Summer Scenes and Creative Dreams Light Up August in Aberdeen
August offers a relaxed cultural vibe, focusing on family events and broadening horizons together.
Hey You,
While there's no such thing as a truly quiet month in Aberdeen's cultural scene, August does always seem a little bit more relaxed. It's dominated by family events...and quite right too. The chance to spend time with loved ones is always much more rewarding if you can expand your horizons together. As always, though, we've chosen a mix of different events.
The Belmont Cinema is spearheading a significant redevelopment to reopen its doors with enhanced facilities. The plans include installing three new cinema screens, a basement bar, and a top-floor education and learning suite. This suite will be home to the Belmont’s educational and filmmaking programme, managed by SHMU. All this will come together to enrich the city's cultural and educational experiences.
It would be brilliant if you can help revitalise The Belmont as a cultural community hub by donating to their Crowdfunder. There are some very cool rewards on offer.
You lot have been brilliant in supporting us over the past month. Your shares, your enthusiasm and your feedback are what keep POST thriving. We also love when you get in touch about your own events and stories or let us know if there is something we've missed. It all helps us grow together.
We thought we'd start this month's newsletter with a look at some of what we've been sharing over the past month, before we move on to explore what you can expect around Aberdeen in the month ahead.
Stay tuned throughout the month for more updates. We keep our events list freshly updated here, and all the latest news can be found right here.
Last Month
We chatted with Laura Ripley about the upcoming Fantasy Con Scotland, set for 11th August at the Beach Ballroom. Laura has earned a reputation for organising fantastic small-scale conventions, always making sure to deeply engage with the community so everyone can sprinkle a bit of magic into their lives.
This year's theme is Villains! promising magical adventures and enthralling experiences. The event features everything from mystical markets filled with treasures to tabletop games, making it a grand day of fantasy and fun for enthusiasts of all ages.
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The WayWORD festival is gearing up for its return in September, and it's shaping up to be an exciting event. This year's festival boasts an impressive lineup of talent including former Scots Makar Liz Lochhead, Caribbean-British poet Grace Nichols, and novelist Ben Aaronovitch.
As a youth-led, literary cross-arts festival, WayWORD is now in its fifth year and remains a standout event in Aberdeen's cultural calendar. Organised by young creatives from the University of Aberdeen WORD Centre for Creative Writing, the festival champions unconventional forms of artistic expression.
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Aberdeen Art Gallery is currently showcasing the Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition, featuring stunning photographs that give us a deeper connection with our planet. This marks the fifty-ninth year of this globally celebrated event, which comes on loan from the Natural History Museum in London—it's a real coup for the city to play host.
Get down there and have a look this month. You'll be treated to extraordinary images that capture fascinating animal behaviours, breathtaking species, and the incredible diversity of the natural world. This is not to be missed.
POST
Podcasts are a fantastic gateway to the wider world, yet there’s a unique charm in exploring the tales and concepts that are sprouting right on our doorstep. Whether you’re tuning into the underground rhythms of local bands, savouring the fiery discussions of culinary aficionados, joining in the spicy banter of football fans, or diving into the fresh, innovative ideas of creatives in the vicinity,
Aberdeen’s podcast scene offers a rich tapestry of sounds and stories. It’s a vibrant showcase of community spirit and local talent, promising to keep your ears engaged and your curiosity piqued.
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What's on in August
Clash Reggae Club
Sat 3 Aug - Drummonds
Join Clash Reggae Club at Drummonds Live Music Bar on Saturday, 3rd August. This reggae and hip-hop summer special features an exciting lineup including Titans, ILL Collective, and friends, along with Finnie and various guest selectors.
It's a great chance to enjoy a mix of reggae and hip-hop in a brilliant atmosphere. Tickets are priced at just £8, making it an accessible event for all music lovers.
Sonnett
Fri 9 Aug - Tunnels
Catch Sonnet live at The Tunnels on 9th August. Formed in early 2023 with Nathan Evans, Archie Hart, Louis Alexander, and Thurston Livesey, Sonnet mixes influences from The Snuts, Shambolics, Ride, and Oasis.
From their beginnings at open mics to releasing their debut single Another Life, Sonnet is ready for a standout performance. They'll be joined by local favourites Stonechild and The Palladiums.
Victoria Park Market Day
Sun 11 Aug - Victoria Park
Victoria Park in Rosemount comes alive this month with a special summer Market Day. Enjoy brilliant local vendors, food and drink, live music, and storytelling for all the family.
Free to attend, this event is organised by the Rosemount & Mile End Community Council and aims to raise funds for new Christmas lights. It's hoped to become an annual event to strengthen community bonds.
Freedom to Run Film Screening
Tue 13 Aug - The Blue Lamp
Discover the fascinating combined stories of the Palestinian group Right to Movement and their counterparts in Scotland in the documentary Freedom to Run. This film explores their training and experiences in the Palestine and Edinburgh marathons, highlighting the challenges of movement restrictions in Palestine.
A Q&A session with the filmmakers will follow the screening and proceeds from ticket sales will benefit Medical Aid for Palestinians.
Between the Lines & Friends
Fri 16 Aug - The Lemon Tree
HOURS is teaming up with Aberdeen Performing Arts to bring a big night of hip-hop to The Lemon Tree, showcasing amazing talent from the North East. Leading the event is Between The Lines.
The evening will feature emerging artists NK and Nezza, adding to the fantastic lineup. If you've been putting off going to an HOURS event, this is a great chance to experience the local hip-hop scene.
Gray's Masters Degree Show
From Fri 23 Aug - Gray's School of Art
After a hugely successful 2024 Degree Show, Gray's School of Art is excited to present its Master’s Graduate Exhibition 2024. The exhibition showcases artwork by Master's students from disciplines including sculpture, photography, painting, animation, graphic design, and fashion design.
This work reflects the students' professional skills and their personal research and development, and explore themes that range from personal and cultural narratives to ethical and ecological issues.
Dude Trips Live
Sat 24 Aug - The Tunnels
Aberdeen's Dude Trips is preparing for a special concert to mark the 5-year anniversary of their debut album, Through Love & Death, You’re All I Have Left. This one-off event features a complete live performance of the album that exploded onto the music scene.
Fans of Dude Trips and new listeners should definitely keep an eye on this one. A nostalgic and powerful performance. They’ll be joined by Glasgow punk band Soapbox.
Mount Marathon 2024
Sun 25 Aug - Seaton Park
The Mount Marathon is dedicated to promoting the positive effects of physical activity on mental health and wellbeing. This inclusive event encourages everyone to participate, offering a chance to support a vital cause while enjoying the benefits of running.
Enhance your happiness, raise mental health awareness, and set an exciting goal for 2024. For everyone else...it's a chance to cheers on the runners and give them your support.
Aberdeen Art Fair
From Fri 30 Aug - Music Hall
Aberdeen Art Fair is a free event showcasing a wide array of contemporary art from local artists and UK galleries. You can check out fantastic work in various formats including paintings, prints, photography, ceramics, glass, and textiles, featuring both award-winning and local talent.
It's an ace chance to view and purchase unique artwork.
Until Next Month
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Thank you to everyone who has recently joined as a supporter and to all our long-standing supporters. Your help is crucial, and we truly couldn't do this without you.
C+K x
