The full programme has been revealed for Aberdeen Performing Arts’ multi artform festival, Light the Blue, with over 25 events taking across the city from June 1 to 15.
The festival, created for and by young people, will see over 1,000 young and professional artists from Aberdeen and across Scotland put their creative stamp on the city.
This year’s Light the Blue invites artists and audiences alike to step into the unknown, with stories being told in new and inventive ways on stage as well as in more unusual indoor and outdoor locations.
Festival events will include performances and events by young artists as well as those aimed at young audiences, events created in schools, and new and exciting work by emerging creatives, with organisations with organisations such as Imaginate, Mahogany Opera, Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, Standing Tall Scotland, Ten Feet Tall Theatre, Traverse Theatre, Aberdeen Arts Centre, Aberdeen City Music Service, Citymoves Dance Agency, Eden Court, Grampian Hospitals Art Trust, Scottish Culture & Traditions Youth, Scottish Youth Theatre and Station House Media Unit among those involved.
Creative Producer for Light the Blue, Jordan Blackwood, said: “This year’s festival theme is all about stepping into the unknown - abandoning expectations, exploring fresh ideas and embracing new experiences.
“Light the Blue has always been a festival for and by young people, but this year’s festival has gone one step further with our young creatives involved in the planning, marketing and running of the event as well as being front and centre on our stages and spaces.”
This year's festival programme is split into four key strands. Young Artists is a series of events performed, created or curated by young people aged 5 – 25, while Young Audiences will be from more established professional artists and creators, catering for family audiences, teenagers and young adults. Schools will feature a programme of events for and by primary and secondary school pupils.
Emerging Artists will focus on events and opportunities for and by emerging artists aged 18 – 30.
Young artists are behind many of the festival highlights, involved in performing, creating or curating several events including the Light the Blue Family Arts Day from 12-5pm on Sunday, June 8. This festival favourite will once again take place between His Majesty’s Theatre and Union Terrace Gardens as well as Aberdeen Art Gallery, with a range of low-cost and free activities and performances taking place throughout the day, including family-friendly performances and backstage tours at His Majesty’s Theatre, craft workshops, walkabout and interactive performances and a dedicated sensory space.
Family favourite band Sprog Rock will close the event, accompanied by an unforgettable procession of young people parading through the gardens with costumes, banners, puppets, masks and crafts.
Aberdeen Performing Arts chief executive, Sharon Burgess, said: “Light the Blue is a highlight of our year at Aberdeen Performing Arts. For many, it marks the beginning of a lifelong passion for the arts, whether it’s the first time seeing a live performance, the first time taking to the stage or the first time showcasing something they have created, we want to provide that stepping stone to the future – and have as much fun as possible along the way.
“Having our young creatives on board to help shape this year’s festival from the word go has been exciting, rewarding and refreshing – and we’re taking that energy in to Light the Blue 2025.”
A city-wide festival Takeover will take place on Saturday, June 14, from 12.30 – 5.30pm.
Curated in collaboration with the Light the Blue Young Programmers group, a trail leading from the Anatomy Rooms to Music Hall will feature free pop-up performances including dance, theatre and music from local youth groups across Aberdeen and beyond, presented in unusual spaces from bandstands to shopping centres.
The Big Gig will see Scottish Culture & Traditions Youth, Big Noise Torry, Aberdeen City Music Service, Aberdeenshire Music Service, sound & North East Scotland College come together on Sunday, June 15, for an amazing showcase of the extraordinary musical talent of youth from Aberdeen and the wider North-east of Scotland. Taking centre stage at Aberdeen's iconic Music Hall, this youth led concert promises an unforgettable experience for all.
Light the Blue seamlessly combines up and coming talent with established artists, providing pathways and creating opportunities while entertaining audiences along the way with different performances and activities aimed at families, teens and young adults.
Ten Feet Tall’s Every Brilliant Thing, aimed at older teens and young adults, will show at the Lemon Tree on Thursday, June 12.
You’re seven years old. Mum’s in hospital. Dad says she’s ‘done something stupid’. She finds it hard to be happy.
You start a list of everything that’s brilliant about the world. Everything worth living for. Ice cream. Water fights. Staying up past your bedtime and being allowed to watch TV. The colour yellow. Rollercoasters. People falling over.
A play about depression and the lengths we go to for those we love. A participatory experience that embarks on a journey to find joy in the everyday.
Nurturing an interest in the arts from a young age is a key aim of the festival, with local schools taking a central role.
On Tuesday, June 10, Aberdeen Performing Arts is running a free day-long event at the Music Hall, inviting secondary school pupils to experience a day in the life of arts professionals and broaden their awareness of roles beyond performance. Through practical workshops, conversations and more, pupils will engage with Aberdeen Performing Arts team members and partner organisations to learn about technical, marketing, programming, directing, design and other roles. They’ll find out about pathways into the arts, develop new skills and connect with likeminded peers from across the region.
Partner organisations include Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, Association of Sound Design and Production, and North East Scotland College.
Pupils at Gilcomstoun Primary School will participate in a week-long project culminating in a one-off performance in the school playground on Friday, June 6.
Open to families of participants, Playground is a participatory performance project which invites the whole school population to experience the joy of theatre, dance, music and visual arts.
On Wednesday, June 11, Class Act Aberdeen will see schools from across Aberdeen City and Shire at the Lemon Tree for an evening showcasing brand new writing created by secondary school pupils, facilitated by leading artists using the Traverse’s flagship Class Act model. Scripts will be performed and directed by professional artists, resulting in an inspirational evening of elevated work celebrating the words of young writers.
Schools involved this year will be Gordons Schools Huntly, Hazlehead Academy and Inverurie Academy.
Snappy Operas on Thursday, June 5 will be a joyous, inspirational evening of contemporary opera performed by over 100 children from local primary schools accompanied by a live band.
Snappy Opera’s is Mahogany Opera’s award-winning schools programme, making and performing new mini-operas with primary-aged children. Pupils are introduced to all the essential elements of opera singing, acting and making – and work with a team of professional artists to stage their Snappy Opera in just five rehearsal sessions. This year’s Snappy Operas Aberdeen company will feature pupils from Skene Square, Muirfield and Cornhill Primary Schools.
Emerging artists will be well catered for across the festival with a range of events, workshops and opportunities aimed at 18-30 year olds, including Emerge on Sunday, June 1.
Emerge will be an exciting opportunity to see brand new work as it develops, network with other artists and industry professionals as well as give and receive feedback on works in progress including drama, dance and spoken word.
On Saturday, June 7, Tongue Twister at the Lemon Tree is one man’s attempt to say tongue twisters in as many different languages as possible. Whilst also trying to dance. And make music. And do all the costume changes without leaving the stage. A delight for the eyes and ears, this humorous and colourful show is a celebration of the musical beauty of language.
Tongue Twister is produced by Scottish Theatre Producers and commissioned by Imaginate in partnership with Aberdeen Performing Arts, in association with Showbox Festival & Kloden and supported by North Edinburgh Arts.
With many more events taking place over the festival fortnight, Light the Blue 2025 features two weeks of performances, artist opportunities, school activities and workshops for all young people to get involved in, with further details available at www.aberdeenperformingarts.com/light-the-blue
Events are free or low cost, but may be ticketed. Tickets are on sale now, available from www.aberdeenperformingarts.com) 641122 or visit the box office at His Majesty’s Theatre or the Music Hall.