Capital gains
Edinburgh does festivals bigger and better than most cities. Anna Millar casts an early glance over the big players coming to visit this summer
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Not for nothing has lidinburgh garnered a reputation for producing some of the finest festivals in the world. Although Manchester and Melbourne are coming hot on its heels. the Fringe continues to dominate the festival calendar as the self-styled Greatest Show on Earth. Thousands flock to the capital to flaunt their wares as churches. halls. theatres. streets. offices. toilets and parks are transformed into performance spaces for comedians. dancers. actors. puppeteers and mime artists.
For some happily eclectic sounds. look no further than the Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival. which can boast to being the longest running jazz. festival in the UK. Adding to the mix is the Edinburgh Art Festival. which just seems to grow in presentation. kudos and design year on year (see Agenda page (i) as a roster of artists. both established and new. bring their work to town in galleries and spaces across the city. The Edinburgh International Festival regularly attracts
ELY FOLK FESTIVAL
10-12 Jul. Ely Football Club, Ely Outdoor Centre. Downham Road. Ely. Cambridgeshire. www.elyfolk.co.uk Peatbog Faeries. Edward ll, Eric Bogle S John Munro. Baka Beyond. Tanglefoot. Lockwood and Cuckoo Oak all feature
OXEGEN
10-12 Jul, Punchestown Racecourse, Punchestown, Co. Kildare. Republic of Ireland. www.0xegen.ie.
Bloc Party Thr- 8(‘llpi. Pet Shop Boys. Manic Street Preachers. Nine lll(2ll Nails. Yeah Yeah Yeahs. SHO‘.'.' Patrol and Ra/orlight. amongst others. giw ample reason to he cheerful.
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some of the biggest names on the international circuit and this year's melee of opera. dance and theatre looks set to be no different. Across
at (‘harlotte Square. the Edinburgh International Book Festival continues to celebrate literary talent from around the world. this year featuring an appearance from new poet laureate. (‘arol Ann [)uffy.
lilsewhere. the Edinburgh Mela continues to grow. boasting an array of food. drink and arts goodies from around the world. The Festival of Politics also manages to keep the big names coming. while over at the EICC. the Edinburgh International Television Festival has lined up a bold programme of lectures with everyone ranging from The Wire’s David Simon to TV pop tarts Ant and Dec. Last btit not least. one of Edinburgh's more old school traditions. the Military Tattoo. ensures there really is something for everyone.
See timeline below for details.
LARMER TREE FESTIVAL
festival.co.uk Pianomeister Jools
gets down With nature.
15-19 Jul. Salisbury. Nr London, www.larmertree
Holland sets his stall and
LITERARY FESTIVALS
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FEKP (FESTIVAL OF THE EUROPEAN SHORT STORY)
Expand your horizons at this laid-back. youthful and polylingual Croatian festival happening in and around the cafes. nightclubs and bars of Zagreb. often finishing up With a riotous night of gigging. and attracting some of the best and brightest international writers in addition to some some big UK names.
I Zagreb, Croatia, Sun 37 May-Fri 5 Jun,
www. festival - price. profil. hr
LATITUDE
For those who like even their literature to come with tents and (eccentric. well-heeled) wellies. This year's lineup includes Vivienne Westwood. Jonathan Coe. Jackie Kay and Andrew Motion, which is not something you could ever say about T in the Park. I Southwo/d, Suffolk Thu 16-Sun 79 Jul,
www. latitudefestrval. co. uk
EDINBURGH INTERNATIONAL BOOK FESTIVAL
Setting the standards for book festivals for 25 years now: marquees. civilised conversation and the very best guests. Look out for an appearance by new Poet Laureate Carol Ann Duffy too.
I Edinburgh, Sat lS-Mon 37 Aug,
www. edbookfesf. co. uk
BROOKLYN BOOK FESTIVAL
With Dave Eggers and Paul Auster on the committee. this one-day NYC fest guarantees hipster-lit. Isaac Asimov and his splendid whiskers are in attendance this year.
I New York, Sun 13 Sep,
www. brook/ynbookfest/val. org
WIGTOWN BOOK FESTIVAL Scotland's book town has caught Homecoming fever this year. and will be celebrating the Scottish literary diaspora and. er, the power of whisky.
I Wigtown, Fri 25 Sap-Sun 4 Oct,
www. wigtownbookfestival. com
OLADI
16—1 9 Jul. Mattedey Bowl near Winchester. Hunts. www.9ladotstival.com Booka Shade. Squarepusher. Freeland (aka Adam Freeland). The Japanese Popstars. The Oemists all appearing.
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WAKESTOCK
10—1 2 Jul. Abersoch. Cardigan Bay www.wakestock.co.uk
Moby. Chicane. Zane Lowe. Goldierocks. Little Comets. The Zutons. Lazy Boys. Norman Jay. Walley Lopez. Mission District and Red Light Company are iust some of the names bringing their party piece.
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HEBRIDEAN CELTIC FESTIVAL
15—1 8 Jul. Stornoway, Isle of Lewis, Outer Hebrides. Scotland. www.hebceltfest.com This annual festival is not only beautifully located but always rich in talent.
www.latitudefestival
Jones. Doves. Editors . . .
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LATITUDE FESTIVAL 16 -19 Jul. Henham Park. Halesworth, Suffolk.
.co.uk Pet Shop Boys. Grace ‘
need we say more?
28 May-11 Jun 2009 TI. LIST :0