Amber takes over the town by the River Tay
This show was based on primary material from The Rendition Project, authoriatatively detailed, forensic research led by Professor Ruth Blakeley and Dr Sam Raphael into the illegal detention, human rights abuses, and covert campaign of torture by the US administration and its allies in the wake of their wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.
The idea came to director and performer Freda O’Bryne in 2016:“We wanted to shine a light into the murky collusion between the CIA and British Government to circumvent their own laws on human rights and torture, with the subsequent mission creep and cover-ups.”
Freda said:“I hope that people who see it will feel empowered to learn more and to be better informed about the decisions and choices being made on our behalf by governments prepared to lie about their own – now proven – involvement in illegal detention, rendition and torture.”
Tickets cost £12 for adults, £10 for concessions and for under 26s the price is just £5 plus a booking fee of £1 per ticket.
For bookings, see wwww.birnamarts. com
World touring musician Dougie MacLean, who penned the popular tune ‘Caledonia’ and also the stunning fiddle tune‘The Gael’, is delighted it’s that time of year again, when he can hang up his road gear and enjoy autumn in his hometown.
Every November since 2005 (apart from one wee break in 2017), Dougie and his family has put on Perthshire Amber, inviting musician friends and new musical talent to play in a cluster of venues around Dunkeld.
For this Amber weekend (Friday, November 1 to Sunday 3), Dunkeld is busier than it is in the height of summer.
The town by the Tay will see plenty of pub sessions, an open mic night, plus nearby gigs in Murthly Castle Chapel, Dunkeld House and Butterstone Village Hall.
Today it all starts again, a weekend of music where everyone’s invited.
The self-proclaimed travelling troubadour of 45 years has had a busy year touring in the USA, playing a massive concert with pipe bands as part of Piping Live, an English tour and a quick trip to play in Cork.
“It’s funny, but I know America better than some Americans,” laughed Dougie when thinking of his recent tour dates across the pond. “I’ve travelled that country so much, made a lot of friends and heard so many wonderful musicians.
“Amber is a chance to welcome visitors - from around 21 countries - to share my Scottish sheritage.
“Buddy McDonald from Cape Breton has been coming to play at the festival for the last 10 years.
“He’s almost a local now, the weekend would not be complete without him.
“I’ve started taking things easier of late, the Amber festival used to cover 10 days, now we put it all into one tremendous weekend.”
Dougie has played all over, but he told the PA his favourite Perthshire Amber venue is Murthly Castle Chapel: “It is a very special place, we feel honoured to have access to this amazing and beautiful historic property.
“This small concert always sells out within days of tickets go on sale, so this year we have arranged to do two shows there instead of just the one.”
This Saturday night, Dougie plays down the road, just him and his guitar, in Perth Concert Hall: “Doing a solo concert requires a conscious effort to make a real reach out to the audience. With nowhere to hide, I find myself making a real connection with everyone who comes along, there’s real communication and intimacy.”
Guest musicians who have made a date with the 2019 Perthshire Amber festival include Ross Ainslie, Tim Edey, The Coaltown Daisies, Willie Campbell and The Tumbling Souls, Buddy MacDonald, Katee Kross, Lewis McLaughlin and Friends, The Shiretones, Dowally and young local Perth musician, Mairi Sutherland.
Of new talent Mairi, Dougie said: “She’s the daughter of Alan who used to play piano in my band.
“Mairi is brilliant, a great voice - I hope her performance goes down well.”
For all the listings big and small, see www. perthshireamber.com