Kirkcaldy- based Little Buddha and One World Beat volunteer Stuart Blance kick off the Scottish One World Beat festival in Perth, while in Edinburgh, Senegalese band Diwan play alongside Calvin and Q without U.

Glasgow is to host Scotland's first traditional event, to take place at the National Piping Centre on Saturday, March 20. This event is being organised by world-famous piper Roddy Macleod.

Events are ongoing throughout the weekend at Twa Tams in Perth, Caledonian Backpackers in Edinburgh, The National Piping Centre in Glasgow and The Candle Rooms in Kirkcaldy.

These sites give lots of information about the participants: National Piping Centre - Caledonian Backpackers.

Stuart is still looking for venues throughout Scotland, and bands to fill them, as he hopes to highlight the wealth of talent in Scotland while helping this excellent cause. Any Scotland- based musicians interested in participating in One World Beat can contact Stuart. Stuart's site is at http://www.stuartblance.com and an original song by Stuart here; click on the link to the mp3 ("The Only One").

—by Mark Roach