MacLeans
Art and Music
at Cardney Steading, Perthshire. Scotland.
Friday 3rd - Sunday 5th November
... Shades of Amber 2023
Following the success of our autumnal weekend of music and art last year, we are thrilled to be returning to Cardney Steading in rural Perthshire for another special three days in November 2023!
We loved the whole setting, the fabulous concerts and sessions, the food, the exhibition and the whole feeling of special musical friends getting together with a totally enthusiastic audience for a great weekend! One of the elements of Perthshire Amber that we personally missed in 2022, however, was the Open Mic .... so we are glad that our our 2023 Saturday afternoon will see a return of that special feature!
So once again there will be a series of concerts over the weekend in the Old Mill where Dougie will be joined by musical friends from over the years, as well as informal music sessions in the Rustic Cattle Shed and around the Firepit! ... once again, there's no script or tight schedule and we want to keep this as informal and spontaneous as possible ... and see where the music takes us!
Combining this with a smaller exhibition of Jenny's watercolours and weavings in various spaces, along with a cosy corner for The Big Knit (our fundraising initiative for the Cyrenians charity) should make for a truly great weekend!
The Venue - Cardney Steading, Perthshire
A move to the stunning Cardney Steading for our concerts and festival was planned after our last Perthshire Amber Festival in 2019. Little could we have imagined the two year's followed ... with the uncertainties of the covid pandemic, lockdown, flight cancellations and cancelled concerts and festivals.
During 2022 we had three concert events at Cardney Steading in March, June and September and each was special and memorable. Then the success of the first Shades of Amber in November 2022 convinced us that Cardney Steading is the right place for our annual musical get together!
The attention to detail in the loving restoration of their buildings and the concern of the Cardney team (Lewis, Katriona and Beth) with the comfort and enjoyment of their visitors make this the perfect place for of our Autumn Experience .... Shades of Amber 2023!
Concerts, Open Mic & Music Sessions
Shades of Amber 2023 will be in part a series of concerts and in part a get together and chat with friends and food and some great music sessions! We have always felt spontaneous music sessions to be the lifeblood of any musical event and Dougie is very much looking forward to a weekend with less travel to and from venues and the necessary sound and lighting checks involved…and more time for making music with friends!
We are lucky that so many of the musicians who’ve performed with Dougie in the past are still great friends and will be here for the performances during the weekend including: Ross Ainslie, Tim Edey, Pete Garnett, Sorren Maclean and Hannah Fisher, Mairi Sutherland, Katie Kross & Ross Barron, Gina Macleod & Alan Jordan, Davie Duncan, Gordon Maclean, Alan Sutherland, Ali Fergusson, Chris Agnew to name but a few….with other 'surprise' guests for 2023 still to be announced. We are thrilled that these and other great musical friends are joining us!
The added attraction of an afternoon of free of charge Open Mic performances will make this Shades of Amber even more memorable for our audience and a great experience for a group of talented, aspiring musicians.
Exhibition - Jennifer MacLean's
Available Watercolours and Weavings
Jenny's artwork has delighted people for many years ... her art cards and prints have been framed and displayed on mantlepieces and walls in many homes and offices throughout the world. This will be a smaller exhibition of her artwork than in 2022, mostly very recent works ... with all available to buy.
The Big Knit - 2023
Our Shades of Amber Big Knit 2023 will once again be a hands on way of raising funds for our favourite charity Cyrenians. Festival-goers and knitters from afar contribute their time and energy to hand knit special articles that are auctioned, raffled or sold to help show our support in a unique, creative and involving way.
This is a chance for those enjoying the event at Cardney Steading, as well as those far away, to support a wonderful charity while securing some great winter woolies for yourself or for Christmas gifts!...from hand knits ranging from small rugs and large blankets to special knitted toys, socks and kiddies cardigans, hats, scarves, rugs, teapot cosies and cushion covers! (The photo is of some of our last year’s Big Knit goodies!)
