Thousands flock to Findhorn Bay Festival’s opening weekend

Published: 13:48, 24 September 2024

A biannual, 10-day arts event taking place at venues across the region got off to a great start at the weekend.

Organisers estimate a total of 24 events opening The Findhorn Bay Festival were attended by around 3000 people from Friday to Sunday, for theatre, exhibitions and live music in Forres, Dyke, Altyre and Findhorn.

Town hall compère and Findhorn Bay Arts creative director Kresanna Aigner. Picture by Mark Richards

Festival director Kresanna Aigner was thrilled by the attendance for sold-out performances including the National Theatre of Scotland’s ‘June Carter Cash: The Woman, Her Music and Me’ at Forres Town Hall on Saturday night.

She said: “We had a fantastic opening weekend where we welcomed the local community and visitors to our ticketed and free events.

“Visitors came from across the region and further afield.

“One customer said all the performances they saw were outstanding and that they were grateful for the ‘top quality arts and culture on our doorsteps’!"

Puppet theatre ‘Moonbeam on a Cat's Ear’ by Rachael Macintyre was performed for Burghead and Dyke Primary Schools’ pupils at Dyke and District village Hall, as well as Roseisle Village Hall.

Projections on Tolbooth Street during Window Wanderland on Friday evening.

Folk group Brother Sea at a sold-out Forres Town Hall on Friday night. Picture by Mark Richards

Storyteller Margot Henderson led a historic tour of Forres on Saturday morning.

Community street theatre on High Street on Saturday.

Local art was on sale outside the Tolbooth at the Makers Market on Saturday. Picture by Marc Hindley

Forres Town Hall was also sold-out for author and performer Charlene Boyd's 'June Carter Cash: The Woman, Her Music and Me' on Saturday evening. Picture by Marc Hindley

Hundreds interacted with archaeologists in search of long-forgotten treasures during community performances by the Out of the Darkness Theatre Company at Grant Park and Forres High Street on Friday and Saturday.

Also at Grant Park: a ‘Hoopy Happening’ encouraged families to play by Mathers takeaway; and there was a Carnival Roots and Rhythms drum procession with Carol Scorer and percussionists.

Eighteen businesses dressed the front of their premises for ‘Window Wanderland’ on Friday evening. Anderson’s, Dallas and Logie Primary Schools, Pilmuir Nursery, Forres Academy, Forres Guides, Qreative Collective, Ukrainian family-support group and the Families Group at Forres Town Hall also took part, as well as 14 homes across the town.

Kresanna finished: “It’s a joy to be showcasing the high calibre of local talent alongside visiting companies like the National Theatre of Scotland. “It was the perfect weekend and I am looking forward to our next wave of events from this Wednesday.”

Visit https://findhornbayfestival.com/ for more information.

A discussion about the work of the Findhorn Watershed Initiative preceded a performance by folk trio Salt House at the James Milne Institute. Picture by Marc Hindley

'Hebridean Treasure: Lost and Found' conjured the landscapes of the islands via song, dance and storytelling at Universal Hall on Saturday afternoon.

Artist Lisa Shaw (right) at her exhibition 'Source to Sea' in the Moray Art Centre at The Park, Findhorn. Picture by Mark Richards

Ewan Macintyre and Band at the James Milne Institute on Saturday. Picture by Mark Richards

Immersive production 'The Fantastic Life of Minnie Rubinski' at the Tolbooth. Picture by Marc Hindley

The Grow and Share Harvest Lunch at Rafford Village Hall on Sunday afternoon featured locally grown produce prepared by Marcassie Farm Kitchen. Picture by Alexander Williamson

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Community Latest News Garry McCartney