The Dumfries & Galloway Arts Festival are excited to be supporting the Eskdalemuir Wellbeing Weekend on 19th – 21st April at the Old School Hub & Café Eskdalemuir.
Through funding from the Annandale & Nithsdale Community Benefit Company they have been able to support 2 years worth of activity in Eskdalemuir as a pilot project for rolling out their new community engagement model across Dumfries & Galloway.
The Arts Festival team have worked with Community Engagement Consultant, DJ McDowall from The Imaginarium who has supported them to undertake a number of projects within these areas creating a framework for developing authentic community engagement principles in their work and create a lasting legacy for Eskdalemuir to support events in the future.
Work with the Old School Hub and Cafe began in 2022, the team supported staff to develop their expertise in audience development and community engagement, as well as supported their delivery of operational activities – box office and ticketing management, liaison with the visiting company before and during their visit. They’ve now organised a number of sold-out events in Eskdalmuir and are supporting the team with an exciting new project this April.
The team at the Hub will now host their own Wellbeing Weekend on 19th – 21st April with support activities organised by the D&G Arts Festival and UP YER AIRTS.
Over the weekend the Eskdalemuir Hub will be joined by some fabulous therapists to bring the following Health and Wellbeing workshops: A Crystal Alchemy Sound Journey, Grounding Meditation session, Crystal Healing Meditation Circle, Yoga Classes, A Drumming Circle at The Standing Stones, Acoustic Fire Pit Session, Working with Clay Workshop, Elemental Walk, Plant Music, A Transpersonal Journey Workshop, Qigong classes and Shiatsu Taster Sessions. There will be a Marketplace where registered Homeopath Denise Smithers, amongst other therapists, will be on hand at various times on Saturday and Sunday for a friendly chat about what they can offer. The Friday and Saturday evening will have entertainment from the Dumfries & Galloway Arts Festival and one to one treatments in our Therapy Room. Refreshments and food will be available to buy throughout the weekend.
The Dumfries & Galloway Arts Festival have organised Firepit Sessions at Eskdalemuir Wellbeing Weekend on the Friday evening. These sessions will see two of the UK’s leading folk artists bring the community together for an evening to remember. Having both been raised in Dumfries and Galloway, Cailtin Gilligan and Zoë Bestel will lead us on a journey featuring musical tales both old and new, captivating the local community and Weekend attendees round the fire with their craft. This session is free but ticketed, with donations welcome to the Hub, and anyone wishing to take a turn will be met with a warm welcome.
The Saturday evening’s entertainment will be Ecstatic Dance with Tom Spirals. For thousands of years human beings have used rhythm, sound & movement to invoke a spiritual experience. Using the technology of today, Tom aims to continue this journey. “Leave your troubles, drop your worries and let the music move you into a state of trance”. This event will also be free but ticketed with donations welcome for the Hub.
The Eskdalemuir Wellbeing Weekend has something for everyone. All of the events over the course of weekend are between £0-£11. If you would like to stay for the whole weekend you will find links to some self-catering accommodation on the Eskdalemuir website www.eskdalemuir.com and for only £5 each there are 6 spaces with access to toilet facilities for Campervans/Motorhomes to park overnight at the ESMP Village Hall. For more info on how to book this please email [email protected].
For more information on working with the Dumfries & Galloway Arts Festival to create a community engagement project in your area, you can also get in touch with the team at www.dgartsfestival.org.uk or email [email protected]
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