAL: PUNCH & JUDY @ Falcon Square 11am & 4pm @ Eden Court 2pm HAPPYNESS COMEDY FESTIVAL: SO YOU THINK YOU’RE FUNNY? SHOWCASE @ Madhatters 6pm. HAPPYNESS COMEDY FESTIVAL: JOE HEENAN, STU MITCHELL, ROB BECKETT, DAVEY CONNER, HANNAH GADSBY @ Madhatters 8.30pm.

THEATRE PICKS: SCOTTISH BALLET: A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE Eden Court Empire Wed 09–Sat 12 May We’ve always thought of Inverness as a bit like the sultry French Quarter of New Orleans. Apart from the lack of heat. And fevered desire. Whatever, it’s going to be imbued with all those qualities when SCOTTISH BALLET bring their take on Tennessee Williams Pulitzer Prize-

HAPPYNESS COMEDY FESTIVAL: JARRED CHRISTMAS, PATRICK MONAHAN, MARK NELSON, ZOE LYONS, BRUCE MORTON @ Eden Court OneTouch 9.30pm. HAPPYNESS COMEDY FESTIVAL: PATRICK MONAHAN, ZOE LYONS, HANNAH GADSBY, ROB BECKETT and the ensemble cast @ Madhatters 10.30pm.

THU 31 MAY Comedy/Drama

MACBETH @ Cawdor Castle, 7.30pm OUTDOOR PERFORMANCE: Where better to see a performance of “the Scottish play” than in its spiritual and historical home? You’ll be able to see plenty of, often outdoor, performances of Shakespeare’s works throughout the Highlands this summer, but this one, performed by The Lord Chamberlain’s Men surely has to the most essential. The big Scottish weather and the castle itself should provide an awesome backdrop to a story that contemporary TV dramas would be proud of. And we bet they won’t be calling Eastenders “the Cockney play” in 400 years time. Gates open 6pm. £14.50/£8 www.cawdorcastle.com

SUN 03 JUN Folk

‘TIME GENTLEMEN PLEASE’ feat THE DEMON BARBER ROADSHOW @ Eden Court Empire, 7.30pm. Originally an English Folk Band but never ones to rest on their well-earned laurels, in 2010 The Demon Barbers took things a stage further, adding street dance (and dancers) to the mix. The show that developed from this, Time Gentleman Please, was a full-fledged stage performance with an elaborate set, a dynamic narrative and a breadth which ranged from the paganism of the Abbots Bromley Horn Dance to the syncopated acrobatics of street dance.

MON 04 JUN

THE BOY WITH TAPE ON HIS FACE @ Eden Court One Touch, 8pm. The silent show that is creating a lot of noise.

winning play, remarkably celebrating its 65th anniversary. Set to a specially commissioned jazz-inspired score by award-winning composer PETER SALEM, this has been created in collaboration with American theatre and film director Nancy Meckler and international choreographer Annabelle Lopez Ochoa, creating a powerful infusion of drama and dance.

THEATRE

boiling up in the kitchens. You’ll never again feel the same way about school dinners again, according to Charles Barron, the awardwinning writer of this charming Doric comedy.

For a look at how the production came together check out http://vimeo.com/39257228

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Contemporary metal outdoor furniture

ica property is sponsored by HSPC - the Property Professionals

Award winning blacksmith and designer Alex Moore has been creating original We’ve been following HSPCfor over 12World number 4 (Mhairi’s is always a happy and metalwork years at now and has supplied pieces for publicquite buildings sponsored localand athlete MHAIRI event is the Modern Pentathlon) relaxed one which private residences throughout the uk. Not to mention numerous pieces foris great. I am SPENCE for several years as she so things are looking good so lucky to train with such a great meda-winning gardens for Chelsea Show gardens. pursues her dream of competing far. However there are quite a and diverse group of girls. It’s Contemporary metal outdoor furniture his wifefew Kimmore he runs Moore Designs - a venture which specialises in the Olympics.Together With thewith games competitions where really good fun. Award winning blacksmith and AlexWorking Moore been original only a few months away we I need to designer produce good results has creating in exciting contemporary outdoor furniture. exclusively in metal, they for out over works 12to years now and hashelp supplied pieces for public buildings caught up withmetalwork Mhairi tofunctional find stay up for there to secure What would be a successful provide of art your garden with the added benefit being and private residences throughout the uk. Not to mention numerous pieces for how she’s doing: my place on Team GB. I have just Olympics for you? that they require no maintenance - you can just sit back and enjoy them. A piece formShow Cupseat in – whichOne success would meda-winning gardens for Chelsea Thegardens. Nest truly brings art to be to make that exemplifies Alex’sreturned unique style isa World Charlotte, North Carolina where I it on the team, especially life in your garden. TheKim swirls of metal which lovingly cocoonwhich you inspecialises your own Together with his wife he runs Moore Designs - a venture came 2nd so another promising after missing out so closely last private escape from the world also frame littleWorking captionsexclusively of your garden for you to in exciting contemporary outdoor furniture. in metal, achievement. time. However they my heart and enjoy. Best of all - it’s big foryour two, the perfect way wile away a summer provide functional works of art for garden with thetoadded benefit being enough mind are set on standing on that afternoon. that they require no maintenance you can just around sit back and enjoy them. A piece What’s the -atmosphere olympic podium. that exemplifies Alex’sthe unique style is The Nest seat – which truly brings art to squad like? weofstarted pre-season Will weinbeyour ableown to see you on life in your garden. TheSince swirls metal which lovingly cocoon you in October everyone hasof your TVgarden and cheer youtoon from our private escape from thetraining world also frame little captions for you How’s it looking for the raised theirfor game we are all couch? enjoy. Best of all - it’s big enough two, and the perfect way to wile away a summer Olympics? training really really hard. Which is There will indeed be coverage of afternoon. Currently I am the highest great for our progress as a squad the Modern Pentathlon on TV, so ranked British Athlete in the and individually. The atmosphere everyone will be able to shout me

4664

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ica property sponsored by HSPC 01463 231173 on from the comfort of their sofa. The women compete on the 12th of August. However people should tune in on the 11th to see some phenomenal athletes in the Men’s Competition as well. Any work out tips for a hard day

when you feel like you can’t be bothered? I am lucky that I have very few of these days however sometimes my motivation slips and so I think about getting the puppy my parents have promised me if I make it to the Olympics. He will be a West Highland Terrier and will be called Donald McRae. What’s your favourite part of being an athlete? I generally enjoy all parts of being

an athlete. However I do feel very lucky to be able to travel to so many different countries and I have made many friends from other pentathlon teams. The least favourite? Hmmmm... I think the hardest part of being a full time athlete is staying on top of your rest and recovery. Sadly it does lead to a rather dull social life most of the time. Which famous sportsperson would you like to go out for a drink with & why? I think it would have to be Usain Bolt as he seems like good fun and I would like to be his friend.

What are your food treats? These are rather few and far between. I follow a very strict diet so there is not much room for ‘treats’. My sweet tooth can not wait until August 13th! When were you last in The Highlands, and do you have a favourite training spot up here? Sadly I don’t make it up much during the season. I was around over Christmas and love running around roads near my house out in Farr it’s lovely. I have a 9mile ciruit I love to run; especially if I can run it faster than my last visit. DW Sports are also very kind in allowing me gym access.

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I can see clearly now... SELF-CLEANING WINDOWS by Pilkington If you dream of letting more natural light into your home by adding French doors or a glass conservatory but you can’t stand the thought of all that window washing, then a revolutionary new kind of glass could be for you. The self-cleaning glass, first pioneered by Pilkington in 2001, could mean your soap and chamois are binned for good. This special glazing has an extremely thin coating of microcrystalline titanium oxide which reacts to daylight. This reaction breaks down dirt on the glass, with no need for detergent. When water hits it, a hydrophilic effect is created, so water and dirt just slide off. The environmentally-friendly innovation is a result of a long process of research into “thin film” technologies which started in the early 1990s. Although it is slightly more expensive than conventional glass, adding about 15 to 20% to the cost of installation, the technology is already being used in sheltered housing and hospital windows where easy cleaning is important. There is a benefit to the environment as well, as the harsh chemicals which are used - particularly in cleaning industrial buildings - are washed off into the ground and that produces contamination. With the self cleaning windows you can just spray water on top and the dirt lifts off. Although external window cleaning and maintenance has been simplified by the abundance of glass cleaning agents on the market, it still requires a great deal of elbow grease to get your windows looking great. Self cleaning glass will be crystal clear with just a spray from a hosepipe, no streaks or droplets. If you are thinking of adding more glass to your home, this has to be pretty tempting...

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EATING OUT

McGonagall’s Steakhouse & Restaurant 7 Bridge Street, Inverness

“I saw a coo, it’s not there noo... it must have shifted.” Poetry to stir the soul and words that put Shakespeare, Milton, Keats and even dear Rabbie Burns into perspective, we’re sure you’ll agree. It’s a touching observation on Highland life from William Topaz McGonagall, the Victorian poet and actor whose healthy disregard for anyone else’s opinions on the reams of doggerel that he produced have ensured some kind of literary immortality. And the words above are painted across the back wall of the restaurant that takes its name from the man himself. A long standing Inverness institution, it used to be sited above The Gellions, but has moved over the road to assert its own identity in a bright new space.

01463 211111

a culinary symbol of good food is one of the few that stretches back as far as McGonagall himself, enduring while all sorts of fads and fashions come and go. Indeed its popularity is greater than ever, with people constantly coming up with fresh ideas for how to cook the perfect steak - the most recently vogueish method involving turning a picnic cooler into a homemade sous-vide bath. Most important though, is the quality of the meat itself - something that’s virtually synonymous with the Highlands.

and airy place is packed with people (as many locals as tourists it seems) taking advantage of two courses for £7.95. There’s fish & chips, burgers, venison sausages and the like, but the only steak on the set menu comes in the form of a Minute Steak Ciabatta. For something a little more hearty you have to ask for the separate Char-grill menu offering fillet, rump, T-bone and even (as Steak Academy found) the daftly overrated kangaroo, with prices ranging from £12–28. No details about the provenance/ ageing etc of the meat, which they might think about including, although the waiter seems pretty knowledgeable, helpfully pointing out that the Ribeye I order is a fattier cut than some others.

What McGonagall’s have understood well, is that it’s not perhaps economically viable to run a joint on steak alone, so they’ve quickly built up a healthy trade on good-value set menus offering a varied selection of things Strange to think that the other dishes. And on the day we Before reputation of steak and chips as visit, the nicely designed, light we’re brought a

begin, basket

ART

RefleXions at The Waterside Hotel A place to relax and enjoy great Scottish food with a modern twist A beautiful river view from every seat

FILM

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Afternoon Tea ~ £9.95 Daily 12pm - 6pm

High Tea ~ £10.95 Daily 4pm - 6pm

KIDS

Sunday carvery from £8.95 Sunday 12pm - 3pm

NEW Evening A la Carte Menu Daily 6pm - 9pm

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01463 233 065

Mercure Inverness Hotel 31 Church St, Inverness 01463 235 181 mercure.com

19 Ness Bank Road, Inverness, IV2 4SF info@thewatersideinverness.co.uk www.thewatersideinverness.co.uk

( Formerly Ramada Jarvis )

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ART Woodland Gardens & Riverside Location Sunday Carvery - 3 courses, ÂŁ13.50 per person New Lunch, Afternoon & Bar Evening Menus

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of spectacularly good bread. Baked on the premises or just a fine local supplier? Whatever, it’s a winning start. To kick off we both go for options from the set menu and they’re good lookers without being entirely successful. My House Pâté isn’t about to elaborate any further, but it tastes like it might be Duck, a nice enough plate alongside salad leaves and oatcakes, but not about to set the world alight. My companion’s Breaded Orkney Cheese is presented beautifully, but promises more than it delivers being neither creamy enough to replace Camembert nor tangy enough to provide much of a taste sensation. Close, but a bit “meh”. For his main, my companion goes for what is by far the most popular option in the room, Freshly

Caught North Sea Haddock with Chips and Mushy Peas.

Haddock? It’s more like a whale; a vast thing cooked with some skill in a crisp beer batter. Tastewise it’s a touch watery, but the chunky chips and mushy peas are fine examples of how to cook something deceptively simple very well indeed. Perhaps it’s just a rogue haddock, and it’s certainly a popular dish among punters.

and the whole melting in the mouth. You can choose from an array of accompanying sauces (plus King Scallops if you’re feeling particularly indulgent) and my Au Poivre (cream, black pepper and cognac) is impressively perky and nothing like the claggy accompaniment so often encountered. Fill any gaps with ginormous onion rings and chunky chips on the side and you’ve easily the best steak dinner to be had in town. To keep the symmetry, my companion ends as he began, with Orkney cheese, this time as part of a Cheesecake With Fudge Sauce. I go for Banoffi Pie. And both turn out looking pretty similar, complete with the ever-present and relentlessly unnecessary Cape Gooseberry. Tastewise, they’re just as you’d expect, providing an efficient sugar rush for the afternoon ahead. A perfectly fine place then for a cheap lunch, but even better if you save up for the steak and see exactly why Mr McGonagall was so disappointed when he noticed his coo had hightailed it. It’s enough to make you want to write a poem...

Clever crowd-pulling is all very well, but ultimately what Price for 2 (exc. drinks): £35.80 McGonagall’s is going to stand ICA RATING or fall on is the steak. And if my 1: Exterior/Location............................ 8 Ribeye is anything to go by, they 2: Interior/Atmosphere........................ 8 can start raising the banners now. 3: Staff–Appearance........................... 8 When it comes to the table it’s 4: Staff–Helpfulness........................... 9 thinner than you might imagine, 5: Speed Of Service........................... 8 making it all the more impressive 6: Food–Presentation......................... 7 7: Food–Quality.................................. 8 that it’s perfectly medium rare as 8: Food–Value.................................... 8 requested. And it tastes pretty 9: Menu–Range/Balance/Clarity......... 8 spectacular, the aforementioned 10: Toilets–Appearance/Cleanliness... 8 fat contributing to the flavour, TOTAL: 80% the meat itself perfectly seasoned

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Healthy Food Can Still Taste Great !

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Veg Soup

health

Making The Most Of You:

FIGHT THE FLAB IN 4 MINUTES HIGH INTENSITY TRAINING: The Government approved recommendation is for each of us to do 150 minutes of exercise per week. How do you fare on that scale? Don’t worry if you don’t get anywhere near that figure - unsurprisingly at least two thirds of the population don’t manage to fit that amount of exercise into a busy life. However, all is not lost as recently there have been claims made that we could get fitter by exercising for just THREE OR FOUR minutes a day! This ‘miracle’ workout, known as HIT (high-intensity training) claims to shed fat twice as fast as an average gym session. It is claimed that HIT workouts can improve your aerobic and anaerobic capacity (in other words, your stamina and your strength), reduce the amount of sugar in your blood stream and release fatty acids that can then be burned off by your muscles. One form of HIT was developed in the 1990’s by Dr Izumi Tabata, a former researcher at the National Institute of Fitness and Sports in Tokyo. His four-minute workout, which became known as ‘Tabata’, may sound easy enough but the four minutes you do are very intense and test your body to the limit. The idea is to do eight 20-second bursts of activity with a ten-second rest between each – meaning less than four minutes of exercise in total. A typical HIT workout would involve four sets of SQUATS, PRESS-UPS, LUNGES and ‘THE PLANK’ (basically placing your elbows and forearms on the floor, balancing on your toes and keeping the rest of your body off the ground in line with your shoulders and hips) in quick succession. Long aerobic workouts have traditionally been promoted as the best method to reduce fat, but recent research has nonetheless shown HIT can burn fat more effectively as well as improving athletic capacity and glucose metabolism. So now you have no excuse to not fit some exercise into your life, we can surely all find 4 minutes. It’s the motivation we might need some help with now though!

ART FILM KIDS MUSIC

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Making The Most Of You:

fashion

HANDWRITTEN Tanya Sarne: If ever a fashion label defined an age then as surely as Mary Quant defined the 1960’s, Ghost defined the 1990’s. Famous for it’s floaty, feminine but everso wearable dresses, that were the precursor to the boho look which defined the early 2000’s. TANYA SARNE is the UK designer who launched Ghost in 1984 and developed it into a multimillion pound company. She was then rather unceremoniously despatched from her own company in 2006 by investors she had brought in, she did not waste much time before coming back with HANDWRITTEN - a new label which retains all the design values she is famous for: feminine, chic, modern British luxury and of course, with her very own specially developed fabrics. Tanya is as famous for the actual fabric she created as for the clothes she designs. The fabrics are derived from wood and plants mixed with cottons and silks. The whole process is entirely Eco friendly and Tanya developed this secret method herself over her years at Ghost. They feel amazing and are immensely practical. A machine washable viscose which Tanya describes as “the Rolls Royce of Viscoses”, that has a coarse, unpolished look when woven, but when shrunk and dyed in beautiful colours takes on the appearance of vintage crepe and is a godsend to women all over the world. Handwritten’s uniquely developed fabrics mean an end to dry cleaning, without compromising on quality, luxury or it’s own unique style. Styles are simple and versatile and take the wearer from day to evening effortlessly. www.handwrittenuk.com NB: There are many outlets all over the world but only two in Scotland – one of which is Maggie Blyth at Beauly!

Thursday May 3rd

The Whisky River Boat Band Monday May 14th • £12

Roddy Woomble & Paper Aeroplanes Tuesday May 22nd • £15

Paul Heaton

Thursday May 31st • £12

Urstan: Alisdair Roberts & Mairi Morrison

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When real life headlines outdo parody.

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A couple of good weather sites, ranging from full detail to just whether it’s raining.

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Nostalgia about the 70s, 80s and 90s.

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MOTORING MISCHIEF

During a recent warm summer day in March I was, to quote Madness, “driving in my car”, when quite suddenly and out of the blue I was struck by a profanity. As far as I could make out a phrase containing a ‘shocking expletive’ had some how just materialised inside my car. My immediate thought was to blame the radio - assuming that it had drifted to Radio 4 and they were in the middle of one of their more progressive afternoon plays. But no,

‘Now That’s What I Call A Kick Up The Eighties’ was still whirring around in the cd player, the display said track 5 and through the speakers A-ha were advising me to “stay on these roads”... not if the swearing continues, I mused. Maybe I shouted the word out myself I thought - without realising - but a quick reassessment of the previous few seconds of my journey deemed this unlikely, none of my fellow road users had (for once) done any thing that would justify such an outburst. No, unless, on top of all my other ticks and compulsions I’d developed verbal Tourette’s - which would be unfortunate in my line of

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Truly brilliant food from the winner of Masterchef 2012.

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Positively Dickensian blog aiming to tell 10,000 real stories. Immense and possibly best site on the net right now.

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ken kelman business - I’d not personally been responsible for the swear either. Then I remembered that because of the unseasonably warm weather I had the car windows down - the phrase had come from outside! A quick glance in the rear view window confirmed this for on either side of the road stood two blokes shouting obscenities to one another in a casual friendly manner. This got me thinking - driving along, my car had effectively captured a short phrase from their conversation... did that phrase still reach the guy on the other side of the road? Or had my car picked it up and carried it a long a few yards to deposit it on some poor unsuspecting old lady (and did she also think her radio was faulty, before realising she had no radio and dismissing it with a shrug as just one of those things, like I should have done). If the car had moved the words along a bit the possibilities for amusement seemed limitless - driving around capturing bits of people’s conversations and dropping them on others would be an excellent way to spend the summer, I had found the basis for my staycation this year.

WHAT’S ON @ IG:LU (see P07)

Unfortunately a bit of maths proves the whole idea a non-starter. Let’s say sound moves at 330 metre-per-second and my car is, for the sake of argument, 2 metres wide... also for the sake of common decency let’s say the profanity was the word ‘poop’. From school physics we know speed is distance over time, so for the above set of circumstances it would take the ‘poop’ approximately 0.006 seconds to transverse my vehicle. In order for the exercise to be amusing we’d have to drop the ‘poop’ at least 10 metres from its intended destination meaning the car would have to travel 10m in 0.006s... thus the car’s speed would have to be 1666 metres-per-second... or, roughly 3726 miles-per-hour. Dang and it would have been such fun too. All is not lost however, there is another scenario - what if the passenger window were open but the driver’s was closed? Now you simply have to drive around abducting words, they come in through the left hand side, hit off the glass on the right and never get to the other side of the road! Genius! The potential is huge, imagine driving along as some poor soul out your passenger window shouts “please do not tell everyone about my embarrassing illness“ and your car catches the “do not“... my staycation is definitely KEN back on!

WIN > BREWDOG (see P17)

ROAD POLL (see P05)

ICA Business feature:

Goskirk Pettinger Optometrists

‘Nothing endures but change’ Heraclitus

In February 2012 Owners/ Optometrists DONALD GOSKIRK & COLIN PETTINGER completed work on the rebranding of the business and it’s three practices based in Golspie, Dingwall & Inverness all took on the new company name.Goskirk Pettinger Optometrists aim to build upon the care and service the company has provided across the Highlands for over 15 years. As part of the change, they are very pleased to have relocated to the City Centre in Inverness, after 10 years in Tomnahurich Street - and have recently completed the refurbishment and fitting out beautiful new premises located at 14 Union Street.

There are times when a business seems to change its name or image just for the sake of it; but then there are also those times when change comes because there is genuinely a change in the business. The latter is very definitely the case at GOSKIRK PETTINGER OPTOMETRISTS (formerly Goskirk & McGinty Optometrists). In 2010, Euan McGinty moved on to pastures new in Nova Scotia and so began the start of the new face of the business.

This new City practice is a break from the traditional feel and style that you normally find at your local opticians, with a more boutique and fashion based style, drawing from continental influences. “From this new and vibrant practice, we will continue to offer all the same personal attention and care, but in chic and modern surroundings. And of course with change will come improvement!” says Gideon, “Our new location is more accessible, with both Rail & Bus Stations being within a few minutes walk. And even if you

travel by car, the City Centre car parks offer far greater opportunity for our patients to take the extra time they need to have their eyes examined and then choose from our extensive range of over 700 frames.”

If you don’t want to be seen in the same frame as someone else, then they have several exclusive ranges from boutique spectacle designers. Even if you don’t currently wear spectacles or contact lenses, they would be more than happy to see you for an eye examination – after all, the old cliché of ‘you only get one pair of eyes’ is indeed true and your eye health matters!

14 Union Street, Inverness 01463 222851 www.gpoptom.com

Children and young people in your area need foster homes If you have experience of caring for vulnerable young people, a spare room, and you’re up for the challenges and rewards of transforming a child’s life, we want to hear from you now. If you can offer a safe and caring home, we’ll give you excellent training, up to £30,000 per year and all the support you need.

Call 01463 717 227 or visit www.actionforchildren.org.uk/fostering

Do something life changing

Foster

Registered charity no. 1097940/company no. 4764232 A charity registered in Scotland no. SC038092 Photograph: Barry Willis. Some photographs are posed by models. Produced by Action for Children 05/2010. 10/11 0346

Portugal All Inclusive Four Star 8-day Air Holidays 11 Jun & 3 Sep 2012 • £599

Unearth The Treasures of Portugal

Join us in a Portugal far removed from the resorts and golf courses of the Algarve, on this superb-value, all inclusive holiday. Discover a beautiful landscape of rugged coastline and mountains, hilltop villages and historic cities on a wonderful range of optional excursions, and relax in your fourstar hotel as all your needs are catered for.

What The Price Includes:

• Return flights from the UK to Oporto • Return airport-to-hotel transfers • Seven nights’ all inclusive accommodation at the four-star Estalagem Sao Felix Hotel* • Entrance to Port Lodge in Oporto • The services of a Newmarket Tour Manager • Government taxes and service charges

Within the Itinerary there are optional visits to:

The Minho region Viana do Castelo, on the River Lima, to see the Basilica de Santa Lucia

Oporto the ancient, time-weathered city

Barcelos home to Europe’s largest open-air market

The Douro River Valley

Single rooms are available for a supplement *The all inclusive package includes a hot buffet lunch, a three course evening meal, beer, wine, mineral water and soft drinks with lunch and dinner, afternoon tea and biscuits, Internet access, entry to the hotel’s small gym and air conditioning.

www.newmarketholidays.co.uk 0843 316 1129 follow us on

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Historic and beautiful Santiago de Compostela

The Vinho Verde vineyards to the market town of Ponte de Lima