Stitching together Aberdeen's cultural tapestry
Your guide to June's best events, exhibitions, and festivals
Hiya!
We're looking forward to another brilliant month as June brings a flurry of exciting events and experiences to Aberdeen. As the city gears up for a summer filled with creativity and celebration, the Your Aberdeen newsletter is here to keep you informed and inspired.
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One event that never fails to leave us in awe is Nuart Aberdeen. This highly regarded street art festival returns for its 2023 edition, focusing on the theme of 'rewilding.' Prepare to be captivated as talented artists transform the city with stunning murals and captivating installations, showcasing their artistic prowess and pushing the boundaries of creativity.
Gray's Degree Show is another highlight that we eagerly anticipate. This remarkable exhibition provides a platform for the final-year students at Gray's School of Art to showcase their talents and achievements. As the entire school is transformed into a gallery space, you'll immerse yourself in the world of these emerging artists and designers, celebrating their creative journeys and witnessing the culmination of their academic endeavours.
Adding to the excitement, Aberdeen Performing Arts presents the highly anticipated Light the Blue festival. The festival will unfold across six venues, promising its most ambitious edition yet. World-class performers join forces with the region's most talented young people, resulting in a captivating fusion of talent and unforgettable experiences.
June is a month filled with discovery, inspiration, and celebration in Aberdeen. Stay tuned to our social media channels as we bring you the latest updates, insights, and highlights from these events and many more.
Chris & Kevin 💛
What We’ve Been Writing About
Search begins for Belmont Cinema operator
Great news this month when it was announced that an Aberdeen City Council committee had paved the way for the search for a new operator for The Belmont Cinema. The Council enlisted the expertise of Mustard Studio, cinema specialists who conducted a comprehensive feasibility report. They recommended various options inspired by successful models implemented in similar establishments elsewhere.
We know the task ahead is enormous. There will need to be efforts to improve the cinema and attract folk back through the door. However, there's a great group of people willing to do what it takes to not only re-open the doors but to make sure the Belmont flourishes too.
The cultural tapestry of Aberdeen on display
We're really looking forward to getting down to the just-opened View of Aberdeen exhibition. Nestled within Aberdeen Art Gallery, this show features contributions from folk throughout the city. It is a joyous celebration, magnifying the kaleidoscope of perspectives and experiences that shape our city.
This exhibition presents a thoughtfully selected array of artworks, artefacts, and displays, illuminating the voices and visions of Aberdeen folk. The exhibition breathes life into their connections with Aberdeen, inspiring visitors with their captivating tales.
New creative hub to foster Aberdeen talent
A fresh new creative hub has arisen under the guidance of the owner of FortyTwo Studio. Mark Kemp' wants to cultivate and retain young creative talent in Aberdeen. With this purpose in mind, he has revitalised premises on Mid-Stocket Road, building ‘35’ a dynamic co-working hub for the creative industries.
The hub contains two renovated self-contained areas thoughtfully crafted to accommodate businesses with shared aspirations. The building also houses a photography studio that can be rented for various purposes. It will serve as a space for aspiring individuals to embark on their professional journey within the creative sector.
Aberdeen music scene joins to support young people
Aberdeen has long been acknowledged by POST readers for its flourishing music scene. However, the city's musical community is now uniting to support a local community group. Mannofield Explorer Scouts, an esteemed Aberdeen Scout group, has taken the initiative to curate a compilation album entitled "Straight Outta Mannofield."
This innovative project not only aims to raise funds to create unforgettable experiences for the city's youth but also serves as a platform to showcase the exceptional talents of local musicians. The highly anticipated album is scheduled for release on 30th June. It features a remarkable lineup of 20 renowned artists from Aberdeen and around. Among them are acclaimed acts such as The Xcerts, Cold Years, and The Little Kicks.
What’s Happening in June?
June is going to be an exciting and bustling month for everyone. We love this time of year because it means we get to witness so many brilliant new things in the city and share these fantastic events with all of you.
Here’s just a taster. For the very latest, visit the Aberdeen Events calendar every few days.
27 May - | View of Aberdeen
This fantastic new exhibition is a celebration of the myriad perspectives and experiences that shape the city, offering a platform to amplify the unique stories of its people. It contains contributions from many people in the city and takes visitors on a journey through the collective narratives that form the rich tapestry of our city.
Read more
Visit Aberdeen Art Gallery
5 June | Soup and Sandwiches at Old Torry
The team at the Old Torry Community Centre host a monthly community kitchen event, offering free soup and sandwiches on the first Monday of every month. It serves as an inclusive gathering where folk from the community can come together and enjoy a comforting meal in each other's company.
7-17 June | Hello Mister Police Officer
Hello Mister Police Officer showcases the remarkable talent of Estonian street artists from the renowned Stencibility street art festival in Tartu. Tartu, named the European Capital of Culture for 2024, serves as a vibrant backdrop for the artists’ creations. The exhibition takes a humorous approach to delve into the experiences of street artists who navigate the world of illegal street art and their encounters with the police.
8-11 June | Nuart Aberdeen
Nuart Aberdeen 2023 features 13 world-renowned street artists invited to the city to create an exciting range of artwork, from large-scale murals to intricate installations. This year, the has the theme of “rewilding,” promising a vibrant celebration of creativity that explores the intersection of art, culture and the natural world.
Read More
Visits Nuart Aberdeen
9-17 June | Gray’s Degree Show
Showcasing the outstanding talents and achievements of its final-year students, the Degree Show serves as a joyous celebration and offers a platform for students to showcase their final year projects across a range of disciplines. Transforming the entire school into a captivating gallery space, the Degree Show is a unique and immersive experience for visitors.
Read More
Visit Gray’s School of Art
10-18 June | Light the Blue Festival
The return the Light the Blue festival, and this year's edition is expected to be bigger and better than ever. Light the Blue presents a vibrant blend of music, film, dance, workshops, and drama, seamlessly bringing together renowned international performers with the exceptional young creatives of the region.
Read More
Visit Aberdeen Performing Arts
10 June | The Lagos Party
The Lagos Party is a new club night that aims to bring the vibrant and infectious energy of Afrobeats to Aberdeen. As the birthplace and home of the Afrobeats sound, Lagos is renowned for its lively and electrifying music scene and the team are set to recreate that same energy.
Read More
Visit The Lagos Party
17 June | Aberdeen Treasure Hub Open Day
Aberdeen Treasure Hub is where Aberdeen Archives, Gallery & Museums’ impressive collection of artworks and objects are stored and cared for when they are not on public display. This is your chance to see behind the scenes and meet some of their team. Thirty-minute tours will be available throughout the day.
Read More
Visit Aberdeen Treasure Hub
17 June | Loud Poets: Poetry Slam North Heat
Breaking away from the usual Speakin’ Weird format, Loud Poets host a slam that promises to be a highlight of Aberdeen’s spoken word scene. If you’re a poet eager to showcase your talent, it’s your chance to step onto the stage and share your poetic voice with an enthusiastic audience.
21 June | Growing Pains x Pendula Xine Fayre
Growing Pains and Pendula host a Zine Fayre at their Justice Street home every month, offering a platform for diverse voices and ideas and serving as a tool for creativity and activism. It’s a great opportunity to support local artists and nab a self-published zines for yourself.
24 June | Hours presents: Tzusan and Shogun
Tzusan and Shogun are embarking on a highly-anticipated tour across Scotland this summer, showcasing their incredible talent to audiences country-wide. Shogun, a platinum-selling Scottish rapper who’s skills were showcased on BBC Three’s The Rap Game, and Tzusan, a contemporary MC/Producer whose solo release “WSPSNSYRP,” garnered international acclaim.
We heard that the end of the newsletter was cut off last month by some email clients. Sorry about that. Hopefully we’ve judged it a little better this month. When we say this is just a sample of what to expect in June, we really mean that.
Stay in touch through our social channels and on the POST website over the coming weeks. We’ll see you back in the same place at the start of July.
💛
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