Dumfries and Galloway Arts Festival 2006
26 May to 3 June 2006
Take a trip to Dumfries & Galloway this year and enjoy the 27th Dumfries & Galloway Arts Festival, which will be opened on Friday 26 May by Scottish Arts Council Chairman, Richard Holloway. Running until Saturday 3 June, the festival features music, theatre, comedy, film, visual arts and literary events in venues across the region.
Something for everyone with a diverse range of productions on offer this year!
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In Dalry, dynamic Highland company Dogstar will be performing their innovative and hilarious new comedy, 'The Seer' by Ali Smith, which promises to be a contemporary comedy of manners about domestic perfection. Theatre Modo bring a brand new adaptation Cervantes’ 'Don Quixote' to Castle Douglas, and The Traverse Theatre will be presenting 'The Gorgeous Avatar' at the Theatre Royal in Dumfries. This new show has been written by Jules Horne, Dumfries and Galloway’s first Virtual Writer in Residence. The residency is funded through the Scottish Arts Council's partners artist residency programme. |
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A number of performers from overseas add to the glamour of this year’s festival. The saxophone quartet, Pindakaas from Germany, and the Flamenco guitarists Tomas Jimenez and Maria Jose Garcia from Spain will be performing as part of the popular Rural Round touring programme and will visit venues in small villages such as Moniaive, Colvend, Parkgate and Carrutherstown.
The Konevets Quartet from St. Petersburg will be presenting a Russian Soirée at Barjarg Tower near Auldgirth. Their programme includes Russian sacred a capella music, classical romances, Tsarist regimental marches and folk songs with piano accompaniment.
The music continues with The Scottish Chamber Orchestra who will be visiting Kirkcudbright Academy and Annan Academy to celebrate the 250th anniversary of Mozart’s birth and the first days of summer with an irresistible programme called Mozart 250 – A Summer Serenade.
There’s plenty happening for rock and pop fans this year, beginning with some fantastic bands and great street entertainers at the Festival 2006 Opening Street Party in Dumfries Town Centre on Saturday 27 May. The fun continues at the Oasis Youth Centre with Scotland’s top breakdance crew, Random Aspekts, followed by Glaswegian indie group, Popup, supported by local ska-punk band, Tauntra!
In an event sponsored by Amnesty International, Malawian poet Jack Mapanje will present his new work, 'The Last of the Sweet Bananas' at the Brigend Theatre in Dumfries. After nearly four years as a political prisoner in Malawi, Mapanje has become one of Africa’s most highly regarded poets. His work displays integrity, humour, humane solidarity and moments of vision that have attracted readers and live audiences from all over Britain and Europe.
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Another highlight of the programme is an audience with writer and presenter Professor Richard Dawkins.
Richard is the Charles Simonyi Professor of the Public Understanding of Science at Oxford and a Fellow of New College. ‘The Selfish Gene’ (1976) launched him as one of the most brilliant and controversial writers about science. In his recent television programme, ‘Faith the Virus,’ he discussed how dangerous fundamental religion is to the peace of the world. |
The children’s programme includes the French Compagnie Lili Desastres with their theatre production 'Scribble' for one to four year olds, and Teater Refleksion from Denmark who will be visiting Troqueer Primary as part of an exciting festival schools programme.
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Visit the Dumfries and Galloway Arts Festival website or contact them by post at
Gracefield Arts Centre
28 Edinburgh Road
Dumfries
DG1 1JQ
Tel/Fax: +44 (0)1387 260447 or email Dumfries and Galloway Arts Festival.
You can pick up a free copy of the Festival Brochure from libraries, Tourist Information Centres and other venues across the region.
Dumfries and Galloway Arts Festival is supported by the National Lottery through the Scottish Arts Council. Other funders include Dumfries and Galloway Council and Scottish Enterprise.
Don't forget West Fest! In 2004 Festival events in the West of the Dumfries and Galloway became the responsibility of West Fest, an independent organisation working in close collaboration with the Arts Festival in the East of the Region.
You can view the full programme online. Tickets are available from Irene Hawker, Secretary, West Fest, c/o The Ryan Centre, tel: 01776 703535, Ext 230 or David Sumner, Chairman, West Fest, The Swallow Theatre, Near Whithorn, tel: 01988 850368
Images courtesy of Dumfries and Galloway Arts Festival. | |