Thursday 12th February 7.30pm
Music
Poet in New York
A concert of unique and evocative music, featuring material by Leonard Cohen, Federico Garcia Lorca, Vladimir Nabokov, Laura Nyro, Bob Dylan, Suzanne Vega and Pablo Neruda. Keith James and Rick Foot explore the fear, fascination and vulnerability that a fragile and creative person experiences when confronted with somewhere as exciting and unsettling as New York City. The evening also includes a bio-documentary about the life and work of Leonard Cohen.
New York grew from its position of vast commercial turnover and naturally became an unprecedented magnet of migration. Of all the village-like communities and marginalized vocations that have prospered, that of Poet is the most rare. During the 20th century Lorca, Borges, Nabokov, Plath, Dylan emerged, transient, out of step and almost invisible.
Performers Keith James and Rick Foot have received critical acclaim for their Lorca album and concerts.
Saturday 14th February 7.30pm
Dance
Viennese Valentine in the Burgh Hall
Put on your best bib and tucker for an evening of wine, women and song – as the Friends of the Eastgate invite you to enjoy a 'St Valentine’s Day Dance' in the company of Peebles Orchestra, with leader Tony Kime, conductor John Howden, and guest sporano Marcella Holmes. This fantastic fundraiser includes singing, dancing and buffet supper. Dress up if you want and simply listen to to the music or waltz and polka your partner round the room to music from Vienna and beyond.
16th February - 7th March 2009
Exhibition
Plum!
An exhibition featuring jewellery, paintings, sculptures and other art forms produced by artists working at Borders Development Studios, Galashiels.
Thursday 19th February 7.30pm
Music
Moon River To The Days Of Wine And Roses : The Genius Of Johnny Mercer
The Eastgate is delighted to welcome back Todd Gordon – one of Britain’s top jazz and swing singers – and this time he brings a new show to mark the centenary of the birth of the Great American Songbook lyricist, Johnny Mercer. The finest of classic popular songs are featured, including That old Black Magic, The Summer Wind, Too Marvelous for Words, Blues in the Night, Dream, One for My Baby, as well as the Oscar-winning songs in the title. Intriguingly, Mercer was particularly proud of his Scottish roots which he traced back to the Battle of Culloden. He therefore represents the only legitimate Scottish connection to American Songbook royalty.
'Impeccable choice of music and Todd and his band interact wonderfully.' (Sir Michael Parkinson)
'Gordon's made the American songbook his own.' (The Guardian)
