The 2003 Edinburgh People's Festival : August 10th - 16th
Sun 10thAugust
Opening Night
The Jack Kane centre was packed for a highly successful opening night of the EPF 2003. Dozens of local residents joined musicians, activists and even two of the local MSP's to enjoy the nights entertainment. There were messages of support from Irvine Welsh, Paul Laverty and Hamish Henderson's widow. Additionally Tony Benn had kindly signed an EPF poster which was raffled, he had also expressed his support for the event. We were also delighted that Jack Kane's family were able to come along.
As the audience arrived there was a reception with free Indian food, two amazing exhibitions from photographer Jackie Morton and artist Mark I'anson with classical string quartet Capriccio providing the music. As the night kicked off Tom Freeman was in full star fleet regalia as he introduced the stars of the night. Highlights included Craigmillar Youth Theatre with songs from 'Grease Ya Radge', local singer Carla Bernardi, comedian John Scott, the latin sounds of Voces del Sur and John Grieg's brilliant roots music.
Photos of the EPF opening night
Review of the EPF opening night.
Monday 11thAugust
The New Scots
This packed out event saw Herman Rodrigues giving his lecture 'The New Scots'. Herman has been photographing Scotlands immigrant communities, particularly those from the Indian subcontinent for decades. He gave a talk to some of his remarkable slides which explained the history of asian communities in Scotland, their diversity and how they have interacted with the Scots and with each other. Herman has become recognised as an important oral historian of Scotland's immigrant communities. He worked closely with the School of Scottish Studies (alongside Hamish Henderson, founder of the 1951 EPF) and his work can be found in archives throughout Britain.
Pictures of 'The New Scots' by Herman Rodrigues
Tuesday 12thAugust
Tea Dance
Over 60 local pensioners attended this free event, thoroughly enjoying the play and the tea dance. Some had travelled a long distance to attend what one called "the only event they could afford" on the fringe.
New Strides Theatre Company Website
Cheap Laughs!
Great stand up from Benny Moohan, John Scott and Sandy Nelson who had the audience in stitches with his unique re-workings of Coldplay, Travis and the rest.
Pictures of the "Cheap Laughs" night
Wednesday 13thAugust
Wednesday Night Is Women's Night
This successful night saw a performance of 'Tea With Mrs Pankhurst' by New Strides Theatre Company, plus music from Gilly Hewitt and Barbara Scott, poetry from Celia Granger and readings from 'the vagina monologues' by Rosie Kane MSP and Carolyn Leckie MSP.
'Tea With Mrs Pankhurst' is on every day at the Calton Centre at 5.30 pm.
Thursday 14thAugust
Whose Culture Is It Anyway?
The EPF has sparked a real debate about access to the arts and the Edinburgh Festival particularly. This debate included a panel that included Paul Gudgin of the Fringe, actor Tam Dean Burn, historian Angus Calder, writer Kevin Williamson and many more.
Transcript of the 'Whose Culture is it Anyway' debate at the WHEC, Wester Hailes
Scotsman report of the debate
Pictures of the debate
Press Release
Press Release as PDF
Friday 15thAugust
Midlothian Evening Featuring the premiere of 'Broon Sauce' by Cecilia Granger
Guardian Review:
"There was a full house for the premiere of the Cecilia Grainger play Broon Sauce at the Woodburn Miners' Welfare in Dalkeith last Friday. But the Adept Theatre Company's sell-out performance was not listed in any of the official Edinburgh festival guides, and the tickets were only £2 each. This is Edinburgh's alternative cultural event - the people's festival, a community counterpoint to the world's biggest arts extravaganza."
Saturday 16thAugust
Picnic in the Park
250 local kids and families came to the Inch Park to watch a highly talented line up of local bands ranging from Clova's 21st Century protest music to metal from Post Tension who were playing their first gig.
Bands playing were Starsky, The Rains, Clova, The Flow, Post Tension and Solaris.
Pictures from the Picnic in the Park
You can get a copy of the Edinburgh People's Festival programme as a downloadable leaflet: 1.2mb PDF file
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Press Coverage for the 2003 Edinburgh People's Festival
Alternative festival tries to bridge the social divide The Guardian 18.8.03
The EPF had a lengthy feature on Scottish Television's 'Seven Days' programme on Sunday 17th August.
Scotsman report of the 'Whose Culture is it Anyway?' debate
The opening night of the EPF is reviewed in the Morning Star 13.8.03
Cheap Thrills at Festivals BBC 10.8.03
Best Friends EPF organisers Lori Mclean and Colin Fox were featured in The Herald, Saturday 9th August
Festival fever grips Edinburgh Irish Examiner
The People's Festival was featured on Reporting Scotland 07.08.03
Festivals reject elitism charge The Scotsman
'People's Festival' line-up revealed BBC News Online
The Edinburgh People's Festival was featured on Newsnight Scotland on 29.7.03.
The People's Festival is covered in the Morning Star 29.7.03.
Colin Fox MSP discussed the Edinburgh People's Festival on The Arts Show, Radio Scotland, 24th July 1805-1900. The show asked 'does the Edinburgh Fringe do anything for the people of Edinburgh?'.
People's fest to challenge 'elite' Fringe Sunday Herald
People's Festival to challenge 'corporate' Edinburgh Fringe The Observer