Peebles Food Festival 2008

The second annual three-day Peebles Food Festival runs from September 26th - 28th, covering a Ready Steady Cook Competition, a Junior Schools Cookery Competition with Chef's Demonstrations, a Wine Matching Masterclass, a Food Market and a Gala Dinner. The seven course gala dinner on Saturday, September 27 starting at 7pm in the Drill Hall is the highlight of the Festival. Each of the 7 courses is prepared by a different local chef and includes a welcome drink and a glass of wine with each course. This superb evening ends with a ceilidh.

The Eastgate Theatre - w/c/ 18 September 2008

Sat 20 Sep 7.30pm
Fondoo
music
Back with another exciting line-up, Fondoo stages five local bands this Saturday at the Eastgate Theatre. Ranging from singer song writer Kat Healy to the newly formed trio Epsilon, the performance also includes Robbie Tatler and Scatterbrain, with five piece band The Elements closing the show. This host of local talent is not to be missed! Further band info – check out www.fondoo.eu

Sun 21 Sep
Film Sunday
Journey to The Centre of The Earth (PG) 2.30pm
Starring Brendan Fraser, based on the tale by Jules Verne and directed by Academy Award winning visual effects veteran Eric Brevig (Total Recall, Pearl Harbour).
The Edge of Love (15) 7.30pm
Keira Knightley, Cillian Murphy and Matthew Rhys in this tale of two couples trying to make sense of their own mortality, their desires and the complications of love between friends.

Mon 22 Sep – 17 Oct Daily
Hilltops And Teapots
exhibition
For lovers of landscape and still life paintings the American-born artist Rachel Sharp offers a feast of her work, on view until mid October. After training at The New York Studio School, Rachel moved with her British husband to Scotland where she now lives on the Berwickshire coast. She has exhibited throughout the United States and the UK. Free

Wed 24 Sep 7.30pm
Michael McGoldrick, John Doyle and John Joe Kelly
music
Michael McGoldrick, one of the greatest flute players ever, brings a crossover of trad Irish to modern day sound this coming Wednesday. Once voted the Best Overseas Artist in the Irish Music Magazine Readers Poll, this multi-instrumentalist has been playing traditional Irish music since his early childhood days in the working class town of Manchester. His talents led him to work with bands such as Afro Celt Sound System and Capercaillie. This time he performs with Dublin born vocalist and guitarist, John Doyle, and Flook's inimitable John Joe Kelly with the bodhran.

Thu 25 Sep 7.30pm
Town and Country
drama
Rowan Tree Theatre Company celebrates their 21st birthday with a double bill of superb solo plays consisting of the Fringe First award winning Nancy Sleekit and, for a touch of suspense, the gripping John Buchan short story, The Herd of Standlan. You will not want to miss this triumphant yet intimate performance in the Company’s hallmark style they like to call "chamber theatre". Enjoy being drawn into the heart of the production, done in the Scots dialect and you will be left under no illusion that this creative company will be wooing us for at least another 21 years.

Fri 26 Sep 7.30pm
Ready Steady Cook
family
They’re back! After last year’s hilarious success, once more, local chefs compete against the clock to prepare a meal using only the surprise ingredients supplied by their partners (time to get their own back?). Local rivalries and humour will no doubt ensue! Building on the success of last year’s first Peebles Food Festival which celebrates high quality local produce there is a weekend of linked activities – including a wine tasting on Saturday 27th. Get your tickets now!

Kailzie launches new Bunkhouse for Mountain Bikers

The new Kailzie Bunkhouse close to Glentress and Innerleithen, next to Cardrona Forest in the Tweed Valley and opened on 21st August 2008.

We have 3 bunkrooms with 2 bunks in each (4 person rooms) all with either shower rooms or bathrooms en-suite.

There are also 2 dormitory style rooms with bunks and single beds sleeping 5 or 7 people, each also with a shower room.

There is a large communal kitchen and dining room with cookers, microwaves, fridges etc., and a cosy sitting room with television, DVD player and a wood-burning stove.

Full availability starts from 20th September but to inquire about dates for up to 24 people, follow this link to the Kailzie Gardens website.

There are also more photographs if you click on the Gallery link, with more expected next week.

The Eastgate Theatre - w/c/ 11 September 2008

Fri 12 Sep 10am – 4pm
Peebles High School International Relations Exhibition
exhibition
Interactive displays and workshops on the cultures of China, Ukraine, Switzerland, Italy and France, presented by High School students. Many months of research and building contacts with help from the Consuls General of these countries have created a fascinating insight into the diversity of their cultures. This is a hands on and get involved type of exhibition.
FREE

Fri 12 Sep 7.30pm
Jazz-A-Ward
music
Larger than life, Dan Ward gives a tremendous performance that shakes the roof of the Eastgate Theatre. After the fantastic atmosphere last year, as part of Peebles Arts Festival, the Eastgate warmly welcomes Dan back.

Sat 13 Sep 7.30pm
Dance around the world
dance
Finnish group Mihrimah present traditional Egyptian Belly Dance as well as traditional Finnish dance; Jenny Francis and Ricardo Oria perform Tango Argentino; and Kick the Cat show off their Appalachian Clogging steps. The line-up also includes PHS Scottish Country Dance Group, Borders Arabic Dance Group, Irish Dance, and Daughters of Isis performing Egyptian Folk style dance with a Scottish twist.

Sun 14 Sep 7.30pm
Koda
music
After a sell-out event last year, this lively young group from Biggar makes a welcome return to this year’s Peebles Arts Festival. The band, who last year released an award winning CD Alternative Frequency, play a variety of traditional music and song with a contemporary edge.

Tue 16 Sep 7.30pm
Carol Laula
music
With "a style which bobs around somewhere between the sweet, clear delicacy of Joni Mitchell and the tougher edges of Joan Armatrading" and six albums under her belt, Carol has also been described as "Scotland's leading singer-songwriter". Collaborating with late Big Country’s Stuart Adamson, and sharing a stage with Billy Bragg at Glastonbury, are but a few of this stunning singer’s achievements.

Wed 17 Sep 8pm
Dylan Moran
comedy
Dylan Moran is probably best known as the owner of Channel 4’s Black Books starring with Bill Bailey and Tamsin Greig. Those of you who saw his Perrier winning performance at the Fringe will know just how entertaining this man is, surreal, witty, droll, enigmatic and very, very funny. NB: THIS SHOW IS NOW SOLD OUT.

The Eastgate Theatre - w/c/ 4 September 2008

Thu 4 & Fri 5 Sep 7.30pm
Men of the World
drama
Coach drivers see all walks of life. Three of them are preparing to take a gaggle of assorted Saga louts on a mystery trip to Scarborough and pass the time by reminiscing about the eccentrics encountered on previous trips. But are not the drivers more eccentric than their passengers?

Sun 7 Sep 7.30pm
Jacqui McShee's Pentangle
music
Jacqui McShee and Pentangle are legendary names. The band's evolving styles and various line-ups have always made groundbreaking music. "Glorious stuff, deeply atmospheric and immaculately sung and played. The current line-up of Pentangle kicks up an absolute storm and Jacqui's voice is gorgeous." Tom Robinson, BBC 6 Music

Mon 8 Sep 7.30pm
Music And Madness
music
An evening of lute, guitar and vocals with Jamie Akers; a delightful mix of music and madness. In previous centuries the divide between musical genres didn’t exist. It wasn’t infrequent to hear a folk song melody incorporated into a setting of the mass, or high flown variations spun from the simplest of themes. Jamie brings this mix into a modern setting.

Tue 9 Sep 7.30pm
Amada
drama
Cora Bissett directs the Arches Theatre Company in a performance based on a story by Isabel Allende. This show moves through the whole gamut of theatrical genres - puppetry, silhouettes, dance, film, and dramatic acting – to breathe life into the story of Maria who, after an accident with a train, is left ‘simple’.

Wed 10 Sep 7.30pm
Links With China
talk
As part of the ‘China Now in Scotland’ festival running from February to November 2008, celebrating the culture and connections between the two countries, Dr David Paterson gives an illustrated talk on Links with China. A fundraising event for Friends of Dawyck Gardens and Friends of the Eastgate.

Fri 12 Sep 10am – 4pm
Peebles High School International Relations Exhibition
Exhibition
Students present interactive displays and workshops on the cultures of China, Ukraine, Switzerland, Italy and France. Many months of research and building contacts with help from the Consuls General of these countries has created a fascinating insight into the diversity of their cultures. This is a hands-on and get-involved type of exhibition.

Fri 12 Sep 7.30pm
Jazz-A-Ward
music
Larger than life, Dan Ward gives a tremendous performance that shakes the roof of the Eastgate Theatre. After the fantastic atmosphere last year, the festival warmly welcomes Dan back.

Scottish Borders Awards 2008 nomination

The Tweed Valley website has been shortlisted in the Scottish Borders Awards 2008 in the “Award for Best Use of IT in a Tourism Related Business” category.

The winners will be announced at the Awards Dinner on Friday 3 October at Springwood Hall, Border Union Showground, Kelso.

Jacqui McShee's Pentangle to visit Peebles

Northern music lovers are in for a real treat when Jacqui McShee's Pentangle presents an all-new show at The Eastgate Theatre on Sunday 7 September.

The concert features the current line-up with Jacqui McShee on vocals, Gerry Conway on drums and percussion, Spencer Cozens on keyboards, Alan Thompson on bass, and Gary Foot on saxophone and flute.

As a bonus, the evening will feature an opening slot by singer/songwriter David Hughes.

Jacqui is in the news: the original 1960s Pentangle line-up staged its fortieth anniversary tour this year, a reunion which attracted much media coverage for Jacqui with appearances on television and rave reviews in the music press and national newspapers.

Now Jacqui is touring with her own band presenting an evening of musical magic. As well as a selection of songs first recorded with the original line-up, Jacqui McShee's Pentangle plays a mixture of new self-penned songs, traditional numbers and jazz standards.

Jacqui is looking forward to being back on the road. "I'm really pleased we are playing at The Eastgate Theatre” she says. “I've always loved doing shows in the north; the audience is particularly warm and appreciative and we've had some great times in the Borders."

Although Jacqui McShee's Pentangle has been labelled 'jazz-folk' the music defies pigeonholing and the concert's wide-ranging repertoire will appeal to most musical tastes. The band's current line-up makes groundbreaking music and, just like the original group, Jacqui's unique voice is always to the fore.

For tickets and information call the box office on 01721 725777

The Eastgate - w/c 28 August 2008

28 August Thursday 7.30pm
Dancers
Akelarre Dancers
Akelarre is a dance group which performs Basque dances in the traditional, colourful costumes of the country. Thirty male and female dancers of mixed ages are accompanied by four musicians for this lively international dance display.

30 August Saturday 7.30pm
Music
Robin Hutt
Much in demand as a recital and concerto soloist, chamber musician, orchestral pianist and composer, Robin combines his playing with teaching work in Edinburgh schools. He has also composed for Edinburgh Camerata, plays timpani and principal percussion with Edinburgh Symphony Baroque, and is a member of St Michael and All Saint's Choir.

Mon 1 Sep 7.30pm
Festival Lecture - The Reivers
Talk
A talk by well known author Alistair Moffat, and sponsored by the Tweeddale Society. Born and raised in Kelso, Alistair has been Chairman of STV, Director of Edinburgh Festival Fringe, founder of the Borders Book Festival as well as finding time to become a prolific author.

Thu 4 & Fri 5 Sep 7.30pm
Men of the World
Drama
Coach drivers see all walks of life. Three of them are preparing to take a gaggle of assorted Saga louts on a mystery trip to Scarborough and pass the time by reminiscing about the eccentrics encountered on previous trips. But are not the drivers more eccentric than their passengers?

The Eastgate - w/c 21 August 2008

21 August Thursday 7.30pm
Music
Rave On - A Tribute To Buddy Holly
Marc Robinson and his Counterfeit Crickets take you back to the days when cars had fins, the suits were sharp, and frothy coffee in the local café was the height of cool. The band rolls back the years with numbers including Rave On, Raining in My Heart and Doesn't Matter Any More, and the authentic sound of Buddy Holly and the Crickets.

22 August Friday 7.30pm
Music
Jeff Barnhart
Sit back and enjoy an evening of jazz piano music, in the capable hands of Jeff Barnhart. Since launching his professional career in his home state of Connecticut at the age of just 14, Jeff has established a reputation as a soloist and band member all over the globe.

23 August Saturday 7.30pm
Music
Erlings New Orleans Jazz Band No 2
Erling Norberg has been playing in jazz bands for over 50 years. He headed the Tuxedo Jazz Band when they guested at the Peebles International Jazz Festival in 2004 and he reckoned that was good…but his latest band is even better... possibly the best jazz band ever!

24 August - 14 September Daily
Exhibition
Through The Lens
An exhibition of work from local photographers Tom Oliver and Dave Sargent. The subject matter is wide, including pictures from Arts Festival events as well as other creative work. In addition, images from a children's photography competition called 'Knee High Peebles' will form part of this exhibition from 30th August onwards.

26 August Tuesday 7.30pm
Music
Julian Goodacre's Wonderful World Of Bagpipes
Peebles bagpipe maker Julian Goodacre has been playing, making, researching, designing and composing on pipes for the last 25 years. He shares his enthusiasm and knowledge, along with his collection of pipes from the UK and beyond, to create an entertaining celebration of the world of bagpipes and their music. Expect surprises!

27 August Wednesday 7.30pm
Music
Jamie Laval & Ashley Broder
Jamie Laval is one of the top Scottish fiddlers on the international circuit today. Joined by mandolin virtuoso Ashley Broder, the duo play traditional Irish and Scottish music with hints of classical refinement and the influence of ethnic music from around the world - a unique approach to roots-based acoustic music.

28 August Thursday 7.30pm
Dancers
Akelare Dancers
Akelare is a dance group which performs Basque dances in the traditional, colourful costumes of the country. Thirty male and female dancers of mixed ages are accompanied by four musicians for this lively international dance display.

Top 10 Edinburgh day trips

The Guardian today publishes a list of Top 10 day trips from Edinburgh if the Festivals are getting too much - so well done to Traquair for coming in at number 6!

Read the full article here.