Page 86 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Scotland

84  SC O TLAND REGION B Y REGION ENTER T AINMENT IN EDINBURGH  85

The Edinburgh Festival approach has long since given Edinburgh Jazz &
way to a more formal one, with Blues Festival
August in Edinburgh means “the Festival”, one of the world’s an adminis trative body running For around ten days in early
premier arts jam borees, covering drama, dance, opera, music the Fringe and, in recent years, August a selection of inter­
and ballet. The more eclectic “Fringe” developed in parallel a core of professionally run national jazz performers comes
with the official event, but has now exceeded it in terms of venues attracting the bulk to Edinburgh to give concerts,
of the Fringe audiences. The
accompanied by Scotland’s
size. Both have been going strong for over 60 years, as has the Assembly Rooms in George principal jazz musicians.
Edinburgh International Film Festival, which is held in June and Street (see Directory p83) and Most venues are dotted
has become a renowned festival in its own right. The British the Plea sance Theatre in The around Edinburgh’s University
Army contributes with the Military Tattoo, and the Edinburgh Pleasance host shows by district including the main
Book Festival and Jazz & Blues Festival are also staged in television cele brities whose venue Queen’s Hall (see p83).
August. A total of half a million people visit these events. stand-up comedy or cabaret Only The Hub (see below) sells
fails to fit the Inter national tickets to all events. There is also
Festival format. a free, open­air Mardi Gras day
It boasts a strong programme The original vibrancy of the The Military Tattoo at Edinburgh Castle, with an audience of thousands in the Grassmarket, in the Old
of classical music, traditional Fringe still exists, and in church Town, on the opening Saturday.
ballet, contemporary dance, halls and other odd venues main sections. There is a armed forces of other countries The Blues element is also very
opera and drama, and is held across Edinburgh, including the showcase for young British are invited every year to successful, attracting many UK
in major venues across the city city’s streets, Fringe-goers can talent, a world premieres en hance the show. For many, and American performers.
(see Directory p83). find everything from musicals sec tion, a film study category, the highlight of the Tattoo is a
The grand finale of the performed by school children and a major retrospective. solo piper playing a haun ting DIRECTORY
International Festival is a to experimental adaptations of Although the showings pibroch lament (see p34) from
breathtaking spectacle, with Kafka’s works. are screened primarily at The the Castle battlements. Edinburgh
some 250,000 crowding into the Filmhouse on Lothian Road, International Festival
city centre to see a magni ficent every city centre cinema now The Hub, Edinburgh’s Festival
fireworks display based at takes part in the festival to some Centre, Castlehill, Royal Mile,
the Castle. The lucky few with extent (see Directory p83 for EH1 2NE.
tickets for the Ross Bandstand details of all the cinemas). Tel (0131) 473 2099 (info).
in Princes Street Gardens also Tel (0131) 473 2000 (booking).
experience the fireworks ∑ eif.co.uk
concert by the Scottish Edinburgh Military
Entrance to the Fringe information office, Chamber Orchestra. Tattoo Edinburgh International
located on the Royal Mile The enduring popularity of Book Festival
the Military Tattoo never fails 5a Charlotte Sq, EH2 4DR.
The Fringe Tel (0845) 373 5888.
Edinburgh International The Fringe started with a few to surprise some people, or ∑ edbookfest.co.uk
to charm others. It has been
Festival
performances providing an running since 1950, when the
As a cultural antidote to the alternative to the official events British Army decided to con­ Edinburgh
austerity of post-war Europe, of the International Festival, tribute to Edinburgh’s August International Film Festival
where many cities were in the first year it was staged. events with displays of martial 88 Lothian Rd, EH3 9BZ.
devastated and food rationing A decade later, coming to Enjoying the August sun and street prowess and music on the A temporary marquee selling books at the Tel (0131) 228 2688.
was common even in the Edinburgh to appear “on the entertainment on the Royal Mile picturesque Castle Esplanade. Edinburgh Book Festival ∑ edfilmfest.org.uk
victorious countries, Edinburgh Fringe” was an estab lished Temporary stands are built
held its first arts festival in 1947. pastime for amateurs, student on the Esplanade each summer Edinburgh Jazz and
Over the years it grew in scope drama companies or anyone Edinburgh International in preparation for the 200,000 Edinburgh Book Festival Blues Festival
Film Festival
and prestige, and it is now one else. All that was needed was visitors who watch the Tattoo Every August, a mini­village Assembly Direct, 89 Giles St,
of the top events in the world a space to per form in the city Dating from 1947, the over its three­week run. This of marquees is erected in EH6 6BZ.
calendar of performing arts. in August. This haphazard Edinburgh International Film enormous spectacle heralds the the beautiful Georgian surroun­ Tel (0131) 467 5200.
Festival was one of the world’s approach of the other, assorted dings of Charlotte Square Tel Box office: (0131) 473 2000.
first international film festivals, August arts festivals. Marching Gar dens in the city centre. This ∑ edinburghjazzfestival.com
and is held in June. Although bands and musicians from the temporary village plays host
it started with a focus on to two weeks of book­related The Fringe
documentary cinema, it soon events and talks by a variety The Fringe Office, 180 High St,
began to widen and include of writers, from novelists and EH1 1QS.
arthouse and popular movies. poets to those who specialize Tel (0131) 226 0026.
The festival invented “the in cookbooks or children’s ∑ edfringe.com
retrospective” as a means of fiction. Scottish authors are
studying a film-maker’s work. always well represented. Military Tattoo
It has seen premieres by such Originally held every other Edinburgh Tattoo, 32 Market St,
noted directors as Woody Allen year, the Book Festival became EH1 1QB.
and Steven Spielberg. Since its so popular that since 1998 it Tel (0131) 225 1188.
1995 relaunch, the festival has A painted street performer showing his skill has been an annual event coin­ ∑ edintattoo.co.uk
Crowds throng around the colourful Fringe street performers been broken down into four at staying as still as a statue ciding with the other festivals.

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