Artists announced for 80th Cheltenham Music Festival
Mr Balzalgette said: "It's music that has really always tried to push the furthest boundaries of what you can have while also giving people the classics and the big range of stuff but always vibrant, always a bit out there."This includes an emphasis on new work, and we have commissioned beautiful music from Deborah Pritchard and Anna Semple for 2025 to open and close the Festival."We're renewing our legacy in 2025 with a birthday party to be proud of."
Large-scale orchestral concerts will take place at Gloucester Cathedral and Cheltenham Town Hall, while guitarist Alexandra Whittingham and trumpeter Aaron Akugbo will also perform.A programme of free performances will take place across the town's venues, organisers said.In celebration of the festival's 80 years, the event's parent charity, Cheltenham Festivals, is pledging to give 80,000 children access to the arts throughout the year - including special concerts for children and families with additional needs.
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Scottish Sun
18 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
The big row that's rocking Alesha Dixon's relationship with her man of 12 years – just months after they reunited
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In recent weeks, pals tell me, the issue has become a recurring argument between them - with Azuka unable to convince Alesha that marriage is the way forward for them. Alesha, 46, was previously married to rapper MC Harvey but their year-long union ended in heartbreak after his affair with singer Javine Hilton. A friend said: 'Azuka wants Alesha to be his wife and thinks marriage is the way forward for them after everything that has happened over the past six months. 'He has proposed but to no avail. 'It's becoming an argument that keeps coming up between them and Azuka is finding it hard to move past it. 'He is a proud man and wants Alesha to be his wife. His parents have said the same and think marriage is the way forward. They've applied some pressure too, which has led to rows between Alesha and Azuka. 'It's been a difficult six months but this feels like another bump in the road they can't get past.' Over a decade ago, Alesha revealed that Azuka had proposed to her multiple times but joked he wasn't serious. Speaking about their relationship on Piers Morgan's Life Stories programme, she said: 'He's asked me about five times but I won't take him seriously. Alesha Dixon SPLITS from father of her two kids after 12 years - but reveals why they're still living together 'He asks me when he's jokey and I won't take him seriously until he does it properly.' Those close to Azuka say he has since proposed properly but that Alesha has stonewalled his attempts. 'Azuka says he can't work out why Alesha won't marry him,' the friend said. 'He thinks this could be the making of them and something that would help them properly move past everything that has happened. 'It's become a bit of a stalemate again. He's leaning on his friends for support but it's difficult for him.' 6 Azuka and Alesha at Ant McPartlin's wedding but the former Mis-Teeq singer seems to be stalling on a marriage to her beau Credit: Splash Alesha previously called Azuka her 'best friend' and said she had found the love of her life in the dancer. But then in November last year, those close to Alesha said she had confided in them that their relationship had run its course. STAR'S BREAK-UP This March Alesha confirmed the pair had split but said they were living together for the sake of their children. A month later, those close to the couple confirmed they were giving their romance another try. A close source said: 'They went through a really rocky patch and decided to call it a day. It had been difficult for a long time and Alesha just couldn't see a way forward. 'AZ even moved out to a hotel for a while, despite the fact they were co-parenting. 'But there is still a huge amount of feeling between them. 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Azuka's advertising credits include major brands such as Guinness, Captain Morgan, Nokia, T-Mobile, Specsavers, Superdrug, ESPN, Sky, DFS and Argos and many more. Azula first met Alesha Dixon on tour in 2006, but they waited a while before becoming a couple. They have two children together. 6 Azuka 'is struggling to come to terms with Alesha's refusal to marry him' Credit: PA
Daily Mail
18 hours ago
- Daily Mail
British reality star left in shock as Sabrina Carpenter asks her to send over one of her 'worn, sweaty' outfits
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Scotsman
18 hours ago
- Scotsman
Stirling Photography Festival launches it's 2025
Stirling's annual Photography Festival will return for an eighth year with the theme of 'Beyond' and featuring major exhibitions from three award-winning photographers. Sign up to our Arts and Culture newsletter, get the latest news and reviews from our specialist arts writers Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... The Festival opens with four exhibitions in August and events run through September with highlights including talks and exhibitions from contemporary photographers Ron O'Donnell, Simon Murphy and Jennifer Charlton and the launch of the Stirling 900 commemorative photobook. In partnership with Street Level Photoworks of Glasgow, the organisers are honoured to host internationally acclaimed photographic artist Ron O'Donnell in what will be his first exhibition in the city of his birth. The Festival will open with his exhibition at The Tolbooth from Saturday August 2 until Saturday September 27. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Ron was born in the Raploch area of Stirling in 1952 and although he has exhibited in collections all over the world, this will be the first time he has held an exhibition in his hometown. His return marks a poignant chapter in a career which has spanned five decades, multiple continents and both analogue and digital revolutions in photography. Stirling photographer Ron O'Donnell returns to his roots for the city's 2025 Festival. His exhibition includes this cardboard reconstruction of the lounge of his childhood home in Raploch. Photo by Michael Prince. Encouraged early on by art teachers and inspired by the city's Smith Art Gallery and Museum, Ron began his photographic journey as a trainee at the University of Stirling's Department of Education. He went on to study photography at Napier Technology College in Edinburgh (now Edinburgh Napier University) where he is now a senior lecturer in photography. Ron is celebrated for his vibrant and humorous constructed images which often explore themes of myth, allegory, identity, mortality and politics. He said: 'It's a privilege and a real pleasure to be invited to participate in the 2025 Stirling Photography Festival. As someone born and raised in Stirling, it feels like a homecoming. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'I began my journey in Stirling so it's wonderful to return to the place where the seeds of my creative life were sown.' Photographer Jennifer Charlton with the photograph which won her Scotland's most prestigious portrait photography prize - the MPB Scottish Portrait Award (Colour) 2024. Photo credit - her son Finn Charlton He added: 'It is with great pleasure and satisfaction that I exhibit my work in my birthplace. For this occasion, a wee retrospective felt appropriate — a journey through images from early work to the present. 'The exhibition includes street photographs of Edinburgh taken during the 1970s, capturing the spirit and atmosphere of the city at that time. Through medium-format interior images of Edinburgh's shops, workshops, and factories — spaces that speak of the city's Industrial character and social fabric. 'The collection then moves toward more constructed imagery, culminating in digitally composed works that reflect a shift in both technique and vision over the decades. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'Together, the work traces an evolving dialogue and my own changing approach to the art of photography.' Award-winning photographer Simon Murphy will exhibit his documentary work on the community of Govanhill, Glasgow at the 2025 Stirling Photography Festival. Photo Credit - Beth Murphy. Stirling Photography Festival Creative Director and founder Janie Meikle Bland said: 'We're looking forward to hosting our eighth Festival and are delighted to have secured three amazing exhibitors who will each bring their own unique perspective to our Festival and its 2025 theme of 'Beyond'. 'It's wonderful to welcome such well-regarded contemporary photographers to Stirling this year. They are fitting examples of the exceptional artists we bring to the city as part of the festival. 'And it's particularly exciting to have the chance to host Ron O'Donnell, a true pioneer of narrative and constructed photography, and to celebrate his creative legacy rooted in the heart of Stirling in his first ever exhibition here.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad She added: 'The Festival has gone from strength to strength since we started in 2018 with our Stirling Youth Photo Fest and last year was a major success with lots of support as we marked Stirling's 900th year. year. We are delighted to be part of Stirling's celebrated cultural scene. 'This year we are looking to go further with our theme of 'Beyond' and more details of our events, workshops, exhibitions and talks – which are all free – will be unveiled over the coming weeks.' Simon Murphy's exhibition takes place at Stirling's Macrobert Arts Centre from mid-August until mid-September. The display will feature some of his award-winning documentary photography work on the community of Govanhill in Glasgow's southside. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Simon has been documenting people in Govanhill for the last 16 years with the resulting images giving an insight into one of Scotland's most diverse areas which is a mixing pot of cultures and ethnicities. He says: 'The project is about community and diversity. Govanhill is not without its problems, but it's also a place where people come together and share culture and experience. 'I'm really excited to bring part of this project to Stirling for the Festival and see if it will connect outside of Glasgow. Govanhill traditionally was a place where people arrived in Scotland from all over the globe and it still is a melting pot of diversity and culture. 'Personally, I feel the themes of 'Belonging and Connection' are universal. Especially in times where fear and exclusion seem to be a driving force, it's important to open up and consider life from other's perspectives. These portraits won't give any answers but my hope is that they might trigger small reflections and maybe even lower a few barriers.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Simon is a lecturer at Glasgow Kelvin College and one of the Festival's volunteers Caitlin Jardine is a student of his who was instrumental in securing his exhibition. All Stirling Photography Festival organisers are volunteers and part of the organisation's aim is to empower young people to contribute to festival programming, build their professional networks and gain experience in programming and curating. Meanwhile Jennifer Charlton (BIPP Scottish and Northern Ireland Sports Photographer of the Year) - who also worksin the male dominated arena of boxing - will be exhibiting her portrait work at the Barracks Conference Centre in Stirling from Monday August 4 until Friday September 24. Last year Jennifer made history as the first woman and digital image to win Scotland's most prestigious portrait photography prize - the MPB Scottish Portrait Award Winner (Colour) 2024. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The winning photograph of a swimmer named John is one of a series from Jennifer's BA Hons degree titled 'A Hidden Community.' It depicts volunteers who each shared their stories and portrays how we live in a hidden community where mental health doesn't discriminate. Jennifer said: 'It's a real privilege to exhibit `A Hidden Community' at Stirling Photography Festival. This city holds a special place in the project—especially through the portrait of John, a student here whose image helped fulfil my dream of winning Scottish Photographer of the Year.' She added: 'I'd heard positive feedback about the Festival before being invited to take part and to be showing my work alongside other photographers such as Simon Murphy is a 'pinch me' moment. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'Simon was a huge inspiration during my degree when I was learning how to be a portrait photographer from a sports photographer. This is one step towards me having my work next to one of my idols. I believe if you find good role models in life you are already half-way there.' Also launching in August is the Stirling 900 photography book accompanied by an exhibition at the city's Church of the Holy Rude showcasing images from the book. Stirling Photography Festival's programme of free events runs throughout September and more details will be published during August on the website - The Festival is supported by long-term partners The Barracks Conference Centre, Go Forth Stirling BID, The Tolbooth, Macrobert Arts Centre and the Art Collection at the University of Stirling. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Meanwhile sponsorship from local businesses has ensured the delivery of an exceptional programme of events and exhibitions. This year's sponsors include The Robertson Trust, Untitled Barber Club, the Meadowpark Bar and Kitchen, Vialii Gardens, the Rotary Club of the Carse of Stirling and Nettl of Stirling plus trade sponsors Gulabi and Analogue Wonderland.
