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Arts and Culture

Stephen Fry and Philip Pullman to judge major Scottish Book Prize

Friday, 17 February 2012 20:34

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Writer and broadcaster Stephen Fry and acclaimed novelist Philip Pullman have been named as two of the judging panel for this year’s Dundee International Book Prize.

They will be joining forces with the new star of the Scottish literary scene, Alan Bissett, and renowned literary agent Jenny Brown. The panel will judge submissions in this, the 8th year of the prize, which has grown in international importance.

Margins book and music festival – Alistair Gray and the last performance of Fleck

Saturday, 11 February 2012 14:48

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The end of February sees the second grass roots celebration of Scotland’s literary and musical talent.

This festival has no public funding and seeks to make arts accessible and affordable this year with what promises to be an event to hold in the memory.

Book review: A Model Constitution for Scotland by W. Elliot Bulmer

Thursday, 02 February 2012 00:14

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by Stuart McHardy

As the political scene heats up over the proposed referendum, it is noticeable that the political establishment in Westminster and the mainstream media are missing the point. What matters is the sovereign will of the Scottish people, no more, no less. And in the current debate there are some who are focussing on the future. This means thinking about what Scottish governance should be like in a post-independence state and what kind of constitution we should have.

Music-Folk Scene this week, listening to Planxty, Lloyd Cole and the Commotions and Cat Power

Monday, 30 January 2012 22:02

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Planxty – ‘Planxty’ (1973)
The Irish band Planxty – four of the finest Irish musicians ever – recorded ‘Planxty’, their début album in 1976 (sometimes referred to as “the Black Album” because of its dark cover).

This iconic group of Irishman profoundly captures the Emerald Isle – you can touch, smell, see and hear Ireland and the Irish in this album. Planxty’s musicianship is stunningly tight – they didn’t have computers to correct mistakes, they didn’t need them. The quintessential sound of traditional Irish music.

Creative Scotland – £500,000 kick start for viable Scottish film industry

Sunday, 29 January 2012 13:39

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January 2012 sees the launch of The Mackendrick Film Fund, an innovative international film fund based in Scotland – aimed at making films with a Scottish emphasis, bringing film investors together to fill a ‘gap’ in the market for Scottish films.

Glasgow-based producer producer Claire Mundell, who identified the gap in the film finance market in late 2010 for a Scottish branded film fund, brought investors together to form Mackendrick. The need for the fund has been intensified following the prominence of US feature films shooting in Scotland.

Twitter helping Islay children with accordion plea

Monday, 23 January 2012 18:09

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By a Newsnet reporter

The positive power of social networking is being shown close to home where it is helping to provide musical instruments for the children of Islay.

The children had received funding for accordion lessons in traditional Scottish music. The funding was to cover the cost of the lessons which were being organised by Feis Ile (Islay Feis).

Campaign to save music show hits Holyrood

Thursday, 19 January 2012 22:36