Students organise wellness event in aid of independent filmhouse

A cohort of Events Management students have taken over the annual Aberdeen Student Festival to host The Revival Room, a yoga and wellness event at OGV Taproom on Bridge Place.

All of the profits raised from ticket sales and various other fundraising initiatives will be donated to the Belmont Cinema and its 'Save The Belmont Cinema’ campaign.

The March event will consist of a yoga and Zumba class as well as a sound bath and tarot readings. It’s attracted sponsorship from Colosseum Fitness in Westhill, while also giving the future event professionals vital industry and entrepreneurial experience.

Dr Rachael Ironside, Associate Professor and Course Leader for the BA (Hons) Events Management course, said: “Experience like this is so important for students to gain and enjoy, and is a crucial element to so many courses at RGU.

"They are working collaboratively in partnership with several local businesses and have planned each stage of the event, from initial conceptualisation to organising and delivering the event prior to finally evaluating the entire process.

“After the downturn in events during the pandemic, there is now a real appetite and burgeoning arts culture among young people in the city, exemplified by this event and the positive reaction it’s had. The experience gained will form a vital part of their future development and success in the events industry.”

The Belmont Cinema shut in 2022 but is being reborn after Aberdeen City Council selected Belmont Community Cinema Ltd as its preferred operator to deliver a sustainable and exiting future for the beloved city centre venue.

Its Head of Income Generation and Business Development, Sarah Dingwall, said: “We are delighted to have been chosen as a beneficiary of the Aberdeen Student Festival. All donations will contribute directly to refurbishing and reopening The Belmont, as an accessible, sustainable, truly independent cinema.

“The generosity of donors to the project will allow the cinema to relaunch as a vibrant cultural space in the heart of Aberdeen. Thank you to RGU Events Management students for their support, we wish them every success.”

The Aberdeen Student Festival is an award-winning multi-arts and cultural event in Aberdeen, first launching in 2016. This latest iteration aims to focus on bringing together students in Aberdeen to re-connect with their mind, body and soul whilst creating new friendships and supporting local businesses.

The Revival Room will take place on Saturday 30 March.