PRESS RELEASE pdaf2011
The Penicuik and District Arts Festival: Coming Together (Sat. 3rd to Sun. 11th Sept) is taking shape, bringing all types of art and artists to young and old in the area. 21 Venues and counting in Penicuik, Rosslin, Carlops and West Linton.
Events will kick off with an opening in Penicuik town centre, at 11 am on Saturday the 3rd, officiated by Andrew Crummy. “Artist Andrew Crummy won the Community Council Achievement Award for his work in organising and running the fast-growing 3 Harbours Arts Festival. Mr Crummy also designed the Battle of Prestonpans Tapestry and is working on a new design, the Great Tapestry of Scotland.”
There will be face painting and drumming performance from Cornback Primary kids with the splendid Borders based TRASHARTS and open percussion workshops in the afternoon using recycled materials as well as singing from local kids and Shirin from Krygystan, and street theatre by Dance Pointe Academy. All that will be followed by the awarding of the Penicuik Turner Prize at the West St Arts Centre, as judged by Andrew.
Many more events are planned for the following 8 days in and around Penicuik: workshops, performances and the Open House trails where you can see artists at work or ordinary folks opening their house to become a venue. Full details are still being updated by one far too busy volunteer on the official website, pdaf2011.weebly.com, or through any of the many organisations that are participating. Also look out for the "Penicuik's Coming Together' programs now freely available in many shops, cafes, pubs etc.
Some highlights to look forward to are:
8 days of community activities (storytelling, poetry, music and movement, arts & crafts and Circus Skills), in a beautiful Krygyz felt clad Nomadic Yurt at The Craigiebield; craft & tapestry demos and talks at Penicuik House on Sunday 4th, includes illustrated talks by Arran Johnston on the Prestonpans Tapestry and Hurdy Gurdy playing by Jon Redpath; “The Hammer and Fire” in Rosslyn Chapel on the evening of the 4th, poetry from Henry Marsh accompanied by fiddle from Ian Laing; craft sessions, open houses and exhibitions in and around Penicuik all week; Sat 3rd Blind Lemon with Ian Pettigrew for a late night gig in the Roadhouse, there also folk club singalong on Tuesday; the Mouthful of Grass band on Wednesday in The Craigebield; workshops for children and adults with Kelpie Prize Award winning Author Janis Mackay on her Magnus Finn books and creative expression plus meet the author in Linton Books; Community Currency Creator Circles for creative writing and learning on the themes of sustainable economy; film events on Sundays in Townhall, Jazz with Sophie Bancroft in the Hub on Thursday and Hiphop workshop on Friday afternoon; a talk on Liszt & Scotland from Derek Watson at West St on Friday and the Beggar Girls on Saturday; as well as poetry and music event in the Yurt with Aonghas MacNeacail and others early eve of Sat. the 10th . Cutting edge drama and song workshops on that second weekend for young folks with Lilian Brzoska from Roughcast Theatre. Bike rides on the Esk Valley Mill Trails and Bankmill paper making events. And finally, after some circle dancing in the Yurt off to the final bash at the Minershall: “Its a Matter of Interest” a humorous play directed by Tina Bryson Forum Theatre actress, written by Linda Scotson from the Advance Centre, about the problems and possible solutions in our financial system followed by the closing party at Shottstown Miners Club on Sunday the 11th (4-7 pm).
And to top it all: should YOU wish to enter an event, just get in touch [email protected] or 07818 061918!
Also we need more community currency carriers: that is people who gift time or resources and who in turn will be given credit to enter ccc participating events.
Keep you diary free and make Penicuik and its community currency creators the centre of the universe for 8 golden days! Go to http://www.penicuikarts.org/ to view and download A3 and A4 version of our colourful program.
PDAF 2011 has support from “Make a Splash” (www.peoplemakingwaves.org.uk/makeasplash/) to ensure a great range of events and activities.
STOP PRESS:
NEWEST NEWS: some of the boarded up shops in town centre will be opened up for two weeks, 3rd Sept – 17th Sept. For art exhibits and for community groups to work in with their artistic projects,.
Plus: a mural competition is being organised involving local school and artists. Get in touch if you want to be involved in anything, including hiring the Yurt and the shops for your community activities.
TURNER PRIZE TO BE JUDGED BY ANDREW CRUMMY:
If you’d like to submit an entry for the annual open exhibition come along to the West Street Arts Centre between 1-3 pm or 6-8 pm on Thursday the 1st of September. Entries can be in any media, 2D (upto about A0 sized) or 3D, with a maximum of 3 per person. At £2 per entry (3 for 2 if you’re a member of the PCAA) its a great opportunity for anyone to exhibit whether you’re a beginner or professional and have a chance of winning the Penicuik Turner Prize! The exhibition will all be in West Street this year and on display from the 3rd until the 17th of September, as will other exhibitions round town, because on the 17th of September there will be a Street Fair as part of the Rugby Golden Oldies Festivities.