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The 2019 Festival of the Future will get off to a flying start when Scotland’s leading aerial dance company take to the sky outside the University of Dundee on Wednesday 16 October.

All or Nothing Aerial Dance Theatre will perform their trademark spectacular moves while suspended high above the ground as part of the official opening of this year’s Festival. The dancers will move up and down the University’s Tower Building to a specially created soundtrack, while an original animation created by Dundee alumni Ryan McKnight is projected on to the side of the building.

Guests will then be led to Bonar Hall for a musical performance by children from Claypotts Castle and St Pius primary schools, who are part of the Big Noise Orchestra, a Sistema Scotland initiative.

In addition to opening the Festival, the show will also mark the 60th anniversary of the Tower Building’s foundation stone being laid.

“The Tower is one of the tallest and most recognisable buildings in Dundee as well as being the beating heart of the University,” said Festival programme director Emma Beatt. “The exciting performance by All or Nothing and Ryan’s film lighting up the building is the perfect way to launch the Festival while celebrating a landmark anniversary for this Dundee landmark.

“We are delighted to have put on such a packed programme to suit all tastes with events exploring how science and culture can come together to solve some of the biggest issues we face while educating and entertaining visitors at the same time.”

Festival of the Future, the University’s flagship celebration of art, culture and science will take place from October 16-20. The theme of this year’s Festival is social change, and more than 60 events featuring music, design, dance, theatre, food and comedy will explore this while engaging with audiences of all ages.

High-profile speakers include author Kerry Hudson, who will share the personal stories from her memoir Lowborn: Growing Up, Getting Away and Returning to Britain’s Poorest Towns, an attempt to understand what it means to be poor in Britain today. Meanwhile broadcaster Paul Mason will launch a radical defence of universal rights and human-centric institutions while resisting the insidious influence of algorithms over our lives.

Paul will also take part in a panel considering the question ‘Do editors pander to audiences more than they should?’ as part of an exploration of journalism in an era of clickbait, fake news and social media.

Each day of the programme will feature events aimed at children, young people and adults, debates with academics and external speakers and high-profile events featuring prestigious figures from the worlds of science and culture. Dance, theatre, music and comedy performances will also take place.

More information about Festival of the Future can be found at www.dundee.ac.uk/futurefest.

The first 1,000 tickets for Dundee’s New Year city centre celebrations have been snapped up

“It’s Happening!” Dundee Hogmanay 2019 will see two days of music and family entertainment, with one of Britain’s best-loved bands Squeeze, Eddi Reader and Dundee’s very own Kyle Falconer, the Hogmanay headliner.

With any profits split between three Dundee charities, the celebrations will be kicked off by national treasures Squeeze, who have enjoyed a string of hits including Up The Junction, Tempted and Cool For Cats.

They will kickstart the party on the evening of Monday 30 December before a full, family-focused day of free entertainment and music on Hogmanay. 

The evening will kick off with rock pipe band Gleadhraich, followed by Sinderins, Eddi Reader and Kyle Falconer, who will bring in the bells with a piper.  Tay FM DJs will play for the last half hour bringing the event to a close at 12.45am.

Former ‘The View’ frontman Kyle Falconer said, “Having played at Hogmanay concerts in Edinburgh, Glasgow and London, it was on my bucket list to bring in the bells in my home city.  As my biggest ever solo headline show, it’s fitting that it’s happening right here in Dundee and I’m really excited to be headlining.  There’s no doubt that a New Year city centre street party is long overdue in Dundee and it’s a privilege to be part of it.  Of course, like any Hogmanay, there will also be a few surprises on the night!”

Organised by Dundee-based GMC Ventures Ltd and Edinburgh promoter Michael Ward of EH6 Festival, the celebrations have received support through Scotland’s Winter Festivals.

It is hoped that the event will attract audiences from outwith Dundee, with return buses available to Perth, St Andrews, Kirkcaldy, Brechin, Forfar and Arbroath.

Jill Gibson from GMC Ventures said, “We are absolutely delighted to have reached the 1,000 ticket milestone.  With 12 weeks to go, we’re working hard to ensure that the people of Dundee and further afield finally get the New Year celebrations they deserve. We’re promising something for everyone, from free kids and teenager events during the day through to foot-stomping music taking us right up to the bells as we welcome 2020.”

Paul Bush OBE, Director of Events at VisitScotland added, “We are delighted to be supporting “It’s Happening!” Dundee Hogmanay 2019 through Scotland’s Winter Festivals programme. This celebration showcases Scotland as the perfect stage for events, shining a light on the city of Dundee through a vibrant programme of music and entertainment, where local people and visitors alike will have the opportunity to bring in the New Year together.”

Any profits from the event will be split between three charities – Dundee Women’s Aid, Art Angel and Wellbeing Works.

Tay FM and Tay 2 are proud to be Official Partners for “It’s Happening!” Dundee Hogmanay 2019.

Advance two day tickets are priced £70, with one night tickets costing £43.70.  A VIP upgrade is an additional £28, with exclusive access to The Italian Grill, buffet, private bar and Prosecco.