World class theatre, music, dance and comedy is coming to a venue near you for the 45th Dumfries & Galloway Arts Festival from May 23 to June 2.
Continuing the annual Festival’s mission to bring performing arts to all corners of the region, this year’s events will take place in village halls and major flagship venues as well as outdoor locations and other non-traditional performance spaces.
Johnstonebridge, Eskdalemuir and Moniaive are just some of the further flung communities hosting shows this year along with the likes of Dumfries, Castle Douglas, Newton Stewart and Moffat.
A celebration of local and national artists, this year’s programme highlights include The Galloway Consort presenting Our Most Special Servant; mini versions of Don Giovanni and The Merry Widow from Scottish Opera; A Play, A Pie and A Pint’s ROOST; comedian Connor Burns with his show Vertigo; The Willow Trio dancer’s multi-media performance of The Swan of Salen; an innovative spoken word performance by Chrys Salt and Richard Ingham Weavers of Grass; and an outdoor extravaganza of circus performers, with Cirqulation, in Castle Douglas and at Crawick Multiverse near Sanquhar.
The Festival opens at Easterbrook Hall in Dumfries with The Galloway SangStreams, songs linking life, land and legacy by the Cairn Chorus and an array of guest collaborators.
Two special 45th anniversary events, on May 31, curated by the Arts Festival, are a free celebration of creativity and skills by performing artists they have supported this year at the Theatre Royal in Dumfries, and an anniversary concert and ceilidh, featuring artists who have played a pivotal role in the Festival and the region’s performing arts scene.
Simon Hart, CEO and Director of Dumfries & Galloway Arts Festival, said: “Over the past five decades our festival has brought the work of leading Scottish and UK performers to venues large and small throughout Dumfries & Galloway. “We have played an important role in helping to promote and showcase the skills and talents of locally based artists both within the region and to audiences across Scotland.
“This year’s 45th anniversary programme has something for everyone. We look forward to welcoming you to one of our events.”
Dumfries & Galloway Life is proud to be a media partner of Dumfries & Galloway Arts Festival. For full programme details and tickets see www. dgartsfestival.org.uk Tickets can also be purchased at The Midsteeple, High Street, Dumfries, tel: 01387 253383.
