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 flagship Tinderbox Orchestra announces Live in Libraries UK & Ireland Tour to spread a campaign that gets musical instruments into public libraries so people can borrow them for free, just like borrowing a book!
First dates (more to be announced):
21st June, Glasgow – Mitchell Library (World Music Day) | tickets will be available here
6th July, Leeds – Central Library | tickets will be available here
4th July, Manchester – Henry Watson Music Library | tickets will be available here
8-10, 15-17, 22-24th August, Edinburgh Festival Fringe – Edinburgh Central Library | tickets here
Ahead of this year’s World Music Day (21 June), Tinderbox Orchestra is pleased to announce that its ground-breaking 20-piece orchestra will undertake a tour of UK libraries to spread a national campaign to get musical instruments into public libraries, so people can borrow them for free, just like taking out a book.
The tour will see rappers and singers performing alongside heavy brass, strings, woodwind and a thundering backline.
The We Make Music Instrument Libraries initiative has been growing in Scotland for the past few years and has now spread to over 10 local authorities and 30 community libraries across the country.
Thousands of people have borrowed instruments and these libraries are introducing a whole package of music lessons, workshops, live gigs and events into their buildings, bringing crowds of new people into libraries and supporting music and educational opportunities for communities across Scotland.
The campaign started when a local youth music project run by Tinderbox Collective teamed up with Muirhouse Library in North Edinburgh, to enable children and families to borrow instruments during the summer holiday.
It worked so well the idea got picked up by other library services and local music organisations, who formed a growing Scotland-wide collective, convened by the Music Education Partnership Group and We Make Music Scotland.
They ran a successful crowdfunding campaign in 2022 which gathered donations of hundreds of second-hand instruments. These were serviced to a good standard and placed in libraries across the country, giving thousands of people the opportunity to try out saxophones, guitars, ukuleles, trumpets and all sorts of other instruments.
Tinderbox Orchestra are now taking this campaign and initiative further afield. Funded by PRS Foundation’s Beyond Borders programme, they are bringing their five-star show and 20-piece band together with local acts to perform at libraries in Northern England and Scotland for the first leg of the tour with more dates to be announced soon.
Initial dates include Glasgow’s Mitchell Library, Manchester’s Henry Watson Music Library, Leeds Central Library, and a run of 9 shows at Edinburgh’s Central Library as part of the Edinburgh FestivalFringe where they will present their new show Outwith Words: Tinderbox Orchestra & Loud Poets, featuring collaborations with some of Scotland’s leading spoken word artists.
A new crowdfunding campaign will accompany the tour with a call-out for second-hand instruments to help kickstart instrument libraries wherever they go.
They also plan to release a Live in Libraries album as part of the campaign, featuring performances and collaborations from different shows on the tour.
Tinderbox Orchestra will be touring to the south of England and Ireland later in the year (dates TBC) and would love to hear from libraries and cultural organisations interested in joining the campaign.
Internationally acclaimed musician and Director of the Music Education Partnership Group, John Wallace (CBE) said: “With such an incredible demand out there for musical instruments from people of all ages and abilities who want to learn, recycling musical instruments for future generations to enjoy is a zero-carbon idea whose time has come!”
From ‘Science Orchestras’ to ‘Science and Supper’ – Science and Discovery Centres across the UK have built programmes designed to reach under-represented young people in their communities
The Association for Science and Discovery Centres (ASDC) has released the results from 16 diversity and inclusion programmes for young people run in Centres across the UK. The activities have specifically been built to help tackle the diversity challenges currently faced throughout the Science Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) sector.
The programmes, funded by the Science Technology Facilities Council (STFC), part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), have been developed to help nurture and support the creative thinkers of today into diverse scientists, researchers, and innovators of the future.
Over 10,000 children, young people and their families from traditionally under-represented and marginalised communities took part in the programmes, where they were encouraged to explore STEM on their terms in fresh, inclusive, and exploratory ways.
The ASDC and STFC supported projects dovetail with the March 23 Diversity and Inclusion STEM Report, released by Greg Clark MP, Chair of the House of Commons Science & Technology Committee which states “STEM still has a diversity problem”.
Shaaron Leverment, Chief Executive of the ASDC commented “UK STEM industry and research is one of the most innovative and exciting sectors, but if it is to flourish for our future, there is no doubt that diversity is an issue.
“Our collective vision at ASDC is for a society where science is accessible, inclusive, and valued by all as a fundamental part of everyday life. This STFC-funded project shows how science and discovery centres provide so much more than just a fun day out – they open up new relationships and pathways in STEM across all ages, genders, backgrounds, geographies and abilities.
“We’re excited to see the mix of creativity and ingenuity of the outreach programmes run by our members. They are supporting a sense of belonging, value and ownership in STEM for a new cohort that may indeed become the future STEM innovators and solution-finders of tomorrow.”
Five of the programmes that have made an impact on their local communities are:
Aberdeen Science Centre – launched ‘Supper and Science’ which worked with families within the top 20% of the Scottish Index for Multiple Deprivation and were affected by the cost of living crisis, and encouraged them to take part and learnt to cook whilst also learning about the impact science and technology have on their daily lives.
Dynamic Earth in Edinburgh – in partnership with Tinderbox Sparks Youth Orchestra, formed a resident ‘science orchestra’ with 20 young people to highlight the connection between music and science, as well as compose music for Dynamic Earth’s new climate change planetarium show ‘Don’t Panic’. The orchestra performed for family and friends, as well as composing ‘Seascapes’ – a haunting accompaniment for footage of deep-sea creatures taken by the Schmitt Ocean Institute.
Jodrell Bank in Macclesfield – offered free trips for over 500 school groups and 80 families. Additionally, secondary school students participated in a ‘Girls Night Out’, an event celebrating women in science past, present and future and encouraged women to consider STEM careers, as well as supporting the centre in its mission to make ‘Space for everyone’.
National Space Centre IGNITE in Leicester – inspired by a young boy who wanted to go to attend ‘Space Club’ in Coalville but was unable to, the centre developed a community programme for children to get excited about Leicester’s role in space. The programme also demonstrated what career opportunities are available on their doorstep and the diversity of jobs available across the space sector.
We The Curious in Bristol – launched the ‘Space Science in Time of Crisis’ workshops with Year 9 and Year 10 students from Bristol who were encouraged to explore ‘Should space science be a priority in the current time of crisis?’ and develop a TikTok style video to share their perspectives.
Vanessa Vazquez, Community Engagement Coordinator at Aberdeen Science Centre commented on the initiatives “The STFC Impact Project brought science to communities, creating equal opportunities for all. It sparked curiosity, encouraged experimentation, and empowered individuals to take ownership.
“We witnessed incredible transformations, from a disinterested child becoming engaged and excited to them volunteering for experiments. This project went beyond checklists, exemplifying our dedication to uplifting communities. We will continue to make a positive impact, bringing joy and empowerment to every opportunity we encounter.”
Neville Hollingworth, STFC Public Engagement Manager, said: “We are incredibly proud to mark over a decade of successful collaboration between STFC and ASDC with these excellent results.
“In order for UK science and innovation to thrive, it is essential that communities who are under-represented in the STEM sector are engaged with the amazing stories that the science and technology community has to tell.
“These collaborations between STFC, ASDC, and community groups, young people, and families have inspired people across the UK to take an active role in science and provided fantastic opportunities for the benefit of all of society.”
Music, dancing, poetry, food …sounds good doesn’t it! Join PCHP and partners as we celebrate #burnsnight community style !!!
You’ll be treated to a delicious meal and the music will be provided by the amazing Tinderbox Collective – what’s not to like!
Tickets will be on sale from Monday the 16th of January at Royston Wardieburn Community Centre reception desk and also from the Granton Garden Bakery window on Saturday the 21st of January so don’t miss your chance to have braw wee night out.
If you’d like to perform or volunteer at the event then please get in touch with; tom@grantoncommunitygardeners.org to arrange
