Festival Music list.co.uk/festival
RHYTHM DRUM & DANCE We needed a lie down after watching the YouTube trailer for this one. A high-energy, high drama drum show (it began as a 20- minute show in Berlin and has since expanded to tour around Europe) – this is a celebration of rhythms, covering ethno tribal battering, throbbing techno and head-spinning hip hop. And tap dancers on top of drums. Yes. Correct. On top of. ■ Edinburgh International Conference Centre, 226 0000, 6–22 Aug, 6pm, £12.50.
5QUESTIONS 52 THE LIST 5–12 Aug 2010
LADY CAROL This ukelele lady has an inky-black sense of humour, and can turn the sweetest of love songs into a creepy stalker anthem. Just, please, keep her away from bright light and cakes. Five words you’d use to describe your show
Sad songs, silly stories, sauce. Four things you bring on tour
My ukulele, hair curlers, evening gown and my passport (which I check is present daily).
Three shows you hope to see in Edinburgh
Carey Marx, Tiffany Stevenson and The Crack variety show. Two things we probably don’t know about you
My great aunt was the first woman in County Athlone, Ireland, to wear trousers. As I child I was allergic to sunshine and had to avoid being in it as much as possible for fear of my skin breaking out in a rash. I spent most summers indoors or in a cold bath.
One rumour you’d like to start about yourself
I hold the world record for eating the most cakes, sweets and pastries in one sitting. Having completed the task and added 273 desserts to the previous record I promptly vomited into Roy Castle’s Trumpet. ■ Lady Carol, Malady, Assembly @ George Street, 623 3030, Mon 9 Aug–Sun 15 Aug, 8–9pm, £10. Lady Carol will also be appearing at the first Ukelele Cabaret, Maggie’s Chamber, Laughing Horse @ The Three Sisters, Cowgate, 622 6801, Mon 9 Aug, 8.45–11.15pm, free.
Hitlist FESTIVAL MUSIC *
✽✽ Cabaret Clouded in cigarette smoke, wrapped in a boa, sitting on a bar stool, it’s the most cabaret-heavy Fringe yet. See page 16 for some of the festival’s finest. Various venues and times. ✽✽ Ukelele tunes Like cabaret tunes, the tiny pluckings of ukeleles can be heard all across Edinburgh. The Ukelele Project sees a quartet doiing Elvis and Greensleeves interpretations, while Ukelele Cabaret features ten acts (ukelele, plus comics and singers) per show. Tricity Vogue’s Ukelele Cabaret, Laughing Horse @ The Three Sisters, 622 6801, 9,16, 23 Aug, 8.45pm, free; The Ukelele Project, Underbelly, 0844 545 8252, previews 5 & 6 Aug, £6. 7–29 Aug (not 16), 12.45pm, £6.50–£11 (£8.50–£10). ✽✽ Samedia Like an African township under a Voodoo spell, Roxy’s jungle-lounge-bar creation ‘Samedia’ promises live music (artists will be paid in drinks), and DJs playing funk, salsa, hip hop and Afrobeat every night until 3am. Zoo Roxy, 629 0039, Fri 6–Tue 31 Aug, 8pm, free. ✽✽ Maria de Buenos Aires Considered by many to be Argentinean composer Piazzolla’s masterpiece, this tango opera blends dance and gutsy singing to spectacular effect. Zoo Southside, 622 6892, 7–30 Aug, 8.40pm, £12 (£10). Previews 5 & 6 Aug, £8. ✽✽ Villagers, FOUND and Mitchell Museum Tender Irish pop and quirky Scot art-pop are highlights from week one of The Edge. Villagers, Sneaky Pete’s, 6 Aug, 7pm, £8; FOUND, Electric Circus, 7 Aug, 7pm, £6; MM, Electric Circus, 11 Aug, 7pm, £t6.50. 0844 499 9990, www.theedgefestival.com ✽✽ Alexander’s Feast Some classical music to stave off cravings before the EIF starts. Acclaimed period chamber orchestra, Ludus Baroque performs Handel’s choral and orchestral work. Canongate Kirk, 226 0000, 10 Aug, 7pm, £15. For Festival Index see page 128.