THURSDAY 5th & THURSDAY 19th AUGUST at RWCC
There is also a follow-up Songs of Protest workshop TOMORROW morning (Thursday 31st July) from 10 – 12.30 at North Edinburgh Arts.
Penny Stone will be introducing more protest songs before we get down to writing a few more verses for a new North Edinburgh protest song!
Local Volunteer Recruitment Fair celebrating the diversity of volunteer opportunities in the North West area
Friday 1 August, 10am – 12noon
There will be a lovely diverse mix of volunteer-involving organisations coming along to share their volunteer roles and answer any questions about what volunteering with them is like.
Come along and find out more about local volunteering opportunities.
Note our address: NEA, MacMillan Hub, 12C MacMillan Square, EH4 4AB
FREE HIRE FOR NORTH EDINBURGH ARTS MEMBERS
Need a bike? Borrow one from the NEA Lending Bike Library!
We’ve got standard bikes in all sizes, available for up to 1 week hire.
Plus e-bikes & an e-trike, available for 1-day hire.
FREE HIRE for NEA Members! (Find out more about our NEA Membership at https://northedinburgharts.co.uk/get…/become-a-member/)
Contact us: 07493 876130
Email: bikes@northedinburgharts.co.uk
Huge thanks to The City of Edinburgh Council Active Travel Group and Cycling UK in Scotland for funding the bikes for the library.
THURSDAY 24th JULY from 10am – 12.30pm
We’ve been doing a summer of resistance programme at Royston Wardieburn Community Centre over the last few months to tie in with Steve McQueen’s ‘Resistance‘ photography exhibition at the Gallery of Modern Art.
Its brilliant and couldn’t have arrived at a better time.
Anyway as part of our summer programme we have been organising joint sessions with North Edinburgh Arts groups. The first one is songs of protest tomorrow morning with Penny Stone at North Edinburgh Arts.
All welcome!
Lynn McCabe
SATURDAY 26th JULY at 12 NOON
Shh… What’s that noise? A squeak? A squeal? A bird? It’s getting louder. Oh dear… Pekku takes a playful look at what happens when you want to be left alone and others have a different idea.
Ahead of a run at the Festival Fringe Festival, Red Bridge Arts are delighted to share a preview of their newest show PEKKU, with North Edinburgh Arts audiences. It’s a new show for 3-6 year olds (and their adults) by Andy Manley, Ian Cameron & Shona Reppe.
Co-commissioned by Red Bridge Arts, ROHM Theatre and Ricca Ricca Festival, and Produced by Red Bridge Arts.
We hope you can join this sharing for families!
Saturday, 26 July, 12(noon)
NEA, MacMillan Hub, 12c MacMillan Square EH4 4AB
FREE but booking is required: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1501066292689
Curious about performing and creating a small show this summer? Join our Drama Summer Camp at NEA!
Whether you’re a budding actor, curious about the stage, or just want to try something new, this is a fun, supportive space to explore drama. We’ll play games, try improvisation and stagecraft, and work together to create a brand-new piece of theatre to share with family and friends.
No experience needed — just bring your imagination!
Monday 4 to Friday 8 August
10am–1pm (Friday starts at 10.30am, with a sharing at 12noon)
For local young people (ages 7–14) living in Muirhouse, Pilton, Drylaw & Telford
FREE – book your place for a whole week or just a few days: https://bookwhen.com/blythwoodtheatre
NEA Drama Summer Camp will be led by Marilyn Blyth Wilson who is a performer, director and acting teacher. She works with various theatre companies and runs her own company Blythwood Theatre, focusing on collaboration with young people to bring new writing and performances that focus on what matters to them.
Marilyn will be with us at NEA as part of EPAD’s Supported Residency programme, which aims to support the creation of new work and to build connections between Edinburgh-based performing arts creatives and venues across the city
Are you a local resident of Muirhouse, Pilton, Drylaw or Granton? Fancy trying something creative and hands-on this summer?
Join jeweller and community artist Lisa Arnott (SilverHub Jewellery School and StudiosFlourish Jewellery Project) for 4 weeks of FREE jewellery-making workshops at North Edinburgh Arts!
You’ll learn how to make beautiful, wearable pieces — from bangles and rings to earrings and pendants — using professional tools and techniques.
We’re running two weekly groups throughout July:
For local adults (age 21+)
Wednesdays: 9, 16, 23 & 30 July
10am – 1pm
For young adults (ages 16-21)
Thursdays: 10, 17, 24 & 31 July
10am – 1pm
Friday 1 August – Celebration & Exhibition of work created
North Edinburgh Arts, Macmillan Hub, 12c Macmillan Square, EH4 4AB
Free to attend, but places are limited – all materials provided!
To sign up: Email admin@northedinburgharts.co.uk
Call 0131 315 2151
Or drop by the NEA Welcome Desk (Monday to Friday, 9am – 5pm)
MONDAY 30 JUNE 10.30 – 1pm at NORTH EDINBURGH ARTS
BOOK YOUR PLACE:
As part of a project run by Imaginate, children involved in the new North Edinburgh Youth Arts Collective have been working with artist Bishop May Down on a new performance, Election which will premiere at the North Edinburgh Festival (Sat 17 May) ahead of its inclusion in the Edinburgh International Children’s Festival Family Day programme at the National Museum of Scotland (Sat 24 May).
Election is a short, humorous pop-up performance theatre piece about politics and power, seen from a young person’s point of view. The show imagines eleven-year-olds as political ‘bigwigs’ with the power to make real change, and offers audiences a child’s perspective on what is valuable in their world.
Election is part of Creative Encounters, a three-year project set up by Imaginate (who produce the Edinburgh International Children’s Festival), which explores what it means to put children’s rights at the heart of the creative process.
Bishop May Down, Artistic Director of Election said: “Initially, I was definitely surprised, in an amazing way, about how passionate, articulate and knowledgeable the young people involved are about political issues, and current world issues.
“I think they are at a really interesting age of being able to articulate their opinions and they are also just verging on being able to challenge other’s opinions.”
From autumn 2022 until summer 2025, young people from North Edinburgh have been working with artists and Imaginate staff to co-create new theatre and dance performances, giving a central role to children’s ideas, interests and voices.
Young people are involved as key decision makers from the beginning of the project and commission an artist to create a theatre or dance performance, and they are invited into the artists’ creative process to co-create performances.
Young people also take part in workshops on curation, content creation, photography journalism, speech writing, and decision making.
Here is a sneak preview of them in rehearsal on YouTube:
Election will be performed throughout the day at both North Edinburgh Community Festival (Sat 17 May @12-4pm) and the Children’s Festival Family Day (Sat 24 May @10am-5pm).
West Pilton Park will come alive on Saturday, 17th May, from 12:00 to 5:30 PM, as the much-anticipated and award-winning North Edinburgh Community Festival enters its fourth year.
Known for its vibrancy, inclusivity, and celebration of local talent, this year’s festival promises to be bigger, brighter, and more colourful than ever before. With over 10,000 attendees expected, it’s an unmissable event for the entire community.
Festival Highlights
This year, the festival will host over 160 local organisations, charities, and community groups, offering a kaleidoscope of activities—from hair braiding and glitter tattoos to boxing and dodgeball, from live music programmed by Granton Youth and Tinderbox to dance performances and pop-up dance mobs from Edinburgh College, and from Edinburgh Fringe Festival street performers to North Edinburgh Arts for all things arts and crafts.
North Edinburgh Arts and Imaginate have once again collaborated creating commissioned performances that will be performed by local children and young people from the North Edinburgh Youth Arts Collective.
As well as running their jam packed arts and crafts tent for families; their Art for Grown Ups, Arts & Dance and CREATE groups are all planning to join the festival parade en route as it passes by the Macmillan Hub.
We’ll be hosting North Edinburgh’s very own ‘Crufts’ with our first ever ‘Scruffs’ Dog Show – with 6 categories to enter and prizes up for grabs including North Edinburgh’s waggiest tail!
This is hosted by Audrey Coltart of Branniffmhor Cockers, a seasoned professional in dog competitions, and a respected judge!
Whatever your interest, we’ve got it all!
The festival remains free to attend, with 90% of activities free of charge, ensuring accessibility for everyone. While food vans and items will be available for purchase, the festival aims to keep costs low for attendees.
Key Projects Spotlight
The North Edinburgh Community Festival will feature three major projects that celebrate local food, culture, diversity and artistic expression:
THE TATTIE PROJECT
THE NORTH EDINBURGH COMMUNITY CHOIR
A festival legacy project, the choir unites over 100 young people from Pirniehall, St. David’s, Forthview and Craigroyston Primary Schools and Craigroyston High School as well as Tinderbox Music Club to perform at the festival.
Earlier this year, these students had the opportunity to perform with international megastar Ed Sheeran alongside Tinderbox Orchestra at the West Pilton Neighbourhood Centre. Their performance will include his hit song, Bad Habits!
THE FESTIVAL PARADE
Pulse of the Place, Edinburgh Carnival and Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival leads the way with the festival’s largest and most colourful parade yet.
Featuring vibrant costumes, masks, and performances, the parade will embody the theme of rainbows.
Starting at North Edinburgh Childcare, it’s a 1-mile journey into West Pilton Park. The parade departs NEC at 1030am and will reach the park at 12noon to kick off the festivities.
Expect up to 12 dance groups to bring the vibe.
Over 200 families and groups will participate including Oaklands School, LACAE and North Edinburgh Childcare.
Parade participants are welcome to join at the start or en route.
Entertainment Across Three Stages
This year, the festival will feature three unique stages:
The North Edinburgh Community Festival is a celebration of collaboration, creativity, and community spirit. Whether you’re attending for the music, activities, food, or simply to soak in the vibrant atmosphere, this event has something for everyone.
Join Us
When: Saturday, 17th May, 12:00 PM – 5:30 PM
Where: West Pilton Park, Edinburgh
Cost: Free entry
Mark your calendars, bring your friends and family, and experience the magic of the North Edinburgh Community Festival! We can’t wait to see you there!
