Dolly Parton, a film festival and so much more. Cheryl Livingstone explores what you can look forward to at the 50+ Festival in Aberdeen
Now in its 13th year, the 50+ Festival, which is organised by Aberdeen City Council, aims to encourage active ageing and wellbeing for anyone in the city aged 50 and over.
The packed programme of events and activities will take place at venues across the city from Tuesday, September 1, to Friday, September 11.
Aberdeen Football Club Community Trust and Sport Aberdeen are partners of this year’s festival and Aberdeen Football Club mascots Angus the Bull and Donny the Sheep were there to see the Lord Provost pick up his brochure from festival volunteers at Marischal College earlier this month.
The Lord Provost said: “This special festival offers a wonderful
mix of activities and events for people aged 50 and over who reside
in Aberdeen. Now in its 13th year, the festival encourages older people to get out and about and try new things. And, with brochures now available, I’d encourage everyone of a certain age to get a copy and sign up for some of the activities on offer and enjoy some of the entertainment.”
The festival brings together local and international performers, offers free or low-cost opportunities for people to become involved and find ongoing interests which are a key part of the city council’s health and social care approach to inclusive and active ageing.
Festival highlights include a film festival, a range of sporting activities such as archery, swimming, golf and table tennis organised by Sport Aberdeen, a ceilidh, a special 50+ fashion show, talks, singalongs, meditation events, a family fun day, healthy activities and walks organised by Aberdeen Football Club Community, and a Dolly Parton and Frankie Valli tribute show.
Here, we take a look at some of those events in detail:
50+ FASHION SHOW
WHAT: A fashion show in the marquee with clothes supplied by Escale France Boutique, John Lewis, Scottesque, Isabelle Randall Couture Designer, Our Day Bridal and Alex Scott & Co.
WHEN: September 2, 12.30-2.30pm
WHERE: Marischal College Marquee.
PRICE: Tickets are £10.
FAMILY FUN DAY
WHAT: Head along to Marischal College to celebrate not only Scottish food and homegrown ingredients, but the science behind the food we eat and what happens once we have eaten it. Stimulate your taste buds and brain cells at this exciting event. There will be lots of family-friendly activities and entertainment.
WHEN: September 5, 11am to 4pm.
WHERE: Marischal College Marquee.
PRICE: Adult tickets, £6, concession, £4, children under 12, free.
DOLLY PARTON AND FRANKIE VALLI TRIBUTE SHOW
WHAT: Sarah Jayne is Britain’s busiest Dolly tribute act. In 2011 and 2014, she performed for Dolly’s VIP guests at the O2 in London and Motor Point Arena Sheffield for Dolly Parton’s The Better Day Tour and Blue Smoke Tour.
She will be joined by Andy Crust, who is a renowned impersonator, dubbed by the New York Times as one of the “world’s top-10 impersonators”. You can catch him in Aberdeen as he takes on Frankie Valli and Four Seasons hits and more.
WHEN: September 6, 2.30-4.30pm
WHERE: Marischal College Marquee.
PRICE: Tickets £5 (includes tea, coffee and cakes).
VICKI REBECCA – YOU ARE MORE THAN YOU KNOW YOU ARE
WHAT: Therapist, trainer and teacher Vicki Rebecca had always tried to help people, but then she came to a point in her life where she had to help herself. She then used her experiences to write a self-help book. Here, you can hear her talk about her experiences.
WHEN: September 2, 4-5.30pm.
WHERE: Marischal College Marquee.
PRICE: Free.
TINA MAY AND NIKKI ILES
WHAT: Tina is one of the UK’s finest Jazz singers and will be collaborating with pianist Nikki Iles. Her relationship with Nikki is particularly special and has created an understanding which is much more than that of singer and accompanist. They are a team who respond to each other spontaneously and create magic in the moment.
WHEN: September 3, 8pm (doors open 7.30pm).
WHERE: Blue Lamp, Gallowgate.
PRICE: Tickets £16.50, concession £13.50.
Tickets available from Aberdeen Box Office on 01224 641122.