Dundee To Be Transformed Into ‘Beanotown’ As New City Festival Is Announced
Dundee is getting transformed this summer as the Dundee Summer (Bash) Streets Festival is set to take place this summer.
Whilst Dundee has long been known as the city of Discovery, this summer it’s set to celebrate its status as the undisputed home of comics with the Dundee Summer (Bash) Streets Festival, which will take place from July 14th-24th.
For the duration of the festival, Dundee will become ‘Beanotown’ as the much-loved characters and stories will take over the streets of the city for an extravaganza of stories. The programme is supported by EventScotland as part of Scotland’s Year of Stories 2022, a year-long celebration which will spotlight, celebrate, and promote the wealth of stories inspired by, written, or created in Scotland.
Designed to appeal to locals and visitors alike, the packed programme features events, talks, exhibitions, screenings, trails, workshops, and performances across the city centre.
The Dennis and Gnash Dash family fun run will invite participants to dress in red and black in homage to our ‘favourite menace’ and a ‘pop up’ history of comics will tell the rich story of Dundee’s comic creating past and present.
A Blamazing Beanotown Trail Map, specially designed by Beano, will guide festivalgoers around key Dundee places associated with the famous comic characters, and an exhibition inside DC Thomson’s HQ will give visitors a rare chance to see original artwork from one of the world’s most recognisable comics.
Free outdoor performances will take over City Square across both weekends, and a character parade will see participants dress up in their favourite comic book costumes.
In addition to the family-friendly activities on offer, there will be a host of workshops and talks for those interested in behind the scenes of comics. The Comicopolis talk will see Professor Christopher Murray delve into Dundee’s comic heritage and history, whilst LACD libraries will host how to draw comics sessions for 8–14-year-olds. A professional development panel is planned with Creative Scotland and others advising on the business of creating comics, and the UNESCO City of Design Dundee team will host a representation in comics event.
Meanwhile festival partners across the city will be adding to the programme with their own family friendly activities in McManus and V&A Dundee, and a fun zine event in DCA.
Programme of events
Thursday 14 July
- Comic Workshop — Central Library
Friday 15 July
- Comicsopolis Lecture — Tower Building, the University of Dundee
Saturday 16 July
- The Swings (theatre show) — City Square
- Dennis and Gnash Dash — City Square
- Mini-golf — City Square
- Activity tent — City Square
- Rule Breakers — V&A Dundee
- Mini McManus ‘Beanotown Crafts’ — McManus Galleries
Sunday 17 July
- The Swings (theatre show) — City Square
- Dennis and Gnash Dash — City Square
- Mini-golf — City Square
- Activity tent — City Square
- Rule Breakers — V&A Dundee
Tuesday 19 July
- The Business of Comic Writing (lecture) — University of Dundee
- Comic Workshop — Coldside Library
- How To Get Published (lecture) — University of Dundee
Wednesday 20 July
- Comic Workshop — Broughty Ferry Library
- Comic Workshop — Blackness Library
Thursday 21 July
- Marble Awareness Roadshow — City Square
- Activity tent — City Square
Friday 22 July
- Marble Awareness Roadshow — City Square
- Activity tent — City Square
Saturday 23 July
- Marble Awareness Roadshow — City Square
- Live Street performance — City Centre
- Comics Character Parade — City Centre
- Activity tent — City Square
- Reform Street takeover — Reform Street
- Mini McManus ‘Beanotown Crafts’ — McManus Galleries
Sunday 24 July
- Marble Awareness Roadshow — City Square
- Live Street performance — City Centre
- Marvellous Marble World Record Attempt — City Square
- Activity tent — City Square
- Reform Street takeover — Reform Street
- Zine Event — Dundee Contemporary Arts
‘Storytelling is in Dundee’s blood’
Culture Minister Neil Gray said: “Dundee has a well-deserved reputation for producing comics that have enriched the childhoods of generations of people around the world.
Characters from the stories and their mischievous antics have also inspired many writers and illustrators over the years.
The festival is a welcome addition to our Year of Stories and I looking forward to finding out more about the history of these entertaining comics.”
A spokesperson for Dundee City Council said: “We are delighted to be presenting what is going to be a special event for the city and beyond.
“Storytelling is in our blood and being able to share with readers, visitors and local people will be one of the highlights of the summer.
Organisers, Dundee City Council have been working closely with Beano Studios, DC Thomson, and the University of Dundee to look out all the best from the city’s comics archives and create a festival filled with free comics fun. More details and a full programme of events is available at https://www.dundee.com/dundee-summer-bash-streets-festival-2022
