Festival Previews Video Blog

The village hall was resplendent in trailing ivy and sparkling fairy lights.  The table cloths were pristine white with scattered tea-lights twinkling in a forest of shiny tableware.  It was Burns night again and we were in for nice treat!  To kick off proceedings, the wonderful Coreen Scott took to the stage to warm the cockles of our musical hearts with a couple of toe-tapping songs and some lively audience singing.

After the joys of a bounteous fare, two unassuming musicians took to the stage amidst the lively chatter of contented tummies and a good dram or two.  You soon became very aware that Seylan Baxter and Ruaridh Pringle as Tattie Jam were no ordinary musicians.   Two clearly accomplished artists, their demeanour relaxed, their style polished and honed to perfection.  Seylan’s flowing mane, beautiful vocals and agile fingers adds rich visual tapestry to Ruaridh’s harmonic vocals and skilled multi-instrument playing.  Their ornate repertoire reveals a fusion of reinterpreted traditional songs and tunes written by Ruaridh with a diminutive twist and a nuance of spice.

Joy enough was this that I bought their new Album which they so kindly inscribed and autographed for me.  It was a real pleasure meeting them as they were quietly slipping off stage and gave me their valuable time.  Touched by their music, their Album reveals a beautifully textured sound with a surprising dash of didgeridoo!

A great night!

Get the Flash Player to see this player.

Ju was in touch from the Seoul Foundation for Arts and Culture to tell us about the 2009/10 Seoul Festival of Lights which is sadly winding down to its spectacular conclusion this coming Saturday.  It’s the biggest winter festival in Seoul and has been illuminating this vibrant city since the 19th December 2009 to the 25th January 2010.  Their cartoonised promo certainly appeals to a younger market showing a fanfare of pageantry - who could be moody over the winter months with all this glorious light?

From their Hi Seoul Festival in the spring to this spectacular Festival of Lights spanning the darker months of winter, the Seoul Foundation for Arts and Culture certainly puts the Republic of Korea on the map with the grandeur of its festivals.

For more information about The 2009/10 Seoul Festival of Lights do check out their leaflet.

Neel de Jong was kindly in touch to tell us about the Dansparade Holland Dance Festival which she took part in again this year. (Neel is front right of the above image) .  She sent us a video link to view coverage provided by TV WEST.  I must confess to prefer seeing videos as they happen - all those flashing snippets, lights, colourful explosions and punchy music, such marketing hype tends to distort the true experience!  The video is about 30 minutes long and you feel as if you are standing on the sidewalk as a member of the community.   Neel’s dance group is about half way through.  Thanks Neel!

The other day I popped into see Maria Tecce’s show, Viva! at the Assembly Rooms in George Street.  A warm intimate setting suffused in the most relaxing woodlet of standard lamps welcomes you in, from where Maria and her musicians whisk you away to Viva Espania!   This lady has a presence on stage and an eloquence of phrase that is indescribably rich with a sprinkling of mischief to keep you on your toes!   Viva! - the language of love where all horizons explored - are brought together in a fiesta of grand entertainment.

Accompanying Maria are three fine musicians, affectionately called, The Fecundoliers:  Malcolm MacFarlane on guitar,  Andy Mitchell on double base and Bob Turner on the accordion.  The various instrumental blends and the grandeur of Maria’s voice are sublime; from Spanish ballads and boss-a-nova, to jazz and rumba this is a marvelous show!  Enjoy this wonderful preview or better still go and see Viva! which is on till the 30th August!

Get the Flash Player to see this player.

Today we chat with Tracy Crisp who’s staging her first solo show at this year’s Edinburgh Fringe.  Normally a writer of children’s books and poems, Tracy’s turning her literary skills to comedy writing and stand up.  You can see Tracy in action at The Space on the Mile @ Jury’s Inn in Jeffrey Street.   “She’s not just quiet… she’s Dead” is on from the 6th to the 22nd August.  So let’s chat with Tracy…

1.   What inspired you to become a comedian?

I had never planned on being a comedian. I’ve been writing and publishing for a long time, but it was only recently I started writing and performing comedy. I used to do lots of writing courses and workshops - I signed up for a comedy course, because I wanted to get some humour in my writing. As part of the course, we had to perform our sets in front of friends and family.

The night of the performance, I was petrified, absolutely petrified, but after years cloistered away at my desk, I loved the response from a live audience. That’s what inspired me to keep going - the immediacy of the audience response.

2.   What’s your show about and what should the public expect from your show at the 2009 Edinburgh Festival Fringe?

It’s a conflict between two librarians - one dead and one living. It’s libraries as you’ve never seen them before, with stops along the way to contemplate life and death and everything in between.

3.   What was the last Fringe or Festival you performed at and what was it like?

I performed in the Adelaide Fringe earlier this year, in a show called Titters! A Showcase of Award Winning Women. This is my first solo show.

I’m part of the Titters cast and not involved in any of the producing – so I just turn up each night, help put the chairs out, do my ten minute set and help put the chairs away again and the only responsibility I have is to do a good job of my set.

Being responsible for my own show is a whole new experience – as is the jump from a ten minute set to a full length show. It’s frightening and exciting all at the same time.

4. What are your funniest and worst experiences performing in front of an audience?

I hadn’t done much performance until I started this a few years ago. My bad experiences are probably the same as everyone else’s – you just realise that you’re in the wrong place in front of the wrong crowd. And then you order another drink and let all your friends tell you, ‘No, you were great, no really, you were…it’s just the crowd, they’re just a quiet crowd’. And then you order another drink.

5. What’s the best and worst advice you have ever been given? And did you follow it?

I never listen to any advice. That’s not true. I’ve got a whole section in my show about advice my mother gave me.

6.  What are you most proud of and what dreams or goals would you like to fulfill?

Right now, I’m proud of the show. Goals? I’m really hoping that this is the first of three shows that I stage. Next year’s is titled, “I only wanted to buy a toothbrush”.

7.   Which three famous people would you invite to dinner and why [dead celebrities included]? And what culinary dish would you prepare?

Only three? Annie Lennox because being in Scotland has reminded me just how much - and why - I loved her and her music; Australia’s Deputy Prime Minister Julia Gillard because I know a lot of things she needs to know; and Roald Dahl, because he’s one of the greatest storytellers ever.  Ask me again in an hour and I’ll have a completely different list.

I make a very good risotto, so I’d probably feed them that. With home made chocolate ice cream and meringues.

8.  What is the best book or books you have read and why?

I’m a librarian and a mother. I love all my books equally.

9. Tell us 5 interesting and unknown facts about yourself?

I hate shopping. Can’t stand it.

I still buy a print newspaper every day - and sometimes two. I love newspapers. Just love them.

My partner and I are building a boat. We started so long ago, that no one believes that we will ever finish it.

I studied Chinese language and literature at university.

I was nearly 30 before I saw the Sound of Music.

10.  If you could change one thing about the world what would it be?

I’ve always been active in human rights, and there’s lots of things I’d like to change. See the Amnesty International website for ideas.