Locals' Guide to Edinburgh - August News and Events

 

 

 In a galaxy, far, far away….

Despite the misleading vast emptiness of space, Jupiter is just a short drive away. Jupiter Artland, that is. A unique sculpture garden set in the grounds of Bonnington House outside Edinburgh. The work of leading contemporary artists including Ian Hamilton Finlay, Anthony Gormley and Andy Goldsworthy is on show here and the one and a half hour exploration of this magical space is the ultimate festival escape. Pre booking and light sabres are essential. See you in space.

Jupiter Artland, 10am – 4pm, Thursday to Sunday 1 – 31 August. Bonnington House, Kirknewton, Edinburgh EH27. Tickets £5 (£3 children and £10 family -2 adults 2 children). Pre book here: http://www.jupiterartland.org/bookings/

 

 

Snack attack

Word to your mother. The West Port Book Festival is where it’s at. An eclectic selection of free literary events in galleries, bookshops and church halls over three days has too many unmissable events to list here. One of our faves though is Pete Burnett’s talk on The History of Crisps, from the lowly spud to foil wrapped flavour fantasies. It’s enough to get your mouth watering!

Peter Burnett: The History of Crisps, 4pm, 14th August, Peter Bell Books, 68 West Port. http://westportbookfestival.org/programme/14-august/

 

 

Something Fishy this way comes

August is the one month of the year where Edinburgh shows the world how to have a good time. Staking a claim though for international celebrations are the good folk at Pearce’s. Sing, snack and get stuck into schnapps like the Swedes at Joseph Pearce’s Crayfish Parties. Ticket price includes welcome drink, lots of crayfish, bread and cheese and for main course a Swedish recipe cheese tart served with salad plus 2 shots of aquavit is also included. Held throughout August these are the tastiest audience participation events at the festival.

Crayfish Parties, 7pm 17th, 18th, 24th, 25th August Joseph Pearce’s Elm Row. Tickets £25. 10% discount for groups of 4 and more.

 

 

Picture this

Edinburgh when the festival isn’t on. Granted it was only last month but in the full flight of festivities it’s almost impossible to imagine the city without this annual arts explosion. In Edinburgh 283, Eight Edinburgh-based photographers are each exhibiting three images expressing their own unique take on Scotland’s capital during the other 283 festival-free days. This is Edinburgh’s backstage pass so enjoy the views.

Edinburgh 283 “What happens in Edinburgh when the festival isn’t on?” 10am – 10pm, 7 – 31 August  Zoo Southside, 117 Nicolson St. This is a free event. http://www.zoofestival.co.uk/shows/09/edinburgh%20283 

 

 

Going for a song

Ah, if you can’t sing laugh and dance about eh, what’s the point? If ever there was an artform to tackle all subjects it’s the musical. So our top tip for this year’s Fringe? Go see Anything – The Musical! That’s not quite a show itself but this year you can choose from: A-Team The Musical, Fat Club The Musical, Gingers The Musical or even Chomp: A Zombie Musical. Rodgers and Hammerstein must be turning in their graves….then getting up and coming to eat us!

The Musicals, Various times, dates and prices. See www.edfringe.com for individual show details.

 

 

Ditch your diaries

Scheduling is a futile exercise when there’s so much to do and see and suddenly dinner time has been postponed four times and the late night is giving way to an early morn. Fear not festival goers for dinner can still be had. Leith’s latest arrival Café Fish is serving up fine seafood til the wee hours. Last orders are at 12.30am on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays so when the stars are done shining you can start dining.
Café Fish, 60 Henderson St, Leith

 

 

Still hungry for more?

For both of us August is where it all started and is still our busiest time of the year. Claudia is busy in the thick of the Book Festival, so make sure to catch at least one event in this green and grand retreat. Owen is working on Made in Scotland a programme of the best Scottish work at the Fringe, featuring a smattering of four and five star shows and our extras include The Signspotting Project at Princes Mall and Mikelangelo and the Black Sea Gentleman at Assembly Hall. It wouldn’t be the festival without some shameless plugging!

 

For our Edinburgh Survival Guide, please see:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/travel/2009/aug/10/edinburgh-festival-survival-guide

 

For Edinburgh International Book Festival events check out: www.edbookfest.co.uk

For details of Made in Scotland shows click here: http://tinyurl.com/nnlgzo

To get a taster of what’s on show at Princes Mall visit: www.signspotting.com

And finally for a dark and humorous musical cabaret of fantastic tales and impossible stories go and see: http://tinyurl.com/n9dx4c

 

 

Until our Indian summer in September,

 

Have a show stopping August!

 

 

Owen & Claudia

 

We've reviewed the Locals' Guide to Edinburgh here.

 

Owen Leary is the co-author of the Locals' Guide to Edinburgh and our Edinburgh Editor for Wandering Educators .