The stars have come out in force to help celebrate the 80th birthday of one of Fife’s most famous venues.
The Carnegie Hall in Dunfermline will celebrate its oak anniversary on Friday October 6 and ONFife – Fife’s Cultural Trust – plans to ring in the occasion with two weeks of family-based entertainment.
The Trust also wants to to mark the milestone by finding Dunfermline folk who were born in 1937 to invite them as VIPs to the opening of a special exhibit on day.
Musical stars including The Proclaimers, KT Tunstall, Nazareth, The Searchers and Curtis Stigers have sent in messages to ONFife to offer their congratulations.
“It’s better than the other Carnegie Hall,” said multi-platinum American musician Stigers, who sold the venue out as part of Fife Jazz Festival earlier this year.
“It sounds better. It’s cuter. And it’s in Fife – how can you go wrong?" High praise from @CurtisStigers on #CarnegieHall80th
Cheers pal! pic.twitter.com/IZqysenfer— ON at Fife Theatres (@onfife) September 20, 2017
“It sounds better. It’s cuter. And it’s in Fife – how can you go wrong? I look forward to playing it again.”
?Dunfermline's own classic rock godfathers Nazareth popped in to give #CarnegieHall80th an early blessing ahead of her big day on 6th Oct ? pic.twitter.com/z88oDSSUkj
— ON at Fife Theatres (@onfife) September 21, 2017
Aww shucks, the legendary Searchers are making us blush. Come and celebrate with us at #CarnegieHall80th from 6 Oct https://t.co/zu8IBWnzay pic.twitter.com/BOn3sQ3rAH
— ON at Fife Theatres (@onfife) September 19, 2017
A big salute to @KTTunstall for this wee birthday message to mark #CarnegieHall80th. Festivities kick off on 6 Oct: https://t.co/n66UuBGRfK pic.twitter.com/8ulZEbN4FV
— ON at Fife Theatres (@onfife) September 22, 2017
A free 80 Moments in Time exhibition is to be launched on October 6 which will show off a collection of memorabilia from Fife Cultural Trust’s archives service, harking back to some of the glorious moments the venue’s patrons have enjoyed over the years.
Provost of Fife Jim Leishman, who himself made his stage debut in a production of Guys and Dolls, will be in attendance to cut the ribbon, while local people born in 1937 can calling ONFife on 01592 583255 or e-mail press@onfife.com for details.
To celebrate #CarnegieHall80th, we'd love to hear about Fifers who were born the same year the venue opened. Even the day itself! 6 Oct 1937 pic.twitter.com/wCqhtagpFI
— ON at Fife Theatres (@onfife) September 20, 2017
On the evening of October 6, the venue will conjure the spirit of 1937 with music of the period and a red carpet screening of Oscar and BAFTA winning film The Kings Speech for the public.
The following day, Andrew Carnegie expert Sharron McColl will explore the compelling story of the venue’s namesake with a talk on the philanthropist’s connections in ‘From One Carnegie Hall to Another’.
Coinciding with the school holidays, a free family film day will also take place on October 7, with a ceilidh celebration in the evening.
On October 14, Carnegie Hall will show a screening of Laurel and Hardy’s 1937 film Way Out West and there will be four free movie afternoons on October 10, 12, 17 and 19.
A limited number of building tours will also be on offer on Saturday October 7 and 14.
A gem in the heart of Dunfermline
Carnegie Hall is a 1930s art deco theatre designed by local architect Thomas Rutherford.
It was named in honour of industrialist, businessman and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie.
It was commissioned in the early 20th century to provide Dunfermline with a public hall for the arts and was the second Carnegie Hall, after one in Carnegie’s adopted home of New York.
A myriad of performers have graced the venue’s stage including Billy Connolly, Ewan McGregor, Deacon Blue, Barbara Dickson and Lloyd Cole.
