Summer FESTIVALS
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S IS FOR STILTWALKERS RS Coming from Conflux, Glasgow’s w’s project dedicated for furthering g the cause of physical theatre, SURGE E is a week-long treat for fans of circus, s, street theatre and anything outside of the traditional script. A mixture of local artists and international stars, SURGE is a lively reminder that the experimental need not be inaccessible. Past highlights include the irrepressible Red Bastard and cabaret evenings that have conjured a genuine sense of the uncanny: the emphasis on supporting local artists has ensured that SURGE never loses its Scottish focus while bringing in the performers who have defined and inspired physical theatre’s restless evolution. (GKV)
SURGE FESTIVAL Glasgow DATES: Mon 22–Sun 28 Jul + A dynamic introduction to performance that goes beyond the stage. - The diversity of events and locations makes it a challenge to catch everything. TICKETS: Events individually priced. MORE INFO: conflux.co.uk SONGS OF THE SUMMER ‘I’m hoping to hear Bill Wells & Aidan Moffat’s ‘Glasgow Jubilee’ (the JD Twitch Optimo mix). Aidan’s message here is not for the faint-hearted!’ James, Nevada Base
inherently inherently danceable – they’re keeping danceable – they’re keeping schtum for another few schtum for another few
Top to bottom: Leith Festival; SURGE; Edinburgh International Magic Festival
months yet – but we can assure you an
early swatch at the line-up reveals a rock solid selection of local electronic, noise, house, ambient, dream-pop, psych, h, free jazz, choir and experimental heroes.
T IS FOR TA-DA! One of the more recent events to appear on the Festival City radar, the Edinburgh
International Magic Festival has asserted itself as a showcase for illusionists and conjurors of all stripes. This year is no exception, with guests including deadpan prop trickster Piff the Magic Dragon, The Real Hustle star Paul Wilson, talented mentalist Luke Jermay (pictured below), up-close cardsharps Tony Roberts and Fritz with a Z, and family entertainers Tricky Ricky and Morgan & West. There’s also street magic, a swanky black-tie Magic Dinner and workshop sessions for any budding Harrys or Hermiones you have lurking around the house. (NB)
EDINBURGH INTERNATIONAL MAGIC FESTIVAL
DATES: Fri 28 Jun–Fri 5 Jul + A wide variety of magical performance, from mind-reading to card tricks. - Some degree of repetition: there are only so many orifices from which to pull a coin. TICKETS: Events individually priced. MORE INFO: magicfest.co.uk
Like last year, there will be be generator gigs between venues, es, and three days of performances s spread across some of the city’s s most interesting music venues such such as The Glue Factory, SWG3 and d Kinning Park Complex. (CS) MUSIC LANGUAGE Glasgow w DATES: Fri 6–Sun 8 Sep + Choice venues and an exciting iting mixture of local music, that you you don’t yet know you love. - Risk of sensory overload from rom a schizo tour of the city’s aural ral delights, with genres pinballing ng gloriously between sound art, hip t, hip hop and house. TICKETS: £6 per day, £14 weekend. eekend.
£10 early bird weekend d d weekend k d tickets will be available e available when the line-up e line-up is announced. nounced. MORE INFO: ORE INFO: cryparrot. co.uk
V IS FOR VIBRANT Fun, noisy,
colourful and outgoing, the Leith Festival brings to mind its portside
U IS FOR UNDISCOVERED We can’t tell you yet
who’s booked to play this year’s Cry Parrot-run festival of all that is under-sung, over- weird, or
26 THE LIST 16 May–13 Jun 2013
namesake at its namesake at its very best. As well as the popular very best. As well as the popular Gala Day Pageant and Leith Tattoo (which open and close the festival respectively), there’s live music, community theatre productions, art exhibitions and dances. Plus there’s a host of events paying tribute to Leith’s cosmopolitan heritage, including the Egyptian- influenced Hafla, a Ghanian-Scots cultural exchange and a Balkan Beats & Swing Grooves night-time shindig. Best of all, the lion’s share of the programme is either free or cheap to take part in. (NB)
LEITH FESTIVAL Leith, Edinburgh DATES: Sat 8–Sun 16 Jun + Community events with an all-encompassing global flavour. - If the sun’s out, the taps are undoubtedly aff.
TICKETS: Events individually priced. MORE INFO: leithfestival.com