Two Across The Grain shows axed

Organisers have announced two events planned as part of the Across The Grain festival have been cancelled due to lack of interest.

More than 90 events are lined up at venues across Aberdeenshire for the festival, which opens this weekend.

However, low ticket sales have forced organisers to cancel the Big Fat Electric Ceilidh in Inverurie on October 12 and live drawing and recorded sound event The Shelter, which was due to take place at Peterhead Theatre on October 26.

Despite the news, Live Life Aberdeenshire organisers are confident they can build on the success of last year’s event with a programme designed to showcase north-east life, heritage, language, music and stories.

It includes a partnership with the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland whereby two leading dance experts will host inter-generational workshops, culminating in a performance to a live soundtrack mixing Scottish trad with electronic music.

A spokesman for Live Life Aberdeenshire said: “In terms of organising a festival of this scale, which has almost 100 events across Aberdeenshire, it is not unusual to have to cancel some of the planned events.

“We would encourage anyone thinking of going to one of the upcoming Across the Grain events throughout October to book their place.

“The large majority are free but we need to be able to gauge interest, especially where the costs may be significant to put on an event.”

“It is not unusual to have to cancel some of the planned events”