Senscot has published the fourth in their series of policy briefings – Cinema and Community Regeneration: The Role of Social Enterprise.

​This briefing highlights the regenerative effects that local cinema can have on communities, bringing about positive social change through a range of activities and features Driftwood Cinema as a case study.

8 members of the Community help to shape the festival’s artistic line-up by programming the best talent from across the region.

To help shape the festival’s artistic vision and content, organisers have invited 8 members of the community to help galvanise one of their event spaces and populate it with local performers and musicians from across Dumfries and Galloway.

Sean Moore, James Henderson, Martin McKeown and Katriona Bailey, Angie Briggs, Lyn Cuddihy and Orla Barry Stairmund – aka, L.O.K.A –  have programmed the festivals ‘Free Fringe’ event, which takes place in their new event space – The Container Theatre.

More info here

The upcoming meeting of the Cross Party Group on Health Inequalities, which will discuss What can arts and culture do for health inequalities?​ will take place on 7th December in the Scottish Parliament and will feature presentations from:

• Leonie Bell, Head of Culture Strategy, Scottish Government
• Margaret O’Connor, Chief Executive, Art in Healthcare

More information can be found here.

The hugely popular Feral Choir brings light to the middle of winter with songs and stories that have been handed down through the generations.

Forgotten Carols will be performed in Dalry, Twynholm, Dumfries and Kirkpatrick Durham on the weekend of 15th-17th December. The programme includes a mediaeval version of The Holly and the Ivy and a tale of Robin Redbreast written by Robert Burns.

See http://www.feralchoir.co.uk/news/ for more information and booking details. All tickets are £10.
​

• Friday 15th December: Dalry Town Tall, 7.30pm
• Saturday 16th: Twynholm Village Hall, 4pm
• Sunday 17th December: Dumfries Museum, 2.30pm
• Sunday 17th December: Kirkpatrick Durham Village Hall, 6.30pm

Edinburgh actresses in Dumfries initiative to stage Simon Farquhar’s new Christmas themed play as part of A Play, A Poet & A Pastry. Actresses Gemma Stroyan and Mary McCusker have been chosen for a theatrical challenge that involves staging a brand new play after just two rehearsals.

What makes it even tougher is that the second rehearsal takes place the day of the show itself – which is at the Theatre Royal, Dumfries, on Friday, 24 November.
​
Book online here.

One of the most unusual and exciting pieces of British theatre comes to the region at the end of the month. Farnham Maltings’ upbeat and “fabulous” performance of Brilliance will light up Lockerbie Town Hall on 29 November and Wigtown County Buildings on 30 November.
​
More information can be found here.