Bunbanter’s Young Scottish Theatre Groups, Carronbridge

From Philip Anderson-Dyer

Bunbanter’s Young Scottish Theatre Groups, Carronbridge.

In January 2015 The Bunbury Banter Theatre Company CIC started a theatre group in Carronbridge (Nithsdale) with the aim of bringing the young people from Sanquhar, Thornhill and surrounding areas together and to develop student’s confidence, creativity and imagination through the medium of theatre, the use of storytelling and a variety of other creative practices.

So far this has been a huge success, attracting young people from both areas and forming the beginnings of an exceptionally solid, supportive and friendly group dynamic.

The first term's work has been focused on introducing basic theatrical skills, games and exercises, encouraging group bonding in order to create an 'ensemble'. In the course of this, students have explored many things including the ideas behind storytelling (such as fairy tales and Roald Dahl) and examined the origin of the chorus in Greek Theatre. Next Term, they will be moving onto a media project during the early weeks and have visitors popping in, later on in the term, such as a professional Lighting and Sound designer, who'll be exploring the technical side of the theatre.

The Bunbury Banter Theatre Comapny's main aim as an organisation is improving the access to theatre and when forming their groups locally, it was quickly discovered that transport is a recognised issue for many people living in rural areas. So, to counteract this, Bunbanter quickly organised a private bus service to and from the class, for the students from Sanquhar Academy and also arranged to open up their venue early, to accommodate those studying at Wallace Hall Academy; so they are able to get on the public bus from Thornhill which arrives at 4pm. Money and financial constraints can also be a block to young people accessing such classes but again Bunbanter have a number of resources in place, so they can offer scholarships and assistance, should that be needed by any of their students.

In addition to the younger group, next term Bunbanter is also going to open the second group for ages between 16-25 years. More information is to be released over the Easter break but similarly to the earlier class, their artistic director, Ali Anderson-Dyer, will be using all the disciplines and practices found within the theatre to further the students both individually and as a group, exploring many different performance styles and practices, whilst developing a fun and welcoming place to make new friends and learn new skills.

The Bunbury Banter Theatre Company CIC has a successful background of running fun, enjoyable and interesting classes across London and the UK; and as with all their work, the groups in Carronbridge exist to challenge and inspire young creatives in a safe and supported environment, regardless of personal circumstance.

See the Bunbanter website here for more information

Email info@bunbanter.com or Call 01848 330493

Festival Forecast In The Heart Of Galloway

From Sid Ambrose Wigtownshire Area Arts Convenor

Nostalgic acts booked for several of the regions festivals

Music lovers and festival fans may have noticed a strong nostalgic vibe emanating from some of our region’s major events being held in deepest grooviest Galloway this summer.
Lulu, Status Quo, Grandmaster Flash, Squeeze, the Waterboys and Big Country are like a who’s who of bygone rock royalty. In search of meaning l read some tea leaves and consulted with the bones to find out why, it appears that a frothy cloud of nostalgia has been snagged on the lofty peak of the Merrick and looks to be settled in place for our northern summer. However fans of contemporary and new music need not be alarmed as strong westerlies have blown in a smattering of current acts such as Example, Tom Odell and The Cat Empire.

This retro and newbie mash up may have been influenced by the Gulf Stream which flows northward past our shores, but it is more likely that the population demographic of ageing stalwarts and bright young things have championed for a series of line up’s that reflect the eclectic musical tastes of our collective shires and dales. Wickerman, Eden and now Palmerston Park may have secured some of the music industry heavy artillery but let’s not forget the likes of Knockengorroch who have booked timeless acts such as Shooglenifty and the Peatbog Faeries for their World Ceilidh in May. Electric Fields who champion new Scottish music have just released their line-up of new pretenders and our "way out west" event Park Fest in Stranraer will probably combine a weekend of Young Guns and veteran performers in late August. Youth Beatz are building a national reputation amongst a tween audience whilst Dumfries and Galloway Arts Festival continue their 30-year run of bringing quality and diversity to pocket sized venues all along the A75 corridor.

So what’s the long range forecast for the regions festivals and events l hear you ask. Well barring external factors such as those that affect the economy and travel l feel that future of our festival industry is so bright we are probably going to need shades, the combination of niche market events, family friendly gatherings and rock offerings means that we must be several isobars above other comparable regions when it comes to outdoor live music. In my experience live performance can never be matched by pub jukeboxes or in- car stereos and luckily for us you can hardly swing a selfie stick in Galloway without hitting a festival.

Moniaive Shortlisted for Creative Scotland Award

from The Commonty

Great news from Upper Nithsdale that Moniaive has been shortlisted in the £50,000 category of the Creative Place Awards run annually by Creative Scotland. Our region has a brilliant reputation in these awards with Wigtown winning in the inaugural year (and a special award to Creetown the same year), both Gatehouse and Glenkens were shortlisted the following and Dumfries was shortlisted in the largest category in 2014. Congratulations to everyone in Moniaive connected with the bid and heres hoping you guys can bring home the prize for the South West......take no prisoners!

The amazing Cairn Chorus in full voice

The full story of the shortlisting etc is here

The Phantom Band, Hector Bizerk And Golden Teacher Set to Storm the Castle!

From Electric Fields

Electric Fields, one of Scotland’s hottest new music festivals returns after making its spectacular debut in 2014! The Phantom Band, Hector Bizerk and Golden Teacher are amongst the first wave of artists, with the festival headliner due to be revealed soon. Having its biggest line-up to date and upping its capacity, an extra 1000 festival goers can also expect to see up to 50 artists & bands performing over 4 stages within the fields of Drumlanrig Castle situated in the stunning Queensberry Estate in Dumfries & Galloway.

Last years headliners Fatherson

THE PHANTOM BAND - HECTOR BIZERK- GOLDEN TEACHER

PAWS - VICTORIAN TROUT CONSPIRACY - RANDOLPH’S LEAP – ESPERANZA

MIAOUX MIAOUX - MONOGRAM - JONNIE COMMON - PRONTO MAMA

MAN OF MOON - NUMBERS ARE FUTILE - KILL THE WAVES

CRASH CLUB - ROOT SYSTEM

As well as having twin main stages (The Arc & Carse Valley), this year, Scotland’s Hit The Road project will be taking place during the day in the ‘To Lose La Trek’ stage, giving young musicians aged 14-19 years old their first taste of touring and playing festivals. A brand new alternative stage has been also added, curated by The Skinny, one of Scotland’s most diverse and widely distributed music & culture must-read magazines. A spokesperson for Electric Fields said ‘Last year, this started as a grass roots idea, and despite us increasing the capacity, we’re remaining grass roots but as we made such a healthy impression, we’re adding more artists and an awesome new stage. It’s only year 2, we have to luxury to grow and be diverse…and we cannot wait to reveal the rest of the line-up!’

Jim Gellatly – DJ & Broadcaster, XFM Radio.
"My dream festival line-up, with so much amazing emerging music from Scotland."

Ally McCrae – DJ & Broadcaster.
“Honestly, what a day. The line-up was strong, the two stages worked a treat, the weather, the people, the setting… ah, it was awesome! ”

The Stove's Open House

From The Stove Network

Very exciting news from Stove central as we can announce that The Stove will be opening next month, with a series of events called Open House.

Open House is a series of very different events that will show the versatility of The Stove as a physical space and the ambition of the project for the town centre.

We kick off with the third annual Dumfries Music Conference on 24th and 25th April. As in previous years, DMC2015 will feature workshops, talks, film, live music, expert opinion and creative collaboration. Through a collection of brilliant partners and guests, we hope to educate, inspire and entertain. DMC2015 will mark the official opening of The Stove Building at 100 High Street. In celebration of this we are going to fill the entire building with colour, music and people. Full details will be made available here as they are announced!

On 28th April The Stove hosts Open Mouth – a day of spoken word, performance and cooking. Full details available here  Open Mouth is specially created and delivered for The Stove Network by Sarah Indigo, Eryl Shields and Open Jar Collective Produced in collaboration with Wigtown Festival Company

29th April sees House Warming – an open invite to come and see The Stove building, have a chat and make a T-shirt. From 6pm there will be a Stove Members Gathering, which will include a public bonfire, and Bannock making in the town square with Open Jar. More details available here.

At 6pm on Saturday 2nd May come to The Stove for the public launch of HAME, this is a specially commissioned film installation by artists Emma Dove and Mark Lyken. Lyken and Dove have been artists-in-residence with The Stove Network for 6 months, and during this time they have been researching the way people move away from D+G and return. Come along on 2nd May for the world premiere of the work, which will be partly broadcast outside on the High Street and partly inside The Stove. Full details will be announced shortly and be available here 

Every Tuesday starting 12th May you are invited to Drop-In @ The Stove – pop in for a brew and a blether about The Stove and the town…. what would you like to see The Stove doing? What are your ideas for the town centre? What would you like to do at The Stove? We’ll be open and we’d love to hear your ideas! Drop In will run from 12 noon till 6pm every Tuesday, so just drop in on your way past! More details available here 

Keep up with the latest updates on Open House on our website, and via our social media on Facebook and Twitter, using #OpenHouse

Things are hotting with A the Airts latest Mediterranean exhibition

From Sara Bain at A the Airts

The debut exhibition of New Cumnock artist Jane Ross is taking place at A’ the Airts in Sanquhar this month. Inspired by the hot hues of the Spanish landscape, Jane’s colourful, often sparkling, acrylic canvasses of trees and fruit are evocative of the searing heat and arid conditions of a Mediterranean summer.

“I wanted to capture the hardship that plants face growing in the high Spanish temperatures,” Jane said. “Despite such adverse conditions, vegetation manages to grow and produce fruit. Nature is an amazing thing. “The colours I use, in particular, help to depict the Mediterranean heat as well as the vibrancy and sparkle of life inside its harsh environment.”

A prolific painter, Jane’s manifold collection of canvasses, prints, cards and postcards are on display in the exhibition area at A’ the Airts until March 30.

Tailor of Inverness touring New York, via Dalbeattie

From Sara Bain

Dogstar Theatre’s Tailor of Inverness, is amongst two Scottish plays selected for New York premieres in this year’s Brits off Broadway festival. And the region’s theatre lovers will be able to see why in May, when the drama comes to Dalbeattie Town Hall as part of the Dumfries and Galloway Arts Festival.

Brits off Broadway is an annual festival premiering British plays to New York audiences. Critically acclaimed, the festival is described as a showcase for innovative and provocative theatre and this year runs from April to June.

The productions are travelling to the US thanks to combined funding of £70,000 from Creative Scotland and the Scottish Government. Creative Scotland’s Open Project funding awarded Dogstar £11,457 through the Scottish Government’s Edinburgh Festivals Expo Fund.

Brits off Broadway opens with the Tailor of Inverness at the end of Scotland Week 2015, Scotland’s annual showcase of culture and creativity in North America. The Tailor of Inverness, the true story about how a boy from the Ukraine became a tailor in northern Scotland, will launch on 14 April 14. Following a 23-night run it will close on 3 May before it comes to Dalbeattie on 27 May.

Festival organisers have also chosen in My Father’s Words, a play about dementia, the Gaelic language and family revelations that span the Atlantic.

Cabinet Secretary for Culture Europe and External Affairs, Fiona Hyslop said: “Scottish theatre and culture resonates across the world. “This is great opportunity for two brilliant productions to make their mark in the USA. It’s exciting that Brits off Broadway will start at the end of Scotland Week with In My Father’s words; a great Scottish play with internationalism at its heart. This year’s Brits of Broadway demonstrates confidence in Scottish talent and the role of our world-renowned festivals as platforms for international success.”

Brits off Broadway Executive Producer, Peter Tear said: “As a Scot based in New York it is always a pleasure to present outstanding Scottish work at 59E59 Theaters. “We have waited a few years to introduce the remarkable, inspiring story of The Tailor of Inverness to New Yorkers, and this year happily the stars aligned. Dogstar’s Matthew Zajac, Aidan O’Rourke and Grid Iron’s director Ben Harrison will be with us for the first time for Brits Off Broadway at the close of Scotland Week.”

Book tickets for the Dalbeattie show on the DG Arts website here

Absolute Classics concludes the season with the Fournier Piano Trio

From Ivy Moon Press

Outstanding, astonishing and unique, are just three of the adjectives which have been used to describe a concert by the Fournier Piano Trio. “When you can blow off a 400 seat concert hall with just three people playing, you know something extraordinary has happened,” said one enthusiastic reviewer.

And a mini tour of the region by this distinguished and exciting trio, will mark the grand finale to the highly successful 2014/15 Absolute Classics series. Since winning the 2013 Parkhouse Award, the London-based trio has been rapidly emerging as one of the world’s leading young piano trios. The young group of classical musicians are Taiwanese-British pianist Chiao-Ying Chang; Korean violinist Sulki Yu; and Australian cellist Pei-Jee Ng. All are leading musicians of their generation and have given recitals at some of the world’s most prestigious classical venues, including the Purcell Room and the Wigmore, Carnegie and Royal Festival halls.

As a trio, these three remarkable musicians have made critically acclaimed debuts at both the Purcell Room and Wigmore Hall in London and in 2011 embarked on its first European Tour after being selected for New Masters on Tour at the International Holland Music Sessions which culminated in their debut at the Amsterdam Concertgebouw. They have appeared at music festivals across the world, including Singapore, Hong Kong and Australia and have made regular visits to the Trondheim International Music Festival. Plans are afoot to record their debut album later this year for USK Recordings.

The Fournier Piano Trio begin their four-day concert series at Kirkcudbright Parish Church on Thursday, March 26, at 7.30pm. On Friday, March 27, the performance will take place at Annan Academy Performing Arts Centre, at 7.30pm. The venue is Greyfriars Church Dumfries on Saturday, March 28, again at 7.30pm, and Sunday, March 29, sees the final date in the Absolute Classics 2014/15 series when the trio will play out the last performance at the Buccleuch and Queensberry Arms, Thornhill, at 3.30pm.

Programmes include pieces by Haydn, Faure, Tchaikovsky, Schumann, Schubert and Dvorak.
Tickets in advance from www.absoluteclassics.co.uk or on the doors.

Absolute Classics returns in August with its popular summer festival and will once again feature the International Music Platform, bringing some of the world’s most highly-acclaimed musicians to Dumfries and Galloway. Director, Alex McQuiston, said: “It’s been an amazing year for classical music in the region. We have hosted some truly astounding performances, many to packed audiences and the feedback has been inspiring as well as very encouraging.

“The success of the programme is evidence that the people of Dumfries and Galloway are fully supportive of what we are trying to achieve: to bring the best calibre classical musicians from across the world to this predominately rural region. “We’re back in August with the popular International Musicians Platform - a 10-day concert series and weeklong masterclass series attracting performers and students from all over the world.

“In the meantime, Absolute Classics would like to thank everyone who supported us - the venues, the performers, the funders and, of course, the audiences - over the 2014/15 series and who all helped it to be so successful. “We look forward to seeing you all in August.”

Wave Blues Band at A the Airts

From Sara Bain

The Dumfries and Galloway-based Wave Blues Band takes its audience back to a time of smoke-filled rooms in a Chicago bar, bourbon-soaked floorboards and the soulful sounds of a harmonica crying from the speakers.
By staying true to the original intention of this vibrant and exciting musical genre, the band has played to sell-out audiences and rowdy encores for a number of years. It has captured the hearts and imaginations of music lovers across the age and social spectrums as well as garnering a keen interest from younger audiences new to the sound. Founded in 2012 by jazz guitarist Brian Thomson, the Wave Blues Band plays authentic Chicago and Detroit electric blues from the ’20s to ’50s.

Brian said: “In my earlier years, I played the London clubs, including the Ricky Tick Club, with the likes of John Lee Hooker, Sonny Boy Williamson II, Jimmy Reed and Big Joe Turner: all major American blues artists in the ’60s. I also played backing with acts such as Georgie Fame and John Mayo, well before they were famous! “I’ve always loved the blues and have played it for years, on and off.“Since retiring, I’ve had more time to get back to it and formed the Wave Blues Band which has a wide repertoire of some of the most classic electric blues numbers plus a few of our own.”

Members of the Wave Blues Band are Brian on guitar and vocals; David Dryfe from Penpont, blues harp, well-known in blues and folk clubs throughout Scotland; Fraser Clark, keyboards, formerly of the D-Bass Jazz fusion band; and Edinburgh-based Ben Jerret, drums, a former Moffat Academy pupil who is currently studying music. “We try to keep the sound as authentic as possible,” Brian explained. “All the numbers we play are based on the original lyrics – the way the songs were written – and stay true to the intention of the artist. We mix these with some of our own compositions and some rearranged jazz standards to produce an exciting set.”

The band has a busy year lined up, with a number of gigs across the region and their first CD recording in May. They will be bringing their popular performance to A’ The Airts, Sanquhar, on Friday, April 3, at 7.30pm. Further information from the A the Airts website

Theatre Royal final Funding Push

From the Theatre Royal

When the curtain falls on opening night, there will be a collective sigh of relief at the newly-refurbished Theatre Royal in Dumfries. Not least because now, 10 months before the building reopens following its renovation, there is no curtain.

But that is a minor hurdle for the volunteers who have already raised the £1.9m needed to fund the comprehensive facelift. In their final push to finish the theatre, The Guild of Players, the volunteers who own the building, are breaking with the fundraising norm.

They hope to raise about £20,000 in cash donations but they have also appealed for donations of the physical items they need to create a working theatre. In addition to a good quality stage curtain, the guild has drawn up a wish list of items including computers for a media suite, a washing machine for cleaning costumes and a industrial freezer for storing interval ice cream.

Group member Kristen Layne said: "In terms of props and theatre-type things, we have a tonne of that which will be going back in. We are certainly not starting from scratch. "What we need is things like tables and chairs in the bar. We have always just had folding tables because we had multi-use rooms. "And we'll have a much bigger lobby - we never had room before for chairs and counters."

The guild hope they can persuade businesses to donate large items and that individual supporters will make cash donations. They are also looking to make money from selling props, costumes and other theatre paraphernalia which has accumulated in the building.

In their first jumble sale they raised £800. Amongst the items on sale were ties in "50 shades of grey" and about 60 waistcoats. Ms Layne said: "Things like that get accumulated but it wasn't until we got it all accumulated at our new base at the Crichton that we realised we had so many duplicates." Built in 1792, the Theatre Royal is acknowledged as the oldest working theatre in Scotland but it has been closed for the last year.

The group received a series of grants and donations, including an award of £322,300 from the Heritage Lottery Fund, to finance building work which will see the theatre expand into two neighbouring houses. They hope to open the theatre for the 2015 pantomime season, before an official opening in early 2016.

To make a donation head to the Theatre's fundly page here

Star gazing at Dumfries Museum

From Dumfries Museum

Stargazing Live 2015 - Solar Eclipse Special

A joint event with Dumfries Astronomy Society to celebrate the BBC’s Stargazing LIVE project and live television programmes - a nationwide campaign to get people exploring and learning about the sky above them.

Thursday 19 March 6.30-8.30pm

Join members of the Dumfries Astronomy Society and museum volunteers to learn more about solar eclipses and how to view them safely. Hands on activities for children and stargazing with the astronomers. Light refreshments will be available.

Friday 20 March 8.30 – 10.30am

As the moon and sun along and the world grows unusually dark come along to Dumfries Museum for a community eclipse viewing. Weather permitting the Camera Obscura can be used to see a projected view of the eclipse. Other safe methods of viewing the eclipse will also be available (you can use your solar observer made on Thursday evening).

If you plan to bring a group or school party to this event please call the museum in advance so that we can arrange best use of the Camera Obscura (Tel 01387 253374).

DG Arts Festival Programme Announced

From DG Arts Festival

The Scottish Chamber Orchestra and comedian Hardeep Singh Kohli will be among the headliners at the Dumfries and Galloway Arts Festival.

A total of 82 acts will perform at 42 venues across the south-west over 10 days at the end of May. The event, which is in its 36th year, will also feature performances by the award-winning folk singer Bella Hardy and Scotland's Makar Liz Lochhead.

Young musicians: John Gilderdale-Smith, from Castle Douglas; Zoe Bestel, of Wigtown; Robyn Stapleton from Stranraer; and Deri Ronan, of Thornhill.

The programme was launched at Loch Arthur, Beeswing, on Wednesday. Organisers have pledged to showcase world-class music, theatre, comedy and literature in towns, villages and remote rural areas across the region.

Highlights include:

HARDEEP SINGH KOHLI – HARDEEP IS YOUR LOVE
FRIDAY 22 MAY, 7:30 PM. £15
THE CORNER HOUSE HOTEL, HIGH STREET, ANNAN DG12 6DL
Master of pace and quick-witted patter, there’s much more to Hardeep Singh Kohli than being a media funny man in a colourful turban.

SCOTTISH ENSEMBLE FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE
FRIDAY 22 MAY, 8:00 PM. £20
EASTERBROOK HALL, THE CRICHTON, BANKEND ROAD, DUMFRIES, DG1 4TA
This event was kindly supported in memory of NLH.

A celebration of two of Russia’s most celebrated composers heralds the sensational start to this year’s Dumfries & Galloway Arts Festival.

KIDDER THEATRE NORMAL / MADNESS
SATURDAY 23 MAY, 7:30 PM. £10
THE SWALLOW THEATRE, MOSS PARK, WHITHORN, NEWTON STEWART DG8 8DR (also showing in New Galloway)
Kidder Theatre brings the very best in drama to the region with its critically acclaimed humorous and heart-breaking play Normal / Madness.

GAVIN MARWICK’S – JOURNEYMAN SPECTACULAR
SUNDAY 24 MAY, 7:30 PM. £15
CASTLE DOUGLAS TOWN HALL , ST ANDREW STREET, CASTLE DOUGLAS DG7 1DB
Described as ‘a folk festival on stage’, Gavin Marwick’s Journeyman Spectacular is a phenomenal musical experience of short sets of 10 performers and a constantly changing musical line-up.

STANLEY ODD
SUNDAY 24 MAY, 8:30 PM. £12
THE CORNER HOUSE HOTEL, HIGH STREET, ANNAN DG12 6DL
5.00PM – WORKSHOP WITH DAVE HOOK
Alternative Scottish hip-hop with heart, mind, wit, grit, conscience and superb live musicianship, Stanley Odd’s sound is reaching well beyond the rapidly burgeoning subculture from which it emerged, borne on an escalating grapevine buzz that’s set to ramp-up several notches further, with the release of their second album Reject.

Interns Wanted

From the Wigtown Book Festival

Wigtown Festival Company has launched three new internships with some of the flagship festivals in the region.

Available to people aged 15-25 in Dumfries & Galloway, Spring Fling, Dumfries & Galloway Arts Festival and Wigtown Festival Company are all offering opportunities to gain a variety of skills and experience. 

Spring Fling is looking for a social media coordinator to work before and during Spring Fling weekend. This will include blogging about activities including poetry collected by the Writer in Residence on her visits to various artists and The Stove's food and drink project where a chef will cook seasonal, local produce in artists' studios. 

Dumfries & Galloway Arts Festival offers the opportunity for the intern to learn about PR and Marketing and work in the office before the festival and to write reviews of shows aimed at young people during the Festival. 

Wigtown Festival Company will run its annual Writers' Gathering and is looking for an intern to support the event, taking responsibility for key tasks, including meeting and greeting authors and marketing the event beforehand. 

Full details can be found on the Wigtown Book Festival website here

Young Spring Fling - Poster competitions and Exhibition Openings

From Spring Fling

Schools competition winners on show with work by emerging talents and Dumfries and Galloway’s Archie Sutter Watt. Their work is now on display at Gracefield Arts Centre in Dumfries alongside a selection of pieces by emerging professional artists and an exhibition of oils by Archie Sutter Watt – one of Dumfries and Galloway’s best-loved painters.

The overall schools competition winner was Kirsty Dougan, from the P7 class at Springholm Primary. Her design features birds, deer and a fish all busy painting a picture, has been turned into the official Spring Fling 2015 poster and is being seen all over the country. Runners up Leah McWhir-Smith, Kirkcudbright Primary, P1 and Rachel Barr, Hardgate Primary, P7, also had their work turned into posters for them to keep. The exhibition also features entries by 20 schools winners. Leah Black, Spring Fling Director, said: “It’s a real joy working with these aspiring young artists and their work is lovely. It’s also very important to nurture this young talent. It’s wonderful that both these exhibitions will be on at the same time as Gracefield has the Archie Sutter Watt exhibition as he was so dedicated to educating young people about art.”

The schools competition is run in conjunction with Dumfries and Galloway’s Education Services department. The competition, and the bursary scheme, are funded by the Archie Sutter Watt Trust which was established to advance his commitment to arts and education. The top prize was £100 for the winner and £200 for their school, with £50 for each runner up and £100 for their schools.

Alan Watt, who is one of the trustees, said: “Archie taught in schools around D&G and also from own studio. “His two great passions were art and passing on skills to others. This is something he would have loved. And we like to promote art as a subject and an achievement in schools.”

This year is the centenary of Archie Sutter Watt’s birth and marks the 10th anniversary of his death. The Archie Sutter Watt exhibition offers a different perspective on his career. Celebrated for his watercolours, it is a chance to explore a lesser known aspect of his work and is called Archie in Oils.

The two Spring Fling exhibitions opened on Saturday following a special preview attended by the public, the schoolchildren and a selection of winners of the bursary scheme. They are free to visit and will run until 4 April.

The Spring Fling Young Artists Bursary scheme has now been running for four years and aims to help recent graduates with a link to the region make the transition into a professional career. Each winner receives £1,000 to create a body of work for the Spring Fling Open studios weekend and benefits from 15 days of mentoring by an established artist who has previously exhibited in the event. Leah said: “Making the shift from student to professional artist can be very tricky, and it’s a point where a lot of creative talent is lost because promising young people are forced off in different directions just in order to make a living.
“These awards and the mentorship by people who have built successful careers can be tremendously important. All our winners from the past have remained in the arts and have gone on to other projects, which is tremendous. “This is a superb opportunity to see how some of them are blossoming.” The Young Artist Bursary scheme exhibition features work by Katie Anderson, Terri Campbell, Holly Clothier, Fraser Irvine, Rory Laycock and Emma Kerr.

Terri, who graduated from Edinburgh College of Art last year and set up her own jewellery business in D&G, is one of the 2015 winners and has been mentored by Lisa Rothwell-Young, a jeweller and partner in the Cut the Mustard Gallery at Langholm.
Terri said: “Setting up my own business has been challenging but I’m really enjoying it. Having a mentor has been great because Lisa completely understands what I’m talking about.
“She has given me really valuable pointers on all sorts of things like how to approach galleries to talk about stocking your work and the dos and don’ts of setting up an exhibition.”
Her work is very wearable, with ranges that include everything from intricate silverwork to sheep horn found on the farm where she lives with her family.

See more of Terri's work online on her website here, or follow her facebook page here

Musical Line Up at A the Airts this March

From Ivy Moon Press

A’ the Airts in Sanquhar has a great line-up of talented musicians set to perform for its March music series.

On Friday, March 6, Scottish folk singer Pauline Alexander brings her “unforgettable and incomparable voice” to the art centre's main stage. Hailed as one of the finest voices to have emerged in the Scottish folk scene in recent times, Pauline comes with highly acclaimed guitarist Edwin Gallacher. Their concert this year at the Edinburgh Fringe received a standing ovation.

In the short time that they have been together, Pauline and Edwin have been nominated for an Isambard Folk Award, toured folk clubs and festivals around England and Scotland as well as appearing on STV Glasgow’s Riverside Show.

The duo have opened for the likes of Dougie MacLean and more recently, The Pearlfishers during their Celtic Connections show as well as supporting Shelagh McDonald.

Recently she performed at Dumfries’ Big Burns Supper with their show “A Fine Voice and Mesmerising Guitar” at the Electric Theatre Workspace. It was particularly poignant performing in Dumfries and Galloway as Alive Radio was one of the first of many radio stations to feature Pauline’s music when she was invited to appear on Mark Smith’s Drivetime radio show.

The duo’s manager, Stephen Thomson of Cracker Dog Records, said: “I fell in love with Pauline’s singing after initially having mistaken her voice for Eva Cassidy’s. “It is unusual to hear someone with such a fine purity of voice. At that time, Pauline was not actively pursuing a career in music and I felt compelled to promote her and her music. “With Edwin’s masterful accompaniment it really has been a winning formula. The result is sublime.”

On Friday, March 20, A' the Airtswelcomes back Lanarkshire-based band Luckenbooth for another fine evening of traditional and contemporary music from this talented outfit’s wide repertoire.

Luckenbooth are Christine on keyboard, whistle and percussion; Mhairi on fiddle, viola and vocals; Alex on lead vocals, guitar, mandolin, whistles and flute; Jim on guitar, bouzouki, mandolin and the occasional vocal. The band plays mainly around Scotland’s central belt at clubs and festivals.

Two band members come from a classically trained background. Luckenbooth gigs are always tailored to the audience and they like to get the crowds singing along, so choose their material accordingly.

All in all, the audience is guaranteed a fine evening of easy listening and solid entertainment.

Both performances take place at 7.30pm.

Yarn Bombers take on DG Council

From BBC News

Colourful knitting left on a cycle path was "littering" and it will be removed, according to Dumfries and Galloway Council.

Dumfries was "yarn-bombed" on Tuesday night by a group known as the "Bollard and Chicane Protection Authority. They left knitted and crocheted items on bollards and railings.

In a blog post, the group said: "This is a town with some nice cycle paths but far too many invisible bollards (and chicanes)." They said they were designed to be seen in all light conditions. A reflective thread ensured they were visible at night.

But the local authority has condemned the move. A spokesman said: "If the positioning of bollards and other street furniture is an issue for people, they should raise the matter with the council directly. However colourful the yarn may be, it is littering and will be removed as part of ongoing maintenance."

However, a later statement seemed to soften that stance. "We appreciate arts and crafts in the region and this is certainly a very colourful way to draw attention to an issue," it said. "If the group contact the council we would be happy to listen to their thoughts."

Ryan Youth Theatre And Dumfries Junior Guild In Double Performance

From Sid Ambrose, DG Unlimited Wigtownshire Area Arts Convenor

My head was very warm recently, which was no doubt due to the fact that l was in Stranraer's Ryan Theatre whilst wearing two hats. Hat number one represented my role as Wigtownshire Arts Hub Convenor, while hat number two signified the work l do for the Kirkcudbright based South West Scotland Sectarian project. In my case this explains the line from the old song “Where did you get that hat”.

Anyway moving on, The Ryan Youth Theatre delivered a powerful performance, on their home turf to a packed audience. Their production called Freedom Square was inspired by the turbulent events which took place in George Square, Glasgow on the eve of the Scottish referendum. Sectarianism, bigotry, love and nationalism were the key themes in the script which was written by celebrated playwright Des Dillon.

the cast from Ryan Youth Theatre rehearsing for Freedom Square

The play was commissioned by Wigtown Festival Company which received a grant from the Voluntary Action Fund small grants to sectarianism programme. Joining them in a double bill were young people from Dumfries junior guild under the tutelage of James Napper who delivered a performance titled “Unite Don't Fight” which was based around sectarianism and gang culture. The two shows were followed by a lively audience discussion on sectarianism and tolerance which was chaired by literature development officer Carolyn Yates.

James Napper who worked and starred with the Junior Guild

My twin hatted role involved linking the Ryan Youth Theatre up with the Stranraer based African Drummers, for both groups this created a new working environment and the sum of the parts i.e. youth theatre and percussion based performers was very definitely greater than the whole. I also suggested the double billing show which saw young people from Dumfries travelling across to Stranraer to perform in tandem with their counterparts. Similarly all three groups worked together to perform in New Galloway the following evening.

Carolyn Yates felt that the performances had been a credit to all of the young people involved and she was keen to thank all of those who had worked hard to bring the script to life, the Ryan Centre staff were singled out for special praise for their input on technical production, catering and general support.

The Ryan Youth Theatre performances in Stranraer saw young people working alongside a professional director in the form of Chris Taylor, the script was devised by Garlieston based playwright Des Dillon who is most famous for his comedy show called “Singing I’m no a billy he's a tim”. In addition they received direction from a specialist in stage movement and Blocking and they were able to choreograph the scenes to a live music accompaniment. All in all these skills and new working relationships incrementally strengthen the arts sector in Wigtownshire, and l am happy to play my part in supporting this even if it does require the odd change of hat.

News from Nithsdale

From Belle Doyle, DG Unlimited Nithsdale Area Arts Convenor

2015 looks set to be an exciting and momentous year for the Nithsdale Area, and a feeling of growing confidence about arts and the creative industries. We are all keen to nurture local talent and to see the ambitious projects grow; the recent awards by from the Regional Arts Fund for the Moniaive Michaelmas Bluegrass Festival, the Globe Theatre performing at the Crichton, the Environmental Arts Festival, Electric Theatre Workshop and The Stove are a great indication of the scale of ambition that is present here in the area.

The year has started off with a bang with nine days’ worth of festivities from the Big Burns Supper who report a record number of tickets sold this year, and the development of a bookable performance space at their premises in Munches Street, Dumfries. Building works at 100 High Street are set for completion this month, with the Dumfries Music Conference (DMC) 2015 being organised in the building at the end of April. The DMC would like to know what people would like to see included in the next programme, and have put together a brief survey available here.

If you haven’t participated yet, and have ideas or comments about what would be useful to you and your music, please click on the link and do the survey. With The Stove Network planning the building’s grand opening at Guid Nychburris in June, and the newly refurbished Theatre Royal opening by the end of the year, the current problems about lack of suitable performance space and bookable venues in Dumfries may be over.

In Sanquhar, A’ the Airts has launched a major new knitting initiative thanks to an award from Santander Bank. The Upper Nithsdale Arts and Crafts Community Initiative won £10,000 in the bank’s Social Enterprise Development Awards (SEDA) which are given to social enterprises and trading charities to grow their businesses, to improve the local community both economically and socially. This award will support a long-term project to produce high-quality knitwear using the traditional, distinctive Sanquhar patterns: two-colour geometric designs that date back to the 17th century, as featured on Reporting Scotland on 10 February. For more details about the project, and about A’ the Airts in general, please see the website.

Meanwhile, in Carronbridge, where the award-winning Bunbury Banter Theatre Company CIC are now based, Phillip and Ali are bringing their considerable expertise in theatrical productions, audio drama, new writing and educational classes and programmes of all shapes and sizes. Over the past year, the company has already been involved with The Dark Outside, offering several of their pieces for inclusion in the sound installation project in the Dark Skies Forest, and The National Theatre of Scotland's Five Minute theatre festival. Bunbanter's (as they are known) first education project in the area is also now successfully up and running. The Young Theatre Groups, which run on Monday evenings during term time, are two groups based in mid/upper Nithsdale focusing on developing the skills, confidence and theatrical understanding of their participants. Please see their website or their Facebook and Twitter pages for more updates and information about all things 'Bunbanter'!

For more information about what is going on in the Nithsdale Hub, please keep an eye on the Facebook Group here or join the mailing list by contacting Belle at nithsdale@dgumlimited.com.

A hunt for the history of 100 High Street

From The Stove Network

Following on from our call out last month for a documentary filmmaker, John Wallace has been commissioned to make a short film documenting The Stove and 100 High Street, as we continue to gather pace towards the grand opening this year.

John’s proposal to explore the relationship of the building to the town as it is transformed into an arts space for Dumfries has led him in search of old images of what has previously been 92 – 102 High Street, Dumfries and needs your help!

The property at 96-102 High Street has been home to a game dealer, a fireman, several milliners, David Coltart drapers, Reid’s Shoes, millworkers and an umbrella maker. More recently it housed First and Seconds Ladieswear before becoming Happit.

But hours of trawling old photo collections and online research have revealed only a few scant glimpses, the best in a 1956 film of Guid Nychburris day.

“The front of the building kinks away from the rest of the High Street by about 15 degrees,” explains filmmaker John Wallace. “So, in all your classic postcard views of the Midsteeple from the English Street end it can’t be seen at all, while in views from the Midsteeple it’s hidden by Burtons or the coffee house that was there before”.

Can you help? If you have any photos of the High Street which feature The Stove building, please do get in touch with John (details below.)

John is also keen to speak to people who have had a past connection to the building, were you a taxi driver when there was a rank outside the Stove? Have you worked or do you know anyone who worked in Reids, Coltarts, Happit or the First and Seconds? Did you live upstairs? If you have any stories or connections, please get in touch with John, either by phone 07720 710 934 or by email at info@pile-on.com

Surprise guest for Lee’s Burns Supper

From Kerry Willacy

Barman Lee McQueen was amazed when a special guest accepted his invitation to appear at a Burns-themed fundraiser. The Globe worker, a popular accordionist, planned a modest evening to raise funds for the SNP locally. He was amazed when former First Minister Alex Salmond accepted his invitation to speak at the event on 26th February. As a result, the fundraiser has “grown arms and legs” with an array of local talent supporting the event which will be held in the Cairndale Hotel.

Robyn Stapleton, a BBC Radio Young Traditional Musician of the Year, will sing and Ian McIntyre, past president of the Burns Howff club, will act as Master of Ceremonies. There will also be an auction featuring memorabilia signed by Mr Salmond, a unique designer hat by Milliner Tracey Little and a handmade Burns quilt by Ann Hill.

Joan McAlpine MSP, who helping to organise the evening, said: “This is a great coup for Lee who has worked incredibly hard to make the evening a success. Lee helped to organise the entertainment when Alex Salmond visited Dumfries just before the referendum. Mr Salmond was completely overwhelmed by the scenes of welcome at the Devorgilla Bridge and promised to return to the town to thank all the activists.”

Ms McAlpine added: “Tickets are selling fast and we are confident of raising a substantial amount to support the campaigns of our SNP candidates Richard Arkless in Dumfries & Galloway and Emma Harper in Dumfriesshire, Clydessdale and Tweeddale.”

Tickets can be obtained from Lee by texting 07835 405471 or by emailing dumfriesburnssupper@gmail.com