North-east culture festival launches events programme
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The programme for a festival celebrating the cultural life, heritage, language, music and stories of the north-east is now available with events being held across Banff and Macduff.
Across The Grain is running for the second time throughout October, with an exciting and eclectic mix of activities, performances and workshops for all ages.
Events will be taking place in communities right across Aberdeenshire with most free to attend.
Copies of the programme are available at libraries, leisure centres and museums, and key entertainment venues across the area. The digital copy can be found at: http://bit.ly/ATGprog
Organised by Live Life Aberdeenshire, last year's inaugural festival got off to a really strong start, highlighting the uniqueness of the north-east and attracting locals and visitors alike to around 50 events.
The desire to celebrate collectively what Aberdeenshire has to offer culturally has led to this year's programme increasing significantly, showcasing the best the region has to offer, with some performances created specially for the festival.
Events in Banff and Macduff include Aabody Dance with the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland at the Deveron Community Centre which will see two leading dance experts hosting intergenerational workshops, culminating in a celebratory performance to a live soundtrack mixing Scottish Trad with electronic music; science show A Barrel of Laughs in Macduff Arts Centre; and silversmithing classes at Vanilla Ink in The Smiddy in Banff.
As well as numerous music and singing workshops, there are opportunities to hear authors and specialist speakers, and a range of fun challenges for all the family at Live Life Aberdeenshire museums and libraries.
As well as scheduled events at local venues, there will also be a variety of pop-up performances, from country dance sessions in community centres to young musicians busking at local farmer's markets.
The festival is supported by local community groups, arts organisations, arts partners, academics and students who have all come together around a shared love of the Doric culture and language, and the north-east’s musical roots.
Chairman of Live Life Aberdeenshire’s culture and sport sub-committee, David Cook, said: "Our organising team has pulled together a great mix of activities this year, offering something for everyone.
"The 2019 programme builds on the successes of last year’s inaugural festival, and as a result, offers some more amazing opportunities and exciting experiences for festival-goers.
"I am in awe of the collected expertise gathered together in this programme and it is a reminder of the rich talent we have here in Aberdeenshire.”
People can find out more about the Across the Grain Festival, and about the many and varied events on offer at: http://bit.ly/ATGShire
Advance bookings and purchases for ticketed events can also be made online.
Sub-committee vice-chairwoman, Anne Simpson, said: “I’m delighted to see so many events taking place in our communities, with opportunities to get involved for people of all ages.
"I know residents and visitors in Aberdeenshire will find Across the Grain entertaining and exciting, and will fully support this new festival as it grows in the future."
