Category: Gig_Guide

Resolis Communty Arts and Cromarty Brewery and staging a Highland tribute to Michael on Saturday 29 March 2014. Guests will include The Hazey Janes, Rod Patterson, The Mackenzie Sisters, Riley Briggs,St Andrew and His Rare Wee Helps, Frank McConnell and Eddi Reader. For more information on the Tribute Concert visit Resolis Community Arts website

Optimistic Sound are hosting a quiz night to raise funds, awareness and possible even smiles. All proceeds are going towards the campaign to bring a Sistema BiIg Noise Orchestra to Dundee

Suggested donation of £10 per team, maximum 5 people per team. Get involved and book your slot here at Eventbrite

This update on the line up for the Dundee Rep Theatre tribute from The Hazey Janes Facebook page -

"Ticket holders for the sold out performance of 'An Optimistic Sound' at Dundee's Rep Theatre: we are extremely privileged to say we'll be celebrating the songs of Michael Marra alongside this wonderful and illustrious cast of performers on Saturday 28th of September:

Dougie Mclean // Eddi Reader // Liz Lochhead // Rab Noakes // Karine Polwart // Gary Clark // Saint Andrew // AMWWF // Mackenzie // Riley Briggs // Kit Clark // Tom Mitchell // Sheena Wellington // Rod Paterson

To those of you who weren't so quick off the mark, we're very hopeful ( almost certain!) that similar celebrations of Michael's life and work will happen in the not too distant future. Hang in there, 'make the optimistic sound'! x"

A date for your diaries - Saturday 28 September 2013 - Dundee Rep Theatre.

An evening of songs written by Michael Marra performed by Scotland's favourite singers with a host of Dundee's finest musicians. Expect a surprise or two along the way.

Tickets go on sale at Dundee Rep Box Office on Monday 24 June 2013 - SOLD OUT

You can see Andrew, Matthew and Alice from The Hazey Janes singing Michael's song "Monkey Hair" . A song originally released on his "Gaels Blue" album

And remember -

" Don't let heart get weary

  Don't let your lip go down

  Pander to the bright and cheery

  And make the optimistic sound"

  From "Like Another Rolling Stone" written by Michael Marra originally released on "On Stolen Stationery"

Celtic Connections music festival have announced that they will be staging a tribute to Michael at this year's event on Monday 28 January 2013.  Artistes appearing at  "All Will Be Well - The Life and Songs of Michael Marra" concert include The Hazey Janes, Eddi Reader, Dougie McLean, John Spillane ,Pat and Gregory Kane, Kris Drever, The Mackenzie Sisters, Michael's brother Christopher Marra and Rab Noakes, who will also be musical director for the concert. Each artiste and group will perform their own versions of Michael's songs.

The proceeds from the concert on 28 January 2013 will go to the Marra Family's appeal to bring the Sistema Music Project to Dundee.

The tickets are on sale at Celtic Connections website.

You can read more about the concert in today's Sunday Herald.  

Tickets available at Dundee Rep Box Office

Latest listing of Michael's upcoming gigs courtesy of Stoneyport Associates Facebook page -

Fr 30 Mar 2012 DUNDEE Dundee Repertory Theatre www.dundeereptheatre.co.uk/ 01382-22 35 30 (Michael will be joined by The Hazey Janes in the second half of this show and they will be playing tracks from their new collaborative EP - Houseroom.)

Fr 20 Apr 2012 EDINBURGH Corstorphine Dower House -SOLD OUT

Fr 27 Apr 2012 CUMBERNAULD Cumbernauld Theatre www.cumbernauldtheatre.co.uk/ 01236-7328 87

Sa 28 Apr 2012 EDINBURGH Portobello - Wash House Theatre 

Th 17 May 2012 FALKIRK - Folk at the Tryst

Sa 18 Jun 2012 GLASGOW - Cottiers Theatre

Sa 18 Aug2012 MILNGAVIE Fraser Centre 07743 88 59 91

Fr 27 Apr 2012 CUMBERNAULD Cumbernauld Theatre 01236-73 28 87 - CANCELLED

Sa 28 Apr 2012 EDINBURGH Portobello Community Centre - CANCELED

TH 17 May 2012 FALKIRK - Folk at the Tryst

Sa 23 Jun 2012 GLASGOW - Cottiers Theatre

We 04 Jul 2012 EDINBURGH - Edinburgh Folk Club - Pleasance Cabaret Bar

Sa 18 Aug 2012 MILNGAVIE Fraser Centre 07743-88 59 91

Michael is at Milngavie Folk Club on Saturday 12 March 2011. The club meets at the Fraser Centre in Douglas Street, Milngavie. Doors at 07.30pm - Visit the Milngavie Folk Club website for ticket information or call 07743885991 - reservations only

Dundee Rep are teaming up with Oran Mor, Glasgow's groundbreaking theatre venue to produce a  play written by Michael Marra and featured as part of their A Play, A Peh and A Pint season. Michael has a small role playing piano and providing some vocals and narration.

"Saint Catherine's Day tells the story of different generations of romantic
Irish balladeers and how they view their occupation. Glib, shallow
professionalism has replaced their originally noble purpose as singers. A
remarkable thing happens during a moment of musical truth which throws them all
into confusion.

`'Never underestimate the power of cheap music.'' Noel Coward

Ticket information from Dundee Rep Box Office

Read Alan Chadwick's 4 star review of St Catherine's Day in Herald Scotland

Read Joyce McMillan's 4 star review in The Scotsman

You can view a video of Michael speaking about his play at Oran Mor Website

Saint Catherine's Day has been adapted for the stage by Michael Marra from his original story which appeared in the collection of his short stories titled -  Karma Mechanics , first published as an animated e book by Intro2.books and available at their website.