A Night to Remember: Cruden Bay Folk Club’s Benefit Concert Shines for Port Erroll Public Hall

On Friday, May 16th, Cruden Bay Folk Club hosted a truly memorable Benefit Concert in aid of the Port Erroll Public Hall. Not only was the event a complete sell-out, but it also delivered a magical evening of exceptional entertainment, community spirit, and musical talent—all in support of a vital local venue.

The night brought together an enthusiastic capacity crowd of 120 people, united by a shared love of music and a desire to support a worthy cause. With performances from the Folk Club’s talented resident artists and two outstanding headline acts, the atmosphere was electric from start to finish.

The evening opened with a warm welcome and words of appreciation from Peter Abenheimer, representing the Public Hall. He expressed gratitude to all in attendance before handing over to the evening’s compère, Scott Thomson, a familiar face at the Folk Club. Scott began the programme with a duet alongside Russell Taylor, performing Randy Newman’s Rider in the Rain and the heartfelt Like I Used To. These opening numbers set a high bar for the evening and gave a taste of the musical excellence still to come.

Next on stage was the Folk Club’s beloved female choir, The Fiere Deems, who captivated the audience with a moving rendition of Karine Polwart’s Travel These Ways. They followed it with the charmingly humorous Older Ladies by Donnalou Stevens—a performance that had the entire hall smiling and laughing.

Bill Buchan, another Club regular, then took the stage and delighted the crowd with two Slim Whitman classics, Cheatin’ Heart and Hey Good Lookin’. His nostalgic performance encouraged enthusiastic sing-alongs, rekindling fond memories through timeless tunes.

Building on the momentum, the first of the evening’s headline acts took the stage. Father-and-son duo Sir Reel Clarks—Andy and Aarron Clark—delivered a dynamic set packed with witty stories, emotional ballads, and lively, foot-stomping melodian pieces. Their chemistry and energy lit up the room, earning rapturous applause and leaving the audience buzzing during the interval.

Throughout the evening, the event was professionally filmed by members of Peterhead’s Apex Church, whose film production team is well-known for capturing and producing top-quality musical performances. Their crew blended seamlessly into the background, working discreetly and respectfully so as not to disrupt the evening’s flow. These recordings will be edited and shared with friends of Cruden Bay Folk Club and others who take an interest in this evening of magical entertainment—all in the name of a great local cause.

Following a short break and a successful fundraising raffle, Janet Sharp opened the second half with a stunning rendition of Carole King’s Tapestry, followed by a beautifully performed Time After Time by Cyndi Lauper, accompanied by Scott Thomson on guitar.

Then came The KGB—Kenny, Gordon, and Brian—joined by Jazz on drums and Sandy on fiddle. They performed Mary Steenburgen’s Glasgow from the film Wild Rose, followed by their always-popular take on Bob Dylan’s Wagon Wheel, which had the entire room singing along in delight.

The energy continued with The CJK Band—Conor, Jazz, and Kenny—who shared two original songs of remarkable quality. Their polished performance brought the night to a crescendo, setting the stage perfectly for the final act.

The evening’s climax came with the much-anticipated performance from the Robyn Smith Trio. These three young musicians delivered a breathtaking set, seamlessly blending original compositions with select cover songs. Their rendition of ABBA’s Super Trouper was a surprise highlight, bringing the house down with its infectious joy and charm.

To conclude this unforgettable night, Robyn invited all the evening’s performers back on stage for a heartfelt group performance of the gospel classic I’ll Fly Away. The song echoed through the hall, leaving a lasting impression and a shared sense of warmth, unity, and hope.

Thanks to the talent, generosity, and support of the local community—both on and off the stage—the concert not only filled the hall with music and laughter but also played a significant role in securing the future of the Port Erroll Public Hall.

A truly fantastic evening of top-class entertainment in support of a cherished community space—what’s not to love?