Midlothian hosts Commonwealth Games Cultural Celebrations
Storytelling on two wheels
A Ceilidh for the Commonwealth
A BICYCLE with saddle bags packed with books by the author of The Gruffalo is getting ready to hit the road, and preparations are on the way for a Ceilidh with a difference, for events that are about to take place in Midlothian this June as part of the Glasgow 2014 Cultural Programme.
The nationwide Glasgow 2014 Cultural Programme is celebrating Scotland and Glasgow’s hosting of the XX Commonwealth Games with more than 1,000 events taking place across the country.
St Luke’s and Mayfield Schools; Dalkeith Country Park
Adding to the excitement of the Queen’s Baton Relay reaching the region, actor Tam Dean Burn will be cycling into Dalkeith on Monday 16 June as part of an epic journey in which he will be reading all 195 books and plays, and singing all the songs written by former Children’s Laureate, Julia Donaldson, to children along the route of the QBR.
The Marathon Storytelling Cycling Challenge is free to attend and Tam and friends will be at St Luke’s and Mayfield Schools from 11am to 12noon and Dalkeith Country Park at 4.30pm.
For details visit: booksonabike.com
Dalkeith Country Park
As part of the day a special dance will be held ahead of a global event.
On Saturday 21 June a 24 hour Ceilidh will span the globe with the Commonwealth Ceilidh. The dancing will begin in New Zealand then cross the world, with the last Ceilidh call taking place in Hawaii twenty four hours after the dancing starts.
As part of their large scale multi-arts celebratory event for the Queen’s Baton Relay A Commonwealth of Talents will take place on Monday 16 June at Dalkeith Country Park where the Midlothian Arts and Creativity Team will be hosting a Commonwealth Ceilidh.
Dancers are learning a new dance created for the Commonwealth Ceilidh by Dance Base and Indian classical dance company Dance Ihayami which they will then perform on the day, along with members of the public. The Ceilidh is free to take part in and everyone is invited to join.
To find out more visit: http://getscotlanddancing.org/events/event-listings/midlothian-arts-a-creativity-team-2
The Glasgow 2014 Cultural Programme is a partnership between the Glasgow 2014 Organising Committee, Glasgow Life, and Creative Scotland through National Lottery funding.
Janet Archer, chief executive of Creative Scotland, said: “It’s fantastic to see this exciting work being presented in Midlothian and I’d encourage everyone to join in with and enjoy the events.”
Eileen Gallagher, Independent Director on the Glasgow 2014 Board and Chair of the Ceremonies, Culture and Queen’s Baton Relay Committee, said: “The Glasgow 2014 Cultural Programme is offering people the opportunity to be part of the Games wherever they are. With something for all the family, in popular local settings and an inspiring range of shows and activity, there is something for everyone to enjoy.”
To find out more details about what’s happening in Midlothian and throughout Scotland visit: www.glasgow2014.com/culture
Notes to Editors:
The Glasgow 2014 Cultural Programme is a national celebration. Culture 2014 will showcase dance, theatre, music, visual arts, comedy and much more in the run up to and after the Commonwealth Games, with Festival 2014 transforming the Host City at Games time.
GENERATION is being delivered through a partnership between the National Galleries of Scotland and Glasgow Life, and is supported by Creative Scotland. www.generationartscotland.org
The Commonwealth Ceilidh is part of Get Scotland Dancing – the national initiative to inspire more people to get active and participate in dance and provide an unprecedented range of opportunities to take part in and enjoy dance (www.getscotlanddancing.org) and is led by The Royal Scottish Country Dance Society
Media Contact
Brian Maycock
Interim Media Relations and PR Officer, Glasgow 2014 Cultural Programme
E: brian.maycock@creativescotland.com
T: 0330 333 2000
D: 0131 523 0046
M: 07972 835 212
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Contact: Brian Maycock
Email: brian.maycock@creativescotland.com
Website: http://www.creativescotland.com
