Scarecrows for my Valentine?

LOVE IS STRONGER THAN HATE!

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Komic Brew is proud to announce the publication of Scarecrows – a full colour fantasy picture book for the whole family, written and illustrated by renowned Bosnian author Berin Tuzlic.

To mark this occasion a launch event will take place, in the presence of the author, tomorrow (Saturday 14 February) at 2pm in the Scottish Storytelling Centre, (http://www.tracscotland.org/scottish-storytelling-centre), featuring readings, projection of animation films and exhibition. Entry is free.

Scarecrows is set in a desolate dystopian future where the media(s) control the world and tells of a friendless little girl who meets a boy trapped in a TV set. She wants to release the boy and play with him, but the media scarecrows attack from everywhere. Will the girl be able to fight off the scarecrows and release the trapped boy?

“You could say that the story of Scarecrows is a variation on “The Ugly Duckling” by Andersen with a Tim Burton aesthetic”, says the author. Questions initiated by this short story include: are we slowly losing our humanity? Who are the real monsters? Can love overcome the fear and hatred that seems to permeate society?

“We immediately fell in love with the book,” said Adam Armit, the publishing director of Komic Brew. “Fans of Tim Burton’s universe will appreciate the visual treatment, rich in colour and expressionist atmosphere, while lovers of the written word will enjoy the originality of this unusual story.” This is a book that holds a mature, thought provoking story. The poetic approach to the narration, together with the naiveté and the fantastical futuristic set result in a strange multi-layered hybrid that will appeal to the whole family. 

A successful Kickstarter crowd-funding campaign in December 2014 helped finance this beautiful book. Scarecrows will be available in both printed and digital formats from tomorrow.

This enterprise signifies a great deal to Komic Brew and will cement what is hoped will be a long-term relationship both on a business and cultural level.

What the press has said:

“I read a lot of books. A lot. But this one is one of the best e-books I got to review in the last period. Illustrations: Great, Great, Great!!! And Again! Great!” – Land of Children’s Books (http://landofchildrensbooks.blogspot.fr/2014/12/scarecrows-illustrated-fantasy-book-for.html)

“Scarecrows’ 72-pages of full colour splendor will not leave you indifferent. ” – Artist Opus Magazine (http://artistsopus.com/featured/scarecrows-a-full-colour-fantasy-book/)

“I loved the message of Scarecrows, but there was much more to this simple book than that. This was about knowing there is someone out there who will love you and be your friend, no matter how alone you feel. ” – Lisa Kay Tate, Minion Feeding 101.

“My first thought was Scarecrows was really cute, but it was also kind of sad, the way the little girl didn’t have any friends. I loved the artwork. ” – Molly Kay Tate (age 12), Minion Feeding 101 (http://minionfeeding101.com/2014/11/komic-brews-scarecrows/)  

About the creator

In a prolific professional career spanning two decades, Berin Tuzlic has produced and directed many animation films, comic books, music videos and commercials.  He is president of the ASIFA BiH – the Bosnian branch of the International Association of Animation Films and also founder of PIXEL – Association for Art & Visual Communication. His films have been screened in all major festivals in the world, and he regularly participates in group and solo exhibitions.

“There is a multitude of media everywhere in today’s world. They are in our homes, on the streets, in our cars, even in our pockets, on our mobile phones. As medias fight each other for exclusive, sometimes shocking materials, the boundaries of good taste are erased and everything is submitted to the law of quantity: getting more viewers in any possible way.

Humanity is slowly becoming immune to feelings: we are getting used to seeing terrible things happening in the world, that we barely react any more to poverty, war and injustice. These are some of the deeper issues that are just under the surface of Scarecrows.” – says Berin.

About Komic Brew

The Edinburgh based publishing company, Komic Brew is a bit of a strange creative formula, consisting of one part Scot + one part Macedonian. It was co-founded by Adam Armit and Goce Cvetanovski and has a focus on graphic novels, comic books, and comic strips in the fantasy, SF and horror genres. Planned secondary activities include the publication of board and card games.

There are a number of comic series and graphic novels in different phases of production. There are also plans to publish four series that have not been previously available in English before.

To find out more and see some of the planned projects and current artwork, please visit the Komic Brew website at www.komicbrew.com

 

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Burns ceilidh: celebrating community at Royston Wardieburn

That Man to Man, the world o’er,

Shall brothers (and sisters!) be for a’ that

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A Burns Night is about many things. Good food, shared with friends, family or neighbours – and sometimes all three! Burns is about love, about comradeship and about community but if there’s just one word that captures the spirit of Scotland’s national Bard it’s ‘celebration’ – and all those elements were there in abundance at Royston Wardieburn Community Centre last night.

Yes, last night’s Community Celeidh celebrated the memory of Burns but it was more than that – it was a vibrant, living tribute to all the good things Burns work extolls: a warm, friendly gathering of friends and neighbours of all ages, interests and ethnicities joining together to have fun in each others’ company.

Organised by Royston Wardieburn Community Centre, Granton Community Gardeners and Pilton Community Health Project’s Living in Harmony group the evening built on last year’s event and proved to be a huge success.

Around 150 people – aged from three months up to … well, a good bit older! – enjoyed a traditional Burns Supper and were entertained by the excellent Homecoming String Band and a succession of local performers, all made poosible and supported by a team of enthusiastic volunteers who were always on hand to make sure the evening went smoothly.

Congratulations to the organisers, the band, the excellent team of volunteers and the local performers who entertained us so regally on the night: the poets, the musicians, the singers and the wee dancer – you were all brilliant!

And thanks, too, the the local community who came along to support the event and whose enthusiasm made the evening such a success.

Rabbie would be proud of you all – here’s to next year!  

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Visit our Facebook page for more ceilidh pictures

Events, dear boy (and girl), events …!

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Does your group or organisation have an important event coming up? Is there a meeting you want to publicise? If so, and you’d like to spread the word to a wider audience, get in touch – we’d be delighted to promote  your information for FREE on our nice new website, and on our Facebook page too!

Email northedinnews@gmail.com

We look forward to hearing from you!

Pie pie baby, baby good pie!

Upper crust Roller Les is back on the gravy train!

the-winner-is...-460x250Bay City Rollers front man Les McKeown has confirmed that he will crown the the new World Scotch Pie Champion when the world championships are held in Cumbernauld next week.

Les McKeown, the voice of Edinburgh’s 70’s super group – singing hits such as Bye Bye Baby, Shang A Lang and Give A Little Love – said: “We love a great pie and always stock up when we are on home ground. Touring non-stop around the world means we need to keep our strength up, so we always say ‘aye to a pie’! Being a judge again this year was a huge honour and I am looking forward to congratulating all the winners.”

The competition is supported by Scottish Bakers and the Scottish Federation of Meat Traders. Both trade associations actively support and promote bakers and butchers in Scotland by encouraging and sharing best practice.

Alan Clarke, chief executive of Scottish Bakers, is delighted with the support that the Bay City Rollers star is giving to the competition. He said: “They are an iconic Scottish band and the Scotch Pie is an iconic Scottish product.”

In addition to Scotch pies, bakers and butchers are invited to enter their best sausage rolls, bridies, specialty savouries, Scottish football pie and apple pies.

The competition gives butchers and bakers across Scotland the opportunity to become recognised as producing the highest quality products around the globe with awards given to those producing the best products in each category. The winner of the Scotch Pie category will be declared as the WORLD CHAMPION.

The competition, which has run for 15 years, aims to highlight that bakers and butchers create high quality artisan pastry products. Recognising the ‘great and the good’ in this way rewards excellence and raises the bar in the industry.

 

Good Lord – Provost to join Loony Dookers!

Edinburgh’s Lord Provost Councillor Donald Wilson is preparing to plunge into the Forth’s icy waters for charity when he takes on the New Year’s Day Loony Dook challenge in South Queensferry.

LoonyDookPart of the three day festival for Edinburgh’s Hogmanay, the event will see over 1,000 ‘Dookers’ cheered on by 4,000 spectators start 2015 with a dip in the River Forth in the shadow of the world-famous Forth Bridges.

The Lord Provost has signed up to take part to raise money for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution RNLI, which provides a 24-hour lifeboat search and rescue service across the UK.

He commented: “The event is great fun and will be raising money for a fantastic charity. The South Queensferrry branch of the RNLI will receive a 10 per cent donation from each registration fee for the event this year. I’m either brave or barmy to sign up, but I’m very glad to lend my support. I wish everyone taking part the best of luck and a happy – albeit chilly – start to the New Year!”

The Loony Dook is organised by Unique Events, who produce Edinburgh’s Hogmanay on behalf of the City of Edinburgh Council. Earlier this month, organisers confirmed that M&D’s, who operate Scotland’s Theme Park in Strathclyde Country Park and also run the Edinburgh’s Hogmanay carnival, will be supporting the event. It is also funded by EventScotland and Scotland’s Winter Festivals.

This year’s event has been a sell out and no more spaces are available. It will start with a Dookers’ Parade, led by the Beastie Drummers, at 1.20pm followed by the Dook itself at 1.30pm on Thursday 1st January. Spectators are welcome to cheer on the Dookers from various vantage points along the route.

Find out more at the Edinburgh’s Hogmanay website

Edinburgh’s Hogmanay programme

The garden by candlelight at North Edinburgh Arts

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A seasonal invite from North Edinburh Arts

TODAY at 3:45pm

Enjoy watching and joining in with the creation of our alternative Christmas tree sculpture with artist in residence, Natalie Taylor. We are using recycled pieces of kilt and a willow structure to create our eco-friendly tree this year.

As dusk draws in, prepare to see the NEA garden in a whole new (candle) light as we create a magical twilight with glowing glass jars galore.

Mince pies and (non-alcoholic) mulled wine will be served, just to make sure you leave with that festive feeling!

Please join us to celebrate the end of a wonderful term at NEA!

North Edinburgh Arts

It's a Fayre frenzy!

Lots of festive fayres and events in the neighbourhood this weekend

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First off, we have all the fun of the fair at Forthview Primary School this lunchtime and #StrongerNorth’s Christmas Market at West Pilton Neighbourhood Centre this afternoon.

On Saturday there are festive frolics at Pilton Youth & Children’s Project’s Greenhouse, St Ninian’s church in Comely Bank,Waterfront Nursery has a Fun Day from 10am – midday and there’s a FACE fundraiser at the Western General Hospital too.

And if that’s not enough seasonal spirit there’s also the big Christmas charity event at Inverleith Park on Saturday AND Sunday!

No doubt there are more – let us know and we’ll share the information

It is indeed the season to be jolly – ho! ho! ho!

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