SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 15 - SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 23
-
CARRBRIDGE TUNES UP FOR ANNUAL MUSIC AND ARTS FESTIVAL 2007
-
A large industrial truck which transforms into a mini theatre, a celebration of Japanese Taiko drumming and a spectacular street carnival are among the main highlights for this year's Carrbridge Live Festival.
The annual event provides an outstanding showcase of traditional and contemporary culture with an eclectic combination of live music, theatre and arts along with outdoor activities.
The main programme is set to get off to a memorable start as Benchtours Theatre Company arrive in the village with their theatre StageTruck to transport the audience into the film-noir world of The Psychic Detective - 45 minutes of drama, glamour, excitement, media illusions and theatrical tricks.
With only limited seating available, there will be two performances of the darkly comic thriller with tickets already in hot demand.
Tickets are also being snapped up for The Way of the Drum with the audience invited to experience the thundering and powerful world of traditional Japanese Taiko drumming in a concert which promises to be both visually and aurally spellbinding.
The programme continues on through the week with the ever popular Mike Maran returning to Carrbridge with his much heralded production of Picasso & Me and story which unfolds to an original soundtrack composed by Karen Wimhurst and all the passion and charm that the master actor come storyteller packs into his performances.
The festival is organised by Carrbridge Commmunity Arts whose co-ordinator, Linda Jolly explained that the main aim this year had been to build on past success and continue to try and create an event which is unique to Carrbridge.
"When we first started out, this was one of the first festival's of its kind in Badenoch and Strathspey and, despite the lack of proper funding resources, we have always tried to create something a bit different and add innovative new elements to the programme," she said.
Both traditional and contemporary music has always been very much at the heart of the Carrbridge Live Festival and this year there is everything from lunchtime jazz with the North Coast Jazz band to a special concert with Union Hill led by one of Scotland's finest and most celebrated fiddle players, Duncan Chisholm teaming up with two of the Blazin' Fiddle's top musicians Marc Clements and Iain MacFarlane.
As well as the main programme, there are a number of fringe events from the premiere of Hag of the Bridge - an exciting mystery thriller produced by a talented team of local young film makers and starring a local cast - to samba drum and brass workshops, Zenwing's puppet show and workshop and a young bands open stage including a special visit by the Portsoy Skip 2 the Beat skippers with their stunning synchronised skipping display.
There is also the rare chance to see a wonderful exhibition of antique accordions, some dating back to 1850, from a collection of more than 200 owned by accordion collector, Caroline Hunt, an open pairs competition at Carrbridge Golf Club, a ranger guided walk and T-in-the-Hall hosted by members of Duthil Church.
The list of other events over the nine days include art workshops and storytelling along with the annual Carrbridge Live carnival led by the Carrbridge based samba drum and brass band, Carrumba and the 12-piece Edinburgh based band, Orkestra del Sol taking the stage for a blazing finale with the outdoor performance specialists, te-Pooka.
-
PREMIERE OF HAG OF THE BRIDGE
-
A pair of budding young Carrbridge film makers are preparing for the launch of their first full length movie epic on the big screen.
The film, Hag of the Bridge, is set to be premiered on Sunday September 16 as part of this year's annual Carrbridge Live Festival with both an afternoon matinee and an evening showing.
Inviting everyone along, teenage film makers 15-year-old Fergus Thom and Joanne Wood (13) commented that after spent 18 months filming and editing they are delighted that the hour long movie is at last ready for its first public screening.
"It has been a lot of hard work but it has been good fun and we hope the audience enjoys the results," they said.
Describing the film as a mystery thriller, Fergus explained that the main storyline revolves around the hag hunter and an investigation into a series of strange happenings in the village.
With the movie produced from a garden shed which has been converted into a makeshift editing studio, the young filmmakers recruited local youngsters to help write the script with school mates and a handful of other village residents persuaded to take part in the filming and make up the cast.
Fergus, who hopes of one day following a filmmaking career, has made a number of short films before and although mostly self-taught was inspired to take on the challange of making a longer film after being given a new video camera.
Teaming up with school pal, Joanne, the duo have also set up their own website and produced their own posters to promote the forthcoming premiere at Carrbridge Village Hall with a matinee at 3.30pm and an evening showing at 6.30pm.
Tickets can be purchased from the Old Bakery Coffee Shop or by contacting the Carrbridge Live Festival Ticket Line on Tel: (01479) 841211.
Al the proceeds from ticket sales are to go to the Carrbridge village hall redevelopment fund.
www.carrbridge-films.co.uk
-
CARRBRIDGE
-
Carrbridge is a small but lively traditional Scottish Highland village at the northern gateway to the new Cairngorms National Park.
Renowned for traditional and contemporary music, Carrbridge offers a Highland welcome to visitors from far and wide.
The village has a wide choice of accommodation to suit all budgets whilst there is a wealth of tourist attractions and outdoor activities right on the doorstep. For accommodation bookings, click onto the Carrbridge website at www.carrbridge.com
-
OUT & ABOUT
-
Carrbridge Pony Trekking Centre
Riding for all the family. Pony Trekking available for 2 hour or 1 hour treks through beautiful scenery. Half hour mini treks for adults and children are also available. Advance booking is requested. Tel: 01479 841602.
Slochd Mountain Bike Hire, Carrbridge
Get out and about and explore the network of cycle trails around Carrbridge. Advance booking requested. Tel: 01479 841666
Quad Bike Treks
Superb quad bike treks on off road tracks and trails in the heart of the Cairngorms National Park. Stunning mountain and moorland scenery. All
Treks led by professional guides. Booking essential.
Alvie & Dalraddy Estate, just south of Aviemore Telephone 01479 810 330.
Rothiemurchus Estate, Aviemore Telephone 01479 812 345.
Carrbridge Golf Club
A challenging nine hole golf course surrounded by some of the best scenic views in the country. Tel: 08444 14 14 15
Landmark Forestry Heritage Park
One of the top tourist attractions in Scotland. Wild watercoaster, steam powered saw mill, adventure play area and tree top trail set in over 30 acres of ancient pine forest