The Adventures of John Paul Jones – Concert This Wednesday (7th August)

The John Paul Jones Museum, birthplace of the American hero known as ‘the father of the American Navy’, is staging an evening concert at 8pm on Wednesday 7 Aug. at Kirkbean Village Hall. ‘The Adventures of John Paul Jones’ is a story told in Traditional Music and Drama performed by Alan Reid, Rob van Sante and The Battlefield Band. Over the course of fifteen songs this descriptive narrative draws the listener into the tale of the lowly gardener’s son from Kirkcudbright who lived a full and fascinating life before dying in poverty in France.

Last year, the acclaimed folk music duo of Alan Reid and Rob Van Sante, released  the superb record focused on the remarkable story of the 18th Century Scots mariner, a long term project for which Alan composed the music.  This release from Reid and van Sante shows off their excellent and inventive musicianship, and especially Reid’s exceptional  songwriting.  This is a one-off opportunity to see the show before the cast’s performance at the Edinburgh Festival.

The Battlefield Band inspired by their rich heritage of Celtic music and fired by the strength and vibrancy of today’s Scottish cultural scene, which indeed they have done much to create and fuel, has led and been at the forefront of a great revival in Scottish music.  Refusing to be limited musically by suffocating antiquarianism, or musical fashions, they have mixed the old songs and music with a new self-penned repertoire, all played on a fusion of ancient and modern instruments – bagpipes, fiddle, synthesiser, guitar, flutes, bodhran and accordion.

The John Paul Jones Birthplace Museum, Arbigland, Kirkbean, is the Solway Coast home of the 18th century Scot who was best known in Britain as an infamous pirate. John Paul Jones was born in a gardener’s cottage (now part of the museum) at Arbigland on the Solway coast in 1747 and set sail from Carsethorn at the age of 13 to start his career as a seaman’s apprentice. Through his skills became a distinguished naval officer fighting for both the USA and Russia, but in Britain he is best remembered as a pirate. At the John Paul Jones Birthplace Museum visitors can see the original cottage where John Paul was born, still furnished in the style of the 1700s, and experience what it might have been like to sail in one of his ship’s cabins.  The visitor centre, which features a dramatic film adaptation of John Paul Jones’ exploits, follows his international career and highlights the significance his legacy has today for the US Navy. Museum opening times through the summer are as follows: April to September: 10am – 5pm Tuesday – Sunday. July and August: 10am – 5pm all week.

The Concert takes place at Kirkbean Village Hall (DG2 8DW) on Wed 7th Aug at 8pm. Tickets cost £12.50 – includes barbeque, Licensed bar opens at 7pm. For further details about the performance, or The John Paul Jones Birthplace Museum please call (01387) 880613. Tickets available from Midsteeple, Dumfries, T H Carsons (Butchers), Dalbeattie and John Paul Jones Museum or Pay at the Door.