Valentine gig

Love Sick: a bracing antidote to Valentine’s Day.

Writers’ Bloc’s Andrew C Ferguson, Andrew J Wilson and Morag Edward will be the guests of the talented Napier University Creative Writing folk, who will include Jennifer Bryce, Ever Dundas, Sian Bevan, Matthew Nadelhaft, Sean Martin, Ariadne Cass-Maran and Barbara Melville:

Hello, my pretties. Do you think Valentine’s Day is squishy (in a bad way)? Forget the evening of shoplifting you had planned. Instead, come join us on Sunday 13th February for a FREE night of anti-Valentine stories, including guest performances from spoken word group Writers’ Bloc. We kick off at 8pm, and promise tales of historical romance, sexual perversions, and… well, more sexual perversions. After that, you can stay around for a drink and some other ’stuff’. Don’t forget the safe word, darling.

“Love Sick” will be held in the Speakeasy at Cabaret Voltaire, 36-38 Blair Street, on Sunday 13th February from 8pm to 11:00 pm. And it’s free!

Wheelchair access is through the fire exit next to the stepped entrance so just ask security to let you in.


* Loveheart artwork available as prints and gift cards from Edinburgh art collective http://www.knockmysocksoff.co.uk/

Three Legged Horses

Three Legged Horses need you!

There are only three days left until the fundraising deadline for Debasers Filums to secure the theme song from Rocky played in the pivotal scene of this Scottish short film - or it doesn't happen.

"Three-Legged Horses is a Scottish short film, currently in post production, about a rickshaw driver's last working night in Edinburgh.

We find our main character, a rickshaw driver, at the end of his run. After being told any more work will damage his knees permanently, he's now on a mission. He's got a target, one last weekend and he's going to make the best of it.

Unfortunately, as it goes, 'the best laid schemes o' mice an' men gang aft agley'. He soon finds himself on his worst night ever, with pain constantly shooting through his knees and neds (local scottish yoof!) trying to steal his comfy blanket and meager earnings.

As the night threatens to end with nothing to show for, he reluctantly agrees to take three less-than-friendly lads on his most gruelling ride yet, up to the Edinburgh Castle. It's an unrelenting pointless lift, and he struggles to keep going.

A local group of buskers comes to the rescue, providing him with the soundtrack (and the second wind) to redeem his night.

'Three-Legged Horses' is based on real events and happenings I witnessed or experienced during my years working as a rickshaw driver in Edinburgh and Dublin. The climactic scene is the best thing that's ever happened to me on a rickshaw and one of the best moments in my life. It has now become somewhat of a ritual for Edinburgh pedicabbers."

You can read interviews with the writer and peddling star Felipe Bustos Sierra here: http://www.reelscotland.com/?p=6975

and watch the trailer for the film here: http://www.guardian.co.uk/edinburgh/2011/jan/07/edinburgh-rickshaw-film-rocky-soundtrack

And then you might like to head for the fundraising page... http://www.sponsume.com/projects/three-legged-horses

I personally want this to succeed for (hastily counts) at least FOUR reasons:

1) It is a brilliant film, with a wonderful storyline - and it actually happened.

2) There are so many talented people involved in and related to this film; there's an awesome network of personal connections to other Edinburgh groups, performers, projects, bands and city history.

3) The Scottish film industry is just a baby. It needs your support to get these gems onto the big screen.

4) Karma. I think we all have big projects that will need team work sooner or later.

and not least

5) I froze my black-clad butt off in the ice and sleet and generally Arctic November night to contribute to the uphill crowd scene, along with everyone else. Do not let our collective hypothermia go to waste. Orkestra del Sol have only recently been defrosted!

C'mon, donate some spare change and get a gift for that special person who has everything else:
http://www.sponsume.com/projects/three-legged-horses

* * * *UPDATE and the total has been reached!