Perth 800 celebrations get into full swing with weekend of events

Jan 22 2010

THE much-anticipated Perth 800 celebrations got into full swing last night with the official launch of the year-long party.

Perth Museum and Art Gallery hosted the Perth 800 Opening Weekend Reception, which also marked the launch of the Museum’s special exhibition - Skin and Bone: Life and Death in Medieval Perth.

The reception was attended by Culture Minister Fiona Hyslop and Perth and Kinross Provost, Dr John Hulbert, along with around 100 other invited guests.

Medieval minstrels provided entertainment and guests heard speeches before being given a guided our of the Skin and Bone exhibition, which has been put together especially for Perth 800.

The fascinating exhibition gives visitors a unique insight into how medieval residents of the Fair City lived, worked, played, worshipped and died, and offers a glimpse of the lives of ordinary people through extraordinary objects that are part of the Museum’s Nationally Recognised Collection, many of them not normally on display.

Meanwhile, over at Perth Concert Hall a major new dance production will get the Horsecross Perth 800 celebrations underway. Off Kilter, which combines ballet, hip hop, Indian, contemporary and Highland dance, will be performed today (Friday) as part of a national tour.

Then, on Saturday, Perth city centre will be invaded by the internationally-acclaimed Market of Optimism.

The attraction is a unique piece of street performance and theatre, alive with artistry, animation and imagination, and aims to get people smiling and in the mood for the Perth 800 party over the coming year.

Sixteen zany market stalls will be pitched along King Edward Street, with special ‘neuros’ handed to people to spend on positive experiences which are on offer at the market.

The market will feature two living cashpoints, a variety of wandering characters and a wide range of uplifting products, including Heavenly Estate Agents, Magic Lamp Sellers, Optimism Renewal Services and The Ratcharmer of Ballyshamaloola. The event will be brought to Perth by renowned performance company Mischief La-Bas, and is not to be missed.

Also tomorrow, four historical guided walks will be held around Perth, led by members of Perth Civic Trust.

The walks are all from a fascinating new booklet, ‘Walks Around Historic Perth’, written by the Civic Trust and produced by Perth and Kinross Heritage Trust. The work focuses on walks around the City Centre, the North Inch and the Lands of the Blackfriars, the South Inch to AK Bell Library, and Tay Street and the bridges.

To book spaces on the walks, contact Steven Timoney at stimoney@pkc.gov.uk, or call 01738 477089.

Provost John Hulbert said yesterday: “I am delighted the Perth 800 celebrations are here at last.

“I hope everyone enjoys the opening weekend, which has some great events lined up.

“I would encourage everyone to get fully involved throughout the year, to make sure the celebrations as spectacular as possible.”