Come Back to Ayrshire - local landmarks and attractions

Burns an' a' that Festival starts this weekend!

posted on 11/05/2009

Come Back to Ayrshire for a special Homecoming Burns an’ a’ that Festival
The annual Burns an’ a’ that Festival is almost upon us again and what better year to come back to Ayrshire to share in the festivities than Scotland’s Year of Homecoming 2009!

Burns 250th Celebration (Monday 18 May)
The festival kicks off with a great Scottish knees up in the form of Burns 250th celebration. A great line up of Scottish entertainment will take to the Festival Club in Wellington Square, Ayr from 6.30pm (Doors open 6pm). The Red Hot Chilli Pipers will headline this evening, always guaranteed to get the party into full swing and there will also be performances from Burns For All That, Boppin Heads, Aileen Robertson School of Dance and Maybole Pipe Band. This is a not to be missed event in this unique venue and tickets are available now for just £20.

The X Factor (Tuesday 19 May)
The Festival Club in Wellington Square will have that special something in the air on Tuesday 19 May as some of the finalists from the last series of ITV’s The X Factor take to the stage. Who can forget the amazing performance of Purple Rain by Ruth Lorenzo, the sensational talent of Laura White, girls favourite Austin Drage or ladies favourite Daniel Evans. One minute they are singing in front of Simon Cowell and now it is your chance to get up close and personal for this special show which will definitely have the X Factor! Tickets just £20. Doors open 7pm.

Comedy Night with Rhona Cameron (Wednesday 20 May)
One of the UK’s top comedy stars will take to the Festival Club on Wednesday 20 May. Rhona Cameron made an impact on the comedy scene in 1992 winning channel 4’s ‘So you think you’re funny’ award. As well as sell out stand up shows, Rhona has become a well known face on the TV scene having co-written and appeared in her own sit-com and made regular appearances on Have I Got News For You, Never Mind The Buzzcocks and The Johnathon Ross Show. Many will remember her appearance on ‘I’m a Celebrity’ and most recently her time in ‘The Vagina Monologues’ and ‘Grumpy Old Women’. Rhona will be joined at Burns an’ a’ that by brilliant Vladimir McTavish. Doors open 7pm with acts on stage 8pm. Tickets £17.50.

AyrPlay – The Final (Thursday 21 May)
AyrPlay has been one of the biggest success stories of the Burns’ Festival and the hunt for Scotland’s newest musical talent has grown even bigger this year. With bands competing from all over Scotland, the final six will perform here at this unique venue so come along and check out the best of Scottish bands and see who will be crowned this years winner. Tickets just £5. Doors open 7pm.

Hue and Cry (Friday 22 May)
Hue and Cry were one of the top acts to come out of Scotland in the 80s and are still producing great music to this day. With performances of their top hits ‘Labour of Love’, ‘Violently’ and ‘Looking for Linda’ as well as fantastic material from their new album, this show is bound to be a sell-out so get your tickets fast. Support will come from local act Starsky and the brilliant Passionate Friends. Doors open 7pm, On stage 8pm. Tickets just £15.

Festival Folk Night (Saturday 23 May)
One of the most popular events at the festival, the Folk Night brings together some of the biggest and best names in traditional music for one special night. This years headline performance will come from John McCusker and Friends. John is one of Scotland’s most accomplished and versatile musicians who has worked with artists as diverse as Patti Smith, Paul Weller, Teenage Fanclub and Billy Connolly. Support will come from The Paul McKenna Band Emily Smith and the legendary Gaberlunzie. Tickets £20. Doors open 7pm.

Festival Finale (Sunday 24 May)
The festival will end with a spectacular evening featuring some of the biggest and best names in entertainment. From classical to traditional music this evening will be a festival highlight in Scotland’s Year of Homecoming. Topping the bill this year will be the magnificent Blake, from forming on Facebook in 2007 to winning the album of the Year award at the Classical Brits in 2008, it has been an extraordinary journey for these four young singers. Bridging the gap between pop and opera, they’re sure to provide a fitting end to a fantastic festival. There will also be performances by Battlefield Band, Clan Wallace, Innovation and Nicky Spence. Doors open 7pm. Tickets just £20.

Tam O’ Shanter Ride (Wednesday 20 May)
The Burns an’ a’ that Festival is proud to present the welcome return of the Tam o’ Shanter Ride from the Tam O’ Shanter Inn, Ayr to Alloway. Come along and see Tam in person as the story of the Bard’s famous poem is told. With live entertainment in Ayr and Alloway and the return of the 20 horse procession for the first time in 15 years. This event is in aid of Riding for the Disabled and CLIC Sargent Charities and will begin at the Tam O’ Shanter Inn at 6.30pm (Free event).

Whisky an’ a’ that VI (Saturday 23 May)
Robbie’s Drams is delighted to announce that Whisky an’ a’ that VI is going to be the biggest and best to date. There will be a fantastic mix of exhibitors from every whisky producing area in Scotland as well as varieties from Japan, Ireland, USA and India.

Clarinda the Musical (Saturday 23 May)
Clarinda is a new Scottish musical play based on the love affair between Robert Burns and Nancy McLehose that led to the famous exchange of letters and inspired the poet to write ‘Ae Fond Kiss’ as a touching parting gift. This is a free event, Wellington Square 2pm.

Family Fun Day (Saturday 23 May)
Something for all of the family with a Food & Drink Fayre and lots of entertainment in Ayr’s Wellington Square. With Pipers, Samba Band, Clarinda – the Musical, Andrew Merry, DeVille, Magic Malky, Face Painters, Jugglers, Stiltwalker and Free Ice Cream. Live Entertainment will be from12 – 3pm.
Art, Poetry, Food and Drink, Funfair and so much more ...

Don’t miss all of the other amazing events at this years Burns an’ a’ That Festival including

Saturday 16 May
Robert burns Humanitarian Award Dinner, Alloway Burns Fayre, Land O’ Burns Midnight Walk, Poetry in Motion, Burns Breakfast.

Monday 18 May
We’re A’ Jock Tamson’s Bairns, The Scottish Burns Concert / Ceilidh.

Tuesday 19 May
Wine Tasting & Burns’ entertainment in Historic Cellar, Schools Traditional Music Concert, The Burns Festival of 1844, Toasting the Lassies.

Wednesday 20 May
Children’s Burns’ Poetry Competition, Rab Wilson Book Launch, Burns by Bonnie Doon, The 37 Steps.

Thursday 21 May
Bachelors’ Club Entertainers, Burns and the Carrick Smugglers, Borealis in Concert, Accept our Song.

Friday 22 May
Clarinda the Musical, Alice in Wonderland, Cinderella, Buskers’ Bunnet, The Gathering, The Gangrel Buddies, 32nd Ayr International Youth Football Tournament.

Saturday 23 May
Food, Drink and Arts Fair, Mauchline Holy Fair, Buskers Bunnet, Crooked jack, Burns Country Rideout, Poetry in motion, Ayr Slide, One Man Holy Fair, The Bonnie Lesley Ball, Ayrstrike Final, Sunday Jazz, Ayrshire Weekly Press Burns’ Homecoming Party, Art Exhibition, Poetry Picnic, Story Telling with Tony bonning, Book Fayre.

Throughout the Week
Origin Ayrshire, Poets, Pints & Sangs, Burns Festival Themed Menu, Walkabout Auld Ayr, The Journey of Cashmere, Hairth of Burns, Ayr Sketch Club Exhibition, Funfair, Wellington’s Bar Concert Series.

Ticket Sales
Tickets for the festival are available as follows -
Ticketmaster - www.ticketmaster.co.uk or 0844 847 1750
Ayr Tourist Information Centre – 01292 290300
Ayr Citadel – 01292 269793
A small number of tickets will be available at the Festival club on the night of each performance and can be purchased up to 30 minutes before the doors open.
Special Festival Club Tickets are available offering savings. For further information check www.burnsfestival.com

Further Info
Burnsfestival.com
Comebacktoayrshire.com homecomingscotland.com
Golfsouthayrshire.com
Ayrshire-arran.com
enquiries@comebacktoayrshire.com

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