Category: Performance
0 Edinburgh’s Got Talent
Claire White
Edinburgh’s Got Talent is set to take place at the Edinburgh Playhouse on Friday 28th October.
This years competition has been fiercer than ever and with an increased venue capacity of 3,000, so the pressure is on for this years finalists!
Judging this year shall come from Deborah Welsh – promotions manager of Evening News as well as producer of the event, Liam Rudden Arts & Entertainment Editor of Evening News, Forth One presenter Boogie and Forth One Events manager Richie Jeffrey.
Guest performances on the night will come from X Factor star Gamu Nhengu who will perform material from her début album for the first time, and last year’s Edinburgh‘s Got Talent winner Gavin Blackie. The singer from Granton has gone on to secure a record deal since winning the competition and will release his second single on the 24th October. When we caught up with him, he advised this years contestants to “enjoy themselves and remember the judges don’t bite, they want everyone to do well!”.
As there was a tie for 10th place, the judges have now decided to allow 11 acts to perform.
The public and judges votes have been counted and the top ten acts will take to the stage at the Edinburgh Playhouse on Friday 28th October.
The finalists are as follows:
Nicole Syme – Songwriter
Erin Henderson – Singer
Hustle – Dance Group
Darren Gilbertson – Singer
Rebecca Traynor – Songwriter
Morningside Dance Academy – Dance
Stephanie Ternent – Songwriter
Edinburgh Dance Academy – Dance
Ashley Anderson – Singer
Caitlin Vanbeck – Singer
Ross Arthur – Solo Guitar & Vocals
We’ve also managed to get an interview with one of the judges, Deborah Welsh, watch the video below!
You can watch a selection of the acts auditions for Edinburghs Got Talent by clicking their names above!
The winner will receive £1,000 plus the chance to perform at the Radio Forth Awards in November.
The final, with an increased venue capacity of 3,000, is open to the public and tickets are on sale now!
You can buy tickets for the Edinburgh’s Got Talent final now by clicking here!
Take a look at our list of top Scottish talent show contestants here.
0 Capital Art Classes
Claire White
Fancy yourself as the next Picasso or Da Vinci but have no idea how to get started? Well, we have the solution for you right in the heart of Edinburgh! The National Gallery in Edinburgh have started ‘Art For Beginners’ classes with a variety of day/evening, day long or even full 4-6 week courses which are suitable for all levels of experience.
The courses allow people to enjoy looking at or making their own art and as Linda McClelland the founder of the ‘Art For Beginners’ class explains you need not worry about experience levels, realising that “people can be very nervous coming along for the first time”. She hopes that by coming to these classes, people will become confident to come along to other sessions.
With the classes at an accessible price for all, there is a flexible course time as “people can book for as few or as many sessions as they like, so there is no long term pressure to commit”.
The age range of attendees is usually ‘40+ and mostly women’, but everyone is welcome to attend the variety of sessions offered!
She also explained that once attending the morning class a few who would usually shy away from the hands-on approach have been brave enough to try it themselves in the afternoon, as if people can understand what they are looking at, they can appreciate it at a much deeper level.
It’s not just the content of the classes that are extremely appealing, socialising for some is just as important. Many of the participants have “gone on to become great friends socialising outside of the classes and going on other courses together” which Linda finds extremely rewarding.
The classes are now running for a third series in this format and are proving very successful as sessions are expanding already. With 14 places for the AM sessions and 12 for the PM sessions each week, they are almost always fully booked and sometimes even require a waiting list.
Each class runs for 2 hours and the range of classes offered are below;
Art for Absolute B
Clore Education Centre, National Gallery Complex
Thursdays: 27 October; 3, 10 & 17 November; 1 & 8 December
10.30am-12.30pm
£10 (£8) per session
Informal discussion-based tours for those who want to open a door into the mysterious but fascinating world of art. Each stand-alone session is guided by art historian Ola Wojtkiewicz. Places limited.
History Painting -3November
Colour & Art –10 November
Masterpieces -17November
Impressionism– 1 December
Post Impressionism– 8 December
Art for Absolute Beginners – Making Art
Clore Education Centre, National Gallery Complex
Thursdays: 27 October; 3, 10 & 17 November; 1 & 8 December
1.30-3.30pm
£12 (£10) per session
An opportunity to try out lots of different materials and techniques including pencils, pastels, watercolours, acrylics, printmaking and clay, guided and encouraged by artist Rosie Lesso. Places limited.
Clay -27 October
3D construction -3November
Printing 1 –10 November
Printing 2 -17November
Charcoal– 1 December
Graphite– 8 December
If the descriptions aren’t enough to entice you, we can tell you what to expect on attending a class for the first time;
‘In the Looking at Art sessions in the morning, they will enjoy hearing some information about the topic for that session (these are led by freelance gallery educators with a history of art background) but also be encouraged to discuss and ask questions – they generally look at 6-8 works of art per session. They bring stools up into the gallery and move from artwork to artwork.
In the Making Art sessions (led by a freelance educator with a practical art background) they will start by looking at an artwork in the gallery for inspiration, back in the studio they will be led through some simple exercises familiarizing them with certain materials or techniques – they will then work on a final piece applying the knowledge they have learned.’
If you would like to get involved make sure you check the above dates and get in touch by booking early as the classes are guaranteed to sell out – so make sure you reserve your place!
0 Roadshow to Hit Edinburgh
Hits Radio have revealed that their second ‘Future Hits Live’ event will take place in Edinburgh this November.
‘Future Hits Live’ will make an appearance in Edinburgh on Friday 11th November at the Liquid Rooms.
The initial line-up for the Edinburgh show has been announced as Pixie Lott, Rizzle Kicks, Cover Drive and up and coming soul star AnGel.
The above are just the first artists revealed and more are set to be announced in the following weeks.
The event will be the radio’s second ‘Future Hits Live’ show, as this summer Leamington Spa was treated to a show with the likes of Wretch 32, Oh My! and Six D. Check out this video to see back stage interviews with this year’s acts.
Tickets are priced at just £13.50 and are available now by clicking here.
Friday 11th November
Liquid Rooms, Edinburgh
14 + – Under 16s must be accompanied by an adult.
0 iOlé! A Dazzling Night of Flamenco
Aleks Jurczak
The Spanish-Scottish communities were united in the love for gypsy music at Edinburgh’s Queen’s Hall on Saturday night.
The internationally acclaimed flamenco troupe, Paco Fernandez Ensemble, dazzled the audience with their premiere performance Salud & Libertad – To Health and Freedom.
The night of singing, clapping, dancing and networking was part of the Hispanic Festival, which this October celebrates the culture of Spain for the seventh time in a row.
Take a look at our video to get a feel of the fiery Spanish atmosphere of that event.
And remember, the Hispanic Festival is not finished yet!
0 Out of Office Hours
Claire White, Entertainment Correspondent
Emmy, BAFTA and Golden Globe award winning Stephen Merchant is set to perform at the Edinburgh Playhouse this Thursday.
This will be the comedian’s first ever stand-up tour, titled ‘Hello Ladies…’. Merchant will perform dates not only across the UK, but also overseas as he closes the tour in New York.
Despite being most-known for co-creating The Office and Extras, Stephen Merchant started his career as a stand-up comedian and radio presenter at XFM.
In 2001, Merchant shared a stand-up bill in a four-hander show with Ricky Gervais, Jimmy Carr and Robin Ince at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
As well as all the above achievements, Merchant also features in the Guiness Book Of World Records alongside Ricky Gervais and Karl Pilkington for the most downloaded internet show of all time.
It seems for Stephen Merchant that this tour isn’t just a chance to showcase his material:
‘Life can be lonely as a TV writer so this tour is a great opportunity for me to get out there and meet my fans. And make at least one of them my wife.’
If you fancy a peak at what’s on offer you can check out this review here.
The show will be filmed at a later date and released on DVD & Blu Ray by Universal Pictures on November 14th 2011.
0 You Me At Six in HMV, what a date!
Claire White, Entertainment Correspondent
Reaching the number one spot in the mid-week UK album charts, You Me At Six made their way to Glasgow on October 6th for an in-store performance and signing.
Walking up to HMV and seeing fans wrapped in duvets sitting outside the store on Buchanan Street, it was clear to see that this was a highly anticipated appearance for Surrey based quintet in Glasgow.
As the band embark on a UK tour this weekend, with the only Scottish date in Aberdeen, it seems fans were making the most of this opportunity to see and meet the band.
Dedicated fans had camped out overnight in the rain and as five pm approached the red-nosed and shivering fans were brought into the warmth of the store to see their idols.
The enthusiastic crowd packed into the second floor of the HMV store, screaming before the band had even appeared. As You Me At Six walked towards the stage, the deafening screams over-powered any other sound in the building, causing passers-by to stare in wonder at what could be so exciting about a dreary Thursday afternoon in Glasgow.
It’s safe to say that this was a crowd full of dedicated You Me At Six fans, as despite the album only being released 3 days prior to the event, it seemed every single person in the crowd was jumping and singing along to the new tracks word-for-word.
A sea of cameras filled the air every time front man Josh Franceschi took to the microphone. He called Glasgow his ‘favourite city in the whole world’ explaining that it is the only place where the crowd would jump up and down during songs in store.
The band played a mix of new songs from their new release Sinners Never Sleep including Loverboy, Jaws On The Floor and Little Death and also powered on through their set with old favourites such as Liquid Confidence, Stay With Me, before ending their set on crowd’s favourite Underdog.
Josh Franceschi’s vocals were exactly as on any recorded material from the band – strong and consistent, which he maintained throughout the entire set. The band played the in-store as if they were playing a much larger-scaled gig and it was easy to forget you were standing amongst a pile of CD’s and books, watching them perform.
From the performance alone, it was clear just how proud their fans were for the band’s chart achievements this week.
If the performance and the thought of meeting the band up close and personal after the performance wasn’t enough excitement for the fans, Josh Franceschi announced that the band will be returning to Glasgow during their March headline UK tour at the SECC.
Watch a recording of You Me at Six performing ‘The Conseqence’ in Glasgow
0 Fiery October Night with Flamenco
Bring some Seville sunshine into your autumn evening this weekend.
The Queens Hall is hosting a Spanish gypsy troupe for a night of vibrant rhythms and passionate dancing.
The internationally acclaimed Paco Fernandez Ensemble join in the celebrations of the Hispanic Festival 2011 with a premier of Salud & Libertad – a contemporary flamenco performance.
Ranging from the underlying echoes of Indian and African rhythms to the purest Andalusian flamenco, Salud & Libertad is a metaphor for the Roma people’s ancient migration from India to Spain.
The Andalusian fusion of music and dancing traditionally involves singing, clapping and guitar playing. The acoustics will be led by Maestro Fernandez, who with his troupe celebrate flamenco’s recognition as one of the Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO.
“I’m delighted to come to Scotland. It is a land of great cultural heritage and famous kings. I particularly love Edinburgh’s stone walls blackened by history and smoke like the world of Flamenco. I want to communicate my passion for Scotland through my music. I know that the Edinburgh audience will recognize the nomadic ancestry of my gipsy roots in my playing.”
The performance will take place on Saturday, 8 October at 8pm. And those who feel flamenco running in their veins can develop their skills under the helpful eye of the artists. The Flamenco Workshops are held at Alba Flamenca on 9 October (to book workshops call 0131 667 7033).
For more information and tickets you can visit The Queens Hall website. And if you can’t make it, keep an eye on Radio Napier website for a review and an interview with the Maestro.
0 This week’s cultural update
Don’t worry if you haven’t got anything in your diary for this week yet, because we’ve done all the hard work for you. Get ready for a bulging schedule.
Lori Cormack, Entertainment Correspondent
First up is a night that is sure to be buzzing. Hot off the trails of his second album release, Calvin Harris will be bringing in the crowds to Lava Ignite in the city’s Tollcross area next Monday night. The club is sure to be heaving, so get your tickets quick. It all kicks off at 10pm till the early hours and tickets are priced at £10.
Next up is your chance to fulfil a childhood dream and become your very own comic book character. The North Edinburgh Arts Centre is running a one off workshop – “A Day in the Life: Cartooning Workshop”. As part of the Scottish Mental Health Arts ad Film Festival, participants get the chance to create a cartoon strip featuring themselves, and some might even be chosen for an exhibit and/or included in a book. This one’s free, so make sure you book your place soon. On this Saturday from 11am-2pm.
This Friday, you have the chance to see some great bands along with doing your bit for charity. The Liquid Rooms are holding a “Charity Battle of the Bands” competition to raise money for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust and Save the Children. Confirmed bands include Echo Arcadia, Havana Rising and The M8s. Get there for 5.30pm, tickets are £6.
Be prepared to marvel at the Human Planet exhibition. Photographer Timothy Allen will be showing behind the scenes stills from his two year stint as photographer of the BBC’s Human Planet series. On for one night only at Edinburgh Uni’s Appleton Tower, it will cost you £8, but if you’re a student, you get in free. Get there this Thursday night at 7.30pm.
And lastly, why not show some support for some of our own at The Jazz Bar this Sunday night. A selection of vocalists from the Edinburgh Napier Music course will be taking to the stage, and they’re sure to shine. Get a comfy seat for the 8pm starting time, tickets are priced at £4, or £3 for concessions.
0 iViva la Hispanidad!
Aleks Jurczak
The Hispanic Festival 2011 kicks off today at the Central Library of Scotland and will run until the end of October.
For the fifth year running, it will celebrate the presence of the Spanish and Latin American Communities in Scotland with what Hispanic culture has best on offer, that is music, dance, food and drink.
You can also participate in a variety of workshops, exhibitions and poetry nights held at Edinburgh Libraries, or go all crazy at a Latin club night with a live band.
The Festival is organised by Hispanic Arts Scotland formed by Spanish and Latin American people living in this part of the UK. Traditionally, the Hispanic Festival is celebrated for a long weekend in Edinburgh around 12th October, which is the Hispanic International Day, celebrated in Spain and across all the Spanish speaking countries in Latin America.
The inaugurating celebrations start at 6.30pm today at the reference library and will celebrate the Scottish-Hispanic fusion with bagpipes and flamenco. If you cannot make it tonight, there are events taking place throughout October – but make sure to make your way there early, as most of them are free!
For more information, visit the Hispanic Arts Scotland website.
0 Jason Manford in town!
Claire White, Entertainment Correspondent
Jason Manford will take to the stage at the Edinburgh Playhouse this weekend.
The dates are part of Jason Manford’s second national tour, which started in July 2010 and runs to the end of 2011.
This is your last chance to catch the comedian up close and personal, before he embarks on an arena tour this October.
Jason Manford will return to Scotland to perform at the Glasgow SECC on October 19th.
Edinburgh Playhouse
Friday 30th September – Saturday 1st October
Over 16’s only
Doors 7pm
0 This week’s fun in town
Lori Cormack, Entertainment Editor
Whether you want to laugh until your stomach hurts, or dance until your feet fall off, there’s plenty on offer this week around the capital to keep you occupied.
First up, it’s the Best of Scottish Comedy. This monthly showcase of the best Scotland has to offer takes place at The Stand Comedy Club on York Place tonight. Performers include Jay Lafferty and Raymond Mearns. It’s usually packed, so get yourself down there early to secure seats (although maybe not in the front row, we all know where that leads). Doors open at 7.30pm for an 8.30pm show, tickets are £6 full price, and a fiver if you’re a student.
How about making a song and dance of it? Any Eastenders fans will recognise Eddie Moon, real name and one time heart-throb for all of our mums, David Essex in this show. His touring musical, All the Fun of the Fair occupies The Edinburgh Playhouse from next Tuesday. Described as a drama-dey by one critic, we see fun fair owner Levi Lee juggling an ex wife, new lover and rebel son, all to his own well-loved hits. See it between 4 – 8 October, prices start at £20.50 full price and £17.50 concessions.
A change of culture could be just what you need, and the MacDonald Roxburghe Hotel has the perfect solution. This Sunday, Bollywood comes to the capital, in An Evening of Bollywood Magic. As well as a three course meal, guests will be treated to dance demonstrations, magic from Ravi Mayar and music from DJ Taz. There will also be a raffle and charity auction, where you could bid for a pair of Amir Khan boxing gloves. The night kicks off at 7.30pm and tickets cost £30.
If it’s an educational experience that you’re after, why not head for The Filmhouse this coming Monday. There will be a showing of Krakatoa: The Last Days, a docu-drama based on survival stories from residents living below Krakatoa at the time of it’s eruption. The showing will be introduced by Doctor Stuart Monro, and there will be a discussion afterwards. On at the Filmhouse, on Lothian Road, 3 October at 5.45pm. Tickets priced at £7.50, or £5.50 for students.
And lastly, you’ll want to listen up for this one because it’s…wait for it… FREE. This weekend will see the return of the Morningside Makers Market. The new-for-this-year monthly market has everything you could want to fill your flat with gorgeous goodies, including jewellery, art, clothing, ceramics and confectionery. The 30+ stalls occupy the Columcille Centre, just off Morningside Road this Saturday (1st October) from 11am – 4pm.
0 Join in with the Chinese Dance Group
Nancy Da
A new Chinese Dance class will be held each Saturday morning in the Edinburgh Chinese School beginning 29 Oct 2011. Students can learn traditional Chinese dancing taught by a professional dance teacher. Anyone interested in Chinese culture is welcome to join. At the end of the year, participants will have the chance to perform in the annual Chinese New Year Performance.
The Chinese dance session is one of the many extra-curricular activities offered by the Edinburgh Chinese School. Other traditional pass-times like Chinese calligraphy and Chinese chess are held throughout the school year with the aim of promoting Chinese culture and heritage.
As one of three Chinese Saturday Schools in Edinburgh, Edinburgh Chinese School has the longest history, being founded in 1971. It’s a non-political, non-religious and non-profit making registered charity. For the past 10 years, it has been situated at Drummond Community High School. The school itself has established a solid reputation in the community due to its high level language (both Mandarin and Cantonese) and high standard examination results.
For further information about the activities on offer, please call 07528 517 635.
Radio Napier 
