We Back Dundee as a City of Culture

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PEOPLE AND GROWING

Support Dundee

From the small grassroots voluntary arts organisations to the organisations, teams and Directors of the city’s notable arts venues, to business that invests and sponsors culture in Dundee. Everyone has a voice and space to discuss, join in and start up. Its an inclusive city where art and culture are not out of bounds or highbrow, its open to anyone.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I'm not a Dundonian - but love staying here. I do wish the locals knew what they had and could appreciate it though. Dundee is a braw place!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Artist Matt Stoke's award-winning film 'Long After Tonight' was part of DCA's Our Surroundings exhibition (2005). Matt filmed Northen Soul dancers from across the UK in St Salvadors chuch over two evenings. The result was breathtaking. It brings tears to my eyes everytime I watch it.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The hidden lanes in the west end. It's like stepping back 200 years and you can still feel the presence of those who lived there and hear the carriages the lanes were designed for. Each turn is a surprise. Great to get lost in!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> My mother is a from Dundee, most of mine and my brother's school holidays were spent there as children staying with our much adored Grandpa in the West end of the city. Much time was spent playing on Magdalene Green beside the Railway and the Tay (something we were never allowed to do growing up in London) which gave us a great sense of freedom. A treasured memory is happening to be staying up there when the Discovery was brought back to Dundee and the excitement and pride that people took in that event .It is a wonderful city with a rich and varied past that the city's very friendly and kind people are so much making the best of as regeneration continues very pleasingly to expand throughout it. With so much going on from the Discovery to the fantastic DCA I would recommend it to anyone as somewhere well worth a visit and a stay. I could not be more proud to say this place is where some of my family are from!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The Blues Bonanza an annual weekend event in mid summer! The world's biggest free blues festival attracting musicians and fans from all over the globe. Many bars and clubs across the city host a variety of local, national and international acts. They are welcomed by a friendly and fun-loving population. The West Fest is another festival, a week long one with a more local and artsy feel to it, covering all artistic genres!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Genuine ingenuity; unpredictable weather rollercoaster; expect the unexpected; a place to realise urban utopia; where dreams descend into reality; thinking outside the box and daring to be different. Consider the above mediocre banter that flows through the boulevards.
Dundee
set me free
since 2003
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> we have the closest 2 football teams in the world. and dundee united are the only team in europe to have beaten barcelona everytime that we have played them in europe
<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> Dundee has such an interesting history for a relatively small city. There's plenty evidence to see as you walk about. The two universities bring a large student population and a youthful dynamic. Dundee has some beautiful parks and scenery and the silvery Tay is never too far away.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I love the secrets that Dundee hides between the houses all over the city. There are so many little pathways that may lead to the law hill, to the Tay, to a University ground, a mall with young or old or just an old fish restaurant. Its really an amazing place!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Everytime I look for help for a project within the creative community, be it volunteers or advice/expertise, I always receive support.
The people's justified optimism and community spirit make me super proud to have made Dundee my home.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I have grown not to be surprised but to relish the amount of creativity this city fosters. From the art school and far beyond. The initiatives, artist run spaces, music, collectives and individual driving forces who make this city their home and make it amazing.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The heritage of Dundee and how we have progressed so far in a few years to adopt culture, art, fashion, education to such a high standard. But still keep ties to our history as a hard working industrious city.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> It's a beautiful city with warm quirky people, with amazing views across the Tay, which changes every day with the light. The city is vibrant, youthful and ever changing. Small enough to buzz and big enough to rock!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee was Scotland's second city for over 200 years and by area had Scotland's largest medieval city centre.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> When I came to Dundee it was quite a sad place, burdened by the disappointments of the past. Today it is a new city with a new and much more confident view of itself and its place in the world.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Theatrical elements of the cultural life in Dundee only exist due to the hard working off stage volunteers (and staff) who spend time on committees, creating costumes, making scenery, dealing with the admin, fundraising, marketing and lots of other tasks.  They are often under appreciated.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dylan Drummond is surely one of Dundee's greatest assets. The passion and enthusiasm he displays for his city (and the similarly talented locals he chooses to freely showcases) displays a vigour and vibrancy which I think is unique and truly infectious. See for yourself.
www.sonofthesea.co.uk
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Nothing surprises me...thrilled to find Dundee is finally getting the recognition it deserves. It's always been Glasgow or Edinburgh, then later Aberdeen, to get any accolades going, Am I biased? Of course a little bit, just a little, but if we are/were really familiar with Dundee's history being a city of culture isn't a revelation.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The people (Dundonians) are very friendly,the city is very good and ideal for academic studies.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> So many groups to take babies and toddlers to around the city.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Blackness. West End. MacManus Galleries. Dundee Contemporary Arts. Overgate Centre. V&amp;A. University of Dundee. Tay Estuary. Riverside. Broughty Ferry. Tentsmuir Beach. Even with all these, the layering of local people, visitors, students, businesses and a quiet ambition makes Dundee a culturally rich place to live. Help us give the city even greater depth in 2017.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> underwater harbour
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The straightforward honesty of Dundee people allied to a razor sharp wit mixed with amazing creativity, particularly displayed by young people, makes this one of the most surprising places to be.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I have looked out on the Tay all my life, now I have a view with the bridges in it now, I love that every day I look out the river changes. And it's even better from the top of the Law!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Outsiders may be surprised to know that William Wallace was educated at the Grammar School of Dundee, and was outlawed for killing the son of the English Governor of Dundee, setting him on the path that would see him become the central figure in the Wars of Independence.
KT Tunstall and Andrew Marr attended the same school, now known as the High School of Dundee, more recently. There is no suggestion either committed any heinous crimes that brought the wrath of the English authorities upon them.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I don't think people understand the sheer level of creative ability that derives from DJCAD each year. Making the move to Dundee from Northern Ireland 4 years ago has been the best thing for me as a creative individual. The people make the city. They are the culture and they are the future. I feel privileged to have been part of a thriving art school, so much so that I'm basing my final year 'Interior + Environmental Design' Degree Show project on the prospect of a design graduate event space on Dundee's very own Tay Road Bridge, that would exist not only as an cultural and creative interface for DJCAD, but to commemorate the desired '2017 City of Culture' status.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee is a delightful place to live and work. We have some beautiful sights to see; my favourite is the Howff cemetery in the city centre. No matter how busy the city is the Howff is always quiet and peaceful; it is quite surreal. Dundee Law is also a wonderful place to be. I will never tire of living in Dundee, and I am a very proud Dundonian.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> My family! Dundee is where my mother and father grew up and where many of my family still are today! I remember the first time I visited in 1989 and coming from Connecticut in the US I thought it was so beautiful! I remember the green hills and cobble stone and instantly fell in love. I remember the look on my father's face when it was time to leave and I cried and told him I wanted to stay in Dundee.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The history of the jute trade
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee is an ideal city for students who are living for the first time away from home. It has a vibrant creative industry, a diverse night life, good shopping and everything is within walking distance.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The river, let's make more of our fantastic waterside location...fishing competitions for kids, more access to the water for the people of Dundee. Seal watching, bird watching, picnics by the river. Develop commercial opportunities to get more people on the water.  Riverside dining...get some funky lights on the two bridges
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee 's friendly locals, its beautiful setting on the Tay, its stunning architecture, sunshine and outstanding art school all drew me to the city which I now call home. The passion and talent of Dundee's creative community and the various organisations that support it, with my particular favorite being Vanilla Ink Studios, have continued to surprise me, with their commitment and determination, inspiring and motiving me in my own practice. Dundee creatives are putting this great city on the map, and well, you may be surprised, but I'm not! :)
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I moved to Dundee from Nairobi via China and Laos, 5 and a bit years ago. What surprised me about Dundee was how it manages to be a big city with numerous hidden surprises and at the same time a small city with a real sense of community and pride. My favorite surprise in Dundee was when I stumbled across a pop up gallery called the guerrilla gallery at the back of the recycling center. This gave me a glimpse into the world of Artists in Dundee and I was amazed!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee is a very clean city with no rubbish lying around. You can be sure that wherever in Dundee you choose to go for a walk whether it be in town or surrounding areas they are always clean and well cared for
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The rich amount of history. Walk off any Main Street and find something. Eg. Cemetery in centre of town, law hill, verdant works, unicorn, Tay bridge. Wherever you go there is history shaping the city,
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The amount of sporting alert in Dundee is amazing, hockey is my sport and to see it grow so rapidly since renovation of facilities is wonderful
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I am from Dundee myself but live in Norway. The thing I love about being Dundonian is that we are proud of where we come from despite often being the butt of jokes by people from other cities. When I got married in Dundee the Norwegians loved Dundee and Dundonians. There are many famous Dundonians that have contributed a lot to national and international culture. From astronomers to actors. One of my favourite places is the Mills Observatory. Hidden in the trees of Balgay, the observatory is a local gem.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> As a Dundonian born and bred, I love how the city continues to change and evolve and know that in the very near future Dundee will rival the bigger Scottish cities as THE place to visit!!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee has the only women's trail of its kind in the whole of the UK. You can get the free leaflet and talk a walk from plaque to plaque round the city centre, marvelling at the interesting lives and achievements of 25 notable women, and then go home and read of many more on the website dundeewomenstrail.org.uk. This is a city which has been known for its strong women. Doctors, witches, artists, mill workers, Suffragettes and business women - they're all here.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee is indeed a wonderful place to be. The cutural diversity seen in Dundee made me feel I was reaching the entire world in minutes. The two universities (Dundee and Abertay) champions the unity in diversity seen there.
The site of the collapsed tay bridge and the relatively new tay road bridge (longest in the world at that time) are worth mentioning.
Another stunning suprise was to discover the area where the pretigious missionary Mary Slessor and her family lived when they moved to Dundee. Her role in stopping the killing of twin babies in Calabar, Nigeria is remembered till this day. With these and many more, I hereby recommend Dundee to host the UK's city of Culture 2017. Thank you
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee is a beautiful city. It is an amazing place to live. I think it is just the right size. If you look upwards in Dundee, you can see amazing architecture on buildings.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee has a brilliant sense of multiculturalism-there is a Halal shop,a Polish shop, a Russian shop and a traditional Scottish fish and chip shop within walking distance of my flat. I like the fact that each of these cultures brings something unique to Dundee-it feels really special.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> the rep theatre is something Dundee should be very proud of - when I moved south I expected every city to have one - three Yorkshire cities later I am still waiting.....!!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee's status in the world of higher education is rapidly growing, and the world class research in areas such as Medicine and Life Sciences is something all Dundonians should be proud of. The Riverside redevelopment programme will redefine the city, and the new V&amp;A at Dundee will put the city firmly on the culture map!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I love Dundee's long history of pioneering whole industries. Today many people think of DC Thomson as an institution of the city, but they almost single-handedly invented the global comics industry as we know it. Dundee's full of these sorts of inspiring stories, and that's why I'm backing the bid.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> When I first came to Dundee 10 years ago from the leafy suburbs of Birmingham, I was totally surprised by the amount of green space here! The parks are plentiful and overspilling with avid sports fans and players at the weekend. There are climbing facilities, go-karting, combat style laser quest, indoor football, fantastic kids play parks, wildlife centre, ice rink, cinemas, music venues, art centres and museums, conference facilities and that's all without hitting the beautiful beaches! Dundee is the hidden secret!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I first came here as a student in 2002 and after 4 brilliant years moved to Glasgow and then Edinburgh for work. But loved Dundee so much I am back and thrilled to see the city has moved on. The Universities, Shopping and Industries, although well established are on the up and I can only see positive things for Dundee and the surrounding area.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee is situated beside the seaside and the Sidlaw Hills. Take the children to Broughty Ferry, build sandcastles, paddle, spot the dolphins, watch the busy Sand Martins, take a stroll through Barnhill Rock Garden. Take them into the city to sample the wonderful parks, Camperdown with its children's zoo and play area. Dudhope Park with its Castle and Skateboard Park, Baxter Park, Victoria Park, Caird Park the list goes on. Climb the Law and see the magnificent bridges and the views of the Kingdom of Fife. Head into the Sidlaw Hills for rambling. There's plenty to see and do in and around Dundee. Come visit and see for yourself.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> My hidden gems of Dundee are the lovely green spaces in the most unlikely places all over the town. Parks and walks, such as Riverside and the Rock Garden in Broughty Ferry. My favourite Dundee people have to be the Park and Leisure Department! They do a wonderful job all year round. And what about our fireworks displays and the Christmas lights. So much to be proud of in Dundee.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Long history of Dundee. Battle &amp; Casstle at mid age.At modern age, industrial revolution- jute jam and journalism,antarctic expedition, research ( life science, gaming, surgical &amp; anaesthetic instruments)-- in a sentence- a city of discovery , a city of innovation. At present Dundee is a member of best 21 itellectual communities in this world.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The Discovery Film Festival. I get invited every year and I love going to see films from around the world. Last year the film I saw was in French but I thought it was brilliant. Ava (aged 6)
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> While it has its fair share of High Street stores, Dundee is also home to some lovely independent shops; Groucho's Record Store is a firm favourite, while BECO and Missy La La's offer the finest attire for the fashion forward. Additionally there are many lovely cafes and restaurants to choose from in the city centre and along the Perth Road, and you can't walk down the street without meeting someone you know; its like living in a huge village!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> the pride in a city worth feeling proud about but rarely made aware of outside the city
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> That after completing my dance degree in Dundee I have managed to get a full time job with Smallpetitklein Dance Company which is an exciting and dynamic company based in Dundee. Under the artistic direction of Thomas Small the company has a successful international performance company as well as a diverse community strand. Everyday is new and exciting!
<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> The endless talent and enthusiasm of Dundee's young people never fails to amaze me. As an educator who has been resident in the city for almost 30 years, I am constantly encouraged and often overwhelmed by the talents displayed by our young musicians, dancers, actors and performers through a variety of events ranging from school/local concerts and shows (such as the fantastic DSMT productions and McIntosh Patrick Awards) to representing the city in national events such as the Edinburgh Festival and Rock Challenge - they are a credit to the city!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee Rep hosts a constant flow of high quality performance arts and is outstanding. Dance, mime, song, drama and comedy feature strongly. Community involvement - including youth and disabled - makes me feel fortunate and proud that we have this facility in the city.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The amount of culture and creativity that can be found between the crevices of the streets. The people will welcome you with open arms, and inspire you to go further with your own creative ambitions
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The fact you can turn a corner and find an amazing piece of street art, or a medieval building or just meet an interesting character, who's always friendly and willing to share
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I moved to Dundee from Edinburgh 38 years ago, and was expecting something of a cultural desert. However, I was immediately impressed by the quality of the Dundee Rep (then located in an old converted church), who have always gone for adventurous and imaginative productions rather than the “safe” ones you might expect. There has also always been an extremely lively music scene, from classical, rock and folk concerts in the Caird Hall, Fat Sam's, the Rep and Gardyne theatres, to the guitar and jazz festivals, and even the wonderful “bring-your-own-instrument” traditional music sessions in the Fisherman's tavern, Broughty Ferry.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> being from Dundee and having travelled and lived out with the city, it is great to see how cultured and cosmopolitan Dundee is!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> It has everything we need in terms of culture: we have the DCA with it's exhibitions and workshops and the cinema which brings films not always shown at Cineworld. Both cinema's have regular showings of live opera from the Met, and cineworld had regular showings of big rock bands. Soon we will have the V&amp;A which I'm so looking forward to.

In terms of leisure we have a brand new swimming pool opening soon, and Dundee has two major league football clubs and several amatuer clubs. There are many great places to eat like Marco Polo in the centre of town and several Indian and Turkish restaraunt up the Perth Road. There are many places to drop in for coffee and home made food like the wonderful T An Cake (not sure I've spelled that right) There is also a wide variety of shops including tradtional shops like Braithwaites who are sellers of teas and coffees from around the world.

Last, but not least, is the setting of the city itself: there are many green spaces with Camperdown Park as the main place to go for a picnic and a stroll, there are the walks along the Riverside, and there are the beautiful beaches at Broughty Ferry....and beyond, the coastal scenery going toward Monifeith and Carnoustie.

I came to Dundee 25 years ago to College and much has changed in the city since, except it's friendliness and welcome of the outsider. With the two universities and colleges and the Duncan of Jordanston School of Art, Dundee is a cosmapolitan city, with students from around the world and Indian, Pakistani, Polish and Romanian folk settling in the city and rubbing along together very well. Dundee has many churches; a beautiful mosque and a Sihk Gudwarra. This melting pot gives the city it's richness and expansiveness.

I now live across the water in Fife but feel Dundee is my city.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I love Dundee as it's my centre and gateway to magical Munros, beautiful white beaches, and scottish villiages, towns and cities to explore.

The ever evolving face of Dundee and the new exciting opportunities on our horizons is truly making Dundee one of the great capitals on Scotland!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The diversity of people you meet in one day is both astounding and inspiring. Never have I been to a city where you recognize that, probably due to the intimacy of the place (considering it's a city!). I have vowed to return here to live and work in the future, as some who is not from Dundee that is quite a thing! After three years here I have witnessed first-hand the rapidly developing design and craft community, and how it is far outgrowing its Scottish competitors.

The natural surpise; feeling like you can see the Tay everywhere you go.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> dundee roller girls great bunch i just joined, the theatres the dca my daughter loves going to the art shows, the universities diverse people you meet
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee is outward-looking boasting the Mills observatory, one of the few major public-access observatories in any UK city, as well as having introspective tendencies with high resolution microscopy, and views both inward and outward looking via satellite receiving stations.

The unaided views to the naked eye are also quite stunning from estuarial sunrises to majestic river Tay sunsets, and all the intervening splendour of a cosmopolitan urban landscape. We are also pretty good at ultimate frisbee !
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> We have the two closest football grounds in europe
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I love the warmth and welcoming people who made me feel at home when I came 28 years ago and now would never leave.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Quite a few things.....Cycling to work and seeing seals on the sandbanks of the Tay! The Howff as a picnic spot and new independent coffee shops. The Cheesery....ok, that's all food related....The view of the river at night with the twinkly lights across the Tay.. Straightforwardness and modesty of the people. Creativity and accessibility. The wonderful research going on and the impact and distinctiveness of our universities.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> My friend from Liverpool came here just over a year ago and could not belive how freindly the people were and how beaytiful dundee is we went to all the sites but he loved the Sensation and the Verdent Works , Dundee has so much to offer vistors thats why im backing the bid.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> .
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The peacefulness of the rock gardens at Broughty Ferry. I walk there with my disabled son and it brings me a chance to switch off, revitalise my batteries and thank my lucky stars, we live in such a peaceful area. Living by a beach so close to us is a bonus to us as well!x
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Best thing about Dundee is the people. It's diverse, constantly changing and welcoming population are what made me want to move to Dundee and why it still feels like home every time I make a trip back
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Broughty Ferry beach, rock gardens, high street, castle are places worth visiting
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Housed inside an old public library, The Reading Rooms is a small, intimate, underground music venue that has played host to many local &amp; international musicians &amp; DJ's.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Every time I come back to Dundee it's changed - something new and something different, each &amp; every time. This ability to change, move and adapt is a key link to why Dundee has been responsible for so many discoveries and inventions over the years - we are not stuck in the past and we are not scared of change therefore we can move forward. The future is a very exciting place for Dundee!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The underground music scene. A true variety of musicians, bands ans dj's playing at venues across the city such as Beat Generator, Doghouse, Duke's Corner and the Reading Rooms.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> the people :) the views :) the architecture :) the parks :) the air :) good hospitals :) beautiful Maggies Centre :) friendly and warm :)
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The local creatives and talented musicians who seek to be noticed. We have a lot of talented individuals and groups in Dundee.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The sun shines!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The history of Dundee is very broad and would excite those who are into its study.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The creativity of the people of Dundee.
I'm just checking in, come back soon!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> With tens of thousands of miles behind me and the privilege of being able to work anywhere in Europe and Canada, there is something special about Dundee. It's more of an atmostphere, combined with its natural beauty and blatent history and disparity. I find myself longing to come back, drawing creative inspiration and hopefully giving back along the way.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The Fireworks night fireworks! An amazing display and a great place for people to come together. They always mark the start of a special time in the year and I look forward to seeing them again this year.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Just a few of the many words that can be used to describe our wonderful City:-
Delightful
Unique
Nostalgic
Deserving
Exciting
Encouraging
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> What constantly surprises and delights is our people - the sense of 'we're all in this together', a determination and shared desire to make things happen. Our goldilocks size means that collaboration rather than competition works on a scale unseen in other cities. Creativity and genuine friendliness are part of our personality - I'm so proud of our city and its people and can't wait to share in the fun of bidding for 2017.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The Rep, Yoga studios, community groups, arts and cratfs - it is ALL on the doorstep in Dundee; superb river front walks, country parks and a zoo within the city limits - it's all here
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Castle Street is definitely a hidden secret with its old book shop, cheesery, cake shop, vintage shop and the colorful youth center just at the corner it is just lovely. A place not to be missed for sure!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee is a sunny city with friendly people, beautiful views, the Law, the River Tay, Broughty Ferry beach, easy access to countryside in any direction an ideal location.
The McManus Gallery &amp; DCA already offer culture and arts and the addition of V&amp;A will add to this.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> great city for students
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee has some fantastic volunteers that give a lot of time and energy to running local sports teams!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> That my city of birth keeps on reinventing itself and appreciates it's rich history!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> There are many 'secret' ballrooms in houses in the city with sprung floors.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I'm not from Dundee but I love visiting, there's always so much going and always something wonderful, inspiring and exciting to do or see.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee is a lovely city
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I've come to this place to learn new skills and never planned to stay. That was about 8 years ago.

Ever since then this city has kept me fed, happy, working, learning, experiencing amazing new things, meeting great new people and not wanting to leave.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The multitude of traditional music sessions hidden away in tiny local pubs where the music, people and real ales are welcoming, friendly and always enjoyable.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> My allotment up the law is a little haven of tranquility in a busy city. It has excellent views over the city and I can see the bridges and Discovery. I watch the weather changing. It is fab! I love Dundee.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> ...the huge pot of creative talent and the wealth of optimism in the city generally.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee is a strong community which is full of people who are more than willing to embrace change to the city. It has got a great mixture of old and new and plenty of things to do for all ages. Plays, musicals, dance, sport, live bands, art, great restaurants, bars, pubs, shopping, outdoor activities, parks, woodlands, beach, the tay, with plenty more on the doorstep how could you not love it.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee has many hidden treasures; it is steeped in unspoken history, for example 'the walled City'or the many networks of tunnels that still exist around the City. For a city I find it a very calming place to live, with the water and the trees. People are friendly and helpful. The future for Dundee is exciting with an extremely positive vibe.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> It is a really freindly city, with amazing natural natural beauty and a thriving cultural quarter.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundonians are the friendliest people living in one of the sunniest places in Scotland. Give a smile and you are sure to get one back, sit on a bus and don't be shy to strike up a conversation with the person next to you. Dundee isn't a hugh city like London, it still has a sense of community and it also has fantastic things on offer. Music, theatre, museums, a thriving pub and club scene, and art everhwhere you look.
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> What you can find just around the corner - from lovely old bars to the Discovery, from Universities to old schools, lovely old buildings to the modern - sitting side by side. Then theres the heritage - jute, jam and journalism - how diverse it that!
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I loved the atmosphere in the new Caird square on a cold crisp winter evening after listening to the Dundee Symphony Orchesta in the Caird hall, coming down the steps and looking at the Christmas lights and the tree and the people in Henry's coffee house enjoying the view. I love Braithwaite's coffee shop and the Cheesery on Exchange street. Drouthy's and the jute cafe and Dukes corner, the art bar. The macmanus Gallery
<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Having spent my past 44 years living around the Tay estuary, I regularly re-discover the incredibly vibrant local music scene with which I first became familiar in 1969. The current crop of young musicians[I recently saw a 14 year old playing Peter green, Carlos Santana and Jimi Hendrix], supported and encouraged by the early 20 + year olds who had themselves been supported and are still supported by earlier generations. The Blues festival is rightly famous but you can go round many venues in Dundee weekly and hear music of the highest calibre.

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