MUST-SEE THREE: Ray Mears, Tinderbox Orchestra, Yoko Pwno
With our big top headliner Del Amitri SOLD OUT (sob, sob) many weeks ago, it’s just as well we have oodles of other fab musical extravaganzas on next Saturday 3rd August…
In the Lodge Tent, you’ll find Yoko Pwno deliver their brilliant mash-up of original folk and electronic beats – a sound to behold.
Earlier in the day the Tinderbox Orchestra will have the big top bouncing with a live musical experience that’s like no other. “This is an orchestra Jim, but not as we know it…”
And if you’re after something more sedate or tips on how to survive on the wild side, Ray Mears is your man. What he doesn’t know about living in the great outdoors probably isn’t worth knowing.
Of course, there’s plenty more comedy, kids shows and outright creative brilliance on show next Saturday, so take your pick and make a great big day out to the seaside complete.
Don’t leave it too late, or you might just miss out like many a Del Amitri fan…
Scotland’s largest outdoor shopping centre, Fort Kinnaird, is on the lookout for local performers to step into the spotlight as part of its inaugural Summer Live event.
Taking place every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 2nd August – 18th August between 12-5pm, the centre is giving all type of performers from musicians, dancers and actors, to uplifting choirs, spoken word poets and solo singers the chance to showcase their talents to hundreds of local people.
The Summer Live stage will be set up near Hotel Chocolat, with a seating area for visitors to enjoy acts, and performers will be allocated a 30-minute time slot.
Fort Kinnaird is also partnering with East Lothian Arts Service – a council run programme supporting the arts – to host a series of workshops and performances from local community groups across the three weekends.
This will include sessions from The Brunton’s Performing Arts Network, East Lothian Youth Music Forum (ELJam), Sistema and Tinderbox Collective. Separately there will also be a variety of performances from The Theatre School of Scotland.
And as part of the centre’s commitment to supporting the arts, Fort Kinnaird will also be donating £1,000 to Tinderbox Collective to support an ongoing initiative to get musical instruments into public libraries, so people can borrow them for free – just like taking out a book – which is currently operated locally within Craigmillar and Moredun libraries.
Liam Smith, centre director at Fort Kinnaird, said:“With a series of city-centre events hosting Edinburgh’s talent across the summer, we wanted to get involved to support even more local performers and groups to share their talent with the local community.
“We also hope our donation to Tinderbox Collective will help more people discover or continue to pursue their musical talents.
“We’re incredibly excited for our first ever Summer Live event. If you would like to take part, or even just find out more information, we’d encourage you to get in touch as soon as possible as we expect the line-up to fill up pretty quickly.”
Fancy taking part? All you need to do is contact info@fortkinnaird.com with the following:
Your stage name and type of performance
How many people are in your group (maximum is 30)
What times/days you are available and how long your set is
The Traverse’s Autumn 2024 season stages home-grown and international performances exploring issues of social justice.
Traverse 1 highlights include Enough of Him by May Sumbwanyambe, To Save The Sea by Isla Cowan and Andy McGregor and The Tailor of Inverness by Matthew Zajac.
Traverse 2 highlights include The Brenda Line by Harry Mould, Bullring Techno Makeout Jamz by Nathan Queeley-Dennis and Piece of Work by James Rowland.
A Play, A Pie & A Pint returns for a six-week run under the new leadership of Brian Logan.
Music at the Traverse programme continues to grow with fourteen acts confirmed and on sale.
As we prepare to dive into the joy and excitement of TravFest24, we wanted to take some time to look ahead to our Autumn season – as there’s no slowing down for us come September! Performances tackle social issues head on, see many of our valued partners return and bring big laughs to our stages in a season packed with captivating and compelling work.
Following on from the success of a sold-out run of Maggie & Me, the National Theatre of Scotland are back in October with the revival of May Sumbwanyambe’s Enough of Him which won the 2023 CATS Award for Best New Play. This co-production with Pitlochry Festival Theatre is an incisive and emotive new play based on the true story of Joseph Knight, directed by previous Traverse Artistic Director Orla O’Loughlin.
As well as Enough of Him, we are delighted to also welcome Pitlochry Festival Theatre with The Brenda Line by Harry Mould and directed by Ben Occhipinti. Based on the lesser-known history if the Samaritans in the 70s and 80s as well as the lived experience of Harry Mould’s mother, this is a story about women, love and listening.
Sleeping Warrior Theatre Company will highlight the urgency of the climate crisis with their latest musical, To Save The Sea by Isla Cowan and Andy McGregor. Inspired by a real-life 1995 protest, the makers of Battery Park and Crocodile Rock will bring this epic adventure story to the Traverse for three nights as part of their Scottish tour.
Also returning to the Traverse Dogstar Theatre’s The Tailor of Inverness by Matthew Zajac and directed by Ben Harrison, which presents an unforgettable and moving story of displacement and survival in war-torn Europe; particularly powerful in light of the current war in Ukraine.
Having received rave reviews during its run at the Paines Plough Roundabout during the Edinburgh Fringe 2023, NathanQueeley-Dennis brings Bullring Techno Makeout Jamz directed by Dermot Daly to Traverse 2 at the start of November. Ruckus, an award winning, compelling one-woman thriller by Jenna Fincken which premiered at the Edinburgh Fringe in 2022, explores the suppression and destruction caused by coercive control.
The first week of November sees two distinct new productions directed by Tessa Walker. In Traverse 1, Run, Rebel is an electrifying adaptation of Manjeet Mann’s acclaimed novel for audiences of 11+ combining physical theatre, mesmerising visuals and a talented ensemble cast, setting the stage for a transformative story of revolution, empowerment and courage. In Traverse 2, Bright Places by Rae Mainwaring is a darkly funny and deeply honest autobiographical story about growing up in the shadow of chronic illness.
We are also in for a treat with a handful of one-night delights this Autumn. Star of The Office (Australia), Felicity Ward returns with her new show I’m Exhausting for her first national tour in six years. Fresh from their appearance on BBC Three’s RuPaul’s Drag Race UK VS The World, Choriza May hits the road with their first ever solo theatre show extravaganza; The Choriza May Show. Award-winning poet and playwright Inua Ellams brings his chaotic, audience-led poetry event, Search Party,a unique interactive experience where the boundary between artist and audience blurs into a dynamic act of creation.
For audiences looking for something more experimental we are pleased to be welcoming back James Rowland with his new show Piece of Work which will feature his distinct mix of storytelling, comedy and music. Arán & Imby Manchán Magan will see the performer baking sourdough bread while offering insights into the wonders of the Irish language.
Our six-week run of A Play, A Pie & A Pint will return this Autumn with six new plays taking to our stages, as part of our first season collaborating with new Artistic Director Brian Logan.
Continuing on from the success of the inaugural season of Music At The Traverse we are delighted to be presenting in excess of fourteen gigs within our upcoming Autumn season. Including crowd-pleasers Espen Eriksen Trio and RANT as well as innovative newcomers Ryan Young and Amy Hollinrake, these one-nighters are sure to bring music to our ears and warmth to our souls as the nights get colder.
17 JULY FROM 12 – 4pm at AT MUIRHOUSE MILLENNIUM CENTRE
Liftfest was the idea of our fab volunteers Tyler, Stacey and Wendy – they organised everything from asking for donations, organising the band, wee singer, DJ, and food donations.
Everything will be priced cheaply and affordable.
There will be table sales in the hall and lots going on outside
We would like to be able to supply the kids with either free cartons of juice or free diluting juice so if any nice person wants to donate cartons of juice or diluting juice and cups we would really appreciate it.
This has al been organised on a very low budget as everyone knows money is tight but the volunteers wanted to have something in Muirhouse for the families, the kids and their community.
Well done everyone involved in planning this day
I’m dreading to see what they have planned for me but whatever it is I’m sure they will all enjoy taking the mick out off the CEO!
The universe’s favourite novelty politician, Count Binface, is back on our planet, and just in the nick of time as he’s set to embark on a national tour this autumn to save us all from imminent disaster with his MEGA plans. (Make Earth Great Again!)
2024 is the biggest year ever for democracy, with elections all over the globe, and Binface has more than played his part. He recently ran in the London Mayoral Election and took on (former) Prime Minister Rishi Sunak in the General Election.
Hot off the back of the UK’s General Election, Binface will be invading a theatre near you with his brand new live comedy show, featuring his unique take on Britain, his special brand of sci-fi satire, and of course his unbeatable manifesto.
Cheaper croissants? Check. The nationalisation of Adele? Check. The return of Ceefax? Check. Water bosses to take a dip in UK rivers to see how they like it? CHECK!
Count Binface is the intergalactic space warrior and novelty politician who has delighted millions with his unlikely tilts at power in the United Kingdom.
First, he took on Theresa May in the 2017 General Election, cunningly disguised as ‘Lord Buckethead’, and went viral around the world (in a non-Covid way), appearing on Last Week Tonight with John Oliver and at The Glastonbury Festival.
Then he challenged Boris Johnson in 2019, when he scored 69 votes (he’d love to say he’s the first life form to experience a surprising 69 with the Prime Minister in a sports hall during the small hours, but with Boris you just never know).
In 2021 he first ran to be Mayor of London in a bid to gain control of the Earth Capital itself. He received a glorious 92,896 votes from the great British public that sent him soaring into ninth place.
This year he won 24,260 votes and he got endorsed by a national newspaper and beat the fascists of Britain First.
St James Quarter Sessions will return this August for a second outing. Edinburgh’s free music festival will offer a diverse range of musical performances from over 80 incredible emerging artists.
St James Quarter Sessions, Edinburgh city centre’s much talked about free music festival, will be back for a second year and promises to be bigger with the addition of new venues and stages.
From Friday 16th August to Sunday 25th August, guests can get that festival feeling in the heart of the Capital – with not an inch of mud in sight!
This year’s St James Quarter Sessions will launch on August 2nd with a series of pop-up busking performances in partnership with SNACK Magazine. Running throughout August, musicians can apply for a paid performance slot with applications set to open on Friday 5th July.
After launching in 2023, St James Quarter Sessions will again take place during the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, supporting some of Scotland’s unique up-and-coming musicians as well as bringing in more established performers from across the UK.
2024 also sees the addition of a rooftop stage with jaw-dropping views across Edinburgh to the castle, Arthur’s Seat and Calton Hill. The free music festival will fill all floors with more than 80 acts performing across the Galleria and 5 venues within the Quarter from pop-up live acoustic sets and DJs to full band performances with a diverse mix of artists from indie rock and alt-pop to jazz fusion and hip hop.
St James Quarter has also teamed up with Forth 1’s Boogie in the Morning to find the best of local talent who will win the chance to perform on one of the stages during the festival AND a day in the W Edinburgh recording studio.
With this unique addition to the Fringe Festival offerings, guests should expect the unexpected throughout the 10 days of Sessions, with a whole host of performances from impressive music talent.
Fans can anticipate the line-up to be filled with their favourite DJs, musicians, and rising artists. The Quarter’s stores, dining, and entertainment venues will also be joining in with the festival spirit including performances in Bonnie & Wild, Gordon Ramsay Street Burger, The Botanist, The Alchemist and Duck & Waffle.
Free tickets will be available on the St James Quarter app later this month, along with the full line-up announcement for St James Quarter Sessions 2024.
Susan Hewlett, Brand and Marketing Director, said: “2024 has been a tumultuous year for the music industry, specifically festivals, many of which have sadly been cancelled due to rising costs and consumers being more cash conscious.
“The success of the first St James Quarter Sessions allowed guests to experience emerging live music talent in the city centre for free, whilst also being able to take advantage of an exciting array of food and drink offerings and amenities.
“The month-long festival all under our glass canopy in the comfort of the Galleria allowed visitors to experience memorable, intimate performances with incredible talent with our retail and leisure partners commercially benefitting from the rise in footfall too.
“The Edinburgh Festival Fringe is a calendar highlight for many of our guests, and we cannot wait to be at the heart of the buzz, welcoming our guests to the second edition of St James Quarter Sessions.”
Guests can sign up for free tickets by downloading the St James Quarter App, which allows them to stay updated with events happening throughout the Quarter for Sessions and beyond.
Staff, residents, relatives and the local community came together at Queens Manor on Queensferry Road to enjoy an Open Day held at the home on Friday 21st June 2024.
Queens Manor hosted a variety of activities throughout the day, including a tasty BBQ prepared by their hospitality team, musical entertainment, pet therapy and even a surprise visit from a local ice cream van, which were enjoyed by everyone who came to the event.
Staff at Queens Manor made everyone feel welcome and were delighted to see different generations having fun together. Visitors enjoyed plenty of refreshments and fun, such as burgers, hot beverages and tasty trifle prepared by the catering team, who were hard at work making sure that a great time was had by all, as well as furry visits from Doc, Frank & Elvis and musical entertainment from Margo the Butterfly singer – it really was a team effort from all!
Resident, Jean Gillies, said, “I thoroughly enjoyed it. I was surrounded by lots of great people, and the refreshments & fun kept flowing into the afternoon. The weather held out until we finished.
“Staff did a great job, not just on the day, but organising the event and getting everyone together. The entertainment was amazing – from the dogs and guineapigs, to the singer and a special shout out to the ice cream man! the van took me back to times I spent with my family at the beach all enjoying 99’s!”
Shannon Cullen, Senior Head of Lifestyle & Enrichment at the home, said: “Staff at Queens Manor are dedicated to making sure that the home is a hub of the local community and residents, and this event, along with all their hard work, has definitely paid off.
“It was a resounding success, with everyone having a great time!”
Queens Manor care home is run by Barchester Healthcare, one of the UK’s largest care providers, which is committed to delivering personalised care across its care homes and hospitals.
Queens Manor Care Home provides residential care and dementia care for 60 residents from respite care to long term stays.
Vue sites in Edinburgh has announced the latest set of family-friendly blockbusters set to hit the big screen this summer, as well as a number of new ways for families and kids of all ages to enjoy time together at the big screen.
For the youngest film fans enjoying some of their favourite their very first outings to the big screen, Vue has introduced Big Shorts screenings, bringing some favourite children’s characters from television shows and web series such as The Gruffalo’s Child and Zog and the Flying Doctors to the big screen.
These short and sweets screenings offer a relaxed big screen environment with dimmed lights and reduced sound, tailor-made for younger film fans aged 1 to 4, allowing them to fall in love with the big screen in their very first trips.
Meanwhile, families looking for a value big screen experience can avail of the brand-new Mighty Mornings offering. This will see films such as Kung Fu Panda 4 and The Present shown across weekends and school holidays this summer from just £2.49 when tickets are purchased online.
It’s also set to be a summer of big screen, with blockbusters such as Pixar’s Inside Out 2 and Illumination’s Despicable Me 4 leading the bill.
Almost nine years since its enormously emotional debut warmed hearts and mini minds across the world, on 14 June Inside Out 2 invites us back to the wonderful world of Riley’s mind and Emotions: Joy, Sadness, Anger, Fear and Disgust.
Now, as Riley reaches her teenage years, our cast meets a whole new cast of unfamiliar emotions which set them off on another marvellous adventure across the teenager’s mind.
Joining Joy and friends, this summer sees Gru and the Minion crew back with Despicable Me 4, which sees our former villain turned family man face off against new nemesis Maxime Le Mal and his femme fatale girlfriend Valentina, meaning his family, Minions included, must go on the run to stay safe. Expect more Minion mayhem, criminal capers and plenty of laughs when Despicable Me 4arrives at Vue on 12 July
As well as the latest family-friendly blockbusters, some true family classics will be back at home on the big screen as part of Vue’s Back On The Big Screen Family Treasures season, which includes Woody and Buzz’s sequel adventure Toy Story 2 and every live action outing of Marvel superhero Spider-Man, including the Tobey Maguire trilogy, Andrew Garfield The Amazing Spider-Man films and the more recent Tom Holland trilogy including Spider-Man: No Way Home later this summer.
Robert Smith, General Manager at Vue in Edinburgh Omni, said: “Every film fan discovered their love for stories on the big screen with their very first visit. Because of this, we’re looking to make this experience as memorable as possible for our young audiences to really help create their love for films with their family with our Big Shorts and Mighty Mornings offerings.
“With some incredible new blockbusters, family treasures and even some pre-school favourites heading to Vue, we’re thrilled to help families and youngsters enjoy their first trip to Vue, as well as each visit afterwards.”
Tickets are available, along with more information on Big Shorts and Mighty Mornings, at www.myvue.com/family
· TICKETS REDUCED TO £4 PER FILM, ALL DAY, ONLY IN SCREENX
· OFFER VALID ACROSS 23 CINEMA SITES IN THE UK
Cineworld is delighted to announce SCREENX DAY, an exclusive, one-day event featuring some of the hottest blockbusters in the cutting-edge ScreenX format. Mark your calendars for Saturday, July 6th, and prepare for an unparalleled cinematic adventure across 23 locations in the UK.
To celebrate this state-of-the-art experience, the event will give aviators and Fremens across the country a chance to experience some of their favourite blockbusters in the revolutionary format for only £4.00 a ticket.
ScreenX uses advanced technology with 270-degree projection to create panoramic viewing that surrounds you in your seat. With the film extended beyond your peripheral vision, guests are transported into their cinematic universe of choice in a world first, available only at Cineworld.
For one day only, Cineworld is bringing back some of the biggest billers including:
Dune: Part Two – Enter a futuristic sci-fi world and immerse yourself in the heat of the battle for Arrakis with screens projecting an incredible desert expanse
Top Gun: Maverick – Catch this adventure-filled epic with footage exclusive to the ScreenX experience. Six cameras in the cockpit combine with the expanded sidewall projection to bring you along for each dynamic flying sequence like never before. Director Joseph Kosinski reveals “We weren’t able to use two of the side cameras in the [standard] film, but in ScreenX we were able to use that footage on the side screens, so what you’re seeing in ScreenX is live action footage on the side of the screens which is a first!”
Meg 2: The Trench – Immerse yourself in the under-sea-action of Meg 2 now in 270 degrees for the ultimate heart-racing jumpscares. With screens wrapping round your head, director Ben Wheatley notes “With ScreenX, that feeling of looking into the film that’s wrapping all around your head really amplifies a lot of the action stuff. With the Meg 2: The Trench there’s a lot of intense action that is really served well by ScreenX.”
Migration –The first ever animated film to be shown in ScreenX, take flight with the Mallard of ducks for this family favourite uplifting tale
Casey Cohen, Head of Marketing at Cineworld Cinemas,said: “We’re thrilled to introduce Cineworld’s inaugural ScreenX Day! For just £4, experience a revolutionary 270° view with projections expanding onto the side walls of the auditorium.
“Whether you’re soaring with Top Gun: Maverick or adventuring with Migration, you can surround yourself and your whole family with movie magic at Cineworld on July 6th.”
Tickets for the first ever ScreenX Day can now be purchased on the Cineworld Website or the Cineworld app.
#ScreenXDay
#ExperienceScreenX
ScreenX Day 2024 is sponsored by the Royal Air Force.
Screenings to take place at the following locations:
Ashford Barnsley Basildon Belfast Brighton Castleford Crawley Didsbury Edinburgh Hull Leeds White Rose London – Hounslow London – The O2 Greenwich London – Wandsworth Milton Keynes Newcastle upon Tyne Newport – Spytty Park Rushden Lakes Sheffield Speke Watford Wolverhampton York
Nathan is one of eight live folk and country music acts performing across Friday 21st and Saturday 22nd June at The Royal Highland Centre
PASSENGERS on an Edinburgh tram were treated to a very special journey yesterday as TikTok sensation, Nathan Evans, gave an impromptu gig.
A special guest at the Royal Highland Hoolie at the Royal Highland Show, Nathan Evans of Wellerman (Sea Shanty) fame had everyone’s toes tapping as they travelled from Princes Street to Ingliston, the home of the Royal Highland Show. (June 20 – 23)
The line-up for this year’s Royal Highland Hoolie will see some of Scotland and Ireland’s liveliest musicians take to the stage, with eight folk and country acts set to entertain crowds across two nights in June, the same weekend as the Royal Highland Show.
Sharing a stage with Nathan on Friday (21st June) will be headline act, Tide Lines, who have just released their latest single, Homeward Bound and six-piece band, Trail West, who have recently returned from a European tour and who continue to rise in popularity from their modest roots as a four-piece West Coast Ceilidh Band The Peatbog Faeries, recognised as one of Scotland’s best known contemporary folk music bands will complete Friday’s line-up.
On the Saturday (22nd June) night, award-winning Irish country music singer and songwriter, Derek Ryan, returns to headline the Highland Hoolie. He will be joined by Scottish singer Lisa McHugh, Highland accordionist and vocalist, Calum MacPhail and “Cotton Eye Joe” chart toppers, Rednex, who will make an exclusive appearance.
Welcoming families, this year the Royal Highland Hoolie will have a special family zone for those with children aged between five and twelve. With picnic tables and space for little ones to play, families can enjoy the music safely and away from the crowds.
The Royal Highland Hoolie is run in partnership with promoters Farmers Bash.
Nathan Evans said: “I’m so looking forward to playing at the Royal Highland Hoolie this weekend.
“It was brilliant fun to give a warm up gig on the tram which will be taking people to and from the Hoolie. It promises to be a great event!“
Derek Ryan said: “I am delighted to be headlining again at the Royal Highland Hoolie this year.
We love coming back to Scotland and have been regular visitors to the concert and festival circuits here for the last 12 years now. My Scottish fans never fail to deliver the enthusiasm, the excitement and the warm welcome we always receive here.
“The Royal Highland Hoolie is definitely the festival we look forward to every summer. Last year’s crowd and the incredible atmosphere is something I will never forget. I’m really looking forward to headlining once again and the line-up this year looks like it’s shaping up to be the best year yet.
“See you all on the 22nd June. Hold on to your hats!”
Mark Currie, Director of Venue for the Royal Highland Centre said: “The Royal Highland Hoolie brings together some of the very best of Scotland and Ireland’s homegrown talent to the Royal Highland Centre.
“With the Royal Highland Show one of Europe’s most prestigious agricultural shows, we are absolutely honoured to have some of the best names across folk and country music join us as to contribute towards what we hope to be a fantastic weekend for the agricultural and wider community.”
Farmers Bash promoter Nigel Campbell, added: “The Royal Highland Hoolie offers something for everyone, whether you’re a fan of the musicians involved or looking to enjoy an evening of live music with friends.
“We’re excited to have some fantastic names join our line-up this year and encourage those hoping to come along to get their tickets early to avoid disappointment.”
Various ticket types are available, including two combined Royal Highland Show and Royal Highland Hoolie tickets which allow for people to enjoy both events at a discounted rate with a limited number of Hoolie only tickets.
Ticket prices start at £35.00 and are available to buy from the Royal Highland Show website www.royalhighlandshow.org
