Plenty of fun as Stobfest offers host of activities for families

DUNDEE’S festivals season is upon us – and Stobfest will kick things off with a host of events over the coming days.

The Stobswell extravaganza has gone from strength to strength since its launch in 2016, and is now set for its biggest year yet when it starts tomorrow. All events are free unless otherwise stated.

Colin Clement, Stobswell Forum chairman, said: “Everyone involved in Stobfest 2018 can’t wait to get started. This has been a number of months in the planning, and we hope locals will be able to enjoy new activities that they might not have previously had an opportunity to experience.

“We hope people in other council wards will come along and see what Stobswell has to offer.”

It all gets under way with an art exhibition, featuring cheese and wine, at Arthurstone Library between 7-10pm tomorrow.

On Saturday, from noon until 3pm, in the leafy surrounds of Baxter Park, there will be a nature day. The green space’s glass pavilion, meanwhile, will host Since In The Park at the same time.

At 7pm, running until 9pm, is a production of The 12th Planet ‘Him’, the musical. It takes place at The Hut, 167 Broughty Ferry Road, and is held every night until Friday.

And there’s a family ceilidh in Park Hall from 7.30-10.30pm. It costs £5 for adults to enter, with under-12s going free.

There’s plenty more over the weekend to keep people entertained – and the early birds out there may fancy a yoga session with Ali Henderson at Baxter Park Stone Pavilion from 10.30-11.30am.

As featured in the Tele earlier this week, there’ll be a westie walk and other doggie activities in Baxter Park from 11am-12.45pm.

The Breathing Space is a family workshop with craft activity, and showcases nature’s links to Celtic mythology, between 11am-1pm at Baxter Park Glass Pavilion. Locals have the opportunity to meet artists behind the Open Close project, which has seen doorways in the area spruced up with various murals, at the glass pavilion between 1.30-5pm – where there’s also the chance to “bag a unique gift”, according to organisers.

The Boomerang Centre on Kemback Street hosts a youth art exhibition all day on Monday through to Friday.

The same venue hosts a zumba taster with creche 10-11am on Monday, along with a belly dance taster session between 11.15am-12.15pm.

There’s a Deap presentation at Athurstone Library that day from 3-4.30pm.

A Slimming World session is held at Park Hall from 5.30pm, while at 7pm Brian Johnstone presents an evening of poetry and photographs at the library, featuring the world premiere of a poem in tribute to the Dens Road Market.

An exercise to music taster (1011am) and a tai chi taster (11amnoon) are held at the Boomerang on Tuesday.

There’s henna and nibbles on offer at DIWC, 9 Dundonald Street, 4-8pm on Tuesday – cost £5 – while Tayside Dance Club is at Park Hall from 7.30-9.30pm and is free to newcomers.

Spirits Of Dundee – History Of Distilling is at Arthurstone Library between 7-10pm, where visitors can enjoy a journey through the history of distilling in Dundee.

The church and halls at 172 Albert Street host an art class, 10am-noon, on Wednesday. Locals can try out lawn bowls at Maryfield Bowling Club on Madeira Street, 1-4pm.

Back at the Boomerang Centre there’s a card/gift box craft session from 4-6pm, and at Morgan Academy there’s a buildings of Stobswell walk from 6.30-7.30pm.

The Boomerang also hosts a cabaret with licensed bar between 6.30-10pm costing £5.

Morgan Allan Campbell holds a talk on the history of Dundee Lunatic Asylum at Arthurstone Library from 7pm; there’s slot car racing at Park Hall at the same time; and a ballroom and sequence dance class takes place at Park Hall from 7.30-9.30pm.

An afternoon tea dance is on offer at the Boomerang Centre next Thursday, 1.30-3pm.

An international quiz night will be held at Arthurstone Library from 6.30-8pm.

At 11am on Friday there’s an hour-long dru yoga taster at the Boomerang, while Sheena Wellington and friends will be on song at the library from 6.30pm with a range of traditional Scottish music.

Then next Saturday is the big finale to Stobfest, with the gala day held between 11.30am-3pm.

Events kick off with a parade, including pipe band, from Morgan Academy down Albert Street to the Boomerang – where there will be stalls, refreshments and fun for young ones, including Shetland ponies, henna, face painting, a magician and crafts.

More information is available at facebook.com/stobswellforum. Our