Join us for three days of no limits music experience.

The 11th Le Weekend festival is jam packed with all kinds of musical nuance. Some you will not have heard some you may have and certainly some that have not been around for a long time.

The voice is the most intimate instrument of expression and at this year’s festival we have at least two of the most beautiful around in Victoria Bergsman from Taken by Trees and the iconic haunting sound of Annette Peacock who has not performed in the UK for over 20 years.

Le Weekend ventures outside of the heavy Tolbooth walls this year into the even more imposing space of the Church of the Holy Rude. David Fennessy’s new piece for organ and percussion will explore this beast of a machine filling the church’s gothic halls.

This year the hub of the festival will be the caf? bar, where the National Jazz Trio of Scotland will keep the intimacy direct with their delicate melodic twisted grooves. Bill Wells, from the trio, will also launch his very own Real Book, DJs will play some discreet tunes and Monorail will have well chosen product for sale.

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From 7 May to 1 June 2008, the MacRobert filmhouse, with the support of the School of Languages, Cultures and Religions at the University of Stirling, will be screening a series of films on the theme of 'Revolutions', to coincide with the University's 40th anniversary celebrations.

The series offers an opportunity to see a selection of films by revolutionary film-makers of the past four decades, with a variety of films encompassing many genres, nationalities and styles by directors including Fellini, Roeg, Visconti, Kiarostami, Loach and many more. All screenings are open to the general public.

Some of the screenings will be preceded by a brief introductory talk. Professor Bill Marshall (SLCR, University of Stirling) will introduce Get Carter on 10 May, Dr Sarah Neely (Film, Media and Journalism, University of Stirling) will introduce Stella Does Tricks on 23 May, Dr Pedram Khosronoejad (University of St Andrews, Anthropology Dept) will introduce Five on 30 May and Lizelle Bisschoff (Director of the Africa in Motion film festival) will give a brief introduction to Night of Truth on 31 May.

For further information, please see the MacRobert programme or website, or contact Dr Cristina Johnston (cristina.johnston@stir.ac.uk).

Week 1
Wed 7 May, 7.45pm
Amarcord (Fellini, 1973)
Fri 9 May, 8.15pm
The Killing of Sister George (Aldrich, 1968)
Sat 10 May, 5.15pm
Get Carter (Hodges, 1971)
Sun 11 May 5.15pm
Death in Venice (Visconti, 1971)

Week 2
Wed 14 May, 7.30pm
Cabaret (Fosse, 1972)
Fri 16 May, 8.15pm
Performance (Roeg, 1970)
Sat 17 May, 5.15pm
Sans Soleil (Marker, 1982)
Sun 18 May, 8.15pm
Distant Voices, Still Lives (Davies, 1988)

Week 3
Wed 21 May, 7.30pm
To Sleep With Anger (Burnett, 1990)
Fri 23 May, 5.15pm
Stella Does Tricks (Giedroyc, 1996)
Sat 24 May, 1.30pm
Kirikou et la sorcière (Ocelot, 1998)
Sun 25 May, 5.15pm
Fate (Demirkubuz, 2001)

Week 4
Wed 28 May, 7.30pm
Badasssss! (van Peebles, 2004)
Fri 30 May, 8.15pm
Five (Kiarostami, 2004)
Sat 31 May, 8.15pm
Night of Truth/Nuit de la vérité (Nacro, 2005)
Sun 1 June, 5.15pm
Kes (Loach, 1969)

STIRLING Council's Countryside Service is inviting people who want hands-on conservation experience to come along to Doune Ponds on Sunday 20 and Tuesday 22 April, 2008. Volunteers are being urged to take part in this month’s Countryside Action Days, to remove some more fences on the site and spring-cleaning bird hides. The fences are no longer needed to protect the trees from rabbits and removing them opens up the site making it look more natural.

For both days please meet in the car park at Doune Ponds at 10am or 1pm or come and find the Countryside Rangers on the site anytime until 3pm. There will be a variety of work to suit most ages and abilities. Please wear suitable clothing and footwear for outdoor practical work. Tools and light refreshments will be provided but bring a packed lunch if attending all day. Under 16’s must be accompanied by an adult.

This is just one of a series of conservation tasks planned over the coming year throughout Stirling Council area. The next Community Action Day will be on Sunday April 27 in Strathblane. Further information will follow or visit our Countryside web pages for an update.

Please contact Stirling Council Countryside Ranger Claire Bird on 01786 443159 for further information or to volunteer.

This year throughout March and around Stirling the Blend will host Festival some wonderful roots music concerts. After the success of last year’s Rural Blend, some of our very best young traditional players are once again featured in Killin, Brig O’Turk and Balfron. The main 4-day event covers the spectrum of traditional music, with the fiery finesse of Daimh, Lau and Jenna Reid. The new generation of singers is represented by Lisa Knapp and Siobhan Miller and a wealth of experience and passion from the acclaimed fado singer Dona Rosa and our very own Rona Lightfoot and Margaret Bennett.

There is a strong youth element this year too, with children from Raploch schools coming in on Blend Friday as part of the musician in residency programme, and on Saturday afternoon some of these young learners get the opportunity to play in the auditorium. Also the Blend marks the launch of the debut album by Sgiobalta, a group of young local musicians well known to the Tolbooth. There will also be a great range of classes and sessions.

The Tolbooth thanks Get Reel, the Brig O’Turk Village Hall Committee, Rev and Mrs Lincoln, along with communities of Killin, Balfron and Brig O’Turk whose enthusiasm and commitment have helped contribute to the Rural Blend.

See Full Listing in the Stirling What's On Guide

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March 7th sees the much-anticipated cinematic release of what is set to be this year's most heart-warming documentary. Filmed over three years, We Are Together tells the remarkable and moving story of a group of AIDS orphans from South Africa who use the power of song to overcome hardship and loss. With unforgettable characters, soaring music and a plot full of surprises, We Are Together has been wowing audiences at film festivals around the world, winning an impressive 13 international awards last year, including Audience Awards at both Tribeca and Edinburgh!

We Are Together is the debut film from Rise Films co-founders Teddy Leifer and Paul Taylor. Through the Rise Foundation, a registered charity, the two have pledged to donate all proceeds from the film and accompanying soundtrack to support the Agape orphanage featured in the film and other AIDS related charities in South Africa.

We Are Together will be screening at the Macrobert University of Stirling between 4-7 April.

www.wearetogether.org

Volunteers needed to climb 219 mountains for people affected by cancer. Adventurers are being challenged to climb more than 200 mountains to raise cash for people affected by cancer. Macmillan Cancer Support in Scotland want people to sign up to take part in its Conquer a Corbett challenge, which raised over £40,000 for the charity in 2007.

Last year fundraisers climbed 129 of the Corbetts for Macmillan, but this year the charity want to have someone climb every single one of the country's 219 Corbetts - the name of all Scotland's hills and mountains between 2500ft and 2999ft high.

Conquer a Corbett runs throughout May. Anyone with a moderate level of fitness can take part, as along with some very challenging mountains suitable for seasoned mountain-climbers, there are easier hills that are suitable for those who have never climbed before.

All those who take part can choose which Corbett to climb, and choose when to do it ? as long as it's in May. Participants can climb more than one Corbett, and challenges can be completed in teams. In fact Macmillan recommends that inexperienced climbers don't take on the challenge alone.

To find out more about Conquer the Corbetts, or to register, visit www.macmillan-corbetts.org.uk,
email: conqueracorbett@macmillan.org.uk, or call 01382 226 150.

Reloaded, the Tolbooth's platform for emerging bands, has brought together some of the top music industry professionals working in Scotland today to answer your questions! The Info Sessions at the Tolbooth, on Saturday 23 February, will give emerging bands and musicians the chance to learn from some of the best about releasing a record and gigging and touring.

There will also be a DJing workshop and the fantastic opportunity for emerging local bands to play live in front of a top A&R panel of record scouts and musicians. The day starts at 2pm with Releasing A Record featuring Emma Pollock (Delgados/Chemikal Underground), John Williamson (Belle & Sebastian Manager), Alex Papasimakopoulou (Everymatic PR) and Gavin Robertson (Broad St. Digital).

The second session on Gigging and Touring starts at 3pm and features Dee Bahl (Biffy Clyro Manager), Gareth Russell (Idlewild Bassist), Ally Gray (Dicelines Promotions/EmuBands) and Robert Hicks (Beyond Promotions).

Local bands playing in front of the crack A&R panel at 4pm will have to impress Ali Davidson (Warner Bros Records), David O'Hagan (Mercury), Norman Blake (Teenage Fanclub) and Francis McDonald (Shoeshine Records/BMX Bandits). However, those who miss out can bring their demos and chat to the panel after the session.

Event organiser, and Tolbooth music development officer, Stephen Hume said, "It is fantastic that we have been able to bring some of the very best people in the Scottish professional music scene to the Tolbooth. Stirling has a lot of emerging musical talent and I can't think of a better lineup to give them an insight into what it really takes to make it. We are really looking forward to bands coming from not just Stirling but from throughout Scotland to what really is an essential day for all aspiring bands."

The day ends with the monthly Reloaded band night, featuring the critically acclaimed The Twilight Sad, at 7.30pm.
Tickets: Reloaded Info Sessions, £3
The Twilight Sad, £6
Special offer: ticket for both, £8

The Stirling Smith Art Gallery and Museum are delighted to host the first Stirling exhibition of artist Robert Euman. A graduate of Edinburgh College of Art, Euman works from his Edinburgh studio, regularly exhibiting throughout Britain in one-man shows and group exhibitions.

Influences in Euman's work range from European Symbolism to the minimalists of North America.

Euman chose the title Bridge to express his working methods. He creates a diverse mix of figurative and abstract subjects in his paintings. 'I see the work as each individual piece lying at a certain point on a bridge.'

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Vue Entertainment, the UK’s leading developer and operator of state-of-the-art multiplex cinemas has invested £2.5m in the Forthside development of Stirling. The cinema will open on Friday 18th January 2008 and will be the first multiplex cinema to be opened in Stirling.

Guests can expect to be amazed when Vue opens to a stunning eight screen all luxury stadium seated cinema with wall to ceiling to floor huge screens, enhanced by the most progressive projection and Dolby Digital Surround Sound technology. All auditoriums will give guests a chance to upgrade their seats to 'Superior Seating'. These are leather seats offering an even higher level of luxury comfort, extra leg room and are placed in prime positions to view the big screens, making them the best seats in the house.

Following highly successful trials and introducing for the very first time in Scotland is Vue Evolution, a new concept screen complete with two and four seater sofa pods, luxury leather superior seats and enormous bean bags. This will create a unique environment for Vue customers to relax and enjoy their chosen movie in a level of comfort not seen before.

The Larger than Live screenings of music, sport and comedy are amongst other successful trials to Vue via satellite link up, offering guests greater choice of product on the big screen. These screenings have included Formula One, Ross Noble, Kylie: White Diamond and the most recently sold out performance of Take That.

Vue Entertainment’s CEO Tim Richards said: "This is a very exciting time for Vue as we are proud to open our latest state-of-the-art cinema in Stirling. We are dedicated to making a visit to the cinema into a total leisure experience and through our continuing research and development we remain committed to evolving new concepts in cinema design and comfort. We now look forward to welcoming and serving the local community of Stirling for many years to come."

Reserved seating option will be available, allowing customers to choose their seats when booking their tickets. The experience is further enhanced as guests can choose from a wide selection of refreshments in the fully licensed bar, Ben and Jerry’s counter and café. All tickets can be purchased and collected at any till giving customers a chance to save time queuing by purchasing their refreshments and cinema ticket in a single transaction.

In addition, disabled access is available throughout the cinema with upper level balconies in selected auditoria, each accommodating space for wheelchair users and providing a great view of the big screen at the same time. Innovations still to come include mobile ticketing where guests can have their tickets sent to their mobile phone and print at home ticketing.

For the latest news on the development and to register to receive news, offers and film times please visit www.myvue.com.

Stirling's Hogmanay celebrations are set to be enjoyed by a capacity crowd as the final tickets sold out today Monday 17th.

The 7000 lucky ticket holders are set to enjoy arguably the best Hogmanay party in Scotland. Headline act The Proclaimers have been on a sell out Scottish tour warming up for this sell out end of year party at Stirling Castle. The guys are really looking forward to it, Charlie Reid said, “You can’t think of a more dramatic setting for a gig in Scotland.” Craig added, “We will have played many, many, many times on tour so by the time we play Stirling we should hitting all the right notes, it’s going to be great.”

The roads leading to the Castle will be closed from 8.30 p.m. and only those with tickets will be allowed access. Gates open at 10 p.m. with the first band on at 10.15. There will be hot food and drinks on sale, and if you want to bring some festive cheer, please make sure it is in a plastic bottle as glass will not be allowed. If you are drinking alcohol, please drink responsibly. Finally, dress for the weather, wrap up well and enjoy seeing in 2008 in the most dramatic location in Scotland.”

The distinctive setting and Victorian architecture of The National Wallace Monument is set to provide an impressive backdrop for celebrating the Christmas season this year, with a range of special seasonal events and activities planned for visitors at this famous Stirling landmark on Saturday 15th and Sunday 16th December.

A range of special attractions and activities have been planned for both days, with seasonal music on a Victorian barrel organ, balloon modelling and magic tricks, and events just for children (who can enjoy free admission to The Monument all weekend, when accompanied by an adult), including a ‘Monument Mastermind’ Quiz, with special prizes to be won.

All of the features and facilities at The Monument will be open for visitors and on both days rangers from Stirling Council’s Countryside Service will be leading guided walks of The Abbey Craig, the distinctively wooded outcrop on which The Monument stands.

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Scottish contemporary art and crafts come to the Smith for Christmas. The wide range of beautiful gifts for the season includes jewellery, ceramics, etchings and paintings.

Publishing Scotland. The Stirling Press of Eneas Mackay
An exhibition at the Stirling Smith Art Gallery and Museum
1 December - 27 April 2008 to celebrate 500 years of printing in Scotland

From 1882 to 1955, the Stirling publishing house of Eneas Mackay issued a steady stream of books. With over 300 titles in a 70 year period, it was not a huge output, but the books are distinctive and Mackay appreciated the ability of a well-illustrated dust jacket to sell the books.

The exhibition looks at the Mackay Press’s cultural and artistic contribution to the history of printing in Scotland. The private collection of Stuart J. Campbell, who is engaged in the production of a Mackay bibliography, will be featured, together with memorabilia from the Smith’s own collection and the Stirling Observer Press.

The exhibition will be opened at 11.00am on Saturday 1 December by Martyn Wade, National Librarian from the National Library of Scotland, and members of the Stirling Gaelic Choir will pay tribute to Mackay in song

The Tolbooth, Stirling’s venue for live music and the arts, has been nominated as Scotland’s Best Venue at this year’s Scottish Traditional Music Awards.
The annual awards recognise the very best in the Scottish traditional music scene and are highly regarded, so it is a real honour to receive a nomination as the Best Venue in Scotland.

A public vote will decide the winner, which will be announced at the prestigious awards ceremony in Fort William on Sat 1 Dec.

Alasdair Campbell, Artistic Director, said, “It is really fitting that the Tolbooth should receive this nomination as Best Venue during our 5th birthday celebrations. The Tolbooth aims to provide the best live music experience for the people of Stirling and to be recognised for the quality of our work is very special.”

The Tolbooth’s winter season continues this month with performances every week between now and the end of the year.