End of Congress Party

Don’t miss out on the exciting end of conference party to be held from 8.00 till late at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre on Friday 6 August 2010. This will be a fantastic end to an eventful conference week with a range of entertainments and experiences on offer.

This promises to be a fun and action packed evening where you will have the chance to sample food from over the world from a variety of different outlets. Do not miss out!

Further information on all the acts presenting at the party is listed below.

Tickets cost £35.00 + VAT = £41.13 and can be booked via the online registration form.

DJ Dolphin Boy

Dolphin Boy is one of Scotland's best-loved DJs. His inimitable deckmanship never fails to rock the house, fusing fast beats, jazzy vibes, funky breaks and a whole range of global styles. He recently brought his sound further afield with a tour of Eastern Europe to great acclaim. Signed to Tummy Touch Records, Dolphin Boy has released a large number of records Dolphin Boy is one of Scotland's best-loved DJs. He recently brought his sound further afield with a tour of Eastern Europe to great acclaim. Dolphin Boy has released a number of cult records on CD and vinyl including 'Gateaux Youth' and ‘Vertical variations’

Hannah Read and Emma Beaton

With a background of Scottish roots, but from opposite sites of the Atlantic, Hannah and Emma met whilst studying at Berklee College of Music, in Boston. Hannah began her studies in her hometown of Edinburgh, at the City's Music school, followed by a year in Paris studying jazz vocals. Commencing her final year of studies at Berklee College of music after winning a violin scholarship, she has received one of Berklee's outstanding scholar awards and continues work on blending her own Scottish roots with American fiddle music, World music and Jazz. This summer, Hannah is on a tour of Canada, Scotland and Norway playing fiddle for the band Fribo. Winner of the 'Young Performer of the year' in the Canadian Folk Music Awards, Emma Beaton is an incredibly versatile musician, playing Cello, Banjo and vocals. She currently tours with the critically acclaimed modern American String band 'Joy Kills Sorrow' as well as persuing her solo career. Last year Hannah and Emma played together in the band the Acoustic Folk Arts Quartet (Hannah is on left and Emma on right in photo) and recorded an album together. At IMC9, Hannah and Emma will be playing collaborating on fiddle and cello, as well as blending their unique vocal styles.

Culture Clash

In the mid 1980s, The Bhundu Boys almost single-handily turned a large swathe of the U.K. onto African music, particularly as a result of regular airplay on John Peel’s radio programme. The guitarist and founding member Rise Kagona has hooked up with the man, Champion Doug Veitch, who discovered them on The Harare club scene all those years ago in 1985. Veitch co-founded the label DiscAfrique with colleague Owen Elias which was one of the first World Music labels in the United Kingdom, releasing records by The Bhundu Boys, Orchestre Baobab and The Four Brothers amongst others. With Culture Clash, Kagona's "Harare Jit" and Doug's " Caledonian Cajun Swing " merge into whole new glorious gumbo.

The Occasionals

The Occasionals are widely regarded as one of the foremost Scottish ceilidh dance bands, and have been playing for dancing the length and breadth of Europe since 1986. The line up comprises Freeland on accordion and midi bass, Gus on drums, Kevin on electric tenor banjo, mandolin and tenor resonator guitar, fiddler and piper Ian Hardie, and dance caller Sheila McCutcheon. Over the past 22 years, the band have performed at many large and prestigious events, including the Cambridge Folk Festival, Glasgow’s Mayfest and Celtic Connections, BBC TVs “Talla Bhaille”, Tonder Festival Denmark, Jakarta Highland Society, Orkney Folk Festival, Feis Tiree, Deutsche Bank Conferences, RSNO Viennese Balls, Aberdeen’s Millennium celebrations, The Mod, Shetland Accordion Festival, Edinburgh’s Hogmanay, and a thousand other public and private functions all over Scotland. The band have released 6 CDs, “Footnotes”, “Back In Step”, “Live From Aberdeen”, "Reel of Four”, “Down to the Hall” and in 2008 “The Full Set”. Over the 22 years together, The Occasionals have done a series of Radio Scotland “Take The Floor” Live broadcasts, and other radio and TV work.

Romina Vessella and the Somos Cubanos Dancers

Romina Vessella leads a group of Professional, Energetic Cuban Dancers that will give you mesmerizing performances and take you through the moves so you can get up on the dance floor and dance with them. They will provide a jam packed evening with constant Latin Line Dances. Romina Vessela was two times the UK runner up Salsa champion. She has over 10 years experience in All Styles of Latin American Street Dances with a specialisation in Cuban Style and body Movement. Romina has choreographed, written and performed in three Edinburgh Fringe festival shows along with world champion Cuban Dancers!
Click here for further information about Romina Vessella the Somos Cubanos Dancers

Derek Heron

Close-up magician and Psychological Illusionist Derek Heron started his career in1982. At the age of 17 he was awarded the prestigious title of 'Scotland's Magician of the Year' Derek is now a very busy corporate entertainer and has worked for many of the industry giants. Clients include: BBC Scotland, Scottish Television, Coca Cola, British Petroleum, Vauxhall Motors and Planet Hollywood (Times Square, NYC.) On Friday evening Derek combines his mastery of sleight of hand and his knowledge of psychology to provide a jaw dropping display of mind-reading magic and close-up illusion. During Derek's visit to IMC9 he will be mingling with guests in the Strathblane hall and the lounge areas.
Click here for further information about Derek Heron

Emerald String Quartet

Emerald Strings is an Edinburgh based String Quartet that performs classical and jazz music throughout the UK. All players have been professionally trained at Music College and hold a great depth of performance experience both individually and within the ensemble.
Click here for more information about the Emerald String Quartet

Open Myc session

Anyone can have their 5-10 min of fame performing on stage. ‘Open Myc’ session at which you will be able to have The MC for this event will be Prof Geoff Gadd, himself a renowned musician, singer and composer. We are now putting together a programme for this event and would like all of those who would like to play, sing, tell a mycological joke, recite a mycological poem, perform a mycological dance etc to contact Simon Avery as soon as possible so that you can be part of the programme.