Beyond the Fringe
St Monans Festival Goes Forth …
St Monans Community Arts Festival Press Release: 6 September 2018
The Edinburgh Fringe may have had its final hurrah for 2018, but the Scottish arts festival scene doesn’t stop at the end of August. Across the Forth in the East Neuk of Fife, September brings more treats for art and music lovers with the St Monans Community Arts Festival, which is taking place on Saturday 8th and Sunday 9th September.
The “Community” in the Festival’s title is a major aspect of its programme. Many of the artists and performers live in the village, and others have close links through family ties or as past residents of the picturesque fishing village. Concerts include a performance on Sunday by the local Community Choir, featuring Glas Duo (one half hailing from St Monans, the other from Bulgaria); and a Saturday night gig by Crosswater – a group from both sides of the Forth (including St Monans bassist George Brown), who will be supported by several local acts.
But the community nature of the festival is not just about the performers.
“This is art for the community, in the community, by the community,” said festival secretary Helen Marshall.
“We want the village to be the owners of this festival, as a community. It is a weekend where everyone has the opportunity to express themselves as active participants and to enjoy the artistic endeavours of the village and its people – and that’s not just the village’s residents, it’s everyone who loves to visit St Monans, and who wants to be part of and take part in our community’s festival.
Festival Treasurer Carol Copland added “We pride ourselves on being an inclusive festival. We want to make it easy for everyone to participate. That’s why all events are free and include many family-friendly activities, with several that we know will particularly appeal to children.
“So if you are near St Monans on Saturday and Sunday the 8th and 9th of September, please find time to come and join our community and take part in our arts festival. There’ll be a warm welcome, with lots to see and do. We have a dozen open house galleries and other festival venues throughout the village, with the festival hub in the Church Hall offering craft stalls, photographic and art exhibitions, and wonderful community baking in the festival café.”
Photograph – the Community Arts Festival committee were out in force to promote the arts festival’s events at the consultation meeting on the new St Monans Community Action Plan, which took place on Saturday 1st September 2018.
Left to right are: Carol Copland (Treasurer), Helen Marshall (Secretary) and Ruth Craib (Chairperson).
Ruth Craib commented that: “It was very encouraging to see the CAP survey results, which showed a lot of enthusiasm for the festival and the expansion of cultural events in the village. People see the festival as a key part of the community calendar.”
- The festival takes place on Saturday 8th and Sunday 9th September.
- Full details are available on www.facebook.com/stmonans/
and stmonans.org.uk/blog/events/arts-festival/
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