Feature Image by R.B. Photography for DGWGO
From carnival and cabaret to a spectacular community choir
Big Burns Supper is sending 120 performers to woo international visitors and media with a special preview performance at the Commonwealth Games.
Cabaret artists, musicians, costumed performers and dozens of members of Dumfries Community Choir will thrill an invited audience in Glasgow for three hours of dazzling entertainment on Thursday, July 24th.
Taking part in the cultural activities surrounding the XX Commonwealth Games is a great chance to raise the profile of Big Burns Supper – Europe’s largest winter fringe festival – and to attract more overseas visitors to Dumfries and Galloway.
Graham Main, Festival Director, said: “Big Burns Supper 2015 is going to be bigger, bolder and brighter than ever with nine days of fabulous entertainment, plus the Burns Night Carnival.
“We’re going to put on a spectacular preview for international guests and media to show them just how special the festival will be and to highlight Dumfries and Galloway as a fabulous holiday destination.
“There will be some of the star turns from Le Haggis, Scotland’s sexiest cabaret show, plus some of the region’s up-and-coming musicians and a huge turnout from the Dumfries Community Choir.
“We are hugely proud that Big Burns Supper involves so many members of the community, whether it’s on stage, in the carnival or behind the scenes, and it’s something we really want to shout about.”
The show will take place at the Laphroaig Lounge at the Teacher Building in St Enoch’s Square and features performers from D&G and elsewhere in the country.
The Dumfries Community Choir will put on a performance similar to the ones that have wowed the crowds at the Wickerman and Eden festivals. They are renowned for their unexpected take on familiar songs. The choir is the biggest vocal ensemble in southern Scotland and will be supported by local musicians.
Other highlights will include:
• Miss Behave – sword swallower, cabaret variety act
• Tom Harlow – boylesque
• Novantae – providing a soundtrack of Robert Burns songs
• Caileag plus other up-and-coming Scottish musicians.
There will be costumed carnival characters outside along with Hamish the Haggis, who is the mascot for Big Burns Supper’s programme of entertainment for young people.
The audience will also be treated to refreshments from Dumfries and Galloway to give them a taste of the region’s high quality produce.
Big Burns Supper 2015 will take the 2015 UNESCO Year of Light as its theme.
The festival is made possible by support from many organisations including Creative Scotland, Homecoming Scotland, Winter Festivals Burns Night, 8020 and Dumfries and Galloway Council.
