The ButeLive Music & Arts Festival will take place over the 15th to 18th July in various venues on the beautiful Isle of Bute, the main one being the wonderful 1938 built art-deco Pavilion in the main town of Rothesay.

Now in its 3rd year the festival features some well loved and internationally renowned artists plus events specially geared for children and the whole family.

On the Friday afternoon Bute Goes Strictly Ballroom with a return to the 50's era Tea Dance event in the Pavilion; and that night La Sonera Calaveras are heading up a fantastic fun filled family fiesta.

Saturday (and Sunday) has a programme of fun filled and instructive activities for children. Also, if 12 and under, children are allowed free entry to the Finlay MacDonald Band Concert in the afternoon.

At night Jazz singer Carol Kidd, one of the best UK female vocalists ever, will be in concert with the wonderful backing of Fraser Speirs (Harmonica), Graeme Duffin (Guitar), Brian Shiels (Bass), Alyn Cosker (Drums) and Steve Hamilton (Piano). For those who can't manage an overnight stay, but want to see Carol's concert on the Saturday night, which won't finish until after the last CalMac ferry leaves, ButeLive is running a special charter boat for the day. The £20 return fare from Greenock includes entry to the Finlay McDonald and Carol Kidd concerts and there's live entertainment onboard. Really excellent value!

Then, from 9.30 pm on the Saturday night ButeLive BarFest, sponsored by Fosters, starts in the island pubs featuring Quinn, Moonshiners, Endrick Brothers, Sugaritas, Junkman's Choir, Iain Forbes, Lazarenkos, Sal and the Roddy Hart Band. These are all Free Entry gigs!

On Sunday, ButeLive's Patron Maureen Beattie, with her friends Diana Weston, Duncan Duff and Hugh Sachs will perform "Tell Me the Truth About Love", which takes a humorous look at the subject of love through the work of some of our best-loved writers. Then the Pavilion audience will be treated to Michael Marra and Liz Lochhead performing their acclaimed 'In Flagrant Delicht'. His songs and her poetry and prose combine to produce a wonderful show full of wit, poignancy and singing simplicity.

On Sunday night, the island's own Bute Players will perform 2 one-act plays. 'Think the Beautiful Thoughts' by Rae Shirley is a comedy and 'Housekeeper Wanted' by Philip King & Falkland L Cary is a Farce. This is followed by the festival's late night Comedy Club, sponsored by Miller Lager, featuring Patrick Rolink, Parrot, Kirsty Moss, Vladimir McTavish and Quentin Reynolds.

On Monday, Danssa, celebrating the rich culture and infectious energy of traditional Scottish Dance are performing their wonderful music, song and dance in the Pavilion and the festival finishes that day with a 'reel' Barn Dance which is held in a real barn on a real farm and features the music of the Gary Forrest Band.

The festival is organised by ButeLive Limited, a registered charity on the island that endeavours to encourage and promote live performances across a wide range of music and the arts for locals and visitors. The festival has attracted funding from, Argyll & Bute Council, Miller Lager, Fosters Lager, Royal Mail, Isle of Bute Gaelic Partnership, Dr Marshall (Island of Bute)Memorial Fund, Scottish Arts Council Lottery Funding and EventScotland.

The Isle of Bute is just off the West coast of Scotland and is reached by short ferry journeys from Wemyss Bay and Colintraive. For up-to-date information about the festival programme please visit www.butelive.co.uk or telephone 01700 500623. Tickets can be purchased online at www.thebooth.co.uk