September events: New season, new experiences
See what’s happening this month.
September is shaping up to be a very busy month at Mareel and beyond.
Music, film, drama, open mics, and workshops galore – there’s truly something for everyone throughout September. Whether you’re looking for new opportunities to develop skills, see artists from near and far perform live on stage, or immerse yourself in a good-old cinema experience.
The Write Night
Drop into our first open literature, poetry and spoken word monthly session, The Write Night.
Until the end of the year, we will be running a free monthly drop-in literature evening in the Upper Cafe bar in Mareel. The focus will be on reading original creative work or sharing the work of other writers. You are also more than welcome to come along just as an audience member as well!
- Wednesday 2 September, 7pm
Soup and a Show: Hinna
Hinna is a Shetland-based instrumental ensemble comprising David Boyter (guitar, mandolin & banjo), Lana Elaine (accordion & piano), Sophie Henry (cello) and Mark Ockendon (drums & percussion).
The group draws on roots in traditional music alongside contemporary acoustic influences to develop an original body of new work.
- Thursday 3 September, 1pm
Even Here, Even Now Information Session
Kathryn Gordon, Manager of Even Here, Even Now, will host an information session on the new roles available as part of the project’s next phase: Artist Associates and Creative Advocacy Group
- Friday 4 September, 11am
The Maes & Lizzie No
Australian group The Maes return to Shetland following a hugely successful visit for the 2025 Shetland Folk Festival. Sisters Maggie and Elsie Rigby draw their audience in like your weetiest and scariest friends. Also back for a second visit to the islands is award-winning ontemporary Americana singer-songwriter, guitarist and harpist Lizzie No, who sold out Hay’s Dock back in summer 2024 and has recently toured with Iron & Wine.
- Friday 4 September, 7:30pm (Carnegie Hall) & Saturday 5 September, 7:30pm (Mareel)
Homemade Workshop – From Page to Screen with Steven Robertson
Steven Robertson is a Shetland actor who is best known for his role as Detective Sandy Wilson in the drama series ’Shetland’. Aimed at local film makers and student film makers wanting to further develop their art form, Steven will discuss the technical challenges of getting from script to screen, drawing on his experience in theatre, television and the film industry.
- Saturday 5 September, 10:30am
Homemade 0-4 Minutes
Our annual celebration of short films by local film makers of all ages and abilities. Prizegiving will take place at Saturday’s screening.
- Saturday 5 September, 2pm & Tuesday 8 September, 6:30pm
Homemade 4-12 Minutes
An addition to our annual celebration of short films by local film makers of all ages and abilities. Films between 4 and 12 minutes long, plus a review by a panel in the film industry.
- Sunday 6 September, 2pm & Wednesday 9 September, 7pm
Red Shoes Theatre: You Made Me
You Made Me by Stephenie Georgia. Exploring intergenerational trauma, identity and bystander theory this play asks, what happens when we have a choice to intervene – but choose not to? Should we trust that gut feeling that something isn’t quite right? And what happens when we don’t.
- Tuesday 8 September & Wednesday 9 September, 7:30pm
Voice Notes
With the rise of musical favourites such as Pitch Perfect, Wicked, Hamilton and Six, this group workshop aims to gather young people together to sing. Led by Suzanne Briggs, Voice Notes’ emphasis will be on listening, learning aurally and having fun together. Aimed at S1-6 participants.
- Thursday 10 September – Thursday 8 October, 4:30pm
Dance Gathering x Nightmix
Join us for a relaxed evening of movement, music and connection as we move into autumn together.
Dance and meditation are led by Andrea, inviting participants into an open, welcoming space to explore movement in response to music and rhythm. A live DJ set from DJ Bex will provide the soundtrack for the evening, shaping an immersive atmosphere that will move between easy flow and higher energy dance. Nightmix will also be in the space, testing and developing visual ideas and lighting including interactive visual elements.
- Thursday 10 September, 7pm
Sketchy Shetland x Nightmix
Sketchy Shetland joins forces with Nightmix for an afternoon of drawing, music and creative exploration.
This relaxed session invites adults of all artistic abilities to draw, experiment and enjoy the creative process while listening to a live DJ set from Drosso. Bring a sketchbook and respond to the people, atmosphere and visual ideas being developed by Nightmix ahead of their October club night.
- Sunday 13 September, 2pm
In Conversation with Hannah Parker and Jimmy Thomason
Join us for this joint artist talk between Hannah Parker and Jimmy Thomason, exploring their work shaped by connections between Shetland and Australia, reflecting on themes of place, migration, and cultural memory.
- Tuesday 15 September, 7pm
Film Quiz
Test your movie knowledge against our sharp-witted quizmasters in an evening dedicated to film, from timeless classics to modern masterpieces, with prizes for the winning (and losing) teams!
- Thursday 17 September, 7:30pm
SYPG Present… GROOVY
Come down to Mareel for an intergenerational evening of great music from SEDSO, RAZORHEAT, and CALIBRE. Bring your friends, siblings, parents, cousins, grandparents, uncles and aunts, or anyone else you like!
- Saturday 19 September, 7pm
The Royal Scottish Academy at 200: Tutored Life Drawing with George Donald RSA
This practical life drawing workshop will be delivered in-person by George Donald RSA. George will teach basic life drawing skills and techniques with the use of a model human skeleton, while giving lively insights into the history of life drawing and telling stories of his illustrious career.
- Sunday 20 September, 10am
Revel
A 60+ coming-of-age story about resilience, irreverence, joie de vivre – and dancing!
Taking place in the theatre dressing room of every show Kally and Steinvor have ever been in – past, present and future – Revel is a funny and moving new show fusing dance, physical theatre, dialogue and music.
- Wednesday 23 September, 7:30pm
Singer Songwriter Nights
Join us for our Singer Songwriter Nights in Mareel’s Auditorium for an evening of live local music.
Bring your instruments and showcase your talent – try out new material, perform the classics, or just stop by to enjoy a drink and listen to some great music at this free and unticketed event.
- Thursday 24 September, 7:30pm
Ashley Campbell
Daughter of country legend Glen Campbell, Ashley began her career playing banjo and keyboard in her father’s band on several world tours and has found success as a solo artist in the country/Americana music scene; most notably with her debut single ‘Remembering’, which she wrote for her father and is featured on the Grammy award-winning and Oscar-nominated album for the documentary ‘Glen Campbell: I’ll Be Me’.
- Friday 25 September, 7:30pm (Mareel) & Saturday 26 September, 7:30pm (Carnegie Hall)
Neil Georgeson: Fireside Tales
Shetland musician Neil Georgeson returns to Mareel with a new piano recital, bringing a huge variety of music together in a programme entitled “Fireside Tales”, which focuses on the storytelling power of music.
- Saturday 26 September, 7:30pm
Wool Week@Shetland Arts
We’re excited to be partnering with Shetland Wool Week to bring a mix of music, film, spoken word and dancing to Mareel.
From relaxed Woolly Stage cafe sessions, with local musicians and writers, knitting-friendly Knitlfix films, a lively Wool Week Spree concert and a fun-filled traditional Shetland Reel dance gathering, come along and enjoy some of the best of Shetland’s traditional culture and community spirit.
- 27 September – 4 October
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