Category: Gig_Guide

Review of parallel | paralells at

http://www.hi-arts.co.uk/Default.aspx.LocID-hianewo00.RefLocID-hiacg5005.Lang-EN.htm

parallel | parallels is now on tour - Check out the venues and dates -

Where:
When:

Time:

Booking:


 The Arches, Glasgow

Mon 8 September      

1930 - 2100

0141 565 1000  



 The Arches, Glasgow

Tues 9 September

1930 - 2100

0141 565 1000



 Strathpeffer Pavilion, Strathpeffer
Thurs 11 September

2000 - 2130

01997 420124



 Rothes Halls, Glenrothes

Fri 12 September

2000 - 2130

01592 611101

parallel | parallels explores the world of parallel universes with focus given to the decisions we did not make existing and continuing in another lateral place with a life of their own. Scientists now know for sure that these parallel worlds really do exist and in other universes there may well be versions of ourselves living completely other lives. plan B knows that the grass is always greener on the other side and that there is another world existing where we all earn £20,000 a week, Scotland has a Caribbean climate and George Bush has never been elected President.

Frank McConnell will be working with long-time collaborator and award-winning designer Karen Tennent. John Harvey, Michael Marra and Christine Devaney are also in the team creating this exciting, challenging, innovative piece that will leave us questioning all our choices. Also supported by the Scottish Arts Council.

plan B will be performing parallel | parellels in August and
September of this year followed by an additional tour in February 2009.

Tickets and Information for the Tour dates -

Where:
When:

Time:

Booking:


 The Arches, Glasgow

Mon 8 September      

1930 - 2100

0141 565 1000  



 The Arches, Glasgow

Tues 9 September

1930 - 2100

0141 565 1000



 Strathpeffer Pavilion, Strathpeffer
Thurs 11 September

2000 - 2130

01997 420124



 Rothes Halls, Glenrothes

Fri 12 September

2000 - 2130

01592 611101

For more information on plan B visit their website at

http://www.planbcreative.org/index.php?option=com_frontpage&Itemid=1

You have a  chance to hear the FULL version of the An Tobar show this Sunday on BBC Radio Scotland at 06:05 pm in Global Gathering. The original broadcast had technical problems and the first 10 minutes of the show which contained Michael's first song wasn't broadcast. So to hear his full performance listen in on Sunday.

The setlist for with the "Quintet" band broadcast in the second hour of the programme is - 

Niel Gow's Apprentice
Schenectady Calling Peerie Willie Johnson
Peter
Mac Rebennack's Visit to Blairgowrie
Thomas Fraser
If I was an Englishman
Frida Kahlo's Visit to the Taybridge Bar
The Lonesome Death of Francis Clarke
Green Grow the Rashes
Baps and Paste

Michael's gig  at An Tobar the following night at The Ship in Glasgow is getting great reviews. These appeared in the Footstomping Forum

"The Marra man was superb, the guy is so talented it must make singer/songwriters weep, each song is so different with a story and a life of it’s own. I think this man could capture any audience, he makes each song unique and he takes you on the journey with him. The Peerie Willie song one to make you laugh and cry. The song about his forefather’s relation buried overseas after a family tiff was another highlight. His backing crew were ace also."

 "Michael Marra is amazing. Just talking to him is fun as his turn of phrase is brilliant - he takes the simplest of things and makes you want to listen. He is a true poet. I always think of him in a 'Burns' vain because as well as being a superb wordsmith, all of his songs have great humanity in them as well. He is definitely not recognised enough."

"Michael Marra and band were absolutely fantastic on the Tall Ship tonight. What a brilliant gig. It looked like a full house to me and the sound and atmosphere was terrific"

"Aye, it was a cracking gig for the place itself as much as the band, who played a stormer. Mr Marra's an amazing man."

 "Great show from Michael Marra at the Tall Ship last night and wonderful to hear Michael at last with a proper band highlighting his latest set of recordings."

SPECIAL PERFORMANCE - FOR ONE NIGHT ONLY
Michael Marra and Sheena Wellington Benefit Concert in aid of Diabetes Research Campaign - Friday, 14th September 2007 8.00pm, Bonar Hall

The University of Dundee is delighted that two of Dundee's most
renowned performers, Michael Marra and Sheena Wellington will give an exclusive performance in aid of the University's Diabetes Research
Campaign.

I do hope that you will help support our campaign and have a chance to hear two of the most outstanding musical talents in Scotland by coming along on September 14th.

Tickets cost £12.50 and are on sale at Groucho's, Nethergate, Dundee
Contact Groucho's (01382 228496)or via Dundee Store =
http://www.ecommercegateway.co.uk/dundee/store/shop/products.asp?func=prodvar&compid=1&deptid=1&prodtypeid=9&prodID=49

Michael Marra is acclaimed as one of Scotland's finest songwriters and has created a body of work that can be matched by few of his
contemporaries. Anyone who has witnessed his solo shows will testify to his talent to entertain and, through his combination of humour and
thought provoking lyrics, to offer insights into the human condition.

Born in Dundee to a family of singers and weavers Sheena Wellington is one of Scotland's leading singer/songwriters. Her acclaimed career
began at the precociously early age of two when she made her first stage appearance at a singing competition.

She is perhaps best known for her powerful rendition of Burns' "A Man's A Man For 'A That" at the opening ceremony of the first Scottish Parliament for almost three hundred years in July 1999. Her moving performance was hailed by many as the highlight of an historic day.
Sheena's repertoire covers everything from Burns to ballads to the best of contemporary song writing. She is also a passionate and articulate campaigner for traditional Scottish music and has played a significant role in the fight for greater recognition and funding for Scottish arts and culture.

Sheena and Michael have agreed to give their time and talent for free
to aid the University's Diabetes Research Campaign which aims to raise £3.3m to help extend and create clinical research centres in Dundee, Perth and Forfar; develop a bespoke diabetes translational research laboratory to take advantage of the world class discoveries taking place in the College of Life Sciences; and to create a research team exploring the causes of Type 1 diabetes.

Diabetes is now the fastest growing epidemic in the developed world. It is estimated that more than 300 million people worldwide will suffer
from the disease by 2020. The disease has been recognised as the
greatest threat to world health by the United Nations in a general
resolution. In Tayside there has been a 90% increase in the incidence
of diabetes in the last 9 years and the need to develop clinical research facilities across Tayside is urgent. The campaign aims to provide the facilities and technology to enable scientists and doctors to work together to develop better and more effective treatments and to devise preventative strategies for the disease.

Saint Andrew has three gigs coming up. The first is at the Out of the Woods Acoustic Music Club , Broughty Ferry  on Sunday 07 December with support from Rod Paterson and Frank Smith .(this gig is now SOLD OUT !!! &nbsp The second is on the 09 December at 08:00 pm  at  The Leith Folk Club, The Village, Edinburgh -  This gig has now SOLD OUT!!!! But nae worries a extra gig has been arranged for the next night, the 10th. S aint Andrew will be performing with his band The Rare Wee Helps ( Michael Marra and Kevin Murray) So get yourself along there and witness the phenomenon that is Saint Andrew. It'll Be Rare T' Hear 'Em Lehv again. Saint Andrew has also just been booked to appear at next year's Celtic Connections.