Going Home and Away in coming year

Nov 17 2009 by Alison Anderson, Perthshire Advertiser Tuesday

AS many as 3000 children and adults from across Perthshire will take part during 2010 in a year-long Home and Away programme of community-based arts activities in celebration of Perth 800.

Horsecross Arts, the creative organisation behind Perth Concert Hall and Perth Theatre, confirmed yesterday it has secured Scottish Arts Council Inspiring Communities funding of £216,000 for the ambitious project.

The award-winning Horsecross team has also signed up a number of top international, Scottish and UK artists who will collaborate in running residencies and co-ordinating performances throughout the year.

The residencies, which will explore the cultures of India, Brazil, Nigeria, and China, will culminate in three celebratory festivals – Samaagam in March, Carnival in September and Light Night, Festival of Light in November.

As Jane Spiers, chief executive of Horsecross Arts, explained, the objective of the Home and Away programme is to make sure everybody in the area has a chance to be a part of the excitement of Perth 800 – the biggest coming together of communities in Perthshire in living memory.

She said: “2010 is an exciting year for Perth and it is up to organisations like Horsecross Arts to encourage the whole community to get involved in the Perth 800 celebrations.

“The Home and Away programme is our way of inspiring people from all walks of life to have their input in Perth 800 – the success of the event will come down the enthusiasm, imagination and participation of the people of Perthshire “

Schools and community partners are the main targets for the Home and Away project, with the aim of broadening access to the arts for young people and encouraging communities right across Perthshire to get involved.

Home and Away community-based events include:

The Samaagam cross-arts project involving primary and secondary school pupils and adults in north Perth, culminating in a final performance on March 10.

Residencies for schools and communities all over Perthshire in the run up to a large carnival on September 18 to celebrate the fifth birthday of Perth Concert Hall and Inspiring Communities, followed on September 19 by a performance of children’s singing and drumming involving nearly 200 young people from Saturday Cool Schools and Perth Youth Orchestra.

Light Nights on November 27 when 1000 Primary 5 boys sing some Indonesian Monkey Chants in Perth Concert Hall, preceded by arts residencies and the unveiling on November 26 of ‘Artificial Moon’, a community-built light installation under the guidance of Chinese artist Wang Yuyang to be exhibited in the Gannochy Auditorium.

Music development co-ordinator at Horsecross Arts, Jenn Minchin, who will be leading the Home and Away projects in 2010, said: “There has already been a massive interest in the Carnival and Light Night projects. We would like to hear from schools and community groups if they’d like to take part.”

For the opportunity to take part in Carnival or Light Night events or for more information, contact Jenn Minchin on 01738 477 722 or jminchin@horsecross.co.uk.