edinburgh people's festival     

Programme 2011
Sunday 7th August
Discovering Edinburgh's Radical Past

Local historian Allan Armstrong leads this walking tour of Edinburgh's radical past recounting tales from the city's Irish immigrant community, Robert Burns, Thomas Muir and the United Scotsmen, the Scottish Enlightenment and Republican causes.
Starts 1pm at 'The Last Drop' Public House in the Grassmarket. Finishes 3pm
TICKETS FREE

Monday 8th August
Songs of Protest and Resistance

Spanish musicians Gallo Rojo and local singer/songwriter Ali Hughes perform in this musical evening paying tribute to those who stood up and stand up against injustice and oppression.
Starts 7.30pm
The Calton Centre, Montgomery Street, Leith
TICKETS FREE

Tuesday 9th August
'Mockgonagall':
The Life and Work of William McGonagall

The 'worlds worst poet' may be synonymous with Dundee but he was born and died here in Edinburgh. The People's Festival hopes this event will become an annual tribute to his poetry, acting and life. We present, in true McGonagall style, an idiosyncratic
evening in 3 parts.

ACT ONE - 6.30pm in the Scottish Poetry Library, Crichton's Close, just off the Canongate with an introduction to McGonagall by his estemeed biographer Charles Naysmith
ACT TWO - We make haste to Greyfriars Kirkyard where McGonagall is buried to pay our respects.
ACT THREE - And finally at 8pm we retire to the nearby 'Captains Bar' in South College Street [above which this lifelong teetotaller lived until his death in 1902] where we offer people the opportunity to recite their own “One minute MockGonagall style poem'' and enjoy the irrepressible comic talents of Vladimir McTavish who offers his own tribute .
TICKETS FREE

Wednesday 10th August
The Hamish Henderson Memorial Lecture

Hamish Henderson, the founder of the original Edinburgh People's Festival, died in 2002. He left a considerable legacy; the father of Scottish folk music , poetry, literature, politics and activism. We are delighted to present a double headed tribute to his life, work and ideals from poet
Tessa Ransford and author Tom Hubbard who both knew him well.

7pm Nelson Halls Community Centre, Spittalfield Crescent.
TICKETS FREE

Thursday 11th August
Rebustours

Award winning actor and 'Rebus' guide Colin Brown takes us on this literary tour of those parts of the city made famous by Ian Rankin's fictional detective John Rebus.

6.30pm Royal Oak public house, Infirmary Street. Returns 8.30pm
TICKETS FREE

Friday 12th August
Comedy For the People

Back for a 6th year. The People's Festival presents our grand finale for 2011, an unbeatable evening of comedy with 4 of the finest stand ups in the city in a terrific venue at unbeatable prices. We recommend you get there early to avoid disappointment .

7.30pm BMC Club Westfield Street, Gorgie
TICKETS £2.50
Buy Tickets Here Soon

Sunday 7th August
Discovering Edinburgh's Radical Past

Monday 8th August
Songs of Protest and Resistance

Tuesday 9th August
'Mockgonagall' - An evening with the worlds worst poet, born and died in Edinburgh

Wednesday 10th August
The 4th Annual Hamish Henderson Memorial lecture

Thursday 11th August
Rebus's Edinburgh - Ian Rankin's famous detective comes alive in this real life literary tour

Friday 12th August
Gorgie's the place for laughs
All Venues TBC

The Edinburgh People's Festival proudly presents our 2010 ‘Alternative Burns Supper'

We celebrate the radical Robert Burns.

John McAllion will speak on the life and legacy of Robert Burns

Comedy by Vladimir Mactavish
Music by Combo-Combo

Friday 21st January 7.30pm
BMC Club, Westfield Street, Gorgie, Edinburgh.

All tickets were sold out last year so get your tickets now!

Tickets £10 (£7 unwaged)

Haggis (meat or veggie), Neeps and Tatties included

Buy Tickets Here

The following office bearers were elected for the forthcoming year :
CHAIR - Allan Armstrong SECRETARY - Colin Fox TREASURER - Barry Fowler

Treasurer Barry Fowler presented the annual accounts which were agreed.  These will now be sent off to Companies House together with our Annual Return to comply with our legal obligations.  Similarly our annual report to the Office of the Scottish Charities Regulator [OSCR] was agreed and sent off.

The 2011 People's Festival Burns Supper will take place on Saturday 22nd January. The venue, entertainers and ticket availability will be confirmed shortly.

August 2010 Programme

Sat 7th*
Film premiere of 'MORTICIA'
Morticia Poster
The story of a little girl who wants to be a vampire.
Written, produced and directed by acclaimed Edinburgh filmmaker Nabil Shaban this film noir is shot in locations throughout the city and stars local actors.

The film will be shown inside the grounds of St Cuthberts graveyard [entry via Lothian Road and King Stables Road] and starts at 9pm.
Tickets £3.00 in advance £4.00 on the night.
Buy Tickets Here

Sun 8th
Touring Edinburgh's
Radical Past.

Local historian Allan Armstrong leads a popular tour of the city's lesser known revolutionary radical past off the beaten track.

Tour starts from outside 'The Last Drop' pub on The Grassmarket at 2pm and finishes back at the same place 2 hours later. (Involves walking up and down slopes and steps so may not be suitable for everyone)
FREE

Mon 9th
Investigating
Rebus's Edinburgh

Fans of Ian Rankins famous detective are in for a treat as Colin Brown's award winning tour landmarks made famous in John Rebus's adventures come to life. The action begins outside the Royal Oak pub in Infirmary Street at 6.30pm and returns - unless there's a murder! - 2 hours later.
FREE

Tues 10th
The Bad and the Beautiful

Introducing the images of Edinburgh's rising photographic talent Paul Jordan from Oxgangs. This the official opening of his most recent exhibition which will run throughout August.
The Wash, top of the Mound. 7pm
FREE

Wed 11th
3rd Annual Hamish Henderson Memorial Lecture
Lecture Poster
Following two sensational lectures in 2008 and 2009 the People's Festival is proud to again honour the life and work of Hamish Henderson. This years guest lecturer will be the former West of Scotland MSP, Campbell Martin who will speak about those themes so important to Hamish of independence, internationalism and anti-imperialism and their continuing relevance today.
Word Power Bookshop, West Nicholson St 7pm
FREE

Thur 12th
Afghanistan Aid
Afghanistan Aid Poster
A concert calling for British troops to be brought back home and in aid of the democratic, secular and progressive forces in Afghanistan. Featuring the fabulous musical talents 'The Irrisistible Urges' and Mr David 'Brucey' Bruce.
Valley Park Community Centre, Burdiehouse. 7pm
FREE

Fri 13th*
Comedy on Friday the 13th
Comedy Night Poster
Unlucky for some? Not for those fortunate enough to have tickets to the funniest ribtickling humour. Back for a 6th straight year the People's Festival comedy night features five headline acts courtesy of The Stand Comedy Club.
BMC Club, Westfield St, Gorgie.

JoJo Sutherland, Kevin Eldon, Susan Murray, Magnus Betner and Andy Van Der Borgh.

Show starts 7.30pm.
Tickets £3.00 in advance £4.00 on the night
Buy Tickets Here

Sat 14th*
Theatre from SpartaKi
SpartaKi Theatre Poster
Four wonderful pieces of drama from Dalkeith playwright Cecilia Grainger to bring the curtain down. Produced by Karen Douglas and featuring a stellar cast. Set in the wonderful ancient surroundings of Inch House for added atmosphere.
Inch Community Centre, Inch Park, off Gilmerton Road. Doors open 7pm
Show starts 7.30pm
Tickets £3.00 in advance £4.00 on the night
Buy Tickets Here

* Tickets are available in advance via edinburghpeoplesfestival.org or [for those who prefer to run the risk of not getting in] on the door on the night.

For the FREE events, no tickets are required, just turn up on the day/evening.

August 2010 Programme

Sat 7th*
The Story of the People's Festival Exhibition opens
Film - Morticia

Sun 8th*
Radical Walk
Local historian Allan Armstrong leads a walk round Edinburgh's radical past

Mon 9th*
Rebus's Edinburgh

Tues 10th*
Evening of Cultural Debate

Wed 11th*
3rd Hamish Henderson Memorial Lecture

Thur 12th*
Music Night

Fri 13th
Comedy Night
BMC Club Gorgie

Sat 14th*
Theatre from Spartaki
*Venue TBC

ANOTHER TERRIFIC NIGHT AT THE EDINBURGH PEOPLE'S FESTIVAL
Many thanks to all of you who came along and supported the benefit night for the Edinburgh People's Festival at The Stand comedy club.

What a fantastic night Jojo Sutherland, Keir McAllister, Bruce Morton and Mark Nelson put on for us!

The benefit raised more than £500 for the People's Festival which will go towards our August programme of events.

Our thanks also to Tommy Shepherd and the gang at The Stand for their hospitality and generous support.

We are delighted that 81 people who came out on a Tuesday night this far from pay day to support the work the Edinburgh People's Festival continues to do to ensure that the cultural needs of working people are not overlooked in this city.

A benefit night for the Edinburgh People's Festival on Tuesday March 23rd at The Stand Comedy Club, York Place, Edinburgh.

The event is planned to coincide with the expected announcement of the general election. The comedians should have no shortage of material for this political theme night.

'Laugh? I almost voted' stars comedy legends:
Bruce Morton, Keir McAllister, Mark Nelson and Ms Jojo Sutherland

Tickets £7 and £4 unwaged
Doors open 7.30pm
Show starts 8.15pm

Buy Tickets Here

A benefit night for the Edinburgh People's Festival on Tuesday March 23rd at The Stand Comedy Club, York Place, Edinburgh.

Fantastic line up of top class comedians to be announced shortly.