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Entertainments

Entertainment in Shetland comes in many forms, from witty exchanges at the Alting (a debating group) to occasional major concerts by nationally-known artists.

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The Bonhoga Gallery, in Weisdale, hosts a programme of varied exhibitions.

We have several annual festivals, including the fire festivals (of which Up Helly Aa in Lerwick is the largest), the Folk Festival, the Blues Festival, the Drama Festival, the Accordion and Fiddle Festival, the Book Festival (WordPlay), a Film Festival (ScreenPlay) and a Food Festival.  All kinds of exhibitions and shows are held, too. The Shetland Museum and Archives and the Bonhoga Gallery host a continuous programme in art and heritage but we also have more unusual events like the biennial Classic Car and Motorcycle Show, which attracts entries from well beyond Shetland. Occasionally, too, Lerwick Harbour is packed with yachts or tall ships participating in long-distance races including the annual Bergen-Shetland race and races around the British Isles. In 1999 and 2011, Lerwick hosted the spectacular Tall Ships Races.

Drama, comedy and musical events are usually presented in Lerwick’s Garrison Theatre. It's also the venue for regular showings of new mainstream feature films and there is a very active Film Club which offers the chance to see more unusual movies from around the world. A completely new performance space, Mareel, will open in 2012. It will provide two cinema screens and will also be a major venue for music of all kinds.

Many pubs and clubs offer informal music sessions and there’s a remarkable range of societies and groups that reflect interest in every sort of hobby from water-ski-ing to line dancing and tai chi to pyrotechnics. The Shetland Community Directory contains full details.

Shetland is a small, close-knit community and some of our entertainment is still home-made. Some of the most enjoyable evenings are those spent with friends and neighbours in a local hall, where occasional dances still involve every generation.