The inaugural Borders Music and Comedy Festival from 1 – 13 November is bringing some of the very best in Scottish music and comedy to local venues in the Scottish Borders. 

 

The packed line-up includes Idlewild, Craig Hill, Phil Kay,  McIntosh Ross, Janey Goodey,  Broken Records and the Trashcan Sinatras.

 

The first two weeks in November sees this mix of established acts and up-and-coming stars performing at Victoria Hall in Selkirk, the Corn Exchange in Melrose and Tait Hall in Kelso.

 

Tickets are now available through www.gigsinscotland.com/bordersmusicandcomedyfestival and Border Events on 01750 725 480 and www.borderevents.com

 

Scottish Borders Council is working with DF Concerts and the Gilded Balloon to bring the best in music and comedy talent to local Council venues within the Borders.  This pilot Festival aims to create an event which is a success both now and in the future that will develop into an annual fixture within the Borders events calendar.

 

Performers

IDLEWILD + Sparrow and the Workshop  
7pm, Sunday 1 November – Victoria Hall,  Selkirk

One of Scotland’s most loved and revered bands, Idlewild have produced an array of intelligent, thoughtful songs, including American English, Live In A Hiding Place and the stunning You Held The World In Your Arms. Following on from a five-night residency in the famous King Tut’s last December where they played one of their five albums in full each night, Roddy Woomble et al set about recording their new album Post Electric Blues, which was released in early October, after fans were sent a special sneak preview. Support comes from the ethereal Scottish/ Welsh / American three piece Sparrow and the Workshop.

 

 

MCINTOSH ROSS + Darden Smith 
7.30pm, Tuesday 3 November – Corn Exchange, Melrose

Having spent years together as one half of much-loved Scots chart-toppers Deacon Blue (and as husband and wife) Ricky Ross and Lorraine McIntosh have finally decided to work together outwith the band. Having already pursued individual projects in music and acting respectively, the duo are now embarking on a new chapter in their careers.

The result of this collaboration is their new album The Great Lakes, which combines echoes of the duo’s Celtic homeland with an Americana alt-country twang.

 

 

 

 

JANEY GODLEY + Scott Agnew + John Gavin 
7.30pm, Wednesday 4 November – Corn Exchange,  Melrose

“Clever, passionate and lyrical… the whole show is infected with a fierce passion… She is a very rare talent indeed” (Daily Mirror)

“A born raconteur. She’s the type of act you want to catch again and again, year after year.” (One4Review)

“Has us riveted from start to finish… This is a warm, heartfelt, funky and feisty show”

(ScotsGay)

 

 

 

 

CRAIG HILL
7pm, Friday 6 November – Victoria Hall,  Selkirk

 

 

Craig’s 40, single and back on the road… wayhey!  The riotously funny Craig Hill returns from his latest performances in New York with his hilarious brand of stand up.  www.mrcraighill.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

BROKEN RECORDS
7.30pm, Saturday 7 November – Tait Hall,  Kelso

Edinburgh boys Broken Records bring their enormous array of instruments and talent to the Borders after playing a standout show at this year’s Edge Festival. They have been touring constantly since being named best band on the T Break Stage at T in the Park 2007. A series of singles, EP’s and debut album Until The Earth Begins To Part have also followed, much to the delight of fans and critics alike. Playing a near infinite number of instruments including violin, cello, accordion, mandolin, trumpet and glockenspiel, Broken Records simply have to be seen in the flesh to be fully appreciated.

 

PHIL KAY + Michael Redmond
7.30pm, Sunday 8 November – Tait Hall,  Kelso

Hells Bells o’ Kelso… it’s Phil Kay. Finally Phil brings his un-surefire scatalogical rants about that day, this life and you in the room. He will move about and be attracted to things, with stories to tell of this last year in London: Getting thrown out of a club for being so bad the crowd were fighting and so good that a lady fell off her chair to lie writhing in her spritzer. How to be crap on QI, twice. All that and the World Premiere of */\/\O8!leDl$(O* “…when Kay hits form like this he truly is mesmerising…” TimeOut, London

 

 

 

 

TRASHCAN SINATRAS +Brother Louis Collective + The Seventeenth Century
7pm, Friday 13 November, Tait Hall,  Kelso

Starting life as a covers band in the 80′s, the Irvine indie-poppers have enjoyed numerous highs. Often compared to The Smiths, their mixture of jangly pop riffs and clever wordplay has seen them achieve critical acclaim and a following of loyal fans both in the UK, US and Japan along the way. Support comes in the shape of soaring orchestral folk from one of the most exciting young bands in Glasgow, the fantastic Brother Louis Collective.

The Borders is filled with wonderful shops, each with their own individual character, bursting with all you need for a great Christmas.  A whole host of local events are also planned to get you in the festive spirit and provide some great gift ideas…. and by shopping locally you’ll help boost the local economy! 

 

 

This festive season, why not spend time with friends and family savouring local produce in restaurants, hotels and cafes; visit shops that specialise in local foods or make a trip to the regular farmers markets which are held in towns across the Borders. 

 

 

 

 

The Scottish Borders is home to a host of specialist producers creating a wide variety of products and it’s all right here on your doorstep.  There are many local sources of the highest quality food ranging from hand-made confectionery, traditional cheeses and real ale to organic poultry, wild game and the freshest fish.  

 

 

Many artists, designers and craftspeople live and work in the Borders – what better way to give a unique present to friends and family than one that is made locally and not mass produced.   Some collectives, studios and galleries are hosting events in the run-up to the festive season, why not pay them a visit and look for that extra special present this year!

For inspiration during the winter months the Scottish Borders is the place to be!   Go back in time at Scott’s Selkirk, tap your toes at The Land The Light The Locals, join a mince pie walk or get festive at one of the many Christmas Lights switch-on events across the Borders.  There are whole host of events to choose from!

 

Find your perfect Christmas present in the shopping directory and event listings for each Border town - support your local community!  

Ancrum │Broughton │Coldstream │Duns │Earlston │Ettrick│ Eyemouth │Galashiels  │Hawick │ Innerleithen│Jedburgh │Kelso Lauder │Melrose │Newcastleton │Newtown St Boswells │Peebles Selkirk │Skirling Smailholm│St Boswells │West Linton

THIS PROJECT IS BEING PART-FINANCED BY THE SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT AND THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITY SCOTTISH BORDERS LEADER 2007-2013 PROGRAMME

 

 

 

The Scottish Borders Events Forum is delighted to invite you to a series of workshops designed for event organisers in the Borders.  This is an open invitation and anyone in the Scottish Borders event scene is welcome to come along.

 

Following the launch of the ScotBE website, the Events Forum is now hosting informal evenings providing you with a chance to get to know other event organisers, both professional and community based.  Now is the time to be thinking about applying for funding for your events taking place next year.

 

What funding is out there… How do you increase your chances of success… All your money questions and much, much more will be answered at two new workshops.  Expert advice will be available on marketing techniques along with how to easily navigate your event through health and safety isues – all absolutely free!

 

Wednesday, 4 November from 5.30 – 7.30pm

Gavinton Village Hall, Duns

 

Tuesday, 10 November from 5.30 – 7.30pm

Ettrick Riverside, Selkirk

 

• PR & Marketing will be presented by SBC’s Event Strategy Officers, Stephen McLean and Jane Warcup.
• Funding will be covered by Jean Robertson, SBC’s Funding Officer
• Health and Safety issues will be explained by Gwen Robertson, SBC’s Principal Environmental Health Officer; Paul Richardson, SBC’s Community Safety Officer and Brian Cherrie, Health Working Lives Adviser, Occupational Health and Safety.

 Also on hand to help:

• Sandy Neil (Events Executive)
• Nesta Todd (Events Executive)
• Kate Pearson (Homecoming Co-ordinator)

 

To book your place at this free evening, contact Nesta Todd on 01835 825066 or ntodd@scotborders.gov.uk

Scotland A will face the full Tongan international team at Netherdale, Galashiels on Friday 20 November (kick-off 7.30pm).

 

In keeping with the initiative launched by Scottish Rugby last season, admission to see the 2009 IRB Nations Cup champions take on the big hitting South Sea islanders will be FREE, though supporters are urged to turn up early to avoid disappointment.

 

Gala-raised Scotland attack coach, Gregor Townsend – who earned the first of his 82 caps for Scotland while playing at his then lifelong club Gala – was part of the Scotland A management team at the recent IRB Nations Cup in Romania.

 

He said: “Some of my best rugby memories come from my time at Gala and I’m delighted that Scotland A are heading back there in November.

 

“This is a really important game for the Scotland A players to stake a claim for the Scotland game against Argentina at Murrayfield the following week. We’ve great strength in depth in a number of positions and it will be fascinating to see our players get that opportunity to play at that level.

 

“A full Tongan international side is a force to be reckoned with for any team. One of the toughest games I ever faced in my career was against Tonga on our trip to the South Seas in 1993. Their physicality was well evident that day but as they proved in the last World Cup they are equally adept and skilful in attack.

 

“The Border crowd are in for a high quality international match and I’m sure they’ll give both teams a rousing welcome.”

 

Scottish Rugby Chairman, Allan Munro, added: “It’s vital to encourage supporters to get behind the players who have the honour of representing their country and a major part of that is widening the access of the game. As a result, we have seen many well-received games across the country at various age-levels, with this latest fixture heading for Netherdale.

 

“This match offers the many supporters in the Borders a fantastic weekend of rugby with the chance to see some of Scotland’s top talent back-to-back as Scotland A take on Tonga at Netherdale the day before Scotland face Australia in the Bank of Scotland Corporate Autumn Test at Murrayfield.”

 

For further information log on to www.scottishrugby.org.

If you fancy yourself as a journalist or are a budding artist then read on….!   

 

 

 

 

Logo Competition

Design a logo for Youth of the Borders (YOB) and win yourself a fantastic IPOD Nano 8GB!  The logo will be used on all publications including The Southern Reporter and on www.youngscot.org.uk.  Anyone from the age of 12 to 20 can apply.

 

Become a journalist

If you are from 12 to 20, YOB are looking for a journalist to join the team to report, interview and upload podcasts for the YOB website and write a monthly article in the Southern Reporter.  This is an incredible opportunity to become part of a media programme, develop your skills and learn new ones!

 

The closing date for both the logo competition and to apply to become a journalist is Monday, 23 November 2009.  Electronic entries to be emailed to Dialogue Youth at dialogueyouth@scotborders.gov.uk or you can post your entry to:

 

Sara Farquharson

Abbey Row Community Centre, The Knowles

Kelso TD5 7BJ

T: 01573 228960

 

For further information on YOB, please visit www.youngscot.org/local/scottish_borders

  Heart of Hawick is hosting a dedicated weekend of Jazz in Tower Mill on Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 November. The weekend kicks off with workshops led by Kenneth McAllister (clarinet) and Brian Shiels (double bass), both of whom have a wealth of playing and composing experience. All players who would like to ‘discover improvisation’ are welcome to bring their instruments along and take part.

 

 

 

Alan Barnes and Dave Newton will perform in the auditorium on Saturday night in a concert which is sure to delight and dazzle.  Both musicians are very highly regarded internationally and have played with the cream of the jazz world throughout their successful careers. Alan Barnes won the BBC Jazz Instrumentalist of the Year Award in both 2001 and 2006 and Dave Newton was voted Best Jazz Pianist for the eighth time in the 2008 British Jazz Awards.  The combined melodies of Alan’s saxophone and Dave’s piano is a musical marriage not to be missed.

 

On Sunday the day begins with a screening of ‘Jazz on a Summer’s Day’ capturing some legendary performances at the 1958 Newport Jazz Festival. Shot and edited in a freeform, impressionistic manner that superbly embodies the atmosphere of the times, it is acclaimed as one of the best Jazz films ever made.

 

The weekend finishes late on Sunday afternoon in a jam session with Heart of Hawick regulars, the Kenneth McAllister Quartet, and is open to all players and instruments.

 

 

In addition to the Jazz, there is much on campus for visitors to explore and enjoy – both the Heritage Hub, the Scottish Borders Archives and Local History Centre, and the Borders Textile Towerhouse celebrating Borders textiles past, present and future, will be open on Saturday 22 November.

 

 

 

Saturday 21 November

10am to 4pm      Workshop : “Discover Improvisation” [Adults £15 Under 21s £10]

5pm                       Public performance in Beanscene

7.30pm                 Concert : Alan Barnes & Dave Newton [£11 (£9)]

 

Sunday 22 November

2pm                       Film : Jazz on a Summer’s Day [£5 (£4)]

3.30pm                 Jam Session [Free]

 

Tickets are available from the VisitScotland box office [01450 360688] and online via www.thebooth.co.uk.