The village hall was resplendent in trailing ivy and sparkling fairy lights.  The table cloths were pristine white with scattered tea-lights twinkling in a forest of shiny tableware.  It was Burns night again and we were in for nice treat!  To kick off proceedings, the wonderful Coreen Scott took to the stage to warm the cockles of our musical hearts with a couple of toe-tapping songs and some lively audience singing.

After the joys of a bounteous fare, two unassuming musicians took to the stage amidst the lively chatter of contented tummies and a good dram or two.  You soon became very aware that Seylan Baxter and Ruaridh Pringle as Tattie Jam were no ordinary musicians.   Two clearly accomplished artists, their demeanour relaxed, their style polished and honed to perfection.  Seylan’s flowing mane, beautiful vocals and agile fingers adds rich visual tapestry to Ruaridh’s harmonic vocals and skilled multi-instrument playing.  Their ornate repertoire reveals a fusion of reinterpreted traditional songs and tunes written by Ruaridh with a diminutive twist and a nuance of spice.

Joy enough was this that I bought their new Album which they so kindly inscribed and autographed for me.  It was a real pleasure meeting them as they were quietly slipping off stage and gave me their valuable time.  Touched by their music, their Album reveals a beautifully textured sound with a surprising dash of didgeridoo!

A great night!

Ju was in touch from the Seoul Foundation for Arts and Culture to tell us about the 2009/10 Seoul Festival of Lights which is sadly winding down to its spectacular conclusion this coming Saturday.  It’s the biggest winter festival in Seoul and has been illuminating this vibrant city since the 19th December 2009 to the 25th January 2010.  Their cartoonised promo certainly appeals to a younger market showing a fanfare of pageantry - who could be moody over the winter months with all this glorious light?

From their Hi Seoul Festival in the spring to this spectacular Festival of Lights spanning the darker months of winter, the Seoul Foundation for Arts and Culture certainly puts the Republic of Korea on the map with the grandeur of its festivals.

For more information about The 2009/10 Seoul Festival of Lights do check out their leaflet.

Neel de Jong was kindly in touch to tell us about the Dansparade Holland Dance Festival which she took part in again this year. (Neel is front right of the above image) .  She sent us a video link to view coverage provided by TV WEST.  I must confess to prefer seeing videos as they happen - all those flashing snippets, lights, colourful explosions and punchy music, such marketing hype tends to distort the true experience!  The video is about 30 minutes long and you feel as if you are standing on the sidewalk as a member of the community.   Neel’s dance group is about half way through.  Thanks Neel!

Now known as Absolut Fringe, the Dublin Fringe kicked off with great raz!  On from the 5th to 20th September check out some of the artists performing at this year’s ABSOLUT FRINGE!

Accompanying Maria are three fine musicians, affectionately called, The Fecundoliers:  Malcolm MacFarlane on guitar,  Andy Mitchell on double base and Bob Turner on the accordion.  The various instrumental blends and the grandeur of Maria’s voice are sublime; from Spanish ballads and boss-a-nova, to jazz and rumba this is a marvelous show!  Enjoy this wonderful preview or better still go and see Viva! which is on till the 30th August!

Maria Tecce - Viva!

1.    What inspired you to become a comedian?

While I was studying for A-level music I wrote half a song about looking for love. 10 years – and 8 songs – later, I’ve still not found it… but I’ve found myself doing an Edinburgh show about it instead.

2.    What’s your show about and what should the public expect from your show at the 2009 Edinburgh Festival Fringe

It’s called “8+1/2 songs about love (and other myths)”. You’ll pay just five pounds for a whole 45 minutes of me doing songs and stand-up about lovers and liars from behind a piano and a façade of geeky self-deprecation.

3.    What was the last Fringe or Festival you performed at and what was it like?

Last year I was in “Homework for Heroes” with wonderfully talented comedians Nat Luurtsema, Tom Goodliffe and Broderick Chow. It was a crushingly lovely stand-up show celebrating tiny acts heroism that are often overlooked for some bloke pratting about in a leotard with big pants on the outside. It had just sprinkling of root-vegetable-based violence, and it was jolly good fun all month.

4.    What are your funniest and worst experiences performing in front of an audience?

Covering both those bases was an open-air gig at the Brighton Fringe, where I was stage-dived by small children. I cowered in a corner while they ran riot across the stage, pretending to be dinosaurs and breaking bits off the mic stand. In a way it was my own fault - I could have asked for them to be removed but it seemed like overkill to set two burly security guards onto a bunch of sugared-up 7 year olds. Especially when their parents were encouraging them to jump up on the platform, just giving them enough time to get a beer before they had to reclaim their offspring at the end of my set. It was less a gig, more an open-air crèche. I have genuinely never been more terrified in my entire life.

5.    What’s the best and worst advice you have ever been given? And did you follow it?

My favourite advice from anyone is to “just be yourself”. I follow that as much as I can – whilst trying to avoid the bits of me that are lazy, workshy or just plain unfunny.

The worst advice I’ve been given is “you should try being more like ‘the girl next door’ when you do stand-up”. Where I grew up, the girl next door already had 3 kids and worked at the checkout in Tesco when I left school. I’m not sure that’s exactly what this person meant when they said it, but until they say something more specific I’m going to have to ignore it.

6.    What are you most proud of and what dreams or goals would you like to fulfill?

I’m proud of answering this question in less than 25 words. It’s been a dream of mine since the start of the questionnaire.

7.    Which three famous people would you invite to dinner and why [dead celebrities included]?  And what culinary dish would you prepare?

JS Bach, Earl Wild and Ben Folds. We’ll have a 4-way piano play-off after the Viennetta, fueled by vintage port and improvisation. It will be spectacular!

8.    What is the best book or books you have read and why?

The 2009 Edinburgh Fringe Guide. Because my name is in it. And so are the names of lots of my friends. I keep it by my bed at night, in case I wake up all lonely.

9.    Tell us 5 interesting and unknown facts about yourself?

1) In 1996 I did work experience on Bob Holness’ World Service radio show. The gent asked me if I’d like a hot drink before we started recording. I said “I’ll have a T please, Bob.”
2) There are rarely fewer than 4 types of cheese in my fridge.
3) I was under-13 triple-jump champion for my county, before having to choose between athletics club and piano lessons. I chose the piano.
4) All of the above facts are true.
5) Not all of the above facts are true.

10.    If you could change one thing about the world what would it be?

I would make a piano that was light enough to fit in a rucksack. I’m lugging an enormously heavy keyboard to every gig at the moment and it’s torture. A piano-based backpack would change my life.

1.    What inspired you to become a musician and entertainer ?

It’s just that I like playing the guitar and express myself this way.

2.    What’s your show about and what should the public expect from your show at the 2009 Edinburgh Festival Fringe?

It’s about different atmospheres. Just relax and let yourself go travelling wherever you want to go.

3.    What was the last Fringe or Festival you performed at and what was it like?

That’s was Cromer Folk Festival, last May 2009. Great show, very nice setting and great food!!!

4.    What are your funniest and worst experiences performing in front of an audience?

When you play in a restaurant squeezed between the men’s loo and women’s loo. That’s kind of funny and sad in the same time.

5.    What’s the best and worst advice you have ever been given? And did you follow it?

Never had any advice!

6.    What are you most proud of and what dreams or goals would you like to fulfill?

Musically speaking I am very proud of the music I play now. I love my repertoire.

Being in the cockpit of an airliner from taking off to landing. That I really would like to do once!

7.    Which three famous people would you invite to dinner and why [dead celebrities included]?  And what culinary dish would you prepare?

Ritchie Blackmore, Paco Di Lucia and JJ Cale. Hot Curry and Rioja for everybody…

8.    What is the best book or books you have read and why?

I don’t read much but one of my favourite movie is Thelma & Louise.

9.    Tell us 5 interesting and unknown facts about yourself?

Better ask my wife for this one!

10.    If you could change one thing about the world what would it be?

I’d like it to be a little sunnier!

1.    What inspired you to become a writer, comedian and entertainer?

I saw a production of ‘Guys and Dolls‘ when I was five. I loved it and thought the character of ‘Adelaide’ was particularly funny. My Mum explained to me how I could play her if I wanted…the moment I found out you could be amusing on stage for money I knew what my career would be!

2.    What’s your show about and what should the public expect from your show at the 2009 Edinburgh Festival Fringe?

It’s a character comedy show, I play nine characters so it’s quite fast paced. Hopefully there’s something for everyone and the audience can have  a good giggle. It’s not too blue, just the odd hint every now and then.

3.    What was the last Fringe or Festival you performed at and what was it like?

This is my first time at the Fringe, I was brought up in Glasgow though, so I used to come through to Edinburgh every year and see as much comedy as I could. There’s always such a great atmosphere.

4.    What are your funniest and worst experiences performing in front of an audience?

Possibly the funniest and worst was doing a show in the West End. It was set in 17th century Holland and had a revolving set (or as we affectionately called it ‘the Magic Roundabout‘). One night though it wasn’t so magic and it got stuck. So I made my first entrance on stage as a maid with a basket of vegetables expecting to be in the kitchen and was actually greeted by an artist’s studio and a rather bemused looking cast member. Obviously there was nothing we could do about it onstage, but just as we were about to panic the stage started turning, so slowly (we later found out the crew were turning it manually in the wings!) but knowing that we had to start chopping vegetables in three lines time we just started speaking really slowly until the right set came round. There was something in the slow motion of it all that really made us want to giggle, so we couldn’t look each other in the eye for the next ten minutes.

5.    What’s the best and worst advice you have ever been given? And did you follow it?

The best advice I was given was by a brilliant actress who told me to keep my sugar coating but to make sure my skin was tough as leather underneath.

The worst was that you have to be ‘obsessed’ by this profession. I think that’s a rather unhealthy attitude and it’s important to be content in your real life as well as the made up one!

6.    What are you most proud of and what dreams or goals would you like to fulfill?

I’m most proud of not being afraid to potentially make a fool out of myself because I think that’s the only way you get the good stuff. Doing the stuff that scares you may mean the reward will be all the greater.

7.    Which three famous people would you invite to dinner and why [dead celebrities included]?  And what culinary dish would you prepare?

Victoria Wood, Joyce Grenfell and Gene Kelly.  We’d eat anything they want, I’d phone up first and take orders.

8.    What is the best book or books you have read and why?

I love ‘Touching the Void‘ it’s a true story of survival that I think shows human beings are pretty incredible creatures. I’m thoroughly enjoying ‘The Time Traveller’s Wife‘ at the moment. It’s like a cross between ‘The Princess Bride‘ (another of my favourites) and Quantum Leap.

9.    Tell us 5 interesting and unknown facts about yourself?

* Gary Wilmot kissed me on the cheek on my 13th birthday and made my year.
*Sopporific is my favourite word.
* I played Mary in my school nativity.
*I’m related to the poet Robert Service on my Dad’s side and William Shakespeare on my Mum’s…although I haven’t actually seen the family tree to prove that one!
*Swimming in the sea is one of my favourite things.

10.    If you could change one thing about the world what would it be?

Oh what a deep question!  Well if we could all learn to tolerate each other we might all get on a bit better.

As one of the UK’s up and coming directors Chris Hislop’s, A Fistful of Snow is showcasing at C Soco after their successful run at the Brighton Fringe.  A Fistful of Snow is on from the 7th to the 31t August.  So let’s catch a quick word with Chris..

1.    What inspired you to become an actor/director?

I was recently reminded of my fascination with marionettes when I was younger, so there was always an interest of sorts. I love the process of directing a show, of molding what will be seen on the stage, and working with exceptional actors!

I also enjoy acting as a chance to switch off, and not be too heavily involved in a project. It is almost like a mini-break from directing, which is good every now and again.

2.    What’s your show about and what should the public expect from your show at the 2009 Edinburgh Festival Fringe?

A Fistful of Snow is a one-man show about a famous author, a cult novelist gone into hiding in the Arctic Circle. We pastiche cowboy novels and existential dramas with silly wit, including talking moose heads and song/dance routines! Danny Alder plays Chester James, and the show features voice overs from Chris Hislop (me!), Harley Breen, Simon Mallory, Tim Minchin, and other notorious Aussies!

3.    What was the last Fringe or Festival you performed at and what was it like?

We performed A Fistful of Snow at the Brighton Fringe Festival 09, to rave reviews, awards and sold-out houses… So it was brilliant! I was also directing an outdoor production of Oedipus, which was also a great success, so I had my hands a little full…

4.    What are your funniest and worst experiences performing in front of an audience?

I’ve performed naked twice, one being hilarious and the other being really quite terrible. The first time I was in a production of Sarah Kane’s “Cleansed”, and the sex scene at the end of the piece was truly horrible. It looked brilliant, and the emotionality was great, but being involved in it was harrowing, as was watching it apparently!

The second time I was in a production of Howard Barker’s “The Possibilities”, and was undressed and spent a good 10 minutes strolling around and talking in a nude state. The stage was quite intimate and close, and, at one point I had to sit on a bucket on the very edge of the stage, directly in front of the first row. Seeing everyone’s eyes do the down-up shuffle, almost in unison, was quite a sight!

5.    What’s the best and worst advice you have ever been given? And did you follow it?

I was once advised to ‘give up on theatre, there’s no money in it’, which was actually quite good advice, but I still maintain it to be bad…

After a poor run of a show, when I was down in the dumps, a close friend quoted some Shaughnessy at me: ‘We are the movers and the shakers, and we are the dreamers of dreams’, which has become almost mantra-like to me over the years. Not sure if that’s really advice so much as poetic.

6.    What are you most proud of and what dreams or goals would you like to fulfill?

I am exceptionally proud to be where I am with my career at the tender age of 22, and hope to keep pushing my self above and beyond what is required to become a professional director before too long. I’d also like to develop my writing, but this is more of a long-term goal, it’s something that I believe should take your whole life to perfect.

7.    Which three famous people would you invite to dinner and why [dead celebrities included]?  And what culinary dish would you prepare?

Dario Fo, Brian Blessed and Hunter S Thompson… And I’d prepare a massive amount of alcohol, and order in something tasteless and uninviting.

8.    What is the best book or books you have read and why?

Yoshi Oida’s The Invisible Actor and Howard Barker’s A Style and its Origins have inspired me greatly, as has Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell, and Ursula Le Guin’s Earthsea books.

9.    Tell us 5 interesting and unknown facts about yourself?

I was born and raised in Germany; everyone thinks I’m older than I am; I have three tattoos; I’m horribly torn between country and city life; and I write nearly everything on Post-It notes.

10.    If you could change one thing about the world what would it be?

I’d make the sky purple instead… just to see what would happen!