:: We Dundee

We Back Dundee as a City of Culture

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PEOPLE AND GROWING

As a Dundonian I’m not surprised, just proud, of what Dundee has to offer in terms of culture in the broadest sense. A prime example was the late lamented Michael Marra, whose genius lay in delivering the people’s culture with dry Dundonian humour (listen to If Dundee Was Africa, Muggie Shaw, Hamish) as well as universal observations (try Happed In Mist, Hermless). See also how he inspired other local artists such as Vincent Rattray and the many groups he collaborated with at Dundee Rep.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I grew up in Dundee in the '30's and through the war years. After graduation as an architect, I subsequently moved to Canada where I spent my professional life. In occasional visits back to Dundee I was saddened with the way the city had declined in those early post-war years. However on more recent visits back I have been greatly impressed with the remarkable transformation that has taken place.with such cultural innovations as the new waterfront development starting with acquiring Scott's antarctic ship and it's attached Museum, The Jute Museum and the current Art Gallery Project..

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Unassuming. Despite the magnificent setting, the wonderful cultural quarter and being the gateway to some of Scotland's most spectacular scenery.

The courage and vision of the Council which have led to so many changes in recent years, have created confidence but lost none of that lovely unassuming and quietly courteous quality which characterises Dundee.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The opportunities for such a wide range of music - for those who perform and those who prefer to sit and enjoy. There are amateur musical societies with professional standards, trad music in the Wighton at Central Library, folk music in pubs, groups for children bringing on the next generation, Dundee Schools Music Theatre showcasing incredible talent, Caird Hall as a tremendous venue - the Proms concerts broadcast across the UK.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The amasing river and extremely friendly people

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The Law - one of the finest view points in Scotland. Inspirational.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Its a great location. Its not a hidden secret. The River Tay is a most beautiful waterfront to cycle along. I came to work in Dundee 30+ years ago as NHS Tayside was providing innovative Clinical Psychology services. Dundee continues to develop better ways to reduce the impact of historical poverty. I have enjoyed living and working amongst friendly people who know their history is often a mix of wealth and hardship but are keen live in a thriving place and make this better for all. Concerts, theatre, parks and nightlife all contribute to this. Braithwaites tea & coffee shop is just one small corner of this.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The humour, the sky, the clean air.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> great cycle paths means getting around on 2 wheels is easy - cycling alongside the river or across the bridge - fantastic!

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> the flowers....Dundee parks department does a great job with wonderful floral displays throughout the city.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> perth road dundee is really a melting pot with dundee's large international student population.it feels very cosmopolitan and you can almost sense a creative feel about the area as you walk down the perth road with the university /old art colege and also the dca /rep all in close vicinity.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The architecture hidden in plain sight in the city centre!

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee Dental Hospital, is an amazing but hidden and un thought of asset to the city of Dundee, it is hive of activity with staff, students and patients it bridges the gap between the students and the residents of Dundee by being an outstanding teaching institution that provides quality care for the general public!

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Wonderful restaurants and great people!

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The DCA is amazing, we travel there all the way from Perth regularly to see inspiring films and music we'd never otherwise know about.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> How many interesting and creative people come from Dundee... Not least of all my husband and actor Forbes KB !

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee has a buzz about - new architecture resulting in amazing buildings that the world should share

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The city's location on the North shore of the River Tay makes it a bright place to work and live all year round. It is unique in that the river is visible from most places in the city and not just from its shoreline. That's what makes Dundee special to me.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Charles McKean - his lectures about Dundee are always an inspiration.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> We have everything you need - all within easy reach. The city has lots of culture to explore and just beyond countryside to be amazed by.
We as a family love it.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee Backpackers' Hostel, Gardyne's Land, is a medieval building situated in the heart of the city centre, and operates as a youth hostel to date. Dundee is often underrated for its architecture and it is not just a Victorian city: the subtle incorporation of the city's past is there for all to see.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> It actually is a surprisingly sunny city with sunny people and sometimes sunny, but always brilliant, inner-city walks.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Jute, Jam and Journalism

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Nice people

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The well in the Botanic Garden that never runs dry!

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> There's so much going on in such a relatively small city. You just have to know where to look. There's always an Art opening or gig to check out.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> dca

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Duncan of jordanstone college - just a wonderful place to learn

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The view of Dundee at night from across the water - a magical fairyland. The wildlife, Dundee has red squirrels, foxes and deer, as just a small example - alive with nature. The history within the Howff - Dundee's past in one central area.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The West Port with some fantastic eating places particularly the Playwright and also the Parlour Cafe. The Dundee rep also located here which is a fantastic theatre bringing a range of diverse productions both local & national

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I moved to Dundee from Glasgow for university in 2006. Having come from such a big city with a massive town centre, I spent the first wee while here moaning about how small it was and how there was nothing to do. Then I realised I hadn't really left the comfort of student halls. Once I went exploring I found out what a great city Dundee is, despite it's small size.

It has fantastic pubs and bars, good places to eat, great cinema, art and a pretty awesome local music scene.

I've come to love Dundee and 3 years after graduating - I'm still here!

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The girls football leagues & teams of all ages which play in Dundee and play team from the surrounding areas is a great opportunity for girls of all ages to improve and test their skills.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Amazed at the history at the Howe and the fact that the original university was nearby.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The richness of the local creative scene and businesses.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> A walk along the riverside early on a summers morning is always a great experience and you are often watched carefully by the seals basking in the sun

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee university enriches life thru llunchtime concerts and free Saturday eve lectures with wide ranging speakers. All free. Mcmanus galleries featuring exhibits from V and A. Broughty Ferry Art society classes. DCA featuring National Theatre and opera from the Met.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The Space, at Dundee College where acting and performance and dance students and soon to be technical theatre students get trained and supported by very committed, enthusiastic staff to develop their skills and realise their full potential.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> All my stuff is here.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The Waterfront developing into such a beautiful and state of the art area from what was such an industrial start. It proves with investment and creative thinking a 'sow's ear can be made from a silk purse'!

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The Community spirit is really coming back. Great groups/sessions in Finmill Community Centre and Whitfield Community Centre. Also Skillshare.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The city centre on a busy Saturday afternoon.... everyone going about there business. Love the hustle and bustle of this.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The most vital about the town is the local people, that are the most wonderful and calm staying people Ive ever seen in my life. Just imagine how much things could be done in a small place but with such variety of people - thousands of students all over the world have an opportunity to do whatever they want and they do so, local people is so reach by their culture and education always ready to help.
The Dundee Top is the most beautiful place just cause of the view from it to the city, two bridges and the sea.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I think Broughty Ferry is one of Dundee's little gems, lovely little seaside village, great little shops, cafes, bars and restaurants.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I spent 4 years in Dundee at university and discovered what a beautiful city it is. Everyone is welcoming.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The views

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I love the fact the even although Dundee is a city, it can feel so small. You will always find someone who knows someone else you know. Lived here all my life, apart from a short stay in Glasgow, but coming home either over the bridge or from any other direction, seeing a landmark and knowing I'm home is the best feeling in the world

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee Half Marathon - friendly and a great atmosphere

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Sunbathing on magdalen green when the sun is shining!

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I came. up from The Scottish Borders in the seventies and have never left ! This is because I think Dundee is a great city. There is a special bond and pride in Dundee shared by Dundoians of all walks of life. For me I have always found the music and musicians of Dundee to be secondvto none. My favourite being Michaek Marra. Art theatre , despite it's size ..Dundee has it all.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The beautiful Magdalen Green as it pans down on to the banks of the River Tay. A very special place to me as I have had many romantic walks here, a summer BBQ proposal and then my wedding photos in the bandstand. What a peaceful and inspiring space and view!

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Every time I cycle into Dundee from Fife I get this feeling... THE BUZZ... When I first visited Dundee in 2007, I couldn't feel the buzz. I now go for regular day trips to return home feeling inspired and creative from the real & lively encounters of the day. Nothing fake about Dundee!

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