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Youth Music Initiative to launch at North Edinburgh Arts

On Thursday 28th June 7-8.30pm, North Edinburgh Arts is hosting an urban music event for young  people 12 and over. This will launch the Youth Music Initiative (YMI) Demo Fund  projects and highlight other music opportunities happening in the centre. The  scheme will give young musicians and bands the chance to record demos in the  studio absolutely free.

Creative Scotland’s YMI Demo Fund, supported by the Cashback for Communities proceeds  from crime money helps young musicians working independently by giving them  access to professional sound recording facilities enabling them to record a  professional demo. This is North Edinburgh Arts second Demo Fund project and we  hope to build on the successes of last year by engaging a whole new group of  budding musicians and songwriters.

From 7 – 7.30pm, Muirhouse Youth Development Group (MYDG) will host the first part  of the evening with drinks and refreshments served by our young café volunteers.  There will be lots of activities on offer and a live performance by South  African singer/songwriter Rosita Rhodes. From 7.30pm the internationally  acclaimed Tiako Drummers, Patrick Walker (Forward Strategy Group) Jay Cash  (Grime & Dub-step) and Danny Ladwa (Beat Boxer) will perform. All of these  musicians will be involved with aspects of the Demo Fund and other music  projects in North Edinburgh Arts. We hope this dynamic line-up will inspire and  encourage our local young people to get involved.

David McDonald, Youth Arts Manager at Creative Scotland, said; ‘The  creative strand of the CashBack programme has allowed eighteen recording studios  across the country to open their doors to our young musicians, giving them  access to professional standard recording facilities. Creative Identities also  supports high quality dance and film projects throughout the country.  The  Cashback for Communities initiative has enabled us to re-invests the proceeds of  crime back into communities to make a real difference to the lives of our young  people’.

For more information on this or other projects please go to our  website at www.northedinburgharts.co.uk or email marketing@northedinburgharts.co.uk

Letter: Better Together?

Dear Editor

I do not vote for any of the major political parties. It was interesting to read about the Scottish Labour MSPs joining up with the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats to promote the “Better Together” campaign about the Independence vote due to take place in 2014. Here we have the main leaders of political parties in Scotland – Johann Lamont, Willie Rennie and Ruth Davidson spearheaded by Alistair Darling – trying to convince the Scottish electorate that Scotland would be better as part of the UK Union.

We are all aware that Scotland has only one Tory MP who sits in the Westminster Government, so do the Conservatives really have a mandate in Scotland? Are we “Better Together” while the Tories make their immoral and unfair cuts to welfare reforms, pensions and the health service? Are we “Better Together” when the English governments lead us into illegal wars?

We have an English chancellor who has made so many u turns in his budget since it was announced. George Osbourne has also threatened Scotland that, should they vote for independence, we will not be able to use the pound sterling. Then again he may do yet another u turn on that decision!

At the launch of the “Better Together” campaign we saw around forty Scots who have little to do with politics support the campaign. Does this handful of people speak for the whole Scottish nation?

The SNP have informed the nation that the Queen would still be head of state should Scotland vote for independence. If this occurs, should there not be a vote by the Scottish people who we should have as head of state? The Queen’s title is Elizabeth II of England – not Scotland, Ireland or Great Britain.

Do not forget the terrible Poll Tax that the English Tories endorsed in Scotland during the Thatcher years and was only withdrawn when it was imposed in England after riots on the streets of London. How can the Scots forget the closure of all the industries in Scotland due to Tory rule? During that time Labour and other political parties were urging our nation never to trust them (the Tories) again. Now here we have the Scottish Labour Party trying to convince the electorate that we are “Better Together” in the United Kingdom! Better for who? Their own political careers!

Do not underestimate the Scottish electorate by trying to pull the wool over their eyes. Remember the SNP were elected by a big majority at the last Scottish Election. The LibDems were annihilated at the recent council elections due to their national policy of “jumping into bed with the Tories”. I await the forthcoming debates with bated breath.

Anna Hutchison

What do you think? Better together or apart? Would it make any difference? Do you care? Will you vote in the referendum? Let us know!

Muirhouse Centipede’s going green!

From potty planters and community barbeques to picture competitions and labyrinth mazes … Linda Dunbar gives an update on the Centipede Project …
A multi agency Steering Group has been formed which includes representatives from St Paul’s RC, North Edinburgh Arts, Fable Vision (Govan) and Link Up – and we are hopeful the representation will get wider.
We now have a plan of activities for the next nine months, kicking off with a Peculiar Planter Competition! We are looking for folk to bring along a potted plant (or plants) to the West Pilton and Muirhouse Gala on 26 August – but for the planters to be more than your bog standard terracotta pot – as the title suggests – the dafter the better! We want folk to write a few lines on a postcard, explaining their planter, or naming their planter, or telling up why they chose it. We will be working with local schools, nursing homes and community groups to ensure a big entry to the competition.
For those who are struggling for ideas, there will also be a chance to ‘plant up’ at the free Community BBQ and Summer Fair that will be held in Muirhouse St Andrew’s Parish Church the day before, Saturday 25th from 11am – 1pm. This will be the third year that Muirhouse have hosted a FREE community BBQ, but this year it will be enhanced by peculiar planters and summer fair stalls! Judging of the planters will take place during the Gala Day and prizes will be announced at 3.30pm.
This is just the start of a big programme of events – all made possible through Pilot Project Funding from the Parish Development Fund of the Church of Scotland. Also in the pipeline are:
‘A Time for Peace’ – a chance to step back and reflect on the peaceful sites within the Muirhouse and west Pilton Area – hosted by North Edinburgh Arts some time in October/November – date to be confirmed
12/12/12 Photo competition – take a digital photograph some time during the 24 hours of 12/12/12 that depicts one of the Advent themes of ‘love’, ‘joy’, hope’ or ‘peace’. In mid-late January there will be a display of the winning entries, again hosted by North Edinburgh Arts – date to be confirmed
Running over autumn and winter we will be engaging a community artist to design something ‘big and beautiful and spectacular’ in flowers or bulbs which we hope to work with the council in identifying one of the brown field sites within the Muirhouse area, to plant up (with the help of the community) and wait and watch for the grand display blooming in the spring.
In the church gardens, and elsewhere if we can identify suitable sites, we are going to install a labyrinth maze – we also hope to install small sensory/peace gardens at two or three sites in the area.
So – you can see the Centipede has got its boots on!
Folks can check out updates on Facebook’s Marvellous Muirhouse Page, and on www.centipedeproject.co.uk
Linda Dunbar

Inverleith Summer Programme

It’s the last week of school before the holidays, and partners in Inverleith are making sure tha there will be lots of fun activities for children and young people to enjoy during the long summer break – whatever the weather!

From fishing for fun, gymnastics and drama workshops to cheerleading, dance school and rafting there’s something to keep eeveryone amused, at venues close to home like Ravelston, Inverleith and King George V parks to further flung places like Glentress, Aberfeldy and Dalkeith.

Make the most of summer by taking advantage of Inverleith’s youth activities programme – call Ann at Broughton Community Learning and Development office on 332 6316, email ann.brown@ea.edin.sch.uk for information.

Inverleith Summer Programme

Telford Graduate films hit the heights

‘Curtain up! Dim the lights! We got nothing to hit but the heights!’ That was the blurb in the Edinburgh Filmhouse programme and Wednesday’s showing certainly lived up to it’s billing. Telford’s HND Creative Industries Television course graduation show will be the last ever – Edinburgh colleges merge this autumn – but this years’ students ensured that the final programme would be just as memorable as those that have gone before.

With drama, documentaries, animations and adverts the films covered a broad spectrum and provided a perfect showcase of the students’ talents. From the atmospheric opening drama ‘Hungover’ to final action film ‘The Street Fighter’ the theme was quality throughout.

There were some amazing ideas and imagination on show. A special mention to Emma Murray’s animation ‘Big Gus’, an everyday tale of a pair of pants! and Lewis Kyle, whose ‘You’re Dead’ provided the ‘shock horror’ gross moment of the evening! Michael Dobb’s ‘The Sound of Scent’ was a beautifully constructed documentary while Eve Jarron provided some light relief with ‘At Home With Dr. Devious’.

Winner of the Crtics Award, however, was Jack Kyle’s experimental movie ‘Gone But Not Forgotten’ (pictured above). Gloomy urban landscapes in Granton and Seafield shot from a moving vehicle, superb soundtrack … dark, desolate but very effective and a worthy winner.

Congratulation to all this year’s contributors – who knows what next year will bring, but it’s clear that the class of 2012 may now be gone, but certainly won’t be forgotten. Well done, everyone.

Inverleith Park gears up for Moonwalk 2012

The Arabian Nights will come to sedate old Inverleith Park tomorrow night with all the exotic mystery of the East – yes, it’s Moonwalk 2012!

Thousands of women – and more than a few men, too – will walk either the Full Moon (26.2 miles) or the Half Moon. As always, everybody will be wearing brightly decorated bras and this year’s theme is ‘Midnight at the Oasis’; organisers breast cancer charity Walk the Walk are looking forward to seeing some exotic and exciting creations!

Since the first MoonWalk Edinburgh in 2006, this iconic night has brought together ordinary women and men, not just from Scotland but from all over the World, to achieve an extraordinary personal challenge, whilst raising money to improve the lives of cancer patients in Scotland. With the support of over 60,000 walkers over the last 6 years, this one evening has raised in excess of £14 million and over £2 million in 2011 alone.

One in eight women in the UK are expected to experience some form of breast cancer, and statistics show that this type of cancer has accelerated faster in Scotland than anywhere else in the UK. Reports also show that 42% of all breast cancers could potentially be prevented by reducing alcohol intake, making changes to diet, becoming more active and, most mportantly, maintaining a healthy weight. Joining a Walk the Walk challenge for many is often that first, all-important step towards making vital life changes.

Organiser and founder of Walk the Walk, Nina Barough, said: “The MoonWalk Edinburgh is a very special night, not only for all the wonderful Scottish energy that unites us in this common bond, but I love and cherish the fact that we are making such a difference to the lives of so many people in Scotland with cancer, not just in the main cities but from coast to coast including people living in the Highlands and Islands. It really is a night when everybody can help to make a difference, not only towards their own health but the lives of many. It is probably the most dynamic and awe-inspiring night that you could experience.”

Walk the Walk’s volunteer team could use some extra help on the big night. Their appeal:

‘We really need your help to recruit more smiling faces to act as route marshals to guide, cheer and encourage our walkers round the route. We are also looking for some early morning drivers to patrol the route and respond to calls to pick up and transport marshals or walkers who can no longer continue their walk. Finally, perhaps you are a keen cyclist – you could be part of one of our cycle teams, supporting the static marshals and lending comfort and safety to walkers who may find themselves on their own or struggling. If you can help please come along to Inverleith Park from 2 pm on Saturday and we’ll sign you up.  Whatever time you can come, we’ll find you something to do!!  AND it’s great FUN!!’

 

 

Election Update

Latest result:

Fountainbridge/Craiglockhart: Burns (Lab), Corbett (Green), Key (SNP).

State of play so far:

SNP – 10, LAB – 8, CON – 7, LD – 3, GRN – 2.  Thirty councillors elected so far, 28 to go!