back to the front

Now for the thicker chapters of the Fringe guide: purple comedy and scarlet theatre. This may take some time...

And something for the weekend...

In the absence of accessible Burlesque nights on this side of the country, you might be interested in a night across on the West coast for this fantastic and accessible night of glamour, sexyness and scandalous hilarity:

_________________________________

http://www.glasgowconcerthalls.com/facilities

"Event: High Tease and Vegas!

Venue: The Old Fruitmarket, Candleriggs, Glasgow, G1 1NQ

Date: Saturday, 4 July, 2009

Time: Doors at 7:00p.m.

High Tease from 8:00p.m.-10:00p.m

Vegas from 10:30p.m.-3:00a.m.

Cost: £20.00 (stbf) for combined High Tease and Vegas entry

£12.00 (stbf) for Vegas only (admission after 10.30 p.m.)

Ticket availability: Tickets Scotland, The City Halls & Old Fruitmarket Box Office, TicketWeb, Ripping Records and www.renegade-online.co.uk. Credit card hotline - 0141 204 5151.

Over 18's only.

Dress: Vintage, dandy, theatrically dangerous, hipsters, hepcats & kitsch kittens.

Double the decadence with the sex appeal, musical comedy and bawdy antics of High Tease, with compère-extraordinaire Dusty Limits, meeting the glitz, glam and va-va-voom of Vegas! This High Tease is an incredible and rare opportunity to see Persia Portia, professional dancer turned coruscating showgirl, as she shares her excitement for her tantalising Scottish debut. Reminiscent of Lily St Cyr, Persia is the goddess-like protégé of Showgirl Superstar Immodesty Blaize and will bedazzle with feats of balletic grace and flexibility. Jim Devereaux tugs your heartstrings with Elvis tunes, Missy Malone reminds you who's boss, Chris Cross defies the laws of physics, Toff and Tales take you out on a subversive limb, Des O'Connor pries your naughty ears open and Kittie Klaw flutters your worries away. Support local Battle of Burlesquers gracing the High Tease stage for the first time ever, and rejoice as Scottish starlet Malady de Winter takes the stage as our Mover & Shaker.

Following High Tease, Vegas vinyl villains will serve up an intoxicating concoction of luscious lounge, zoot-suited swing, rockin' R&B, jumpin' jive, libidinous latin and sanctified soul for the delectation and delight of all you hipsters & hepcats, cool cats & kitsch kittens. Nikki Nevada and the Vegas Showgirls will garnish this crazy but cool cocktail with their inimitable beauty and grace, the Fabulous Scott Brothers Croupiers will be giving away fabulous free drinks at the roulette and blackjack tables at the Stardust Casino and you can win bottles of bubbly at our Limbo Dancing and Best Dressed competitions. It's a marriage made in heaven, or at least a drive-thru chapel.

*

Mutant Scum @ The Pleasance

For those who can't wait till August for some damn fine (and accessible) entertainment:

________________________

WRITERS' BLOC and THE ESRC GENOMICS FORUM

WHAT: Mutant Scum! Live readings of original fiction

WHO: Writers' Bloc spoken-word performance group, plus guests Ken MacLeod and Pippa Goldschmidt

WHERE: Pleasance Cabaret Bar, 60 the Pleasance, Edinburgh EH8 9TJ

WHEN: 7:45 p.m., Thursday 2 July 2009

HOW MUCH: £3.00 (£2.00 concessions)

URL: http://www.writers-bloc.org.uk/

http://www.myspace.com/blocspace

or find us on Facebook!

What do the following words have in common: zipper, mad/max, hip/hop, agnostic, werewolf, mindbomb, tigger, brokenheart and zinc finger? They're all names of genes.

DNA databases, designer babies, GM foods, genes "for" this trait or that, the human genome, evolution -- they're all in the headlines. Genetic screening and paternity tests already affect many people's family lives. Genomics is everywhere. You could almost say it's in our DNA...

Writers' Bloc is proud to present a night of literary mayhem featuring original fiction that gives the double helix an extra twist.

ESRC Genomics Policy and Research Forum Writers in Residence Ken MacLeod and Pippa Goldschmidt will be special guest performers for the evening. The show will also feature new fiction by Writers' Bloc stalwarts including Jack Deighton, Gavin Inglis, Stefan Pearson and Andrew J. Wilson.

Expect genetically modified footballers, an investigation of whether death is an acquired trait and something that can only be described as Gattaca for neds...

Writers' Bloc is Edinburgh's premier spoken-word performance group. Its members include published and prize-winning poets and novelists, who present original material with attitude.

__________________________

The Pleasance Cabaret Bar is a ground-floor fully-accessible venue but if there's something you need to check: http://www.pleasance.co.uk/edinburgh/accessibility

free music this August!

There will be the Free Fringe music, and also free music on the Fringe. Plus random freerange music that is free if you ignore their buckets/hats/monkeys.

Details to follow. I need to retrace my path through the guides with another colour of pen...

That reminds me, you can buy professional-musician-standard earplugs onna string from:

Drum Central, 61 South Clerk StreetEdinburgh, EH8 9PP, tel 0131 667 3844

___________

Just adding quickly, as its immediately noticeable as accessible (if you don't mind cobbles and don't need to pee)

THE FREE MUSIC FESTIVAL: Laughing Horse Free Festival

Aug 6-30 17:45 (2.25hr)

Venue: The Counting House, 38 West Nicolson Street. On The Pear Tree Outdoor Stage

Box Office 0131 667 7533
Admission FREE

The Free Music Festival - Different Bands and musicians every Day at the Pear Tree at 5.45pm and 7pm - the best in local and national music talent for free - outdoor on the Stage in the Pear Tree Courtyard. See the daily board at the venue for who's on each day.


*

Edinburgh Art Festival

http://www.edinburghartfestival.org/

and they say:

"EDINBURGH ART FESTIVAL 5 AUGUST - 5 SEPTEMBER 2009

2009 Exhibitions Programme Unveiled

Ranging from major exhibitions by leading British and international artists to work by a new generation of talent, the 2009 EAF programme sees 50 participating galleries, both permanent and temporary, including 11 spaces new to the Festival.

First UK showing of work by major international artists

Newly commissioned work by leading British artists

Old masters and young Turks

Sculpture in galleries and public spaces

New spaces including Granton Lighthouse, Jupiter Artland and New Media Scotland’s Inspace
Temporary exhibitions including The Caravan Gallery’s EAF debut

The Festival opens on 5 August 2009 with the EAF launch followed by private views across the capital, including talks by Peter Blake, Briony Fer, John McCracken and Bob and Roberta Smith, and Collective's launch party of The How Not to Cookbook – lessons learned the hard way, in Princes Street Gardens

ART LATE returns on 27 August 2009"



I'm just off to check on the accessibility of each of the 50 galleries (there's a list of galleries but not access info unless you click on each gallery's site) and the Art Late afterparty, which last year was held in the incredibly wheelchair-unfriendly Voodoo Rooms.

free fringe!

This is the website:

http://www.freefestival.co.uk/

and they say:

"The Free Festival is back in Edinburgh this year from August 6th to 30th (and until September 5th at one venue) for our biggest and best selection of free Fringe shows...this year we have an amazing 3,413 performances of 233 different shows across our 14 fabulous venues!
Our programme for the 2009 Fringe is now online - use the website to search for shows, or have a look at our venues...

In 2009 at the Free Festival you can see everything from teenage comedians to senile strippers... There's award winning performers, exciting Theatre from veteran actors and fresh newcomers... and the best bands with the new Free Music Festival. There really is something for everyone... with an expanded children and family friendly section, through to late night shows that are strictly adults only!"

And there is another free fringe too! More to follow...

editing the Fringe guide

Well, that's the first skim n slash complete and its only the end of June! I began by deleting all the inaccessible venues at the back of the Fringe Guide, most of whom had detailed access info included in their advert. This has left a pretty decent selection of accessible venues. It looks about half and half, which is worse than I expected, but on the upside the access is exceptional in so many of the good venues that they must have put a great deal of effort and money into the changes. I think less work may have gone into the glueing of the guide as it has already shed several pages...

I also took my judgemental pen for an inky walk through the chapters of 'events', 'music' and 'exhibitions'. I still have to cross-reference the two lists but I could see as I was going that certain hoped-for shows were at known areas of alternate dimensions, namely the Voodoo Rooms (aarrrg, Burlesque _and_ Des O Connor! Probably not a co-incidence as the Ministry of Burlesque are involved), the Jazz Bar and the Stand. The rest will have to wait to be checked against the wheelie accessible list before I go making any plans and booking interested pushers or joining gangs of roaming pals.

I only had a handful of things I actively planned to see. The whole point of these expeditions is to try new things in new places and generally be surprised (in a good way) so I don't set out with ready-staged menus or go for recognisable names. After last year's favourites I did have a hope to see Des O Connor, Mark Thomas, Lady Lawson's Household and the Carpetbaggers in action again, and the Taiko Drummers, Acapella singers, Amanda Palmer, Traquair murals, Book Festival opening party, Cavalcade and harp performances at the Spiritual Festival, which I had missed. Fireworks are of course unmissable, so I am looking for a new viewing place this year. I'd like to try the gardens or the boat for the big end of show spectacular, unless anyone is offering me a well-positioned balcony/ roof-garden with a lift access (or a trebuchet)

Short of kidnapping performers and making them do their thing in my hotel room, the only way for me to see and review some of the performances from the stair-infested venues is to catch them at a cabaret show as I did at the Fringe Opening Party last year. I'll pursue that option tomorrow, along with checking (holds breath) the venue for the party on Art Late night, which is apparently on their website. Speaking of arty parties, I can't see any cocktail parties booked in to the National Portrait Gallery this time round, alas.

Next list is of people I know who will be performing or teching this Fringe. There's no way to avoid this incest, I'll just have to mention I have a vested interest and go review them anyway, stairs permitting.

I almost forgot! The pen needs to change colour before it hits the pages again to mark the gigs that are free. Purple I think. FREE.

*

Forth and Tay Disabled Ramblers

There were several wonderful (and accessible) opportunities for sharing the midsummer solstice in the great outdoors this time round, including this provided by the Forth and Tay Disabled (no, Enabled!) Ramblers for members and minions:

June Sun 21 11.30 am Glen Doll

Next trip:

July Wed 15 11.00 am Beecraigs Country Park / nr Linlithgow

There are a few off-road buggies to borrow but you need to phone to check availability.

By the way, I'm not sure of the membership criteria but I'm guessing that it doesn't include those who think that spangled flipflops, a six-pack of Tennents and an all-terrain hotpants are adequate gear to go Munroe-ing, or who call out Mountain Rescue when they've missed the last bus home. That's a completely different kind of disabled rambler.

radar key

The second package arrived from Radar today, membership info but still no key or booklets. I've emailed them, but no reply.

I hadn't been stuck in bed ill I'd have hoped to have it and the travel info booklets in my posession to go travelling during this last month.



update: lovely email from them and key is en route. Also, apparently there's been a postal strike so i probably wouldn't have received it fast anyway.

Good progress on prams vs buses

This is the result of last summer's public transport chaos (the buses, not The Trams. Don't mention The Trams) Having buses with both a wheelchair space and a pram space is a fair solution that I thoroughly agree with, in fact was one I suggested last year. I didn't think there would be funding so fast, so am rather impressed.

It doesn't, however, deal with other aspects of the problems that arose last year namely, the stroppy buggy mothers (usually massive all-terrain tanks) who insisted that wheelchair spaces were for them, ones who refused to move, and ones who caused so much trouble that the drivers just let them stay where they were. They gave good parents a bad name, made drivers long for early retirement and left anyone not so nifty on their feets stranded in the street. Presumably at some point the luck of logistics will mean that one bus stop will gather several bad buggy mothers, all of whom insist their baby takes priority and will do what, descend into a scrum with militant fisticuffs to get both pram and wheelchair spaces for only two buggy victors?!

And will there still be sufficient storage for the folk who have had the sense to bring a folding buggy and who, without being asked, fold and store it then sit with the baby in a normal seat? Those travelling parents deserve a reward not the loss of storage space.

So, this is today's article: Lothian to wheel out pram-friendly bus fleet for city

Published Date: 18 June 2009 By HAZEL MOLLISON

A FLEET of 24 "pram-friendly" buses are set to be introduced on some of the city's busiest routes.Lothian Buses will be replacing all the buses on the 22 route, which serves Leith Walk and Princes Street, this autumn with the new design, which has space for a pram or buggy as well as a wheelchair.The company will also be ordering another 26 new buses this year, but has not confirmed how many will feature the new design.

If the trial is successful, around half the buses will have the extra space within the next three years. The move comes after more than 2,000 people signed a petition criticising the company's decision to impose a ban on non-folding prams to keep wheelchair spaces free. It was the only firm in Scotland to operate such a ban, claiming it was in line with the Disability Discrimination Act. The company has also been criticised for its ban on mobility scooters, as reported by the Evening News yesterday. The Scottish Parliament called on Lothian Buses to find a compromise earlier this year and three of Edinburgh's leading disability charities wrote an open letter calling for a solution to be found.

Ian Coupar, marketing manager at Lothian Buses, said the new buses had almost been completed. They will be shipped over from Northern Ireland in the next few months. He said: "They're being built as we speak. We'll know in the next couple of weeks when the first ones are finished. They'll be coming in this autumn. We've made quite significant changes to the inside, so they need to get certified by the Department of Transport. It's not just as simple as taking the seats out."The company has not yet decided which other routes to replace the buses on this year. He said it would take into account the popularity of routes in deciding whether to use the new buses. Some of them, such as airport buses, will be unsuitable for the new design.

Campaigner Catriona Black, 35, from Willowbrae Road, who gave birth to a baby daughter last week, said she was delighted by the news. She said: "We've been looking forward to this. We're totally confident it will show that there's a great demand out there. There are a lot of new mothers who are totally dependent on buses. "I think it's a great idea for a trial to concentrate on a certain route. People using those buses can be confident they can get on with their pram. "It's important to involve disabled people and parents in reviewing this trial." Lothians MSP Shirley-Anne Somerville, who championed the cause in the Scottish Parliament, also welcomed the news. She said: "It shows Lothian Buses have been listening to the mothers. "I hope that mums and other carers are encouraged to use the bus. We have an award-winning bus service in Edinburgh that should be available to all."

*

looking back at beach access

(Photo of me taken by James Rose)

Looking through my records for access info I found this and decided to post it here. I feel rather sad reading about it and wondering how to start all over again.

This article was used at an International Accessible Tourism convention.

"Sitting so close to one of the highest tides of the year, but no way across the sand for wheels unless dragged bodily. Portobello sands, the beach of the *capital city of Scotland* has no equal access, nor even a plan for it. Those in wheelchairs, with sticks, with buggies or simply unsteady on sand, all park on the promenade or at the entrance to the beach, and watch everyone else get down to the water without them.

Locals have been campaigning for longer, less steep ramps and for pathways across the sand to the sea for some time now (see Portobello Beach Access Project), for locals and for visitors/ tourists/ travellers too, but The City of Edinburgh Council/ Tourist Board has other priorities over extras like equal access, planned work falls below the minimum needs, and progress is so slow that it is invisible. So far - after some persuasion - the CEC are considering to agree to alter ONE single ramp of all the many entrances along the two mile promenade, as part of routine maintenance, and the installation of a trial temporary pathway is down to locals to organise (we're working on it!) It'll be a long trek to find that single enabled access point.

What was that about EQUAL access? CEC (and the Tourist Board) don't seem to remember there is a beach here half the time, and they have no idea of the percentage of residents and visitors with mobility difficulties. If only all the disappointed visitors (from all round the world!) would join in with speaking up and letting CEC know that just being able to sit along the edges isn't quite good enough nowadays. CEC (and the Tourist Board) would be in for a shock!

UPDATE: SNH and Paths for All generously offered us funding, test-runs, materials and manpower to create the temporary pathway down to the water, and we were all poised ready for action! The City of Edinburgh council said 'er yeah, that's nice, we'll think about it' then stopped answering phone calls and email even from the big businesses offering money."

Project ended here.

access all tents

May. 28th, 2009 at 6:47 PM

There is some info already available on destinations for days out and holidays from various sources (I'll post those here next. The Forestry Commission has done amazing work to improve rural access) but I would like to gather tips for more rugged local spots away from the carparks and nice picnic benches.

Any walkers, hikers, bikers, drivers, campers, hippies, treasure-hunters, dog-walkers or general wanderers can help enormously in recommending places they've found that they have managed or think might be accessible to others who aren't so great on their feet. Also places that cannot possibly be done and where access would not be alterable - so that I can add those to the avoidance list. I'm looking for camping spots, picnic areas, off-the-beaten track places to explore or sit and ponder in. Waterside access - lochs, rivers, streams ponds and especially the sea.

I thought I'd found one myself on the shores of Loch Morar but only discovered at sunset that it was irredeemably protected by the midgies of doom, so please include any fearsome beasties in your notes.

I also need to know which us the best copyright-free software for route-tracking - googlemaps?

This handy list is as much for my use as anyone else's:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Accessible_Tourism

http://www.fieldfare.org.uk/

http://www.ftdr.com/

http://www.pathsforall.org.uk/

http://www.forestry.gov.uk/newsrele.nsf/HomepageWebPressReleases/76D764BE8BE1CB5580256EFA002DFFB2

http://www.forestry.gov.uk/qefp

plus 'Walking on Wheels' by Eva McCracken

uneasy access politics

May. 28th, 2009 at 5:43 PM

Well, its amazing to see the reaction to Mark's campaign. I'm so glad this is happening. It will make it easier to get support for other changes now. Certain taxi drivers will have to be more closely regulated for a start.There is some glaringly suspicious new support though. I'm thinking more of The Evening News, who refused to cover the Portobello Beach Access project properly as disabled access wasn't news or of interest even when the community council was backing it and residents were getting organised. And the City of Edinburgh Council who pulled the plug on the entire project (that I had everything in place for - funding, crew, engineers and a few friendly councillors and MPs) and now refuse to discuss beach access.

That aside, there is a slightly harder thing to list/ regulate/ improve upon: event organisers who choose inaccessible venues. They won't compromise even knowing that they have (ex/ current/ future) clientele who would like to attend. I know its easier to find inaccessible venues, but it is not impossible to find accessible ones.

I think this issue is the most tricky to handle as it usually involves friendships, thin ice, small social circles, the need to personally turn up to show that the change was worth it, and a terrible but justified fear of being seen as the party pooper. It wouldn't be the first time folk have taken the huff with me and assumed willful activism on my part, when I was being very polite and just desperately wanted to be able to attend something I'd been unable to for years. Just because I'd never said how much I wished I could go before, didn't make access an abrupt demand. I'm new to this too! It feels as though I'm still on that thin ice with anyone who has ever seen me as the reason they've had to make changes, ouch. What do I do about groups who say they are keen - if they can find somewhere they like enough. If it pops up. There is no easy way to counter or push friendly, enthusiastic, supportive, genuinely keen to make the changes... lack of access.

I don't have the energy for activism that costs that much at a personal level. It was hard enough working flat-out for two years as the only beach access info co-ordinator in the country. I don't mind a struggle, its banging my head against a brick wall that I simply cannot do. To do all that work and have the council faff, reshuffle, and in the end start refusing to answer queries even from Scottish Heritage (poised, along with Paths for All, to give money, materials and free labour to the beach paths - all the council had to do was say yes, thanks) till the whole thing just stopped, was appalling behaviour, and let down everyone supporting it, as well as everyone waiting for it! The children at the Sick Kids had actually started organising a beach trip with the prospect of having the first beach in the country where wheelchairs could get across the sand and down to the water.

The Tourist Board did not help. They could have helped so much as the issue was for visitors and residents alike. I got my paws on some handy guestimates of the percentage of visitors and residents who would find it easier to cross sand on a path, for whatever reason - can't start to list the illnesses and injuries - and it came out as the majority!

I think it might be time to start this again. The new regime means starting from scratch, and I'm not sure companies will be so fast to be messed around by the Council a second time, but access is now a popular issue and publicity may be in our favour. The downside is that all small coastal improvements may now be part of the massive 'waterfront redevelopment', and I don't have a direct communication with one of them yet as they didn't answer emails last year.

In the meantime, there are several local things I'd personally love to attend, and hope for acess to (they might even already have it!):

The City of Literature Salon

Dr Sketchy's

Burlesque clubs

The art dept, central library

Camping trips and outdoor parties

Society away weekends

my local RBS branch



No, I'm not going to risk finishing this list...

I'll finish on an informative note rather than a whinge: the ground floor of The Beehive Inn in the Grassmarket is completely accessible, including loos, and serves good food, as does The Dalriada, on Portobello prom, and the new half of the museum on Chambers Street provides not only accessible kulcha, food and loos, but roofgarden views over the whole beautiful city.

Barred: Edinburgh pub access campaign

May. 28th, 2009 at 4:21 PM

Not only did this man grab media attention and get authorities working, he started a facebook campaign that everyone is joining.

This is the story: 'You can't bar me for being disabled'

CAMPAIGN: Mark Cooper Published Date: 28 May 2009 By SUE GYFORD

WHEN Mark Cooper arrived in the pub, he thought he was all set for a good night out.He had no trouble getting through the door in his wheelchair, and settled down for a couple of pints with friends. It was only later he had a problem.He explained: "I went up to the bar and said 'Where's your disabled toilet?' and they said 'We don't have one'. "I thought 'What am I supposed to do now?'"The customer toilets were down a steep flight of stairs, so he had to leave 56 North in West Crosscauseway with friends, and go 200 yards down the road to another bar, The Native State, which he knew had an accessible toilet.The 24-year-old was inspired to launch a campaign to improve the lot of disabled pub-goers in Edinburgh. He has the support of MSP George Foulkes and Councillor Angela Blacklock, who has tabled a motion for today's meeting of the full council calling on the city to publish a list of pubs detailing their accessibility.Mr Cooper, who has cerebral palsy, will make a deputation to the meeting and would like to see it be a condition of receiving a licence that pubs be made completely accessible to all, with the exception of a few older buildings where it is impossible. The Disability Discrimination Act 2005 rules that pubs cannot discriminate against disabled people, but critics say it is too easy for them to opt out as long as they can provide a reasonable excuse.Cllr Blacklock said: "This isn't a huge ask of the council. We have licensing standards officers in place who could carry out the work. It is the very least we can do for wheelchair users."Mr Cooper added: "When I run into problems I feel angry because it's disrupted my evening. My friends just see me as normal, so why can't I just go out for a pint instead of having to think that I can't go to bar 'X' because I can't make full use of it? "I'm quite an independent guy, so I don't like having to ask anybody if they can help me to go to the toilet."I'm hoping to get out of this a kind of good pub guide so that people can say I'd like to go out on Friday to a particular pub and have a look in the book and see if it's got disabled access. Disabled people have the right to have as much fun as anybody else."Mr Cooper, who lives in Gracemount, has launched a petition on Facebook under the campaign title, Barred!, whose membership is more than 200 and rising fast.James Sutherland, director of 56 North, said he sympathised with Mr Cooper's situation, but the building was leased and predated the introduction of regulations. He added: "We take access very seriously but we're constrained by the building. There's not really any scope."

Test the bus

From the news: May. 26th, 2009 at 12:13 PM

From the Evening News:

"THREE bus companies are taking part in an event to encourage more disabled passengers to use their services. First, Stagecoach and Lothian Buses are backing the Try a Bus event, which will be held at Ocean Terminal on 9 June. Charities including Ecas and Capability Scotland will also be there to offer advice.The event is for those who want to improve their confidence or to find out more about travel facilities for people with disabilities.It is being run to coincide with the arrival of the replica tram, which will go on display at Ocean Terminal from 5 June. To find out more visit www.ecas-edinburgh.org or call 0131-555 6363."

*So, did anyone go along and test it..? Did it come complete with all-terrain pram tank and mother of the messiah or is that just a perk on some buses?

Arts Council Grants

May. 24th, 2009 at 11:15 AM

I'm back!

(Look - it only took me a whole month to rename and relocate..)

from May. 5th, 2009 at 2:29 PM

In the time since I last posted a wheelie post, trends have changed significantly in this city.

The other main wheelie change was having to return to using taxi transport around the city. Its bad for cost and traffic congestion but its that or nothing. I hope the buses' priorities have been resolved appropriately or if the dodgy ones among the buggy mothers won through sheer stroppiness. I've heard nothing recently. The taxi fares are crippling me, excuse the pun, but the rise in charges has co-incided with a drop in accessibility. I'm sure that losing ramps, having rusty ramps, not having the key to the boot, not knowing how to connect them, having a bad back, wearing the wrong trousers, the wrong sort of rain, having bird flu, them being late for a meeting and all of the other reasons given were plausible, but it doesn't explain why those cabs are on the road with a wheelchair sticker on view. Its giving the other cab drivers a terrible reputation, not to mention leaving wheelchair users stranded in various spots around the city.

So I finally have a taxicard, and a list of generously participating companies. The two of whom I've used so far have been pretty fast and very helpful. In general the Eburgh taxi drivers are lovely people who go out of their way to assist, and can be good company and distraction on a long journey when I'm in agony from the bumps in the road/ trying not to throw up - so the bad ones show up as though they're glowing.

The recent difficulties have been the aforementioned bumping painfully (and that's just the driver's expression) along my pot-holed lane, and getting cabs up or down Calton Hill. Ordering them by phone is a familiar lengthy process: Calton Hill please, car park right at the top of the hill. No, its not a hotel, its a hill. A hill. Calton Hill. Not Colinton Hill, CALTON hill. No that's not a hotel either. The hill with the national monument on top. No, thats Stirling. The one with the old observatory. No, that's Blackford Hill. No, that's not a hotel either. Etc.

I also noticed that the same journey from this time last year now cost about £8 more. Ouch.

And so, the wheelchair user's guide to hogmanay, ground-floor pubs and the Beltane Fire Festival will follow on from here. Eventually.

from Sept 2008: prams vs buses

Sep. 24th, 2008 at 2:34 PM

Was reading of the continued debate on prams versus wheelchairs on Lothian buses today. This spring I was well enough to use public transport for the first time in years and was blown away by the newfound affordable freedom. Obviously I can't do it alone, and the pusher needs to be strong and experienced, so it isn't actual freedom, but relatively, wow! I think I grinned like a loon the whole way, despite the pain from being shoogled and seasickness from travelling backwards. Happiness is relative too. This will suffice until I'm back on my feet.

Since the success of those initial journeys it has become something that fills me with dread. Seriously, my guts churn now as the bus draws in to the stop and I check to see if there is someone sitting in the seats, and whether the driver is shaking his head at me or not. A tiny minority of mothers have started refusing to move, despite being seated next to big signs that state in no uncertain terms 'you MUST vacate this space for a wheelchair'. The driver has to ask them to move, insist that they move, and help them fold up the buggy, though usually the other passengers help with everything from bags of shopping to seating toddlers. Several times the mother has thrown such a strop that she's walked off the bus, leaving me to trundle in to face a busload of scowling muttering people who clearly think that poor little mummy was thrown off the bus for some bloody wheelchair, as though they can't read the signs either. The last two times the mother has refused to move, the driver has refused to make her, and I've been told I can't get on the bus. Or rather, once, as the other time the driver told my pusher de jour, that 'she' couldn't get on the bus.

Now drivers are turning me away first, rather than ask the mother to move, and I have to point to the signs that they (for now) carry that say quite clearly what the rules (for now) are. Even on buses that have space for big luggage/ unfolded buggy as well as the wheelchair, which is something I'd like to see more of to make it fairer, though they will still have to face up to using a lightweight folding buggy for buses as at a stop there may be six or seven buggies, and they can't all get on the same bus even if there are no wheelchairs in existence. They might be joining forces on the petitions, but at a bus stop each of them thinks that they and their little darling takes precedence over all the other babies and foldable buggies are for the other mums to use.

I don't know what the answer is, especially as there will never be a bus big enough to take all the prams/buggies that need to get on at the same time, so even without the wheelchair issue they'd have to be more careful. I'd like to be able to get on a bus with the support of the driver and without a fight or humiliation, but also without upsetting anyone, and am grateful that I can get on a bus at all. I know lugging a child around the city is exhausting and often stressful and there isn't enough assistance, but there is also the minor detail that I did not choose to need a wheelchair, whereas deciding to have a baby and selecting a pram are optional lifestyle choices. And remember a person in a wheelchair can't bring on their child in an unfoldable buggy either!

Trip to the dentist tomorrow, hoorah. So much less pain than a fight on a bus.

End of Festival 2008

Sep. 3rd, 2008 at 12:34 AM

I confess; I am a firework addict. Stuck indoors with no view of the visuals (the downside of ground-floor living), the sound of brief bursts of them can drive me to random acts of violence against the contents of the fruit bowl. Fortunately for me and the oranges, I had plans. Unfortunately I slept through most of them, and emerged far too late to meet pals at Inverleith for a festive picnic, or blag into Princes St gardens, or persuade the police that my taxi must be allowed up Calton Hill as it was too far to push/ be bumped, or to get a bus to Princes St or North Bridge or the West End.

The main problem is not getting to any of these places, it's getting home from them. I knew I'd be stuck in huge crowds and wouldn't be able to get a taxi home for a while after the event had finished as everyone else would be grabbing them in the rain. However, a call from a pal stuck at the Mela who was also running out of time to get into position inspired me to attempt partner's suggestion of just watching together from the street. I didn't really believe the castle was visible from outside another pal's ground-floor house (quick call but that pal was in Haddington) but was willing to try. Anyway, we got outside with five minutes to spare, set up radio, chocolate-based provisions and tripod, and we were off! Brilliant end to the festival.

Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2008 # 4

Aug. 25th, 2008 at 1:28 PM

Went along yesterday to the city's most expensive wheelchair-accessible venue (probably) to see Mark Thomas at the Festival of Politics. It was sold out apparently, though some folk didn't find out until they'd got through the security theatre to the ticket desk. I wasn't put through the metal detector btw, wheeled in by the other door they just had a female prod me a bit.

Mark was as compelling as ever, and I could have listened to him for a lot longer than the hour. It was filmed so you can see the whole show on the Parliament website. Obviousy Coca Cola was not offered as a refreshment.

We only saw a few of the stunning pics in the photojournalism exhibition as they were attempting to close, then hung around outside for ages to blether to young Mr Thomas and feed him chocolate.

Our crowd dispersal involved heading up the incredibly steep slope to the Regent for food and an attempt to stay awake. Tonight I solved the dilemma of choosing Mudfire or the Aluminium show by sleeping till 7pm, which led neatly to the final performance by the Carpetbaggers at Sweet ECA: Vanishing Point.

Wheelchair access into the Art College is either bump up the front steps and then use the lift, or arrange at the front door to get in the properly accessible door , wheel through the hall and then around to the lift. Moved indoors at the last minute we ended up in a studio with an enviable view of the castle.

The show was incredible, mesmerising and quite moving in places. These creatures were so much part of the stilts and so easy on them that when they finally removed the appendages, they looked stunted and incomplete.

I really did not want that strange show to end, so after bidding them all farewell I was only consoled by heading down the hill to te POOKa's Big Red Door venue (not in the fringe guide) for their quiet Sunday night at home with Lady Lawson and her peculiar household. It felt as though we were sitting around in someones decadent theatrical abode, where audience and household mix freely in a domesticated vaudeville. I felt as though I was home.

Venue is smoothly wheelchair accessible, toilets are not unless you arrange to access them from the street (wheel out front door, then wheel in through the fire exit). te POOKa are on next Thu, Fri, Sat and Sun (different shows, and all nights have a spontaneous element to them) 8pm till 1am (doors close at 10pm) Please try them.

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Aug. 28th, 2008 at 1:35 PM

Almost made it to the end of the festival! And spent three days in bed for it. Dragged self out of bed too early for safety but able to try, in bad mood, to attend the Late Art festival, also annoyed that it wasn't actually as late as I'd hoped and so now conflicting with a meeting I was due at. 6pm till 9pm for all those galleries, even excluding all the inaccessible ones, was a waste of a concept. They'd changed the itinerary so that the actual late part wasn't a gallery, it was a club in the Voodoo Rooms instead of a gallery, very annoying both as they'd chosen a completely inaccessible venue. Now, I acknowledge that some of the galleries simply can't be made accessible, and that's just the way it is, but to actually select an inaccessible venue was just taking the piss.

Lurid pink lanyard already collected by helpful and persistent partner, we ignored the suggested starting point of Cockburn Street and headed to Doggerfisher, possibly the easiest gallery to wheel into. Large slabs of textured grey cement-like substance over cardboard were displayed. We headed straight up to the Printmakers Workshop, a place I have wanted to visit and work in for ages but couldn't because of accessibility. The gallery does have a ramp, but it is on a lethally steep cobbled hill. Partner determined he could manage the risky manoeuvre, so with a couple of frights and enormous wobbling pushes we got in through the door.

For me this gallery was the best part of the evening as the staff gave a wee talk on Chad's work, they had a good selection of drinks, they offered to bring the upstairs prints down to show me, and we got to see round the workshop, which included a good demonstration of the work they'd done for the artist being showcased. I found his work interesting and visually pleasing, though some of the concepts naive.

A taxi was necessary to get to Cockburn Street, beautifully bathed in the last moments of golden sunshine. Yup, the first sunny evening of the festival! Unfortunately, by the time we'd gone in (smoothly accessible) realised we couldn't get into the gallery space to see the artwork because of the crowds and decided to sit in the sun with a drink instead, the sun was moving on. No glasses or soft drinks on offer, just alarmingly large bottles of cider! We listened to the last of the live music until our hands were icy. Eventually squeezed in to see that the show was what appeared to be an album cover version of the CD and CD2 case collective shows done years ago. I enjoyed doing CD2 so wished I'd known about this opportunity.

Trundled up Cockburn Street and then down the Royal Mile to the Canon's Gait where I met the only other person on time for the meeting. Too late I discovered that the Canon's Gait does not do food and starved crossly until fellow writer took pity and went scavenging for sandwiches. Hellishly noisy for a meeting venue, don't try it during a live match. If I'd accompanied partner and pal to the Ingleby Gallery (the old Venue) for a show and a live band, it might have been quieter. Nevertheless, an enjoyable meeting of minds.

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Aug. 31st, 2008 at 11:50 PM

Well, this is my kind of party! This is exactly the sort of thing I expected from the Art Festival, and for which I was willing to be dragged out of bed and topped up with painkillers for. Unfortunately my partner had to drag my injured andweary bod there via a birthday party where I was trying not to be too focused on the hours of potential jazz, paintings, cocktails and glamour passing by, and energy sapping. As soon as was polite we dodged the buffet, grabbed a taxi and zoomed to the gallery. What a sight; tuxes and frocks lounging on the gallery steps in the warm night air, flames on either side of the main door, the sound of jazz drifting out to greet us. A nod to the doorwoman immediately had someone prepped to let us in by the wheelchair access door, like entry to a private club.

As soon as we wheeled into the gallery we were hit by very warm air, perfume, music, and the first wall-fulls of the beautiful Vanity Fair portraits. Met partner's pater and several friends, and enjoyed the company of strangers too; of happy tipsy art-lovers. The music changed from live jazz band to club Vegas DJ and whether it was the luxurious environment, the champagne or the late hour, we found folk starting to bop and wiggle around to the music in between the statues.

I hate sitting still at the best of times so did a constant circumnavigation of the venue, which included jamming self into the teeny old lift to get up to the balcony for a better view of both the entrance hall and the arts and crafts ceiling. Had a quick look round the shop, then to the exhibition of old photos in the back rooom by the cafe where we were astonished to discover a complete absence of punters. Soon discovered this was due to a no drinks rule for that room, so we headed back through the drinkers to the far side of the gallery for a last look at the stunning Vanity Fair portraits.

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Sep. 1st, 2008 at 12:22 AM

We didn't arrive until around 10pm, so were wondering if we'd be admitted, but as the taxi drew up we spotted the performer acting as doorway tart, and we were ushered in. A bargain of half-price tickets got us both in for £10, and a bottle of elderflower fizz for £6 lasted us all night. The night really lasts from 8pm till 1am but it is a random cabaret with background 'household staff' so if you miss one thing you'll catch another.

The Big Red Door venue was busy and most of the wonderfully assorted seats already taken, but I got a good one: the chaise longue on which to lie down. By the end of the night it was standing room only, and as a testament to quality most of them were performers from other shows, mainly from the gypsy festival down at the Spiegeltent. Also spotted the trumpeter from EagleOwl and one of the stilt acrobats from Carpetbaggers. I am quite impressed at my identifcation of the latter; I listened to him read his disturbing poem (accompanied by drums and gymnast on the trapeze) all the time thinking I recognised this quiet man in a neat suit. It took a mere two days to realise who he was.

I was sorry we had to leave before I needed to, but partner was tired. I am aware of the irony of my excursion being curtailed by someone else's tiredness...

Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2008 # 3

Aug. 13th, 2008 at 12:10 AM

Attended the Edinburgh Interactive Festival in the deepest depths of modern Tollcross this afternoon. Held in the glamorous EICC, access was not going to be a problem, either for front door, the two levels of company displays and computer games, or the loos. Billed as an event to 'expand the creative culture of games' ie a games festival, it is an odd half-way house of industry and public, and not advertised or aimed sufficiently at either. Companies are charged extortionate rates to attend and display their wares, yet there are more of them than punters.

There is enormous potential to make this games festival the foremost Scottish event for launching, sharing and testing, in fact in the past it launched the Lara Croft game 'Legends' and had a games lecture by the Sims creator Will Wright, so it can still head in the right direction and reach more people.

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Aug. 15th, 2008 at 12:53 PM

Yesterday was one of those typical fringe days, playing endless rounds of Text to track down folk who won't say where they're going, meet up with those who want to go together, realise I can't do three meets in three different locations in one evening, lose some folk by the wayside, then discover the others I need to communicate with don't have a mobile or one that's switched on.

I had good company on a successful 22 journey, the fastest it has ever travelled up Princes St. Checked out the Pimms area just down from the Filmhouse, which was finally getting the weather for it. Stocked up on sandwiches and trundled up to the pubic triangle. Pavements here are tricky, with some narrow blind corners, so sing or whistle as you head round them. Pusher won't be able to sing btw, it's quite a slog.

Tonight's West Port Book Festival show was to be found in Pageant, a clothes shop. They ran late setting up but performers and public had bars and sunshine to potter about in and they ended up with a full house. The show featured three of the Writers' Bloc collective: Andrew C Ferguson, straight from the Other Book Festival where he was doing a 4pm reading at the City of Literature's corner of the Bookshop in Charlotte Square, Gavin Inglis, and Jane McKie, award-winning author of 'Morroco Rococo', and due to give birth in about a week, which added to the anticipation.

The shop doorways was accessible with a hefty tilt and shove, and as the area was cleared for an audience I could get through. I don't know if normally this small shop could be navigated by wheelchair or with a buggy. They'd left a space for me amongst the chairs and stools so I didn't feel awkward shifting stuff. The stories, original fiction read/ performed by the writers, were dark, dodgy, hilarious and poignant, so much so that I forgot to eat my sandwich.

Some schmoozing and free te POOKa tickets later I abandoned the folk I'd hoped would join us at Tigerlilies but weren't sure, and headed up to Spiegelgarden with my dapper partner and his dad to join the pals who were so sure that they wanted to see the show that they were already there. Btw, the te POOKa Big Red Door hall on Lady Lawson Street is a West Port Book Festival venue for book stuff ie Ian Rankin next Thursday, but is also being used for te POOKa's own shows, which is something completely different - and what I now have tickets for! As far as I know, neither are in the Fringe guide so will try to put up info here.

Spiegeltent had thoughtfully reserved a whole row next to the wheelchair space so we wouldn't have to sit apart. We had no idea what to expect apart from an earlier review in edinfestivals (Livejournal) which warned that it wasn't separate cabaret acts but a band throughout. Hopes were high. Well, I took a while to warm to it and get into the olde stylee end-of-pier-ness, but by the rendition of 'Lust' I was into it completely and really enjoyed the show. Pianist, drummer and man of many instruments, plus several 'assistants' (including the ghost clarinetist playing briefly by my knee...) perfect. Topics covered were not for the squeamish, uptight or prejudiced, but because it was all a band on a stage singing about it (or puppets doing it) it was hilarious. Scat jazz! I'd recommend that you get a ticket deal to try this as it is not everybody's favourite style of show, but if it is you'll love it to bits.

Finally a night warm enough to sit out in the Spiegelgarden, but it was so packed we couldn't really fit, so after a very hefty push up that blasted gravel mountainside, we escaped and trundled up to Potterrow. It might have been indoors but at least there were trees, great lighting and a good atmosphere. That's the least crowded I've seen it, except between shows when folk poured from mysterious doorways up in the inaccessible balcony areas. There's a VIP bar up there too, in case you are an autograph hunter and wish to lurk at its doorway till security move you on. Got a freebie book from one of the shows, then we scoffed some assorted Curry in a Hurry for less than a fiver, with dishes suitable for vegans and veggies alike.

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Aug. 15th, 2008 at 11:11 PM

There isn't a shortage of places to go for a massage in this city, and they certainly are offering a variety of servicing. Leaving aside the kind of massage you can get on Lothian road, I'll deal with the others. A sports injury massage is the most skilled of the proper massages, so its a bit nervewracking to try out a new person in case they're not good enough. There's a vast difference between good pain and bad pain.

I headed off to Rodney Street this afternoon, back to 'The Massage Place' where I have found a great new practitioner. I recommend her! The bonus is that the reception room currently has an exhibition by photojournalist Gerry McCann, featuring stunning mountaintop views. The venue has its own ramp so access is not a problem, and indoors the floor is smooth throughout. Ok, this isn't a fringe event as such - but it's been an essential ingredient this year.

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Aug. 17th, 2008 at 1:04 PM

Found a gem of a music festival; 'Retreat!' celebrating locally produced urban folk at The Scottish Scullery, St John's Church Hall (on the corner of Princes Street and Lothian Road) till the 24th. All shows £3 on the door, 8pm start. Tonight was the launch event for Eagleowl's CD, with 'Allo darlin' as warm-up.

Full wheelchair access off Princes Street and round the back of the church into the hall, and also out the other side to the disabled loo. An odd thing happened there btw. A group decided to queue for the disabled loo as they thought there was no other one. When I pointed to the ordinary loos, they decided not to bother moving but continue to queue there. I didn't have the choice of loos so had to wait until they'd all been. I can't help thinking that this isn't the best use of good manners. (*update* I now know that the other toilet is in the basement and only for staff, performers and punters accompanied by staff, so I was talking bollocks)

St John's Scullery is a great venue for this sort of music. I don't know how much it costs to hire but it has a beautiful vaulted ceiling, a stage, cafe, p.a and bar, and currently an art exhibition too. Ah, one of the paintings fell on someone's head, but it was a good pic so they didn't mind.

Anyway, the music was fantastic. Eagleowl have created a collection of the most beautiful slow haunting songs and the audience was mesmerised. The group have a way with harmonics when singing, and the blend of double bass, guitar, accordian, bass guitar and occasionally ukelele was very skillfully written.

No idea what the other bands will be like, but they are:

Ziggy Campbell and Little Pebble on the 20th

My Kappa Roots and Royal Edinburgh Music on the 23rd

Meursault and John Egdell on the 24th.

Not sure the event title needed that explanation mark btw.

Out in time to catch the midnight fireworks from the tattoo, lovely. A decline of invitation to join us for the music accidentally gave a heads-up to a birthday party at the Auld Hoose that I hadn't been invited to, but we were due at the Forest to meet partner's dad and a couple of old pals in order to watch fireworks together in the graveyard, very goth. The streets were packed with everything from orange hen nights to kilted rugger buggers, and everything in between, so it wasn't easy to find the, oh god I was about to say the wood for the trees.

United at last I insisted on a detour via the chippie to stock up for the firework-watching. The darkness of the graveyard feels odd in the city centre, beaten only by the automatic church spotlights coming on as we trundled hesitantly into the darkness. Great show, and not similar to the previous Saturday nights so someone is experimenting happily with explosives up there. I should say now, don't think there are safe dark places to go for a pee behind a tree because your buttocks could be illuminated at any moment, and they will be. Oh yes.

Back to the Forest pavement to meet another pal and hear some of their own music night drift down the grand staircase. Overcome by the fumes I had to move on. Ended up feeling restless and confused in Bristo Square until I realised it was in fact utter exhaustion, so time to head vaguely towards bed.

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Aug. 21st, 2008 at 1:17 PM

Palmerston Place church, the 'hidden church' is hosting a series of free evening concerts this fringe. The church extension has a long ramp for wheelchairs and buggies etc, but it is extremely steep, and although the door is marked as automatic, it actually requires someone from inside the church to enable access. Slight sill to the door is enough to jam or wobble wheels. Inside, access is smooth carpets into the main church, but no lift upstairs to the balcony or meeting rooms. Kids are welcome at the concerts, as long as they can sit still. There were three little kids in the front row this time, and they were beautifully behaved, and evidently keen on the music.

We arrived at speed with one last hefty shove up the ramp with about a minute to spare. Grabbed a pew, shedding raincoats and laying out cameras as fast as possible. Philomusica took the stage and leader Lawrence Dunn appeared, flamboyantly. I have to say, I've never seen him and Chick from Saor Patrol in the same room at the same time, so it is possible he leads a double life. Swap Lawrence's tux for a plaid and his violin for pipes, and the two are eerily interchangeable.

First up was Leopold Mozart's 'Hunting' Symphony, which is very entertaining and peculiar, and the extras took many an elderly lady by surprise.

Ravel's Bolero, arranged for strings, was beautiful. I don't think I've heard this adaptation before, so might look for a copy.

Concerto for three violins by JS Bach was as good to see as it was to listen to, the three violinists watching each other with beady eyes and signaling with eyebrows.

Quick break and we settled back for another piece I haven't heard before; a series of variations on a Theme of Gustav Holst by Neil Mackay. Finally, some chair reshuffling and the soloist appeared looking glamorous.

Lindsay Martindale performed Haydn's Cello Concerto in D, a lovely piece, the last movement (the allegro) being my favourite. Definitely worth coming out for!

Btw, there is also a variety of classical music being held inside St John's church (the urban folk being held in the hall) including two short clarsach recitals; one last Saturday and a free one earlier this week.

We trundled through the rain towards Teuchters, the designated musician's pub of choice. I'd never been before so didn't realise there would be one enormous step to hump up. A pretty decent but far too warm environment for drinkies and a beanfeast of crisps. Several drunken cellists later, we attempted to exit without disaster and rolled towards a taxi.

While waiting we discovered that the glorious display of tumbling flowers outside the pubs had been chosen for colour alone, or else a dislike of smokers lurking there, as the blooms smelt unmistakably of dog poo.

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Aug. 22nd, 2008 at 1:24 PM

An unfortunate combo of turning up early, the show being delayed to mop up the stage, and monsoons in unprotected Bristo Square resulted in my being soaked to the skin by the time we trundled up the now slippery slope into the soggy purple cow. I do love to be rained on like that, but not then to sit in it. Fortunately I had emergency socks in my bag.

Tina C was friendly and welcoming during set-up and continued mopping-up, then vanished to let the public audience come in up the steps, and the show began. I thought it was a great move to have invited the local Loud and Proud choir to be her musicians for this part of the tour, and they seemed to be enjoying themselves as much as the audience. Tina C is a talented performer, using the drag persona of white trash bimbo running for president to entertain with patter, rant and song. Even when the thundering rain threatened to drown or electrocute us all, she just incorporated it into the show. The show ended with the audience on stage leaping around, singing and dancing and clapping, balloons everywhere. A very good show! My face is still aching from the laughing, honestly, she had us in fits.

Tina C - 'Tick My Box' runs in Underbelly's pasture till Monday.

Last night, the taxi booked to take us to George Square Theatre for Desmond o Connor (the young cute one, not the other one) failed to turn up. Too late to make it in time for the show we grabbed a bus into town. Finally a night was dry enough to risk the C Soco Urban Garden ramp of doom, which actually was second only to the cobbled slope down into the Cowgate to get to the venue in the first place. Bit galling to see that some taxis were driving along the Cowgate after all, but we'd managed! I think this venue is a masterstroke of engineering and design, and with a few adjustments will be a gem for next year. I recommend a ramp surfacing of a different fabric, with texture, to allow for grip. My beloved pusher was skating on sand trying to raise us to the bar without any sudden drama or tooth-loss, and we had to descend with the brakes jammed half-on. Lovely light effects on the broken buildings up there, and we got a bit of ska while we sat and pondered the next move. Wanted to text pals to join us for a drink there, but discovered a late show nearby. I thought there was a show already going-on in the base camp tent as we prepared to leave but discovered it was the spare staff having an impromptu quiz night.

So, onwards to the Vault, a venue tucked away under George IV bridge (I think) It's like travelling back in time heading into dead-end Merchant Street; boarded up windows, Victorian signs, cobbles, piles of rubbish and crates. The Vault, venue 29, is in the United Augustine Church's vaulted basement, the basement being upstairs of course. For me this is the surprise new venue of the year (new to me, not to them), cute, eerie and historic, with an astonishingly nice surprise of a wheelchair lift already fitted. We headed up (s-l-o-w-l-y) and took our seats in a small white-painted stone room divided by an archway, in which the cast lurked behind a primary-school-esque painted screen.

Shitty Deal Puppet Theatre Company's Complete History of Oppressed People Everywhere was like someone had let a very drunk Mark Thomas loose in a second-hand toyshop. We were overheated in the tiny room, but everyone was in hysterics at the show. Good old fashioned fringe show, and only £6. Runs till Monday.

I don't know what the Jekyll and Hyde show in the venue next door was like, but they win my award for capturing an audience in advance. In among the drunken queues for our show and the 'Irish' pub behind us, staggered a drunken actor in Victorian garb from a Victorian shop doorway. He fell down the stairs, he pissed in the corner and shoved through folk enough to raise a few eyebrows at the behaviour of alky actors in the city even at this time of year. But I recognised him from the poster and with his colleague a few mins earlier - he was Dr Jekyll setting the scene for his descent into Mr Hyde in his own show, and a bloody convincing drunk he made too. No idea what their show was like, but full marks for the concept (and bravery..)

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Aug. 24th, 2008 at 1:27 PM

'and the devil may drag you under'

The unfortunately named Des O Connor was the wonderful heroic compere of the Fringe Opening Party and we've been trying to get a free evening to see him again ever since. Tonight we made it to George Square Theatres for 11pm, purchased our tickets (up in the main theatre but don't be put off by the sweeping stairs, there are ramps and lifts to box office, cafe and loos), and wheeled up the ramp into little George 2 at 11pm ish for a wonderful twisted vaudeville show that seems somehow to have been overlooked by most punters. Actually, this may be due to the guide accidentally omitting their listing, which happens.

'And the Devil may Drag you Under' has its last night on Sunday night (today...) and if you are out and about in search of fab, dark and hilarious cabaret then I urge you to go see these guys before they leave. As a sideline, Des (and his sidekick, homicidal 1950s housewife babe) has his guests competing for places in heaven and hell (I voted three into heaven and one into hell - I don't know what happened to my other vote after the free wine)

Sxip Shirey is a hairy musical genius, I have never heard anything like it. Imagine running tapes backwards with sound effects underwater, and adding a beat that makes you want to dance in the dark. Unfortunately Des has no CDs, but check out his myspace page to catch what you can of the new Tom Lehrer. Gay New Yorker Greg Walloch provided a couple of comedy acts that were quite thought-provoking in places. I was fortunate enough to be one of the people wielding a hatpin to burst the balloons of the burlesque dancer, which was LOUD. The star really was Des though, and I really wish I could have bought copies of those terrible, wonderful songs!

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Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2008 #2

Aug. 7th, 2008 at 3:56 AM

La Clique is my sort of show, reminiscent of Archaos and Cirque de Soleil etc, but the prices definately don't meet my approval; neither economically nor in way they subvert the spirit of the fringe, which should be cheap and easy. However, half-price tickets compensated, and I agreed to go.

Note to self-propelling wheelchair users: in the Spiegelgarden there is floor-covering throughout, and ramps to all levels. But the entrance is gravel and steep, so you'll speed into the garden but may never get out again. The ramp to the disabled loo is steep, the door opens outwards and there is a high sill; a combo that means trying to get in you may instead roll backwards down the slope and vanish behind the pub tent.

It was lovely to sit in the garden during the Jazz and Blues festival, crowded even then so I wouldn't try to fit in on a sunny evening during the Fringe. I was disappointed at the time to see a fake flooring instead of just being able to sit on the grass, but I was grateful for that flooring tonight!The 11.15pm show began at around midnight after delays meaning an extra half hour in the pub tent (with Paul Zenon and some pierced and tattoooed folk from his show) and a half-hour queue in the rain, but spirits were high. The low cloud cover/ fog provided an ideal surface to bounce the light shows off.

I was first in but decided against the front rows as I wasn't sure of show content, and am wary of being close to the stage after Jim Rose Circus Sideshow and the Circus of Horrors. Full house tonight, standing room only at the back by the bar (open throughout show) and what a beautiful Victorian-style tent interior: carved dark-wood posts, stained glass, velvet drapes, frondy parlour palms.

I don't want to give any spoilers, so just a few brief descriptions for the moment. We had The acrobatic English Gents; pinstripes, muscles and poise, Captain Frodo the clumsy contortionist, David O' Mer on trapeze (whether you're gay, straight, bi, tran, or undecided; this man has _everyone_ wet in their seats) Mario; Queen of the Circus, Yulia and her hoolahoops, and bilingual Ursula Martinez - no way am I going to describe where she keeps her hankie, you'll just have to enjoy the shock! I'll write it up later because this time I had my notebook :-)

The garden closed as we left after 1am so we headed speedily up the pedestrian area to Potterrow/ Pleasance Dome. Not nearly as crowded as usual we didn't have any trouble getting a cheap hot Curry in a Hurry from the Mosque Kitchen folk in the bar. Most punters in the Row looked a lot younger and straighter than the Spiegelgarden crowd, so we stood out. Saw Reginald D Hunter and entourage there too.

The Pear Tree was closed when we passed at 2am, though the Blind Poet was still up and running. I don't think it is accessible, I didn't have time to check. The Counting House is a lovely venue but completely inaccessible, go upstairs if you get the chance and don't have wheels. Fewer smokers outside tonight for some strange foggy reason... There's an all-night shop at the top of that road, on the corner of Nicholson Street for those who don't already know, very smooth wide wheelchair access, low enough counters, and a valuable source of early-morning creme eggs
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Aug. 7th, 2008 at 11:14 PM

The main Book Festival opens on Saturday up at Charlotte Square. The venue is accessible, but can be crowded, and most of the big name shows have been sold out for weeks, some since June. There is a free music tent, a bookshop and a bar, so it's worth going up to schmooze and just enjoy the atmosphere even if you're not heading for a show.

As a balance to the celebrity and relative expense of the Book Festival there is also the Edinburgh Book Fringe, based at venue 338 - Word Power Books, where all events are free, the books and authors a little more alternative. I have still to check accessibility. It's already started:
http://www.word-power.co.uk/Book_Festival_Poster__colour_-_new_2_.pdf

and there will be more from these people in the autumn:

THE 12TH EDINBURGH INDEPENDENT RADICAL BOOK FAIR - THE ALTERNATIVE BOOK FESTIVAL

will take place from Wednesday 29th October to Sunday 2nd November 2008 in Out of the Blue Drill Hall, 30-38 Dalmeny Street, Edinburgh, EH6 8RG, Scotland, UK. Also leaping into book festivals we have the inaugural West Port Book Festival starting next week. Ever seen the TV series Black Books? I'm saying no more, I'm just asking if you've seen it...

http://westportbookfestival.org/

This new festival runs from 14th to 17th August, starting with a Victorian Fair on the Meadows. I'll be having a look around this new festival. Events are free, and 60% of tickets are apparently kept until the day before, to allow folk to join in at the last minute, but this could include the guest list so be quick.

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Aug. 10th, 2008 at 11:18 PM

Missed the book festival opening party last night, alas. I hear it was a good one, with freebies. Will get to next year's by hook or by crook.

Found a new position from which to watch the tattoo fireworks: a doorway on Princes Street. Saturday's midnight fireworks is the best of all week's tattoo shows, and not at all hampered by cloud or rain, for those safely in doorways at least. Blown bulbs left the shop named 'ssorize'. While waiting for the fireworks to start we played a round of 'Hen night or fringe show?' as various groups of luridly orange women tottered past.

It took two buses to reach the Meadows this afternoon due to Sunday services. The no.22 had to collect passengers from the middle of the road because of the tram crap. Bus ramps are manageable slopes when from pavement to bus, from road to bus the slope is Everest-like. That reminds me, must find out Everest's proper name. Bus #2 was halted abruptly on the steepest part of the Mound when a tourist stopped her car. "Wait a minute," she yelled, "I'm just taking photos." That bus driver was really nice but when we pulled up outside the Forest caff, he had to wave aside a little old lady who refused to stand back to allow the ramp down, and started yelling abuse along the lines of f*****g wheelchairs that shouldn't be allowed on her buses! I smiled, nodded, we passed swiftly.

The Meadows were packed. The weather had been flickering from fat raindrops to cold cloud to roasting sun from the moment we'd stepped outside, and from the looks of the quagmire this had been going on all day. It continued to change from alarmingly heavy rain to where's-my-shades heat faster than anyone could remove anorak or reapply diluted sunblock. Old hands had laid out tarps and settled on them to watch the high stage, which was possibly the most sensible course of action.

My wheels needed the paths, grass was so muddy that our expeditions to the farmers' market and the Ents tents were futile. Suddenly there was only an hour left, which wasn't enough time to go past all the stalls let alone look at them. There was no way in to the tents, and the open-sided one was ringed with crowds. I got to see anyone high up ie performing on stilts standing on someone's shoulders (The English Gents - brave lads to perform near-naked acrobatics in the rain! and the feet of one of the Wah Wah sisters), or up on the stage (Drum Cats as we arrived, Soweto Gospel Choir as we left) or with weapons; a flash of steel all we saw from the tempting open-sided tent.

Next year I'll need to think ahead and ask permission from whoever runs the tents (I don't know who does) to use the private performer/techie access paths to the rear of the tents, both for access and to be able to see the performances. Having demolished the Spanish flan (£3 from Farmers' market stall)I headed for the veggie Cornish pasty stall, only to be sidetracked by the risotto stall. A great idea for a snack! But it was the worst risotto I've ever tasted. Fortunately I'd only paid £2.50 for a kid's portion.

I thought the stalls (those I saw anyway) were very ordinary, the usual stuff you'd see on any part of the european festivals circuit. The organisers were very picky about stalls this year, allegedly not allowing any bric a brac or curio stalls in a misguided attempt to alter the hippy vibe (someone should have explained to them that you can only be so posh in a swamp). All the local artists and craft stalls are up at St John's and St Giles and on the Mound, though with more of the ubiquitous trader stalls. I'm going to check them out during the week.
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Aug. 11th, 2008 at 9:12 PM

Another confidence-lowering experience on the no.22 this afternoon. The driver parked in front of a pole and yelled he couldn't let us on as he had a buggy on board. A waiting driver indicated his error as he then yelled into the bus for the woman and buggy to shift or gerrof. The woman just got off rather than move around. Oh not again, I felt terrible, but she smiled at me to indicate she'd chosen this option and was fine. Driver tried to lower the ramp in front of the pole, and was persuaded to move. It turned out to be the best of the access buses with space to actually turn the wheelchair, in fact, space for a chair _and_ a buggy that won't fold (why do they buy them?) We sat by the sign that said 'You MUST give this space to a wheelchair' (that's the fiercest I've seen) and hoped the other passengers wouldn't lynch us.

The traffic jams along Princes Street allowed good views of the festival crowds and even some entertainers. We had to trundle quite a distance up to Charlotte Square and got in to the Book Festival quad and to the Bookshop venue just after the show had started. Free readings by authors every day at 10am and local authors every day at 4pm, in the far corner of the Bookshop. We listened to Gavin Inglis read two short stories that made everybody laugh, with the additional entertainment of one of those freerange children running around him as though he was furniture. You know those who have parents who don't like to tell off their darlings in case it curbs their development? That's the one.

We grabbed crisps in the Bookshop cafe (lovely nibbles in there but pricey, and the cafe is very warm) and ate them outside in the scorching sunshine/ grey cloud/ breeze. Now, the Book Festival has good pathways across the grass/mud, in fact they are using a temporary trail as well as their boardwalks, so if the Meadows Festival folk need to know a source to improve their access next year, I can now point them in the right direction. There were loads of wheelchairs and all seemed able to manage the outdoor terrain. There was a problem though: the tents are swanky ones with carpets and actual doorways, so they have a sill to cross, and it is high enough to catch the smaller wheels. Free Scotsman on the way out.

A trip along the smoothness of pedestrian Rose Street to Greggs for supplies then down to the Mound to eat and watch street theatre. It is strictly policed nowadays (fringe police not real ones I hasten to add) so no random, impromptu or crossover shows. Strangely, they do allow the entertainers to use sound systems, which they don't need with the Mound acoustics. Listened to a Chinese trio play Western hits, watched an Australian juggle fire (its obligatory), and heard what sounded like a hedge trimmer but might have been a chainsaw. The stalls seem to have a high standard of merchandise, but with prices to match. The balloon man gave away his animals free to passing kids as he packed up, which made him the most popular person there. Good happy crowd. Realised we'd forgotten to go into the Spiegeltent at the book festival to listen to the free music (and admire the tent) Maybe tomorrow.

Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2008

And so it begins...

Aug. 1st, 2008 at 10:36 PM

This blog has been launched tonight to a backdrop of festival fireworks, a signal from the castle heralding the start of a month of madness, insomnia and overdrafts. And this year that includes mine. I am armed with the fringe guide, a large notebook, and increasing trepidation as I realise that sheer determination and indignation may not, after all, be enough to get me through the city, let alone the fringe...
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Aug. 2nd, 2008 at 4:49 PM

Today's fairly potential plan was to lie in the sun on a grassy area near a Place of Entertainment and watch buskers doing their thing. This changed midafternoon, with news of friends doing things they hoped we'd attend, hints of spare tickets for parties, things to fundraise for, and pals aparently coming in to town for certain days only. So I have moved up to a larger notebook, and a map. Off out soon for an evening of varied fringe, will update when I return and tell you of my discoveries.

Dragged self out of bed and tarted up sufficiently for a night on the fringe with my sexy partner. Collecting a pal en route, we had a quick trundle down to the Autonomous Centre for a showing of The Cockettes at 7pm by Queer Mutiny as part of their Queer-a-go-go fringe events and a bag of ideas for where to go afterwards. We were welcomed by the perky projectionist, only to discover that the centre had hired out the venue sans projector. The small venue is completely wheelchair accessible so I wheeled in smoothly and settled in among the legumes and copies of Black Flag to listen to the organisers attempt to persuade assorted anarchists to allow them to have the key to the cupboard where the projector was locked. Permission was denied on the grounds of security, which was hilarious as we clearly had the run of the entire shop, library, computer room and sound system. Also acccessible loos, just so you know.

Despite the absence of film, we had a pretty good time gettting to know new people, listening to the soundstrack, being fed cake and watered liberably until the dancing began. We exited in time to catch some sunset stripes, leaving the Queer Mutineers reorganising the following day's film shows to use someone else's projector. We headed round to the bus stop outside a non-fringe venue called Priscillas that was overflowing onto the pavement. Or perhaps that was just the punters.

Just a few mins later the no.14 arrived. I sat waving my ticket, smiling to the driver, waiting for him to lower the ramp. He glared back. I indicated, waved ticket and he shook his head, informing me that I wasn't allowed on, he already had a mother and baby on board. Excuse me? Yeah, a buggy in the wheelchair space, I'd have to wait. Hmm, a buggy in the WHEELCHAIR space you say? Perhaps you could go move her to the empty seats? Oh no, can't do that, there's a baby in it. A baby in the WHEELCHAIR space you say? My partner yelled something about him having to let us on, and the driver scooted into the bus. Now, the woman had a sensible small folding buggy, easy to fit into public transport, so there was no bother to fold it up, in fact help her fold it up, and take a seat, (and explain why, in case she genuinely hadn't noticed she was using a space marked with a wheelchair sign and all this was embarrassing her) but she must have decided she was close enough to home anyway and just hopped off there. But to the rest of the bus it looked like the driver had just chucked a poor mummy and baby off the bus so that some crap disabled woman could get on, and we wheeled on to be met by a stony silence and a sea of glaring, disapproving faces.

I was scarlet with embarrassment, wanted to just hop straight off myself, but had to take the rest of the journey parked facing that array of horrified passengers. I was actually shaking, but by the time we got to the bridges I started to be distracted by the prospect of catching the castle fireworks. We had trouble getting off the bus too. The bell rung by the wheelchair space has a completely differnt sound to the other ones so the driver knows in advance that the next stop will mean halting the boarders and lowering the ramp. He ignored us and allowed the bus to fill. Fortunately the passengers noticed and got out of the way, the driver eventually lowered the ramp, and we left, thanking the helpful passengers.

The streets seem darker than I remember, an exciting festival touch. For the sake of passers-by and my own safety, I think I will wear glo sticks on my head next time I am out at night. In a bustle, when folk are tired/ drunk/ excited/ distracted, it is hard to see me down there in time, or that my feet are sticking out.

We wheeled up Chambers Street to chill out in C Soco Urban garden, the multi-layered use of a missing-building space post Great Fire of Cowgate, accessible last year with an energetic enough pusher, I'd been assured. There was no sign of an entrance other than the steps up to Adam House (oh, exams!). Much confabbing later, and a short-lived trundle in the fire exit, back towards the other fire exit, finding only more steps as there had been a change of layout from last year (apparently) so back into the street again. We were redirected down into the Cowgate where there was apparently a ramp of some kind. The staff may not have known what the layout was, but there were all very helpful and friendly, and offered to go search for access plans. Unfortunately, we couldn't risk a trundle down all that distance to unknown access, (sometimes ramps are simply too steep, narrow or wobbly) as then we'd be stuck down in the Cowgate, so decided that my partner would scout out the access during the week and in the meantime we'd head up to the Udderbelly area to view the fireworks, which we believed were imminent.

Chambers Street was relatively empty, save for the outspilling of kilted drunks at what must have been a wedding party in the museum Tower restaurant. Good idea for a party venue, especially as they'd get the best view of the castle fireworks. First busker of festival spotted outside museum, Bedlam end. Electrified acoustic guitar and legs akimbo, and we still have no idea what he was singing. Forest Road and that other one, you know, both roads forking round Bedlam, were packed with cheery people and the Forest Caff had a ring of pavement crusties singing, possibly busking, possibly just happy.

Bristo Square was wonderfully and luridly lit and crowded with more happy punters. From the litter it was clear it had been a long day, but interestingly it was only food litter, no flyers as in past years. As soon as we bumped up onto the pavement we spotted a pal poised on the wall. One additional pal later, the consensus was that our best possible view of the castle would be from Flodden Wall inside Greyfriar's Kirkyard. Oddly full for a dark place, the kirkyard did have the best view, and so we parked up by the school gates.

It was a beautiful sight, the castle illuminated by coloured lights and the performances clearly audible. Unfortunately we'd misjudged the tattoo finish time, sure that the council ruling for fireworks was none after 11. However, 11pm came and went, and despite two tauntingly premature bursts of explosives, assorted giant projections and lasers-and-smoke combos, the actual firework display didn't happen till midnight, just when my inpatience was threatening to head for home. But it was worth waiting for! I don't think I'll ever tire of fireworks, even when reached through the strangest selection of music for a military tattoo and the need to pee. They were magnificent.

We were a little concerned we'd been locked in, but discovered that the church itself was still open, and would stay open till 12.30am, apparently acting as 'NiteKirk'; a haven from the festival for all those seeking some peace until the 8th August, be warned if you need sanctuary after that you'll need to go elsewhere. If it hadn't been for the lure of food, I'd have gone in to the church for that remaining half hour. We whizzed down the steep slope back onto the street, practically did a handbrake turn, and bumped up onto the pavement to head back to the upturned Bristo bovine et al.

Turned out that access to the Gilded Balloon @ Teviot depends on both exterior and interior lifts working, and having a ticket for a specific show when busy, so we trundled around outdoors for an oggle and to get our bearings instead. You'll need strong arms for this as the paving slabs are quite random. Folk had obviously been trained in the art of leaping aside thanks to the nippy passenger trikess zooming around. Rickshaws, that's the word I was looking for. Fearless they are, just fearless. Will find out how much they charge later. Perhaps I can lure one home with me when boyfriend is drunk...

Potterrow/ Pleasance Dome (smooth entrance) began with a trippy star tunnel. Under the Dome was packed but still comfortable with places left to sit or at least perch, great atmosphere among the frondy palms. I didn't attempt to circumnavigate but sent out a scout. We asked about lifts, and no-one on the door seemed sure, but agreed there was something that got to the bar upstairs and possibly the loos downstairs. Out again.

Pleased to see all the bars and cafes round Bristo Square were still open and still had spaces to sit. Wish Zen had been open because after all the harsh pavement edges I would have welcomed a quick shoulder and neck massage to ease the pain. We chose the failsafe of cheap chips to eat in the night air. Took a very strange trip down into the depths of the Quartermass project on the Old Infirmary site, and ate chips quickly. It does however, have the only absolutely smooth pavement-road wheelchair crossing edges in the whole of Edinbugh. Getting back up the hill past the Eye Pavillion almost caused poor pusher a hernia though, and then the challenge was finding a taxi outside the Art College (Another Sweet venue; Wee Red Bar still open, shows still on).

Hoped to see an opening time on the old fire engine museum, but it doesn't look like public access is planned this year. There wasn't much competition for taxi-grabbing; the streets were packed with folk happy to be walking by the looks of things, but no taxis had lights. No night buses either at that point. Eventually we caught a taxi dropping off a blonde, and with her help we dived in. Home! I was so satisfied and full of fringe that I expected it to be time for breakfast, so was astonished to discover that it wasn't even 2am. Still, after writing all this it is a lot later and time for bed. Tomorrow it's the Cavalcade and the Fringe Party, and maybe even a meal.

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Aug. 4th, 2008 at 12:02 PM

The theme of the Fringe opening party was 'a touch of glitter', and we're still sparkling everywhere, as is this keyboard. It was a good start to my first proper fringe, and has already given me the feeling that I've been entertained for weeks. I decided against the all-night after-parties and headed home before the sun rose. I know, I know, call me a woose. Btw, access into the Corn Exchange front is wheelchair accessible but it is also cobbled, which is not a nice shoogle even through a red carpet. I believe the rear entrance of that main entrance hall is paved smooth. Good wide doors, plenty of professional staff, and free drinks tickets; a good start.
There were already plenty of guests, most tables taken and the bars busy. It still looked empty because the hall is like a barn. The stage-viewing area was packed within half an hour of that as the free coaches arrived. Now, we'd phoned to check that the buses could take a wheelchair, and they could, but as it is usually only one chair per bus, and there was likely to be more than one wheelie guest we couldn't risk having to hang around Waverly in the rain when due to meet pals at the party, so got a taxi there. If I hadn't just had a large Sunday dinner with recently reunited classic bike pals at Corstorphine Inn (recommended for wheelchair access and the roast potatoes), I'd have scoffed the plentiful plates of goodies being proferred. I didn't check too closely so can't confirm veggie or vegan platters; just sightings of chicken skewers and mini beefburgers.

So, we wheeled in to catch the end of the set by the 'Soweto Singers', a wonderful choir. We'd only missed a couple of acts and at that point I didn't realise we had a full evening of entertainment ahead, and that by midnight I'd have seen so much fabulous entertainment that I wouldn't be able to remember what was what (that's a hint about the rest of this review..) Fortunately I also didn't realise that this was merely the main stage and that there was a comedy stage upstairs, with sort of disabled access that could be arranged when the room wasn't so busy. It was packed apparently. By the time I discovered this, and that there were folk I knew upstairs, I didn't want to shift anyway as the main stage had me enthralled.

The young and pervy Desmond O Connor, the compere in white tails, was an act in himself, and everytime the sound or stagehands cocked up, it just gave him the opportunity to demonstrate what a talent he was. His incest song was so terrible it was hilarious, but it was too much too soon for about half the audience, so he ressurected it later when alcohol has lowered the disapproval levels and they were in a fit state to enjoy being so shocked. I'll have to go through my photos before I can properly review the rest of the acts tonight, but if you like Tom Lehrer and Weird Al Yankovitch (sp?) you should adore Desmond O Connor.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cE9X_yfnkcM

The show ended with an act that was still being talked and drooled about on the way home. Six (or was it seven) short, thin, young, pretty, oriental women clad in tight black crushed-velvet catsuits, shiny boots and shiny hair, hit a stage filled with drums, and leapt into a display of drumming that converted the entire audience to worship percussion.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q5dCuTzICp8

'Drum Kats' were wild, they were energetic and their rhythm was incredible. They leapt, spun and swapped drums with timing like goth metronomes on speed. I was sitting in front of a speaker so felt the drumbeats hitting me from the inside out. The audience were now a DJ's dream, needing to dance to anything. The music started up and the dancing commenced.

Out in the foyer bar (no, I don't know the proper name of these areas if they're called something other than the obvious) it was pretty packed as entertainers and comedy bar folk started to hang around and drink harder. A posse of rather familiar little drummers zoomed past towards the green room, but by 1am ish the green room was empty so all performers were clearly either schmoozing, performing elsewhere or out having a smoke. Those open doors provided a welcome breeze, though we already had paper fans courtesy of Korean dance musical 'Sa-Choom'. Fan handles had helpful little back-scratcher, or possibly ball-scratcher, who knows. If you like boy bands and girl bands and that smiley High School Musical thing, then go see them.

While waiting for a taxi I met a bloke dressed as an airline pilot, proudly promoting his son's drag act, 'Beautiful People don't travel economy'. I don't know anything about the quality or quantity of the show, but give brownie points to the father for being so proud of his son in a dress. Airline Pilot's personal recommendation for good shows seen so far is one featuring acrobatics on stilts performed at one of the Sweet venues, perhaps the Art College - I will try to find out more.
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Aug. 5th, 2008 at 1:00 AM

So, attending that Fringe opening party without my notebook left me floundering for info. I've had to spend time today ploughing through the Fringe guide, assisted by photos and hampered by what I imagined the acts to have been called. Here they are, mostly, starting with the ones I mentioned yesterday

'Drum Kat' Go see them at C too, St Columba's by the Castle, 5th to 15th only, 6.40pm.

'Desmond O Connor' Poor lad was missed out of the Fringe guide, so track him down at George Square Theatre. He's worth it!

'Soweto Gospel Choir' If you like gospel choirs (and I do) then go see them at Assembly @George St, Assembly Rooms, varied times so check guide. Pricey.

'Sa-Choom' on at the Musical Theatre@ George Square (George 1) 1.45pm every day till 25th Aug. Btw, it included some virtuoso acrobatics and stompy drumming as well as the smiley stuff. Not as expensive as the choir above, but still more than Fringe prices should be.

And now for the others, dredged up from my poor aching memory. On stage after the 'Soweto Gospel Choir' were the stars of 'The Grease Lightning Drag Show'; a hilarious medley of mime, wiggles and poses by old hands from Melbourne, now appearing at Gilded Balloon, 10.15pm every night till 25th Aug.'

The English Gents': Bradford and Bingley bankers in perfect pinstriped balance! Part of La Clique, Spiegel Garden, George Square 11.15pm every night except 11th, 18th, 25th. Complete with ubiquitous coatstand. Sexy acrobatic duo, less creepy than the CaesarTwins. La Clique is wonderful, but bloody expensive. Festival prices.

http://www.lacliquelondon.com/performers_theenglishgent.asp

'Capoeira Knights: Warriors of Brazil'. Air France may have lost their luggage, but this group did not need costumes to be able to whip the audience up into a frenzy for the whirling, flipping, kicking, half-naked dancers and their musicians. The World @ St George's West, 7pm every night until 25th. Expensive btw.

'Wau Wau sisters' The stage speakers survived the inaugural beer-spray, and the girls also passed the test of smoothly incorporating the off-stage cock-ups into their comic patter. When they stripped, their rippling bodies suggested a lifetime of gymnastics - a clue to their abilities in the rest of their show, which will include selected members of the audience!

'Departure Lounge'. These lads looked as though they were going to be an amateur musical attempt, but turned out to be talented singers of funny and scathing songs. Catch them at Musical Theatre @George Square, Buccleuch Place, 9pm every day till the 25th. Good typical fringe entertainment, but far too expensive.

I didn't catch the name of the good-looking Aussie comic. He had hard acts to follow, not helped by the off-stage cock-ups, but he soon raised a laugh and the audience warmed to him.

Also as yet unidentified (they weren't impressed when the compere mispronounced their name either, so its not all my fault) a French drag act. Camp rhythmn gymnast, Indian dancers with new uses for their plaits, intense tango dancers and assorted other guises; these men are funny, taut and dramatic.

Scottish-Indian fusion dance was the description but I cannot find their name in the guide. A proud son and his work colleagues stood beaming in the front row of the audience as what seemed to be an ordinary enough indian dance routine transformed into a scottish-indian fusion that raised cheers and ensured that traditional ceilidhs will never again be enough for me. Unfortunately I can't find them anywhere on the website either so you'll have to wait for info!

Unidentified contemporary dance anoraks followed. You may not enjoy this if you're not into solemn modern dance but if you are then these are the bodies to watch. Blue light on earth-toned clothing gave the effect of air unravelling. At times the dancers moved as though they were tightly-wound bands of elastic suddenly unwinding with a burst of frenetic energy. They smiled at the end though.

And that stilt acrobatic show at the art college on Lauriston Place? I haven't seen it myself yet but it was being raved about. Reading the guide it must be either 'The Vanishing Point' by Carpetbag Brigade, or 'Mudfire', also by Carpetbag Brigade: 'an acrobatic stilt spectacle'. Hey, this is how hard it is to navigate the Fringe!

http://www.carpetbagbrigade.com/v1/home.php