Written by Colin Fraser
April is here and brings a month full of events. Spring is all about fresh starts and new beginnings so I thought I’d mix up this month’s event guide to reflect just that. ‘Rest, recharge and reconnect’ seems like an apt theme.
Stimulating events for all the senses take centre stage this month and here’s what’s on in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire.
Slow Living Events take over the Hidden Scotland Studio on Saturdays through April to host a series of soothing workshops. Bringing together a whole host of local businesses and creatives, the sessions offer an escape through workshops for the mind and soul. With some sell-outs already, there are still classes to book onto.
Learn the art of eco-resin casting, marbling and colour pigmenting with the help of Snap, Crackle and Pip. Create your own stone-like trinket tray along with another item of choice personalised with your own colour design.
Inject the colours of spring into your home with master flower arranger and gardening extraordinaire Hollie Berries. Bringing seasonal flowers from her Aberdeenshire cutting garden, Hollie shares her tips to create her signature arrangements.
As we look to more natural sources of our remedies to feel better, it’s no surprise that essential oils are on the rise. Relieving stress and anxiety, improving sleep and increasing focus are just a few of the life-changing blends out there.
Create your own oil mix with Emma of Enlight who guides you through the process and explores the healing powers of this crystal-infused oil. Prepare to get those healing chakras in check!
“What’s a Smudge Stick?” you ask. Well I too didn’t have a clue but after Googling, I need one. If you haven’t Googled yet, it’s a bundling of dried herbs and plants which are then burned to release soothing aromas to cleanse the energy inside and around you.
Yogi Oils founder, Katrino leads this workshop using her selection of Scottish plants to bind your own Smudge Stick. Attendees will also be shown the different ways to use their stick ahead of a meditation session using her curated range of Yogi Oils.
Art classes at Second Home Studio + Cafe
If you’ve been following me over the past year or so, it will be no surprise when I say that Second Home Studio and Cafe is right up there in my favourites list. I can’t get enough of this pace. Breakfast bagels, oozing cheese toasties with soup, ‘fancy sandwiches’ and art – lots and lots of art.
Setting out to make art accessible to all no matter of income, ability, gender or skill level, every month there’s a range of classes to take part in. Consider it your spot to reconnect with the creative juices and chill. Here’s what’s going on this month.
This month sees two Life Drawing class feature in the Second Home events calendar.
The first is a fundraiser for the degree show of 4th year Gray’s School of Art painters. Tutors will be on hand to guide attendees on drawing the subject and experimenting with colour. Its second class doesn’t involve formal tuition but all art abilities are welcome to join.
In this class all about exploring human emotions, produce creative works based on the emotions you feel on the day. Through the use of different materials and mediums, the session acts as therapy to connect with feelings in a healthy and freeing way.
You had me at cookie! Can’t make any promises that my cookie would be left to be decorated but if you have more restraint than me, this is the session for you. Join Kelly of Cookie Cookie at this Easter themed class and try your hand at decorating six cookies with a mix of toppings.
Build your confidence with sketching at Second Home’s inaugural Sketching Course. During the six week course, you’ll experiment with pencil, charcoal and paint markers before spending time to create your own piece.
At this exclusive afternoon workshop, textile artist Elis shares her teachings of basic embroidery stitches. You’ll be provided with an embroidery pack following her spring design.
Sometimes we all need a little rest and relaxation to get us back on track and The Haven is just the place to do that.
The community wellbeing space located on Stonehaven’s Market Square houses a yoga studio, healing room, mindful room and community larder. Pulling together a timetable packed with weekly workshops and sessions, there’s plenty to get involved with and here’s some highlights.
Join other expectant mothers on a joint pregnancy journey. Open to all levels of yoga experience, connect with other mothers through a blend of yoga, breathing and relaxation exercises.
Working on your next craft masterpiece? Take it along to these sessions and continue your work in a calming environment with other crafters.
Whether you’re new to yoga or a regular in the practice, rock up with yoga mat under arm and join The Haven’s yoga community.
The above sessions are free however donations of perishables and toiletries to its community larder would be most welcome. Discover more on The Haven’s weekly timetable.
A good dose of fresh air does the trick in shaking off that fuzzy head. Take in a new perspective of Aberdeen on a walking tour and uncover the secrets of the city.
The ancient streets of Old Aberdeen are a regular walking route for me and my dog Ramsay. Even though the cat-cam is on red alert, views of St Machar Cathedral and the little cottages of the Chanonry definitely help take the edge off. Learn the history behind the buildings of Aberdeen’s old town dating back to the 14th century.
Join local artist Jon Reid for an afternoon discovering the contemporary sculptures, street art and statues that colour the city centre. From commanding sculptures like ‘Poised’ by Andy Scott to tiny installations by Isaac Cordal hiding within wall cavities, you’ll discover over 20 works.
With that line-up of events for April, zen levels will most certainly be topped up to the brim and May will be here in no time.
To keep up with my food escapades, follow on Instagram, read the blog and listen to the Dishin’ It podcast.
