Events

This page lists forthcoming events, including when the Training Centre becomes the Old Brewery for gigs.  We may not be the biggest venue in the north, but we have an intimate atmosphere and great audiences, with many very special nights - come along and have a good time.

 

Friday 16 May - Andy White

Belfast-born and now Melbourne-based Irish singer-songwriter Andy White is on tour with his 9th album ‘Garageband’.

Andy's colourful career includes a stint alongside Tim Finn as one third of folk super trio ALT, appearances at WOMAD festivals all around the world, collaborations and tours with the great and good of the Irish music scene – Van Morrison, Sinead O’Connor, Donal Lunny – and winning the prestigious Hot Press Irish Songwriter of the Year award.  

Andy is a powerbook-toting troubadour carrying an acoustic guitar in one hand and a book of poetry in the other. He is truly an artist for our time.

www.andywhite.com

 

Friday 23 May - Benny Gallagher                     

An intimate evening of songs and stories with the Scots singer-

songwriter who wears his heart on his sleeve. Benny Gallagher plays new material and those innumerable well-loved songs - which simply refuse to go away. 

In 1970, Gallagher and Lyle's astute composing abilities propelled the

legendary band McGuinness Flint to the top of the charts with hit

songs "When I'm Dead And Gone" and "Malt And Barley Blues". Then came the duo's own string of successes.

On record, he has worked with Paul McCartney, Eric Clapton, Pete Townsend, Ronnie Lane, Ralph McTell and Champion Jack Dupree.
Between song-writing visits to Nashville, and composing soundtracks

for film and television, he has toured Australia, the Middle and Far East, as well as across Europe.

Benny is also holding a songwriting workshop on Saturday.

www.myspace.com/bennygallagher

 

Saturday 7 June - Iain MacGillivray & Ranald Smith

Iain MacGillivray & Ranald Smith have been singing as a duo intermittently since 1975 - two years after Iain had launched the Market Bar as a full time venue!

They have played all over the Highlands and beyond and recently reunited to play a concert on the closest Saturday to the summer solstice, which became an annual event up until last year when, due to Iain having a below the left knee amputation - the ‘gig’ was cancelled! It’s back on this year however and will be preceded by their first visit to the Old Brewery on Saturday 7th June. 

Close harmony, tremendous guitar work and a great bag of traditional and self-penned songs, typify an evening with Iain and Ranald.

 

Friday 13 June - Fred MacAulay

Fred MacAulay is stepping out of the studio and the hitting the road.  Fred is no ordinary comedian, and Cromarty had better expect the unexpected.

As well as brightening our mornings with his Radio Scotland show, Fred is a favourite Radio 4 guest, making regular appearances on Loose Ends, I’m Sorry, I Haven’t A Clue and The News Quiz. He also has enough TV credits to make Carol Vorderman look camera shy, including Life According To Fred, McCoist and MacAulay and Fred MacAulay’s Fringe.

'Rib-achingly funny, one of the funniest men alive' Sunday Times
'Rapier-sharp' Scotsman

Tickets £15.  This gig is at 8pm, and supper is not available.

 

 

Music Workshops We are delighted to announce a series of weekend workshops with quality musicians and songwriters.  Some will involve the full weekend, when you can either come and stay on a residential basis or attend as a day delegate.    We begin the series with a 3 hour workshop involving a Scottish songwriting legend: Benny Gallagher on Saturday 24 May  Well known for his own material, and with McGuinness Flint and Gallagher & Lyle, Benny's songs have been recorded by Bryan Ferry, Colin Blunstone, Elkie Brooks, Ringo Starr, Rita Coolidge, Simon & Garfunkel, The Fureys and Jim Capaldi .... to name just a few (get a look at his myspace site!).   This morning workshop will provide "Cool Tools and Techniques for Songwriters". Cost - £25   Future workshops include: Workshop on the weekend of 3 October with Sophie Bancroft - voice and guitar, Tom Lyne - bass and guitar and Amy Geddes - fiddle.  For initial enquiries, contact info@sophiebancroft.co.uk

 

 

We serve supper between 7.00 and 7.30, but we're not licensed so BYOB. Music starts @ 8.30. 

(Paper free) tickets are £10 (£15 with supper) unless otherwise indicated.

 

Coming Next:

5 July - Nuala Kennedy      24 August - Michael Weston King         13 September - Allan Taylor        

3 October - Sophie Bancroft, Tom Lyne & Amy Geddes         18 October – Calum Stewart Trio       

1 November – Kevin MacKenzie         15 November – Paddyrasta