LIST.CO.UK/FESTIVAL Edinburgh Book Fringe
Hosted by Word Power Books, this festival gives a platform to radical-edged publishers and writers, whether polemicists or comedians, in a series of free afternoon readings during the festival month. Highlights this week include a launch event with Alasdair Gray (Thu 11 Aug, 1pm), comedian Mark Thomas discussing his new book about rambling along the Israeli separation barrier (Sat 13 Aug, 2.30pm), Triple Twist, an event featuring Scottish-based poets Sophie Cooke (pictured), Peter McCarey and Alexander Hutchison (Thu 18 Aug, 1pm) and comedian David O’Doherty launching his latest weighty tome, 100 Facts About Sharks (Thu 18 Aug, 5pm). ■ Word Power Bookshop, 43 West Nicolson Street, 662 9112, 11–25 Aug, times vary.
Exhibitions FREE Banned Books Until Sun 30 Oct. Mon–Fri 10am–8pm; Sat 10am–5pm; Sun 2–5pm. National Library of Scotland, George IV Bridge, 623 3918. Interesting exhibition from the National Library of Scotland looking at the history of book censorship, with examples ranging from early Scottish proclamations to Nabokov’s Lolita and even, somewhat surprisingly, the Harry Potter books. FREE World Press Photo Exhibition 2011 Until Sat 27 Aug. Mon–Fri 10am–5.30pm; Sat 11am–5.30pm. Scottish Parliament, Holyrood Road, 348 5200. The World Press Photo Award highlights the best press photography from around the world. This exhibition has the shortlist on display in Edinburgh as part of a global tour. FREE David Hume, 1711–1776: Man of Letters, Scientist of Man Until Sat 17 Sep. Mon–Sat 10am–5pm; Sun (during Aug only) noon–5pm. Writers’ Museum, Lady Stair’s Close, Lawnmarket, 529 4901. Celebrating the 300th birthday of one of Edinburgh’s brightest intellectual lights, this exhibition includes rare books and original manuscripts written by Hume, plus many images of Hume and other important Enlightenment figures. FREE Benghazi Speaks: Revolutionary Images from the Libyan Uprising Sun 14 Aug–Sun 4 Sep. Daily 10am–10pm. Filmhouse, 88 Lothian Road, 228 2688. Images of the revolutionary graffiti and cartoons that appeared on Libyan walls, buildings and streets during the recent uprising, photographed by Dutch photojournalist Teun Voeten.
Fairs ✽✽ FREE Beyond Words Pop Up Shop Until Sat 13 Aug, 11am–7pm. Stills, 23 Cockburn Street, 622 6200. One of our favourite and most-missed bookshops returns in pop-up form. See Hitlist, page 96.
✽✽ FREE Fair Trade on the Fringe Sat 13–Sun 21 Aug, 10am–6pm.
Castle Street, handupmedia.co.uk/events A nine-day sale of fashion, jewellery, crafts, food, drinks and accessories from around the world, all ethically traded, and with promises of free tastings, samples, inspiration and education. See Hitlist, page 96, and picture, page 98. FREE Edinburgh Festival PBFA Book Fair Sun 14–Sat 20 Aug. Sun noon–6pm, Mon–Sat 10am–6pm. MacDonald Roxburghe Hotel, 38 Charlotte Square, pbfa.org Interesting second hand and antiquarian books, maps and prints. Food & Drink FREE Angus Dundee Distillers Whisky Sampling Thu 11 Aug, noon–4pm. Scotch Whisky Experience, 354 Castlehill, The Royal Mile, 220 0441. Angus Dundee Distillers offer a chance to try a few of their finest malts and blends in the Whisky Experience shop. Foodies Festival Fri 12–Sun 14 Aug. Fri noon–7pm, Sat 10am–6pm, Sun 11am–5pm. Day tickets £10 (£8); weekend tickets £18 (£15). Holyrood Park, 0871 230 5573. Michelin-starred chefs galore at this giant noshing extravaganza. Edinburgh Farmers’ Market Sat 13 Aug, 9am–2pm. Castle Terrace, 652 5940. More local, quality, ethical produce than you could shake a stick at.
FREE The Food Market & Tinker Tailor Sat 13 Aug, 10am–2pm. Out of the Blue Drill Hall, 30–36 Dalmeny Street, Leith, 555 7100. A weekly local shop for Leithers in search of quality ethical goods and help with fixing broken items. FREE Whisky Samplings Wed 17 & Thu 18 Aug, 10am–5pm. Scotch Whisky Experience, 354 Castlehill, The Royal Mile, 220 0441. Samples on offer from Tomatin Distillers (Wed) and Ian MacLeod Whisky (Thu). Sport Malungos Capoeira Classes Fridays, 6.30–8.30pm, Tollcross Community Centre, 117 Fountainbridge, 07850 942259; Nelson Hall Community Centre, 5 Spittalfield Crescent, 07850 942259, Mondays & Wednesdays, 7–9pm. £4.50. Friendly classes, open to all, in the Brazilian cultural art form that mixes martial arts, dance and music. Suitable for all abilities and ages 10+. FREE Joseph Pearce’s Jogging Club Tuesdays, 7–8pm. Joseph Pearce’s, 23 Elm Row, 556 4140. Weekly running club following the very best kind of route: one with a bar at each end. After meeting at Joseph Pearce’s the group jogs down to sister bar Sofi’s for some refreshing lingonberry juice, before heading back up to JP’s, which is a route of 3.5 miles.
For even more Festival events see list.co.uk/festival
Listings {AROUND TOWN}
VENUE Vitals
ALTERNATIVE FRINGE HUBS
THE FOREST CAFÉ Occupation: Leader of the resistance, home of Edinburgh’s true creative spirit. Resembles: A glorious, shambolic cluster of plants, art, rugs, hippies and graffiti, spread across several rooms. What’s on there, then? Usually a loose free-space hosting semi- regular gigs, spoken-word events and discussion forums, as well as a variety of madcap one-off events. During August the Forest becomes the home of Forest Fringe, full of free, experimental theatre and performance. This week you can also catch some lunchtime poetry as Inky Fingers are running a literary minifest (see Hitlist, page 96). Quick, how do I get there? A refreshing alternative to the corporate, comedy-focused intensity of the main commercial Fringe hub at Bristo Square, and only two minutes round the corner? Why yes. Cross the road as though you were going to Princes Street and stop when you smell falafel. Mmm. Is there a café? Yes, all food is veggie, cheap, and put together by the Forest’s volunteer team. You’re more than welcome to have a drink (wine and beer only), but you have to BYO and pay a spot of corkage. Any good for celeb-spotting? Aren’t you listening? The Forest isn’t about celeb-spotting. Man. Which is exactly why you’ll sometimes find the odd lefty comedian or author going incognito in there . . . Sounds like a real credit to the city. You’d think. Unfortunately, it’s the organisation’s last Fringe – at least in this venue. They’ve been fighting the closure of the building for a while, but August 31 is their last day. Make the most of this great place while you can. ■ The Forest Café, 3 Bristo Place, 220 4538, 10am–late, blog.theforest.org.uk. Forest Fringe programme at forestfringe.co.uk. 4–11 Aug 2011 THE LIST 97
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