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Festival frenzy
Mela expands as Connery gets touted in August Words: Anna Millar
ith just three weeks until
Edinburgh officially takes its
place in the spotlight as one of the world‘s greatest cultural playgrounds. festival news and views have been coming in thick and fast.
Perhaps most contentious is the news that after capturing the crown as the fastest selling event in Edinburgh International Book Festival history, tickets to see Sir Sean Connery are being sold on ebay for £l()(). more than ll) times their original price. The furore follows news that Book Festival sales for the opening weekend are up 24% on last year. Other events to sell ottt on the first day include Tony Benn. Alan Johnston. Alex Salmond. Jonathan Dimbleby, Ian Rankin. Alexander McCall Smith and Margaret Atwood.
Across at the Edinburgh International Festival. Scottish star of stage, film and television. actress Hannah Gordon. has been added to the cast of Festival 2008’s opening concert. Gordon will be narrator in the concert performance of Brecht and
8 THE LIST 3—1 7 Jul 2008
Weill’s Rise and Full of The (‘in of Mahagomzy at the Usher Hall on Fri 8 Aug. Elsewhere at the Ell“. James Naughtie. journalist. political commentator and presenter of BBC Radio 4’s Today is a welcome addition to a discussion on the future of religion in Europe. Naughtie will act as moderator in the discussion between scientist Dr John Lennox and cultural commentator Christopher Hitchens.
ln Leith. the Edinburgh Mela launched their programme promising a show bigger and better than ever before. The multi-cultural jamboree will move from its previous home of Pilrig Park and set its stall both inside and outside Ocean Terminal. extending its run from a weekend to a full week. The new outdoor venue will include a big top. and promises to host a range of activities. while the shopping complex itself will accommodate significant events including film screenings. performances. concerts and exhibitions with acts from India, Pakistan. Japan and Africa.
TV FEST GUESTS ADDED I The King and Queen of daytime television Richard Madeley and Judy Finnigan will make their first ever appearance at this year’s Edinburgh International Television Festival to talk about their successful presenting partnership. The announcement follows news that Sharon Osbourne has also been confirmed to talk about reality TV programmes in a session entitled I’m a Celebrity: Get Me on TV.
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are now on sale for the
inaugural Balerno Music Festival. The weekend shindig (3-5 Oct) will comprise more than 20 concerts and events, including folk and choral concerts, a piano & song recital, a ceilidh dance and more. See www.balerno- community council.org.uk.
FOLLOWING their Scottish nuptials, Mr Madonna Guy Ritchie is rumoured to be creating his own vintage whisky. The Lock, Stock... director is believed to have plans to brew ‘one of the most expensive whiskies ever‘.
32-} have gone back to their indie roots with their new single ‘J. Smith’ being released on their own Red Telephone Box label. The EP will be issued as a limited 10in and download and comes in advance of their 6th studio album, Ode to J Smith, which is out in the autumn
AND FINALLY, List section editor, Kirstin Innes has won a Scottish Arts Council New Writers Award, and received £2000 to go towards finishing her first novel, as well as a nine- month mentoring scheme with an established novelist. The staff at List Towers wish her much luck..
SILENT BUT DEADLY
Paul Merton brings his Silent Clowns series next month at Edinburgh Filmhouse. Merton will present extracts from Buster Keaton, Charlie Chaplin, Laurel & Hardy and
Harold Uo d with Neil Bran on piano. See www.filmhouse cinemacom
‘HEAD BOY
I A Glasgow School of Art student has become a YouTube sensation. James Houston featured a remix of the Radiohead single ‘Nude’ from their album In Rainbows in a four minute video, ‘Big Ideas (Don't Get Any)’, as part of his Degree Show. Houston has reportedly attracted praise from Radiohead bassist Colin Greenwood who referred to it as ‘brilliant’ and the band are currently featuring a link to the video through their official website, ww.radiohead.com. Houston said of the success: ‘l’ve been completely overwhelmed by the huge response to the film. This was a small video for the GSA, which was edited in my bedroom with my dog at my feet and now it’s grown out of control. I’ve had over 3,000 really lovely emails from people all around the world, been offered a record deal although I’m not a musician and been asked to get involved in lots of other amazing projects.’ To see the video visit http://www.vimeo.com/1109226.