l The St Magnus Festival in Orkney has a new chairman.

Local architect and festival board member Leslie Burgher succeeds George Rendall, who has served in the post for 20 years after stints as treasurer and in charge of publicity. He succeeded Archie Bevan, who was one of the founders of the festival with Sir Peter Maxwell Davies when a teacher at Stromness Academy.

www.stmagnusfestival.com

l Motown star Martha Reeves, travelling with her latest Vandellas, returns to Glasgow to play at Oran Mor on Sunday, December 16. Ms Reeves has previously been seen in the city at the Arches and, last January, as part of Celtic Connections.

www.oran-mor.co.uk

l Celtic Connections 2013 guests the Heritage Blues Orchestra have received a Grammy nomination for their debut album, And Still I Rise. The band, who make their first Scottish appearance at Glasgow Royal Concert Hall on Thursday, January 31, are up against artists including New Orleans veteran Dr John and singer-guitarist Ruthie Foster in the Best Blues Album category.

www.heritagebluesorchestra.com