Rebel Herstory of the Easter Rising

Cat Hepburn

This weekend’s Morning Star carries a Connolly Association supplement, marking the centenary of the Easter Rising. It is worthy of purchase for that alone, of course, but to ensure the Arts pages are ‘on message’, they have also published a nice interview with Cat Hepburn – the writer of Margaret Skinnider:Rebel Heart – the play whose rehearsed reading forms part of the Great MayDay Rising in Oran Mor on 2 May. Read it here, and get your tickets online (+bf) here or from the bar in Oran Mor.

The other feature of this evening that will make it irresistible is the musical presence of Arthur Johnstone, and alongside Arthur - those folk-punks, The Wakes. A package that is worth £12 of anyone's hard-earned cash!

Other events around MayDay are listed in the Glasgow Friends of MayDay programme, available on their website. http://may1st.org.uk/ . I’ll highlight some of them here as we get closer to the day.

And last, but by no means least, A little bird has whispered that an important political figure has agreed to join the Glasgow MayDay March on Sunday May 1! Assemble 11.00 George Square Glasgow.

The Red and the Green will be worn, side by side

Glasgow Friends of MayDay (GFoMD) have today announced changes for this year’s celebration of the International Workers' Festival in Glasgow. While the annual event at Oran Mor will take place again on the Monday holiday (May 2), its focus will change from a cabaret evening, to a night of drama and song.

To mark the centenary of Dublin’s Easter Rising, the title changes to the Great Mayday Rising and the first half of the evening will be the premiere of a new play produced by FairPley, about Margaret Skinnider – a Coatbridge woman who was wounded in 1916 fighting in Dublin for James Connolly’s Irish Citizen Army. The play – Margaret Skinnider:Rebel Heart - will be followed by sets by folk-punk band The Wakes, and the political doyen of folk, Arthur Johnstone.

We discussed the event and agreed that it seemed appropriate to mark the centenary by raising the profile of a lesser-known link between Ireland and Scotland during the rising. Plus to ensure that our traditional musical celebration gets a good airing, both the Wakes and Arthur will ensure that ‘the red and the green will be worn side by side’ as Hamish Henderson put it!

Arthur Johnstone

The play is written by Cat Hepburn, from research by Maggie Chetty, who also chairs the Committee set up to highlight the links between Scotland and the Easter Rising. It stars Clare Gray, Julie Hale and Erin McCardie. Maggie Chetty said “Margaret Skinnider was a remarkable woman. A schoolteacher, a markswoman, a revolutionary, a true rebel heart, but like so many women her story is obscure. I felt this was an appropriate time to celebrate her courage and her lifelong commitment to progress.”

This year’s Mayday marches will take place on different days around Scotland, with the largest on Sunday May 1 in Glasgow - this year it will rally in the Old Fruitmarket. Others will be on Sat April 30 (Aberdeen, Dundee and Fife) and Sat May 7 (Edinburgh and Irvine).

Other events during the two weeks either side of the MayDay weekend also reflect the centenary – with a walk entitled Glasgow and the Irish revolution looking at historical sites in Glasgow connected with struggle in Ireland - this one is already full, and Brian and Martin McCardie’s one–person play, Connolly, premiering on May 6/7 in the Tron as part of its Mayfesto season.

In addition this year sees the second Radical Film Network (Un)Conference in Glasgow over the weekend of MayDay, and its associated Film Festival includes a number of union and work-related films, mostly at the STUC Centre. In particular an event Blacklisting – demonstrating the use of film by those campaigning against their blacklisting due to TU activities.

The programme, and details of Margaret Skinnider:Rebel Heart are both available via the GFoMD website. http://may1st.org.uk/

Statue sculptor to be announced at Mary Barbour Concert

The five shortlisted statues

The name of the successful sculptor chosen to create the statue of Mary Barbour will be announced from the stage of the Gala Concert scheduled for this Sunday, 21 February in Glasgow’s Old Fruitmarket, the Remember Mary Barbour Association (RMBA) said today.

Maria Fyfe, Chair of the Remember Mary Barbour Association said. “This concert is a part of raising the funds to commission the statue, so it seemed only right to announce the successful candidate here. At long last there will be a new statue of a woman of achievement - achievement not for herself but for the people of Glasgow. This concert will be both a celebration of the statues and of Mary’s life and work.”

In addition to the stars already announced, prominent Scottish actress Libby McArthur has joined the guest list to add drama to the variety of the concert. She will be delivering a speech from Julia Taudevin’s play, Mrs Barbour’s Daughters.

Compering the show is comedian and presenter, Susan Morrison, and the performers will include folk legends, Sheena Wellington, and Arthur Johnstone, rising singer and musician Siobhan Miller, Scottish legends The Whistlebinkies, Gaelic singing star, Maeve Mackinnon, harmonica supremo, Fraser Speirs, and folk-rock recording artists, The Wakes. A local Govan-based community choir – the Govan Allsorts, will bring Mary’s community centre stage!

Susan Morrison

Compere, Susan Morrison said “Too often we look at history and see the word hero linked only to men who did things in wars of dubious morality The women who stood with Mary fought for something greater. They fought for fairness, for justice and for their communities. They were kitchen table heroes and that is worth celebrating, to inspire a new generation of women to continue the fight.”

In addition to the maquettes of the statues, a new portrait has been painted of Mary Barbour, by Govan artist Daniel Fitzpatrick. He has donated the powerful and striking portrait to the RMBA. The portrait depicts her steely determination but also captures her warmth and compassion, and a series of limited edition signed prints are being created for sale - hopefully in time for the concert!! 

Mary Barbour by Daniel Fitzpatrick

Mary Barbour led the successful rent strike of 1915 and went on to play a leading role in the labour movement as a Glasgow Councillor and energetic social reformer. Following an extensive campaign to have her contribution recognised, five sculptors were shortlisted to create a statue of her to be placed in her community of Govan. So far each has created a maquette of a proposed statue . These were unveiled in November and have been toured across Glasgow for people to express their opinion. See them on the Facebook page here.

Details of the Gala Concert are as follows

Remember Mary Barbour Gala Concert , Sunday 21 February, Old Fruitmarket, Glasgow, 7.30pm, Tickets: £25, from the Glasgow Concert Halls box office. http://www.glasgowconcerthalls.com/Pages/home.aspx#  0141 353 8000. For further information  - www. remembermarybarbour.wordpress.com/ and on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/RememberMaryBarbour/

Acts announced for Mary Barbour Gala Concert

This release was featured in the Evening Times on the 19 January. It updates earlier news with some of the artists who have signed up to play in the GalaConcert. Get your tickets NOW!!

A galaxy of stars will play at the Gala Concert to raise money for a statue to Govan Rent Strike leader, Mary Barbour, it was announced today. The concert, which is scheduled for 21 February in Glasgow’s Old Fruitmarket, will feature a number of great performers for a night of entertainment, song and music. 

Compereing the show is comedian and presenter, Susan Morrison, and the guest

Arthur Johnstone

list will include folk legends, Sheena Wellington, and Arthur Johnstone, rising singer and musician Siobhan Miller, Scottish legends The Whistlebinkies, Gaelic singing star, Maeve Mackinnon, harmonica supremo, Fraser Speirs, and folk-rock recording artists, The Wakes.

A local Govan-based community choir – the Govan Allsorts, led by musician Lesley Robertson - have also been called in to bring Mary’s community centre stage! Further special guests are anticipated.

Susan Morrison

Compere, Susan Morrison said “It has long been the case that the role of women activists in the struggle for decent conditions has been overlooked. Its great that we are helping an important move to redress that, and that so many wonderful artists are keen to help.”

Maria Fyfe, Chair of the Remember Mary Barbour Association said. “This concert has taken off and looks like being a superb celebration of Mary’s life and work. Isn’t this a great way to raise much-needed funds, display the huge support for this project and have a great night out?”

Mary Barbour led the successful rent strike of 1915 and went on to play a leading role in the labour movement as a Glasgow Councillor and energetic social reformer. Following an extensive campaign to have her contribution recognised, five sculptors were shortlisted to create a statue of her to be placed in her community of Govan. So far each has created a maquette of a proposed statue . These were unveiled in November and are being toured across Glasgow from then until February. See them on the Facebook page here.

Details of the Gala Concert are as follows

Remember Mary Barbour – Gala Concert , Sunday 21 February, Old Fruitmarket, Glasgow, 7.30pm, Tickets: £25, from the Glasgow Concert Halls box office. http://www.glasgowconcerthalls.com/Pages/home.aspx#  0141 353 8000. For further information  - www. remembermarybarbour.wordpress.com/ and on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/RememberMaryBarbour/

Reasons to be MayDay - part 2

....The main event of the holiday period is the March and Rally today (3 May). From 11.00 people will gather in George Square and then march to the O2 Academy in Bridge Street. The March is being lead by young people and will rally in the O2. A range of speakers is headed by Seumas Milne, the Guardian correspondent. Also speaking will be Rosa Salih of the Glasgow Girls, a representative of the U.S. Fast Food Forward campaign for TU rights. Entertaining the masses while they wander round the stalls, will be Glasgow's own The Wakes.

A variety of political groupings will have their own events following the rally, but the evening delivers the second performance of From the Calton to Catalonia. Martin McCardie's successful and packed revival in the Calton last night is followed by this performance in Glasgow's Oran Mor. Maureen Carr leads an ensemble cast in Willy and John Maley's story of their dad's experiences in the International Brigade. Tickets £12, from the bar in Oran Mor, or via TicketWeb (including a booking fee).

Arthur Johnstone

On the Monday holiday, the now well-known Great MayDay Cabaret fills the venue at Oran Mor. Tommy Sands, the Irish singer and activist leads a star-studded cast that includes performance poet, Elvis McGonagall, actress Juliet Cadzow comedians Bruce Morton and Susie McCabe, and singer Siobhan Miller. They are joined by regulars Arthur Johnstone, Fraser Speirs and Stephen Wright, in what promises to be a cracking night. Again tickets available over the bar and via the online supplier This time at £14.

Then there is a gap during the week (is something happening next week?) although you can get another chance to see From the Calton to Catalonia if you're prepared to travel to Bo'ness on the 8 May (Barony Theatre), or Greenock on the 10 (Beacon Arts Centre). If you're staying in Glasgow next week, another great way to wind up the MayDay celebrations would be to see the Love Music, Hate Racism screening of Clash:Westway to the World on May 10 in the CCA (at 8.00pm). Free but ticketed from the CCA website.

All in all, Glasgow’s significant contribution to the International Workers' Day's festivities!

Joyous Johnstone Jamboree!

I've just realised that I promised to put my review of Arthur Johnstone and Friends at The Mitchell Theatre, Glasgow up once it had been published in the Morning Star, and I've forgotten to do this! (although I did tweet a link to it). Here it is -

THIS turned out to be a memorable night of song and celebration with and for Arthur Johnstone at Glasgow’s Celtic Connections festival.

Celebrating 50 years of song and protest by the veteran, the packed hall lapped up a great bill in an evening ably compered by singer and actor Dave Anderson.

Luminaries abounded. Tommy Sands delivered a beautiful There Were Roses, matched by Rab Noakes’s Jackson Greyhound and 16 Tons, while Danny Couper and Martin McDonald joined rising talents Siobhan Miller and Paul Sheridan, actor David Hayman and Gaelic singer Maeve McKinnon to pay tribute to Johnstone’s talent and commitment to the labour movement.

The emotive heart of the concert was the return of the Patton brothers to reform The Laggan for the night. The band’s John McDermott, who had died since the group disbanded, was represented by his banjo, played by Billy Patton.

The Laggan reunite! l-r Tony and Billy Patton (with John McDermott's banjo), Arthur Johnstone, ably assisted by Brian Miller.

Awards and tributes showered down. From the STUC’s lifetime achievement award — invented, said deputy general secretary Dave Moxham specifically for Johnstone because “he is in a group of one” — and Brian Filling, consul for South Africa. And there was a tribute from the Morning Star’s Scottish Campaign Committee because, as its secretary Keith Stoddart said: “This concert is a sell-out but Arthur has never sold out!”

Johnstone, performing solo or with old or new band mates, took centre stage. Songs not heard for some time, such as Four Green Fields and Doomsday in the Afternoon, were interspersed with old favourites It’s My Union and The John Maclean March and the concert wound up all too soon with Hamish Henderson’s rousing Freedom Come All Ye.

Top talent, top evening.

Celtic Connections - bringing the world together.

My preview of this year's Celtic Connections festival is printed in today's Morning Star, here. They have made some (entirely legitimate) editorial changes to my original article - mainly reordering the concerts thematically rather than by date. However, I thought I'd put my original up here - not because I think it is better written (it isn't), but because in the editing the date of Arthur Johnstone's concert has been lost (it is on the 31 Jan), and more importantly, the point that I was making about the significance of the Horizon's project in bringing together music from the nations of the British Isles, has been somewhat obscured. Here is the original.

In 2015's programme, Celtic Connections Donald Shaw suggests that for some parts of the world, 'music is the best hope of bringing people together', and acts from Van Morrison to the Congo's Konono No 1 show the festival's success in that.

While he probably doesn't mean to include the UK, there is at least one event that seeks to do exactly

Kate Rusby

that. Horizons (16 Jan) is an intriguing partnership promoting music from the British Isles' constituent nations. The concert features Karine Polwart (Scotland), Kate Rusby (England), Damien O'Kane (NI), the Republic's Declan O'Rourke, and Welsh balladeer Al Lewis (playing with Alva Leigh).

Sam Sweeney's Fiddle (16 & 17 January) is a multi-media performance about a fiddle bought by Sam Sweeney, whose maker turned out to have died in the First World War. The performance will also feature Sweeney's Bellowhead band mates, Paul Sartin, Rob Habron, and storyteller Hugh Lupton.

One of the Festival's international acts are Canzionere Grecanico Salentino (23 Jan). A band from the 'heel' of Italy, they blend music, song and dance to deliver the unique cultural tradition of the region's mixed history.

Ewan MacColl

A major feature must be the concert of Ewan MacColl's music (Blood and Roses 25 Jan). Curated by his sons Calum and Neil, the concert includes performances by Kate St John, Dick Gaughan, Martin and Eliza Carthy and Karine Polwart.

Craig Armstrong is a local Shettleston boy who now writes music for Baz Luhrman's films, winning many awards. He's worked with U2, Madonna, Texas, Tina Turner et al and he's still based in Glasgow. Here he plays latest album It's Nearly Tomorrow, with the Scottish Opera orchestra and guests (27 Jan).

Arthur Johnstone

Political singer, Arthur Johnstone invites guests from his original band, the Laggan, the Stars Band, Tommy Sands, actor David Hayman and many others, to celebrate his enduring contribution to working people's struggles (31 Jan). Arthur deserves the widest recognition and the concert's sell out testifies to his enduring popularity.

Also sold out is Frances Black and Kieran Goss's return to their 1992 partnership (27 Jan) although a second night has been added (26 Jan). 2015 may be shaping up to be another success story. Listings and tickets - www.celticconnections.com.

Referendum shows weren't the highlight.

The Morning Star asked me to review the cultural side of the struggle for 2014. This is what I felt were the key moments of an eventful year. Next year already looks as if it too, is shaping up to be a goody - with a retrospective of Ewan McColl's music, and a celebration of Arthur Johnstone featuring at Celtic Connections 2015.

The 2014 referendum debate inevitably had an impact on this year’s productions. However the domination of pro-Yes sympathies in Scotland’s artistic community didn’t lead to as much important work as anticipated. Successful shows used the debate as a stepping-off point to examine the nature of Scotland, like Rona Munro’s James plays for the National Theatre of Scotland (NToS) at the Edinburgh Festival. 

Front looked at the 1WW from both sides

 

However it is a production in that festival that addressed a different political issue that gets my vote as outstanding. Front, a Flemish production from a German company about the first world war in Flemish, German, French and English was outstanding. Using both Erich Maria Remarque’s All Quiet on the Western Front and Henri Barbusse’s Under Fire as source material, this was a shocking, emotional and political view from both sides of the line. 

For those who said that the referendum was too close to allow that perspective, NToS also produced the Yes, No, Don’t Know Show, a series of short pieces curated by David Greig and the late and much-missed Dave MacLennan, which was vibrant and humorous. 

Celtic Connections was referendum-lite. Rebel Musics saw Dick Gaughan and Dave Swarbrick  explore the connections between reggae and Scottish music, the Roaming Roots Review’s look at West Coast US music sparkled and the powerful Imelda May rocked out.

Fraser Speirs on the moothy. Rab Noakes on Guitar

Glasgow’s MayDay Cabaret delivered a sell-out concert for the second year in the city’s Oran Mor, with stand-out performances from Bruce Morton and Rab Noakes.

Pro-Yes productions dominated the Edinburgh Festival fringe. Much was poor but David Hayman (pictured) in a A Pitiless Storm rose above the herd. Bravely, Phil Differ’s MacBraveheart had a pop at all sides and crackled with language gags, while Mark Thomas’s history of betrayal, Cuckooed, delivered a thoughtful story. 

 

We lost both 7:84/Wildcat/Play, Pie & Pint founder Dave MacLennan and politician Tony Benn this

The late, and much-missed Dave Maclennan

year. With typical Glasgow resolve, both became the subjects of excellent celebratory concerts, with a galaxy of stars marking the passing of two major talents.

Film of the year for me must go to Pride, the story of the LGBT community and their support for the striking miners in 1984-5. Although flawed by the failure to recognise the politics of a main character — Mark Ashton became general secretary of the Young Communist League — it still highlighted the strong links built between different communities under attack. 

Also heartening was the increasing use of cultural events by campaigns. A series of workers’ films is planned by a local GMB branch and  a range of talks and films was staged by Hope Not Hate in Glasgow around the anti-racist St Andrews Day rally. And of course the Morning Star’s own Our Class, Our Culture series continued its success.

Looking Forward (and Remembering) - A tribute to Tony

Tony Benn (photo courtesy Sunday Mail)

300 plus people squashed into Glasgow's Mitchell Theatre on Sunday to celebrate a legend. As compère Susan Morrison pointed out, the word was in danger of overuse, as artists like Fraser Speirs, James Grant and Arthur Johnstone followed one another onto the stage. But in reality one legend dominated. Tony Benn himself, was the life being celebrated - to him went the accolade

Despite the last minute absence of Roy Bailey, taken ill on his way to the concert, the bill in the two concerts was crammed with talent. The first (spoken word) concert featured the acid sharpness of Tom Leonard, the pointed humour of Elvis McGonagall and the up-front politics of Attila the Stockbroker. Held together by the stories of Bruce Morton, it was a revelation to those who possibly hadn't experienced performance poetry before.

The main bill, however, was reserved for the evening concert. Curated by singer-songwriter,

Rab Noakes (photo by Alan MacMillan)

Rab Noakes and introduced by Scottish Labour leadership candidate, Neil Findlay MSP (who had the initial idea) a positive galaxy of musicians from Scotland, augmented by guests from South of the border served up a great evening. Ably compèred by Susan Morrison, the first half was introduced by Rab and Fraser's version of Sixteen Tons. Arthur Johnstone and Stephen Wright replaced Rab to give us some Woody Guthrie (Playboys and Playgirls) and Adrian Mitchell's Victor Jara. Appropriately, that introduced some more poetry from Elvis McGonagall, whose sharp analysis and humour made the politics more pointed - and converted not a few to performance poetry!  

Emily Benn

While all the show took place under the watchful eye of Tony Benn from the big screen, his granddaughter, Emily, who read from Letters to my Grandchildren, made further family input. She thanked the organisers, and called on everyone to continue the fight for democracy, equality and peace that Tony Benn had given his life to. Rab Noakes' main set - Incorporating the ever-coruscating Spin closed the first half.

The second half rang the changes with the Qyeen of NRNXPO - probably the first time many of the audience have been exposed to rap! Attila the Stockbroker put some political meat on the bones before the double act of Alastair McDonald and Sheena Wellington brought us back to some traditional material - No, Trident No (Alastair), Mrs Barbour's Army (Sheena) and of course the song closely associated with her - A Man's a Man for a' that.

James Grant

James Grant's set moved us into the current day with dark songs of loss - My Father's Coat in particular. And the finale gave us a different take on The Red Flag. By reverting to its initial tune (The White Cockade) Rab and the ensemble breathed a new, much more jaunty, life into the song.

With the now traditional Jarama Valley/Bandiera Rosa winding up the night, the whole day was one of tradition, mixed with development. Encouraging new experiences, while celebrating old successes. Surely entirely appropriate for an evening for Tony Benn?  

Justice at Work Campaign gets entertaining boost

Is it a concert? Is it a campaign? Unite Scotland is staging an event today as part of its

Justice at Work campaign that blurs such distinctions. Headlined by anti-blacklist

Ricky Tomlinson

campaigner, Shrewsbury picket and actor, Ricky Tomlinson, the event also stars victimised INEOS stewards Stevie Deans and Mark Lyons.

Providing the music, singer-songwriter, Rab Noakes leads a stellar cast including Arthur Johnstone, moothie maestro Fraser Speirs, Stephen Wright and rap artist NRNXPO Qyeens. Unite's General Secretary, Len McCluskey will also

Rab Noakes

speak as will Stevie Deans' daughter Ailis  and the whole event is compered by comedian, Susan Morrison.

Unite's Scottish Secretary, Pat Rafferty said

“Tonight’s gig will be an unabashed celebration of working-class achievement and struggle and also a display of solidarity to argue that decent jobs and decent lives go hand-in-hand with decent employment rights and safe, secure workplaces.”

Doors for the free show open at 7PM for a 7:30PM start and a limited number of tickets are available on a first come first served basis from info@fairpley.com.

The trade union movement will be watching this innovative approach to campaigning closely. It is a welcome development in engaging a broader section of people in campaigns, like the Anti-Blacklist Campaign. Associate producers, Fair Pley, continue to work with the Labour Movement and are busy planning an event in tribute to Tony Benn taking place in Glasgow on Sunday 30 November. Their versatility knows no bounds!

Tony Benn’s life and work to be celebrated in Glasgow

The release below went out to a wide range of media yesterday. The Herald picked up the story and

Tony Benn at 2011's UCS 40 anniversary

printed it here. This is the full release. Watch out for further announcements as other guests are added to the list!

A major Scottish celebration of the life of Tony Benn was announced today (Monday 22). Taking place in Glasgow’s Royal Concert Hall on November 30 this year, the plan is for a series of events through the afternoon culminating in a substantial concert in the evening.

Rab Noakes

Singer songwriter Rab Noakes has agreed to curate the concert which will also feature Chris Difford of Squeeze, folk legend Roy Bailey, Karen Matheson, Donald Shaw, James Grant, Arthur Johnstone, and Alastair McDonald . Also planned is a spoken word event in the afternoon, along with discussion workshops on topics close to Tony’s heart

Neil Findlay MSP from the group set up to support and promote this event, said  “A number of our major trade unions felt it was important that a campaigner like Tony, who had strong links with Scotland, from UCS up to the present day, should be recognised and remembered here. We’re delighted to have the support of the Benn family for the event.”

The day is being supported by Aslef, GMB, UNISON and Unite in Scotland, who have commissioned FairPley – the people who organised Tony Benn’s sellout appearance at Celtic Connections in 2013 – to produce the show.

Stephen Wright, one of the directors of FairPley, said  “It was a real privilege to organise Tony’s appearances in Scotland over the last few years, at the Fringe, Celtic Connections and the UCS 40^th anniversary celebrations. We’re delighted to be involved in this major event to mark Tony’s life and legacy.”

Further addition to the line-up will be announced as they happen, but advance tickets have now gone on sale at - http://www.glasgowconcerthalls.com/events/tony-benn-a-celebration-concert/

Red Music?

Following the hugely successful Great MayDay Cabaret last Monday - which saw a galaxy of stars including Mark Thomas, socialist magician Ian Saville, and Siobhan Miller & Jeana Leslie have a great night entertaining a sell-out crowd at Glasgow’s Oran Mor - Glasgow’s Friends of MayDay celebrations get underway for the final week.

Tonight at the STUC centre in Woodlands Road, Glasgow University Professor of Music, and well-known Scottish composer, Bill Sweeney gets to grips with the knotty issue of Music and the Working Class movement. While it is clear that some music is written from (or adopted for) a class or socialist perspective, how can that be identified? Especially if - being an extremely abstract art form - it has no words or history? Is it even a valid argument to claim a ‘class’ or ideological adherence for music? 

Bill Sweeney (left) shows earlier
commitment on the picket line during
1980s BBC Orchestra's strike

With Bill’s talent, experience and political background, expect an intriguing examination of the topic! This is a Morning Star, our class, our culture event starting at 7.00pm.

On Friday in the same venue, the Scottish Cuba Solidarity Campaign joins with the STUC to screen the film - Will the Real Terrorist, Please Stand Up? About the arrest and imprisonment by the USA of the Miami 5, it will be followed by a SCSC social. Again free to get in, but donations will be welcomed, this is at 7.30pm

Vladimir McTavish

And last but by no means least, the next afternoon at 4.00pm, Scottish Left Review stage their comedy and music fundraiser downstairs in the Stand Comedy Club. 101 uses for a Spare Bedroom is hosted by Elaine C Smith, and stars Vladimir McTavish, Susan Morrison, John Gillick and Andre Learmonth. Tickets are £12/£7 from the SLR website.

The musical accompaniment to the SLR gig is by Arthur Johnstone and friends, nicely providing the red musical thread that sews these series of events together.