Wednesday, March 19, 2008
The Show Scotland 2008 website, www.showscotland.com, went live on Wednesday 19th March. It showcases a packed programme of events taking place across Scotland over the May bank holiday weekend from 2 to 5 May.
Co-ordinated by the Scottish Museums Council, Show Scotland is an annual museums and galleries ‘big events weekend’ when their doors open to a wonderful variety of events. With late night openings, fun family activities and specially created arts performances there is something to suit all tastes. www.showscotland.com is a colourful and user-friendly site that provides details on the full weekend of creative events taking place across Scotland. It is a one-stop-shop for those wishing to find out what’s going on in their area over the Show Scotland 2008 weekend and visitors to the site can search by location, date or venue.
Events this year include:
The GoMA Gig 2008: On Friday 2nd May the GoMA is keeping its doors open late for a unique, one night only, live music event, inspired by the musical and cultural references in Jim Lambie’s work. There will be music from live bands from Glasgow and beyond, taking place in the GoMA's exhibition spaces. Tickets are free however you will need to book in advance and demand will be very high - visit www.showscotland.com for details.
The National Library of Scotland event is very timely with Indiana Jones’ imminent return to the cinema. Their Show Scotland event on 3rd May will explore what the archaeologists who discovered the treasures of the ancient world were really like? Join storyteller Colin Mackay at this fun filled interactive family event, recommended for children aged 6 - 11. Visitors will discover real life adventurer, Austen Layard, and take part in a journey of adventure with mysteries and puzzles to solve. Be warned, parents will be expected to help solve puzzles!
Japanorama at Perth Museum and Art Gallery: On Saturday 3 May join in this wonderful celebration of traditional Japanese culture with indoor and outdoor entertainment, demonstrations and activities. These include Taiko drumming, martial arts, dancing, tea ceremony, sushi and origami. Presented in collaboration with members of the Scottish Japanese Residents Association.
Aberdeen Art Gallery has taken inspiration from reality TV and is holding events called the Art Factor and Art Idol where their Front of House team will select works in storage that they would like to see on display. They will be trying to persuade visitors to vote for their choice over the Show Scotland weekend. A process of elimination over the weekend will result in a winner being chosen and becoming Art Idol 2008!
On the evening of 2nd May Tweeddale Museum and Art Gallery is hosting Czesc! Hello! ~ A Polish Celebration at Eastgate Theatre & Arts Centre. Visitors can just drop by and enjoy Polish traditional music and food. There will be a screening of a Polish film and also the first showing of an exhibition specially created by members of the local Polish community to reflect the area's current and historical links with Poland.
The University of St Andrews’ Gateways Gallery is hosting two events - a daytime Sketch St Andrews event and in the evening a Pub Crawl Draw will take place. Artists will give a fun lesson in the art of caricature whilst visiting the pubs of St Andrews in this pub crawl with a twist!
If you have been planning a trip to Orkney then the Show Scotland weekend provides with the perfect excuse to go as on 3rd May Stromness Museum will be transporting the town and its visitors back in time to the Victorian era. Actors will bring some colourful characters back to life for the day and visitors will b able to try Victorian photographic techniques. Ride to the museum in a replica Victorian carriage. Or walk and enjoy the shop trail which shows what shops and houses used to be like in Victorian times.
Joanne Orr, CEO of Scottish Museums Council, said:
“Show Scotland is all about creative and unusual events designed to help visitors explore and see museum and gallery collections in new ways. Although only in its third year now, the ‘big events weekend’ has already become a highlight in Scotland’s cultural calendar. It’s fantastic to see Show Scotland events taking place all across the country showcasing Scotland’s unique heritage and cultural wealth in new and imaginative ways.”
To find out more about Show Scotland 2008 visit www.showscotland.com.
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Press Contact
Eithne Ní Chonghaile,
Scottish Museums Council,
T 0131 550 4100
eithnenc@scottishmuseums.org.uk
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