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FIRE FESTIVAL BELTANE Calton Hill, Edinburgh, Sat 30 Apr
The death of winter. The birth of summer. Shedding darkness and celebrating light in a decadent parade throughout Edinburgh’s streets, culminating in a dramatic climax on the historic Calton Hill: that’s what Beltane is all about.
A consistent high point in the city’s spring calendar, Beltane is more than just an excuse to smear yourself in green paint and dance naked on a hill. In fact, it’s a traditional celebration of the battle of the seasons, with death and rebirth played out through processions, i re, drumming and pyrotechnics. Taking full advantage of its open-air status, Beltane loses the fourth wall completely with revellers encouraged to succumb to the heartbeat of the spectacular and get lost in the modern interpretation of an ancient fertility festival.
Spread across Calton Hill, the procession of
the May Queen (representing summer) is a focal point, but simultaneous counter-performances, featuring i re dancers and Celtic characters, take place throughout the arena. As the night draws on, more and more characters are roused and the hill is brought to life, mirroring the awakening which the earth undertakes as it transitions from winter to spring. Now in its 29th year, the festival seems to be
looking towards adulthood: a children’s event, Family Beltane, is set to get a new breed of merrymakers excited about the spectacle. Taking place at the Scottish Storytelling Centre on Sat 23 Apr, kids can be introduced to the heritage behind the event through a mixture of storytelling, face painting and arts and crafts. Dei nitely no i re, though. Not until adolescence, anyway. (Kirstyn Smith)
Fro n t i e rs M a n
B ra n d s :
Norse Projects Oliver Spencer
Folk
Universal Works
Lee 101
Bleu de Paname Hartford
Hawksmill Denim
Sandqvist Bags Gitman Vintage
Sperry Shoes
and more
Swedish bars Calendar Boda Bar Hemma
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Bloody Mary’s @ £5 Sunday’s from 1pm Harry Potter Quiz from 7.30pm, forthcoming night: 17 April
• Monthly night celebrating the world of WAX. No mixing skills required, forthcoming nights: 19 April / 17 May
Joseph Pearce Victoria
• Singles Night forthcoming night: 16 April
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JP’s Jogging Club Tuesday’s from 7pm Dessert Cocktail Menu inc. Frozen Margarita’s all week
Akva
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Quiz Tuesday’s from 7pm
Open Mic Wednesday’s from 8pm Ping Pong Tournaments Sunday’s from 6pm
4 William Street Edinburgh, EH3 7NH info@frontiers-man.com frontiers-man.com
Check out the full calendar at bodabar.com
7 Apr–2 Jun 2016 THE LIST 57