Events into 2019
Details of all concerts in winter and spring 2019 are now posted below - scroll down to reveal. The paper 'Good Gig Guide' is out in mid February. A reminder for regular visitors: to ensure our future as a venue please consider becoming a 'Supporter' - click on the 'Supporters' tab at the top for more details. And don't forget to sign up for our email newsletter if you live in the area - click on the 'Get Newsletter' tab at the top and enter your email address in the space provided.
We have a lot of varied events coming up - films, comedy, music (including Karine Polwart, Scottish Chamber Orchestra, Dougie MacLean, Aly Bain & Phil Cunningham) shows for children and babies, aerial theatre and drama - so there really is something for everyone.
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Upcoming Events
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The Tailor Of Inverness (theatre), Sat 27 April, 8pm
Written and acted by Matthew Zajac, and based on the life of his father, this extraordinary play tells the story of the tailor’s life and his son’s discoveries about his father using music, poetry, storytelling, and video projection. It reveals the impact of war on ordinary people and families, and how a life and an identity can be reconstructed as the tailor journeys from Poland across war-torn Europe and settles in Inverness. The tailor’s life spanned most of the 20th century, and the journey he took was made by thousands of Poles during the Second World War. His was a forced migration, subject to the brutal vagaries of war. Live violin weaves its way evocatively through the piece, with traditional and original songs and tunes from Scotland, Poland and Russia.
“Matthew Zajac’s moving performance is a triumph of evocative staging and storytelling.” The Observer
£12/10 concs/8 U16’s
To buy tickets online (10% booking fee) click here
To see a video trailer click here
Find out more »Randolphs Leap (music), Sat 11th May, 8pm
Singer-songwriter Adam Ross is the prolific mastermind behind the music of Randolph’s Leap. Hailing from Nairn, he has been steadily building up an eclectic back-catalogue of uplifting folk-pop – a mixture of solo home recordings and full-band studio epics. One of Scotland’s most versatile lyricists, Adam can deliver a riotous party when accompanied by his 7-piece full band, complete with brass section. Randolph’s Leap’s sonic world is one of heart-bursting melody combined with funny and poignant lyrics.
“Masters of melody… lo-fi indie-pop gems” The Metro
£14/£12 concs/£10 U16s
To buy online tickets (10% booking fee) click here
To see a video of the band click here
Find out more »Karine Polwart (music), Thu 16th May (doors time 7.30pm for start time 8pm)
Multi-award winning songwriter and musician, theatre maker and published writer Karine Polwart is a six-time winner at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards, including 2018 Folk Singer of the Year. Karine’s seventh release, Laws of Motion, recorded alongside long-term collaborators Inge Thomson (accordion) and brother Steven Polwart (guitars), is the latest in an evolving series of collaborative projects combining music & storytelling with politics & environmental-societal issues. It was named Folk Album of the Year in Mojo.
“The music is dazzlingly inventive, swooping, soaring and turning abruptly on a sixpence from discord to sweet lullaby” Songlines
£20 plus booking fee
to buy online (10% booking fee) click here
to see a video of Karine click here
Find out more »Rant (music), Fri 17th May, 8pm
Rant is the meeting of 4 of Scotland’s finest fiddle players, two from the Shetland Islands and two from the Highlands. Nominated in the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards 2014 for Best Traditional track, they tour their unique brand of ‘chamber-folk’ far and wide. Bethany Reid, Jenna Reid, Lauren MacColl and Anna Massie join forces to create a sound which is both rich and lush, yet retaining all the bite and spark synonymous with a Scottish fiddle player. The band have recorded strings for Julie Fowlis and their latest release ‘Reverie’ saw them collaborating with Fowlis once more, and Scots singer Ewan McLennan.
“Sheer class”***** The Herald
£14/£12 concs/£10 U16s
to buy tickets online (10% booking fee) click here
to see a video of the band click here
Find out more »Little Top at Forres Town Hall (family theatre), Sun 19th May, 2pm
Presented by Starcatchers and SUPERFAN, Little Top is a magical first circus experience for babies aged 0-18 months and their adults. At a time in their development when young children are discovering their own physicality, and the pleasures and perils of gravity, Little Top invites babies to experience all the fun of the circus. Roll up for a gently thrilling performance which includes spectacular balances, astonishing tumbles and inventive juggling. Little Top will transport you to a playful, joyous, upside down, topsy-turvy world where people can fly, patterns fill the air and anything is possible. Please note that this event will be held at Forres Town Hall.
£7/£6 concs/£5 child
To buy tickets online (10% booking fee) click here
Find out more »Leah MacRae – My Big Fat Fabulous Diary (comedy) Sat 25th May 2019, 8pm
After sell out performances in Glasgow and Ayr, Leah MacRae comes to the Universal Hall. Join the star of BBC’s River City, Gary Tank Commander and the huge hit stage comedy 51 Shades Of Maggie as she delves into the hilarious pages of her Big, Fat, Fabulous Diary With stories including Cleaning Cupboard First Winch, The Hold In Pants Naked Truffle Shuffle some hysterical comedy songs and a belting ballad or two this show is one to put in your own diary! Age Recommendation 16+
‘Leah MacRae is an absolute star! Really funny and so clever. What a show! Just Brilliant!’ Jane McCarry (Still Game)
£20 one price plus booking fee (10%). To buy click here
Find out more »Phill Jupitus: Sassy Knack (Comedy) Sun 26th May, doors 7.30pm for 8pm start
Join stand-up comedian, poet, improviser, and TV stalwart Phill Jupitus for over an hour of tales, laughs and diversions. Watch in delight and/or horror as this experienced funny man drags laughs out of the chaos of his own life. Since last touring Scotland, Phill Jupitus has upped sticks and moved here. In this new show SASSY KNACK, Phill shares yarns and thoughts from his time North of Hadrian’s Wall. Adult themes and situations but delivered childishly. Phill became a familiar face when he started as team captain on BBC2’s pop quiz Never Mind The Buzzcocks. In addition he does live stand up shows all over the UK, and appears as a regular guest on QI (BBC2), and in 2012 returned to television stand-up for the first time since 2000 with an appearance on Live at the Apollo (BBC1). The show is suitable for ages 14+ (language)
“… a true comic talent” Manchester Evening News
£16 plus booking fee
To buy online tickets (10% booking fee) click here
Find out more »Fara (music) Wed 29th May, 7.30pm
Following their debut release Cross the Line in 2016, Orcadian folk Quartet FARA are touring the UK to coincide with the October 2018 release of their second album, Times from Times Fall. Comprised entirely of self-penned songs and instrumental tracks, FARA will celebrate the community which inspired them to become musicians – an album rooted in the spirit of the Orkney Isles and its people. The songs incorporate words by Orcadian poets: George McKay Brown, Edwin Muir and Christina Costie, whilst also pointing in new directions to celebrate the ever-expanding Orcadian folk tradition..
“Fantastic playing, clearly loving what they are doing … what more could you want in a show?” BBC Radio Scotland
£14/£12 concs/£10 U16’s
To buy tickets online (10% booking fee) click here
To see a video of Fara click here
Find out more »Còig (music) Wed 5th June, 7.30pm
With the release of the new album Rove, Nova Scotia’s powerhouse Còig has cemented its status as one of today’s most exciting new North American Celtic groups. With a combined total of over 30 group and solo awards and nominations, the four members of the band are already recognized as major stars of the Celtic world. Rove is the group’s third album, after 2014’s Five, and 2015 seasonal favourite Carols. Five, won the Canadian Folk Music Award for Traditional Album of the Year.
“…every number is convincing and compellingly delivered…” FolkWorld
£14/£12 concs/£10 U16s
To buy tickets online (10% booking fee) click here
To see a video of the band click here
Find out more »Budapest Cafe Orchestra (music) Fri 14th June, 8pm
Led by jazz violin superstar Christian Garrick The Budapest Café Orchestra play traditional folk and gypsy flavoured music from across the Balkans and Russia incorporating Klezmer, Romanian Doinas, Hungarian Czadas and beautiful ballads. With just four players, the BCO combines violin, guitar, accordion, double bass, saz & balalaika creating an aural alchemy normally characteristic of far bigger ensembles. Accordionist Eddie Hession is a supreme accordion champion of Great Britain and Christian Garrick is one of the world’s most celebrated jazz violinists. Playing together the orchestra deliver Balkan music with gorgeous skill and delicious humour.
“The music is magic in their hands” BBC Radio 3
£14/£12 concs/£10 U16s
To buy tickets online (10% booking fee) click here
To see a video of the band click here
Find out more »Mike Vass – Save His Calm (music) Wed 19th June, 7.30pm
One of Scotland’s foremost musicians brings his remarkable new song cycle to Findhorn for the first time.
Mike Vass, previously a nominee in the Scottish Album of the Year (SAY) award and winner in the Scots Trad music awards composer of the year category, creates music that draws influence from the neo-classical, indie-folk and electronic worlds. His songs run the gamut from darkly comic to heart-wrenching narrative and all with a terrific melodic sensibility. Much in demand as a producer and collaborator over the past several years, Mike has worked with the likes of Kathleen MacInnes, Fiona Hunter, Malinky, Runrig, Battlefield Band, Siobhan Miller and Findlay Napier – to name but a few.
“…an adept weaver of electronic and acoustic textures” The Guardian
£14/£12 concs/£10 U16s
To buy tickets online (10% booking fee) click here
To see a video of Mike click here
Find out more »Moishes Bagel (music) Sat 29th June, 8pm
Moishes Bagel’s music consists of driving klezmer grooves, rootsy Scottish folk and tango stylings, classical virtuosity and power, inspired Latin jazz flavours; all brilliantly complemented by a richly unique percussion sound that includes Indian tabla and Middle Eastern darabuka. Equally at home in concert halls, village halls and on festival stages – the Bagels have all the right ingredients to make an evening special. In the 15 years they have been together, the Bagels have developed an instant musical chemistry that captivates audiences with its highly original, deeply involving sound – rooted in folk traditions of the world.
This fearless 5-piece emphatically puts the ‘class’ into ‘unclassifiable’ The Scotsman
£14/£12 concs/£10 U16s
To buy tickets online (10% booking fee) click here
To see a video of the band click here
Find out more »Scottish Chamber Orchestra (classical music), Fri 19th July, 8pm
The Scottish Chamber Orchestra is back with its annual (and usually sold-out) concert. The Orchestra’s superb principal Cellist Philip Higham is soloist in Tchaikovsky’s Rococo Variations – a work that tips its hat to the eighteenth century, but is utterly Romantic at heart. The opening of Mozart’s ‘Paris’ Symphony is one of the grandest, most thrilling sounds, with Mozart making use of clarinets for the first time in a symphony. Conductor Philipp von Steinaecker continues the genial high spirits and passion in Haydn’s final Symphony, written when the composer was staying in London.
Programme:
MOZART Symphony No 31 ‘Paris’
TCHAIKOVSKY Variations on a Rococo Theme
HAYDN Symphony No 104 ‘London’
£17 full, £15 concs, £6 Disabled/U26s/Unemployed
To buy tickets online click here
Find out more »Aly Bain and Phil Cunningham (music) Sat 3rd Aug, 8pm
Aly and Phil have become a national institution with their incomparable mastery of fiddle and accordion. They bring their traditional music excellence to this very welcome return to the Universal Hall. Individually they pursue other ventures in performance, television and education but it is when they get together that they truly shine with their finely honed musical skills and hilarious banter. Book early!
£18/£16 concs/£14 U16s
To book online tickets (10% booking fee) click here
To see a video of Aly and Phil click here
Find out more »Dougie MacLean (music) Thu 8th Aug, 7,30pm
Dougie MacLean is Scotland’s pre-eminent singer-songwriter and a national musical treasure” (SingOut USA) who has developed a unique blend of lyrical, ‘roots based’ songwriting and instrumental composition. He is internationally renowned for his song ‘Caledonia’, music for ‘Last of the Mohicans’ and countless inspired performances. His songs have been covered by Paolo Nutini, Amy MacDonald, Ronan Keating, Mary Black, Frankie Miller, Cara Dillon, Kathy Mattea and many other top performers. He has received two prestigious Tartan Clef Awards, a place in the Scottish Music Hall of Fame, a Lifetime Achievement Award from BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards and an OBE! Book early!
£18/£16 concs/£14 U16’s
To book tickets online (10% booking fee) click here
To see a video of Dougie click here
Find out more »Flook (music) Wed 11th Sept, 7.30pm
Taking inspiration from their roots in the Irish and English traditions, Flook have an enviable trademark sound, weaving and spinning traditionally rooted tunes over precise acoustic grooves, with a rare blend of fiery technical brilliance, delicate ensemble interaction and a bold, adventurous musical imagination. Twenty-four years after their first gig together, Flook continue to inspire and enchant audiences of all ages. With their new album ‘Ancora’ out in 2019, it’s plain to see that Flook, with their roots firmly anchored in the tradition, are holding fast to their reputation as major musical innovators.
“Four brilliant musicians. Four times as much brilliant music” Time Out
£15/£13 concs/£11 U16’s
To buy tickets online (10% booking fee) click here
To see a video of the band click here
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