Primary Times - the definitive what’s on and where to go family guide of activities and events for children of primary school age. Things to do with your kids during the school holidays including arts and craft activities, music and theatre for children, parties, competitions, days out, and family attractions along with term time drama schools, dance classes, after school clubs and sports activities. Things to do at a place near you!
Stars come out to wish Carnegie Hall a Happy 80th Anniversary
Carnegie Hall celebrates its oak anniversary on Friday, 6th October and ONFife will be ringing the occasion in with two weeks of family based entertainment – a great deal of it for free. We’re currently on a mission to find Dunfermline folk who were born the same year (1937 – although we’d be delighted to meet any locals who share the precise date!) and invite them as VIPs to attend the afternoon opening of our 80 Moments in Time exhibit on the big day.
Those who are eligible (or their family/friends) are asked to call us on 01592 583255 or e-mail press@onfife.com for details. There will also be a photocall for press on the day.
Meanwhile, the stars have come out in force to lend support to the local institution, with The Proclaimers, KT Tunstall, Nazareth, The Searchers and Curtis Stigers sending in video messages to offer congratulations ahead of the anniversary.
“It’s better than the other Carnegie Hall,” says multi-platinum American musician Curtis 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? I look forward to playing it again.”
Launching on 6th of October, our free 80 Moments in Time exhibition (which runs until Sun 29 Oct) will show off a collection of memorabilia from our archives service, harking back to some of the glorious moments the venue’s patrons have enjoyed over the years.
Jim Leishman, MBE, Councillor, Provost of Fife (and well known and respected footballer and football manager, who himself made his stage debut in a production of Guys and Dolls) will be in attendance to cut the ribbon.
On the evening of 6th, 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. Starring Colin Firth, the historical drama tells the story of King George VI’s impromptu ascension to the throne and the speech therapist who helped the unsure monarch become worthy of it in a time of impending war. Featuring an in person introduction from producer Gareth Ellis Unwin (and a picture opportunity with his Oscar!), this is a rare opportunity to watch the feature on the big screen (with a glass of sparkle). Tickets for the event are £10.
In ‘From One Carnegie Hall to Another’, our resident Andrew Carnegie authority Sharron McColl will explore the compelling story of the venue’s namesake with a talk on the great Fife philanthropist’s connection to it on Saturday, 7 October (tickets are priced £2).
Coinciding with the school holidays, a free costumed family film day where kids are invited to dress as their favourite film character (a winner will be selected) will also take place that day, with a ceilidh celebration – courtesy of trad masters HotScotch – planned for the evening (tickets are priced £10).
On Saturday, 14 October, Carnegie Hall will show a special ‘silver’ screening of Laurel and Hardy’s 1937 classic gold-digging caper Way Out West. A visit and photo opportunity from the dynamic duo themselves will bring the glitz. Tickets are free but must be booked in advance (and are currently moving quickly!).
Families are also invited to attend four free movie afternoons (on the 10th, 12th, 17th and 19th of October) where we will reach back into the vault to show off some of the most fondly remembered children’s films of the last 80 years, from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (released the same year Carnegie Hall was opened) to Pixar’s 2016 hit Finding Dory. A limited number of building tours will also be on offer on Saturday 7 and 14 October.
Carnegie Hall is a beautiful 1930s art deco theatre designed by local architect Thomas Rutherford. Situated in the heart of Dunfermline, it offers a high-quality programme of music, drama, comedy, dance and children's entertainment, plus a popular Christmas show. Tiffany’s licensed cafe/bar, within Carnegie Hall, offers a relaxing, family-friendly atmosphere with great views across the Firth of Forth and beyond.
The performers who have graced the venue’s stage over the years and through the generations are myriad – from Scotland’s own Billy Connolly, Ewan MacGregor, Daniel Sloss, Jethro Tull, Deacon Blue, Barbara Dickson, Hugh & Cry, Idlewild, The Twilight Sad and Frightened Rabbit to international heavyweights such as Henry Rollins, Lloyd Cole and Newton Faulkner (who just sold out the venue for the second consecutive time).
To reserve all tickets please visit Carnegie Hall online here or in person at the venue box office. Our free events, with the exception of Way Out West and our guided tours (which should be booked in advance), are also accessible on a first come, first served basis on the day.