Devorgilla will be waiting for The Big Man by the fountain in the picturesque High Street in Dumfries at 3.30pm. By then the object of her affections will be in need of some romantic rest and recuperation as he’ll already have walked through Dumfries’ streets and along the length of the River Nith.  We hear that Devorgilla is all geared up to declare her love for him in a poem when he reaches the fountain.  She’ll be quite an eyeful, with flowing hair and her best frock on, its design featuring the glorious landscape of Dumfries and Galloway, fields and hills and woods flowing down to the golden beaches, with the sea lapping around her mighty ankles.

She will however be safely moored to a lamp post, because Devorgilla has been created out of willow by artist Susan McKay, with the help of the Cultural and Heritage Volunteers.  And members of the Dumfries Scribblers writers group have helped Devorgilla to write her love poem to The Big Man, which she’ll read aloud to him on the big day.
Workshops in Dumfries have been very, very busy, soaking bundles of willow, wielding secateurs and gaffa tape, gluing paper over the frame and decorating it.

Artist Susan McKay, who was born and bred in Dumfries, said “I thought it was a wonderful idea, to make a lady for him.  I was inspired by Botticelli’s Venus – you know, rising from the waves, very feminine, serene and archetypal.  Then I found out that the name Devorgilla means a pledge or promise.  She’s a kind of metaphor for Dumfries and Galloway, authentic, unspoilt beauty”.

Susan, who trained in Edinburgh and Dundee before returning to live and work in Dumfries, is primarily a ceramicist and stained glass artist, who says she thinks in 3D.  She works from her studio in the town, she has exhibited in Spring Fling, and she also works extensively as a teacher and workshop leader.  Susan’s work is well known to many in Dumfries, as she was one of the mainstays of Dumfries & Galloway Arts Association’s lantern workshops before Burns Light.
Susan said, “I can’t wait for the 29^th!  It’s such an exciting idea, a great blue giant out of the mists of time visiting your home town.  I’m very proud to be working with the community to make him a girlfriend!”
Big Man Walking is part of Dumfries & Galloway Arts Festival, which takes place this year from 21 – 30 May.  Big Man will be starting his walk from the Fountain in the High Street at 1pm.
This event is being organised by Dumfries & Galloway Arts Festival working in partnership with Dumfries and Galloway Arts Association.  Funding comes from EventScotland, Awards For All and Dumfries and Galloway Council to support the event costs and marketing which is focussed on bringing visitors into the region.

The romantically dubbed Lady Devorgilla has been created out of willow by artist Susan McKay, with the help of the Cultural and Heritage Volunteers.  This North West Resource Centre community project has been running workshops twice a week, soaking bundles of willow, wielding secateurs and gaffa tape, gluing paper over the frame and decorating it.

The Lady Devorgilla will wait by the fountain in the High Street to greet The Big Man when he returns to the fountain to rest in the mid afternoon (about 3.30pm).  Members of the Scribblers writers group, who meet at North West Resource Centre, have helped the Lady Devorgilla to write a love poem to The Big Man, which she’ll read aloud to him on the day.

Artist Susan McKay, who was born and bred in Dumfries, said “I thought it was a wonderful idea, to make him a lady.  I was inspired by Botticelli’s Venus – you know, rising from the waves, very feminine, serene and archetypal.  Then I found out that the name Devorgilla means a pledge or promise.  She’s a kind of metaphor for Dumfries and Galloway, unspoilt beauty”.

Susan, who trained in Edinburgh and Dundee before returning to live and work in Dumfries, is primarily a ceramicist and stained glass artist, who says she thinks in 3D.  She works from her studio in the town, she has exhibited in Spring Fling, and she also works extensively as a teacher and workshop leader.  Susan’s work is well known to many in Dumfries, as she was one of the mainstays of Dumfries & Galloway Arts Association’s lantern workshops before Burns Light.
Susan said, “I can’t wait for the 29^th!  It’s such an exciting idea, a great blue giant out of the mists of time returning to your home town.  I’m very proud to be working with the community to make him a girlfriend!”
Big Man Walking is part of Dumfries & Galloway Arts Festival, which takes place this year from 21 – 30 May.  Big Man will be starting his walk from the Fountain in the High Street at 1pm.
This event is being organised by Dumfries & Galloway Arts Festival working in partnership with Dumfries and Galloway Arts Association.  Funding comes from EventScotland, Awards For All and Dumfries and Galloway Council to support the event costs and marketing which is focussed on bringing visitors into the region.

Link to Google map below

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.

The Independent gave a great and thorough review of Derek Paravicini – his musical background and performance style… his performances are not to be missed!

Big Man Walking street banner (PDF version)

Mr McFall’s Chamber is delighted to announce a special arts festival date with  Michael Marra.These concerts will include a selection of Marra’s own songs, alongside accordion music from Finland, nineteenth century Cuban tunes, folk-influenced classical music from the Czech Republic and Argentinean tango.

Dundee-born Michael Marra is often seen as “Scotland’s answer to Tom Waits”, whose songs range from the humorous to the poignant, covering personal and political issues with wit and depth. Mr McFall’s Chamber is a chamber music group which makes adventurous forays into unusual musical territories and is renowned for its eclectic approach to music programming.

In 2006 Michael Marra and Mr McFall’s Chamber both performed during the last ever of the famous None Of The Above evenings at the Bongo Club, Edinburgh. At that event the string quartet from Mr McFall’s Chamber joined Marra on stage for two songs – which gave both parties a desire to work up a full programme together in the future. Rob Adams, in his review in the Herald following that event, wrote:

‘Marra has a history of working with strings, and the warm, precise colouring the McFalls brought to his tribute to Shetland guitarist Peerie Willie Johnson and his empathic homage to Grassic Gibbon’s Chris Guthrie, Monkey Hair, suggested they should get together more often. Indeed, there’s potential, surely, for a full-scale Marra-McFalls collaboration.’

The two rejoined for collaborative concerts in 2009, and are now pleased to be teaming up for a full-scale tour in 2010.

Mr McFall’s Chamber:                        www.mcfalls.co.uk

Michael Marra:                        www.marra.me.uk

Press Quotes:

‘Michael Marra…ran the gamut of emotions from funny to poignant to sad, and back to hilarious again’ The Scotsman

‘Why can’t all concerts be like this – engaging, witty, relaxed, sophisticated, exquisitely played and just plain fun?’ Robert Dawson Scott, The Times

Thursday 27^th May: Buccleuch Centre, Langholm, 7.30pm

Tickets: £12 (£10 concessions), www.dgartsfestival.org.uk, 01387 253 383

(Notes to Editors:)

Michael Marra is one of Scotland’s most prolific Songwriters, and a much loved & respected figure in the entertainment business. Although predominantly known as a songwriter, Michael has worked extensively in theatre, radio and television. To most he is a solo performer touring the length and breadth of Britain, performing in arts centres, theatres, folk clubs and village halls. He has opened for such diverse performers as Van Morrison, The Proclaimers, Louden Wainwright III, Barbara Dickson and Deacon Blue. In theatre Michael has written original music and worked both as an actor and musical director. His own operetta ‘If The Moon Can Be Believed’ was performed at Dundee Rep to sell out audiences. Most recently he collaborated with Graham McLaren of Theatre Babel on a new production of ‘The Demon Barber’ for Perth Theatre. Michael has also recently performed original songs with the Scottish Symphony Orchestra, the Scottish National Orchestra, Concerto Caledonia, Mr McFall’s Chamber, and his own Quintet. Last year Michael was awarded an Honorary Doctorate by Dundee University in recognition of his contribution to the cultural profile of his home town.

Mr McFall’s Chamber is a chamber music group which makes adventurous forays into unusual musical territories. The group was formed in 1996 and features string quartet, bass and piano with frequent guests. Its core line-up is made up from musicians from the Scottish Chamber Orchestra. On this occasion it also features Claire Sterling (violin) and Phil Alexander (piano). The group has commissioned and premiered a number of new works, and has pioneered programmes which mix rock, tango, klezmer and jazz with contemporary classical compositions. The group has released several CDs and a DVD – all of which are available from www.mcfalls.co.uk. Mr McFall’s Chamber has toured the Highlands of Scotland a number of times, as well as Shetland and the Hebrides, has performed regularly in Edinburgh and in Glasgow, at the St Magnus Festival and, in 2005, toured the South of England. Multi-media projects have included collaborations with animation students at the Edinburgh College of Art, with painter Colin Lawson, and with video artist John McGeoch.

Personnel:

Claire Sterling (1st violin) is principal second violin with the SCO.

Robert McFall (2nd violin) is the principal arranger & violinist with the SCO.

Su-a Lee (cello) also plays the musical saw. She is sub-principal cello in the SCO.

Brian Schiele (viola) has composed a number of original pieces for the group and also plays with the SCO.

Rick Standley (bass) is principal bass with the Scottish Ballet and is an experienced jazz player on both double bass and electric bass.

Phil Alexander (piano) is a contemporary music specialist, and plays in Salsa Celtica & Moishe’s Bagel and jazz groups.

When Big Man Walking comes to Dumfries on Saturday 29th May, he’ll bring with him the opportunity of the century – a competition to join his team of skilled puppeteers.  In fact, it’s your chance to show him Dumfries!  To enter visit www.bigmanwalking.com.

To enter all you have to do is answer this question, in 140 characters or less:
What would you show the Big Man about Dumfries and Galloway?

The two winners will join the rehearsal on Friday 28th May, and have the chance to operate the ¾ tonne, 8 metre tall giant on Saturday 29th May.

The deadline for the competition entry is midnight, Friday 21st May. Winners will be notified on Monday 24th May.

This event is being organised by the Dumfries & Galloway Arts Festival working in partnership with Dumfries and Galloway Arts Association.  Funding comes from EventScotland, Awards For All and Dumfries and Galloway Council to support the event costs and marketing which is focussed on bringing visitors into the region.

DGarts was lucky enough to get some shots of them rehearsing for the show at the upcoming arts festival…

Suitcases, boxes, steamships, trains and elephants…Brute Farce’s startling new re-working of Jules Verne’s classic tale whisks the audience from rainy station platforms in nineteenth century London to a technicolor, Bollywood vision of the tropics and the frozen wastes of North America.

With trademark invention and frantic multi-role characterisation, a cast of five bring Phileas Fogg, his faithful servant and various pursuing police officers, Indian princesses and Wild West bullies garishly to life.

Some reviews…

“Inventive, resourceful, excitingly physical performances…..[Brute Farce are] thoroughly invigorating”

Frankenstein – The Times

“Hilarious….there is finely-crafted and executed invention in every scene….cheeky, charming and very clever.”