Tag: Festivals

“Festivals Crisis Summit … Now!”

LOTHIAN MSP CALLS FOR CRISIS SUMMIT ON FESTIVAL FUNDING

Foysol Choudhury, list MSP for Lothian and Shadow Culture Minster for Scottish Labour, has today pressed the Scottish Government to heed Scottish Labour’s calls for a crisis summit on festival funding. 

Mr Choudhury questioned the Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Angus Robertson MSP, in the Scottish Parliament’s Chamber today (15th May 2024).

MSP Choudhury said: “Although the Scottish Government may claim to support Scotland’s cultural sector, the situation on the ground is very different.

“It is clear that Scotland’s cultural sector is under enormous pressure, with cultural organisations crying out for support and venues and festivals under threat.

“Yet, the Scottish Government still won’t heed Scottish Labour’s calls for a crisis summit on festival funding.

“We need the concrete action of a festivals crisis summit now, not more weak platitudes from the Scottish Government.”

MSP Choudhury also raised concerns about the Scottish Government’s structure and governance and how this is impacting the culture sector.

Mr Choudhury echoed his Labour colleague Neil Bibby’s sentiments, which Mr Bibby raised in the Scottish Parliament today, about the Cabinet Secretary’s conflict of interest.

As Mr Robertson is MSP for Edinburgh Central, and Edinburgh is a major cultural hub, the Labour MSPs argue that the Cabinet Secretary should recuse himself from cultural matters pertaining to Edinburgh.

Something which will be made very difficult, they say, as there is now no specific Culture Minister in John Swinney’s new Scottish Government.

Mr Choudhury said: “Yet again we are seeing the Scottish Government’s contempt for culture as the Culture Minister role has been disposed of-meaning the Cabinet Secretary will have no Minister focused specially on culture to pass Edinburgh based cultural matters to, instead having to rely on the Deputy First Minister to pick up the pieces.

“This is not the first time we have seen the Scottish Government’s poor governance choices impact our cultural sector-whilst Creative Scotland funding is at a standstill level, the Scottish Government have been wasting nearly £2 million on staffing for the “Building New Scotland” Papers.

“Now that the Minister for Independence has been scrapped, which will hopefully stop wasting money which could have been spent to save our cultural sector, I am now also calling on the Scottish Government to scrap the independence papers altogether and reallocate the funds towards culture in Scotland.”

Mr Choudhury says he will continue to pursue the Scottish Government to take concrete action on the crisis hitting the cultural sector in Scotland and to recalibrate their governance priorities, to ensure money spent on party-driven ideologies like independence is instead spent on saving the cultural sector, which he says can benefit the whole of Scotland regardless of party allegiance.

Helping Scotland’s culture and creative sector shine on the world stage

New strategy to support international ambitions

Scotland’s culture and creative sector will be helped to flourish on the world stage with the launch of Inspiring Connections: Scotland’s International Culture Strategy 2024-30, according to Culture Secretary Angus Robertson.

The strategy sets out the value of international activity to Scotland’s culture and creative sector. It recognises the importance of international engagement to learning, innovation and to the sector’s long-term sustainability.

Mr Robertson said: “Scotland’s culture and creative sector and our historic environment are internationally renowned. Our festivals, vibrant music scene and rich cultural heritage bring people from across the world to Scotland.

“The strategy sets out our vision for international engagement to be central to the long-term development of the sector. We are starting from a strong position, but we know that recent challenges have made international cultural engagement increasingly difficult.

“Developing international cultural connections will create new opportunities, make our culture and creative sector more vibrant and diverse, and help it to reach new audiences and markets across the world.”

Julia Amour, Director, Festivals Edinburgh, said: “Edinburgh’s Festivals are a place for Scotland and the wider world to exchange creative ideas, and this new International Culture Strategy recognises the importance of such an international outlook for artists, creatives and citizens across Scotland.

“We look forward to working with colleagues and Scottish Government on these ambitions to help strengthen our nation’s cultural fabric.”

Inspiring Connections: Scotland’s International Culture Strategy

international-culture-strategy-easy-readDownload

Festival support for Scotland’s artists

Showcasing home-grown talent to the world

The very best of cultural talent from Scotland will be under the spotlight this month as Edinburgh welcomes visitors from home and abroad to its world-class summer arts festivals.

Six of the festivals have received support from the Scottish Government’s Expo Fund to commission new work, some of which will tour internationally following festival performances. Under the Made in Scotland banner there are 18 funded shows this year featuring an exciting mix of theatre, music and dance commissions and performances.

In addition, the Platforms for Creative Excellence (PLACE) programme – jointly funded by the Scottish Government and the City of Edinburgh Council – focuses on programme innovation, creative development, and community.

Culture Secretary Angus Robertson said: “Scotland has a wealth of phenomenally talented artists and the Edinburgh festivals provide a fantastic platform for them to reach a much wider audience. 

“Expo and PLACE funding have not only helped to raise the profile of Scottish artists but contributed to a more vibrant and diverse arts scene both at home and internationally.

“There is something for everyone across the summer festivals and I hope people from home and abroad, whether they’re taking part in events or watching performances will enjoy this fantastic celebration of culture.”

Festivals Edinburgh chair Dr Simon Gage said: “We warmly welcome this sustained support from the Scottish Government for our festivals and the people who make them happen.

“This is crucial in allowing us to deliver unparalleled cultural, social and economic benefits that enhance lives at home and Scotland’s profile around the world.”

Since it was set up in 2008, the Expo cohort has received £32 million. Within the first ten years, the fund had supported the commissioning of more than 550 new works of art, music and theatre.

Recipients awarded a share of the £1.8 million Expo Fund for 2023-24 include Edinburgh Art Festival (£130,000), Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society (£550,000), Edinburgh International Book Festival (£85,000), Edinburgh International Festival (£100,000), Edinburgh International Film Festival (£59,000) and Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival (£100,000).

The PLACE Fund was set up five years ago to provide £1 million each year over five years to the Edinburgh festivals.

Police launch Operation Summer City

Police have launched their summer campaign to keep people safe throughout the Edinburgh International Festival and Fringe 2023.

From Tuesday, 1 August, an enhanced policing presence will be deployed throughout the Capital’s city centre as part of Operation Summer City to engage with the public and offer a range of crime prevention and personal safety advice.

In addition, the dedicated patrols will deter and detect criminal activity and provide public reassurance.

Local officers from across Edinburgh will be supported throughout Operation Summer City by colleagues from neighbouring divisions, as well as a range of national and specialist departments within Police Scotland.

Each day there we be a mobile police station in the High Street, where the public can report any crime or suspicious activity they experience, or receive in-person safety information from the officers working within.

Throughout the duration of the campaign, the Edinburgh Division social media channels will be used to provide crime prevention advice and other guidance aimed at safeguarding the public from harm.

Local residents and visitors to the city alike are asked to follow Police Scotland Edinburgh on Facebook and @PSOSEdinburgh on Twitter.

Chief Inspector Mark Hamilton from Edinburgh Division said: “The Edinburgh Festivals form the largest festival in the world and turns an international spotlight on the Capital. As such, we must ensure that the policing response is adequate and proportionate during this time.

“From 1 August we will have increased foot patrols within the city centre and officers will provide a visible and reassuring presence to all of those who live, work and visit the area over the course of the Festival and Fringe.

“We benefit greatly from our ability to call upon additional resources from across Police Scotland and I am grateful to the officers coming from other local policing divisions and specialisms who will enhance our response capability for Operation Summer City. We also work closely with event organisers to ensure the event spaces are safe and enjoyable for everyone who attends.

“Throughout the duration of the Military Tattoo, there will be an Air Restriction Zone in place around the Castle esplanade, Castlehill, Lawnmarket and Johnstone Terrace.

“The restriction operates from 4pm until midnight between Thursday, 3 August and Saturday, 26 August. This is to ensure the safety of all of the Tattoo performers and attendees and means that unauthorised drone flying within this area is strictly prohibited.

“Despite the population of Edinburgh doubling during the coming weeks, I am confident the Capital will remain a safe place for both tourists and local residents, but nonetheless, I would ask that anyone who sees anything suspicious during their time within the area reports their concerns to police immediately.

“In addition, I’d encourage the public to follow our social media channels so they can stay up to date with all relevant crime prevention and safety information we will be publishing.”

Chief Inspector Mark Hamilton, Operation Summer City Silver Commander, has shared the following message:

https://ow.ly/c34U50PpVsk

#OpSummerCity

45th Jazz and Blues Festival launched

Edinburgh’s globally renowned festivals are gearing up for another spectacular year, with Friday’s launch of the 2023 Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival.

Last night Council Leader Cammy Day, Culture Minister Christina McKelvie and Jason Rust, Chair of Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival, launched the Festival alongside performances from Baila Venezuela and Marianne McGregor.

Taking place over ten days from 14-23 July the festival will include over 110 concerts featuring: top Scottish bands, international stars, and festival favourites alongside new names. 

The full festival programme is available now.

Tickets are on sale and can be purchased by calling 0131 226 0013 or through the festival website.

Council Leader Cammy Day said: “I was delighted to attend yesterday’s launch as both Council Leader and as the newest Board Member of the Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival.

“I am proud that our residents and visitors are able to take advantage of such an internationally eclectic and exciting festival.

“The Council is a proud supporter and funder of the EJBF and this year, I am pleased to see events held in every area of the city – from established music venues to churches and community centres – and spanning the length of our new tram route from the Pianodrome in Ocean Terminal to performances at Edinburgh Airport. 

“I’d also like to thank the EJBF Board, the artists and everyone else who has contributed to the festival”.

Jason Rust, Chair of Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival said: “We are absolutely delighted to launch our 45th Festival. 

“There is something for everyone in our ten-day programme and in communities across the city.  We are really grateful to our funders, including the Council.  Let’s make this a Festival to remember.”

Aegon continues support for Pride Edinburgh and Fife Pride 2023

ST JAMES QUARTER CELEBRATES PRIDE WITH DAZZLING DRAG QUEEN APPEARANCES

Aegon UK and Aegon Asset Management are pleased to announce that they’ll be sponsoring this year’s Pride Edinburgh and Fife Pride festivals. It will be Aegon’s sixth year sponsoring Pride Edinburgh and the third time sponsoring Fife Pride. 

Pride Edinburgh is Scotland’s national and longest running LGBTQIA+ festival. It returns to full form on Saturday 24 June after a scaled-back event in 2022 due to Covid-19. It will consist of various activities and inclusive events to celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community, including a march through the city centre starting at the Scottish Parliament and finishing with a music festival at Bristo Square. 

Aegon is also sponsoring the Pride Edinburgh’s Ride with Pride bus for the second year running. The bus is designed to provide better accessibility to everyone to join in with the official march.1 

Fife Pride is also set to return for its sixth year, on 1st July in Kirkcaldy. In 2022 around 2,000 LGBTQIA+ people and allies of the community celebrated following a two-year absence. 

As sponsors, Aegon colleagues will be at both events to engage with attendees about the business, how it celebrates inclusivity and diversity, as well as about its sustainability initiatives.  

Andy Manson, Chief Marketing Officer at Aegon UK, said: “It gives us immense pleasure to support and attend these two fantastic events again this year.

“We’re an organisation passionate about creating a working environment that celebrates all forms of diversity and individuality, and our ongoing support of Pride events is just one of the many ways Aegon engages with our local communities.” 

GLITZ, GLAMOUR, AND FABULOUSNESS: ST JAMES QUARTER CELEBRATES PRIDE WITH DAZZLING DRAG QUEEN APPEARANCES

St James Quarter, Edinburgh’s premier destination to shop, dine, play and stay, will be supporting the LGBTQIA+ community and its allies with a day filled with Pride celebrations on Saturday the 24th of June.

Kicking off at 11am, St James Quarter will be joined by dynamic duo Drag Queens, Sissy Scorpio and Rozie Cheeks, extending a warm welcome to guests. Dazzling everyone with their mesmerising dance moves, they will strike poses for iconic selfies and give rainbow flags to guests.

St James Quarter is also running a pride-tastic giveaway, guests can win a £500 gift card, redeemable in the Quarter, if they download the St James Quarter app over the Pride weekend.

The celebrations don’t end there. At 3pm, guests can join the pride party as the sensational DJ Trendy Wendy takes to the decks on Level 3 bringing a pride setlist like no other. With her signature mix of disco, soul and funk music, this will be a loud and proud party you won’t want to miss.

From 11am – 3pm on Level 1, all guests can take advantage of free face painting, whether they’re joining Edinburgh’s ‘March with Pride’ event, celebrating Pride Month, or simply looking to add some fun and colour to their day.

Brands across the Quarter are also embracing Pride Month with their own special edition Pride collections and displays including Hollister, Coach and Hotel Chocolat, Boots is hosting a series of fun beauty masterclasses on 24th June, complete with live entertainment, and Everyman is screening Pride favourites, The Rocky Horror Picture Show and Priscilla Queen of the Desert over the weekend.

Bross Bagels is proudly offering its fabulous rainbow bagels throughout Pride weekend, in association with LGBT Youth Scotland. These vibrant treats can be matched with any filling, creating a delightful experience for everyone to savour.

Pride St James Quarter 1 SA : Pride – St James Quarter All images © Stewart Attwood Photography 2023. All other rights are reserved. Use in any other context is expressly prohibited without prior permission. No Syndication Permitted except for PA (Press Association)

Susan Hewlett, Brand & Marketing Director, St James Quarter, said: “We have a fun packed day planned for Edinburgh Pride.

“Our Guest Services team will be joined by the inimitable Sissy Scorpio and Rozy Cheeks, two of Scotland’s leading Drag Queens, bringing a whole new vibe to our Brand Ambassador team with live voguing and iconic dance moves.

“Guests are invited to join in, grab a selfie or strike their own pose. We will also have glitter face painting for all, the chance to win a St James Quarter gift card and to close the days party atmosphere the supremely talented DJ Trendy Wendy will be filling the Quarter with the best Pride anthems from 3pm – 7pm.

“We are incredibly proud to be associated with this event, it supports our commitment to promoting diversity and equality and we invite everyone to join us in this momentous celebration of pride, acceptance, and unity.”

For further information and updates on the Pride event at St James Quarter, please visit:

https://stjamesquarter.com/event/celebrating-pride-edinburgh-at-st-james-quarter

To keep up to date with the latest news and events, download the St James Quarter app here.

Edinburgh Tradfest kicks off on Friday

Ciaran Ryan Band headlining the festival on Sunday night – 30 April 

‘high-octane ferocious banjo-led music and sheer instrumental brilliance!’

L/R Donald Hay (drums), Chris Waite (guitar), Bev Morris (bass), Ciaran Ryan (banjo), Andrew Waite (accordion) Photo Douglas Robertson

FESTIVAL DATES: Friday 28 April – Monday 8 May 2023

An incredible line-up of talented musicians will descend on Edinburgh this weekend for the start of Edinburgh Tradfest  (28 April to 8 May) – 11 days of live music, storytelling, dance, workshops, talks, ceilidhs and special events across the city, thanks to support from The National Lottery through Creative Scotland and the William Grant Foundation.

Ciaran Ryan one of the UK’s foremost tenor banjo players, whose debut solo album Banjaxed released in late 2019 was shortlisted for Album of the Year at the Scots Trad Music Awards, will headline alongside Orcadian powerhouse Fara (above) and American folk singer, two-time winner, and six-time Grammy nominee Rhiannon Giddens who is opening the Festival with Francesco Turrisi at the Assembly Rooms on Friday night.

Plus, at the Scottish Storytelling Centre, the festival kicks off with the return of Pomegranates – a weekend of dance, performance, and workshops run by the Traditional Dance Forum of Scotland to celebrate International Dance Day (29 April); and the second North Atlantic Song Convention run by the Traditional Music Forum with delegates from around the Northern Hemisphere, gathers to celebrate our rich song traditions. 

Douglas Robertson and Jane-Ann Purdy, co-producers of Edinburgh Tradfest said: “This year’s programme is  jam-packed with talent. We’ve got fantastic, award-winning musicians performing at the Traverse every night, workshops on during the day and live music in the bar until late, plus there are ceilidhs, storytelling sessions, talks, and dance taking place at other venues across the city. It’s all here to be enjoyed.” 

Other highlights not to be missed include Tradfest’s new commission Two for Joy composed and arranged by award-winning harpist Ailie Robertson which explores how birdsong is used in music and folklore and the positive impact that listening to the sounds of birds can have on our mental health and wellbeing; America’s masters of old-time, bluegrass, classic country and Cajun music The Foghorn Stringband; Dirk and Amelia Powell from Louisiana who bring their deeply rooted Cajun, Appalachian and original sounds to the festival for the first time; Rory Matheson and Graham Rorie whose album We Have Won The Land celebrates the success of the Assynt Crofter’s Trust in buying back the North Lochinver Estate from a Swedish land speculator 30 years ago; this year’s Rebellious Truth lecture/recital which explores mental health issues in the music industry led by Gaelic singer, composer, researcher and broadcaster Mischa Macpherson; and Ross Ainslie (Treacherous Orchestra, Salsa Celtica) and Tim Edey (Chieftains) whose foot-stomping tunes topped with great banter are this year’s hot ticket and unmissable festival finale.

Edinburgh Graduate Theatre Group secure funds for second Festival

The Edinburgh Graduate Theatre Group (EGTG) has successfully secured funding to host the second StagEHd Festival this summer.

The local amateur theatre company has been granted £5,000 from The National Lottery Awards for All Scotland fund to present the free-to-attend theatre festival at the Ross Bandstand in Princes Street Gardens on Saturday 10 and Sunday 11 June.  

Launched in 2022 by members of EGTG, StagEHd Festival is an open access theatre festival programmed to showcase the best of Edinburgh’s amateur and emerging performing artists.

Last year’s event proved popular with over 1,200 attendees across the weekend enjoying performances from puppetry to opera; including a retelling of Polish folklore Wawel Dragon from bilingual theatre company Lustro SCENY (The Mirror of Stage); a performance of the traditional Scottish folktale Galoshins by Scotland’s only all-women mumming group, The Meadows Mummers; and a resounding rendition of songs from the musicals from local youth musical theatre company Momentum Performing Arts. 

The programme for StagEHd 2023 is still to be announced, but festival founder, Hannah Bradley Croall shared her excitement upon receiving the support: “We’re incredibly grateful to The National Lottery and its players for their support in making StagEHd 2023 happen.

“And we’re excited to present another weekend of entertainment at the Ross Bandstand; a venue which, if it wasn’t for community efforts like ours, would sit vacant and closed off for the majority of the year. 

“This money will pay for the hire of the venue, and cover the cost of bringing in the equipment necessary to produce live performance in the space. The Ross Bandstand is such an asset to have in the centre of our city, and it’s a shame to see it underappreciated and unutilised for most of the year.

“We’re looking forward to unlocking the space and giving a stage to some of Edinburgh’s best performing artists in a two-day celebration of our city’s culture.”

The National Lottery Community Fund Scotland Chair, Kate Still, said: “This project, delivered by the Edinburgh Graduate Theatre Group, is a great example of community activity in action, showing just what can be achieved when people come together for a common cause or to help others.

“It’s all thanks to National Lottery players that we can help give charities and community groups throughout Scotland greater certainty during challenging times.”

StagEHd Festival is a free-to-attend theatre festival celebrating the best of Edinburgh’s performing arts. StagEHd 2023 will take place at the Ross Bandstand in Princes Street Gardens on Saturday 10 and Sunday 11 June. 

For more information and to sign up to receive updates visit:

www.stagehdfestival.com. 

One more day before the 2022 Book Festival!

The 2022 Book Festival is almost here! The team is busily getting the very last few finishing touches perfect at the Book Festival Village at Edinburgh College of Art, and we can’t wait to welcome you back to our charming, leafy home in the heart of the city’s Old Town.

Scroll down to see what’s on during the opening weekend, event inspiration for the week to come, and a highlight of the many free activities and events on at the Festival Village.

There is so much to enjoy during the opening weekend of this year’s hybrid Book Festival as we welcome over 550 authors from across the world to share their stories, ideas, and perspectives. Hear from award-winning authors, inspiring poets, rising stars, famed musicians, and renowned thinkers, whether joining in person or from the comfort of your own home.

SATURDAY 13 AUGUST

  • Don’t miss award-winning Chilean author Nona Fernández  as she appears at the Festival for the first time to discuss her novel The Twilight Zone. (12:15 – 13:15)
  • Join game-changing cartoonist Nick Drnaso as he discusses his latest graphic novel Acting Class and presents a short film showing him at work in his Chicago studio, commissioned especially for this event. (13:30 – 14:30)
  • Hear literary giant Ali Smith discuss her work, including her Seasonal Quartet and Companion Piece, with fellow Scottish favourite Val McDermid in an event sure to enrich and inspire. (17:30 – 18:30)
  • Acclaimed singer-songwriter Martha Wainwright discusses her hilarious memoir, her life as the black sheep of a famous family, and her experiences with love, loss, motherhood, divorce and the music industry. (20:30 – 21:30)
  • Hear all about David Keenan’s hallucinatory new novel Industry of Magic and Light : part oral history, part occult detective novel. (20:30 – 21:30)

Saturday’s stellar line-up also features Jazz Money and Andrés N Ordorica, Nihal Arthanayake, Abi Morgan, Travis Alabanza and Mohsin Hamid, amongst many others!

SUNDAY 14 AUGUST

  • Join Sarah Smith for a production that uses a fusion of sign language, image and performance to tell the evocative story of a Deaf woman in Glasgow wrongfully accused of murdering  her child – a turning point in the history of rights for Deaf people in Scotland. (13:00 – 14:00)
  • Join Malika Booker, Kayo Chingonyi, Salena Godden and Lemn Sissay to celebrate More Fiya, an incredible anthology of work by 35 Black British poets in a Pay What You Can event chock-full of spectacular talent. (17:00 – 18:00)
  • Author, artist and designer Osman Yousefzada takes a break from dressing the likes of Lady Gaga to speak candidly on his Pashtun upbringing and his teen years in London to raise the question: Can a person exist in the spaces in between? (18:15 – 19:15)
  • Hear from award-winning author Pankaj Mishra as he discusses his second novel, a gripping account of a group of friends in an age of upheaval and breakdown, in an event that is not to be missed. (19:00 – 20:00)
  • Join Pulitzer Prize-winning author Margo Jefferson as she examines how she shaped herself through jazz, seminal writers like W E B Du Bois and George Eliot, and fragments and words of those she loves and those she grieves. (20:15 – 21:15)

As well as Daniel Hahn, Merve Emre and Daniel Mulhall, Meg Mason, Kalynn Bayron and Renée Watson and Patricia Lockwood, to name a few.

The Book Festival Village at Edinburgh College of Art on Lauriston Place is open daily from 9.30am until late – and everyone is welcome, whether you have a ticket to see an event or simply want to grab a drink with friends, explore the brilliant Festival Bookshop, or watch free events on the big screen in the Courtyard.

There is much to see and do during your day at the Book Festival, with tons of free events to enjoy.

You can book tickets in advance – and, if spots for the day you were hoping to attend have sold out, we have it on good authority that it is worth it to ask our lovely Box Office staff on the day … You might just get lucky! 

  • Great events are live-streamed onto our large outdoor screen every day of the Festival. Curious to see what’s on? Have a look at the schedule of screened events for this year’s Festival, then come along to the Festival Village, find a spot in the sun or shade, and enjoy. 
  • Each day, a Festival author shares an unexpected inspiration or passion in Passion Projects, including Ali Smith,