Fringe: One Last Week

A whole new batch of shows at theSpaceUK!

It’s not over yet: hidden gems galore, more new musicals, and juicy comedies are hitting theSpaceUK stages for one last rip-roaring week of shows.

Week 3 is here: bringing you one last knockout selection of shows. Fascinating ancient tales, energetic music bands, and frogs improvising in a box: it’s all go as we plunge into a fantastic final week at the Fringe.
 
Here’s a just a sample of the new shows gracing theSpaceUK from 21st – 26th:

Dive into ancient China
Legend of the White Snake (theSpace @ Surgeons’ Hall, 21-26)
A classic love story portrayed in traditional Kunqu opera form. Rarely performed in the West, Kunqu is one of the most ancient forms of opera in the world and the North Kunqu Opera Company is one of its leading ambassadors. Sung in Chinese, with English surtitles.

Get ready for a Musical Fiesta!
David Rivera la Båmbula (theSpace @ Surgeons’ Hall, 21-26)
David Rivera and La Båmbula will make you dance with their Caribbean sounds from Puerto Rico and Cuba. The 13-piece band is the first-ever Puerto Rican band to perform at the Fringe.

Croaky laughs guaranteed
Improv Comedy with Box of Frogs (theSpace @ Surgeons’ Hall, 21-26)
Box of Frogs, Birmingham’s premier improv group, brings you a helping of high-octane improvised comedy nonsense, based entirely on your suggestions. Expect the unexpected as quick-witted players conjure up hilarious, spontaneous songs, sketches and scenes on the spur of the moment!

Yes, you’ve already seen this show!
Good and Gaslit (theSpace @ Surgeons’ Hall, 21-26)
Good and Gaslit. A young director launching her career. A less-than-young TV executive performing her first one-woman show. It’s gonna be a gas! Come see the rehearsal, I mean, the show.

Is impostor syndrome even real?
this is a scam. (theSpace @ Surgeons’ Hall, 21-26)
Fake it ’til you make it. Lean In. How far can you stretch the truth in the name of self-optimisation? When does charisma, boldness, and self-promotion become fraud? This play aims to find out.

There’s a first time for everything
Does My Fanny Look Big In This? (theSpace @ Surgeons’ Hall, 21-26)
The anxious sex-ed class you never got in school. An exploration into the sexual world through spoken word, uncomfortable noises, an inflatable sex doll, (bad) singing, anxiety and a limerick.

An insightful play
A Night With Me, Myself and Bipolar Brenda (theSpace @ Symposium Hall, 21-26)
A captivating one-woman show, based on the critically acclaimed Amazon bestseller Me, Myself and Bipolar Brenda. Former Coronation Street actress and current Bipolar UK ambassador Natasha Rea smashes down barriers and raises awareness of bipolar, drawing on her own real-life story in this hilarious but heart-wrenching solo production.

Monsters, Inc (but it’s children)
Vida Slayman in Comedy of Terrors (theSpace on the Mile, 21-26)
Sold out at the Adelaide Fringe, now in Edinburgh! After fleeing two wars, Vida Slayman was prepared for anything life could throw at her. But then she faced a battle she couldn’t flee.

Razzle Dazzled
Las Vegas in Edinburgh (theSpace on the Mile, 21-26)
At this show, a sleight-of-hand spectacle bringing a little Vegas to Edinburgh. Marvel at the two magicians’ mind-bending illusions, brilliant comedy and incredible stage presence at the Fringe premiere on a stunning night of entertainment.

A night with a movie star
Call Me Elizabeth (theSpace @ Surgeon’s Hall, 21-26)
Fresh off her 1961 Academy Awards triumph and a recent brush with death, Elizabeth Taylor is struggling with her hardest role yet: herself.

Therefore AI am
Ctrl (theSpace on the Mile, 21-26)
Eager to stand out from the crowd, a group of teenagers turn to the assistance of AI. But what starts as a fun experiment soon turns to alarming obsession. Co-written by AI, this play questions reality and creativity.

Sailing through the high C’s
The Impresario (theSpace @ Venue 45, 21-26)
It’s 1930 and “talkies” are taking off – a film producer has the daunting task of bringing opera to the masses through the silver screen, made more challenging by diva two sopranos who both insist on top billing!

Wedding night gone wrong
Blueballs (theSpace Triplex, 21-26)
One bedroom. Two 20-year-olds. Just married and strangers until hours ago – now they are alone for the first time. A twisted version of the twisted tale Bluebeard, Blueballs is a thrilling, 40-minute tequila-shot of theatre in free verse.

Craigmillar Park incident: Police urge Good Samaritan to come forward

POLICE are appealing for a man who took an injured man to hospital in Edinburgh on Saturday (19 August 2023), to contact them.

Around 6.20 pm, a 17-year-old seriously injured youth was assisted to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh by the man who left before any details were taken by staff.

The man is described as white, in his 50s, had receding hair and was wearing glasses, a blue Adidas top and was carrying a rucksack.

Detective Sergeant Keith Morrison said: “At this time, we don’t know how the young man sustained his injuries, so it is imperative that we trace the man who took him to hospital so we can find out what he knows.

“From our enquiries, the injured man was at an event in Craigmillar Park the previous evening and had become separated from his friends. They were unable to get a hold of him, and it was only when he was admitted to hospital that his family were made aware of where he was.

“If you are the man described, or have any information that may assist our investigation, please call officers at Gayfield CID via 101, quoting incident number 2960 of Saturday, 19 August 2023. Alternatively, details can be given in confidence on 0800 555 111.

Social Bite Founder, Josh Littlejohn MBE, publishes his first book

Dame Helen Mirren and Martin Compston are among those celebrating the book launched on Thursday 17th August

Leading social entrepreneur Josh Littlejohn MBE who has spearheaded initiatives that have raised over £25 million to help end homelessness, and can count George Clooney and Leonardo DiCaprio as supporters, has launched his first book, Paying It Forward: How to Be a Social Entrepreneur.

Paying It Forward, which is part memoir, part manifesto for social entrepreneurship, and part manual for putting purpose ahead of profit, has already gained praise from early readers including Sir Bob Geldof, novelist Irvine Welsh, film director Richard Curtis CBE, Olympian Sir Chris Hoy and actors Martin Compston and Dame Helen Mirren.

In the book labelled ‘an essential read for our times’ by Richard Curtis CBE, Josh gives practical advice and guidance to those looking to enter the world of social entrepreneurship and shares inspirational stories from homeless people he has met over the last decade.

Josh also shares his personal story, exploring the ups and downs of founding and growing Social Bite – from opening a string of cafés, to creating a village to house homeless people, and staging fundraising ‘sleep outs’ all over the world.

Celebrating the launch in Social Bite’s original café in Edinburgh, Josh Littlejohn said: “I’m thrilled to launch my first ever book, Paying it Forward, which tells my story and chronicles all of the ups and downs, trials and tribulations, and humour of life as a social entrepreneur.

“I hope it offers practical lessons to inspire anyone interested in using their own skills to make a difference in the world. Most importantly,

“I hope it shines a light on the remarkable people I have met over the years from homeless backgrounds who inspire me every day. It’s been a pleasure to work with the team at Heligo Books on Paying it Forward and I’m so excited for people to read the book.”

Josh began working on the homelessness issue when he co-founded a small café in Edinburgh in 2012 and a young homeless man named Peter Hart plucked up the courage to go in and ask for a job.

This chance moment inspired a social enterprise that now operates six cafes in Scotland and London, offering jobs and food to homeless and vulnerable people.

In 2018, Josh and his team launched the Social Bite Village, a purpose-built community providing homes which has so far helped to house almost 100 people. In 2019, Josh launched ‘The World’s Big Sleepout’, with events in over 52 cities around the globe, and 60,000 people sleeping out in the world’s largest ever display of solidarity for homeless and displaced people.

Josh has so far helped raise over £25 million for charitable and homelessness causes and received an MBE from the Queen. He has received a Pride of Britain Award, a Robert Burns Humanitarian Award, five honorary doctorates and he also been included in Debrett’s list of the most influential people in the UK.

Paying it Forward: How to be a Social Entrepreneur was published in hardback, audio and eBook on Thursday (17th August 2023). 

A portion of the proceeds from the sale of this book will be donated to Social Bite to help combat homelessness.

Books can also be ordered online here: 

Waterstones: https://www.waterstones.com/book/paying-it-forward/josh-littlejohn/9781788708401

Foyles: https://www.foyles.co.uk/book/paying-it-forward/josh-littlejohn/9781788708401

Amazon: amzn.to/3JJ4KGW

Witness appeal following Chambers Street assault

POLICE in Edinburgh are appealing for information following a serious assault. The incident happened in Chambers Street around 9pm last night (Saturday, 19 August, 2023).

A 23-year-old man suffered serious injuries and was taken to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh for treatment.

Officers are working to identify two males as part of the ongoing investigation.

The first male is described as being aged between 16 and 17 years old, 5ft 5ins tall, with buzz cut style, dark hair. He was wearing a black and grey tracksuit jumper and grey tracksuit bottoms.

The second male is described as white, between 17 and 18 years old, 5ft 7ins tall, with short blonde/ginger beard and dirty blonde curly hair. He was wearing a football top.

Detective Sergeant Steven Gray, of Gayfield CID, said: “Our enquiries into this incident are ongoing and I would urge anyone who may have witnessed the incident or has any information about those involved to get in touch.

“Anyone who can help is asked to call 101, quoting incident number 3799 of 19 August, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”

New hours for Community Shed

Community Shed opening hours update

Due to staffing changes our free drop-in wood-making session times haves slightly changed to ** Tuesdays & Wednesdays 10am to 2.30pm **

We’re still making and mending, using recycled wood, at the NEA Community Shed, but for the rest of the year we are based at Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre (67b Groathill Road North, Edinburgh, EH4 2SA).

If you want to learn more about wood-making, up-cycle your home furniture or make something new out of recycled wood, come and join us!

For more information, please email garden@northedinburgharts.co.uk

EACC: Community Engagement tops the agenda at August meeting

EDINBURGH ASSOCIATION OF COMMUNITY COUNCILS

NEXT MEETING: Thursday 31 Aug 2023: 18.50 for 19.00 on Microsoft Teams.

Speakers:

Andrew Field: CEC; Head of Community Engagement and Empowerment;

Helen Bourquin: CEC; Manager, Community Engagement and Empowerment.

Topic:

The roll-out of Edinburgh’s Locality Improvement Plans 2023-28.

Under the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015, the Edinburgh Partnership is required to develop and deliver Locality Improvement Plans (LIPs) for each of the four localities in the city.

Work on this is already underway in the North-West and is building-out elsewhere.

I’ve invited Andrew and Helen to talk through:

The scope and target outcomes of the LIPs;

The community consultation process intended to shape the right priorities for each locality; and

Where the LIPs stand currently in terms of their early progress.

Here is the screen meeting link:

Microsoft Teams meeting

Click here to join the meeting

Meeting ID: 357 770 829 32

Passcode: yR9Kg8

Hope you can join us.

For the diary:

Tuesday 12 September at 19.00, on Teams.

Roger Colkett (Tollcross CC) is on the EACC Members’ Board and covers Licensing issues. He sits on the Edinburgh Licensing Forum.

He will host a one-hour screen meeting and invites all community council Licensing Leads to join him to chat through what is currently happening on the city’s Licensing front.

I’ll issue a reminder in two weeks or so, along with the meeting link. For now, please make sure your community council colleagues looking after Licensing have this message.

Ken Robertson

Secretary

secretary@edinburghcommunitycouncils.org.uk

Edinburgh Association of Community Councils (EACC) 

The EACC website homepage is:

Edinburgh Association of Community Councils (edinburghcommunitycouncils.org.uk)

Other Worlds: Citizen stories

CITIZEN ADULT WRITERS’ FINAL PERFORMANCE AT BOOK FESTIVAL TONIGHT

As a charitable non-profit making organisation, the work of the Book Festival stretches far beyond the month of August. Indeed, our Communities Programme runs year-round, focused on inspiring and empowering people of all ages and backgrounds.

Our City, Our Stories is an outpouring of this year-round work: an event created both for and by those taking part in the Communities Programme.

This inspiring, recurring, and FREE event showcases new writing from both professional and non-professional writers across our Citizen project (and other community-based groups including Intercultural Youth Scotland and Open Book).

The stories performed make up a collective love letter to Edinburgh.

The final Our City, Our Stories session of this year’s Book Festival takes place this evening at 6.15. We’d love to see you there!

#EdBookFest23

#Charity

#NewWriting

#CreativeEdinburgh

#EdinburghInternationalBookFestival

#EdinburghBookFestival

#BookFestival

#Community

#CharityWork

#Outreach

#AmWriting

New Rabbie’s Tours for 2024

Take the scenic route with new UK and Ireland tours offering stunning islands, iconic stately homes and historic towns

  • Rabbie’s unveils 2024 storyteller-led, small group tours, and brand new Bath departure point 

With its new tours for the 2024 season, and a new departure point in Bath, Rabbie’s passengers can enjoy the best sights and best kept secrets of the UK and Ireland.

New tours take in the Isles of Bute and Arran, historic stately homes including Chatsworth House and some of the country’s most charming villages. Starting in April 2024, the new tours are available to book from 14 August 2023. 

A total of 11 new tours will see the Rabbie’s storytelling driver-guides taking small groups beyond the guidebooks to explore the lesser-known and uncover the hidden gems across the UK and Ireland. New tours departing from Bath for the first time will also see new one-day options for trips to Oxford the Cotswolds, and Stratford-upon-Avon.

Rabbie’s new 2024 tour highlights include: 

Beyond the Cobbled Streets: Untold Cotswolds & Oxford 

Guests can explore the many Oxford colleges, climb to the vantage points to admire the skyline, or see the art and antiquities collections in the Ashmolean Museum before a stop in Burford, the ‘Gateway to the Cotswolds’. This small market town has enormous character and local charm.

Enjoy the many quaint villages including Bibury, which was described by William Morris as the prettiest village in England, and which Henry Ford wanted to dismantle and ship back to the USA. This Rabbie’s one-day tour will depart from Bath and costs from £55 per person. 

A Day on the Island: Bute 

Take in the stunning views across the Firth of Clyde to the Argyllshire Sea lochs and Highlands Mountains before sailing across the Firth of Clyde to Rothesay, the largest town on the Island of Bute.

The gem in this island’ crown is the spectacular Mount Stuart, the ancestral seat of the marquesses of Bute where guests can enjoy a scenic lunch as well as a tour through the 19th century house’s history and remarkable, ornate gothic revival architecture.

The south side of the island offers spectacular views across the Firth of Clyde to the Island and Highlands beyond. Guests can explore the west coast sandy beaches before sailing back to the mainland. This Rabbie’s one-day tour will depart from Glasgow and costs begin from £75 per person. 

Historical Adventure: St Andrews & Dundee 

Guests can luxuriate in the scenic route to Dundee along the Scottish coast, before, on arrival, exploring the Royal Research Ship Discovery. Discover the 20th ship’s history as the first purpose-built Antarctic survey vessel, before heading over the Tay Road Bridge for stunning views over the Firth of Tay.

Enter ancient Scottish history at the Kingdom of Fife, famed for its breathtaking landscapes and being the home of golf. Here, walk the 1,000-year-old streets of the Medieval town of St. Andrews and discover the ruined cathedral and visit the third oldest university in Britain or the Grand Old Lady, also known as the Old Course and the world’s oldest golf course. This Rabbie’s one-day tour will depart from Aberdeen and costs begin from £52 per person. 

Rabbie’s UK and Ireland tours depart from Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness, Aberdeen, London, Manchester, Bristol, Belfast and Dublin, and from 2024, Bath. 

For more information about Rabbie’s and to book a private or a scheduled tour, visit www.rabbies.com.    

Charity calls on First Minister to back young people as the solution to transforming the nation’s dying high streets 

Scottish charity TechFest is calling on First Minister Humza Yousaf to support its vision of transforming high streets throughout Scotland before it is too late, and they die completely.

TechFest promotes STEM to school pupils throughout Scotland. The TechFest Blueprint Challenge is back this year to support all S3 – S6 pupils as they play their role in saving the country’s high streets.  

The competition, aligned with the CREST Awards and grounded in STEM, asks students to come up with realistic ideas for regenerating failing high streets.

Sarah Chew, Managing Director of TechFest, said: “Scotland’s high streets are dying, and regenerating them is a huge challenge. We need the First Minister’s help to place this at the forefront of the national and local agenda.

“Young people and their fresh perspectives deserve to be heard by decision-makers and they might just have the answers and ideas that will help transform high streets throughout the country.”

 _________________________________________________________________________________

Scottish Charity, TechFest, is urging the First Minister Humza Yousaf to get behind its goal and ambition to help transform high streets throughout the country.

Following a successful pilot year which brought a range of creative designs by students across Scotland, TechFest is once again challenging secondary school students across the country to redesign their high streets as part of TechFest’s Blueprint Challenge: A Future High Street.

TechFest’s Blueprint Challenge is a collaboration with Bluewater, a specialist private equity firm focused on global energy. The initiative has been developed through Bluewater’s charitable division to inspire children to think about future energy and how this can be integral to a better environment and social agendas.

However, this year as pupils return to school, the charity has written to the First Minister urging him to help raise awareness and drive positive engagement with Local Authority planners throughout the country to support the regeneration of Scottish high streets and give young people a seat at the decision-making table.

Bringing life back to the high street has been a hugely challenging task for local authorities and TechFest’s Blueprint Challenge has been designed to champion ideas that can help regenerate towns and cities throughout the country.

The competition is open to all S3 – S6 students who want to share their ideas on how to create a high street that allows society to thrive while celebrating the natural world at the same time.

Pupils are asked to take into consideration ‘’modern problems’’ surrounding architecture, economic stability, power generation and consumption, and how they can bring energy, technology and nature together to create a high street that meets Net Zero targets and encourages nature and community to grow.

The goal is a modern and progressive high street that is not simply about retail.

Sarah Chew, Managing Director of TechFest, said: “We need the First Minister’s help to place the transformation of our high streets at the forefront of the national and local agenda.  

“In the past decade there have been continued discussions, debates and reports on how to transform our high streets and make them fit for the future but despite various thought-provoking think tanks and reports, sadly we have seen little to no action.  

“The Scottish high street is in crisis, and we need urgent action to save them, that is why the TechFest Blueprint Challenge is a huge opportunity to champion the youth voice and help transform how we use our high streets.  

“Young people deserve to be heard and we need the First Minister to bring our high streets further up the agenda and help us develop more positive and meaningful engagement with local authorities across Scotland.”  

Schools have until September 11th to register a team ahead of the project launch on September 12th.  

Teams will work together to create a project summary by the end of November, followed by a presentation day in December, where they will display their projects to a panel of experts, with a further opportunity to display their work as part of TechFest’s Science Festival in May 2024.  

The competition is curriculum-aligned, and students and teachers will receive comprehensive support materials, including a series of online webinars with industry professionals and an opportunity for students to showcase their skills to the local community.

“Scotland has a strong heritage for innovation and shaping the modern world,” Sarah Chew added.

“The TechFest Blueprint challenge offers a huge opportunity to develop progressive and ground-breaking ideas that can be held up as best-practice throughout the world, whilst engaging with young people in a fun, meaningful and impactful way.”