Gala Life Magazine

Sport: MAROON'D SEVENS FESTIVAL
2024-08-17 | Gala Rugby Club, Netherdale, Galashiels, TD1 3HE
For the fourth year running were delighted to confirm that Maroon’d@Gala will return, now known as the Maroon’d@Gala 7s Festival – Sponsored by McGill Mortgages
​Join us here at Netherdale this August 17th for the 4th Annual ‘Maroon’d@Gala 7s Festival’ showcasing the very best in Borders Rugby from P3 right through to Senior Rugby.
​In the morning our Mini Maroons tournament is at centre stage, taking over the entirety of Netherdale, before handing over the baton to Semi-Junior and Senior rugby in the afternoon. The rugby is complimented by an unrivalled atmosphere, multiple bars, the best of local street food vendors and music in our main stage tent!
NEW FOR 2024!
MAROON’D AFTER DARK – Official After Party, 20.30 – 00.00

Family Day: Dogs Day Out
2024-08-10 11:00 - 15:00 (Europe/London) | Gala Public Park
Fun Day and Dog Show for all the family!

Animal Encounters: The Zagaro
2024-08-10 | Floors Castle, Floors Castle, Kelso, TD5 7RN, United Kingdom
The Zagaro, takes us on a trip through the deep, dark wood. This fun story session is a tale about The Zagaro, a scary monster with body parts just like some of the animals our brave explorer meets on their adventures. You’ll get to meet the very same creatures too, the likes of Millipedes, Snakes and Snails in this fun interactive story session for all ages.’

45 minute sessions running throughout the day

Music: Roxburghe Rocks
2024-08-03 12:30 - 21:00 | Floors Castle, Floors Castle, Kelso, TD5 7RN, United Kingdom
Floors Castle will play host to three world class tribute acts, supported by local sensation The Balancing Ducks. Experience iconic glam rock anthems with The Bowie Experience, upbeat soul and disco classics with Capitol Motown & Soul Band, and sing-a-long disco hits with 21st Century Abba!
Gates open 12.30pm, 1.30pm start – 9pm approx finish

Animal Encounters: Weapons & Armour
2024-07-27 | Floors Castle, Floors Castle, Kelso, TD5 7RN, United Kingdom
Compare the weapons and armour that us humans have used in battles of the past with the amazing attack and defence arsenal and methods of some amazing animals. Meet the likes of Scorpions, Snakes and Cockroaches as we take a look at all the awesome ways they can protect themselves and attack their enemies in those fight or flight moments!

45 minute sessions running throughout the day

Animal Encounters: Native Species
2024-07-20 | Floors Castle, Floors Castle, Kelso, TD5 7RN, United Kingdom
Learn all about the amazing Native Species we have living here in the UK. What better way to learn about them than meeting some of their bigger, brighter, exotic cousins, such as Corn Snakes, Tree Frogs and Tarantulas. This show will hopefully inspire you to take a look around and see what nature you can find in our own outdoor spaces.

45 minute sessions running throughout the day

Theatre: Peter Pan
2024-07-14 19:00 | Floors Castle, Floors Castle, Kelso, TD5 7RN, United Kingdom
Get ready to think happy thoughts and fly high as the mischievous Peter embarks on an awfully big adventure, introducing Wendy Darling to the lost boys, the cheeky Tinkerbell, the hilarious Smee, and a host of other exciting characters before facing the most feared villain of them all, the infamous Captain Hook!
Show starts at 7pm

Theatre: Little Women – Open Air Theatre
2024-07-07 19:00 - 22:00 | Floors Castle, Floors Castle, Kelso, TD5 7RN, United Kingdom
Chapterhouse Theatre Company are delighted to present Louisa May Alcott’s beloved coming of age story. This summer, meet headstrong Jo March and her sisters Meg, Amy, and Beth. Each sister is determined to pursue her own path in life, but though their dreams may be different, their family ties remain as true as ever. An uplifting and heartfelt tale of the March sisters’ journey into adulthood and all the trials and triumphs that come with it, Little Women features authentic costuming and a beautiful musical score.

Doors open 6pm performance time 7pm

Animal Encounters: Witchcraft & Wizardry
2024-07-06 | Floors Castle, Floors Castle, Kelso, TD5 7RN, United Kingdom
‘Eye of newt, and wing of bat, I will feed you to my cat!!!!’… Witches and Wizards were famous for their animal companions, both in their spells and their potions. Step back in time for this animal encounter show as we explore some of ‘ye olde’ remedies and superstitions for these creatures in Medieval times. Like swallowing a Frog and a Spider to clear a sore throat and those pesky Rats that spread the plague! This encounter with creatures sheds light on our horrible history, and will make you glad that times have changed!

45 minute sessions running throughout the day

Comedy: Three Inch Fools – The Secret Diary of Henry VIII
2024-06-30 19:00 | Floors Castle, Floors Castle, Kelso, TD5 7RN, United Kingdom
Open Air Theatre. The Three Inch Fools hit the road with this brand new comedy…
The Three Inch Fools present an essential guide on how to keep your head in the Tudor Court. Unexpectedly thrust into the limelight, young Henry navigates the ups and downs of courtly life, and all whilst fighting the French (again) and re-writing religion. The Fools hit the road with this brand new comedy – a mad-capped take on Britain’s most epic monarch, and those infamous wives.

Gates open at 6pm, show starts at 7pm

Music: BOMBSKARE
2024-06-29 | Mac Arts, Galashiels
Introducing the bishops of bounce, the sorcerers of skank, the undisputed masters of Scottish death reggae, the one and only Bombskare ​the closest thing you’ll see to an actual northern powerhouse.
This nine headed ska demon has been tearing up stages the length and breadth of the British Isles since before The Crusades. Reaching zero to sixty skanking miles from a standing start, they combine top quality dance​along songs with incredible punctuality ​leaving every stage like Tokyo following a visit from Godzilla.
Renowned for their technical prowess as much as their infectious ska anthems, they combine lush, three​part harmonies with choppy guitar attacks and an explosive horn section to truly blow the audience away.
One thing these guys know about getting a crowd to dance is everything.
Doors: 7.30pm / 8pm start
Tickets: £16 in advance
​Over 14s: 14-16s must be accompanied by an adult over 18

Animal Encounters: Animal Explorer
2024-06-29 | Floors Castle, Floors Castle, Kelso, TD5 7RN, United Kingdom
Calling all young explorers! Get up close and hands-on with some awesome exotic animals. Meet the likes of Snakes, Tarantulas and Giant Snails to name just a few of the amazing creatures you get to meet as you learn all the fun, fascinating facts about them from our Zoolab animal expert!

45 minute sessions running throughout the day

Music: TAILGUNNER
2024-06-22 | Mac Arts, Galashiels
Tailgunner are here to put British Heavy Metal back on the map. Laser guided riffs n’ hooks that kill. No apologies, no compromise!
2023 was a hectic year for the five piece, they delivered their debut EP Crashdive, followed by numerous live dates across the UK and Europe. They arrive at MacArts with plaudits from no less than Judas Priest’s KK Downing! All the recommendation we need!
Doors: 7.30pm / 8pm start
Tickets: £10 in advance
​Over 14s: 14-16s must be accompanied by an adult over 18

Music: THE MCCOMMITMENTS
2024-06-15 | Mac Arts, Galashiels
The McCommitments are a Scottish soul band celebrating the music from the classic hit movie ‘The Commitments’, playing all the hits from the classic soundtrack including ‘Mustang Sally’, ‘Try a Little Tenderness’, ‘Take Me to the River’, ‘Chain of Fools’ and more…
Doors: 7.30pm / 8pm start
Tickets: £12.50 in advance / £15 on the door
​Over 14s: 14-16s must be accompanied by an adult over 18

Music: BLACK UMFOLOSI
2024-06-14 | Mac Arts, Galashiels
The idea of Black Umfolosi came about in 1982 when a group of school mates started improvising their own means of entertainment, while at a ZIMFEP Institute. With a gentleness of spirit, a joy of singing and exuberance in dance, Black Umfolosi has touched audiences of all ages locally and internationally since then, and hence having done 16 recordings.
Doors: 7.30pm / 8pm start
Tickets: £16 in advance
​Over 14s: 14-16s must be accompanied by an adult over 18

Borders Book Festival
2024-06-13 - 2024-06-16 | Harmony Garden, Melrose, United Kingdom
Join us this June – tickets now on sale!

More than 100 events for all ages, plus festival bookshop, food and drink village… and entry to the festival site is FREE!
www.bordersbookfestival.org

Music: RACHEL SERMANNI
2024-06-13 | Mac Arts, Galashiels
Rachel Sermanni is a Scottish based singer/songwriter that makes the mundane moments mystical: shock-positive pregnancy tests in train-station toilets, coffee machine breakages, cold river swims, the regret of not saying ‘I love You’, the moon & how it pulls, bare feet on wood floors, the soft glow of a house plant, ‘what even is consciousness?’, strange dreams lingering in quiet mornings…
She brims with dreamy indie-folk pop that speaks of the struggle and desire to Flow, to love, to live, to feel. Sometimes, her songs speak of the rare moments of quiet-still, found in the midst of this struggle & desire.
Rachel’s most recent offering is her 4th studio album : Dreamer Awake. An in depth assortment of playful and candid vignettes, peeping into life: after birth, after separation and in the wake of recognising the internalised conditionings of patriarchy. She seeks to be honest with herself and her environment. She seeks to express from this raw place. She seeks to speak from the descent, the plateaus, the dream-catchings and contemplations of womanhood. There are no conclusions to be drawn. It is a call to arms, of sorts, to wake up and dream the future, to dismiss the external for a minute and tend to the inner landscape of heart and mind. To not be distracted. To focus on the light and the shadow in equal measure.
Doors: 7:30pm / 8:00pm start
Tickets: £15 Seated (stbf)
​Over 14s: 14-16s must be accompanied by an adult over 18

Music: The Polis
2024-06-08 | Mac Arts, Galashiels
Scotland’s Tribute to the Police, The Polis return to Galashiels and MacArts, Saturday 8th June with a blistering live set of Classic Police Singles, B-sides and live arrangements for the true Police fan. Roxanne, So Lonely, Message in a Bottle, Don’t Stand So Close to Me, Every Little Thing She Does is Magic, Every Breath You Take, they’re all there…. plus many more. It is unlikely that you will ever see the The Police again so come see the next best thing.
Support comes from very capable and talented, Local Heroes: Patersun, who’ll be serving up their own brand of infectious, hook laden, guitar based rock.
​Doors: 7:30pm / 8:00pm start
Tickets: £15 in advance (stbf)
​Over 14s: 14-16s must be accompanied by an adult over 18

Music: 8 DAYS, RADIO SILENCE, ARABELLA BOYD
2024-06-07 | Mac Arts, Galashiels
8 Days
8 Days are a Peebles based alternative rock band comprised of Ailsa Jarvis on drums, Sam Jones on bass, and Fin Price on guitar and vocals. They were previously called Zenith, but changed their name prior to releasing their first single having all been born within 8 days of each other.
Radio Silence
Are a new band made up of Struan McKenzie on lead guitar, Ben Mangen on drums, Flora woods on bass, Jay Wann on rhythm guitar and new front person Lottie Bastock singing, all aged 15-16. They play a wide range of genres spanning from grunge to jazz and are based in the Borders.
Arabella Boyde
Arabella Boyde is a musician and singer based in the Scottish Borders, pulling her captivating 90s dream pop covers together with her trusty electric guitar since 2023. She’s played at multiple venues in the Borders, from Stobo to Peebles, with her main inspirations being Mazzy Star, Bob Dylan, and Jeff Buckley.
Doors: 7:00pm / 7:30pm start
Tickets: £5 in advance (stbf)
​Over 14s: 14-16s must be accompanied by an adult over 18

Comedy: The Big Fab Comedy Show
2024-05-18 19:30 - 21:30 | Volunteer Hall, Galashiels
A rip-roaring night of live stand-up comedy starring the TV names you know and love alongside some of the hottest up-and-coming talent from across Scotland and the UK. Presented by Scotland’s original home of live comedy, Gilded Balloon.
BBC Breaking the News star Jay Lafferty will host the show alongside Stephen Buchanan (Jonathan Ross’ Comedy Club), Lauren Pattison (BBC’s Stand Up for Live Comedy, Comedy Central), Sam Lake (Dave’s Comedy Guide to Life) and topping off the show, following appearances on Live at the Apollo, Mock the Week, House of Games and many more, the unstoppable Larry Dean!

Exhibition: Art at Ancrum
2024-05-04 10:00 - 2024-05-05 17:00
Explore and discover the work of professional artists and makers from around the Scottish Borders at displays and demonstrations in the village of Ancrum.
Meet the exhibitors, learn about their work and purchase directly from them.

Music: C Duncan
2024-04-26 19:30 - 23:00 | Mac Arts, Galashiels
Born and raised in Glasgow by two classical musicians, Chris studied piano and viola before taking up guitar, bass, and drums in his teens, eventually studying music composition at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. His Mercury nominated debut ‘Architect’ was released in 2015 and after a spell of touring the UK and Europe he returned to his home studio and began work on his Twilight Zone inspired second album ‘The Midnight Sun’ which was released in 2016 and shortlisted for Scottish Album of the Year. He supported Elbow on their UK and North American tour which led him to record his third album ‘Health’ at their studio which was released in 2019 and also shortlisted for Scottish Album of the Year. Now back in his home studio, Chris recorded and released his fourth album ‘Alluvium’ in May 2022 on Bella Union. He is also a keen artist, and paints all his own album artwork.
Devin Casson
Up-and-coming singer-songwriter making her mark in th eScottish music scene with her melodic guitar driven songs.
Doors: 7:30pm / 8pm start
Tickets: £15 in advance
​Over 14s: 14-16s must be accompanied by an adult over 18

Music: Colours Duo
2024-04-20 20:00 | The Royal British Legion Club, Galashiels
Saturday night live entertainment.
Friendly atmosphere and friendly staff!

Music: The Jensen Interceptors
2024-04-20 19:30 | Mac Arts, Galashiels
Gary Martin, from Peebles, leads his blues band, The Jensen Intercepters, on vocals, harmonica and slide guitar, with Mike Park on lead guitar, Richard O’Donnell on piano & Hammond organ, Jim Walker on drums, and Mike Katz on bass. This is the authentic blues, as it should be done.
It all promises to be an excellent night to remember!
Doors: 7:30pm / 8pm start
Tickets: £16 in advance / £18 on the door
​Over 14s: 14-16s must be accompanied by an adult over 18

Music: Mickey 9s
2024-04-19 19:30 - 23:00 | Mac Arts, Galashiels
Anybody who knows the Scottish music scene will tell you that Mickey 9s are one of the most exciting bands to see live. The irreverent four piece from Glasgow combine elements of dance, punk and disco into a blistering, genre-defying groove that sends crowds into a frenzy. They are previous Best Live Act Winners at the Scottish Alternative Music Awards.
Doors: 7:30pm / 8pm start
Tickets: £15 advance / £18 on the door
​Over 14s: 14-16s must be accompanied by an adult over 18

Music: Wildfire
2024-04-13 19:00 - 23:00 | Mac Arts, Galashiels
We are proud to wlecome local rock gods, Wildfire for this headline show. Support ably comes from frisky rock bods The Honey Badgerz and Big Iron. SWEET!
Doors: 7pm / 7:30pm start
Tickets: £12.50 in advance / £15 on the door
​Over 14s: 14-16s must be accompanied by an adult over 18

Music: Disco
2024-04-06 20:00 | The Royal British Legion Club, Galashiels

Music: Frankly, The Smiths
2024-04-06 19:30 - 23:00 | Mac Arts, Galashiels
The UKs best tribute to The Smiths. All the Morrissey and Marr classics you could ever wish for in one evening.
​Doors: 7:30pm / 8pm start
Tickets: £12.50 / £13.50 on the door
​Over 14s: 14-16s must be accompanied by an adult over 18

Music: Kathryn Jospeh
2024-04-05 19:30 - 23:00 | Mac Arts, Galashiels
We are hugely excited to welcome Scottish singer/songwriter Kathryn Jospeh to MacArts. Joseph has released three albums of distinct, endlessly imaginative alt.folk, two of which came out on Mogwai’s label, Rock Action Records.
Kathryn Joseph makes moving, often sparse songs, filled with lilting harmonies and wistful melodies. She has been cited as a late bloomer have made music for over 17 year before gaining wider recognition aged 40. Her music has drawn favourable comparisons with the likes of PJ Harvey and Phoebe Bridgers for it’s intensity and intimacy.
Special guests tonight will be Haiver, the new project by Billy Kennedy, formerly of Frighteneed Rabbit.
Doors: 7.30pm / 8pm start
Tickets: £17.50 in advance
​Over 14s: 14-16s must be accompanied by an adult over 18
