Edinburgh Festivals

 

 

When Scottish and Irish music meld with Cuban and Latin American sounds while Memphis blues and New Orleans jazz waft from other stages all across town, you know you must be at the famous Edinburgh Jazz and Blues festival. This multi-day event which features an eclectic mix of artists, styles, and sounds is the highlight of the summer music scene in Edinburgh.

It caters to every taste and mood: the visitor can enjoy classic basement club jazz, soul-jazz-funk, swing and easy listening, the cool lonely sound of the saxophone or singers who pack a vocal punch that defies expectation. It has attracted artists ranging from John Burgess and Freddie King to Kevin MacKenzie Vital Signs and Andreas Varady appearing with Spirit of Django.

The entertainment is non-stop from morning till night and the venues are a veritable potpourri of must-see Edinburgh sites from indoor halls to gorgeous al fresco spaces. Music aficionados and casual fans alike will not want to miss the Edinburgh Jazz and Blues festival.

 

 

“Mela” is a Sanskrit word meaning a community-wide meeting, gathering or celebration. It has become a well-known moniker for local and international festivals and gatherings which embrace ethnic and cultural diversity.

The Edinburgh Mela Festival first begun in 1995 by the ethnic minority communities in the town and has evolved into a large annual affair filled with programmes of music, dance, theater, sports, arts and crafts, and activities for children. The Festival lasts several days at multiple charming city venues and it draws thousands of guests from the United Kingdom and beyond.

It showcases ethnic art and experiences ranging from the trials and tribulations of immigration to African, Asian and Indian dance, fashion and music. Original commissioned works which draw together storytellers, musicians, actors and all manner of artists are one of its hallmarks. Intriguing food choices are abundant and the marketplace is thriving, so everyone will find something to delight and entertain.

Mela adds a unique dimension to Edinburgh’s many annual festivals and artistic performances and is a worthy destination for locals and visitors alike.

 

 

Storytelling – the oldest of the human arts, most likely began around a nighttime fire while the community worried about predators, both real and imaginary, with the storyteller strengthening everyone’s hearts and spirits. Even today nothing honors the story and the storyteller more than a live performance. Visitors to Edinburgh can enjoy this experience during the Scottish International Storytelling Festival, an annual event which draws thousands of attendees and hundreds of skilled storytellers from across the globe.

The event is held at the Edinburgh Storytelling Centre which includes the historic John Knox House and is complete with a theatre, gift shop and café. Guests at the Festival will enjoy ancient and contemporary storytellers from foreign climes such as China, Malaysia, and Thailand as well as from the ranks of professional storytellers in Scotland.

In addition to listening to stories, guests can participate in workshops, talks, and “Meet the Storyteller” sessions. Activities for younger members of the family are also included. The Scottish International Storytelling Festival preserves the oral tradition of the storyteller and is a unique experience which will be treasured by all who attend.

 

The Edinburgh Festival Fringe, also known simply as The Fringe, is an iconic annual festival that is central to Edinburgh culture. Although the festival was not given a name until 1948, The Fringe first took place in 1947, when several local theatre groups did not receive invitations to participate in the Edinburgh International Festival. To this day, it continues to take place alongside the International Festival and several other Edinburgh events each August.

In 1959, the Edinburgh Festival Fringe became a bit more formal when the Festival Fringe Society was formed to provide organisation and management. However, it is important to note that much of the point of this festival is that it is entirely unjuried, which means no performer, artist or performance troupe is turned away. This unique approach to providing a stage for performers of any ilk and any level of ability has paved the way for many now-famous performers to get their start.

This unique Edinburgh festival has long since outgrown the other annual festivals taking place in Edinburgh at this time and is the largest art festival of this sort around the world. Visitors can expect to see all manner of art and performance, including theatre, comedy, art exhibits, dance performances and musical acts.

The list of well-known names that have graced The Fringe’s programme over the years includes: Sir Anthony Hopkins, Ricky Gervais, Emma Thomson, Jude Law, Christian Slater, Hugh Grant, Robin Williams and Susan Sarandon.

Visit the Official Edinburgh Fringe Festival website for further information