The Burns an' a' that! Festival starts on Wednesday 25 May 2011 and runs until 30 May – with exciting and varied artists performing across Ayrshire.
The Festival has grown since it was started ten years ago, whatever your tastes in music, drama or the arts, there really is something for everyone.
Attractions on opening night include a hoolie with Skerryvore, Counselled Out and the Train Wreckers, great value at £12.50 a ticket. Performances by Hue and Cry, a special X Factor night featuring Wagner, Paige and Ruth Lorenzo for £10 a ticket, a Finale Evening with Capercaillie, Midge ure and Dougie MacLean and an exciting fringe programme of events throughout Ayrshire.
Councillor Margaret Toner, South Ayrshire Council's Portfolio Holder for arts and culture said: "This is a fun festival, that centres on Robert Burns, with something for everyone. If you have never been you do not know what you are missing, so make this the year that you come along.
"The Festival continues to be supported by South Ayrshire Council, Event Scotland and Visit Scotland as a major festival date in Scotland's event calendar. Over the last ten years the Festival has evolved and grown. For many arts and culture lovers it is the highlight of their year.
"Robert Burns is our very own global icon. Whether it is a headline event that attracts you or one of the fringe events, you will not be disappointed, so come along."
The finale evening will be an outstanding event with Capercaillie, a major force in bringing traditional Celtic music to the world stage, taking centre stage. Since 1984, they have toured in 30 countries around the world, sold over a million albums worldwide and appeared in the United Artists movie 'Rob Roy' starring Liam Neeson and Jessica Lange. And on top of that they had the first Gaelic top 40 single, 'Coisich a Ruin'.
Capercaillie comprises Manus Lunny on bouzouki, Charlie McKerron on fiddle and Donald Shaw on keyboards and accordion. While touring the band have Ewen Vernal on bass (ex-Deacon Blue), and Michael McGoldrick, former BBC Young Musician of the Year, on flute and pipes, David Robertson on percussion and the glorious drumming of Che Beresford. The line up is completed by Karen Matheson who many view as 'the finest Gaelic singer alive today' and most of the material recorded by the band she learned as a child from her grandmother on the Hebridean island of Barra.
As well as the headline events, the burns an' a' that! Festival offers an eclectic fringe programme with literary sessions, author talks, poetry picnics, arts and culture events, food and drink tasting events, live music, paranormal events, fun workshops and children's events running at a variety of venues across Ayrshire – many of which are free to attend.
Mike Cantlay, Chairman of VisitScotland and EventScotland which help fund the Festival through the national funding programme, added: "We are delighted to support the burns an' a' that! Festival again this year and wish them every success with their entertaining programme.
"Robert Burns is a worldwide icon and known in every country around the globe, so it is fitting we celebrate Scotland's most famous son and his inspiration to so many. Events and festivals are a great draw for visitors to Scotland and this celebration is a key event in the country's calendar and provides a welcome boost for Ayrshire."
There are so many outstanding events to choose from here is a flavour of what will take place:
Rabbie's Tour − From Burns Cottage to across Ayrshire, 25 May 2011 - 30 May 2011, 10am - 5.15pm (approx).
Festival Opening Hoolie featuring Skerryvore, Counselled Out & The Train Wreckers − Ayr Town Hall, 26 May 2011, doors open 7pm, on stage 7.30pm-10.30pm.
Burns an' a' that! Festival Circus Workshops − Low Green, Ayr, 27 May 2011, 12pm-4pm.
Xfactor Night featuring Wagner, Paije Richardson & Ruth Lorenzo plus house band The Floorstompers − Ayr Town hall, 27 May 2011, doors open 7pm on stage 7.30pm.
Sawney Bean, Humane Cuisine − Robert Burns Birthplace Museum, Alloway, 28 May 2011, 3pm.
The Paranormal World of Robert Burns − Carnegie Library, 28 May 2011, 7pm 8.30pm.
Meet Robert Burns − Carnegie Library, 28 May 2011, 2pm to 4pm.
Hue and Cry with full 7 piece band − Ayr Town Hall, 28 May 2011, doors open 7pm on stage 7.30pm.
Festival Finale featuring Capercaille, Midge Ure & Dougie MacLean − Ayr Town Hall, 29 May 2011, doors open 7pm on stage 7.30pm.
For details of the full Burns an' a' that! Festival programme, including the fringe events, visit www.burnsfestival.com
Tickets are available from Ticketweb at www.ticketweb.co.uk or on 0844 477 1000 and from the Citadel Leisure Centre Box Office on 01292 269793.