Raised in Iowa City, the son of a nationally-recognised poet, by 1983, Nathan Bell had formed the duo Bell & Shore with then-wife Susan Shore. The two scored a record deal, began touring heavily, and would eventually release a pair of records, the second, L-Ranko Motel, scoring rave reviews. Their marriage and musical partnership ended in 1989 and he didn't pick up a guitar or write a song again for almost 15 years. With his latest album, I Don't Do This for Love, I Do This for Love (the third instalment in a potent trilogy that began with 2011's Black Crow Blue and continued with 2014's Blood Like a River), he has created a song cycle that is both moving and timely. The new CD won him more media attention in the space of a few weeks than he has experienced for a long time, picking up four and 5-star ratings from reviewers on both sides of the Atlantic. Now, the UK gets a chance to catch the man in action when he flies in for appearances at Glasgow's Celtic Connections festival and plays a few UK dates before heading for a string of shows in The Netherlands. Some recent quotes: Gritty and authentic A Best of 2016 selection - The Telegraph Really, really special Ricky Ross, BBC Radio Scotland Powerful excellent ★★★★★ - Country Music People A stand-out album poetry is coursing through his veins ★★★★★ Maverick magazine

Drop in and join us for a pay-what-you-want family-friendly art workshop. Come and create an Aztec-inspired Masquerade mask or two while enjoying chilled DJ sets in a cool immersive environment. We will cater to all ages and abilities, with colouring sheets for your tiny tots, to collage materials for the more adventurous, up to advanced large 3D mask sculpting (using cardboard and glue) with our resident experts - all to be worn at our Scarborough Art Masquerade Ball event on 2nd August. Winner 2024 Audience Choice award.