Day: May 8, 2025

AN UNMISSABLE FINAL WEEKEND – Edinburgh Tradfest runs until 12 May

MUSIC | FILM | STORYTELLING


FESTIVAL DATES: Friday 2 May – Monday 12 May 2025

Edinburgh Tradfest’s programme of sensational live music, storytelling and film continues across the city this weekend.

Plus, just announced, BBC Radio Scotland’s Young Traditional Musician for 2025, singer Ellie Beaton will be performing at St Giles Cathedral on the Royal Mile today at lunchtime (1.30pm), ahead of her evening concert at the Traverse tonight.

This half hour event is free and is part of a new pop-up programme of impromptu events happening across the city.

Other highlights not to be missed include:

  • Gaelic singer, broadcaster, and cultural ambassador Joy Dunlop who is this year’s Rebellious Truth talk guest on Sunday afternoon. Joy will be sharing her story from when she first learnt Gaelic at school in Oban, to reading the weather on the BBC. 
  • Finnish throat singer Pelkkä Poutanen (above) who mixes different folk traditions with classical, roots, electronic and pop music and, whose unique vocal techniques, rarely performed by women, are not to be missed!
  • A line-up of incredible emerging musicians performing at this year’s ETF Spotlight concert including Miwa Nagato-Apthorp whose debut album Noren is released this month; Parsisonic led by Iranian duo Aref Ghorbani and Amir Hossein Feyzi, a Glasgow based quartet bridging cultural gaps with their unique cross genre sound. Plus, one of the most respected Gaelic trad fusion bands Dlù, whose members originate from school days at the Gaelic School in Glasgow.

For film-goers the Folk Film Gathering continues its fantastic programme of world film which includes a whole day dedicated to the work of the late Douglas Eadie on Sunday, 11 May; and a screening of Gerda Stevenson’s recent documentary Paper Portraits which celebrates the history and working people of Penicuik’s paper mills.

Over at the Storytelling Centre The Poet and the Moon led by three Spanish artists including celebrated storyteller Inèz Àlvarez Villa of TuFlamenco presents a tribute to Federico Garcia Lorca, Spain’s most iconic poet, told through poetry and flamenco dance. And, storyteller and journalist Rachel Pugh shares her gripping true story about an ancient bog man found in Lindow Moss in Bog Standard, accompanied by award-winning harpist Lucy Nolan.

Finally, bringing the whole festival to a close will be Siobhan Miller with her sensational band at the Traverse on Monday night.

Douglas Robertson and Jane-Ann Purdy, co-producers of Edinburgh Tradfest said: “Don’t miss the final weekend of this year’s festival, there are some amazing bands coming up, and fantastic films and storytelling events still to come.

“The festival’s strength of programming this year is exceptional. So, make sure you squeeze in everything you can.”

Edinburgh Tradfest runs until Monday 12 May. For tickets and more information visit edinburghtradfest.com   

David Attenborough and Eurovision steal the spotlight at Vue Edinburgh Omni Centre this month

Audiences are invited to travel the globe – both musically and visually – this May, as both David Attenborough and Eurovision head to the big screen at Vue Edinburgh Omni Centre

Arriving at Vue today (Thursday 8 May) to mark the national treasure’s birthday, Ocean with David Attenborough welcomes viewers to an incredible journey alongside the celebrated personality and filmmaker, as he reveals how his lifetime has coincided with the great age of ocean discovery.  

From vibrant coral reefs to sweeping kelp forests and the vast open ocean, Britain’s broadcasting icon takes viewers on an awe-inspiring journey beneath the waves – sharing uplifting stories from across the globe alongside urgent, never-before-seen challenges facing our seas.

Eurovision mania returns to Vue later this month as the Grand Final of the iconic song competition hits the big screen.

Broadcasting live from Basel, Switzerland, fans are invited to join the ultimate musical celebration and be ‘united by music,’ experiencing every spectacular performance of the year’s biggest, boldest, and brightest music event. Don’t miss Eurovision Grand Final Live 2025 at Vue on 17 May.

Other musical moments heading to the big screen this month include Holding Back the Years: 40 Years of Simply Red, Live in Santiago, which celebrates the band’s four-decade career.

This concert film, captured in 4K, provides an unparalleled opportunity for fans and newcomers alike to catch one of Britain’s most beloved bands up on the big screen on 15 May.

Theatre lovers won’t want to miss the National Theatre production of A Streetcar Named Desire, coming to Vue on 5 June. Starring Gillian Anderson (Sex Education), Vanessa Kirby (The Crown), and Ben Foster (Lone Survivor), this gripping adaptation of Tennessee Williams’ classic was filmed during a sold-out run at the Young Vic Theatre. A truly unforgettable performance, now available on the big screen.

Robert Smith, General Manager at Vue Edinburgh Omni Centre, said: “We’re excited to bring a diverse range of incredible moments to the big screen this May.

“From the year’s biggest musical performances to breathtaking cinematography of our own planet, there’s no shortage of reasons to visit Vue this month.”

To find out more visit www.myvue.com/big-screen-events.

Edinburgh Partnership launches review of longer-term support for the city’s third sector

The Edinburgh Partnership is conducting a review of how it supports and works with third sector organisations in Edinburgh.

The review into the relationship between the public sector and third sector in Edinburgh seeks to improve funding certainty in future years. This includes how grant funding and commissioning is delivered, how third sector organisations monitor and report on their work, and what in-kind support is provided.

Third sector organisations of all types – voluntary, social enterprises and charities – are being asked to share their views through the City of Edinburgh Council’s Consultation Hub survey or by attending a workshop.

The results will be reported to the Policy and Sustainability Committee in August.

Council Leader and Chair of the Edinburgh Partnership, Jane Meagher, said: “The third sector provides vital support to local communities, with many giving direct support to the most vulnerable in our city. 

“We know that they, like the Council, are under significant financial pressure and that there needs to be longer-term change in how they are supported by us and our partners.

“We want to hear about how we can make it simpler, provide more stability, and work better together to help vulnerable people. You can share your views through the council’s consultation hub webpage, or by attending one of the workshops.”

Workshops run from Monday 19 May until Thursday 5 June. Details are available on the Consultation Hub and booking is required.

As part of the city’s commitment to help the sector, the council has dedicated £3.5m this year to help organisations impacted by unexpected loss of grant funding or reduced commissioning.

Visit the Council’s website for more information about the Third Sector Resilience Fund.

VE DAY 80: Prime Minister to set out vision for ‘defence dividend’ in a changed world

As the nation marks VE Day, remembering the triumph of our values and the sacrifices made to secure them eight decades ago, the Prime Minister will share his vision for working people, once again, to feel the benefit of Britain stepping up.

  • As the nation marks VE Day, PM will deliver keynote speech at the London Defence Conference
  • He is expected to say that the benefits of boosting defence investment in a changing world must be felt directly in the pockets of working people
  • Seizing on the conference theme of Alliances, he will set out how state, businesses and society must join hands on security and prosperity
  • He will also unveil a £563 million contract for Rolls-Royce, becoming the latest investment in Britain’s first class engine building industry

As the nation marks VE Day, remembering the triumph of our values and the sacrifices made to secure them eight decades ago, the Prime Minister will share his vision for working people, once again, to feel the benefit of Britain stepping up.

Delivering the keynote speech at the London Defence Conference this morning, he will describe the government’s task to seize upon the ‘defence dividend’ presented by our increased investment in defence, in order to create jobs, wealth and opportunity in every corner of the country.

In doing so he will highlight how the government’s boost to defence spending – the highest since the Cold War – will not only provide safety and security for the United Kingdom, but also cement the UK’s status as a defence industrial leader, with more high skilled jobs for people proud to keep our country safe.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer is expected to say: “Our task now is to seize the defence dividend – felt directly in the pockets of working people, rebuilding our industrial base and creating the jobs of the future.

“A national effort. A time for the state, business and society to join hands, in pursuit of the security of the nation and the prosperity of its people.

“An investment in peace, but also an investment in British pride and the British people to build a nation that, once again, lives up to the promises made to the generation who fought for our values, our freedom and our security.”

The Prime Minister will use his speech to deliver a tribute to the bravery of the veterans who secured victory 80 years ago and the remarkable men and women who carry the vital task of protecting our security today.

It follows a street party on Downing Street on Monday where the Prime Minister welcomed Second World War veterans and cadets from across the country, and comes ahead of his attendance at the service at Westminster Abbey this afternoon.

He will say: “Britain’s victory was not just a victory for Britain. It was a victory for good against the assembled forces of hatred, tyranny and evil, for the light of our values – in a world that tried to put them out.

“Now, as you know, there are people who would happily do likewise today. Our values and security are confronted on a daily basis. We must use this moment to deliver security and renewal for our country.”

At the Conference the Prime Minister will address policymakers, military figures, defence firms and academics from around the world.

In the face of global instability, he will reflect on how the conference theme ‘Alliances’ should mean not only our iron-clad commitment to NATO and Western Values but also an opportunity to double down on efforts to work hand-in-hand with business and society to make the UK better off and more secure.

He will announce the latest significant investment in British expertise with a £563 million contract for Rolls-Royce for the maintenance of Britain’s fleet of Typhoon fighter jets. The work to maintain 130 Typhoon engines will take place at Rolls-Royce’s sites, supporting hundreds of jobs in Bristol and beyond.

The announcement supports the government’s priority of continuing the UK’s great tradition of building the ships, missiles, artillery, vehicles, aircraft and more that keeps us safe – cementing the British defence industry’s place as the engine of national renewal.

It comes less than a week after the Prime Minister hailed the RAF’s new UK-made StormShroud drones.

The groundbreaking new technology will make the RAF’s world-class combat aircraft more survivable and more lethal by delivering high-tech signal jammers to disrupt enemy radar at long ranges, protecting our aircraft and pilots.