What’s on in Helensburgh & Lomond

Stopgap Community Cinema CIC are keeping cinema alive in Helensburgh until the Tower reopens. Screenings take place in Annexe 1 of the Civic Centre.

Forthcoming in 2025 – tickets and timings will be available from from https://www.ticketebo.co.uk/stopgap-community-cinema-cic
January 23 The Critic 5.45pm
February 13 Paddington in Peru

All concerts start at 7pm and last about an hour. Entry is free although there is a retiring collection to help pay for the series.

20 𝙊𝙘𝙩𝙤𝙗𝙚𝙧 2024 – 𝙇𝙚𝙖 𝙎𝙝𝙖𝙬 (𝙈𝙚𝙯𝙯𝙤-𝙨𝙤𝙥𝙧𝙖𝙣𝙤) 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝘿𝙚𝙧𝙚𝙠 𝘾𝙡𝙖𝙧𝙠 (𝙥𝙞𝙖𝙣𝙤)
Following study at the RCS, Lea Shaw has just completed two years as an Emerging Artist at Scottish Opera, during which time she made a very favourable impression on audiences as a mezzo to watch. Her varied recital programme here includes five rarely performed songs by Alma Mahler, whose music is only now receiving the recognition it deserves, following years of neglect after her husband, fellow composer Gustav Mahler, insisted give up composition when she married him. Also included are the lively ‘Canciones negras’ by Spanish composer Xavier Montsalvatge, based on West Indian rhythms.
24 𝙉𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙢𝙗𝙚𝙧 2024 – 𝙂𝙡𝙖𝙨𝙜𝙤𝙬 𝘾𝙝𝙖𝙢𝙗𝙚𝙧 𝘾𝙝𝙤𝙞𝙧 (𝘾𝙤𝙣𝙙𝙪𝙘𝙩𝙤𝙧 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙋𝙞𝙖𝙣𝙞𝙨𝙩 𝙈𝙞𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙚𝙡 𝘽𝙖𝙬𝙩𝙧𝙚𝙚)
This concert forms part of the Glasgow Chamber Choir’s 30th anniversary season, so to celebrate they are performing music by composers who also have anniversaries this year. Swiss composer Frank Martin died 50 years ago, and his Mass for double Choir lay in a cupboard unperformed for many years. Charles Villiers Stanford died 100 years ago. His setting of the Magnificat, also for double choir, was inspired by the motets of J. S. Bach. Jonathan Dove’s choral song cycle, The Passing of the Year completes this virtuosic programme.
22 𝘿𝙚𝙘𝙚𝙢𝙗𝙚𝙧 2024 – ‘𝘾𝙤𝙢𝙚 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙎𝙞𝙣𝙜’ 𝘾𝙝𝙧𝙞𝙨𝙩𝙢𝙖𝙨 𝘾𝙤𝙣𝙘𝙚𝙧𝙩—𝙎𝙩𝙖𝙧𝙩𝙨 7.30𝙥𝙢!
Our annual Carol concert with augmented choir, brass ensemble and organ and plenty of opportunity to join in, followed by mulled wine and mince pies in the hall. There will be the usual retiring collection in aid of MacMillan Cancer Support, for which the choir has now raised over £33,000.
26 𝙅𝙖𝙣𝙪𝙖𝙧𝙮 2025 – 𝙏𝘽𝘾
17 𝙁𝙚𝙗𝙧𝙪𝙖𝙧𝙮 2025 – 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝘼𝙚𝙨𝙤𝙥 𝙀𝙣𝙨𝙚𝙢𝙗𝙡𝙚
This Glasgow- based ensemble comprises two singers (soprano Jessica Leary and baritone Andrew McTaggart) with cellist Andrew Drummond-Huggan and pianist Andrew Forbes. They present a programme of specially arranged music with a sea-faring theme (including Stanford’s well-known ‘Songs of the Sea’) which was originally put together for the Tall Ships Festival in Aberdeen.
30 𝙈𝙖𝙧𝙘𝙝 2025 – 𝙋𝙪𝙥𝙞𝙡𝙨 𝙛𝙧𝙤𝙢 𝙃𝙚𝙧𝙢𝙞𝙩𝙖𝙜𝙚 𝘼𝙘𝙖𝙙𝙚𝙢𝙮
Local school pupils present a varied programme of vocal and instrumental music to suit all tastes under the direction of their Head of Music, Pamela Frew.
27 𝘼𝙥𝙧𝙞𝙡 2025 – 𝙈𝙪𝙨𝙞𝙘 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙁𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙣𝙙𝙨
Former colleagues from the Orchestra of Scottish Opera join HPC’s Director of Music for another evening of chamber music, centred around Brahms’ Piano Quintet in F minor, Op. 34. This work, described as ‘Brahms’ most epic and monumental chamber work’ started out as a quintet for strings, and was then recast as a sonata for two pianos, before assuming its final form. It contains one of the composer’s most beautiful slow movements and an especially powerful and dramatic finale, bringing the work to a triumphant conclusion. Definitely a season highpoint!
25 𝙈𝙖𝙮 2025 – 𝙃𝙚𝙡𝙚𝙣𝙨𝙗𝙪𝙧𝙜𝙝 𝙃𝙮𝙢𝙣𝙛𝙚𝙨𝙩
A much-anticipated return for this popular event. Join the augmented choir, praise band, brass and organ to make a joyful noise with a programme of favourite hymns and worship songs which will combine old favourites with some newer items A ‘good sing’ is guaranteed.
29 𝙅𝙪𝙣𝙚 2025 – 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙈𝙞𝙡𝙡𝙚𝙧 𝙑𝙞𝙤𝙡𝙞𝙣 𝘿𝙪𝙚 𝙥𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙂𝙤𝙡𝙙𝙚𝙣 𝘼𝙜𝙚 𝙤𝙛 𝙃𝙤𝙡𝙡𝙮𝙬𝙤𝙤𝙙
A return visit from husband and wife duo Danny and Alison Miller with a wonderfully nostalgic trip down memory lane featuring music from many of Hollywood’s greatest films. Music by Cole Porter, Irving Berlin, George Gershwin, Erich Korngold and Richard Rogers, to mention but a few, provides what we hope will be the perfect finale to our season.

25 September 2024 – Stewart Noble: Helensburgh’s Railway History
30 October 2024 – AGM, then Elizabeth Davidson: The Renovations at The Hill House
27 November 2024 – Bruce Keith: Scotland Beneath the Surface
29 January 2025 – Alasdair Jamison: subject to be confirmed
26 February 2025 – Jeremy Watson: Mysteries of Dumbarton
26 March 2025 – Michael Davis: Victorian Villas of Helensburgh

Talks take place in the Marriage Room at Helensburgh and Lomond Civic Centre on East Clyde Street at 7:30 PM. The programme meetings are free to attend. Those who come along will be invited to make a modest donation.

RSGS Members and students are entitled to free entry, some tickets may be available on the door for cash only – all subject to availability. Part of the Royal Scottish Geographical Society Inspiring People talks programme.

Thursday 30 January: Kirsty Fisher: The Journey West: Sailing Around the World
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/kirsty-fisher-the-journey-west-sailing-around-the-world-helensburgh-tickets-1010360795337

Thursday 27 February Luisa Hendry: The Geology of Scotland HELENSBURGH
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/luisa-hendry-the-geology-of-scotland-helensburgh-tickets-1010502990647

Thursday 27 March Dr Adrian Webb: Churchill’s Secret Chart Makers
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/dr-adrian-webb-churchills-secret-chart-makers-helensburgh-tickets-1010649819817

Concerts for the 2024-25 season are currently scheduled to take place on

Saturday 26th October 2024 – 7.30pm, Victoria Halls
Saturday 1st February 2025 – 2.00pm, Victoria Halls
Saturday 31st May 2025 – 7.30pm, Helensburgh Parish Church

The programme for Saturday 26th October is

Overture – The Thieving Magpie – Rossini
‘Sarka’ & ‘Blanik’ from Ma Vlast – Smetana
Symphony No.7 – Beethoven

Tickets available from the Scandinavian shop, Destination Helensburgh, orchestra members.

A series of talks held at Helensburgh Community Hub – Non members welcome, with a £3 donation appreciated.

October 2nd – Knockderry Castle Conservators
November 6th – People and their past, 30 years of a adopt a monument
December 4th – tbc
February 5th – The art of Lindisfarne Gospels
March 5th – Govan Stones Project
April 2nd – tbc

An Evening with Psychic Medium Dominic Boag. Doors open at 7pm for show to begin at 7:30pm

PLEASE NOTE: Attendance does not guarantee a reading during the event. Tickets are non-refundable, can be transferred to an other date. Entertainment purposes only.

Tickets https://dominicboag.com/eventss/helensburgh/

Sun 9 Feb – Wrest
Wrest are an indie rock band from Edinburgh making waves across the UK with anthemic live performances and sellout shows including the likes of the Barrowland Ballroom in Glasgow. They’re performing a special intimate acoustic set in Helensburgh this February. Tickets https://xfire.live/event/wrest-acoustic-duo-helensburgh/

Sat 1 March – PG Ciarletta
With a rapidly growing fanbase across the UK, PG is making waves as the latest singer-songwriter in a long line of Scots with Italian heritage. His real life relatable humble inner city folktale story-telling narratives, anthemic melodies and undeniable stage presence have earned him national acclaim, including a performance at Murrayfield Stadium for the Six Nations and a slot on the official UEFA fanzone at Euro 2024. Tickets https://xfire.live/event/pg-ciarletta-peckhams-helensburgh/

Stopgap Community Cinema CIC are keeping cinema alive in Helensburgh until the Tower reopens. Screenings take place in Annexe 1 of the Civic Centre.

Forthcoming in 2025 – tickets and timings will be available from from https://www.ticketebo.co.uk/stopgap-community-cinema-cic
January 23 The Critic 5.45pm
February 13 Paddington in Peru

Dom Joly is not just a man with a big phone. He’s an award winning travel writer with 108 countries under his belt. He will share amazing stories and images from his trips to North Korea, skiing in Iran, hunting the Yeti, getting kidnapped in the Congo, walking across Lebanon and spending the last year hanging out with conspiracy theorists…

Dom Joly is an award-winning television comedian, TV & Radio broadcaster and writer. His first television series, ‘Trigger Happy TV’, was a prime-time Friday night hit for Channel 4 in 2000-4 which went on to be sold in over fifty countries world-wide and win several awards, including the Silver Rose of Montreux. Dom has made TV shows for the BBC, FIVE, Sky One and Comedy Central USA, such as the acclaimed travel series ‘Dom Joly’s Happy Hour’ and ‘Dom Joly’s Excellent Adventure’ and radio shows for Radio 4, most recently a show about Goths.

Dom is also an award-winning travel writer and has visited over a hundred countries. His books include ‘The Dark Tourist’, ‘Scary Monsters and Super Creeps’, ‘The Downhill Hiking Club’ and ‘Such Miserable Weather’. His latest travel book, ‘The Conspiracy Tourist’ – published in November 2023 – sees him travelling the world and hanging out with conspiracy theorists. He has been touring his new book with an accompanying stage show, ‘The Conspiracy Tour’, over the Spring this year to sold out venues. He’ll be taking the tour out again this Autumn. Alongside this, he is a columnist for Cotswold Life and has written extensively for most major newspapers. He is also an ambassador for Save the Children. He is researching and writing his new travel book.

Doors open 7pm, show starts 8pm. Tickets £27 plus booking fee from https://liveargyll.co.uk/event/dom-jolys-holiday-snaps/

Here are some of the local offers for this Valentine’s Day! We will add more on as we see them

Valentine Dinner at Sugar Boat, click here for more details
Valentine Weekender at Riva, 1 or 2 nights stay with dinner
Valentine’s Fizz and Seafood at La Jupe, click here to find out more
Valenine’s Getaway at The Rhu Inn, click here to find out more

Remember to #ShopLocal and #EatLocal!

You can find our full listing of local retailers on our shopping page, for everything from flowers, artisan chocolates, jewellery and gifts to cards.

We also have a listing of places to eat – there is a lot of choice in Helensburgh and the surrounding area!

1.30pm Snowdrop walk, 2.15pm House tour, followed by tea/cofffee and cake, finish by 4pm. £24 per person, booking essential

https://www.ardkinglas.com/whats-on-at-ardkinglas.htmlhttps://www.ardkinglas.com/whats-on-at-ardkinglas.html

David and Gill present songs with all the emotions that love can bring…
…from joy, betrayal, sadness, grief, as well as uplifting romantic moments. Included are such numbers as:
“They Can’t Take That Away From Me”
“Secret Love”
“Breaking Up Is Hard To Do”
plus songs by Cole Porter & Neil Sedaka. This is a fundraiser to help SAVE THE TOWER.

Event link: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/love-is-in-the-air-tickets-1144923560189

Main Hall The Bridge (Helensburgh Parish Church) for families and young teens. Tuck shop open from 6:45pm All welcome adults can stay or leave the children. (Leaders have PVG). Film details available from the church office or Contact Emily [email protected] for more details

Saturday 18th January 7pm
Saturday 15th Feb 7pm
Saturday 15thMarch7pm
Saturday 26th April 7pm
Saturday 17th May 7pm
Saturday 14th June 7pm

All concerts start at 7pm and last about an hour. Entry is free although there is a retiring collection to help pay for the series.

20 𝙊𝙘𝙩𝙤𝙗𝙚𝙧 2024 – 𝙇𝙚𝙖 𝙎𝙝𝙖𝙬 (𝙈𝙚𝙯𝙯𝙤-𝙨𝙤𝙥𝙧𝙖𝙣𝙤) 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝘿𝙚𝙧𝙚𝙠 𝘾𝙡𝙖𝙧𝙠 (𝙥𝙞𝙖𝙣𝙤)
Following study at the RCS, Lea Shaw has just completed two years as an Emerging Artist at Scottish Opera, during which time she made a very favourable impression on audiences as a mezzo to watch. Her varied recital programme here includes five rarely performed songs by Alma Mahler, whose music is only now receiving the recognition it deserves, following years of neglect after her husband, fellow composer Gustav Mahler, insisted give up composition when she married him. Also included are the lively ‘Canciones negras’ by Spanish composer Xavier Montsalvatge, based on West Indian rhythms.
24 𝙉𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙢𝙗𝙚𝙧 2024 – 𝙂𝙡𝙖𝙨𝙜𝙤𝙬 𝘾𝙝𝙖𝙢𝙗𝙚𝙧 𝘾𝙝𝙤𝙞𝙧 (𝘾𝙤𝙣𝙙𝙪𝙘𝙩𝙤𝙧 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙋𝙞𝙖𝙣𝙞𝙨𝙩 𝙈𝙞𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙚𝙡 𝘽𝙖𝙬𝙩𝙧𝙚𝙚)
This concert forms part of the Glasgow Chamber Choir’s 30th anniversary season, so to celebrate they are performing music by composers who also have anniversaries this year. Swiss composer Frank Martin died 50 years ago, and his Mass for double Choir lay in a cupboard unperformed for many years. Charles Villiers Stanford died 100 years ago. His setting of the Magnificat, also for double choir, was inspired by the motets of J. S. Bach. Jonathan Dove’s choral song cycle, The Passing of the Year completes this virtuosic programme.
22 𝘿𝙚𝙘𝙚𝙢𝙗𝙚𝙧 2024 – ‘𝘾𝙤𝙢𝙚 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙎𝙞𝙣𝙜’ 𝘾𝙝𝙧𝙞𝙨𝙩𝙢𝙖𝙨 𝘾𝙤𝙣𝙘𝙚𝙧𝙩—𝙎𝙩𝙖𝙧𝙩𝙨 7.30𝙥𝙢!
Our annual Carol concert with augmented choir, brass ensemble and organ and plenty of opportunity to join in, followed by mulled wine and mince pies in the hall. There will be the usual retiring collection in aid of MacMillan Cancer Support, for which the choir has now raised over £33,000.
26 𝙅𝙖𝙣𝙪𝙖𝙧𝙮 2025 – 𝙏𝘽𝘾
17 𝙁𝙚𝙗𝙧𝙪𝙖𝙧𝙮 2025 – 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝘼𝙚𝙨𝙤𝙥 𝙀𝙣𝙨𝙚𝙢𝙗𝙡𝙚
This Glasgow- based ensemble comprises two singers (soprano Jessica Leary and baritone Andrew McTaggart) with cellist Andrew Drummond-Huggan and pianist Andrew Forbes. They present a programme of specially arranged music with a sea-faring theme (including Stanford’s well-known ‘Songs of the Sea’) which was originally put together for the Tall Ships Festival in Aberdeen.
30 𝙈𝙖𝙧𝙘𝙝 2025 – 𝙋𝙪𝙥𝙞𝙡𝙨 𝙛𝙧𝙤𝙢 𝙃𝙚𝙧𝙢𝙞𝙩𝙖𝙜𝙚 𝘼𝙘𝙖𝙙𝙚𝙢𝙮
Local school pupils present a varied programme of vocal and instrumental music to suit all tastes under the direction of their Head of Music, Pamela Frew.
27 𝘼𝙥𝙧𝙞𝙡 2025 – 𝙈𝙪𝙨𝙞𝙘 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙁𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙣𝙙𝙨
Former colleagues from the Orchestra of Scottish Opera join HPC’s Director of Music for another evening of chamber music, centred around Brahms’ Piano Quintet in F minor, Op. 34. This work, described as ‘Brahms’ most epic and monumental chamber work’ started out as a quintet for strings, and was then recast as a sonata for two pianos, before assuming its final form. It contains one of the composer’s most beautiful slow movements and an especially powerful and dramatic finale, bringing the work to a triumphant conclusion. Definitely a season highpoint!
25 𝙈𝙖𝙮 2025 – 𝙃𝙚𝙡𝙚𝙣𝙨𝙗𝙪𝙧𝙜𝙝 𝙃𝙮𝙢𝙣𝙛𝙚𝙨𝙩
A much-anticipated return for this popular event. Join the augmented choir, praise band, brass and organ to make a joyful noise with a programme of favourite hymns and worship songs which will combine old favourites with some newer items A ‘good sing’ is guaranteed.
29 𝙅𝙪𝙣𝙚 2025 – 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙈𝙞𝙡𝙡𝙚𝙧 𝙑𝙞𝙤𝙡𝙞𝙣 𝘿𝙪𝙚 𝙥𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙂𝙤𝙡𝙙𝙚𝙣 𝘼𝙜𝙚 𝙤𝙛 𝙃𝙤𝙡𝙡𝙮𝙬𝙤𝙤𝙙
A return visit from husband and wife duo Danny and Alison Miller with a wonderfully nostalgic trip down memory lane featuring music from many of Hollywood’s greatest films. Music by Cole Porter, Irving Berlin, George Gershwin, Erich Korngold and Richard Rogers, to mention but a few, provides what we hope will be the perfect finale to our season.

Sun 9 Feb – Wrest
Wrest are an indie rock band from Edinburgh making waves across the UK with anthemic live performances and sellout shows including the likes of the Barrowland Ballroom in Glasgow. They’re performing a special intimate acoustic set in Helensburgh this February. Tickets https://xfire.live/event/wrest-acoustic-duo-helensburgh/

Sat 1 March – PG Ciarletta
With a rapidly growing fanbase across the UK, PG is making waves as the latest singer-songwriter in a long line of Scots with Italian heritage. His real life relatable humble inner city folktale story-telling narratives, anthemic melodies and undeniable stage presence have earned him national acclaim, including a performance at Murrayfield Stadium for the Six Nations and a slot on the official UEFA fanzone at Euro 2024. Tickets https://xfire.live/event/pg-ciarletta-peckhams-helensburgh/

A series of musical events at Ardkinglas – various prices, booking in advance is essential, see https://www.ardkinglas.com/whats-on-at-ardkinglas.html

Saturday 22 February 6pm Monika Lozinskiene and Anna Szalucka Piano duet
Sunday 6 April 3pm Gabriele Sutkute Piano
Saturday 12 April 3pm String Quartet
Sunday 27 April, 3pm Ainsley Hamill and Alistair Paterson, voice and piano
Sunday 18 May, 6pm Anthony Marwood and James Crabb, violin and accordian
Saturday 21 June Ida Pelliccioli, piano
Sat 30-Sunday 31 August Young chamber musicians
Sunday 21 September Resol Quartet with Richard Scholfield, strings and saxophone

Join Helensburgh Music Society for their seasonal programme of events, held at Helensburgh & Lomond Civic Centre:

October 13th 2024 Classico Latino;
November 24th 2024 Trio Arisonto;
January 19th 2025 Barros Pereira-Alves Duo, harp and violin;
February 23rd 2025 Ceruleo;
March 16th 2025 Ensemble Renard.

Single tickets: online (preferred) or card/cash on the door: Adults £15, Students £5, under 18s £1
Season ticket for 5 Concerts £50 Book online at https://helensburghmusicsociety.org.uk/booking

Helensburgh Music Society presents a series of 5 concerts each year, between October and March, in the form of performances by Professional Ensembles or Solo Recitals. Our concerts, in the Helensburgh and Lomond Civic Centre on Clyde Street, Helensburgh, are open to everyone. An evening out listening to beautiful music, and a chance to meet friends over an interval drink. Ticket prices are low, especially the season ticket. We encourage performers to talk to the audiences, introducing both themselves and the pieces of music they are playing, expanding on the programme notes so adding to the accessibility of the music. Each year the programme we present, features a variety of performers and instrumental combinations. We also include repertoire ranging from early music to established classical works as well as modern compositions and Jazz. Performers include Scottish based musicians as well as international musicians and ensembles, all of the very highest calibre. It is also an important aim of HMS to offer opportunities to outstanding young artists, especially those based in Scotland.