Big Burns Supper Latest

Catastrophe appeared to have struck the second Big Burns Supper on its opening day yesterday - when Dumfries experienced snowstorms through the day:

Dumfries on the morning of Burns Night

The opening show involved the participation of children from all across the region and, as stories of accidents on the roads multiplied, the organisers put safety first and cancelled the much anticipated opening show 'We Could Be Heroes'.......full story here

But festival goers were not daunted and battled their way to Dumfries from far and wide to receive a warm welcome from the town's venues - including the amazing SpeigelGarden on the Whitesands with its atmospheric SpeigelTent.......if you have not seen this yet then get into Dumfries tonight or tomorrow - it is really something.

One bunch that rose to the occasion were the Lost Supper crew (somehow you suspect that a bit of discomfort is really a come-on to a performance artist) - Benjamin Franklin and Mary Wollstonecraft joined the existing characters of Marquis de Sade, Katherine the Great, Mozart, the Abbé and William Blake for the culmination of their search for Rabbie Burns and their dinner. 70 haggis suppers were served to the good burghers of Dumfropolis, who braved the cold and enjoyed the spectacle, that included live projection work on the facade of The Stove (great work Mr John Wallace). Congratulations due to all, but conceptor Mark Zygadlo in particular.

The Lost Supper on High St, Dumfries last night

There was a goodly buzz of festival-like energy on the streets of the Queen of the South today - the main stage at the Midsteeple is properly impressive (as is the sound system) and the spectacle of young Scottish bands given such a stage to play on was terrific.
One of the Big Burns Supper's avowed intentions was to bring out a crowd who would not normally think of Dumfries as their sort of place - that definitely seemed to be working with a hundreds of fresh faces and the inspiring site of musicians etc hurrying between venues with double basses etc....great stuff.

Sienna on the TTV Stage - Midsteeple, Dumfries

Be sure to check out Leah Halliday's 'Art Vending Machine' - a great idea with multiples of 16 original artworks all available at the press of a button for the paltry sum of £5.

Masses still to see, hear and join in with tonight and tomorrow - get ye down there.

Programme etc - here