News

Keane announce free Edinburgh show

9 Oct 2008

Keane have announced three free gigs in small-capacity venues next week to mark the launch of their third album Perfect Symmetry next week. The Scottish date in 200-capacity ballroom of The Voodoo Rooms is on Mon 13 Oct. Tickets are available via…

Tickets go on sale for Edinburgh Hogmanay 2008/09 street party

3 Oct 2008

This Friday, 3rd October 2008, starts the official countdown to Edinburgh's Hogmanay celebrations as passes go on sale for the world-famous Street Party. Revellers will be able to log on to www.edinburghshogmanay.com or call 0844 481 2009 to scoop their…

Food for thought: Michael Caines

Chef and entrepreneur

2 Oct 2008

In the food trade we eat in a strange way. I don’t know any chef who’s a good eater when it comes to the discipline of eating: your work time is people’s mealtime.The biggest problem is that because you don’t remember sitting down to have a meal you…

Picture perfect

2 Oct 2008

Artists have been invited to submit work for next year’s Jolomo Awards, which gives creatives the chance to win one of the UK’s largest privately funded painting prizes. Those applying must live and work in Scotland, have studied at a Scottish…

Side dishes: News to nibble on

2 Oct 2008

Leven’s is the latest opening from Thai Lemongrass and Time 4 Thai operator Carole Tong, offering what’s described as ‘Thai Fusion Cuisine’ in a highly designed setting boasting moody purple lighting, sparkly wall paper and sleek wood. The menu is…

Picture this

18 Sep 2008

Creatives of all ages are being encouraged to pick up their pens and pencils as the Big Draw returns for another year. Everyone from children to adults will be able to take full advantage of a programme that will see hundreds of venues announce hands-on…

Sound and vision

18 Sep 2008

Film and music collide in rude style this fortnight with the launch of the inaugural Sounds Film Festival. With a locations spread across the city from the West End to the city centre ABC, the programme of events includes 11 screenings and a string of…

Idlewild to perform all of their albums live

15 Sep 2008

Idlewild have announced that they are to perform each of their albums in their entirety at dates scheduled for December 2008.

Glasvegas announce new tour dates

8 Sep 2008

Glasvegas have announced details of a new UK winter tour to close a hugely successful year for the Scots foursome. Following on from the release of their debut album and September tour, one of Scotland's most exciting bands will embark on a 15-date…

Beyond the Book Fest

4 Sep 2008

Following their success this summer, The Edinburgh International Book Festival will present a special autumn event with award-winning Australian author David Malouf. Winner of the Commonwealth Writers' Prize, his book Remembering Babylon was shortlisted…

Doing it in style

Scottish Style Awards announced, with ceremony to take place in October

4 Sep 2008

Glasgow's cultural calendar enjoyed an injection of glamour this week, following news that the Scottish Style Awards are back with suitable sass. Organiser's said last night that the awards ceremony, to be held at the end of next month, will be…

Fringe ticket sales drop

4 Sep 2008

The Fringe took a double knock last week when figures revealed ticket sales were down by almost 10% this year - the first fall in eight years. Competition from the Olympics, box office problems and bad weather were all noted as factors. Fringe director…

Fruitmarket Folk programme

4 Sep 2008

Eddi Reader and John Martyn are just two headline names joining a slew of international stars next month when Fruitmarket Folk launches itself in Glasgow's Old Fruitmarket. Emmylou Harris, Joan Baez, Art Garfunkel and Tommy Emmanuel are all reported to…

Gallery of Modern Art acquires 'Phantom'

4 Sep 2008

Glasgow's Gallery of Modern Art has bought Alison Watt's 'Phantom' work for £45,000. The work, a large abstract oil painting of moving fabric, will go on show at the gallery in November.

Glasgow named City of Music

4 Sep 2008

Glasgow lord provost Bob Winter accepted the prestigious City of Music title for Glasgow at a special ceremony held at the City Halls last week. The award follows a successful bid to join UNESCO's worldwide Creative Cities Network as a City of Music…

Great expectations

Programme announced at Wigtown Book Festival

4 Sep 2008

Book lovers have little reason to be disappointed following the launch of this year's sizeable Wigtown Book Festival programme. Taking place over ten days, the event will boast over 130 talks, debates, theatre, film and activities, organiser's revealed…

Jack Vettriano sketch auctioned for almost £40k

4 Sep 2008

A sketch of Jack Vettriano's 'The Singing Butler' drawn during a one-hour masterclass has fetched £39,650 at auction. Vettriano gave the iconic piece to the University of St Andrews, and proceeds will go to St Andrews Students Charities Campaign.

New initiative for Scottish games industry talent

4 Sep 2008

Channel 4's 4Talent Scotland initiative is working with four Scottish games companies to deliver Talent Arcade: The Brief - a new talent scheme to discover, train, and develop new gaming talent in Scotland, which was launched at this year's Edinburgh…

Scottish Book Trust mentoring programme open for applications

4 Sep 2008

The Scottish Book Trust is currently open for applications to its mentoring programme, aimed at new and established writers, playwrights and illustrators looking for support on a project.

Side Dishes - Food news to nibble on

4 Sep 2008

As the flood of Festival tourists on Edinburgh's Royal Mile recedes, a handful of recent changes have shown up along the famous thoroughfare. Café Truva, the Turkish-themed café based on Leith's shore for the last decade, has taken over Plaisir du…

Stuart Braithwaite and Aidan Moffat to release vinyl

4 Sep 2008

Two of Scotland's top musos, Mogwai's Stuart Braithwaite and Arab Strap's Aidan Moffat are set to release occasional vinyl via a selection of labels. Chemikal Underground will release the first, a 10" single 'Towns On The Moon' b/w 'I've Been Bad For…

The Arches' Brick Award winner announced

4 Sep 2008

The Arches have announced the winner of their Brick Award, offering £1k to an emergent performance company or artist to re-stage their piece at the theatre next year. Crocosmia by The Little Bulb Theatre and The Night Flyer by The Paper Cinema and Kora…

Edinburgh Fringe director resigns

Jon Morgan steps down following troubled year for festival

28 Aug 2008

The director of the Edinburgh Fringe is to step down after just over one year in the post.

Annie Lennox cancels festival appearance

21 Aug 2008

The Festival of Politics was dealt a blow last week after one of its headliners, Annie Lennox, was forced to pull out of her appearance at the Scottish Parliament. Holyrood cited ill health for the no-show and Lennox released a statement saying that she…

Fringe box office crisis to be investigated

21 Aug 2008

As the world's largest arts festival enters its final week, speculation is rife about the outcome of an inquiry into the failure of the Fringe Office's ticketing system. The Festival Fringe Society has ordered an independent inquiry into its own box…

Janey Godley wins Funny Women Fringe Award

21 Aug 2008

Scottish comedy talent has been recognised by the Nivea Funny Women Fringe Award which went to Glasgow stand-up Janey Godley. The comic won the £1000 award with her show Domestic Godley, in which she shares home truths about family, friends and her…

Month of Sundays - September shopping initiative

21 Aug 2008

Edinburgh retailers are luring shoppers with a programme of themed days. Retail therapy is being given a facelift in September as the capital launches a brand new shopping initiative entitled Month of Sundays. Many of Edinburgh's most popular…

Nam Le beams into Book Festival

21 Aug 2008

Vietnamese-born celebrated Australian writer, Nam Le is set to be beamed in live from the Melbourne Writers Festival, as part of an addition to the Edinburgh International Book Festival line-up. Le will talk about his debut collection of short stories…

Steven Moffat lined up for TV Festival

21 Aug 2008

Award-winning writer, Steven Moffat, who was recently named as Russell T Davies' successor as executive producer and lead writer for Doctor Who, will speak at this year's MediaGuardian Edinburgh International Television Festival. The announcement…

Tea-leafs ahoy!

21 Aug 2008

Rumours abound that a Tracey Emin polaroid was pinched from the Gilded Balloon Loft Bar, last week. The untitled display of ten self-portraits, consisting of enlarged Polaroids of the artist were hung up by pieces of velcro in the bar. Now only nine…

David Malouf to be Muriel Spark International Fellow

14 Aug 2008

Australian novelist David Malouf has accepted the Scottish Arts Council's invitation to become the second Muriel Spark International Fellow. Canadian novelist Margaret Atwood was the inaugural recipient of the fellowship, established by the Scottish…

Getting stuck in

14 Aug 2008

Get your tastebuds ready for the launch of Gourmet Glasgow, which offers a rich platter of culinary delights in conjunction with Scotland with Style. The event will celebrate the city's fine foods and restaurants, with over 50 eateries offering special…

InvAsian festival set to host Elvis Idol competition

14 Aug 2008

Calling all Elvis wannabes. Auld Reekie will be transformed into a veritable Graceland during a two-day tribute to the king of rock'n'roll this month. Organisers of the InvAsian Festival, an event dedicated to promoting Asian arts and culture, have…

New Burns project set for publication

14 Aug 2008

Oxford University Press is set to produce the largest, most comprehensive collection of Robert Burns' works to date. The project will be undertaken by the new Centre for Robert Burns Studies at the University of Glasgow and will be edited by the…

Samuel Bough painting due at auction

14 Aug 2008

An early landscape work by English artist Samuel Bough RSA is expected to reach over £30,000 at Bonhams' Scottish Sale, which is due to be held in the company's new Queen Street premises in Edinburgh on 29 August. The work has reportedly not been seen…

Oh water night!

7 Aug 2008

Happily the rain didn't spoil this year's List Festival Party - if anything it enhanced the tropical atmosphere. Burlesque stilt-masters waded through the crowd as Clarkson & Crouch provoked giggles with their slick comedy, topping off a dazzling…

New Musical Express

31 Jul 2008

Glasgow and Edinburgh venues host new night to help support and develop new emerging music talent. Òran Mór in Glasgow and the Caves in Edinburgh will play host to a new initiative set up by Miller Genuine Draft, The Mill, holding weekly sessions…

Mercury Music Prize 2008 shortlist announced

22 Jul 2008

The shortlist for the Mercury Music Prize 2008 has been announced.

Festival focus

17 Jul 2008

All festivals announce last minute additions to programmes

News in brief

17 Jul 2008

Salman Rushdie’s novel Midnight's Children has won the Best of the Booker prize, as voted for by the public. The book, first published in 1981, beat five other former Booker winners. Peter Carey, Pat Barker, JM Coetzee, Nadine Gordimer and JG Farrell…

Side Dishes - Food news to nibble on

17 Jul 2008

MAKING USE OF the narrow first-floor space above Brel on Ashton Lane, Serge is a new wine bar serving a menu of snacks and small food, with the extensive beer list and main menu from Brel also available. Chilled tunes and regular tastings feature. Book…

Sound offering - sound 2008 Festival

17 Jul 2008

It might be all quiet in the Central Belt, but the cultural flurry up North continues this fortnight with the launch of sound 2008, which sets its musical stall in Aberdeen this October. Now in its fourth year, the multi-genre festival will feature two…

The Cab is king

17 Jul 2008

Edinburgh club Cabaret Voltaire has been crowned the best club in Scotland, beating stiff competition from the Arches and the Garage. As well as picking up the prize for Vodkapom Nightclub of the Year at the Dram Scottish Licensed Trade Awards 2008, Cab…

The new X-Files film

17 Jul 2008

The new X-Files film continued to be shrouded in mystery last week, with all the actors publically refusing to reveal the plot. Billy Connolly will star as Father Joe alongside David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson’s Mulder and Scully, in the…

Tildafest!

17 Jul 2008

Hollywood actress Tilda Swinton is to set up a small film festival in her hometown of Nairn in north-east Scotland. Bereft of the usual razzmatazz, Swinton and co-organiser Mark Cousins are keen to strip back the look [and cost] of festivals, such as…

Sol brings on the sunshine in Edinburgh

14 Jul 2008

The summer has officially arrived with Sol, who is spreading a feel-good Latin vibe across Edinburgh during July. Sol, the original Mexican sunshine lager, is bringing on the sunshine in Edinburgh this summer from Wednesday 16th July - Sunday 20th…

Free Wi-Fi access in Edinburgh

8 Jul 2008

Edinburgh is a very easy place to access free Wi-Fi internet access. With many people currently planning their trip to the city for festival season or a holiday, we are aiming to build a comprehensive guide to the free Wi-Fi hotspots. You can see the…

T in the Park line-up 2008

3 Jul 2008

The full line-up for Scotland's biggest music festival, which takes place 11th to July 13th in Balado, Kinross.

Edinburgh Art Festival announces programme

Where the art is

3 Jul 2008

Another week, another festival launches. Hot on the heels of the Fringe, the EIF and the Edinburgh International Book Festival, relative newbie the Edinburgh Art Festival last week laid out its stall, boasting a roster of art glitterati from a 20-year…

Festival frenzy as Edinburgh gears up for August

3 Jul 2008

With just three weeks until Edinburgh officially takes its place in the spotlight as one of the world's greatest cultural playgrounds, festival news and views have been coming in thick and fast. Perhaps most contentious is the news that after capturing…