MELA looking for volunteers

mela1

The Edinburgh Mela Festival 2014 is looking for volunteers

Friday 29 – Sunday 31 August

A carnival atmosphere with a vibrant and exciting mix of dance, music, street art and theatre, The Edinburgh Mela Festival is a lively, colourful event for all the family.

We are looking for enthusiastic and friendly volunteers to join the Festival team, so if you are looking for a fun, summer experience then this is the opportunity for you…

We are looking for volunteers in the following areas:

Artist Liaison, Audience Services, Market Stalls, Kids and family area, Green Recycling Team and Marketing.

We provide:

Ø A volunteer training session, which will give you a chance to meet your volunteer colleagues

Ø Travel expenses to and from the Festival

Ø A meal per shift plus refreshments from our hospitality area

Ø 2 complimentary day tickets

Ø A limited edition Mela t-shirt

Ø You will be able to ask for a reference on successful completion of your volunteer post

You will be asked to attend a short, informal interview and training session.

To find out more, please contact Antonia Dickson on 07870621086 or email volunteer@edinburgh-mela.co.uk; alternatively write to The Edinburgh Mela, Unit 14, Abbeymount Techbase, 2 Easter Road, Edinburgh, EH7 5AN

The deadline for all opportunities is Sunday 10 August.

http://www.edinburgh-mela.co.uk/

MELA

Arts for all! Date set for exciting new theatre project

We first revealed news of this exciting new North Edinburgh Theatre community project last month, and a date’s now been set for an introductory meeting to get the ball rolling.

Whatever your skills and interests, there’s sure to be something for you in the 1d (that’s an old penny!)Tenement Opera project! Why not attend the first meeting at North Edinburgh Arts on Thursday 14 August at 11am?  It could be the start of a something big – and there’s even free tea and cake!

Interested? See the flyer for details …

arts

All aboard! Travelling Gallery stopping off in Drylaw

The Travelling Gallery at Calton Hill EdinburghThe Travelling Gallery is off on it’s travels again and Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre will be one  of the destinations as the bus embarks on a five-month tour of Scotland.

For the past 25 years the Travelling Gallery has played an active part in exhibiting and promoting Scottish artists, so it is delighted to be part of GENERATION, a nationwide celebration of contemporary art in Scotland, which is taking place in over 60 venues throughout the country this year.

GENERATION: TG is a group exhibition which includes five Scottish artists; Laura Aldridge, Craig Coulthard, Mandy McIntosh, Hanna Tuulikki and David Sherry.

The exhibition will present new commissions alongside developments of existing works. A hand-made, craft element links all of the works in the exhibition, which include ceramics, textile wall hangings, digital animation, drawings, sculpture, film, performance and song.

The exhibition also includes a film of the artists talking about their work to pupils from Edinburgh schools, which was made in collaboration with Pilton-based Screen Education Edinburgh (formerly Pilton Video). The exhibition includes a short film of the artists talking about their work to pupils from three Edinburgh schools in collaboration with SEE (Screen Education Edinburgh).

The schools involved were Craigroyston, Holyrood and Portobello High Schools. All the pupils met with the artists, often in their studios, and asked them questions about their art and life as an artist. A programme of workshops, run by SEE, introduced the pupils to the film equipment, interviewing techniques and editing skills. The film will be available on YouTube and at www.travellinggallery.com.

The Travelling Gallery is a mobile contemporary art gallery, custom-built in a big, beautiful bus. The gallery is supported by Creative Scotland, the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation and Edinburgh Museums and Galleries, a division of the City of Edinburgh Council.

The GENERATION: TG exhibition has been curated specifically for this unique space, and will travel the length and breadth of Scotland, visiting schools, high streets, community centres, and many other venues on the way. Travelling Gallery staff are always available to give formal, and not so formal, presentations on the exhibition at every stop.

Councillor Richard Lewis, Culture and Sport Convenor for the City of Edinburgh Council, said: “Once again the Travelling Gallery is set to be a fascinating exhibition which will draw crowds from communities across Scotland.

“This year, I am particularly looking forward to a short film that has been developed for the exhibition which includes artists talking about their work to pupils from Edinburgh schools. Another highlight will be seeing the bus when it returns to the City Art Centre as part of the Edinburgh Art Festival in August.”

GENERATION: TG is part of GENERATION: a major, nation-wide exhibition programme showcasing some of the best and most significant artists to have emerged from Scotland over the last 25 years. It shows the generation of ideas, of experiences, and of world class art on an unparalleled scale by over 100 artists in more than 60 venues.

The programme is delivered as a partnership between the National Galleries of Scotland, Glasgow Life and Creative Scotland and is part of Culture 2014, the 2014 Cultural Programme.

The Travelling Gallery will tour the GENERATION: TG exhibition in the following areas:

19– 20 July – Tramway, Glasgow

24 – 29 July – North Lanarkshire

4 – 15 August – Edinburgh Art Festival

2 – 7 September – Nairn Book and Arts Festival

8 – 19 September – Highlands

22 – 26 September – Lewis and Harris

4 – 10 October – Moray

20 -24 October – Falkirk

27 – 31 October – South Ayrshire

3 – 7 November – Stirling

10 – 14 November – Edinburgh

During the Edinburgh Art Festival the gallery will be visiting these venues:

Monday 4 August – Leith Walk (near Shrubhill House) 12 – 6pm

Tuesday 5 August – Westside Plaza, Wester Hailes 11am – 5pm

Thursday 7 August – Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre 11am – 5pm

Friday 8 August – Portobello High Street 11am – 5pm

Monday 11 August – Scottish Gallery of Modern Art: Modern 2 10am – 6pm

Tuesday 12 August – Craigmillar Library 11am – 5pm

Wednesday 13 August – City Art Centre, Market Street 10am – 5pm

Thursday 14 August – City Art Centre, Market Street 10am – 5pm (plus Art Late North)

Friday 15 August – City Art Centre, Market Street 10am – 5pm

See www.travellinggallery.com for all the details

@ArtinaBus or see @genartscot (#genartscot).

The Travelling Gallery getting ready to tour

Cashback: creating opportunities in the arts

cashbackCabinet Secretary for Culture and External Affairs, Fiona Hyslop joined young filmmakers, musicians and dancers who are developing their career skills thanks to the confiscated funds from criminal activity.

Over the last three years £2.25 million has been invested in CashBack for Creativity, providing over 15,000 opportunities for young people in Scotland to participate in arts activities they would not have otherwise had access to.

Ms Hyslop said: “The real impact of CashBack on young people’s lives can’t be expressed by statistics or in stark monetary terms – CashBack changes lives.

“The CashBack for Communities Programme takes funds recovered from the proceeds of crime and invests them in back into communities, putting young people on a positive path in life by providing opportunities for them to take part in thousands of free activities and projects.”

Programme participants have included Yutsil Martinez, who began in making short films with Pilton-based Screen Education Edinburgh project in 2011. Yutsil has gone on to star in the Screen Education film, Man With No Name, and was nominated for the Chris Anderson Award for Best Young Filmmaker 2013 (sponsored by the National Youth Film Academy). He was awarded an acting scholarship at the National Film Youth Academy in London after winning a Best Actor award at the event.

Yutsil said: “Participating in these projects and shoots has allowed me to find opportunities and meet other filmmakers and professionals in the field. The CashBack for Creativity Programme has been instrumental in helping me build my confidence and really develop my passion for working in the industry, and carve a future career for myself.”

Paul Reynolds earned a placement at Edinburgh’s DanceBase through the CashBack for Creativity Programmewhere and he discovered a passion for dance and performing arts. Attending DanceBase and developing as a dancer taught Paul new skills that he believes will see him through life. He now has a love of being on stage and performing for a big audience describing the feeling and rush he gets from performing as “incredible”.

Paul said: “Only a few years ago I struggled to talk to people I’d never met before and I had little confidence and self-esteem, but with my participation at DanceBase through CashBack, I am now more confident and focused regarding what I want from life.”

Leonie Bell, Director of Arts and Engagement at Creative Scotland, said: “Providing opportunities for young people to get involved in the arts, theatre and cultural activities can help improve confidence and broaden their horizons.

“Over the next three years, the CashBack for Creativity programme will enable approximately 20,000 young would-be filmmakers, dancers, musicians, artists, actors, writers and digital enthusiasts to work in professional settings with experienced practitioners, helping to inspire them to achieve their potential in their future careers.
She added: “I was delighted to meet a number of young participants who have been given the chance to work on interesting and educational CashBack projects and develop their personal, social and career skills.”

CashBack for Creativity is part of the wider Scottish Government CashBack for Communities programme. To date over £74 million has been made available to benefit over 600,000 young people in Scotland since CashBack for Communities began in 2011.

Twitter: @CB4Creativity #CashBack4Creativity

Let the good times roll! Jazz and Blues Festival kicks off tomorrow

jazzEdinburgh’s annual Jazz and Blues Festival kicks off tomorrow and promises ten terrific days and nights of top class jazz.

There’s something for all tastes and big names performing at this year’s event include the ever-popular Jools Holland with his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra (Mel C guesting), Scotland’s Queen of the Blues Maggie Bell and Grammy-nominated trumpeter Christian Scott.

With over 140 concerts to choose from you really are spoilt for choice and Brian Fallon, who chairs the Jazz & Blues Festival, is particularly excited about this year’s programme. He said: ““This is a very exciting year for the Festival. We’re delighted to be bringing to Scotland some of the world’s finest jazz and blues talent and some of our biggest names to date. Our programme has been carefully selected to appeal to a wide range of musical tastes, and we look forward to welcoming friends, old and new. Come along and join in the fun!”

You’ve got your invitation – so what are you waiting for?

For further information about what’s on, click on the link below

EJF2014

or check out www.edinburghjazzfestival.com

Edinburgh-Jazz-Blues-Festival-logo

 

Mmmmmm … great!

Be inspired at Craigroyston

Craigroyston Community High School is organising a week of arts activities with a sporting theme later this month.

The Commonwealth Games Summer Arts Programme runs from 21 – 25 July (10am – 4.30pm daily) for young people aged 11- 18.

Murals, sculpture, printmaking, jewellery and dance – all with a Commonwealth Games twist!

For more info or to book your place call 0131 477 7801.

Inspire

Forthcoming Fishing Folk events

fisherfolk

Since earliest times, Newhaven in Edinburgh has been famous for its fishing, its shipbuilding and its unique cultural traditions, celebrated through song and photography. As part of Fishing Folk, Citizen Curator is working with contemporary folk musician Jed Milroy and artist Johnny Gailey to raise awareness of the importance of this heritage.

Events still to come in April:

Do You Sing? Would you like to Sing?

The main focus of our events this month is our new Newhaven Fishing Folk Choir.
With support from an experienced singer we are running weekly drop in rehearsals, Tuesdays from 7 – 9pm. Participants old and young have already joined us to find out more about the songs of Newhaven and to experience community singing at its best.

Every Tuesday April/May, 7 – 9pm at Victoria Primary School in Newhaven

Please note. During the school holidays rehearsals on 8 and 15 April are at the Edinburgh Sculpture Workshop.

This event is open to – all
Tickets – free

Working Lunch – an occasional get together – with musician Jed Milroy

Friday 25 April, 12 – 1pm at the Edinburgh Sculpture Workshop in Newhaven

Jed will talk about his life as journeying musician, playing in bands and producing participatory music. As part of Fishing Folk, Jed has been working with Victoria Primary School to create a new ‘Song for Newhaven’ and forming our new Fishing Folk Choir.

This event is open to all
Soup of the day will be Lentil Broth
A contribution of £1.50 covers the cost of lunch
Please RSVP to ensure supply!

For further information contact:

Citizen Curator
Edinburgh Sculpture Workshop
21 Hawthornvale, Edinburgh, EH6 4JT

07812167130

info@citizencurator.com
www.citizencurator.com

‘Citizen Curator is a contemporary arts organisation working with the history and identity of Leith and North Edinburgh. This project is supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund and the City of Edinburgh Council

Fishing Folk sail into Newhaven this month

Fishing Folk
fishwives

Since earliest times, Newhaven has been famous for its fishing, its shipbuilding and its unique cultural traditions, celebrated through song and photography. As part of Fishing Folk, Citizen Curator is working with contemporary folk musician

Jed Milroy and artist Johnny Gailey to raise awareness of the importance of this heritage.

Events in March:
Friday 7 March, 12 – 1pm at the Edinburgh Sculpture Workshop in Newhaven
Working Lunch – an occasional get together – with Johnny Gailey.
Johnny will talk about his work as an artist, educator and curator. As part of Fishing Folk, Johnny will be rediscovering the lost sea and communities of Newhaven.
This event is open to all
Soup of the day will be – Auld Reekie (veggie cock-a-leekie)
A contribution of £1.50 covers the cost of lunch
Please RSVP to ensure supply…!
Tuesday 11 March, 7 – 9pm at Newhaven Parish Church Hall
Newhaven Community History Group – sharing the history of Newhaven – this month the Work & History of Fisherman’s Mission.
A monthly syllabus of talks and events brought to you by NCHG
This event is open to all
Visitors welcome at £2 per meeting
Sunday 16 March, 7 – 9pm at the Old Chain Pier in Newhaven
North with the Lights by the Sea – interesting music close up – with Wounded Knee and The Moon, the Sun and the Daughter.
A live, unplugged event celebrating contemporary music making in Newhaven. Brought to you by our friends at North with the Lights by the Sea
This event is open to over 18’s – Tickets £4.00
Sunday 23 March, 7 – 9pm at the Old Chain Pier in Newhaven
It’s no fish ye’re buying – Fishing Folk artists’ talk/perform – with Jed, Johnny and special guest Hamish Moore
A multi-media night of folk music and chat, celebrating Newhaven’s history and the art of music making. Special guest Hamish Moore + more to be announced.
This event is open to over 18’s, Tickets – Free
For further information contact:
Citizen Curator
Edinburgh Sculpture Workshop
21 Hawthornvale, Edinburgh, EH6 4JT
44+(0)7812167130
‘like’ us on Facebook
follow us on Twitter 
Citizen Curator is a contemporary arts organisation working with the history and identity of Leith and North Edinburgh. 
 
This project is supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund and the City of Edinburgh Council
fisherfolk

Open Studio event at Bongo Club

Creative Electric are hosting The Open Studio on Wednesday 18 December from 7.30 – 9.30pm at The Bongo Club and we’d love to see you there!
Our Open Studio’s are an opportunity for young and emerging artists aged 16-25 to come together to create and share new work. We have a programme of work which will take place throughout the building, in both of our studio’s, the toilets and the downstairs bar.
Materials and stimulus will be left out for you to create work on the night and results can be shared in the Electric photobooth. Further details on the programme are on the attached flyer.
Entry is by donation/pay what you can afford.
RSVP on Facebook:
Cheers
Heather
Dec Open Studio