CELTIC CONNECTIONS WHATS HAPPENING

0 Comments | Sunday Herald, The, Jan 20, 2008

GLASGOW, UNTIL FEBRUARY 3 Altan & The Brendan Voyage featuring Liam O'Flynn with The Orchestra of Scottish Opera Today 7.30pm, Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, 2 Sauchiehall Street (0141. 353 .8000). GBP20, GBP18.

Shaun Davey's The Brendan Voyage features original soloist, Liam O'Flynn, on uilleann pipes.

Altan will tap in to their 20-year back catalogue.

Celtic Connections Festival Club hosted by Gibb Todd Sun-Sat 10.30pm, Quality Central Hotel, 99 Gordon Street (0141.353.8000). GBP5. Join artists as they make special unbilled appearances.

Danny Kyle's Open Stage hosted by Gibb Todd Sun-Sat 5pm, Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, 2 Sauchiehall Street (0141 .353 .8000). Free. New musical talent try to win a coveted support slot at next year's festival.

Harp Heaven Today 8pm, Glasgow Royal Concert Hall Strathclyde Suite, 2 Sauchiehall Street (0141.353.8000). GBP12.50. A specially- created performance by 12 top Celtic harpists.

Julie Fowlis, Chris Wood Today 7.30pm, ABC, 330 Sauchiehall Street (0141. 353 .8000). GBP15. Two outstanding exponents of their traditions.

The Pearlfishers, Finniston Today 7.30pm, Classic Grand, 18 Jamaica Street (0141.353.8000). GBP12.50.

The Pearlfishers have been part of Scotland's alternative cultural landscape for two decades.

Solas, Antje Duvekot Today 8pm, Old Fruitmarket, Albion Street (0141 .353 .8000). GBP16.

Solas combine a love of Irish tradition with a jazzinspired improvisational flair.

Songs of Scotland: Political Songs Today 8pm, Universal, 57 Sauchiehall Lane (0141 .353 .8000).

GBP8.50. Hosted by Doris Rougvie.

Tayside Tae Tennessee Today 8pm, St Andrews in the Square, 1 St Andrews Square (0141. 353.

8000). GBP12.50. Singer-songwriter and fiddler Laura McGhee is joined by US roots and blues stars including Jim Lauderdale and Josh White Jr.

Two Tall Girls: Sophie Bancroft & Christine Hanson Today 6pm, City Hall Recital Room, Albion Street (0141 .353 .8000). GBP10. The statuesque pair are jazz/folk singer-songwriter Sophie Bancroft and Canadian-born cellist Christine Hanson.

Accordion Hell Mon 8pm, Glasgow Royal Concert Hall Strathclyde Suite, 2 Sauchiehall Street (0141.353.8000). GBP12.50. A diabolically talented line-up of accordion virtuosos.

Baaba Maal with the Jenna Cumming Trio Mon 7.30pm, Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, 2 Sauchiehall Street (0141 .353 .8000). GBP22, GBP20. Senegalese singer-guitarist Baaba Maal accompanied by his regular 15- piece band Daande Lenol.

Songs of Scotland: A Celebration of Norman Buchan's The Wee Red Book Mon 8pm, Universal, 57 Sauchiehall Lane (0141. 353 .8000). GBP8.50.

Hosted by Doris Rougvie.

Teddy Thompson with Support Mon 7.30pm, ABC, 330 Sauchiehall Street (0141 .353. 8000).

GBP15. Teddy Thompson's evocative, insightful songwriting has won widespread praise.

Tom Paxton, Karan Casey Mon 8pm, City Hall, Candleriggs (0141.353.8000). GBP16. US singersongwriter Tom Paxton ranks among the wisest and wittiest voices of his generation.

A' Adam's Bairns Tue 8pm, Glasgow Royal Concert Hall Strathclyde Suite, 2 Sauchiehall Street (0141. 353 .8000). GBP12.50. Masterminded by musical arranger and producer Dr Fred Freeman, A' Adam's Bairns draws on his collaborative project with National Library of Scotland, commemorating 200 years since the abolition of the slave trade.

BBC TV Live at the Festival Tue 9pm, Old Fruitmarket, Albion Street (0141. 353 .8000). Free but ticketed.

Boston Tea Party Tue-Thu 8pm, The Tall Ship, Glasgow Harbour (0141.353.8000). GBP12.50.

Features Alastair Moock, Kris Delmhorst, Tim Gearan and Rose Polenzani.

Russell's House Tue 8pm, St Andrews in the Square, 1 St Andrews Square (0141. 353. 8000).

GBP12.50. Russell's House reconvenes its much-loved late-1990s line-up.

Songs of Scotland: Songs of the Sea Tue 8pm, Universal, 57 Sauchiehall Lane (0141 .353. 8000).

GBP8.50. Hosted by Doris Rougvie.

Steve Forbert & the Soundbenders, Jim Lauderdale Tue 7.30pm, ABC, 330 Sauchiehall Street (0141 .353. 8000). GBP15. Veteran stalwarts of leftfield US roots music.

The Unusual Suspects featuring Corrina Hewat & David Milligan, Alyth McCormack Tue 7.30pm, Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, 2 Sauchiehall Street (0141. 353. 8000). GBP18 (GBP16). Scotland's unofficial "national folk orchestra".

Angus Lyon & Ruaridh Campbell, Haugaard & Hirup Wed 8pm, Tron Theatre, 63 Trongate (0141. 353 .8000). GBP12.50. Accordionist Angus Lyon and fiddler Ruaridh Campbell, along with Danish fiddle/guitar duo Harald Haugaard and Morten Alfred Hirup.

BBC Radio 2 with Mike Harding featuring Martin Simpson Wed 7pm, Glasgow Royal Concert Hall Strathclyde Suite, 2 Sauchiehall Street (0141. 353 .8000). GBP12.50. Guitarist and singer Martin Simpson has won almost universal admiration over the course of his 30-year career.

Balkan Night featuring Balkanopolis & Kries Wed 7.30pm, ABC, 330 Sauchiehall Street (0141.

353. 8000). GBP15. A three-band bill of cutting-edge music from the fringes of Europe.

Bert Jansch, Espers with Eliza Carthy Wed 7.30pm, Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, 2 Sauchiehall Street (0141. 353 .8000). GBP18, GBP16. An icon of the 60s and 70s, Scottish-born singer, songwriter and guitarist Bert Jansch has been enjoying a remarkable creative renaissance. Espers weave pretty yet eerie, neo-psychedelic soundscapes.