Time to goHI

STEVE ROBERTSON casts his eye over the latest goHI showcase

FOLLOWING THE SUCCESS of goHI in 2004 as a music showcase, the event has been expanded to three days with some new themes, such as Fashion & Film and offering a chance for the public to get involved.

GoHI runs form 8-10 September. The first workshop starts at 10am in Eden Court Cinema at the Floral Hall (in Screen Machine 1), and is aimed at those looking to start or build a career as a filmmaker in the Highlands & Islands. For more info on this log on to www.channel4.com/ideasfactoryscotland  or call 0781 000 1336.
 
There will also be a showing that day of ‘Overnight’ (6.30 pm, £4.80/£4). The film is about the story of bartender-turned-screenwriter Troy Duffy, who signed a $15m deal with Miramax to direct his script ‘The Boondock Saints’ and his band, The Brood, to provide the soundtrack, with an unhappy ending!

Friday September 9th the Royal Highland Hotel will host ‘Fashioning An Idea’. goHI is working with two young fashion designers, one from Orkney and one from Spain, to present a sample of the work of new talent and existing designers in the region. An evening network session will be held at 7.45 pm with main subject being Is there enough to sustain and grow the industry in the Highland area?

Eden Court Cinema also hosts ‘Dig!’ (8.30pm, £4.80/£4). Described as the best rock documentary in years, ‘Dig!’ is the tale of two American indie bands, and two lead singers whose friendship curdles into loathing, when success comes to call on only one. (‘Dig!’ will also be shown on 10-15 September).

Go Learn! offers a chance to meet professionals from the music industry for a one on one session

In the evening local music talent such as The Rites, Shutter, Findo Gask and Echo 20 will be joined by Bitumen River from Shetland, Olympic Lifts from Belfast, Our Small Capital from Lewis (Willie Campbell from Astrid’s new band), and many more. The music showcases will be held in Hootanannys, Mad Hatters and The Market Bar, and are all free entry with the first act starting at 9pm.
 
The final day of goHI is jam packed with workshops and showcases. The Musicians Union Workshop will host “In The Band” at Mad Hatters (12.30- 3pm). Band members will be demonstrating practical aspects of performance skills, arrangement and rehearsal techniques. You must be 14 or over to attend, and places are limited. For enquiries email john@hi-arts.co.uk  or call HI~Arts on 01463 717091.

‘Dynamic Women – Women in Creative Industries’ at the Royal Highland Hotel (12.30-2.30pm) is a 2 hour case study workshop. This examines the journey of the five female panelists who work in the creative industries and features the following panelists: Jo Hilditch from City College in Manchester; Helen Searle from Searle Solicitors; Elena Corchero, a freelance designer; Margaret Chrystal from the Highland News; Dawnne McGeachy, the current manager of Ideasmart; and Lucy Conway from CHANNEL 4 IDEASfactory. For further information contact Iain Hamilton: i.hamilton@hient.co.uk
 
The Royal Highland Hotel hosts a second workshop at 2.30 pm with Go Learn!: A music industry surgery. This offers a chance to meet professionals from the music industry for a one on one session to discuss aspects of the music industry, issues, get advice, and learn more! It is aimed at any of the following: band members, musicians, DJ’s, composers, managers, promoters, engineers, producers and other industry practitioners.

The surgery also offers the chance to network and to submit demo’s to RF Records who are compiling a CD for late autumn. The people on offer to meet are: Phil Ellis, Music Industry Consultant; Rik Smernicki, Label Manager, Hatch/Polydor Records; Chris Williams, A&R manager, RF Records; artist Shaun Arnold of HAIL/goEVENTS; Helen Searle, Searle Solicitors; Neil Cartwright, Managing Director, Millions; Christian Ulf-Hansen, Plan C Music; Jo Hilditch, Ye Ha PR, music industry consultant. Also attending Friday only: Duncan McCrone, MCPS, and Dave Arcari, MU.

Later in the evening free live music showcases will be available in Mad Hatters, Hootanannys & the Market Bar including sets from Highland talent such as Stereoglo, Davy Cowan, Spindrift, The Side and Calamateur, along with sets from Magdalen Green. (Dundee), Unkle Bob (Glasgow), Snatch (Wales) & The Very (Edinburgh). For more information including showcase times please visit http://www.goevents.info/

© Steve Robertson, 2005