How Jami . Byng IS givmg Canongate life after Pi
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Monsters Inc: events supremo Pete Irvine and
friends get ready for Highland 2007
ijxtlé
The monster is loose
Curtain rises on Highland 2007 with Monster Street Party. Words: Allan Radcliffe
s the sun sets on another spectacular series of
Hogmanay parties the length and breadth of the
land. the January blues won‘t bring determined party animals quite as low as usual. Highland 2()()7. Scotland’s yearlong celebration of Highland culture past. present and future. commences in style on l'l‘l l2 .lan with a free event in lnyerness marking an t-Seann Bhliadlin L'r. the Old New Year.
The Highland 2007 launch kicks off at 7pm with a display of fireworks by l’yrol. winners of the [K firework company of the year. continuing with a dramatic presentation against the backdrop of lnyerness (‘astle by the award-winning lnyerness (iaelic (‘hoiiz The eyent will also resound to the music of the Massed Pipes and Drums of the Highlands in a stunning arrangement overlooking the River .\'ess.
This opening bonan/a is followed tip by the l.ifescan Monster Street Party. which features 'l‘ranse lixpresse from Marseilles performing an aerial ballet performance. The Music of Angels. as well as companies from Holland. France. Spain and lingland. l‘i'i l2 Jan has been
KING FOR A DAY
chosen for this ey'eiit as it marks the end of the old year prior to the change to the (iregorian calendar in the eighteenth century. The date has a particular resonance across the Highlands and Islands to this day.
Major eyents confirmed for the year ahead include the 'l'ulloch lnyerness Highland (iames. which comprises the World Highland (iames Championships. the RBS International 'l‘altoo. littropean Pipe Band Championships. The Highland Quest and the Si\ ('itics l’estiyal of Design. Sports fans can get stuck into such eyents as the :\Ll\Cllllll'L‘ Racing World ('Iiampionship and the l'(‘l Mountain Bike and Trials \Vorld ('hampionships. 'l‘raditional music eyents will take place across the area including the Royal National Mod and Bias l’cstiyal. This yeahs BAI’I‘A Scotland awards will also be heading for the Highlands in .\'o\ember at the end of the lnyerness liilm l‘estiyal.
('learly there is thriy ing cultural life beyond the central belt.
www.highland2007.com
I Glasgow-based music organisation and ensemble-in-residence at the University of Glasgow, the Paragon Ensemble, are to celebrate the birthday of American icon Martin Luther King with a special concert at the G12 Gilmorehill Centre. The event, which takes place on Mon 15 Jan at 8pm, features renditions of 0 King and Folk Songs by Luciano Berio as well as the premiere of a brand new work, celebrating the life of the famed civil rights activist, by composer Edward McGuire. Pupils from Drumchapel High School will also be performing alongside renowned Mezzo Soprano Monica Brett- Crowther under the baton of Garry Walker. Since their inception in 1980, the ensemble have wowed audiences with a number of platform appearances, community/education projects and performance opportunities for emerging composers. For more information see www.paragon-ensemble.com. (AR)
Festivals Edinburgh director announced
Faith Liddell. one of the best respected figures in the Scottish arts world. has been announced as the inaugural director of Festivals Edinburgh. The organisation was created by the directors of Edinburgh's festivals with the aim of (to-operating around areas of mutual interest while helping maintaining the Scottish capital's position as the world's preeminent festivals destination.
The part—time position. which is funded by the festivals themselves. is seen as crucial in deveIOping strategy for the collective well-being of future festivals. Liddell is ideally placed to take on the role. having worked in a wide range of positions across the cultural sector. She is a former director of Dundee Contemporary Arts. has worked with the Fringe and Edinburgh's Hoginanay and headed tip the Edinburgh International Book Festival for three years. She is currently Executive Producer of z’iward-wiiining theatre company Suspect Culture.
Liddell said of her appointment. ‘I absolutely relish the opportunity to take on this essential role and to be working with the rich and unrivalled range of E(.tint')t.irgh's Festivals. and their partners and funders. I know I can rely not only on the strength and ambition of each individual festival but on a genuinely exciting collabc’xative approach to future development.‘ (AR)
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