Following the growth of an ever-increasing programme of year-round work with and for older people – the Luminate Festival is back in 2019, hosting a wide range of events in different venues including theatres, cinemas, galleries, care homes and community centres throughout Scotland in May.
Performances include dance, drama, visual arts, film, spoken word and community events to enhance and encourage us to celebrate creativity as we age.
The festival is jam packed with must-see events for all ages and Luminate are thrilled to be involved with inspiring work and events in Edinburgh and the Lothians.
Dance and music have always played a major role in the Luminate Festival, and this year is no exception. Our old friends 24 Carat Gold are back; aged from 60 to 85 they meet at Dance Base to share their talents and experiences and explore the ways that moods and emotions can be expressed in dance and to share the pleasure of dancing.
Join us for this special performance of their work Facets – an exploration of moods and emotions in dance on Friday 3 May, Dance Base, 16 Grassmarket, Edinburgh. Choreography by: Steinvor Palsson, Chris Stuart Wilson and Alan Greig. 0131 225 5525.
Also at Dance Base on Saturday 18 May, the beautiful studios will be open and PRIME, Scotland’s first semi-professional dance company for dancers over 60, invite you to join them for inspiring fun -PRIME TIME! – a gentle, enjoyable class designed for mature bodies, or you can join a mat class of easy Pilates exercises, followed by an informal gathering, to chat about how moving makes the ageing process progress with ease and joy.
Later, PRIME will perform from their repertoire, inviting special friends to join them. Outside the studio, there will be a silent auction throughout the day. Times vary and classes are free. Performance is £5. 0131 225 5525.
From Friday 10 May – Sunday 30 June everyone is welcome at Dance Base to view A Creative Century an exhibition of photos, testimonials and short films captures ten creative people – from a child under ten to a person in their 90s and celebrate the many ways we can be creative throughout our lives. Free and times vary. 0131 225 5525.
Rake out those old tap shoes and get a Spring in Your Step with Appalachian dance group Kick the Cat workshop. Learn some steps and take part in a fun social dance on Tuesday 14 May. Southside Community Centre, 117 Nicholson Street Edinburgh. 0131 665 4793/0131 229 3389.
R ye dancing? is a day of dance at Dalkeith Art Centre to celebrate dance available in Midlothian and give participants a chance to have a go and hopefully fall in love with the activity and continue to keep dancing on a regular basis. It’s fun and sessions include ballroom, circle dancing, line dancing and others, as well as having time for coffee, tea and a chat. Thursday 23 May Dalkeith Arts Centre, 2 White Hart Street, Dalkeith. 0131 561 6506. Booking essential and an entry only: participants may book as many sessions as they wish.
Bathgate Community Theatre is celebrating local talent of all ages with Bathgate: Generation Arts when young and old come together on Sunday 19 May to present a wonderfully uplifting and happy afternoon of performances when people of all ages will sing, dance and play for your enjoyment. Are you hiding your creative talent from the world? Many of the groups performing that afternoon are open to new members. Bookings 07521 358 239. Bathgate Regal Community Theatre, 23 North Bridge Street, Bathgate.
You cannot miss An Audience with … at Edinburgh’s Festival Theatre a unique event presented by Janice Parker Projects in collaboration with Capitol Theatres on Saturday 18 and Saturday 25 May. This entertaining personal encounter with Doreen Leighton-Ward, Mare Duthie, June Don Parker and Betty Clarkson dancers from the Variety Era will light up your imagination as they regale you with stories, insights and memorabilia from their sparkling careers … a magical opportunity and there will certainly be dancing. Tickets 0131 529 6000.
On Thursday 9 May, Conductor Emmanuel Krivine brings French panache to the Usher Hall, Edinburgh, and we invite you to join us for a superb concert; the Scottish Chamber Orchestra’s Season Finale Concert Berlioz Symphonie Fantastique and Faure Requiem gloriously delivered by the sublime SCO Chorus and the soothing baritone of Rudolf Rosen. Pre-concert at 6.30pm join storyteller Claire Hewitt and SCO Clarinet William Stafford to chat and conjure up the world of Berlioz. The concert begins at 7.30pm. Tickets 0131 228 1155.
Make sure you don’t miss a night out at Bellfield, Portobello, where The Professors of Logic, a five-piece band fronted by singer-songwriter Anna Durkacz will be performing Coming of the Third Age, comprising songs about growing older, a wry and humorous vignette of stories from life.
The genre might be described as Post-Menopausal-Post-Folk! Not for nothing has she been called “the Beryl Cooke of song-writing”. Saturday 11 May. 16B Bellfield Street, Portobello. 0131 281 2942 (venue) or 07882 866284 (producer).
Beyond Discovery, Creativity and Expression on Tuesday 28 May, join an afternoon of creativity, expression and discovery from members from the Edinburgh branch of University of the Third Age, in partnership with Edinburgh Napier University.
There’s loads to enjoy, performances from the U3A Ukulele and Blues Band, ballroom and line-dancing demonstrations as well as view a pop-up exhibition of art, photography and quilting and light refreshments- it is all about the joy of life-long learning, artistic expression and social connectivity. Edinburgh Napier University, Craiglockhart Campus, 219 Colinton Road, Edinburgh 0131 455 3214. Booking essential.
Luminate is delighted that Edinburgh’s Royal Lyceum Theatre is bringing a wide range of exciting theatre events to the festival. With The Royal Lyceum Backstage Tours on Thursday 23 and Friday 24 May get an insight into behind the scenes, get to walk on stage and find out more about this historical Victorian theatre and how it functions day to day. Or join in the Lyceum’s Over 60s acting course taster workshops and learn more about their work.
On Tuesday 7 May Insight into Harbour looks at the process of the group’s devised performance Harbour which is inspired by key themes in David Greig’s adaptation of Local Hero and on Wednesday May 11pm Insight into David Greig is an opportunity to practically explore and learn about Greig’s motivation behind his play, Dunsinane and his work as Artistic Director of the Royal Lyceum. Booking essential for all events. 0131 248 4848.
With Harbour Inspired by David Greig’s adaptation of Local Hero, the Lyceum Original Sixty will explore the idea of community, love, communication in search of their own local hero at the Traverse Theatre on Thursday 16 May. Tickets 0131 228 1404.
Presented by Luminate and the Royal Lyceum on Sunday 26 May, Finn den Hertog is directing a rehearsed reading of Escaped Alone by the wonderful Caryl Churchill. Between the two performances join in a Talk Show where invited guests will share their response to the themes of the play. Three old friends and a neighbour. A Summer afternoon in the backyard. Tea and catastrophe. Booking essential 0131 248 4848.
Have a final festival fling with The BIG Project: On Ageing at St. David’s Broomhouse Hall, Broomhouse Crescent, Edinburgh, where the BIG project youth and children’s charity presents a devised play with songs focused on young people’s attitudes towards ageing. Bookings 0131 622 7784.
Storytelling and the spoken word continue to grow in popularity and this festival at Dovecot Studios, Infirmary Street, Edinburgh, make time to join Celtic Queens with Jane Bee on Saturday 11 May for an evocative celebration of Celtic women; stories gathered together in response to Dovecot’s exhibition Orla Kiely A Life in Pattern. Bookings 0131 550 3660.
At the Scottish Storytelling Centre, High Street, Edinburgh Elderwise Storytellers are hosting Gala Week Stories and Memories from Monday 13 -Thursday 16 May, every day will feature stories, songs, shared memories and reminiscences of special days with fun craft activity over tea and cakes. Booking 0131 556 9579.
Everyone has a story to tell and Write to Remember, a memoir writing workshop using object prompts to begin that empowering process of writing your own life story, led by writer Sarah Howells who is also a Library Advisor specialising in creative writing and writing workshops. Wednesday 29 May at Edinburgh Central Library and bookings can be made on 0131 242 8070.
Have a great fun day learning new languages, composing a song and painting. Languages Shaping Our Lives at The Town House, Haddington, on Saturday 18 May is part of Artpoint’s Languages of Art project to encourage younger and older people to increase their languages skills and an opportunity to discuss the history of the beautiful East Cast towns and also listen to Dr Tomas Bak on the importance of being bilingual. For information 07878 013 226.
On Saturday 4 and Saturday 25 May there another great family event in Haddington at Wee Red Upcycles, 9-12 Church Street Play Maps: Let’s play together! The first step, a talk about past and present places in and around Haddington close to your heart. Next step design and print every family a map of the town. More information 07878 013 226.
Every Friday in May join Newbattle Memories, Old and Young to indulge in memories of yesteryear in the stunning Newbattle Community Campus, run in conjunction with pupils of Newbattle High school; test your knowledge with brain-teasers, read poetry, enjoy a sing-song, try some digital skills and gentle exercise – all in the company of the lovely young people of Newbattle. For information call Newbattle Library 0131 561 6745.
In the beautiful surroundings of Cockenzie House and Gardens come and join Catching the Past with Room to Grow – A Celebration of The Garden on Sunday 12 May as they celebrate ‘the garden’.
Bring your memories to share and add to ours in The Willow Room, try your hand at making a bee ‘hotel’ or just join us on our walks in the gardens to hear the stories of the gardens, past, present and future. Cockenzie House & Gardens, 22 Edinburgh Road, Cockenzie. 01875 818684.
Everyone is interested in photography and film and at Stills Centre for Photography, 23 Cockburn Street, Edinburgh, you can get up to date with your digital camera every Monday in May with Creative Digital Photography, digital photography for the analogue generation.
Run in small groups, the course will be taught by a professional freelance photographer at a pace that suits everyone. Don’t worry over equipment, it can be provided if you don’t have your own. Booking essential 0131 622 6200. And there’s an added bonus as on Tuesday 7 May, you are invited to join Tour and Tea with Stills Director Ben Harman for an informal tour of the current exhibition Ambit followed by tea in the library.
Ága is a captivating and enduring love story set in the Arctic, depicting a disappearing way of life, including superb cinematography of the dramatic snowy landscape. The film will be screened at Filmhouse, Lothian Road, Edinburgh on Sunday 12 May at 3.45pm. Tickets 0131 228 2688.
Always a treat to visit Dynamic Earth, Holyrood Road, Edinburgh, and on Sunday 12 May The Big Brain Storm – Social Isolation is an immersive interactive art piece highlighting the negative impact of social isolation which includes a collaborative animation designed and voiced by older people.
Throughout the day Whiffle Pig is running an animation workshop for families of all ages giving everyone a chance to work together to find their voice. Booking essential. 0131 550 7800 or 07539 022 897 for event organisers.
Close by at the People’s Story Museum, 193 Canongate, Royal Mile, Edinburgh on Thursday 16 May Art in the City – At the People’s Story provides an opportunity for people with dementia and their friends, family and carers to share a gallery visit and discuss art (and other things) in a friendly and supportive environment. Anyone not part of the core group is most welcome to join us for this trip down memory lane. Booking essential 0131 529 6365.
The much-loved Travelling Gallery will be visiting Inch Community Education Centre, 225 Gilmerton Road, Edinburgh, on Tuesday 14 May for Exploring and creating visual stories with the Travelling Gallery, join them to discover poignant, visual stories exploring five artists’ responses to the global refugee crisis. After visiting the exhibition join an artist and create your own artwork or story. For advance information 0131 529 3949.
Make time for a visit to the Dementia-friendly sculpture workshops on Monday 13 – Thursday 16 May at the Scottish Gallery of Modern Art (Modern Two), 73 Belford Road, Edinburgh, for friendly and accessible workshops inspired by the exhibition “Andy Warhol and Eduardo Paolozzi | I want to be a machine”. Be enthused, enjoy exploring tactile materials and create your own piece of abstract sculpture. 0131 624 6560 booking is essential.
As part of the Unforgotten Forces Project Art Adventures in Nature, join with residents of the Erskine Care Home Edinburgh, 468 Gilmerton Road, Edinburgh, on Sunday 26 May and enjoy a gentle journey in the home’s peaceful gardens for a showcase of work created in collaboration with Luminate and Erskine artists in residence Gill White and James Gill. Explore the Art Adventures Studio, experience the natural world and meet the artists. 0131 672 2558.
Allow time to chill out over a knit and a cuppa at North Edinburgh Arts, 15a Pennywell Court, Edinburgh, on Wednesday 15 May. Knit & Natter extraordinaire will be sharing stories along with Eleanor Thom from the International Book Festival, who will create a story from the day, and they will also be knitting squares in shades of purple to create a comfort blanket or two as a donation to St Columba’s Hospice. Everyone is welcome 0131 315 2151.
On Monday 20 May join a creative feast inside the laboratory for The L.A.B. – Laboratory Art Binge @CRM. If you have ever wondered what happens behind the scenes of The University of Edinburgh MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine now is the time to find out. Enjoy two hours of drawing and exploring the laboratory with Artist Emily Fong, getting up close and personal with one of the most exciting medical research centres in the UK in a fun and friendly way. Booking is essential 0131 651 9500. Centre for Regenerative Medicine, MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh BioQuarter, 5 Little France Drive Edinburgh.
An afternoon guaranteed to ‘fling us all into Spring’ on Monday 20 May at the Festival Theatre, Edinburgh. Celebrate Victoria Day with Spring Fling – Dementia Friendly Tea Party for all the family bring the whole family and enjoy traditional music and dance with Mary Phelan School of Dance and Aonach Mòr featuring BBC Young Traditional Musician of The Year 2015, Claire Hastings (voice), Ron Jappy (fiddle) and Grant McFarlane (accordion). Booking essential 0131 529 6000.
ENCOUNTERS: A Dementia inclusive Art Book – Book Launch and Exhibition
The inclusive art book is designed to stimulate communication, spark the imagination and provide a focus for conversation and creativity and some of the original works of art featured in the book will be on show. Thursday 30 May 2pm – 5pm (exhibition opening with book launch) and Friday 31 May 10am – 1pm (exhibition concludes). Out of the Blue Drill Hall, 32-36 Dalmeny Street, Edinburgh 0131 555 7638.
The Festival also features an Outreach programme which takes creative activities to older people who may struggle to attend the public programme. As part of this, the young musicians of Live Music Now Scotland will perform in care homes and day centres across the country.
The complete Luminate Festival brochure can be download at www.luminatescotland.org
@luminatescot #LuminateFestival19
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