Published: 14 Sep 2016
Five years since its launch, Scotland’s creative ageing festival Luminate continues to extend its boundaries to celebrate creativity and explore what ageing means to us all. Creativity can be experienced in so many different ways and in so many different places, from care homes and community centres to art galleries, theatres and concert halls. Age is unimportant and – in a programme that features dance, drama, music, visual arts, storytelling, photography and crafts - wherever you are in Scotland, something will be waiting for you in the 2016 programme running from Saturday 1 – Monday 31 October.
Festival highlights include Luminate’s prestigious opening production at the Tron Theatre, Glasgow: Dublin-based Fishamble’s Forgotten, Pat Kinevane’s one-man portrayal of four older people in care homes around Ireland, a unique blend of Kabuki dance and Irish storytelling which will also be the visiting the Beacon Arts Centre, Greenock and The Lemon Tree, Aberdeen. At the Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh, actor Tim Barlow in HIM reflects on his life at 80 in a new work by writer/ theatre maker Sheila Hill. The Luminate Photography Challenge: Pop-Up Exhibition - a collaboration with Stills, Centre of Photography and the Festival of Architecture - displays photographs taken by older people across Scotland, and celebrates the buildings that are important to people and communities. Inspired by images taken by professional architectural photographer Chris Leslie, the exhibition will pop-up all over the country at locations from Lochcarron to Hawick. At DCA in Dundee, an Architecture Photography Workshop takes inspiration from the Luminate Challenge and from the DCA building designed by Richard Murphy – whatever you do, don’t forget your camera. In Edinburgh Making Space is an exhibition at the Patriothall Gallery of new installations by ceramic artists Lorna Fraser and Carol Sinclair, both reflecting on shifting priorities having reached the milestone of turning 50. Italy's best known artist and satirical writer Dario Fo is celebrating his 90th year and Edinburgh is honouring the occasion with events at the Italian Cultural Institute, the Scottish Storytelling Centre and the Royal Lyceum Theatre. At Summerhall the Festival of Ian Smith & Friends - A Celebration of Death includes a challenging array of events in partnership with Mischief la Bas. At the Fire Station Creative, Dunfermline, the legendary Barbara Dickson leads Musical Memories to mark the 20th Birthday of Nordoff Robbins Music Therapy in Scotland.
Luminate has commissioned two artists to create work in collaboration with older people in care homes this year. Amy Gear is currently working with residents of the Isleshavn Care Home in Yell, Shetland, and their installation – entitled The Weight of Knowledge, Measured in Clay - will be exhibited on the island during the festival. And in Edinburgh, film-maker Duncan Cowles is collaborating with residents of North Merchiston Care Home on a series of short films directed by residents. The films – Directed by North Merchiston - will be screened for residents, staff, family and friends at the end of the festival.
HM Frigate Unicorn sails into Luminate with a number of events, including Woven Tapestry, a fun experimental weaving workshop, and Dundee and the Sea, a chance tocelebrate Dundee’s relationship with the sea through song. Continuing the maritime theme, Whatever the Sea is a new poetry anthology from Polygon/Birlinn about growing older which will be launched at the Scottish Poetry Library in Edinburgh.
From the world of dance the elder companies PRIME, Quicksilver and Gracenotes pour their hearts into their movement in Carry On Dancing, featuring legendary songs to fresh Hip Hop tunes, and touring to Aberdeen, Inverness and Edinburgh. For something different, why not have a go at circle dancing, or experience the joy of dance chosen to reflect the sea and our cultural heritage in Moray. At Cove Park, 1973 sees choreographer Janice Parker lead a dance and movement workshop based around her archive of creating dance with people over the decades. You can also join the Intergenerational Dance Party for people of all ages and abilities at the Glad Cafe, Glasgow. All time Luminate favourites 24 Carat Gold Dance will be back at Dance Base with Through the Seasons, and Dance House Glasgow: Always Dancing will offer free weekly dance classes during Luminate.
Dive and Luminate’s Intergenerational Cabaret will take over the Traverse Theatre Bar in Edinburgh for one night only on 27 October, and in Glasgow there’s an opportunity for older people from the LGBT+ community to join a new cabaret project being launched with LGBT Age at the Cabaret Call Out: Taster Workshop at the Tron Theatre. This project will culminate in a performance during LGBT History Month in February.
Luminate’s film tour has become a firm favourite in our programme, and this year there is another terrific programme. A double bill features Director Ken Wardrop’s Mom & Me – investigating the relationship between mothers and grown-up sons in Oklahoma - and A Wee Night In which is a heartwarming portrait of love in older age. Hilarious and touching The Grump features an 80 year old Finnish farmer who is forced to move in with his son and daughter-in-law. And if you missed it last year you can catch the delightful Lady In The Van starring Maggie Smith in Perth and Newton Mearns. We are also looking forward to another collaboration with the Scottish Mental Health Arts and Film Festival, with a joint screening of documentary A Family Affair directed by Tom Fassaert, exploring the history of his family’s complex relationships across the generations.
Well Versed is a collection of filmpoems made by older people, which will be premiered at Howden Park Centre, Livingston. And Livingston is also the location for the Burl and Purl Club Nite, with older people from the Craigshill Good Neighbourhood Network spinning tunes after a series of workshops with a professional DJ!
In the world of theatre watch out for Flying With Swans at the Scottish Storytelling Centre. Three old friends get together for what should be a ferry trip to Arran to see migrating swans. Turning out to be the trip of a lifetime, poignant and hilarious it is a must see. A Play, A Pie & A Pint visits The Lemon Tree with Miss Veitch’s Roses, and Tricky Hat have been working with older people in different parts of Scotland and created original performance pieces – catch the Flaming Elders’ performances in venues in Glasgow and Greenock. Unexpected Women in Auchmithie Village Hallfeatures a panel of local women aged 20–70 who discuss their experiences of what was expected from them and why they opted for something different. This will be followed by extracts from Poorboy’s new play Damned Rebel Bitches telling the story of two older sisters searching for a lost grandchild during Hurricane Sandy. Dundee Rep's Beautiful People – the older people’s theatre company - head to Tongue to create a new work alongside local people. Lifelines at the Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh features the legendary Thrawn Craws and writers include Sylvia Dow and Ellie Stewart.
The programme features a number of dementia friendly events, aimed at people living with dementia in care homes and day centres as well as those supported by family carers. The Festival Theatre in Edinburgh presents a dementia friendly matinee of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, and a performance of Tales of a Grandson by renowned Scottish storyteller and performer, Andy Cannon. Macrobert Arts Centre in Stirling and the Gaiety Theatre in Ayr also present dementia friendly performances by musicians from Live Music Now Scotland.
A highlight of the music programme is Get Creative with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra at Ayr Town Hall and City Halls, Glasgow. In each location an intergenerational orchestra and choir will be created from scratch. Ukuleles can be heard in Dundee – with a performance by the University of the Third Age’s ukulele group, Dee Ukes – and also in Stirling, where the ShoogleLeles offer a chance to try your hand at playing at Macrobert Arts Centre.
Luminate also features a nationwide outreach programme taking the arts to older people in care homes, day centres and social clubs, including the ShoogleLeles, and the young musicians of Live Music Now Scotland whose visits to older people’s groups have become a regular fixture of Luminate’s programme. In Edinburgh artist Suzanne Chong will lead I ‘Felt’ Therefore I Am, a series of felting workshops with older people from the Chinese community.
Luminate is also thrilled to include a number of opportunities for people to engage creatively online or simply watch and enjoy Luminate performances and exhibitions at home. See www.luminatescotland.org.
Luminate Director, Anne Gallacher: “As our fifth festival approaches, it’s exciting to see Luminate going from strength to strength. The programme features something for everyone this October whatever your age – you’ll find lots of opportunities to take part in new creative activities, or to visit exhibitions, performances or screenings that explore what ageing means to all of us. And I am delighted that the growth of activities in care settings as well as dementia friendly events means that Luminate is becoming increasingly accessible each year. Creativity has no age, and once again this October Luminate shows the breadth of opportunities that are available nationwide.”
Janet Archer, CEO, Creative Scotland: “Over the past five years Luminate has excited and inspired with its innovative programming and this year’s festival is no different. Once again the festival programme is packed with high-quality performances, exhibitions and film screenings as well as opportunities to take part through workshops and discussions, reminding us that creative activity has no age limit. From Shetland to the Scottish Borders, Luminate 2016 will reach across the country into theatres, galleries, public places and beyond, with its outreach programme taking activities to care homes and day centres.”
David Cutler, Director, The Baring Foundation: “The Baring Foundation is proud to jointly fund Luminate for its fifth year and delighted to see it go from strength to strength. The contribution that older people make to the arts and that the arts make to older people is being increasingly recognised and Luminate is the vanguard of that movement.”
Brian Sloan, Chief Executive, Age Scotland: “Luminate, Scotland's creative ageing festival, is now an important part of the Scottish arts calendar. Luminate encourages us all to recognise the valuable contribution that older people make to society and very importantly, it promotes the contribution that is made when generations work collaboratively. Luminate provides a great opportunity for older people to engage in the creative arts and therefore provides a vital contribution to their own well-being. As a society, we all benefit when we recognise that age should never be a barrier to creativity. So whether you’re up for a night at the movies, a great play, a good dance or much more, take the time to get illuminated this October!”
For full programme listings or to download a copy of the brochure visit www.luminatescotland.org
Liz Smith Luminate Communications
m: 07971 417210 e: daisy.ben@live.co.ukRuth Marsh Luminate Communications
m: 07824 468396 e: ruth.marshpr@gmail.com
Luminate, Scotland's creative ageing festival, is now in its fifth year and throughout October the festival will host an array of performances, events and activities that shine a light on our creativity as we age. In addition to events in the public programme, Luminate includes outreach activities and performances that take the festival into care homes, sheltered housing communities and local groups throughout the month. Luminate’s festival sponsors are Baillie Gifford, McCarthy & Stone and Centre for Open Learning at the University of Edinburgh. Luminate’s principal supporters are Creative Scotland, The Baring Foundation and Age Scotland.
Creative Scotland is the public body that supports the arts, screen and creative industries across all parts of Scotland on behalf of everyone who lives, works or visits here. We enable people and organisations to work in and experience the arts, screen and creative industries in Scotland by helping others to develop great ideas and bring them to life. We distribute funding provided by the Scottish Government and the National Lottery. For further information about Creative Scotland please visit www.creativescotland.com. Follow us @creativescots and www.facebook.com/CreativeScotland
Age Scotland is the national charity for older people, their rights and interests. Our ambition is for everyone to love later life, and to make Scotland the best place in the world to grow older. We are dedicated to ensuring that older people in Scotland get the support and opportunities they need to be able to enjoy a better later life. We are an independent charity and are part of a UK-wide Age Network alongside Age UK, Age Cymru and Age NI. Website: www.agescotland.org.uk
