Guess what Aberdeen just got without any fuss or fanfare? Its very own cultural quarter.
It arrived on Saturday when Provost Skene’s House and its rather splendid Hall Of Heroes threw open its doors to celebrate the brilliant folk of the north-east, past and present.
As well as breathing new life into Aberdeen’s oldest building, it was another welcome piece in the jigsaw that makes up the vital – and burgeoning – framework of the Granite City’s arts, entertainment and cultural life.
Now we have a rather elegant flow from the Music Hall – another transformation job, thanks – to His Majesty’s Theatre, to Aberdeen Art Gallery (one more stunning revamp) to Provost Skene’s House then on to the Lemon Tree – refurb waiting in the wings – up the lane to Aberdeen Arts Centre, then on past the Maritime Museum and down to the Tivoli where upgrades are ongoing.
All of them within easy walking distance of the other; an arts trail, if you like. All of them putting on first-class shows and exhibitions, all of them doing the vital job of bringing people into the city centre.
Coming back to life after Covid
I suppose we could push the cultural quarter idea by including the bus stop across from the Tivoli that takes folk out to the magnificent P&J Live which will come alive with Tim Minchin this weekend.
The point, though, is that after years of planning, talking, hoping and dreaming, Aberdeen now has a range of venues that would be the envy of any city in the country. And, along with the bricks and mortar, comes a very clear will to put culture at the heart of the city and on the cutting edge of its future.
Before the pandemic – curse you, Covid – the idea of Aberdeen as a city of culture was building up a good head of steam.
Virtually every month saw a festival to cater for all tastes – True North, Nuart, Granite Noir, Spectra, Look Again, the jazz festival, Aberdeen International Comedy Festival, Sound, DanceLive.
These were attracting national attention and, more importantly, putting Aberdeen on the map as the place where things were happening, somewhere to visit and enjoy. Then came coronavirus and derailed the lot.
Now, however, things are getting back on track again. It’s full steam ahead for a season of West End shows and assorted other treats at His Majesty’s, ditto P&J Live, with world-class acts on the way. The Music Hall is stowed out with household names, the Lemon Tree is incubating future stars, the art gallery is winning awards left, right and centre.
But all of these wonderful things need one essential ingredient. You.
Your arts and culture scene needs you
Audiences and visitors are the lifeblood of these venues. They need people through the door, bums on seats.
And the more people turn up, the more tickets sold, the more the major touring shows and acts will look at Aberdeen as the place they need to be.
There is much talk about how the north-east can carve a future in a post-oil world and what road it can take to ensure our prosperity – to bring people here, to work, live and play. Culture in all its guises – from musicals to stand-up, drama to dance, classical music to folk, global superstars to homegrown talent – offers that path.
It’s a journey we should take, not just as art for art’s sake, but for all our sakes.
Scott Begbie is entertainment editor for The Press & Journal and Evening Express