News Archive
PRESS RELEASE – 04/06/2006
BIG WEEKEND BIG SUCCESS FOR CITY
The cream of Scotland’s theatre gathered in Dundee recently, to witness the National Theatre of Scotland scooping no fewer than six of the prestigious CATS Awards. The company, whose first public performances were less than four months ago, won awards in three categories, including the top award, Best Production, for Roam - a collaboration with Edinburgh’s ground-breaking Grid Iron Theatre Company. NTS also picked up Awards for Best Children’s Show and Best Design for Home: East Lothian –, and Best Music for Home: Shetland.
Speaking from the Award Ceremony at Discovery Point Dundee, Convener of the CATS, Robert Dawson Scott said:
“This has been a good year for theatre not in theatres and for the new National Theatre of Scotland. There is nothing about site-specific work per se which makes it better or worse than wor k in more conventional spaces, but we are fortunate to have in Scotland one of the best exponents of the genre in the world in Grid Iron. Roam was hugely ambitious in every sense, and despite enormous difficulties, Grid Iron pulled it off. What is significant about the National Theatre of Scotland’s involvement is that it enabled existing talent, in this case Grid Iron, to operate on a bigger and more ambitious scale, a clear illustration of how the NTS is supposed to work.”
He added “We are also delighted that the NTS has announced a revival of the runaway winner at the 2005 CATS, Anthony Neilson’s The Wonderful World Dissocia, enabling more people to experience this extraordinary production - another key part of the NTS’s remit.”
Leading Scottish playwright, David Harrower picked up the Best New Play Award 2006 for Blackbird, the Edinburgh International Festival commission that is currently taking London ’s West End by storm. There was also good news for Glasgow’s Citizens’ Theatre as the company won two CATS – Best Actor (female) – Cara Kelly - and Best Director – Gregory Thompson – for its production of Molly Sweeney. Actor Liam Brennan was also celebrating success. Having missed out on the Best Actor Award to David Tennant in 2005, Brennan was a more than worthy successor to the Dr Who star, picking up the Best Actor (Male) Award for his “brilliantly sustained portrayal of a vulnerable but never sentimental man” as Odon von Horvath in Tales from Hollywood (Perth Theatre)
The 2006 Awards were presented by leading Scottish actress Kate Dickie, in her first public appearance since her success at the 2006 Cannes Film Festival, and by David MacLennan, the driving force behind Scotland’s biggest recent theatrical innovation outside the NTS, the lunchtime series of new plays , A Play, A Pie and A Pint.
The 2006 CATS were generously supported by the Dundee City of Discovery Campaign. Councillor Joe Morrow, standing in for Lord Provost John Letford, said:
“It is very gratifying that so many distinguished figures from the Scottish theatre are visiting Dundee for this prestigious event, the Critics Awards for Theatre in Scotland . I am delighted not only because hosting these awards brings kudos for our city, but also because it affords those taking part the opportunity to see for themselves the excellence of the cultural activity our city has to offer.”
He added “Within the regeneration of our city, we have placed culture and the arts at the heart of our efforts and we are proud of our thriving cultural quarter, which has at its core the wonderful Dundee Rep and the much-praised Centre for Contemporary Arts .We have done this because within the local authority and within the Campaign we fully understand the vital role that the arts plays in the life of a community, and in helping a city regenerate and grow.”
Press Release – 07/06/2006
CITY OF DISCOVERY ROBOLAB CHALLENGE: WINNERS ANNOUNCED
The City of Discovery Robolab Challenge reached its climax when the nine schools that made it through to the finals locked horns in competition.
Hillside, Ancrum Road, St Ninian’s, Forthill, Craigiebarns, Clepington, Macalpine, Brackens and Ardler fought their way through zonal finals to the city final.
The winners St Ninians received the City of Discovery Robolab Challenge Trophy, a Robolab kit and a £125 voucher from the Commotion Group for their school, and each team member will receive a prize package.
Runners-up Craigiebarns received a £75 Commotion Group voucher while 3rd place Ancrum Road received £50 vouchers for their school.
Lord Provost John Letford, Chairman of the City of Discovery Campaign, said: “The Campaign is determined to play its part in inspiring the imagination of our young people. The Robolab Challenge achieves that and at the same time helps our young people understand the importance of science and technology, and how they underpin our economy and daily business and social lives.”
Councillor Kevin Keenan, Convener of Education said: “This programme helps children understand ‘control technology’ which in turn leads to discussion about how this is a part of our everyday lives, through things like traffic lights, ATMs, and hospital equipment.”
“The Robolab Challenge is excellent for promoting logical thinking, trial and error testing, and encouraging social skills such as discussion, compromise and team working and it fits in perfectly with the 5–14 curriculum.”
PRESS RELEASE – 14/06/2006
CITY OF DISCOVERY PICTURE BOOK AWARD: WINNER ANNOUNCED
Author Tony Mitton and illustrator Guy Parker-Reese with their book Spookyrumpus are crowned winners of the inaugural City of Discovery Picture Book Award and the £1000 cash prize.
At the award ceremony 450 of the children who had participated in the process of judging and voting for the winning picture book had the opportunity to quiz the authors and illustrators that have given them so much pleasure over the last couple of months.
The innovative literary award, which carries a significant cash prize, aims to recognise excellence in story telling for children as well as encouraging youngsters to read. The City of Discovery Picture Book Award is joining the Dundee International Book Prize as one of the major literary prizes on offer.
Although the award is in its infancy the structure and educational impact is being recognised throughout the UK . Organisers have received various enquiries from authorities and organisations across the country including the Scottish Book Trust, Learning and Teaching Scotland and Cambridge and Glasgow Universities.
A short-listing process which involved two pilot schools, reduced the entries to just four. The three runners up were:
- “Looking After Louis” by Lesley Ely & Polly Dunbar – Frances Lincoln Children’s Books
- “Mr Beast” by James Sage & Russell Ayto – Harper Collins Children’s Books
- “The Fairy Tale Cake” by Jonathan Langley & Mark Sperring – Chicken House
Funding from the City of Discovery Campaign , has made it possible for the awards to offer a winning prize of £1000 and £200 to each of the three runners-up. Each short-listed author and illustrator also received a limited edition Denis the Menace figure, donated by DC Thomson Ltd.
Lord Provost John Letford, Chairman of the City of Discovery Campaign said, “It is encouraging to hear what a success the City of Discovery Picture Book Awards have been. A winner has been chosen following the judging process but that process centred round the children who have made the awards their own. All of the short-listed books were of the highest quality.”
“Throughout the process the primary five and six children have worked hard to great effect organising voting, displays, filming and photography, and of course, reading the books to the primary ones.”
“The City of Discovery Picture Book Award is another demonstration of the city’s prowess in the literary world, emphasising the city’s innovative and progressive stature.”
Moira Foster of the City Council’s Education Department, and Stuart Syme from Leisure and Communities, the organisers of the new Award believe that so much has been gained by all involved in Picture Book Awards. They said, “The children have really taken ownership of the awards. As well as learning more about the picture book genre schools have given the children the opportunity to design their own picture books and meet a local illustrator showing the children everyone’s aspirations can be realised.”
“The awards have also been a facilitator for personal and social development in the older children – bringing out maturity and a sense of responsibility when dealing with the younger children.”
Author Tony Mitton said: “I am delighted that we have won this award, which is even more special to us as it was judged by the children themselves.”
Press Release – 19/06/2006
REDISCOVER OUR CITY
The Dundee Festival’s programme of events was launched by an authentic German band ‘Feuerwehr Musikkapelle Dagershiem’ from Dagershiem, Boblingen when oldest band member Helmut Grau showed Lord Provost John Letford how to play the tuba.
The 50 strong music ensemble, visiting Dundee as part of a tour of Scotland, were able to give visitors to the city centre a taste of things to come during the inaugural festival in the City of Discovery next month.
During the month of July residents and visitors to Dundee will be encouraged to ‘Rediscover our City’ through the programme of events that includes Sunday Band Concerts, Local walks led by Dundee Healthy Living Initiative, East Coast Sailing Week, a programme of musical concerts and much more – getting people out and about, rediscovering what the city has to offer.
Officially launching on July 8th, Allan Neave, a leading classical guitarist and founder of the Dundee Guitar Festival, will open the Dundee Festival with a candlelight concert on the Unicorn.
The German influence will be represented during the festival by a licensed Bavarian Market – the first of its kind to come to the city – and will run from the 10th – 30th July and includes stalls selling pickles, speciality cheeses and sausages, chocolate, wine and of course a Beer house.
City of Discovery Campaign Chair Lord Provost John Letford is very pleased the City of Discovery Campaign is able to be part of the joint committee organising the first Dundee Festival and hopes that both residents and visitor to the city will enjoy the programme of activities and musical concerts. He said, “There is so much to see and do in Dundee and by pulling together new and existing events into one definitive programme gives everyone a much better idea of what is going on this summer.”
“The Dundee Festival will be great for the City of Discovery bringing people out of their homes and onto the streets to experience the excitement and learn a little more about the city they live in.”
City Centre Manger Lorna McKenzie said, “Dundee City Centre Action Group were pleased to be a factor in bringing ‘Feuerwehr Musikkapelle Dagershiem’ to Dundee as live entertainment always lift the spirits of all the shoppers visiting the city centre.”
“It is a great way to give people a taste of what is to come over the summer, especially in July during the Dundee Festival.”
For more information on events happening as part of the Dundee Festival see http://www.dundeefestival.com
Press Release – 22/06/2006
WALK ON… AND DISCOVER DUNDEE SUMMER FESTIVAL
Office workers, residents and visitors are being urged to don their walking shoes and rediscover Dundee during the Dundee Summer Festival.
A programme of Urban Walking Tours forms a key part of the Festival’s programme, with a series of themed walks planned with expert guides designed to improve an individual’s health and knowledge of the city.
One of the walks has been put together by City Archivist Iain Flett, and will focus on the City of Discovery’s musical history. The tour will take in much of the history of musical development in the city, from the site of a medieval “sangschule” through to more contemporary times.
Other themed walks will include “Walk the World at Baxter Park”, a “Women’s Achievement Trail” and a guided tour of historic buildings on the University Campus.
A full programme is available at www.dundeefestival.com
In addition to the walking tours, the Festival – which is supported by the City of Discovery Campaign, City Centre Action Group and VisitScotland – will include:
Music: the festival kicks off with a candelight concert on the Frigate Unicron by leading classical guitarist – and founder of the Dundee Guitar Festival – Allan Neave on July 8th. Other highlights will include the “Hold Tight it’s 60s Night” at Dundee Rep on July 7th and 8th, Naughty Baby Opera Cabaret at the Apex City Quay Hotel on July 13th, Jazz on the Point at Discovery Point on July 14th, a series of Morning, Noon and Night concerts along the Promenade on Saturday July 22nd and the Opera Alba Quartet on July 23rd.
Dance: The dance element sees young people getting the chance to “Be Part of Something Really Wild” a dance and drama workshop being run by Dundee College and Dundee Rep for 11+ year olds that runs from July 10th till July 21st at The Space. The Royal Scottish Country Dance Society are to run a summer season at Dundee High School on July 10th, 17th and 24th with a ceilidh at the Apex City Quay Hotel on July 21st, while the Dorwin Stage School will hold workshops for adults and children on July 11th at the Mary Slessor Centre, City Churches, Nethergate.
Food: The city will host a Continental Market from July 6th till 9th, and a Bavarian Market from July 13th till 30th with a Farmers Market on July 15th. An eating out festival has also been arranged, with participating restaurants detailed at www.dundeefestival.com
Sports: Sporting events will include the urban walking festival, All American Wrestling at Kirkton Community Centre on July 15th, and East Coast Sailing Week will run from July 23rd – 28th, including a ‘Tween the Bridges race involving 50 keel boats on Sunday July 23rd.
Lord Provost John Letford, Chairman of the City of Discovery Campaign, said: “During the month of July residents and visitors to Dundee will be encouraged to ‘Rediscover our City’ through the programme of events that includes the local walks led by Dundee Healthy Living Initiative, East Coast Sailing Week, a programme of musical concerts and much more – getting people out and about, rediscovering what the city has to offer.”
“As Chairman of the City of Discovery Campaign I am very pleased the Campaign is able to be part of the joint committee organising the first Dundee Summer Festival and I hope that both residents and visitor to the city will enjoy the programme of activities and musical concerts.”