Fresh new plans for Lemon Tree
Aberdeen Performing Arts have announced that The Lemon Tree, Aberdeen’s iconic live venue, is set to get a striking refresh. They've moved the project on to the next stage after approving a new outline scheme. They will now also begin a fundraising campaign.
They have planned a new studio, foyer, café, meeting room, and an accessible entrance on Shoe Lane. There is also a proposal to create a new outdoor seating and performance area within an urban cottage garden. Although Lemon Tree Lounge and Lemon Tree Studio will continue to exist, the team will work to improve improve staging, sight-lines, technical facilities, and accessibility.
Radiohead, Snow Patrol, Travis, Texas, Mogwai, Public Service Broadcasting and also Emeli Sandé have performed at the iconic city venue. In addition, the Lemon Tree is an essential stop on the performing arts tour circuit.
The board unanimously adopted the proposed scheme and agreed to move to the next stage of design development. They will also submit an application for planning consent by year's end. Previously Aberdeen Performing Arts commissioned architects to undertake a study to look at options for upgrading the venue.
Discovering tomorrow's legends today
Jane Spiers Aberdeen Performing Arts Chief Executive said: “2022 is the 30th anniversary of the Lemon Tree. In that time, it has built up an enviable reputation nationally and internationally for discovering tomorrow’s legends today and supporting homegrown talent.
“The plans retain the informal, friendly, intimate, off-beat style and story that is so unique to the Lemon Tree and are focussed on creating a more accessible, integrated environment and experience for audiences, artists and employees alike.”
The plans for the Lemon Tree also align with Aberdeen City Council’s commitment to regenerate the city centre. A new culturally-integrated development at Queen Street will also hopefully bring tangible benefits to the local economy and community.
Shape the next chapters of Aberdeen's story
Culture Aberdeen, a partnership of cultural organisations in the city, have welcomed the proposals. Dr Duncan Cockburn from Culture Aberdeen was clear about the benefits of expanding the Lemon Tree. He told us, “This development has the potential to be a distinctive feature of the Aberdeen economic development story”
He also added that it was a great opportunity for arts and culture, artists and creative practitioners to help shape and drive the next chapters of Aberdeen’s story.
Richard Murphy Architects have been working on the project. They have undertaken several transformational arts and cultural projects. Past work includes the Stirling Tolbooth, Dundee Contemporary Arts, Eastgate Theatre and Arts Centre Peebles. Furthermore, they have worked on Perth Theatre and the New National Centre for Music in Edinburgh.
Aberdeen Performing Arts chair Craig Pike told us, “The Lemon Tree has a special place in Aberdeen’s story and we are now setting the stage for a bright future which will benefit communities, business and the cultural sector in the city. Aberdeen Performing Arts has also pledged to get the fundraising campaign underway, we hope everyone will join us on the journey and get behind this exciting project for the city and nation.”
The Umbrella Project celebrating neurodiversity
Aberdeen Inspired and the ADHD Foundation have launched The Umbrella Project. A colourful summer installation with umbrella canopies in Aberdeen City Centre.
Dr Tony Lloyd of the ADHD Foundation and Adrian Watson of Aberdeen Inspired hosted a special weekend of celebrations. Organisers held a launch event on Saturday, where they welcomed sponsors, spectators, and performers. And so under the umbrellas on Shiprow and Bon-Accord Terrace, local groups like Robert Gordon College Pipe Band, Sinclair School of Highland Dancing, Citymoves, and Danscentre performed for spectators.
Multi-coloured umbrellas suspended across city centre streets celebrate the umbrella term of neurodiversity, including ADHD, autism, dyslexia, dysgraphia, and dyspraxia. You can see these vibrant installations hanging across Shiprow Village and Bon-Accord Terrace in Aberdeen's city centre until September 2022.
Additionally, the project aims to raise awareness of the support that is available to individuals and families. Scotland welcomes The Umbrella Project for the first time after huge success in other UK locations.
The Umbrella Project flips the narrative
Adrian Watson told us how thrilled he was about the launch of The Umbrella Project. He said: “We are delighted that so many businesses and schools across Aberdeen City and the Shire have signed up to have mini-installations to celebrate neurodiversity”
“We are not only proud to bring such an uplifting project to the city for the first time. We're also playing such an important part in flipping the narrative of neurodiverse individuals. Instead, we recognise the strengths and abilities of those with cognitive differences.
“The displays will encourage people from all walks of life to come into the city centre, and enjoy all it has to offer. Visitors can also take part in the celebrations and embrace the joy of the multi-coloured installations.”
“We expect the Umbrellas to become one of Aberdeen’s most exciting and anticipated installations, which will not only capture the hearts and minds of people from across the city but also raise awareness of the importance of the neurodiverse world we live in where one in five people are neurodivergent.”
As part of ADHD's national campaign, the Umbrella Project also invites people across the UK to celebrate neurodiversity by thinking differently about the 1 in 5 people who are neurodivergent.
The campaign will run across hundreds of Clear Channel’s digital Out of Home screens nationwide. This will include large public outdoor Umbrella Project installations in every country. It will also bring together a slew of new celebrity patrons.
Dr Tony Lloyd of the ADHD Foundation told us that the enthusiasm behind this campaign is a testament to his visionary partners. "More and more we’re seeing society change how it views neurodiversity. Business, education and entertainment. We’re finally beginning to shift away from associating neurodiversity with ‘low ability.’”
The project will be in place until September 2022.
Aberdeen Mela back for Summer 2022
Aberdeen Mela One World Day is all set to return to the Granite City this summer. Westburn park will be ablaze with colour, celebrating the cultural diversity of the city and the North East. There'll be food, music, dance, and loads of kids' activities throughout the day. All of this comes together to bring the park to life in an all-encompassing multicultural festival.
Aberdeen Mela is being held for the first time since 2019. But as in previous years, the program will be led by wonderful and talented performers. All representing Aberdeen's amazing diverse ethnic communities.
Aberdeen Mela is all about the food!
The biggest selling point of Aberdeen Mela for the team here at POST is the food! There's such a huge variety of international cuisines on offer. And so the only problem is deciding which food stall you'll visit next!
Furthermore, the organisers at Aberdeen Multicultural Centre are always looking to expand their offerings with new and diverse catering. Along with the food stalls, you can also expect crafts, clothes, and other fun activities.
Furthermore, organisers will provide pitches to Third Sector and Public Sector Organisations. This is a fantastic opportunity for them to interact and engage with the many diverse international communities of Aberdeen.
Aberdeen Multicultural Centre
The focus of Aberdeen Multicultural Centre is to celebrate Aberdeen's ethnic diversity. Cultural sharing and performing arts are very effective avenues for doing this.
Aberdeen Mela also provides a wonderful platform and showcase for this with performers from across the region, Scotland, and throughout the UK. On each stage, the programme will be diverse and entertaining with a mix of professional artists and community performers.
What you need to know
Westburn Park is brilliant during Mela. It's a great way to sp[end a Sunday with the whole family. There really is something for everyone. You'll definitely head home at the end of the day with a full heart and a full belly. We'll see you there!
WESTBURN PARK
SUNDAY 21 AUGUST
12 PM-7 PM / FREE ENTRY
Events Calendar
Check out Mela One World Day on Aberdeen Events
Find more events and activities in the Aberdeen Events Calendar
Rise Up! celebrates black and POC creatives
Rise Up! is a brand new event coming to Aberdeen this month. The weekend will highlight and amplify the voices of black and POC creatives from Aberdeen and throughout Scotland.
We Are Here Scotland has partnered with Aberdeen Performing Arts to curate the event. Performances, talks, workshops, and community spaces are all part of the festival, which runs from 13-14 May.
Here are some of the many exciting acts set to perform over the weekend's packed line-up.
We Are Here Scotland Director Ica Headlam told us: “We are pleased to be working in partnership with Aberdeen Performing Arts on Rise Up! We feel that it is a very important and unique opportunity to spotlight a variety of Black and PoC artists and performers from the North East of Scotland and further afield. With a variety of performances, free panels, and workshops, we hope these events bring new and diverse engagement for Aberdeen’s creative community.”
Friday 13
In Our Own Words is an evening of performance by artists of colour, exploring and celebrating themes of identity, culture and a sense of place in Scotland.
Poetry at Noon is a spoken word artist and poet who believes that art is an extremely powerful tool for personal and social transformation. In her performance poetry, she analyzes and discusses experiences of trauma, political upheaval, migration, and motherhood that she experienced while growing up in Sudan.
Aiysha is a singer-songwriter from Aberdeen. Many will remember her powerful performance at the Black Lives Matter Aberdeen protest in 2020. She also featured in a BBC documentary highlighting Aberdeen's RnB and Hip Hop scene. Aiysha is set to release her debut release as an artist later this year.
Saturday 14
Known as a songwriter and sound smith, Kapil Seshasayee is both a polymath and a true original. Combining the influences of Scott Walker, Blood Orange, Arca, and Richard Dawson into a singular sound.
Rapper Chef has made waves not only because of his music career but also due to his contribution to the community. An ingrained part of his character is his desire to amplify the voices of those around him. He joins Danny Cliff on a lineup which also includes Glasgow based rapper Clarissa Woods and DJ and visual artist DIJA.
One Mississippi takes place at the Lemon Tree at 7 pm. Described as a hard-hitting play that explores how the impact of childhood experiences shapes men’s adult lives, One Mississippi blends humour and storytelling with powerful elements of physical theatre to create an uncompromising insight into what takes us to breaking point.
Focusing on Black and POC voices
The weekend will also feature a number of discussions focusing on the issue that black and POC creatives face in our white-dominated creative industries. A series of free talks and workshops taking place at the Music Hall Big Sky Studio on Saturday 14 May cover topics including representation within Scottish creative industries, climate narratives, knowing your worth, and culture and identity as an artistic influence among others.
Ica Headlam and Briana Pegado from We Are Here Scotland will host a talk about how Black and POC need to take the initiative to support their communities by building support structures and community organisations. While Tomiwa Folorunso will host a talk about how there needs to be a change in a predominantly white-dominated industry.
Rachel Thibbotumunuwe, learning manager at Aberdeen Archives, Art Gallery and Museums will discuss how North East Scotland can support Black and POC creatives and artists. There will also be a panel exploring the importance of representation in the industry, hosted by podcast producer Halina Rifai
And much more besides
This is just a small taste of what is on offer at Rise Up! See the Aberdeen Performing Art website for details on all the speakers and performers. Tickets are also available from APA.
Events Calendar
Check out RISE UP on Aberdeen Events
Find more events and activities in the Aberdeen Events Calendar
Aberdeen Performing Arts head Ben Torrie said: “Providing a stage for emerging talent and creating space for all voices to be heard is so important for a thriving artistic environment. Rise Up! is a hugely significant addition to Aberdeen’s cultural calendar this year. The sheer breadth of talent from the artists taking part is incredible. This festival is a fantastic opportunity to discover more about the diverse range of creatives here in the North East and beyond.
Aberdeen RNLI seeking volunteers
Aberdeen RNLI is on the lookout for volunteers. They need new team members to support its life-saving work off the Aberdeen coast and along the Dee and Don rivers. The RNLI relies primarily on volunteers. They account for 95% of its team in Aberdeen and throughout the UK and Ireland.
Aberdeen RNLI lifeboat station currently has 24 crew members and 12 onshore operations support volunteers. They are vital in maintaining 24-hour coverage for the lifeboat, 365 days a year. Volunteers come from all walks of life and receive comprehensive training.
It is essential that volunteer crews be relatively local to the station and have convenient transportation. This will enable them to respond quickly to pagers and work in a position that allows them to act when the pager sounds off.
Life as a crew member is anything but predictable
John Strathearn, Lifeboat Operations Manager at Aberdeen RNLI, said: “Life as a crew member is anything but predictable. You can be expected to be called away from family, your bed or work at any time, so it is a big commitment, but it is also incredibly rewarding. In return, we offer extensive training and support for our volunteers.
“We speak to members of the public all the time who don’t realise that the lifeboat service is a charity and that our crew are volunteers. But they’re ready to drop everything to get into their kit and head to sea in all weathers to save lives at sea.
“Volunteering for the lifeboat station in Aberdeen is a great way to support the local community, learn new skills and volunteer alongside a fantastic crew of passionate people.”
Aberdeen's lifeboats, Bon Accord and Buoy Woody 85N, are operated by raising funds through local community and business events. Furthermore, these funds ensure that crews receive vital training and equipment, as well as that the station remains operational.
Fundraising roles are flexible to suit your lifestyle
Donald Montgomery, Chairperson of Aberdeen & District RNLI Lifeboat Fundraising Branch, commented: “We rely on the generosity of our supporters to help us meet operational running costs with the dedication of our fundraising volunteers to help raise these essential funds.
“Our fundraising roles are flexible to suit your lifestyle. If you’re looking to join a committed and fun group of people, learn new skills and give back to your local community, we want to hear from you.”
If you would like more information about volunteer crew positions, contact the lifeboat station at aberdeen@rnli.org.uk and for fundraising roles, contact rnli.aberdeen@gmail.com.
Greyhope Bay Centre opens doors in Aberdeen
The Greyhope Bay Centre at Torry Battery opened its doors on Saturday 9th of April. This wonderful café space offers stunning views of Aberdeen city, the coast and the harbour. Because of this, it's one of the best places to see bottlenose dolphins in the world from land.
Using an exciting hybrid energy solution, circular rainwater treatment technology, and composting loos that operate on the power of sunlight and wind, the Greyhope Bay Center is the city's first and only completely off-grid café, community and education space. Surely giving green tea a whole new meaning!
Visitors can enjoy coffee and cake at the Greyhope Bay Center this weekend along with a breathtaking view. What's more, the centre will also be a community and educational space. The spring and summer programs will begin right away. Trading times for the centre over the launch weekend will be Saturday and Sunday 10:00 am – 4:00 pm.
The Liberty Kitchen
Food truck favourites, The Liberty Kitchen, will operate the cafe. Normal café hours will be Wednesday through Sunday, from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. Visitors can take part in events throughout the week and also on some evenings.
As well as regular events such as community coffee mornings and beach clean meet-ups, the Greyhope Bay Centre also has a range of bookable workshops for adults and families available on their website. Visitors can book their place at events that include artist-led workshops. On top of this, the team will offer volunteer training for citizen science surveys of whales and dolphins.
A big moment for Greyhope Bay Centre
Greyhope Bay Founder and Managing Director Fiona McIntyre said, “Opening is a big moment for Greyhope Bay and the team. It all started with a dream I had for Aberdeen almost 10 years ago to which there was a huge response. Each milestone was made possible by the belief, shared hope and determination of the Torry and Aberdeen community.”
Furthermore, Project Architect, Prof Gokay Deveci added, “The biggest impact of this project is to do with other people who have big dreams, people who want to achieve something, they can look at it and say, it can be done.”
Crew membership supports the charity’s work while offering great benefits, including 5 free coffees and discounts on events www.greyhopebay.com/crew
Aberdeen to commemorate Holocaust Memorial Day
Speakers at this year's Holocaust Memorial Day in Aberdeen will reflect on the importance of coming together to remember victims of genocide. The event which takes place on 27 Jan at Cowdray Hall, will also explore issues with anti-Semitism that still happen in our communities.
International Holocaust Memorial Day is marked annually worldwide to commemorate the six million Jewish people murdered at Nazi death camps between 1933 and 1945. The event will also remember the millions more murdered in genocides that followed in Bosnia, Cambodia, Darfur and Rwanda.
27 Jan marks the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, the largest Nazi death camp.
Visitors paying their respects can expect the full ceremony to last around an hour and 40 minutes, starting at 11:30am. Speakers this year include the Lord Provost, photographer Jennie Milne, Deejay Bullock from Four Pillars and Patricia Findlay, a member of Aberdeen Holocaust Commemoration Committee and Aberdeen Interfaith Group.
One Day - The Road Less Travelled
Jennie Milne will talk about her photography and video exhibition ‘One Day - The Road Less Travelled’. It tells her personal journey of retracing her family’s Holocaust story. Her exhibition opens at 10am in the Cowdray Hall on Holocaust Memorial Day and runs to Tuesday 1 Feb.
Alicia Melamed Adams and Adam Adams - Holocaust Survivors
from 'The Road Less Travelled' photography exhibition
Lord Provost Barney Crockett said: “Holocaust Memorial Day is an opportunity for us to come together to remember the victims and survivors of all genocides. I hope members of the public from all walks of life and all faiths or non-faith will join us in what is a moving, thought provoking and uplifting event.”
If you plan to attend the Holocaust Memorial Day event, you should note that it is a standing only event with only a very limited number of seats available. You can find further information on this and other events to mark Holocaust Memorial Day at the Aberdeen City Council website.
2021: Our Year in Review!
Community
POST Aberdeen's 2021: Our Year in Review!
By Kevin Mitchell
2021 was quite a year and the good news is that this is not an article about that 2021. This is about POST Aberdeen’s 2021, our community, content, interests and gives a sign of where we can all go in 2022!
2021 was the year we continued to grow as a community, the year we launched a lot of new ideas, new stories and even our new website! We’ve continued to grow our online communities across social media, our new email newsletter and continue to be part of the biggest community in Aberdeen thanks to nearly 18k of you on Twitter!
So let’s take a look at our Year in Review!
New & Noteworthy
We launched our website!
After building our communities across social media, it was time for the next stage in POST's journey - a new website! This website expands our entire communities ability to share content and stories as we build postabdn.com to become a content hub of our city directly from it's community.
The Lounge
The Lounge compiles some of the very best local music into a regularly regularly playlist available directly to you on Spotify and Apple Music!
Our ‘Temp Check’ Stories
Our incredible ‘Temp Check’ series; interviews from people around Aberdeen, sharing interests, passions and their journey through the past year.
Nothing found.
Your Aberdeen – Email Newsletter
There’s so much happening on the surface and deep within our communities in your city of Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire; so much that we now put together a monthly newsletter of all the highlights we have caught.
No spam, just a collection of stories and images from the heart of Aberdeen delivered to you each month.
BAS9 Ambassadors
We were proud to be Ambassadors of the British Art Show (BAS9) on display in Aberdeens Art Gallery. The British Art Show is a landmark touring exhibition that celebrates the vitality of recent art made in Britain and having this prestigious exhibition in Aberdeen was truly incredible.
Job Vacancies on Facebook
With recent changes to Facebook Jobs in the UK and the need to share opportunities within the community, we launched Job Vacancies on Facebook! This job focussed Page enables organisations to share a job posting FOR FREE!
Simply message Job Vacancies with your job details, any image, links to apply, etc. and we will get it listed and shared!
Aberdeen’s biggest online community and the beginning of POST Aberdeen, our Twitter account has continued to grow through 2021 as has our communities engagement!
17,828
Followers
+55%
Tweet ♥ year-on-year
Filming continues today on @jonsbaird’s #Tetris movie in a beautiful #Aberdeen. @TaronEgerton waves to onlooking fans as he prepares for his next shot. 🎥 pic.twitter.com/2fDNh0qL0A
— Post | Aberdeen News (@aberdeencity) February 21, 2021
You still want to go to this guy’s golf course?
— Post | Aberdeen News (@aberdeencity) January 6, 2021
A forest of masts stretched across Aberdeen Harbour...it’s a mere 30 years ago since the Tall Ships Race came to the Granite City. ⚓️ https://t.co/XdYQAVnLHo pic.twitter.com/kr6rS5kuoO
— Post | Aberdeen News (@aberdeencity) March 11, 2021
Our Facebook community is still young, but we’ve seen great reach and engagement in 2021 with plans to increase community content through 2022.
+25%
New Followers
+35%
Comments year-on-year
Our Instagram primarily shares the beauty of Aberdeen City and Shire through photographs and videos from you, our community. There’s no better place to enjoy the visual inspiration of Aberdeen!
+22%
New Followers
What Next?
Everything you have come to expect will continue in 2022! In addition, we are already working on two new series of content which we aim to bring in the coming weeks around food and drink in the city and activities. If you are in the food and drink industry, please reach out to us on social media!
This year we are also going to launch something we are extremely excited about; something for content creators and publishers that we feel can be a force of good for all – The POST Network. Keep an eye out for more on this soon or sign up to our email newsletter to know first!
We are also always looking to hear from you within our communities. If you have a story to share, please reach out!
We can’t thank you all enough for being part of our journey through 2021! We created POST to shine a light on our city and the people within it, and with your support over the past year, we have certainly achieved that!
Before we sign off, we’d just like to thank the following people and organisations who have helped us stay sane and achieve some special moments. You are awesome!
Angela Joss / Gary Kemp (Doric Skateboards) / Ica Headlam (Big Up The Deen) / Mark Stirton / Louise Grant (Fierce Beer) / Grant Martin / Lauren Mitchell (Northsound 1) / Mark McAulay (Singularity Sauce Co) / Chris Henderson / Ian Watt (Code The City) / Louis Seivwright / Chef / Vagrant Real Estate / Jim Ewan (Anatomy Rooms) / Kirsty Lawie and Naomi Christie (Leopard Arts) / Rachel Campbell (Aberdeen Performing Arts) / Moray Barber and Jill Simpson (TEDx Aberdeen) / Lesley Anne Rose (Open Road) / Charlotte Little / Neil Fachie MBE / Susan Strachan / Colin Farquhar (Belmont Cinema) / Rachel Jack / Stuart McPhee (Siberia Bar & Hotel) / Mary Louise Butterworth and Jon Reid (Kekun Studio) / Reema Shoaib / Look Again / Aberdeen Performing Arts / Aberdeen Lynx Ice Hockey Club / Aberdeen Art Gallery / Nuart Aberdeen / Aberdeen City Council / Aberdeen Inspired / our Instagram community and contributors / Brulafu, Jamsie and Matt / our patient families / … and you!
Here’s to 2022!!!
Kevin and Chris.
Join our newsletter!
But just before you continue reading, please consider signing up to our monthly newsletter. It’s a great round up of what's happening in the city.
No spam, just a collection of stories and images from the heart of Aberdeen. We use your email address solely for the purpose of administering the email newsletter. By subscribing, you agree with Revue’s Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
The return of Mental Health in Movies
Mental health focused film screenings are back at the Belmont Filmhouse after pandemic hiatus
Two Aberdeen mental heath nurses are bringing back their mental health focussed movie screenings after a 20 month Covid hiatus. Dan Warrender and Scott McPherson are the team behind Mental Health in Movies. The first screening with be the John Hughes thanksgiving classic comedy, Planes, Trains and Automobiles. You can join them at the Belmont Filmhouse Kino Bar on Tuesday 30 Nov at 6:30pm.
Where did Mental Health in Movies start?
Originally called, Mental Health Movie Monthly, Mental Health in Movies was launched in 2016. Dan and Scott wanted to make mental health discussions more accessible and engaging. They achieved this by hosting film screenings, open to the general public. This was followed by a discussion of the mental health issues raised in the film. They created it with the intention of using film as a platform to encourage conversations around people's mental health experiences.
Dan told us, “I’m really looking forward to getting out there and discussing mental health in film with my good friend and the wider public. It never feels like hard work, but it always feels important that we have these conversations.”
Their last screening was Fargo on the 16th of March 2020, just before we all went into lockdown. It was a popular event for Robert Gordon University students, staff, and members of the public. Many were regular attendees until MHMM had to halt. The screenings created a safe and welcoming environment. This allowed people to talk about mental health by using films as a conversation starter.
Name change
During the pandemic, Dan and Scott decided on a name change, rebranding it ‘Mental Health in Movies’, or MHIM. With cinema spaces reopening in Scotland, MHIM has returned along with a brand new podcast. There are plans for semi-regular film events and discussions in 2022 in the Aberdeen area. You can find ‘Episode Zero’ of Dan and Scott’s new podcast on Anchor and Spotify.
Mental Health in Movies will be hosting a showing of Planes, Trains And Automobiles (1987) at Belmont Filmhouse’s Kino Bar. The film starts at 6.30pm. Tickets are priced at £5 and it will be shown with English captions to make the event more accessible.
Scott is excited to share the John Hughes classic with the audience. He told us, "I can't wait to use one of my all-time favourite comedies to create conversations around mental health and to be able to do so in partnership with the Belmont Filmhouse in their Kino Bar is fantastic. The pandemic affected our ability to provide these sorts of showings for people. So we're really excited to be able to do this in-person again. We hope that the public will turn up to support the initiative and enjoy a great film in comfortable surroundings, followed by some judgement-free discussion."
What you need to know
Where: Belmont Filmhouse, Belmont Street, Aberdeen
Date: Tuesday 30 Nov 2021
Time: 6:30pm
Price: £5
Follow: Twitter | Facebook
About POST
Kevin Mitchell and Chris Sansbury founded POST from a desire to cut through the noise to share the great things that happen in Aberdeen. They therefore focus on community, culture and the interesting people of the city. The local artists, businesses and charities; photographers, musicians and entertainers; the people at a local level that make a positive impact on our city each and every day. So they use video, audio, writing and social media to amplify the voices in our community, and to ultimately give a platform to Aberdeen folk to engage and tell their own stories.
Recent work includes interviews with We Are Here Scotland founder Ica Headlam; Paralympic gold medalist, Neil Fachie; Chef, an Aberdeen rapper who is pushing for success; an article by film director Mark Stirton about the state of high-rise buildings in the city; coverage of Nuart Aberdeen and TEDx Aberdeen, as well as coverage of British Art Show 9.
Caption This | New pop-up cinema dedicated to disabled audiences
A brand new accessible cinema experience launches to audiences this week. Caption This is a new series of pop-up cinema events with an aim to represent and engage disabled audiences. They aim to champion diverse stories both about and for those with a disability. Their first screening will feature the documentary Vision Portraits on 17-19 November.
The pop-up cinema strives to empower and prioritise Deaf and Disabled communities by reflecting this value in its programming and access measures. Audiences can look forward to a series of hybrid, virtual and in-person screenings throughout the year and across Scotland.
Charlotte Little - The driving force behind Caption This
The driving force behind the project is Charlotte Little, a deafblind Aberdeenshire access consultant with a passion for curation. She campaigns for for a better experience for disabled audiences, drawing on her own experience as a moviegoer. Speaking ahead of the launch, Charlotte told us, “Growing up, I never saw positive, authentic on-screen stories about disabled people. I didn’t experience my first accessible cinema trip until I was 17. Also, I didn’t see myself on the big screen until I was 20. I want to change that for the generations of young disabled kids after me.
She went on to explain why this means so much to her. Telling us, “I want disabled people to feel valued as audience members. I don’t want access to be an afterthought or seen as a burden. Working as an access consultant within the film exhibition sector and having a personal perspective as a hard of hearing and partially sighted moviegoer, I’ve seen how far we’ve come but I’ve also realised how much work we have left to do in order to standardise inclusive cinema experiences.
First showing | Vision Portraits 17-19 November
The first film showing as part of Caption This is the 2019 documentary Vision Portraits. It's a deeply personal documentary by filmmaker Rodney Evans in which he explores what it means to have vision while losing his own sight. Odie Henderson at rogerebert.com called it "an inspiring film. A funny and informative feature whose subjects were creative kindred spirits I’d never seen onscreen before."
Charlotte's passion for cinema is hugely infectious. A passion that she doesn't let go to waste. She's fighting to bring as many people into the cinema as she can, especially those who have felt under-represented. She told us, “I want more spaces and events that celebrate and prioritise representation and accessibility. I set up Caption This as my own contribution. Vision Portraits is our inaugural film because I’ve struggled with pursuing a career in the film industry as someone who’s losing their sight. I saw myself in Rodney Evans’ journey, and I hope that by showcasing this beautiful documentary, I’ll lend a hand to deconstructing the harmful misconception that blind and partially sighted people can’t be creative, that they can’t thrive and succeed in the arts, that they don’t have vision.”
What you need to know
Vision Portraits will be available to watch through the screening platform Eventive from Wednesday 17th to Friday 19th November. The film will have English captions available as well as English audio description. Tickets will be on a pay-what-you-can sliding scale from £0, £2, £4, £6, £8. There will also be a live discussion over Zoom and live-streamed to Eventive on Friday 19 November at 7pm with guest speakers Theresa Heath and Tara Brown. The live discussion will have live captioning, BSL interpretation, and the host and guest speakers will provide visual descriptions of themselves to make the event more accessible for partially sighted audiences.
Get tickets now on Event Live
Follow Caption This on Twitter
Event page on Facebook
About POST
POST was founded by Kevin Mitchell and Chris Sansbury. They have a desire to cut through the noise to share the great things that happen in Aberdeen. We focus on community, culture and the interesting people of the city. The local artists, businesses and charities; photographers, musicians and entertainers; the people at a local level that make a positive impact on our city each and every day.
Our recent work includes interviews with We Are Here Scotland founder Ica Headlam; Paralympic gold medalist, Neil Fachie; Chef, an Aberdeen rapper who is pushing for success; an article by film director Mark Stirton about the state of high-rise buildings in the city; coverage of Nuart Aberdeen and TEDx Aberdeen, as well as coverage of British Art Show 9.