Saturday night’s alright for Elton!

Elton John announces Edinburgh Meadowbank date

Elton-John

Following on from the announcement of six huge summer dates next year, Elton John has now added another massive British show to his ‘Wonderful Crazy Night’ Tour, performing in Edinburgh on Saturday 25 June.

Having already announced shows in Exeter, Henley, Leicester, Lincoln, Liverpool and Oxford, Elton will bring his band to Meadowbank Stadium for the first live music concert the venue has held since 2007. Continue reading Saturday night’s alright for Elton!

AARG: Roller Girls head to head at home

Home double header on 28 November

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In this year’s Home Season, Auld Reekie Roller Girls three home teams – the Cherry Bombers, Leithal Weapons and Skatefast Club – have battled it out in three fast and furious games, all of which will culminate in November’s grand final.

The Skatefast Club had a decisive win over Leithal Weapons in the first game of the Home Season, before the Leithals rallied with a win against the Cherry Bombers in the second game. Following a rollicking game in early November in which Skatefast Club beat the Cherry Bombers, we’re set for a dramatic finish to the season as the Leithal Weapons takes on the Skatefast Club, juking it out for supremacy. The grand final will be a double-header, with the third-placed home team, the Cherry Bombers, taking on guest team – The Rolling Bones.

Both games will take place on Saturday 28 November at Meadowbank Sports Stadium on London Road.

Doors open at 1pm, so come along and view our cake, merchandise and local vendors stalls before the first game begins at 1.30pm.

ARRG has arranged a special license for a bar, and there will be amazing half-time entertainment and a charity fundraising raffle. There will also be separate seating areas for families and young children, and a children’s craft corner to keep little ones amused.

Tickets are £6 in advance, £8 on the door, available from Brown Paper Tickets:

Tickets: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/2252540

ARRG has also introduced new prices for unwaged and Senior (over 65’s) fans at £5 per ticket, as well as free entry for disability leisure card holders and a carer.

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Gearing up for The Gang Show

The fabulous Edinburgh Gang Show is back!

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Over 250 young people from Scouting and Girlguiding will swap their camping gear and the outdoor life for the glitz and glamour of the theatre world when the annual Gang Show returns to the capital next week. Continue reading Gearing up for The Gang Show

Let the presses roll!

Top Scottish authors on hand as Des McDonald opens his first Edinburgh edition

he Printing Press Bar & Kitchen

A new chapter opened on George Street yesterday when some of Scotland’s literary greats were the first guests at the official opening of the The Printing Press Bar & Kitchen. 

To mark the opening of the new restaurant, respected restaurateur Des McDonald was joined by head chef Colin Fleming to serve some of Scotland’s literary elite, including leading Scottish crime writer Ian Rankin, Chris Brookmyre, Sue Lawrence, Doug Johnstone, Jenni Fagan and Lin Anderson.

Des, who has over 20 years’ experience running some of London’s most high-profile restaurants, has shaped every aspect of The Printing Press – including the concept design and menu – in what is his maiden venture in Scotland.

Housed in a Georgian townhouse on George Street, The Printing Press pays homage to the capital’s rich literary heritage: number 25 was home in the 1780s to the acclaimed novelist Susan Ferrier and in late 1840 records show one John Oliphant living there – Oliphant’s and Ferrier’s descendants founded Oliphant, Anderson and Ferrier, one of Scotland’s most prestigious publishing houses, best known for the series of Famous Scots books.

he Printing Press Bar & Kitchen

Now, a multi-million pound refurbishment has created an elegant, all-day, 180-seat restaurant and bar that restores many of the building’s original Georgian features alongside contemporary touches to create a series of rooms that are elegant and comfortable from morning though to the wee hours.

“We set out with a clear vision to create a warm, distinctive restaurant and bar in the heart of Edinburgh’s New Town that nods to the heritage of the building and the city itself,” says Des. “We’ve worked with some of the most reputable suppliers in Scotland, as well as talented designers and contractors to bring this new restaurant experience to Edinburgh’s dining scene.

“It’s a great achievement to see The Printing Press officially open its doors and I can’t think of a group of guests more fitting to join us on our first day of business than the literary greats of modern-day Edinburgh.”

Open seven days a week for breakfast, lunch and dinner – with a late bar serving food and drink till 1am – The Printing Press has already found favour with some of Edinburgh’s most influential food writers, including Alright Treacle’s Anna Hamilton, who loved the “quality of the ingredients” and “the incredibly flavoursome dishes”, which give the restaurant “all the makings of an Edinburgh gem.”

Pictures by Sandy Young

 

Busy autumn schedule for city’s Roller Girls

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Fresh faces will join battle-hardened old hands to play their first Auld Reekie Roller Girls (ARG) home season later this month (writes Lucy Glenny).

ARRG has divvied up its competitive skaters, old and new, into three home teams – Cherry Bombers, Leithal Weapons and Skatefast Club. Each team of 14 skaters will battle it over four events out to be crowned queens of the league 2015.

The first game will be between the Leithal Weapons and current title-holders Skatefast Club on Saturday, September 26.

Next up is the Leithal Weapons versus the Cherry Bombers on Saturday 17 October and the third game will see the Cherry Bombers take on the Skatefast Club on Saturday 7 November 7.

The grand final will be a double-header, with the third-placed home team playing a guest team and the two top home teams competing for first place on Saturday 28 November.

Each game will take place at Meadowbank Sports Stadium on London Road.

Doors open at 2pm, giving plenty of time to eat cake, look at merchandise and browse our craft stalls before the game starts at 2.30pm.

ARRG has arranged a special license for a bar at the events and there will be half-time entertainment too.

There will be separate seating areas for families and young children and a children’s craft corner to keep little ones amused.

Tickets are £6 in advance, £8 on the door and £17 for the five-game home season ticket, available on Brown Paper Tickets.

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AARG

The Prentice Centre’s guid fur a laugh!

With two free fun courses starting in October, The Prentice Centre in Granton Mains is the place to be for fans of Scottish culture this autumn …

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‘Guid fer a Laugh’ takes a seriously funny look at Scottish comedy over the years. The course starts on Tuesday 6 October from 6 -8pm and runs for ten weeks (and maybe more if there are calls for an encore!)

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A bit more highbrow (but only a wee bit!) is ‘An Introduction to the History of Scottish Theatre’. This free ten-week course starts on Monday 5 October from 1.30 – 3.30pm and includes theatre visits.

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Both courses are free. To book your place or for further information call The Prentice Centre on 552 0485.

A pure cornucopia of Scottish culture, so it is!

Stars head North for roller derby showdown

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Saturday’s second and final Edinburgh Fringe roller derby game, hosted by Auld Reekie Roller Girls, will be a stellar all-Northern all star line-up (writes Lucy Glennie).

Fabulous skaters from teams across Scotland and northern England will pit their speed, stamina and agility against each other to determine the victor.

The two all-female teams will each field a jammer, who will strive to get past four opposing blockers to score points. The teams will aim to outwit, out sprint and hit their opponents out of play using only the power of their bodies and minds.

This Saturday’s game comes hot on the heels of Auld Reekie’s All Star Reserves’ incendiary head-to-head against Glasgow Roller Derby’s Maiden Grrders on 8 August. Active Edinburgh’s sponsorship of the first Fringe game really helped things go with a bang!

The next game will be a special evening event, building on the excitement of the last, with a stadium full of fans and a licensed bar. This is an inclusive, family-friendly event celebrating strength, teamwork and friendship for young and old, regular and brand new fans.

All welcome at Meadowbank Stadium, Edinburgh on Saturday 15 August, 7 – 9.30pm.