Welcome to the Galloway Music Festival 10-15 March 2025

The syllabus has been chosen by a group of local musicians and includes classes for a wide variety of skills.  Our  name, the Galloway Music Festival, illustrates the main area from which entries are received.

We greatly value the continued commitment of the Local Education Department and our other contributors.  Each year the committee needs to seek substantial funding from sponsorship or grants to cover the cost of the Festival, as our aim is to continue improving the status of the Festival and to encourage more participants.

Members of the public are most welcome to attend all events during the festival, both daytime and evening sessions;  admission to all events except the Festival Concert is FREE.  

This year the Festival Concert will be held in the Cinema, Newton Stewart, on Saturday 15th March 2025 at 2pm.  Tickets are £5.  Admission for school children of any age and all performers is free.

After meeting with newly elected U.S. President Thaddeus Ross, Sam finds himself in the middle of an international incident. He must discover the reason behind a nefarious global plot before the true mastermind has the entire world seeing red.

Mickey Barnes, an “expendable” employee, is sent on a human expedition to colonize the ice world Niflheim. After one iteration dies, a new body is regenerated with most of his memories intact. With one regeneration, though, things go very wrong.

Starring Robert Pttinson, Naomi Ackie, Mark Ruffalo and Toni Collette

Dr. Strangelove co-adapted by Armando Iannucci,

co-adapted and directed by Sean Foley

Seven-time BAFTA Award-winner Steve Coogan plays four roles in the world premiere stage adaptation of Stanley Kubrick’s comedy masterpiece Dr. Strangelove. This explosively funny satire, about a rogue U.S General who triggers a nuclear attack, is led by a world-renowned creative team including Emmy Award-winner Armando Iannucci and Olivier Award-winner Sean Foley.

In this scintillating spy comedy, a husband and wife, both secret agents, are tasked with tracking down a mole. But neither know they themselves are the suspects. Michael Fassbinder and Cate Blanchett are the couple investigating each other, and Pierce Brosnan is their boss, in a neat nod to James Bond. From the director of Ocean’s Eleven/Twelve/Thirteen.

Based on the Academy Award® nominated film, Billy Elliot the Musical has won the hearts of millions since it opened in London’s West End in 2005. Set in a northern mining town, against the background of the 1984/85 miners’ strike, Billy’s journey takes him out of the boxing ring and into a ballet class where he discovers a passion for dance that inspires his family and whole community and changes his life forever. The original creative team behind the film, including writer Lee Hall (book & lyrics), director Stephen Daldry, and choreographer, Peter Darling, is joined by music legend Elton John (music) to produce a funny, uplifting and spectacular theatrical experience that will stay with you forever. (This show contains an interval)

'The Worlds Greatest Stage Musicals'

André Rieu celebrates his 75th Birthday! The King of the Waltz invites you to a boat party with him and his beloved Johann Strauss Orchestra as they sail through his hometown of Maastricht.

This brand-new cinema special is a tribute to André's childhood dream of one day forming his own orchestra and travelling the world. The film features a selection of André's favourite and most spectacular global performances along with some of the finest moments the Maestro and his Johann Strauss Orchestra have shared during their many decades together.

Most of the concerts featured in this film – The Dream Continues - have never been shown on the big screen before. To mark this amazing milestone, this is your chance to see these iconic André classics for the first time. Come aboard and celebrate André’s 75th in style at your local cinema!

As part of a weekend of events for ‘The Wicker Man Gathering’

Newton Stewart Cinema is proud to present Sing-Along-A-Wicker Man

This event will be introduced by Fergal O’Riordan and hosted by Dr Bramwell and fellow musician, Eliza Skelton.

This is a unique night of entertainment for Wicker Man enthusiasts, featuring live music and audience sing-alongs.

Sort out your best ‘Wicker Man’ costume and come along!

Newton Stewart Cinema presents: Return to Summerisle - Something about Sacrifice

A very special event. The world premiere (limited) of a new documentary: “Return to Summerisle – Something about Sacrifice” This event will be the biggest event of the year in Newton Stewart and will be attended by cast and crew of the original film ‘The Wicker Man’ 1973, which was filmed in the area.

The documentary, while filmed across 5 countries, was predominantly filmed around Dumfries and Galloway (including in the Newton Stewart cinema itself!). It follows the exploits of a mad Irish man and first-time filmmaker, Fergal O’Riordan, as he tries to capture the celebrations of the 50th anniversary of the Wicker Man. Struggling with a stubborn, headstrong film crew (his two nieces), he takes on the impossible odds of trying to create a film with no experience, no budget and unproven talent….

As the project spirals from “something to do during Covid”.. to an all- consuming obsession that threatens to engulf his family, finances and sanity, he encounters a coven of witches on a remote Scottish island, suffers the “Curse of the Wicker Man”, meets a human bone dealer, uncovers some of the film locations never seen before, burns a wicker man on the same spot 50 years later….. and along the way he is forced to learn about the true nature of sacrifice.

There will be a couple of little surprises on the night…. and after the screening the Film maker will do a short Q&A.

You are all invited!

Come mingle with the filmmakers and stars of The Wicker Man 1973 and

maybe bag an autograph.

The after premiere party will take place at the Vaults Arts Centre, right across the street from the cinema and will feature:

Quick opening remarks from the filmmaker about the making of Return to Summerisle – Something about Sacrifice

Live Q&A with the following panel: Lesley Mackie – Played “Daisy” in the original ‘Wicker Man’ and sang the opening song. Gary Carpenter the Associate Director of music on ‘The Wicker Man’ 1973 (and Music Supervisor for the documentary). Gary is professor at the Royal Academy of Music and the Royal Northern College of Music. Carpenter's piece ‘Dadaville’ premiered at the Night of The Proms 2015. Jennifer Dolan “Myrtle” – Girl in the sweetshop – in one of her only public appearances will be part of the panel.

Album Preview: Gary Carpenter (Associate Music Director of The Wicker Man 1973), Lesley Mackie (Played Daisy and sang the opening song) and Matt

Deighton (Singer / Songwriter with multiple albums to his credit also played guitar with Oasis) will perform a preview of their soon to be released Wicker Man inspired album of dark folk songs. Andy Tompkins (Guitarist from The Wicker Man) will be in attendance.

Music & Poetry. Amy Rafferty (The baby from the church scene) has all grown up! Amy will perform a song and an original poem. Amy is a writer, photographer and musician based in Glasgow. Her writing has been published in Magma, Envoi, the Interpreter’s House and From Glasgow to Saturn.

It’s going to be the biggest ticket in town so book early.

Other surprises and fun happenings await!

Karen Dunbar

CHEWIN' THE FAT STAR KAREN DUNBAR IS BACK WITH HER BRAND NEW 2025 SCOTTISH TOUR!

Karen Dunbar is one of Scotland’s best-known comedy actors. Starting off in the sketch show Chewin’ the Fat, she then went on to star in her own show, The Karen Dunbar Show, which received various awards and nominations.

Karen has trod the boards in everything from Glasgow Panto to West End Theatre, performed Burns, Shakespeare, stand up and DJ-ed all in New York and last year DJ-ed at TRNSMT and in Ibiza.

In 2014 she opened the Commonwealth Games in front of forty thousand folk and one billion viewers.

From wee pubs to the National Theatre, Karen has captivated audiences with her mix of comedy, music and acting talents.

Age limit 14+