Performing Arts students from Queen Margaret University (QMU), Edinburgh are putting a contemporary twist on Shakespeare’s ‘As You Like It’ by staging an open-air production of the classic play from 6th to 10th June 2017.
More than forty students from across QMU’s Performing Arts programmes are working with staff to create a truly magical evening of theatre, which is open to the public.
The show opens in the grounds of QMU’s Musselburgh campus on 6th June, before transferring to the beautiful Dunbar’s Close Gardens on Edinburgh’s Royal Mile for four nights from 7th to 10th June.
The show is directed and designed by the University’s award winning staff team; Kate Nelson, Sarah Paulley and Polly Lister.
The show will also feature the musical talents of Jeremy Devlin-Thorp, an MSc Music Therapy student from QMU.
Audience members are invited to bring along a picnic before seeing the shows and light refreshments will be made available.
An open dress rehearsal on the morning of Tuesday 6th June will welcome children from local Musselburgh schools at a free performance and accompanying workshop.
The shows will be performed whatever the weather so audiences should come prepared.
Performance Times
Preview: Queen Margaret University, Tuesday 6th June 2017, 7pm
Evenings: Dunbar’s Close Gardens, Wednesday 7th – Saturday 10th June 2017, 7pm
Matinee: Dunbar’s Close Gardens, Saturday 10th June 2017, 2pm
Duration: 2 hours (+15 minute interval)
Tickets: Available from Eventbrite at £10 per person (£5 for concessions)
Queen Margaret University, Musselburgh, Tuesday 6th June
https://ayli-qmu.eventbrite.co.uk
Dunbar’s Close Garden, Royal Mile, Edinburgh – Wednesday 7th – 10th June
https://asyoulikeitedinburgh.eventbrite.co.uk
An international arts management education conference will be staged in Scotland for the first time in its 36 year history this summer.
The Association of Arts Administration Educators (AAAE) Annual Conference will take place at Queen Margaret University (QMU), Edinburgh, from 31st May until 2nd June.
Over 120 arts management experts from the USA, Canada, Europe, China, Singapore, Hong Kong, Colombia and across the UK will come together for the first time in the Scottish capital to discuss the latest research, policy and practice in arts and cultural management education, as well as address the future of the industry.
The theme of this year’s conference is New Places, Spaces, and Faces: Exploring Possibilities and Crossing Borders.
Keynote speakers will be Shona McCarthy, CEO of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society; and JP Singh, Director of the University of Edinburgh’s Institute for International Cultural Relations. Featured speakers will include Lynne Halfpenny, Director of Culture for City of Edinburgh Council and QMU graduate; and Lindsay Robertson, Service Manager – Arts, Festivals, and Events for City of Edinburgh Council.
Cultural activities and workshops will take place across the Capital, including an exclusive pre-conference Festivals Workshop delivered by Festivals Edinburgh, an opening reception at Dovecot Studios, and special site visits to Summerhall, Stills Photography Studio, the Festival and King’s Theatres, Creative Scotland and The Hub.
QMU was chosen as the host venue for this landmark event due to its widely recognised expertise in creativity and culture, including its internationally popular postgraduate programme, MA Arts, Festival and Cultural Management.
Dr David Stevenson, Head of Division for Media, Communication and Performing Arts at QMU, and programme leader for MA Arts, Festival and Cultural Management, said: “We’re extremely proud to have been selected to host this landmark cultural management event in the UK for the first time.
“We hope that the conference will establish an ongoing conversation among thought leaders and leading networks in cultural arts management education and related fields, as well as reinforce QMU’s international reputation for expertise in creativity and culture.
“The conference will also help to strengthen and build the University’s links with a variety of arts sector partners around the world.”
QMU is currently working in partnership with Arts Council Malta to influence the future of the cultural sector in Malta as its capital city, Valletta, prepares to become European Capital of Culture in 2018. QMU’s Dr Stevenson recently visited Malta to deliver a programme of training with a diverse range of cultural organisations, including the Valletta Film Festival; BLITZ: a contemporary art project space; and Opening Doors, an arts association that promotes the active involvement of adults with learning disabilities in the arts. All of the organisations involved were part of Art Council Malta’s Cultural Partnership Agreement, which is part of its five-year training strategy focusing on partnerships with a number of national and international organisations.
Katy Coy, Executive Director of AAAE, said: “We’re thrilled to be in Edinburgh, a world renowned cultural hub, for this year’s conference.
“As the arts and cultural management field internationalises, it’s critical to cross borders and create opportunities for connection and exchange, as the theme of our conference suggests. We’re delighted to partner with QMU to provide an exceptional opportunity for our members and colleagues to do just that with this event.”
For more information on the AAAE Annual Conference at QMU and to book tickets, visit: http://conference.artsadministration.org
People in Edinburgh and East Lothian are invited to get an insight into the work of Queen Margaret University (QMU) by taking part in its Community Forum.
QMU will host its Community Forum at its Musselburgh campus in East Lothian on Tuesday 30th May at 6.30pm.
Local people will have the opportunity to ask questions about the University and how it is working with the community. Speakers at the event will include Dr Jane Culpan, Senior Lecturer on the BSc (Hons) Physical Activity, Wellbeing and Health, who will be discussing her course and how it links with the community.
The QMU Community Forum brings together university staff, local residents, businesses, organisations, schools and council representatives twice a year to discuss university and local community issues.
Jane Scott, Director of Marketing & Communications at QMU, said: “The QMU Community Forum is designed to create a link between local people in and around East Lothian, Edinburgh and the University. The popular event attracts a variety of interest from local residents, councillors and representatives from community groups.
“We look forward to welcoming a wide range of local people to our next Community Forum on 30 th May, when they will have the chance to find out about the fascinating work of the Queen Margaret Children’s University and about various outreach and learning initiatives taking place with the local area.”
QMU is open to the local community throughout the year, providing a range of public facilities, including learning resources, gym and sports centre, café, restaurant and grounds for leisure activities and dog-walking.
For more information and to register for the QMU Community Forum, contact Lynne Russell, Communications Manager, QMU, T: 0131 474 0000, E: lrussell@qmu.ac.uk
Queen Margaret University (QMU), Edinburgh, has become a Cycle Friendly Campus, gaining the Cycle Friendly Award, with distinction, from Cycling Scotland.
Staff and students at QMU are celebrating receiving the top Cycle Friendly Campus Award, with distinction from Cycling Scotland in recognition of their commitment to getting more staff and students cycling.
The award, which is delivered with funding from Transport Scotland, recognises the efforts of Scotland’s colleges and universities that promote cycling as an accessible and convenient travel choice, was presented to Tom Kemsley, Sustainability Support Officer at QMU, by Cycling Scotland’s Paul Wright, in recognition of the outstanding level of commitment the University has shown to encourage cycling to, from and around it’s Musselburgh campus.
The University implemented a range of measures including reinvesting income from campus parking charges to support active travel. Other measures include secure cycle parking, cycle maintenance areas, changing facilities, term-time bike hire, cycle training and led cycle rides. The current rate of cycling is 8%.
Commenting on the Cycle Friendly Campus Award for QMU, Tom Kemsley, Sustainability Support Officer, said: “We’re really proud to have been recognised for this award, with distinction, by Cycling Scotland for our ongoing commitment to encouraging more and more staff and students to cycle to, from and around the QMU campus.
“We’ve made great progress continuing to expand the bike hire scheme at QMU over the past year and engaging with the cycling community through regular campus events, as well as via our dedicated Cycle Connections social media channels on Facebook and Twitter. Our long-standing cycling community at QMU have also made a big contribution to helping us recruit new members and creating a self-sufficient cycling community on campus.
“Located on the National Cycle Route, travelling by bike is an easy way to travel to QMU, whilst keeping fit at the same time. The University regularly arranges ‘Dr Bike’ mobile mechanic sessions to service bikes cycled in on the day, including minor on the spot repairs minor and a bike MOT, which are proving very popular amongst students and staff.”
The Cycle Friendly Campus Award is run by Cycling Scotland with funding from Transport Scotland and recognises exemplar projects from Scotland’s college and university campuses where cycling is a real and accessible part of campus life. Campuses can register to become a Cycle Friendly Campus online at www.cycling.scot
The new sport of RaceRunning for people with severe mobility difficulties will be the topic of a research seminar held at Queen Margaret University (QMU) on Saturday 27th May 2017.
QMU has teamed up with the Cerebral Palsy International Sports and Recreation Association (CPISRA) and researchers at Edinburgh University to stage its first ever public RaceRunning seminar.
The special event will be introduced by Danish Paralympic gold medallist and inventor of the Running Bike, Connie Hansen. A Running Bike is a three wheeled bike with no pedals that supports you as you walk or run. The bike allows people with even the most severe balance difficulties and who are unable to walk, to propel themselves independently.
From 10am until 3pm, physiotherapists, students, athletes and their families , researchers, and representatives of local leisure and sports clubs from across Scotland and beyond will come together on the university campus to find our more about this exciting new sport and its associated research.
Topics of discussion and debate in the morning will include physiotherapists’ and athletes’ perspectives of the sport, how to set up a RaceRunning group, and in the afternoon RaceRunning research, including studies focusing on the sport to be included in future Paralympic games.
Dr Marietta van der Linden from the Centre for Health, Activity and Rehabilitation Research at QMU and organiser of the RaceRunning seminar, said: “We’re really pleased to be working in partnership with CPISRA and Edinburgh University to raise awareness of RaceRunning and its related research at this special event. ”
“We hope to welcome a variety of physiotherapy professionals and students, as well as people from the sports world, researchers and all others interested in the development of RaceRunning in Scotland.”
“At QMU, we aim to generate research and knowledge exchange activity that enhances the quality of life of people living with long-term health conditions.. Our research, conducted with partners in the healthcare, community and commercial sectors, aims to support the development of enhanced professional practice and policy.”
Dr van der Linden has carried out research into the walking characteristics of children with Cerebral Palsy. At QMU, she has led research related to interventions aimed at improving physical function of people with Multiple Sclerosis and Cerebral Palsy through assistive technology and exercise.
The RaceRunning seminar is free, but people should register online at Eventbrite: www.eventbrite.com/e/racerunning-seminar-tickets-5932001777 or email Dr Marietta van der Linden at QMU, E: MVanDerLinden@qmu.ac.uk
For more information on RaceRunning, visit: www.racerunning.org
For more information on the Cerebral Palsy International Sports and Recreation Association (CPISRA), visit: http://cpisra.org
Staff and students from Queen Margaret University plan to raise awareness of dementia by organising a picnic in the grounds of QMU during Dementia Awareness Week 2017. The activity, run by QMU’s Dementia Friendly Working Group, aims to raise funds for Alzheimer’s Scotland and the QMU Dementia Group.
The word ‘Dementia’ describes a set of symptoms that may include memory loss and difficulties with thinking, problem-solving or language. These changes are often small to start with, but for someone with dementia they have become severe enough to affect daily life. A person with dementia may also experience changes in their mood or behaviour.
According to 2016 figures, approximately 1100 people in East Lothian are registered as having a diagnosis of dementia. The condition is on the rise, with the number of people affected projected to rise substantially over the next twenty years.
This year, the theme of Dementia Awareness Week is ‘making friends’, so the QMU organising team felt it would be fitting to create an event where participants can have fun and socialise with new people. All funds from the event will be used to support dementia care in Musselburgh.
Professor Jan Dewing, lead of QMU’s Dementia Friendly Working Group, explained: “We are delighted that community groups will be joining us at the fun event in the lovely grounds of the QMU campus. The Dementia picnic is a great way to emphasise the importance of social inclusion, making friends and having fun in relation to our mental well-being. People with dementia, and those who care for them, need that as much as everyone else.”
Karen Rennie, a fourth year nursing student at QMU, said: “The QMU Dementia Friendly Working Group aims to bring students, staff and members of the community together to increase awareness about dementia. Having a picnic is a perfect way to achieve this and most importantly, to have some fun!”
Another fourth year nursing student, Jenny Kirkwood, explained: “I joined the dementia working group not knowing much about dementia, how it affects different people and what can be done to help people living with dementia. Having learnt what big a difference simple changes can make to lives of those living with dementia, I am keen to share this knowledge and awareness with others, and what better way to do this than a picnic!”
Hazel Johnson, Alzheimer’s Scotland Dementia Advisor, confirmed: “I’m very happy to offer this wonderful opportunity for people with dementia and their carers to have a picnic and make friends. People can also be involved in helping to re-design the QMU pathway to be more dementia friendly.”
The Dementia picnic will take place in the QMU grounds on Monday 22 May from 11am – 3pm. People must bring their own picnic lunch – and should bring something to sit on! Awareness raising about dementia and some fun activities will be taking place during the picnic. Everyone is welcome and free parking will be available that day in the QMU car park.
An Edinburgh-based food company has its sights set on healthy growth after extending its research and development capability via a partnership with a Scottish university.
Gluten-free food specialist, Genius Foods, has entered into a partnership with the Scottish Centre for Food Development and Innovation at Queen Margaret University (QMU), where its team is now operating from a specialist new food science laboratory.
With a strong research background in supporting the development of Scotland’s food and drink businesses, Genius Foods identified QMU as the academic partner with the most suitable facilities for developing its own recipes and product range.
Food scientists at QMU have provided expert training to the Genius Foods team on ways to measure the texture, colour and flow properties of its products using specialist equipment.
Genius Foods will also have access to the Centre’s fully-equipped sensory suite facility, which allows experts to measure people’s perceptions of food and drink products’ attributes, including appearance, aroma, texture, flavour and after taste.
QMU’s team of food innovation experts regularly provide its clients with consumer focus groups, taste panels, nutritional analysis and shelf-life testing.
Dr Julien Lonchamp from QMU’s Scottish Centre for Food Development and Innovation, said: “We’re very pleased to be providing specialist research and development facilities and training for Genius Foods. The specific combination of sensory and analytical facilities that we offer at QMU was previously unavailable elsewhere in Scotland, so research work was often sent to England or Northern Ireland instead.
“Through practical innovation support and creative business solutions, QMU is continuing to help leading food and drink businesses, like Genius Foods, with new and innovative product development.”
Lucinda Bruce-Gardyne, Founder of Genius, added: “The partnership with Queen Margaret University demonstrates our ongoing commitment to producing market-leading gluten free bakery products. While an element of our R&D will remain in-house, we are working in partnership with the Scottish Centre for Food Development and Innovation, which will enable us to have an even deeper understanding of the behaviour of our core ingredients. We look forward to working with QMU to take our recipes and product range to the next level.”
The Scottish Centre for Food Development & Innovation is enhancing Scotland’s position as a leader in food and drink innovation in Europe and supporting access to the global market for healthy and functional food. Facilities include a dedicated chemistry laboratory and a technology room for industry to test new technology.
For more information about the Scottish Centre for Food Development & Innovation and how it can benefit your business, contact Miriam Smith, Business Development Manager at QMU on 0131 474 0000 or email MSmith3@qmu.ac.uk or visit
www.qmu.ac.uk/research_knowledge/scottish-centre-for-food-development-and-innovation.aspx
For more information on Genius Foods, visit www.geniusglutenfree.com
Queen Margaret University’s annual Costume Showcase is to take centre stage at one of Edinburgh’s most distinguished and unusual arts settings – the Dissection Room at Summerhall, Edinburgh.
For one day only, a stunning array of performance costumes will be central to the University’s theatrical runway show which celebrates work created by QMU’s Costume Design & Construction students.
Join us on May 19th for the main theatrical showcase event which is accompanied by exhibitions displaying work from across the BA (Hons) Costume Design & Construction programme.
2017’s event will exhibit an eclectic mix of designs developed for characters across the spectrum of the world of performing arts and the audience can expect to be dazzled by an amazing array of styles!
Party on down to the Día de los Muertos graveyard celebrations with Frida Kahlo and her band of skeleton revellers. Be entertained by The Great Lafayette and his troupe of artistes featuring Miss Marie Lloyd and many more in our grand finale tribute to turn of the century British Variety Theatre.
Red Riding Hood and her friends from the Howden Park Pantomime (Livingston) will join in the fun alongside characters designed to appear in productions created by the QMU/Napier Joint BA (Hons) Acting For Stage and Screen. These include Lady Bracknell, Gwendolyn and Cecily from Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest and The Angel of Death as seen in Tony Kushner’s Angels in America.
QMU’s Costume Design and Construction students will also show their individual projects: an exquisite romantic ballet tutu and a filigree 19 h century fancy dress share the stage with Mary Queen of Scots and the Marquise de Merteil (Dangerous Liaisons), Mack the Knife and Polly Peachum from The Beggar’s Opera will swagger across the stage in 12 different interpretations.
The live show will be paired with a fascinating exhibition of the practical craft – the design, stitching and styling that lie behind the characters appearing on the stage. Guests are invited to meet the students and see, close up, some of the costumes from the show. Also launching this year, at the heart of the exhibition, will be the individual ‘Grad Show’ – presentations of work by our nine graduating fourth year students who are preparing to enter the industry.
Sarah Paulley, Lecturer in Costume Design and Construction at Queen Margaret University, said: “We are proud of our students’ talent and skill in creating memorable costumes and look forward to showcasing their work, this year at Summerhall. We are also pleased that our Grad Show forms our contribution to QMU’s wider ‘Platform 4’ event.”
Dr Richard Butt, Deputy Principal of Queen Margaret University, explained: “For the first time, we have created a larger scale event ‘Platform 4’ which showcases the work of students from across our creative industries courses in Costume Design and Construction, Drama and Performance, Film & Media , and Art and Music therapy. Not only will we have our much loved Costume Showcase, audiences can expect photography, art work, ensemble performances, new writing, contemporary solo and duo pieces as well as community pieces, all of which celebrate the best creative work of our graduating students.”
Costume Showcase 2017 – 19th May only – matinee performance 3pm, evening performance starts at 7pm followed by the exhibition which will remain open until 9pm.
Costume Showcase tickets: £13 (£10 student/concessions) at Eventbrite.
Platform 4 FREE Exhibitions and Performances – Thursday 18th May open 12pm – 5pm and Friday 19th May open 12pm – 9pm.
Location: Summerhall, Summerhall Place, Edinburgh, EH9 1PL
