Argyll and Bute hosts Commonwealth Games cultural celebrations
Theatre on two wheels
Creative play for the region’s youngest residents
Cutting edge visual arts
A BICYCLE with saddle bags packed with books by the author of The Gruffalo, a unique creative play space for babies and their families, and a customised ice cream van are heading to Argyll and Bute this summer as more events are about to take place for 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 1000 events taking place across the country.
Comar; Bunessan Hall, Mull
From Monday 7 July to Friday 11 July there’s a treat in store for the newest residents of East Lothian when the Blue Block Studio visits Comar.
A unique shared experience for children up to two years old, Blue Block Studio offers the opportunity for adult and baby to interact in a friendly, inspiring and beautiful environment.
The Studio is a carefully created play space providing a safe environment for babies and their families to interact, engage and explore. A range of objects, stimuli and sounds encourage play, discovery and wonder, allowing the very young the freedom to follow and engage with what interests them.
Created by early years artist, Katy Wilson, in collaboration with a team of fellow artists, Blue Block Studio is a Starcatchers production.
Adding to the fun, Starcatchers will also be presenting Yellow Valley. This loveable, contemporary, musical-storytelling performance, created especially for children aged two to four years-old is inspired by Kenyan children’s book Who’s Calling by Charity Waciuma.
Enjoy performances at Bunessan Hall, Mull on Tuesday 8 July and at Comar from Wednesday 9 to Friday 11 July.
Inveraray Castle Estate
The Spokesperson from theatre company Visible Fictions takes place on Wednesday 9 July until Friday 11 July in Inveraray Castle Estate. Audiences will share in this heart-warming tale from the seats of bikes as they follow the adventures of two friends whose cycling tour takes an unexpected turn.
Follow the cast around the estate in this fun, free to attend show with performances taking place daily at 12.30pm and 6pm. The show is for a family audience of eight years and older.
Bikes and helmets are provided. For booking information visit: http://visiblefictions.co.uk/productions/the-spokesmen/
Lochgilphead Campus; Dunoon Stadium
Adding to the excitement of the Queen’s Baton Relay coming to the region on Sunday 13 July, actor Tam Dean Burn will be cycling into Lochgilphead Campus and Dunoon Stadium as part of an epic journey in which he will read all 195 books and plays, and sing all the songs written by former Children’s Laureate Julia Donaldson to children along the route of the QBR with a show called The Marathon Storytelling Cycling Challenge.
For details visit: booksonabike.com
Benmore Botanic Garden
From Saturday 12 to Monday 14 July at Benmore Botanic Garden there’s the chance to sculptor James Harry from Vancouver, British Columbia at work as part of the Corroborree festival. He will be working in a range of materials and styles that reflect the Pacific North West’s rich cultural heritage with a contemporary influence.
Corroborree is a new festival that will celebrate people, indigenous culture and ecological diversity among the Commonwealth of Nations.
To find out more visit: http://www.rbge.org.uk/whats-on/corroboree
Mount Stuart, Rothsay
As part of the most ambitious programme of visual art ever held in Scotland, GENERATION, an exhibition of new work by artist Lorna Stuart will be shown at Mount Stuart from Sunday 6 July until Friday 31 October.
GENERATION, which celebrates 25 years of contemporary art in Scotland, features work by 100 artists in over 60 venues and all exhibitions are free to attend. www.generationartscotland.org
Dunollie House, Oban; Druimfin, Tobermory
Rounding off July is a new family musical interactive show from Grinagog Theatre performed in a customised ice cream van and coming to Dunollie House on Wednesday 30 and Druimfin, Tobermory on Thursday 31 July. Based on stories and research provided by the local community in the East End of Glasgow, The Pokey Hat will take an entertaining look at the way we used to live; the Italian community in Scotland and café culture; childhood songs, games and sweets. Crolla dairy ice cream from Glasgow will be handed out at performances.
To find out more visit: http://www.grinagog.co.uk/content/productions_the_pokey_hat/
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 Argyll and Bute 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 Argyll and Bute and throughout Scotland visit: www.glasgow2014.com/culture
Notes to Editors:
- The Commonwealth Games is an international, multi-sport event involving 71 teams of athletes from the Commonwealth of Nations. The event was first held in 1930 and takes place every four years. Glasgow 2014 will be the XX Commonwealth Games and will be held from 23 July to 3 August. It will feature 17 sports in 11 days of competition with 261 medal events on show. The Games will play host to 4500 athletes and sell 1,000,000 tickets with the event aided by an army of 15,000 volunteers. Glasgow 2014 Ltd is the official name for the Organising Committee tasked with delivering the Games in partnership with the Scottish Government, Glasgow City Council and Commonwealth Games Scotland.
- Glasgow 2014’s official partner level sponsors are Longines, SSE, Virgin Media, BP, Emirates and Ford. For more information on Glasgow 2014’s full sponsor family, please visit http://www.glasgow2014.com/games/our-sponsors.
- Glasgow 2014, the Commonwealth Games Federation and UNICEF are working together in an exciting partnership that will transform the lives of children in Scotland and throughout the Commonwealth. Using the power of sport and culture this unique partnership aims to inspire, enable and empower the children of the Commonwealth to be the best they can be.
- The Glasgow 2014 Cultural Programme is a national celebration. Culture 2014 is showcasing 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. The Cultural Programme is a partnership between the Glasgow 2014 Organising Committee, Glasgow Life, and Creative Scotland through National Lottery funding. www.glasgow2014.com/culture
- 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
Media Contact
Brian Maycock
Interim Media Relations and PR Officer, Glasgow 2014 Cultural Programm
E: brian.maycock@creativescotland.com
T: 0330 333 2000
D: 0131 523 0046
M: 07972 835 212
Gordon Boag
Cultural Press Officer, Glasgow 2014 Organising Committee
E: gordon.boag@glasgow2014.com
T: 030 2014 0000
D: 030 2014 0160
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Contact: Brian Maycock
Email: brian.maycock@creativescotland.com
Website: http://www.creativescotland.com
