OPEN
DEN 115mm
Open List is designed to cover public events not covered elsewhere in the magazine. We welcome submissions. which will be included subject to space. to reachour Edinburgh ottice not later than seven days before publication.
FESTIVALS '
Until Saturday 16
I Spring Fling The final daysof Edinburgh's community festival. at various venues around the city. Info: 225 2424 ext 6623/6625. Admission to all events is free. except where stated. See also other listings sections.
The Buzz Residency Fri 15. West Princes Street Gardens. 10am—1pm; 2-5pm. Jack Drum hosts the last of a stringof workshops at which individuals and groups can help build giant insects from junk materials.
Splashing On The Colour Until Sat 16. 4a Downfield Place. off Dairy Road. 10am—4pm. The Women Unlimited Health Project for women livingin Gorgie/Dalry invite you to help decorate the shop front of their premises under the guidance of a local artist.
The Calders Ceilidh Fri 15. Calders Community Centre. Caldcrs Park. 7.30pm. £2.5(l(£2). With the Portobello Ceilidh Band. cabaret from The Height 0‘ Nonsense and an open stage for local talent.
Video: The Old Man Fri 15. Tollcross Community Centre. Tollcross Primary School. Fountainbridge. 7.30pm. 50p. A screening of two locally produced videos— The Overcoat. about a down-and-out receiving an unexpected gift; and The Old Man. about an unexpected visitor— presented by the writers' group Penpushers in conjunction with Tollcross Writers' Workshop.
Poems And Pints Fri 15. West End Hotel. Palmerston Place. 8pm. £1(5()p). Glaswegian novelist. short story writer and playwright James Kelman. whose play ; BulrdArtd Hurdle: The Last Days is currently in rehearsal at theTraverse Theatre. reads from his work. and invites local writers and musicians to read and/or perform.
Book Sale Sat 16. McDonald Library. 2 McDonald Road. 556 5630. 9am—l2.3(lpm. As part of the Edinburgh libraries centenary celebrations. cx-library stock books will be sold at ‘give-away prices’.
Disco Dance Competition Sat 16. Assembly Rooms. George Street. 220 4348. 1—4pm. Entry forms and info: Johny Banks661 3347. Entry forms were to be in by Sat 2. but dust down your John Travolta swing-wing suit. your drape jacket or your PVC bag with safety pins and come along to watch. Events include roek'n'roll couples. disco singles and teams. Courtyard Readings Sat 16. Scottish Poetry Library. 14 High Street. 2—5pm. A last opportunity for singers. poets. storytellers and dancers to present work in Tweeddale Court; and for others to watch and listen. Spring Fling Ceilidh St Brides Centre. Orwell Terrace. 346 1405. 7.3(lpm-midnight. £4(£2). With the seven-piece Robert Fish Band. supported by local acts; bar and food available.
The Final Fling Assembly Rooms. George Street. 220 4348. 9pm—lam. £3. A party arranged by the District Council to celebrate the end of Spring Fling; with a flamenco band. the Spring Fling Ceilidh
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LIVING ON THE FRONT LINE
Free Front Line Africa! is the slogan of a new, long-term campaign recently initiated by Dxlam. This iortnight, a string of events throughout the UK have been set up, in the words of Dxfam’s publicity, ‘to highlight Southern Africa‘s struggle against under-development, debt and South African aggression'.
The campaign focuses on ten countries in Southern Africa: the six Front Line States (Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Angola, Tanzania and Botswana) a political grouping of independent countries which border on South Africa, and four others: Namibia, Malawi, Swaziland and Lesotho. Dxlam’s lain Gray describes their relationship with each other and with South Africa. ‘lt’s a region which is economically bound together by historical and cultural reasons. For example, some of the countries are landlocked, which results in economic interdependence with countries on the coast. The South African government has worked hard to maintain their dependence, for example by supporting rebel movements, and gaining control of the rail links so that the landlocked countries have been
forced to trade with South Africa. These countries recognise that they have common problems. and so we’re seeking engagement beyond the Front Line States themselves.’
The issue of international debt— already quite well publicised — is another main thrust of the campaign. ‘The collective debt of Front Line Africa to the West stands at $135 billion; which is a small proportion of the total owed by developing countries—that’s around $1 trillion—but it’s very significant to these countries’ economies.’
South African destabilisation tactics have brought huge human costs as well. In Angola and Mozambique, 1.5 million people have been killed and 8 million displaced, while the infant mortality rate is the highest in the world.
For Front Line Fortnight, Dxtam has joined forces with other organisations working towards the same goals, such as the trading company Equal Exchange, and the Anti-Apartheid Movement, which has organised a sponsored run in Edinburgh (see listings). ‘One of the main points we’re trying to get across about apartheid,’ says Gray, ‘is that it doesn’t just affect South Africa itself, but goes beyond its borders.’ Apartheid and related issues will be explored in a short programme of films - some seen last month at the Glasgow Film Theatre — at the Filmhouse in Edinburgh.
From a Mambo Club (see Clubs listings) to a Service of Worship to a Front Line Feast, there is a wide range of activities open to those wishing to lend support to Front Line Africa. There’s also a seminar on Namibia. for those wanting to understand some of the pressures these countries face. The campaign needs whatever support it can get, so contact your local Oxfam office if you can help. (Andrew Burnet)
Band and cabaret from the Funny Farm.
Saturday 16
I Gilmerton Festival Gilmerton Community Centre. Gilmerton Road. Edinburgh. 664 2335. Noon—4pm. Free. Gala day celebrations with shows and stalls. launching a week of local activities. I Leith Festival Gala Day Leith Links. Edinburgh. 1—5pm. The opening day ofa week-long festival begins with a pageant in Iona Street. and features stalls. bands. five-a-side football. fun-fair and teas. The festival also includes a Window Dressing Competition and an Antiques and Craft Street Fair Sat 16 and Sun 17 on The Shore. Info: Jo Lewington 553 4952. This event will also feature live jazz.
I Leith Festival Radio will be broadcast from a mobile studio on the Links for 48
hours. Sat 16/Sun 17on 104.9 MHz
VI IF/FM. The broadcasts are presented by Leith Community Radio Group. a pilot for community radio. and will feature music. chat. local bands and celebrities including Russell Hunter.
Saturday 16—Sunday1 July
I Strathclyde Irish Festival Various venues in and around Glasgow. lnfo:()41647 5993. See panel and Theatre listings. Festival Opening Sat 16. George Square. 1pm. Free. Lord Provost Susan Baird kicks offthe celebrations. which begin with two hours of music and dance. featuring the Ranafast band from County Donegal.
Radio Clyde/Coca Cola Roadshow Sun 17.
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Pearse Park. Cambuslang. Noon. £1.50 (child free). A family day out with Gaelic football. tug-o‘-war. dancing. and live music. Hosted by Aongus MeAnally — son ofthe late. great Ray McAnally — for the Irish national broadcasting service RTE. Poetry And Music Session Mon 18. Sharkey's Bar. Gorbals. 9pm. Free. Hosted by Freddie Anderson ofthe Michael Coleman branch ofComhaltas. History Seminar Tue 19. Room 3. McCance Building. Strathclyde University. Richmond Street. Free. With experts on Ireland‘s social history.
Ballad Night Wed 20. Clyde Ilalls. 318 Clyde Street. 8pm. £3 including food. No doubt a participation event.
Language Workshop Fri 22. Daisy Street Community Centre. 8pm. Free. An introduction to Gaelic for beginners. Sports My Sun 24. Pearse Park. Cambuslang. 2pm. Free. Hurling versus Shinty. with ‘compromise‘ rules.
Music Session Mon 25. Sharkey‘s Bar. Gorbals. 9pm. Free. Another participation event.
Gaelic Football Coaching Lochcnd School. Easterhouse. 7pm. Exhibition match and beginners‘ game, as an introduction for young people.
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I Portobello Community Festival Portobello Town Hall. Beach and Promenade. Edinburgh. Info:6691819. Begins with crowning of the Gala Queen and Ceilidh. Fri 22. 7pm: thereafter Ham—4.30pm daily. Stalls. children‘s entertainments and processions.
Saturday 23
I Calder Gala Sighthill School. Calder Park. Edinburgh. 453 2464. Noon—4pm. Parade. Gala Queen. fancy dress. entertainments and stalls. plus evening barbecue and dance.
I Old Town Gala High Street. Infirmary Street. Cowgate. St Mary‘s Street. Edinburgh. lllam—Spm. Info: 5569579. Procession from Infirmary Street to High Street. followed by stalls. street entertainments and evening ceilidh.
I Pentland Gala Day (‘olinton Mains Park. Edinburgh. Noon—4.3llpm. Fancydress parade. followed by stalls. pony rides. sports and puppet shows.
GAY/BISEXUAL Sunday17
I Icebreakers II The Centre. The Scottish Foundation. 25 Elmbank Street. Glasgow. Info2221 8372.7-1llpm. A regular meeting for gay or bisexual men and women on the third Sunday ofeach month. The sessions will feature speakers. discussion groups. a bookstall. thrkslttrps and will encourage social interaction.
POLITICS
l 4 Friday 22
I Living Marxism Eastern Europe Slide Show Chaplaincy Centre. Bristo Square. Edinburgh. 7pm.£2(£1.5ll). Living i Marxism's photo-journalist Simon
Norfolk has recently returned from a 1011ng
The List 15 - 28 June 1990 55