Since 1979 Dumfries and Galloway have staged a very impressive Arts Festival and 2010 will be no different as the 9 day extravaganza runs from May 21st to May 30th.
The festival was started with the initial aim of bringing high quality performers from all over the globe to a region with a scattered rural community, giving people the opportunity to experience some unusual and exceptional talent.
The event is organised and run entirely by volunteers and brings comedy, music, drama, kids activities and much more to a variety of venues across Dumfries and Galloway.
Previous years have welcomed such artists as comedian Phil Kay, the Scottish Chamber Orchestra, the Malawian poet Jack Mapanje and the Russian singing quartet The Konevets.
2010 will be no exception with various headline acts including the humorous “Fascinating Aida” at the Theatre Royal, Lucy Porters solo show “Fool’s Gold” at the DG1 Centre and an evening of opera with 3 Italian tenors and the Parma Brass Quintet playing at St Georges Church. There will be something for everyone over the 9 days and this year it may be a non human form that steals the show when the 8 metre high giant puppet “Big Man Walking” comes to town. This is by all accounts a spectacular street event that kids and adults can all enjoy and get involved in as the “Big Man” walks through Dumfries, waves to the crowd, shakes peoples hands and blinks his big eyes in your direction. The Scotsman newspaper describes it as “Jaw Dropping”
He is in town on the 29th May, try and come along and join in the fun.
For all other news and a full listing of the events visit www.dgartsfestival.org.uk