Location:   Falkirk
Venue:   Callendar Park
Dates: 02 May 2009 to 03 May 2009

Big in Falkirk, Scotland's National Street Arts Festival was back for its 10th year on Saturday 2 and Sunday 3 May 2009.

Big in Falkirk 2009 ran from 12pm to 11pm on both days, providing a whole host on entertainment throughout the day.

Since its inception in 2000, this award-winning, FREE weekend extravaganza has become one of the largest cultural events in Scotland, attracting over 100,000 people. Located in Falkirk’s stunning 180-acre Callendar Park, the cutting-edge entertainment features a wide variety of spectacular outdoor theatre, pyrotechnic displays, art, comedy and big name music acts alongside activities for all ages.

Big in Falkirk showcases the finest, most original outdoor contemporary theatre, whilst also working closely with the best artists in their field and nurturing creativity. Previous festivals have included world premieres such as Walk the Plank’s magical Swan Song. UK premieres have included Groupe F (the company responsible for illuminating the Eiffel Tower during the millennium celebrations), Compagnie Jo Bithume, Plasticiens Volants and Teatre Osmego D’nia.

Alongside this, Big in Falkirk presents some of the most popular names in music having previously welcomed Snow Patrol, The Stranglers, Deacon Blue, Bob Geldof and Midge Ure to the music stage. The festival has also managed to secure acts just before they hit the big time, with McFly, Orson and Sandi Thom celebrating Number One singles during or immediately after rocking Big in Falkirk.

Location: Falkirk
Venue: Callendar Park
Dates: 03 May 2008 to 04 May 2008

Big in Falkirk celebrated its 9th year with the strongest programme to date, enjoyed by over 100,000 in Callendar Park on Saturday 3 and Sunday 4 May.

Despite the threat of showers, both days saw sunshine which resulted in large numbers throughout the entire site. Nutkhut's vibrant Bollywood Steps, performed on custom-built steps leading up to the back of Callendar House, received rapturous applause with its sexy take on the Bollywood films courtesy of spectacular dance routines including the infamous wet-sari scene. The World Premiere of The World Famous' Full Circle closed the Festival in style with four stunning lakeside pods in which cult Slovenian band Terrafolk performed, accompanied by dazzling fireworks and special-effects.

Scotland's National Street Theatre Festival presented over 100 free performances across two days. France's anarchic Cacahuète drew gasps of delight and surprise with Mama's Funeral and Rock Stars. Mama's Funeral, a no-holds barred black comedy in which audience members follow a funeral procession throughout Callendar Park, finished with the coffin ending up in a swan-shaped pedalo on the lake.

On the Music Stage, on Saturday, The Complete Stone Roses attracted a large crowd, sending them back to the height of Madchester with their sing-along anthems before the Levellers performed a flawless set with a lengthy encore to an enthusiastic audience. Earlier in the day, winners of Making It Hungry Ghosts won a legion of new fans with their exciting rock sound. On Sunday, the Stage played host to a similarly diverse line-up which included The Hazey Janes, Day of Days and Peatbog Faeries before the legendary 10cc closed it with a string of hits including Rubber Bullets and I'm Not in Love.

Neil Butler, Artistic Director of Big in Falkirk and UZ Events said: "It's great to see local talent making such an impact on the Festival, as proved with the outstanding collaboration between Poorboy and Falkirk Children's & Youth Theatre on Changelings, Ross Fairweather shining on the Music Stage and the emergence of Big in Falkirk's new streetband project, Fiesta Fusion delighting audiences in the Secret Garden."

Neil Butler continued "once again, Big in Falkirk has shown its importance as a commissioning festival with Full Circle already having been invited to perform at festivals throughout Europe. Whilst our ability to predict future stars was reiterated with Soft Toy Emergency's fantastic set on the Music Stage."

Maureen Campbell from Falkirk Council said: "the programme this year exceeded all expectations and was warmly welcomed by all those attending. It was great to see the international programme, particularly the new commissions which worked so well in the fantastic setting of Callendar Park. The local performances were especially memorable and the Music Stage was superb – including the Peatbog Faeries who warmed Falkirk up for the National Mod to be held later this year."

Big in Falkirk will celebrate its 10th anniversary in 2009 so we hope to see you there!

www.biginfalkirk.com

Location:   Falkirk
Venue:   Callendar Park
Dates: 05 May 2007 to 06 May 2007

Big in Falkirk enjoyed record crowds on Saturday as tens of thousands flocked to Callendar Park to enjoy its acclaimed outdoor theatre and music programme.

France's La Compagnie Jo Bithume's UK Premiere of Victor Frankenstein enthralled with its visually stunning, multimedia take on the classic tale of Frankenstein and his creation. La Banda Europa's Before the Wolf saw Jim Sutherland's composition staged throughout the park before culminating in the spectacular lakeside finale on the Sunday, accompanied by fireworks. Meanwhile, the wide selection of highly original street theatre performances on offer amused and engaged all ages.

On Saturday, electro-pop legends The Human League delighted with a set including several of their biggest hits such as Don't You Want Me, Mirror Man and Love Action. The Real Radio Music Stage on the Saturday also featured several emerging talents with Popup, Mach 5 and winners of Big in Falkirk's new music competition Making It, Dance Lazarus Dance receiving rapturous applause.

Despite showers on the Sunday, many thousands turned out to enjoy the festivities. On the Music Stage, synth-pop pioneers Heaven 17 closed proceedings whilst Jamaican ska and reggae outfit The Skatalites brought out the sunshine and had the crowd dancing along.

Speaking about the weekend, Falkirk Council's Director of Community Services Maureen Campbell said: "I am delighted with the local support for this year's event, and the large number of visitors from Scotland and further afield. As always, the standard of the artists on display was exceptionally high."

Big in Falkirk's Artistic Director Neil Butler said: "Saturday represented the best Big in Falkirk. Over 400 musicians from over 24 different countries played to a record breaking crowd. We are delighted with the critically-acclaimed for the shows from Jo Bithume and the Scottish Premiere of Falkirk commission Before the Wolf. I am looking forward to Big in Falkirk continuing to stage major premieres and commissioning works to be toured internationally."

For further details email info@biginfalkirk.com

Before the Wolf is an IN SITU show (UZ Events, representative in UK). European network for artistic creation in public areas, IN SITU has been financed with the support of the European Commission (Culture 2000 programme).

Location:   Falkirk
Venue:   Callendar Park
Dates: 29 April 2006 to 30 April 2006

Big in Falkirk, Scotland’s National Street Arts Festival, proved a massive hit this weekend as crowds in excess of 100,000 people flocked to Callendar Park, Falkirk for the two-day Festival. With spectacular outdoor theatre, international street theatre, live music and arts, the packed programme of events ensured a lively weekend for all.

The street theatre programme included a number of exciting new commissions, Montague Place by Mischief La Bas was a real crowd pleaser while Swan Song by Walk the Plank was a spectacular end to a Saturday’s programme. But Get Lost by Dot Comedy was the highlight for many and looks sure to tour many festivals after its successful debut in Falkirk.

The crowd enjoyed an excellent combination of music, from well-known favourites like The Beat and Neville Staple, to new and home-grown talent but saved their loudest cheer for Scottish favourite Midge Ure. Chart-toppers Orson were a big hit too and belted out their biggest hit No Tomorrow with backing vocals provided by the audience.

Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport Patricia Ferguson said: “Over the past seven years, Big in Falkirk has flourished, quickly establishing itself as one of the most important cultural events in Scotland. It plays an important role in strengthening Scotland's reputation as a must visit, must return destination for international visitors.

Location:   Callendar Park
Venue:   Falkirk
Dates: 30 April 2005 to 01 May 2005

Big in Falkirk, Scotland’s National Street Arts Festival, was a resounding success attracting record audiences in excess of 100,000 to Callendar Park on the 30th April and 1st May.

“Big in Falkirk has evloved into one of the most dynamic and popular arts festivals in Scotland… Spread over two days, 2005’s line-up is arguably the most impressive and eclectic to date, with world premieres and new commissions topping the bill” Scotland on Sunday.

Producers travelled from across Europe to see the program of world class theatre and cutting edge entertainment. One of the key highlights was the sight of a massive flock of birds floating into the night sky over Calendar House as Plasticiens Volants performed to delight an audience of thousands. And what a finale to the festival with a mesmerising “War of the Worlds” pyrotechnic display from Fantastic Fireworks.

Location:   Falkirk
Venue:   Callendar Park
Dates: 01 May 2004 to 02 May 2004

Big in Falkirk celebrated its fifth birthday this year on the 1st and 2nd of May. Audiences in excess of 100,000 flocked to Callendar Park for a programme packed wth events - all in the blistering sunshine.

The Sun Parade, developed in Sri Lanka and featuring Runga Rung, kicked off the event in style. Also included in the programme was Mischief La Bas’ extraordinary Painful Creatures which was on the first stage of a European Tour. Featured artists, the prolific Dot Comedy kept audiences highly entertained with their hilarious, anachic and disorientating shows that appeared throughout the festival and Walk The Plank's Tower of Light was a magical end to a wonderful weekend of events.

A major attraction at this year's festival was The Real Radio / Scottish Sun music stage which saw the likes of McFly, V, Mark Owen, Deacon Blue & Speedway all play out to massive audiences. Ricky Ross said “I enjoy performing these days more than I ever did before – especially when you play to such a huge crowd like at Big in Falkirk”.

Location:   Falkirk
Venue:   Callendar Park
Dates: 03 May 2003 to 04 May 2003

Big In Falkirk, Scotland’s National Street Arts Festival was back for a fourth year this year, taking place on the 3rd & 4th of May. The event saw an audience of 70,000 flock to Callendar Park for a weekend of spectacular outdoor theatre, international street arts, live music, comedy, children’s entertainment and much more.
Significant Scottish Arts Council Lottery funding realised Falkirk’s most ambitious programme to date with new work from some of the UK’s most renowned companies in their field. Commissions from Mischief La Bas, Ginny Farman, Surreal McCoy and the World Famous, a World Premiere from Boilerhouse and a co-commission from IOU all made Big In Falkirk the place to see new outdoor theatre this year.

A new partnership for Big In Falkirk this year with Real Radio proved to be a huge success, The Real Radio Sponsored Music Stage attracted large audiences with a line up that included The Stranglers, Mis-teeq, Malachi and The Cheeky Girls.

“Over the past four years Big has proved that even those with little or no working knowledge of theatre can enjoy the arts in all forms – from comedy to tragedy, surrealism to avant-garde… and that is what it is all about – having Big fun and enjoying every sight and sound of the event” Alison Jack, Falkirk Herald 8 May 2003

“The most memorable festival to date” Maureen Campbell, Falkirk Council.

Location:   Falkirk
Venue:   Callendar Park and beacon venues
Dates: 26 May 2000 to 03 June 2002

Big in Falkirk is Scotland's National Street Arts Festival. Now three years old, the festival has attracted a combined audience of over 263,000 to enjoy an international programme of outdoor performance, music and spectacle.

BACKGROUND
Early in 2000, UZ Events was commissioned by Falkirk Council to look at the feasibility of creating a dynamic and accessible millennium event to be located in Callendar Park, Falkirk. The event was to have the potential to become established as a key occurrence in Falkirk Council’s Recreation and Entertainment programme. The feasibility recommended an initial three-year commitment by the Council and other partners to create a festival that functioned as an economic engine through the attraction of visitors to the area. In addition, by its third year it was to act as an international platform for Street Arts. The event proposed was ‘Big in Falkirk: Scotland’s National Street Arts Festival’ .

EVENT
Since its inception in May 2000, Scotland's National Street Arts Festival has delivered an eclectic programme of outdoor performance and international street theatre in Falkirk. After the success of year one of the event, long term commitment from the principal players was agreed thereby securing the confidence of partners, operators and funders to lead a robust and substantial event. In its second year, Scotland’s National Street Arts Festival secured ERDF funding and fulfilled its aim to become an international commissioning festival working with festival-partners in Britain and Europe. Big in Falkirk has now completed its third successful year, with a strategic plan in place to further develop the festival through to 2006. Due to the popularity of the event and to celebrate the Queens Golden Jubilee, the entertainment was extended to a 10-day programme of exciting street theatre, performance and music running from 25th May – 3rd June. This year’s event took in new spaces, including the site of Scotland’s newest tourist attraction, the awe-inspiring Falkirk Wheel.

CLIENTS
Falkirk Council, BBC Music Live.

SPONSORS:
BP Grangemouth, British Waterways Scotland, BBC Radio One, Central FM, Falkirk Herald. BBC Music Live