Dumfries and Galloway
This page: updated 3 February 2012
Events and What's On
in Dumfries and Galloway
EVENTS in 2012: February | March | April | May
| KEY to event header colours and icons: |  arts & crafts |
 books / readings |
|
 exhibitions |
 film |
 kids & families |
 music |
 other |
 outdoor, / walks |
 sports |
 theatre |
| + see separate listings for Regular Events & Classes > | |||
Throughout February 
Films at RBFCT in Dumfries
Films and Film Workshops at Robert Burns Centre Film Theatre, Dumfries >>
1st February - 30th march 2012Scottish Snowdrop Festival
Mon - Fri 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM @ Broughton House and Garden, 12 High Street, Kirkcudbright, DG6 4JX
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM @ Castle Kennedy Gardens, Stair Estates, Rephad, Stranraer, DG9 8BX
The Scottish Snowdrop Festival is back for another season. Many of Scotland's spectacular gardens open their gates to offer visitors a rare glimpse of the country's winter beauty. For six weeks, more than 50 gardens across the country are offering visitors the opportunity to enjoy beautiful gardens, magnificent castles, stately homes and local exhibitions or simply step into nature and wander through the woodland.
w/c Monday 30th January - Sunday 5th February 2012
Friday 3rd februaryPet Shop Boys Tribute
8 - 11pm @ The Venue, 6/7 Church Place, Dumfries, DG1 1BW
The Pet Shop Boys Tribute perform the band's hits, aided by lighting, video backdrops and dancers. The real Pet Shop Boys have been performing since 1986, when their first smash hit West End Girls got to Number One.
Telephone: 01387 263623
Friday 3rd februaryComedy Club
7.30pm @ The Cairndale Hotel, English Street, Dumfries DG1 2DF
An evening of fun and laughs with three top comedians.
Full price: £12.95 - 22.95 (£12.95 for show only, £22.95 for meal and Show.)
Telephone: 01387 254111
Friday 3rd februaryHonest Poverty
7.30pm @ The Buccleuch Centre, Langholm DG13 OAW
Honest Poverty' is a quirky, imaginative and always authentic performance - Burns without the lang-winded speeches. John Nichol and Hilary Bell are joined by Jenni Borthwick and Ross Milligan for a day in the life of Robert Burns. The time 1786, the place, Mossgiel Farm. Burns is gaining notoriety as a rhymer, and yet poverty still surrounds him. He indulges in the simple pleasures of rural Ayrshire.
Full price: £19.50
Telephone: 01387 381196
Saturday 4th februaryAn Evening with Chris Packham
7.30pm @ The Buccleuch Centre, Langholm DG13 OAW
An evening with photographer, wildlife expert and broadcaster Chris Packham.
Full price: £10.00 - 15.00 (£10.00 for under 18s, £15.00 For over 18s.)
Telephone: 01387 381196
Saturday 4th february3 piece 60's band - SPICE
@ Locharbriggs & District Social Club,
22A Auchencrieff Road,
Locharbriggs,
Dumfries
DG1 1XS
Tel: 01387 710677
Saturday 4th & Sunday 5th februaryA Pop-up Gallery, Open for Only 2 Days
Saturday Launch event; 7.30pm until 10.30pm.
Further viewing day on Sunday 5th February from 1pm - 4pm
@ Kings Coffee and Books, 12 Queensberry Street,
Dumfries DG1 1EX - tel: 01387 254444
Kings is playing host to an exciting one night, one day pop-up gallery, showcasing some great up-and-coming young talent. Following the great success of the Big Burns Supper, last weekend, Kings is proud to be enable people to see some more great budding artists.
Peter Smith, one of the organisers of the event says,
"Saturday evening is our opening event, where all the artists will be present and the normal coffee tables will be cleared back, allowing for a proper gallery experience and hopefully some free drinks. Sunday afternoon will allow people who can't make in on the Friday night, to still enjoy the experience, and enjoy a nice cup of coffee at the same time".
There's just one rule however: No Landscapes!
Peter and the team of young artists decided they wanted to show a different side of what art in Dumfries can be: more interesting than just pretty scenery.
"We live in one of the most beautiful parts of the country, so it's not surprising that many local artists lean towards representing that, but there's more to art than landscapes, so we felt our pop-up gallery should focus on works beyond landscapes", continues Peter.
"We found 7 young, local artists with a voice and something to say:
- Rachel Speedie
- Adam German
- Blossom Mccuaig
- Sophie Wilson
- Fraser Irvine
- Peter Smith
- Dave Miller
We're really excited to welcome the public in droves, to visit our pop-up gallery this weekend ... and it's free!"
Sunday 5th february‘Sunday’ Tea Dance & Sing Song Music
2pm - 4.30pm @ Locharbriggs, Community Centre,
Locharbriggs DG1
Featuring McRobert Brothers & John Caskie
Admission £3.00 Includes tea and biscuits
All welcome!
Grand raffle!
Proceeds to centre association funds
Until Saturday 11 February 2012Hat Trick - the story of gentlemen’s headwear through the ages
@ Dumfries Museum, The Observatory, Rotchell Road, Dumfries DG2 7SW.
Open 10am – 1pm, 2pm – 5pm Tuesday – Saturday.
For centuries the hats men wear have served as status symbols and fashion accessories as well as being functional and protective. From the formal, stiff top hats worn by the aristocrats and professionals of the 19th century to the soft felt berets favoured by intellectuals and artists, men’s hats have made important statements about the individuals who chose to wear them. This quirky exhibition, based on Dumfries Museum’s own collections, explores how social change has been reflected in the styles, designs and fabrics of this most commonplace of clothing items.
Until 14th February 2012New Year Exhibition - "All Creatures Great and Small"
@ A' the Airts, 8-12 High Street, Sanquhar - Tel: 01659 50514
A new collection of original paintings by popular Ayrshire artist Elaine Johnston. Stunning studies of farmyard animals and Scottish wildlife. Originals and prints to suit all pockets!
Free Admission
w/c Monday 6th February - Sunday 12th February 2012
Friday 10th februaryDumfries Music Club Concert
7.30 pm @ St John’s Church, Lovers Walk, Dumfries
Allan Neave and Robert Irvine, guitar and cello
Antonio Vivaldi: E minor sonata
Carlo Domeniconi: Seven Short Pieces
Roland Dyens: Songe Capricorn for solo guitar
Camille Saint-Saens: The Swan
Radames Gnattali: Sonata
Gabriel Faure: Apres Une Reve
Pablo Casals: Song of the Birds
J.S.Bach: Selection from Suite no.1 for violoncello
Jaime Zenamon: Reflexos No.6
Manuel de Falla: Nana from Siete Cancions & Danza Espagnole No.1
from La vie Da Breve
Non-members are very welcome at all concerts, as are students and schoolchildren.
Tickets for non-members cost £11 per concert and £3 for students (on production of a student card).
Children in primary and secondary education are welcomed free of charge.
Tickets from the DGArts (Midsteeple, High Street, Dumfries) tel: 01387 253383 or on the door.
Saturday 11th februaryMostly Ghostly presents...Dumfries Haunted Theatre Tour
(Doors Open 6:30pm) 7pm @ Theatre Royal, Dumfries
A variety of unusual occurences have been reported over the years.
The Team invite you to join them to learn more about this 221 year old
building and any supernatural forces at work within its walls...
Tickets £8 / £6 available from Midsteeple Ticket Office, High Street, Dumfries, Tel: 01387 253383
or online at www.ticketweb.co.uk
Please ring Mostly Ghostly on 07791 047835 or 07912 145865 for more information.
Saturday 11th februaryHells Bells, the UK’s premier AC/DC tribute band
7pm-10pm @ The Venue, Dumfries
Hells Bells are Britain's leading AC/DC tribute band, playing sell-out shows all over the UK and Europe and recently supported 'IRON MAIDEN' in Portugal. Known for their high-energy performances they are an act not to be missed by fans of the original Australian rockers. Lead singer Lee Jay dons the flat cap as Geordie vocalist, Brian Johnson. Brian's searing vocals iced Back in Black, one of the best selling hard rock albums of all time! Lee brings the Hells Bells show bang up to date with all the classic songs and includes some tracks from AC/DC’s recent and hugely successful new album, Black Ice.
Meanwhile Doogle, dressed in the signature school uniform, faithfully reproduces the frenzied schoolboy antics of Angus Young on lead guitar. Armed with the famous Gibson SG guitar and playing with superb style and feel, he duck-walks and rocks his way through the show, getting the crowd on their feet and rocking
Ticket Price - £10 (Advance) £12(On Door)
Tickets available online from – ticketweb.co.uk
Saturday 11th februaryVocalist Neil Purdie
@ Locharbriggs & District Social Club,
22A Auchencrieff Road,
Locharbriggs,
Dumfries
DG1 1XS
Tel: 01387 710677
Sunday 12th februaryKirkdale Snowdrop Tea
1.00pm - 4.00pm @ Carsluith, Newton Stewart, Wigtownshire, DG8 7EA - tel. 01557 840273
Fabulous woodland snowdrop walks around historic 18th century property.
A chance to view the only working water-driven sawmill in the south of Scotland and to enjoy the nature trail.
Teas and home baking available.
(Adults £3.00, Children FREE). Proceeds in aid of RSABI, Scotland’s charity helping people who have depended on the land, and Scotland’s Garden Scheme beneficiaries.
w/c Monday 13th February - Sunday 19th February 2012
Friday 17th februaryThe Peter Pan Moat Brae Trust presents Gentle Jazz with vocalist Terri Farley
from 7.30pm (doors open from 7pm) @ Castle Douglas Town Hall (St Andrew’s Street)
Tickets £10, including an interval buffet but you are invited to bring your own drink & glasses.
Proceeds from the evening will go towards the Peter Pan Moat Brae Trust, in support of our efforts to restore Moat Brae and develop Scotland’s first Centre for Children’s Literature.
Tickets available from:
· The Jenny Wren Toy Shop, King Street, Castle Douglas
· Catstrand in New Galloway
· The Midsteeple in Dumfries (and online through their agents, Ticketweb)
· Or direct from PPMBT on 01387 255549
Saturday 18th February2h:9m:37s - A Comedy Based on One Man's Experiences of Insomnia
6.45 and 8.30 pm @ A' the Airts, 8-12 High Street, Sanquhar
Written & Performed by Kris Haddow. Directed by Mark Coleman
In this one-man performance Kris leads a journey through the world of insomnia through a series of characters and sketches based on his personal experiences.
£6.00 - Tel: 01659 50514
Saturday 18th februaryLive Music from Infra Red
@ Locharbriggs & District Social Club,
22A Auchencrieff Road,
Locharbriggs,
Dumfries
DG1 1XS
Tel: 01387 710677
w/c Monday 20th February - Sunday 26th February 2012
Friday 24th februaryNorth Sea Gass
7.30pm @ Ryan Centre, Stranraer
One of Scotland's most popular folk bands with great vocals and tremendous three part harmonies. Guitars, Mandolin, Fiddle, Bouzouki, Whistles, Bodhrans, Banjo and good humour are all part of the entertainment.
Tickets £5.00, Tel: 01776 703535
Friday 24th februaryTenors Un Limited Bring Their UK Tour To Langholm
"THE RAT-PACK OF OPERA"
@ The Buccleuch Centre, Langholm
The elegant sound of Tenors Un Limited is set to fill theatres across the UK. In their current live shows the three singers strip back the scale of previous performances, and in certain segments play just alongside a piano – this less is more approach leads to concerts that are not only more personal but also more powerful, with the true majesty of their voices proving the unmistakeable focus.
Formed in 2002, Tenors Un Limited have entertained many diverse audiences worldwide, and have performed at some of the largest events, such as in front of 90,000 people before the 2011 FA Cup Final. They have also sung alongside the likes of Sting, Beyonce, Lionel Ritchie and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.
Tickets £15.00, Tel: 01387 381196
Saturday 25th februarySolway Orienteers
Starts will be available from 10am to 12noon @
The Crichton Grounds, Bankend Road, Dumfries.
It's more adventurous than any computer game and more exciting than TV. Why not bring the whole family for some fun. The Crichton Grounds are a great venue for both the experienced and those who are new to the sport. You won’t get lost but can you find the controls? Courses suitable for all abilities.
Cost £3 with £1 off for members. .
For more information see the club web site www.solwayorienteers.co.uk.
Saturday 25th februaryCeilidh Dance with the wonderful Two Left Feet
7.30-11.00pm @ Cummertrees Village Hall, DG11
Tickets £7.50 including light supper/ Bar available
Contact Caz to buy tickets 0784-134-4801
Raising Funds for the “ Parkinson’s Disease Society
Saturday 25th februaryMusic of the Hollies - Performed by The Hollywood Bees
7.30 pm @ Theatre Royal,Shakespeare Street,Dumfries,DG1 2JH - Venue
Tel: 01387 254209
Europes only authentic tribute to the Hollies play all those
fantastic hits from the sixties and seventies live.including: bus stop, here
i go again, stay, long cool woman, gasoline alley bread, jennfer eccles, sorry
suzanne, stop stop stop and more. The hollies had more hits than the
beatles and the hollywood bees are well qualified to perform those songs to
perfection. Come and join us for a fantastic evening of nostalgia...
Entry - £13 / £11 Concs
Saturday 25th februaryLive Music from Miami
@ Locharbriggs & District Social Club,
22A Auchencrieff Road,
Locharbriggs,
Dumfries
DG1 1XS
Tel: 01387 710677
w/c Monday 27th February - Sunday 4th March 2012
Monday 27th February Mallory in Scotland: Peter & Leni Gillman.
A Royal Scottish Geographical Society talk
19.30-21:00 @ Easterbrook Hall, Dumfries
In 1924, George Mallory and Sandy Irvine disappeared during a valiant bid to reach the summit of Everest. Writers and journalists Peter and Leni Gillman's biography of Mallort won the Boardman Tasker prize for mountain writing in 2000. In this talk they unveil some of Mallory's conflicting passions and the fatal choice he ultimately made.
This talk is part of the Royal Scottish Geographical Society's 'Inspiring People' talks programme.
Tickets are £8, free for students, under 18s and RSGS members. Tickets available on the door.
Tuesday 28th February Christian Viewpoint Meeting
10.30am -12 noon @ The Douglas Arms Hotel, Castle Douglas
Aland Stewart and Bobby Carver will be talking about 'The Hand of God in our Lives'.
Tickets £3.00 on the door. Please come, all are welcome.
Throughout March Films at RBFCT in Dumfries
Films and Film Workshops at Robert Burns Centre Film Theatre, Dumfries >>
Friday 2nd MarchComedy Club
7.30pm @ The Cairndale Hotel, English Street, Dumfries DG1 2DF
An evening of fun and laughs with three top comedians.
Full price: £12.95 - 22.95 (£12.95 for show only, £22.95 for meal and Show.)
Telephone: 01387 254111
Friday 2nd MarchAnnual
Old Tyme Dance with
The ‘Alan Gardiner Trio’
8pm - 12 @ Locharbriggs
Community Centre, Dumfries
Enjoy an evening of old tyme and ceilidh dancing to one of scotland’s top scottish dance bands. Grand Raffle and Bar.
Presented by
Dumfries & District Branch of
Multiple Sclerosis.
Tickets £6.50
including light supper - available from
John M Caskie 01387 710975
Saturday 3rd MarchPatsy Matheson & Becky Mills
@ A' the Airts, 8-12 High Street, Sanquhar
One half of the award winning female acoustic quartet "Waking the Witch" - expert musicianship and compelling interchanging lead vocals. See them on YouTube
£7.50 - Tel: 01659 50514
w/c Monday 5th - Sunday 11th March 2012
Tuesday 6th March4 Words - Love, Life, Longing and Laughter
7.30pm @ Ryan Centre, Stranraer
Four short new plays presented by Northumberland Theatre Company.
Tickets £7.00 / £5.50 (conc), Tel: 01776 703535
w/c Monday 12th March - Sunday 18th March 2012
Thursday 15th MarchAbbamania
7.30pm @ Ryan Centre, Stranraer
Dust of your platforms, put on your flares and come and enjoy an unforgettable night with Abbamania.
Tickets £15.00, Tel: 01776 703535
Friday 16th MarchDumfries Music Club Concert
7.30 pm @ St John’s Church, Lovers Walk, Dumfries
James Turnbull, oboe accompanied by Elizabeth Burgess, piano
Carl Nielsen: Two Fantasy Pieces
Paul Hindemith: Oboe sonata
Chopin: Nocturne in C minor Op.48 No.
1
Mendelssohn: Songs Without Words
Britten: Two insect pieces
Thomas Hewitt Jones: Sonata Cimarella (2010)
Samuel Barber: Canzonetta Op.48
Ponchielli: Capriccio.
Non-members are very welcome at all concerts, as are students and schoolchildren.
Tickets for non-members cost £11 per concert and £3 for students (on production of a student card).
Children in primary and secondary education are welcomed free of charge.
Tickets from the DGArts (Midsteeple, High Street, Dumfries) tel: 01387 253383 or on the door.
Saturday 17th MarchThe Mikado
7.30pm @ Ryan Centre, Stranraer
Presented by The Gilbert and Sullivan Society of Edinburgh.
Tickets £12.50 (£5 school children), Tel: 01776 703535
w/c Monday 19th March - Sunday 25th March 2012
Saturday 24th MarchSolway Orienteers
Starts will be available from 10am to 12noon @
Mabie Forest near Dumfries
What will you be doing at the weekend? Fancy a tough physical and mental challenge, or a relaxed stroll with family and friends? Orienteering caters for these extremes and everything in between – any age, any fitness level, any place from woods to streets. You find your way around a course using a special orienteering map, either against the clock or at your leisure. Great for exercising the brain as well as the legs, not to mention the chance to see some great Scottish scenery and wildlife while you're out there.
Cost £3 with £1 off for members..
For more information see the club web site www.solwayorienteers.co.uk.
w/c Monday 26th March - Sunday 1st April 2012
Monday 26th March In The Footsteps of Antarctic Giants. Lt Col Henry Worsley.
A Royal Scottish Geographical Society talk
19.30-21:00 @ Easterbrook Hall, Dumfries
In 2008 Henry retraced Ernest Shackleton's 'Furthest South' journey - a 920 mile unsupported expedition across the Antarctic wasteland to the South Pole. In 2011 he retraced the journeys of Scott and Amundsen in their bid to be the first to the South Pole in 1911/12. His lecture juxtaposes the old and new by drawing on diary entries, photographs and film footage of polar expeditions a century apart and gives a fascinating and inspiring insight of those Edwardian heroes as he follows in the 'Footsteps of Polar Giants'.
This talk is part of the Royal Scottish Geographical Society's 'Inspiring People' talks programme.
Tickets are £8, free for students, under 18s and RSGS members. Tickets available on the door.
Friday 30th MarchComedy Club
7.30pm @ The Cairndale Hotel, English Street, Dumfries DG1 2DF
An evening of fun and laughs with three top comedians.
Full price: £12.95 - 22.95 (£12.95 for show only, £22.95 for meal and Show.)
Telephone: 01387 254111
Throughout April Films at RBFCT in Dumfries
Films and Film Workshops at Robert Burns Centre Film Theatre, Dumfries >>
w/c Monday 2nd - Sunday 8th April 2012
Sunday 8th AprilMostly Ghostly presents...Dumfries Haunted Theatre Tour
(Doors Open 6:30pm) 7pm @ Theatre Royal, Dumfries
A variety of unusual occurences have been reported over the years.
The Team invite you to join them to learn more about this 221 year old
building and any supernatural forces at work within its walls...
Tickets £8 / £6 available from Midsteeple Ticket Office, High Street, Dumfries, Tel: 01387 253383
or online at www.ticketweb.co.uk
Please ring Mostly Ghostly on 07791 047835 or 07912 145865 for more information.
w/c Monday 9nd - Sunday 15th April 2012
Thursday 12th AprilThe Wind in The Willows
2pm @ Ryan Centre, Stranraer
Riverbank Productions present their lively musical version of this classic tale. Come on an adventure of a lifetime with the fearless foursome and try to stop the nasty weasels taking over Toad Hall!
Tickets £8.50 (£6.50 conc), Tel: 01776 703535
Friday 13th AprilGerry Creen
@ A' the Airts, 8-12 High Street, Sanquhar
One of Belfast's finest singer/songwriters.
£7.50 - Tel: 01659 50514
Friday 13th AprilDumfries Ghost Walk
7:30pm @
Meet at the Midsteeple Plainstanes, Dumfries Town Centre (please arrive 15 mins early)
The anniversary of the Whitesands witch burnings...
Ghosts, ghouls, murder and witchcraft! Join Mostly Ghostly for a terrifying tour around darkest Dumfries...
We are Mostly Ghostly Investigations, Dumfries and Galloway's first paranormal team and creators of the new Dumfries Ghost Walk. We will transport you as far back in time as the 14th century to learn about the town's dark history, with a promise you'll never see it in the same light again...
Tickets £6 / Concession £4.00
Available from Midsteeple Ticket Office, High Street, Dumfries Tel: 01387 253383
Or ring Mostly Ghostly on 07791 047835 or 07912 145865 for more information.
Private bookings available throughout the year
w/c Monday 16th - Sunday 22nd April 2012
Friday 20th AprilComedy Club
7.30pm @ The Cairndale Hotel, English Street, Dumfries DG1 2DF
An evening of fun and laughs with three top comedians.
Full price: £12.95 - 22.95 (£12.95 for show only, £22.95 for meal and Show.)
Telephone: 01387 254111
w/c Monday 23rd - Sunday 29th April 2012
Thursday 26th AprilKidnapped
7.30pm @ Ryan Centre, Stranraer
Cumberland Theatre Company present a Scottish Swashbuckler adapted from the original Robert Louis Stevenson novel
Tickets £8.50 (£6.50 conc), Tel: 01776 703535
Sunday 29th AprilDumfries Ghost Walk
7:30pm @
Meet at the Midsteeple Plainstanes, Dumfries Town Centre (please arrive 15 mins early)
The 150th anniversary of Mary Timney's execution...
Ghosts, ghouls, murder and witchcraft! Join Mostly Ghostly for a terrifying tour around darkest Dumfries...
We are Mostly Ghostly Investigations, Dumfries and Galloway's first paranormal team and creators of the new Dumfries Ghost Walk. We will transport you as far back in time as the 14th century to learn about the town's dark history, with a promise you'll never see it in the same light again...
Tickets £6 / Concession £4.00
Available from Midsteeple Ticket Office, High Street, Dumfries Tel: 01387 253383
Or ring Mostly Ghostly on 07791 047835 or 07912 145865 for more information.
Private bookings available throughout the year
Monday 21st MayDumfries Music Club Concert
7.30 pm @ St John’s Church, Lovers Walk, Dumfries
The Olympianist (Anthony Hewitt, piano)
Non-members are very welcome at all concerts, as are students and schoolchildren.
Tickets for non-members cost £11 per concert and £3 for students (on production of a student card).
Children in primary and secondary education are welcomed free of charge.
Tickets from the DGArts (Midsteeple, High Street, Dumfries) tel: 01387 253383 or on the door.
Saturday 26th and Sunday 27th May 2012Moffat Book Events presents ‘Beyond The Garden Gate’
in Moffat Town Hall and at Craigieburn Gardens
Spend a delightful weekend exploring ‘Beyond the Garden Gate’ in the beautiful old spa town of Moffat in south west Scotland. Moffat Book Events offers two glorious days of visiting gardens, meeting authors and participating in events and conversations.
Just a taster of the pleasures to come:
An audience with Anna Pavord , gardening correspondent of the Independent and best-selling author of The Tulip; international garden and landscape photographer and writer Jennifer Gough-Cooper who will be discussing her latest book Origins, and her long term working partnerships with Scottish artists Richard Demarco and Ian Hamilton Finlay; Richard Wheeler, National Trust garden history specialist on 'genius loci' and Janet Wheatcroft of world famous Craigieburn garden (www.craigieburngarden.com - free access all weekend)
For children of all ages: a hunt has been arranged by Angus Sinclair for Moffat’s indigenous beast, The Moffalump. This shape-changing creature will be stalked by young and old, drawn, knitted and possibly even fed.
An evening of drinks and readings in the garden of best-selling novelist and long-time Moffat resident D.E. Stevenson
Open gardens day in Moffat and the surrounding area.
For more information please contact Marilyn on:
07885 444 120 or
info@moffatbookevents.co.uk
Advertise your local event for free in these listings, send an email
To view events in the Annandale area visit www.annan.org.uk
you may also wish to visit: Arts, Crafts and Galleries and Sports and Leisure
Advertise your local event for free in these listings, send an email.