Neil Fachie's Paralympic glory, Aberdeen Performing Arts reopening its doors, and a month of festivals finding their moment after a year of delay — here's what caught our eye in September.
Hiya!
September was a belter of a month here in Aberdeen. Loads going on throughout the city as long delayed events found their moment to launch. Despite some beautifully warm days, we're now definitely into autumn.
Highlights of this month for us have to be our interview with Neil Fachie MBE after his Paralympic glory in Tokyo, Tour of Britain powering through Aberdeenshire and the city before finishing at the Beach Esplanade, and we'll never forget the WayWORD graffiti jam, and their unexpected guests arriving to take part.
So enjoy our round-up of the month in Aberdeen, check out our what's on for October, and once you're done, forward it on to a friend you think will like it too.
Chris & Kevin
In this issue
- Welcome
- Temp Check: Paralympic Gold Medallist Neil Fachie MBE
- The return of Aberdeen Performing Arts
- WayWORD festival back for its second year
- Tour of Britain powers through its last leg to Aberdeen
- Work begins on Greyhope Bay dolphin viewing centre
- True North rises up
- Is Aberdeen street food scene the key to culinary success?
- Cyclist Josh Quigley sets new Guinness World Record
- Scots traditional singer was 'offered gig help in return for sex'
- Quick links
- Coming next month
- From the archive
Temp Check: Paralympic Gold Medallist Neil Fachie MBE
Following his Paralympic glory in Tokyo, we interviewed Neil Fachie MBE who was born and raised in Aberdeen. Despite the challenges he's faced due to a condition that has deteriorated his eyesight, he's become a British sporting icon. He's an extremely determined personality who pushes himself to success, and of course we wanted to find out a little bit more about him.
The return of Aberdeen Performing Arts
At the start of September Aberdeen Performing Arts announced that it had re-opened all of its venues. APA had closed The Music Hall, His Majesty's Theatre and the Lemon Tree in March 2020, as the Covid-19 pandemic forced the world into lockdown. This resulted in the arts charity rescheduling or cancelling over 700 performances and placing 270 staff on furlough.
WayWORD festival back for its second year
WayWORD returned to Aberdeen this month. The literary festival, which organisers first launched in 2020, shone a spotlight on unconventional forms of expression. Online and in-person visitors enjoyed an especially inspiring line-up of poets, artists, writers and creators for author events, workshops, performances and discussion panels.
Tour of Britain powers through its last leg to Aberdeen
Stage eight of the Tour of Britain came through Aberdeen on 12 September, and we loved seeing everyone out across the city and shire enjoying the day's event.
Work begins on Greyhope Bay dolphin viewing centre
Greyhope Bay started the building phase of a project that will eventually see a dolphin viewing centre, a cafe and new education and community space for Aberdeen. Breaking ground marks a milestone for the charity. It's the culmination of a six-year journey from the original idea to construction. The build has received wide support through community-led fundraising.
An amazing weekend of live music wrapped as True North and Corrine Bailey Rae celebrated the music of Motown legend Stevie Wonder. The show was a culmination of four days where 65 acts played across eight venues across the city.
Highlights of the festival also included American singer-songwriter John Grant, Aberdeen's own Ransom FA, the soulful, eclectic Ayanna Witter-Johnson and award-winning poet Jo Gilbert.
Is Aberdeen street food scene the key to culinary success?
The outdoor street food scene offers new and growing businesses a launch pad into the market, giving space to make their mark and flourish in the city. So is this growing scene Aberdeen's ticket to food success? Blogger Colin Fraser, AKA The Food Hoover, takes a look.
Cyclist Josh Quigley sets new Guinness World Record
Cyclist Josh Quigley finally broke Jack Thompson's record by cycling 2,179 miles in a week. His route, between Aberdeen and Ballater, saw many people turn out to support his effort. He told BBC Scotland: "On the last day I couldn't even remember what challenge I was doing, I was so confused.
"I am really happy to get it finished, it's such a relief, as it's been hanging over me and has really dominated my year since my failed attempt in April."
Scots traditional singer was 'offered gig help in return for sex'
Award-winning Aberdeenshire traditional Scots singer Iona Fyfe told BBC Scotland about how she was offered help to get a gig in return for sex. Iona said she was propositioned by a man from a well-known band when she was 20, but was able to laugh in his face. However, she is concerned others could find themselves in similar situations.
Quick Links
Aberdeen Afghanistan Appeal launched
An appeal has been launched by the Lord Provost's Charitable Trust to raise funds to help refugees arriving in Aberdeen from Afghanistan to make a start to their new lives here in the city. As we write this, £2720 has been raised since launch, but if you can spare a small amount to help our new friends, please donate.
Sport Aberdeen encouraging people to get active
Sport Aberdeen are encouraging people to get active to combat social isolation. You're never far from an opportunity to get more and get active with Sport Aberdeen.
"Art is for life – not just for lockdown," says local artist
An Aberdeen painter is urging people not to ditch their art projects started during lockdown as rules further relax.
Hand-painted sign for Under The Hammer goes under the hammer
The new owners of Aberdeen institution Under The Hammer are putting the old hand-painted sign up for auction to raise money for charity.
Shell confirms plan to move North Sea base to Aberdeen city centre
Shell has announced it will be moving its North East headquarters to the Silver Fin Building on Union Street in the heart of Aberdeen city centre.
Coming next month
1 Oct | British Art Show 9 Legacy Event Tickets | Anatomy Rooms
Anatomy Rooms founder and artist Jim Ewen hosts an informal event to discuss the legacy of British Art Show 9, and what it means to art students and young artists.
1–10 Oct | Beyond British Art Show 9 | Look Again
As we enter the final weeks of British Art Show 9 in Aberdeen, Look Again are hosting Beyond BAS9, a programme of exhibitions, talks and events which brings together contemporary art organisations, collectives, artists and curators from across Aberdeen.
9 Oct | Provost Skene's House reopening
A new visitor attraction celebrating the pioneering people of Aberdeen and the North-East will open to the public on Saturday, October 9, 2021. Dating from 1545, Provost Skene's House is the oldest surviving town house in Aberdeen.
19–24 Oct | Sound Festival 2021 | Sound Scotland
Opening with the World Premiere of Laura Bowler's Distance and closing with the first live UK performance of Tansy Davies' Grand Mutation for violin, horn and piano, Sound Festival 2021 will feature 25 concerts.
20–21 Oct | Brutalist Architecture – NORCO House Collage Workshop | Grampian Hospitals Art Trust
GHAT are holding a collage workshop with artists and town planner Karen Maxted to explore and interpret the history of the iconic Norco House in Aberdeen.
1–31 Oct | What's On | Aberdeen Performing Arts
Find out everything that's going on in October hosted by Aberdeen Performing Arts. With a heady mix of comedy, live music, ballroom dancing, orchestral shows, plays and kids shows, there's bound to be something for you this month.
From the archive
The Lounge | Our playlist celebrating the Aberdeen and NE Scotland music scene
The team here at POST have set up a playlist to support Aberdeen musicians. A place where you can find new songs by Aberdeen and NE Scotland's very talented singers, songwriters, bands and producers. This is the story about why we made it happen.
Until next time...
Wow, that's already us for another month! We hope you found a few stories or events that you may have missed through our social media channels. Again, if you enjoyed it or found it useful, forward it on to a friend.
Until next time, stay cool.
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