KT Tunstall, Skerryvore and Tide Lines are among the acts who will be taking part in Dumfries’ online Big Burns Supper this month.
The popular event was due to start today with a bumper programme of live events, including a carnival around the town, but has been postponed until June due to the rise in Omicron cases and updated Covid regulations.
However, a special free online event will go ahead on Burns Night – Tuesday, January 25 – on its social media channels as Eddi Reader’s Big Burns Supper.
Last year, more than 320,000 online viewers logged on to see the Burns Night virtual event by the BBS hosted by Scottish comedian, Janey Godley. People in 50 countries tuned in to watch performances by special guests including musicians KT Tunstall, Donovan and Skerryvore, Tide Lines and Dougie McLean, which was streamed free across the world on the Big Burns Supper Facebook and YouTube channels.
And this year’s offering is expected to be just as popular.
Graham Main, chief executive at Big Burns Supper, has announced that more big name performers and local talent have now signed up to make appearances on the online spectacular being hosted by Eddi.
He said: “Despite being unable to host our Big Burns Supper winter fringe this year there was no way we were letting Burns Night pass without a significant celebration.
As planned, the eminently talented Eddi Reader will play host to an eclectic evening of comedy, music and mirth and our diverse programme will feature something to tickle every taste bud.”
The virtual gathering will include KT Tunstall from Los Angeles, Dervish in Dublin, Colonel Mustard & The Dijon 5, comedians Ross Leslie and Richard Pulsford, and Scottish TV presenter and former captain of Glasgow Wheelchair basketball team Mark Dougan.
There will also be homegrown musical talent including Amy Papiransky, Dumfries Community Choir, David Bass and Chazz, The Lucky Doves and Jack Hunter.
KT Tunstall said: “I feel honoured to have been asked by Big Burns Supper to step in and Help Save Burns Night in 2022.
“I love my Scottish heritage and Burns Night celebrations continue to play a hugely important role in the arts and culture scene, not only in Scotland but across the world.
“I can’t think of a better way to spend it than alongside exceptional talent such as Eddi Reader, Skerryvore, and many more, as part of the diverse and inclusive Big Burns Supper event.
“Remembering all holding hands to sing Auld Lang Syne together takes on stark significance this year and I look forward to connecting with folks across the world in the spirit of friendship and kinship, with performance, poetry and laughter this Burns Night.”
The innovative BBS team have also decided to add another half a dozen shows into their online mix this month – from Monday to January 29. Entirely free to view, they will also be broadcast on its Facebook and YouTube channels and have to be booked in advance via www.bigburnssupper.com.
On Monday at 6pm there will be a special Zoom feature talking to “A Family Dedicated To Football” – David, Amy and Lewis Irons.
The Dumfrieshire family have all contributed to Scottish Football and will share their stories.
A BBS spokesperson said: “From David’s time as both player and manager at the likes of Gretna, Patrick Thistle, St Johnstone and Dunfermline to Amy’s journey breaking into TV and radio and how Lewis captured and presented one of the most memorable football occasions Scotland’s ever seen – this is a family with plenty of stories to
share.”
Next up, on Wednesday, January 19, at 6pm is “Hebridean Baker” Coinneach Macleod, who’s best known from TikTok and his best-selling book.
It is a chance to hone your cooking skills – focussing on small bakes that use simple ingredients – while also learning Gaelic and finding out more about Scottish heritage.
On January 20, the pace changes to a 10am Poetic Brunch with time to listen to a collection of spoken word contributions from across the South of Scotland.
A Facebook live event, Lesbians and Gays Support the Miners, will be held on Monday, January 24, at 7pm with three members of LGSM – Mike, Lewis and Jonathan – talking about the history of the group from the struggles that LGBTQ+ people have had to face and helping the striking miners in the 80’s which led to the film, Pride.
And it concludes with How To Save Your Planet One Object At A Time – an online event via Zoom on Saturday, January 29, at 1pm.
Dr Tara Shine will draw on her experience as a climate adviser and negotiator, a woman in STEM, a science communicator, author and social entrepreneur to share her ideas on how each of us can have a positive impact on society and our planet.
In addition, the BBS team are also hosting an online Murder Mystery tomorrow at 7pm for which tickets have to be pre-booked at £15 each. It is for over 16s.
The immersive murder mystery is by award-winning company Highly Suspect from Carlisle, who have performed at the BBS festival several times.
The BBS team is now also planning to bring a summer edition of the festival to the town which will run from June 10-26 and could be held in the Loreburn Hall in Dumfries and more information is to follow early this year.
