Evening Events During Spring Fling, Dumfries & Galloway Arts Festival is in the final weekend of its ten day performing Arts Festival. Here are some recommendations for when the Spring Fling studios shut their doors. Advanced booking is recommended. Tickets are available from the Midsteeple High Street, Dumfries, 01387253383 www.dgartsfestival.org.uk, or at the door when available.
FRIDAY 27 MAY Sam Lee, 7.30pm The Usual Place, Dumfries. Mercury Prize nominated, Sam Lee’s folk compositions are timeless, hypnotic and fresh. Sam is a new pioneer who is helping to define and energise the sound of folk song for today. The Rajasthan Heritage Brass Band, 7.30pm Corner House Hotel, Annan. Eight musicians from the villages surrounding Jaipur. A huge sound, unreserved showmanship and too many people to fit onto one stage. Dancing expected. 12
Scottish Ensemble EN RÊVE, 7.30pm Theatre Royal, Dumfries. Redefining the string orchestra, the Scottish Ensemble’s vibrant performances are powerful, challenging and rewarding. The Banker Who Cared, 7.30pm CatStrand, New Galloway. The fascinating story of the Dumfriesshire minister Reverend Henry Duncan of Ruthwell who opened the world’s first savings bank in a small cottage in Ruthwell. Puppet Soup: Land of Dragon, 7.00pm Wigtown County Buildings. A visually and emotionally arresting piece of theatre for young and old alike. An enchanting puppetry adventure into the world of the Welsh Dragon!
SATURDAY 28 MAY Orkestra Del Sol, Oceanallover and The Rajasthan Heritage Brass Band, 7.00pm The Usual Place, Dumfries. Orkestra Del Sol’s bombastic brass ‘n’ good time honkstep is a highly entertaining, explosive reinvention of global brass band music. They are joined by notorious physical theatre group Oceanallover and the Rajasthan Heritage Brass Band.
Cairn Chorus and Friends Spring Concert, 7.30pm Glencairn Memorial Institute. Join the Cairn Chorus and acclaimed local musicians, on a journey through the ages and continents, to explore the theme of Separation Burns: Rough Cut, 7.30pm CatStrand, New Galloway. Meet the real edgy Bard: in crisis and contradiction but at full creative stretch.
SUNDAY 29 MAY Black is the Colour of my Voice, 8:00pm The Usual Place, Dumfries. Inspired by the life of Nina Simone, this play follows a successful jazz singer and civil rights activist seeking redemption. Burns: Rough Cut, 7.30pm The Swallow Theatre, Whithorn. (See 28th May for details ) See www.dgartsfestival.org.uk for full details