Dumfries & Galloway once again gears up for its annual Arts Festival, playing host to the finest in performance arts, with big names as well as up and coming artists in a diverse programme of performance and visual art.
Sixty events and exhibitions are scattered across Dumfries and Galloway’s two and a half thousand square kilometres. About 13,000 people are expected to take advantage of a wonderful opportunity to combine an arts programme to rival that found in any urban conurbation with the stunning settings of the Solway Coast and the tranquillity of rural Galloway.
This year’s highlights include Big Man Walking, Nicola Benedetti and the SCO, Fascinating Aida, Lucy Porter, Sick by Theatre Modo, Michael Marra and Mr McFall’s Chamber, Around the World In 80 Days, by Brute Face Theatre, James Campbell’s Comedy 4 Kids, Tony McManus, Derek Paravicini, and a night of Italian Opera.
The Festival’s core mission has always been to bring top class acts to the towns and scattered rural communities in the region and as a result performers coming to the region often find themselves performing in big theatres one day and village halls the next. Central is the belief that the benefits of holding an arts festival in terms of economic impact and boost to community pride is most acutely felt in rural communities. Community support is vital and community groups play an active role in choosing and promoting events.
The aim of the experience is to give community groups the confidence to programme their own events throughout the year.
Dame Barbara Kelly, Chairman of DGAF, says:
“Our principle aims are as important now as when we first formed over 30 years ago. And we are boosting our work with villages and towns in the region so more people can enjoy the great shows the Festival attracts to Dumfries & Galloway.”
Over the past 30 years DG Arts Festival has hosted around 800 acts, sold 70,000 tickets and taken 36,000 voluntary man hours to organise.
Big Man Walking adds a huge new dimension to the Festival, as Scotland’s giant marionette arrives to spark a celebration. The people of Dumfries and Galloway are preparing… Bands, Dancers, 800 flags, a six metre tall willow sculpture of Lady Devorgilla and The Peter Pan Street Party will all be there to greet him.
The Festival gratefully acknowledges support from the Scottish Arts Council, Dumfries and Galloway Council, Awards for All, EventScotland, the Scottish Government and the European Community, Dumfries and Galloway Leader 2007-2013 Programme.
Full programme information and tickets from www.dgartsfestival.org.uk.
