With the Tall Ships on the horizon, art, heritage, sport and leisure organisations across Aberdeen are set to present a raft of maritime-themed events for local people and visitors to the city.
The Festival of the Sea takes place from 12 to 27 July, the two weeks either side of the Tall Ships Races Aberdeen (19-22 July). From sports camps to singing and storytelling, theatre and dancing to sea dragons and coastal discovery tours, and from exhibitions and creative writing to watercolour workshops, there's something for all ages to discover and enjoy. Twenty organisations are presenting around 40 free and paid-for events in indoor and outdoor locations across the city.
This is the second Festival of the Sea and it is hoped that it will become an annual event, creating a legacy for the Tall Ships Races in Aberdeen.
Highlights of the programme include
Pirates! Scottish Dance Theatre at His Majesty’s Theatre
Saturday 19, Sunday 20 July, 2pm and 7pm
Join best friends Tom and Daisy as they are swept away into the world of Captain Sandy Rogers and her rowdy crew! This unforgettable adventure features a bunch of slippery zombies, strange underwater creatures and a final, all-out duel with the wicked Captain O’Greed!
Coastal Discovery Day at the Greyhope Bay Centre
Monday 21 July, 10am-4pm
Meet organisations connected to the coast and local area to learn about their work protecting the Aberdeen coast and species that call it home, take part in a beachcombing acvitity and a litter pick.
Viktor Wynd and the Museum of Curiosities at Aberdeen Art Gallery
Thursday 17 July, 7pm-8pm
Artist and writer Viktor Wynd offers a glimpse of his extraordinary, not to say infamous, curiosity museum in London's West End. We may hear stories about mermaids, mandrakes, and monsters as well as travellers tales from his adventures
Citymoves Dance Agency: Creatures of the Deep Summer Youth Camp
Monday 21-Friday 25 July, ages 5-12
Enjoy a high-energy creative camp that uses dance and creative expression to explore nautical topics, along with the funky routines, singing, and crafting activities.
Deemouth Artist Studios Workshop Weekender
Wednesday 23 – Sunday 27 July, 10am-5pm
A long weekend of workshops hosted by DAS creative residents, from pottery and jewellery, to weaving, screen printing and more, there's something for everyone.
Fittie Arts and Crafts Fair
Saturday 19 July, 10am-4pm
Stalls include sea-themed jewellery, handmade candles and rustic charm creations for the home. Fittie themed merchandise is also on offer along with a fundraising stall for the RNLI.
Fish 'n' Ships
Saturday 12 July–Wednesday 23 July
Aberdeen Young Ambassadors will be popping up, in and around the city, to trade artworks in exchange for non-recyclable plastics.
Ben Torrie, Director of Programming and Creative Projects at Aberdeen Performing Arts, said: “No Festival of the Sea would be complete without some swashbuckling pirate fun. Scottish Dance Theatre’s energetic and vibrant production at His Majesty’s Theatre is the perfect event for families to take in whilst visiting the city for the Tall Ships Races. Tickets are on SAIL now!”
Lesley-Anne Rose, Creative Director of Open Road, said: “The Festival of the Sea is a perfect fit for Aberdeen and its harbourside communities. We’re excited to build on the success of last year and offer a programme of free family events, artist workshops, storytelling and music.”
Hayley Durward, CEO of Citymoves Dance Agency, said: “We are delighted to be taking part in the Festival of the Sea with our children’s summer camp, Shaper/Caper pop up dance performances, What Moves You performance at Balnagask care home and intergenerational street performance in Torry. The Festival of the Sea programme will help extend the Tall Ships reach into communities and across generations.”
Frances Coombey, Programmes at Operations Manager at Greyhope Bay Centre, said: “We're really lucky to live in a city such an incredible and diverse coastline. The Festival of the Sea is the perfect opportunity to celebrate our connections to the coast through nature, heritage or creativity. We're really excited to be working with our volunteers, local experts and artists to deliver a mix of fun and inspiring events for the Festival of the Sea programme.”
Councillor Martin Greig, Aberdeen City Council’s culture spokesman, said: “Tall Ships Races Aberdeen is set to be Scotland’s biggest free family event this summer. I’m delighted that so many of Aberdeen’s art, culture, heritage and leisure organisations are supporting it with Festival of the Sea activities which are extending the impact of this major event for local people and visitors to the city.”
Organisations taking part in the Festival:
Aberdeen Art Gallery
Aberdeen Arts Centre
Aberdeen City Libraries
Aberdeen Maritime Museum
Aberdeen Sports Village
Aberdeen Young Ambassadors
Citymoves Dance Agency
Clan Cancer Support
Deemouth Artist Studios
Fittie Community Development Trust
Greyhope Bay Centre
Harbour Voices Choir
His Majesty’s Theatre
Music Hall
Old Aberdeen Library
Open Road
Pushing Out the Boat
Stonehaven Folk Festival
Torry Community Library
University of Aberdeen
For full programme details and booking information visit
www.aberdeencity.gov.uk/festivalofthesea
Image L-R: Councillor Martin Greig, Aberdeen City Council’s culture spokesman, Lesley-Anne Rose of Open Road, Hayley Durward of Citymoves, Frances Coombey of Greyhope Bay Centre