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PRESS RELEASE: YES T CAN

YES T CAN

TENNENT’S TAKES OVER EDINBURGH IN ANTICIPATION OF OBAMA VISIT

Thursday 25 May 2017, Edinburgh:  Tennent’s Lager is saying “Yes T Can” this week as the brand awaits the arrival of former US President Barack Obama to Scotland’s capital. Tennent’s has taken over Edinburgh city centre with a “Yes T Can” message, in reference to Obama’s iconic “Yes We Can” presidential election campaign.

Tennent’s enlisted the help of “Barack No-Bama”, one of the UK’s top Obama look-a-likes to help launch “Yes T Can”. No-Bama was out and about campaigning in the city yesterday encouraging punters to turn out and celebrate the big man’s arrival on Friday. The Glasgow brewer is urging the people of Edinburgh to raise a glass in celebration of Obama’s arrival, and will have a street team and giant campaign screen touring the capital all day Friday with a few samples of Scotland’s favourite lager.

Obama has long been popular amongst Scots, and will enjoy entertainment from the likes of Kevin Bridges and Annie Lennox when he speaks at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre. Street teams will tour key locations in Edinburgh before arriving at the EICC to welcome the former President.

Alan McGarrie, Head of UK Brand Marketing at Tennent’s said: “When we heard Barack Obama was coming to town, we wanted to pull out all the stops and  welcome him to Scotland. Obama is famous for his “Yes We Can” campaign line, and “Yes T Can” is a celebration of that.”

PRESS RELEASE: Major milestone for world’s first social enterprise gin

Major milestone for world’s first social enterprise gin as Ginerosity profits shared out among young volunteers

A social enterprise gin that launched only six months ago has given away its first tranche of cash to help disadvantaged young adults.

The money from sales of Ginerosity gin will go towards helping six young adults access a life-changing volunteer programme that targets poverty in developing countries.

The news comes just days after the gin enjoyed a major sales breakthrough when supermarket giant Asda announced it was stocking the big-hearted craft spirit.

Ginerosity director Dave Mullen said both the funding announcement and Asda listing were phenomenal achievements for a brand that only launched six months ago.

He said: “We launched our social enterprise gin in November. Six months on and Ginerosity is on the shelves of Asda and enabling young adults to access an inspiring volunteer programme that is making a substantial difference to poverty in the UK and in developing countries.”

Mr Mullen, who is Executive Creative Director at marketing agency Story UK, said Ginerosity had partnered with Edinburgh-based charity Challenges Worldwide, which recruits volunteers to work with social enterprises in Rwanda, Uganda, Zambia and Ghana. This opens the door to social investment funding to help the social enterprises expand and help grow the local economy.

Each volunteer has to fund £800 towards the cost of the three-month programme, and £300 towards an industry-recognised qualification from the Chartered Management Institute (CMI). Ginerosity’s profits go towards helping young adults meet those costs.

East Kilbride student Joanna Gillan, 21, was one of the six young adults to be awarded Ginerosity funding. She said: "I couldn’t believe it when I received the phonecall to say I had won a grant from Ginerosity. Due to this amazing partnership they have with Challenges Worldwide and their generosity, I’ve completed my fundraising, won a grant for my CMI qualification and am going on a three-month adventure to Rwanda.

“I’m really proud to be one of the first to benefit from Ginerosity, and I can't thank them enough. I’m immensely excited about learning new skills, meeting new people and discovering new places, while at the same time doing something meaningful to fight poverty.”

Ms Gillan also urged other people to get behind the Ginerosity brand, adding: “Buy a bottle of their gin and help continue the work of sending young people like myself to continue this amazing work through Challenges Worldwide!”

Looking ahead to her three-month volunteering in Rwanda which commences next month, Ms Gillan added: “When Challenges Worldwide came to my college one year ago I knew it was right up my street, but when I first sent off my application the fear set in as I have never been outside of Europe, but with the amazing support of the volunteers, co-ordinators, fundraising officers and Ginerosity they have made my upcoming three-month experience in Kigali possible.”

As part of the application process, Ms Gillan and fellow applicant Cameron McIntosh had to record a three-minute video pitch, which was reviewed by an independent panel established by Ginerosity earlier this year. The panel shared £2000 in Ginerosity profits between six young adults.

Alex Bruce, chairman of the panel and managing director of Adelphi Distillery, said: “These six people are the first to go through the Ginerosity funding programme, a major milestone indeed. These young adults will be the first to be funded by Ginerosity, and are due to fly out next month, work for three months and come back with important life skills that will help them grow and develop and engage.

“Thanks to the growing success of Ginerosity, and the recent Asda deal, it’s clear many more young people will benefit from Ginerosity’s kindness of spirit. It’s a cause that I and my fellow panellists are both excited and humbled to be able to support.”

PRESS RELEASE: Brooklyn Brewery Supper Club at Edinburgh Food Studio

This June two legends of the culinary world will join forces to create a dinner series unlike anything Edinburgh has seen, or tasted, before!

Think bold flavours, mouth-watering aromas and plates full of colour and texture, as Brooklyn Brewery’s Head of Culinary Programming, Andrew Gerson and Edinburgh Food Studio’s Ben Reade come together for three nights only, to celebrate good food, fine friends and rare beers on 15,16 and 17 June.

Life-long friends, Andrew and Ben first met whilst studying at the University of Gastronomic Sciences in Pollenzo, Italy where they shared a house together, formerly occupied by the Ass. ne AMICI (Association of Friends). In this old house in the small town of Bra, the two friends and chefs ensured the house lived up to its former name through their legendary dinners and is the inspiration for the series of Brooklyn Amici dinners in June.

The Italian town of Bra is also the birthplace of the Slow Food organization which was initially founded by Carlo Petrini and a group of activists in Italy during the 1980s with the aim of defending regional traditions, good food, gastronomic pleasure and a slow pace of life, an ethos and cause both chefs hold dear to their hearts.

Food plays a central role in the Brooklyn Brewery story, from its initiative with the Culinary Institute of America (one of world’s foremost cooking schools), through to the work Andrew now does, travelling the world collaborating with local food heroes to create one of a kind experiences that bring the two worlds of food and beer together in perfect harmony.

Chef Andrew Greson, said: “Ben is a chef and mad scientist that I am honoured to know, work with and call a friend. I am looking forward to experiencing the incredible ingredients of Scotland that he is so passionate about sharing with the world.  This dinner is a chance for old friends to cook and celebrate together with great food and exciting beers.”

Event details:

Venue: Edinburgh Food Studio, 158 Dalkeith Road, Edinburgh, EH16 5DX

Dates, 15, 16 and 17 June 2017

Tickets: £65pp

Reservations: http://edinburghfoodstudio.dinesuperb.com / 0131 258 0758 / info@edinburghfoodstudio.com

Discover more about Brooklyn Brewery here:

www.brooklynbrewery.com

Instagram: @BklynBreweryUK / Twitter: @BklynBreweryUK /Facebook: http://facebook.com/bklynbreweryuk/

PRESS RELEASE: The Scotch Malt Whisky Society launches new Spring menu and cocktail list

SCOTCH MALT WHISKY SOCIETY SPRINGS INTO SUMMER WITH NEW MENU AND COCKTAILS

A delicious new selection of food and drink will be on offer from later this month.

Flavour is to the fore on The Scotch Malt Whisky Society’s new Spring/Summer menu and cocktail list at its 28 Queen Street venue.

In the Dining Room restaurant, head chef James Freeman will showcase a range of fresh and vibrant flavours in more than 10 brand new dishes which all feature a selection of fresh, local produce. 

The Taster Menu takes guests through highlights of the new range, starting with wild boar terrine and foie gras, before enjoying some locally sourced Gartmorn Farm chicken with a purée of wild Alexanders, and finishing with a dark chocolate ganache. Every course is served with a dram or glass of wine, which has been specifically chosen to complement the flavours of each dish by The Society’s experts.

Other tempting dishes include loin and belly of Scotch lamb with organic potatoes and sheep’s yoghurt purée; a crispy cannelloni of mushrooms and hazelnuts; and braised beef with spring greens, salt-baked carrots and horseradish turnip purée.

In the Kaleidoscope whisky bar, the Society’s innovative bartenders, led by Anthony Delcros, have created a range of cocktails which reflect The Society’s unique flavour approach to tasting whisky.

The new cocktail list features the ‘Concierge Shandy’, a tasty mixture of Spicy & Sweet single cask Society whisky, lemon juice, sugar syrup, Picon and wheat beer.

Alternatively, fans of the Peated single cask Society whisky will enjoy the more fragrant ‘Peat Tea Infusion’, which combines the malt with spiced Earl Grey Tea, fresh lemon juice and sugar syrup. Gin lovers can sample ‘The Koh Samui Cocktail’ with Falernum, lemongrass and ginger cordial, fresh lime juice and ginger beer.

Jan Damen, Operations Director for the Society, said: “Having been awarded two AA Rosettes in December we felt that we needed to push our next menu further and we have done that with this range of brand new dishes and cocktails for Spring/Summer.

“The Dining Room’s new menu features fantastic fresh local produce and takes diners on a real journey of discovery through different flavours

“In Kaleidoscope, the cocktail list will allow fans of our single cask Society whiskies the opportunity to enjoy whisky in a unique way, as well as other innovative combinations, using ingredients specifically chosen to enhance the tasting experience.”

The new range of food and cocktails are on offer at The Dining Room Restaurant and The Kaleidoscope Whisky Bar, both at 28 Queen Street, Edinburgh.

Society members can enjoy a 10% saving on drams plus all other drinks and bar food.

For more information: https://www.smws.com/

@SMWSUK

PRESS RELEASE: New Life & Style Edinburgh Event Launches to Showcase the Best of Life in the Capital

New Life & Style Edinburgh Event Launches to Showcase the Best of Life in the Capital 

Award-winning event organisers, Essential Edinburgh, have announced an exciting new ‘Life & Style Edinburgh’ event for the city this summer featuring celebrity and local speakers, workshops, fashion shows, free beauty treatments and over 40 city centre businesses to showcase the best of life in the capital Saturday 1st and Sunday 2nd July.

The event will transform the iconic Royal Society of Edinburgh building on George Street into a two-day shopping and socialising hub, where visitors of all ages and interests can explore different themed rooms across three floors including technology, fashion, food & drink, travel, fitness, beauty and interior design, each brimming with workshops, talks and pop-up shops from Harvey Nichols, Jessops, BoConcept, John Lewis, Waterstones and many more top city centre businesses.

Between exploring pop-up shops and experiential stands, ticketholders can also enjoy complimentary beauty treatments from the likes of Lush, Bobbi Brown and Neal’s Yard Remedies; reserved seating at fashion shows featuring Anthropology, Oliver Bonas, Marks & Spencer, Covet, Gap and other top fashion brands; cocktail-making masterclasses with Badger & Co and tea tasting with The East India Company; styling sessions with Jenners; and a seat at the ‘Lifestyle Stage’, where celebrity and local speakers will share their inspirational stories, top tips and answer questions from the audience. Key talks include:

• 'Common Interior Crimes and Fixes' with BBC's ‘The Great Interior Design Challenge’ judge Sophie Robinson
• ‘How to Vlog’ with Scotland’s top YouTubers Gavin Bell and Shaun Vlog
• ‘Top Travel Tips and Inspiration’ with STA Travel
• ‘Get your Hygge On’ with BoConcept
•  ‘Get Instagram Famous’ with Jessops
• ‘#BeTheBestYou’ with Scotland Women’s Rugby Captain Lisa Martin
• ‘#goals’ with lululemon
• ‘Breakfast Hacks’ with Bibi’s Bakery

Event Organiser Amy Mancini said… ‘We work with so many amazing city centre businesses across various lifestyle sectors - from fashion retailers to book shops, cocktail bars to luxury travel - so the development of Life & Style Edinburgh is a natural and exciting progression for our event portfolio. The event is designed as an experience for visitors of different interests, so if you’re more interested in sport than shopping, there are areas and workshops designed just for you. Or if you want to learn how to transform your bedroom into that dream space you’ve seen on Instagram, we have people there to show you how.’

Roddy Smith, Chief Executive of Essential Edinburgh, added…. ‘I’m thrilled to see so many businesses supporting the launch of our new event. Life & Style Edinburgh is the first event for the city to bring such an exciting eclectic mix of big businesses and independent shops together under one roof, so our visitors can look forward to an exciting new experience.’

The event extends outdoors to St Andrew Square Garden, where fitness-clothing brand lululemon will host free-to-attend Yoga Sessions and Tesla will have their latest luxury battery powered cars on display and offer bookings for free test drives.

£10 early bird tickets are on sale now at www.edinevents.com/lifestyle and include a welcome drink, a £5 voucher to spend at participating businesses after the event, and entry into a competition to win the 'Ultimate Edinburgh Weekend'.

PRESS RELEASE: Edinburgh Foodies Festival | Full Line Up | GBBO's Prue Leith| New Healthy Living Zone with Lululemon | Anthropologie VIP

Foodies Festival Edinburgh Inverleith Park 4, 5 & 6 August

Media Release Immediate Release

press contact: Ava Maitland press@foodiesfestival.com / 0131 226 7766   Prue Leith Great British Bake Off Judge   Joins Edinburgh Foodies Festival line up Foodies Festival is delighted to announce that Prue Leith, the new Great British Bake Off judge set to fill Mary Berry’s shoes alongside Paul Hollywood on Channel 4’s new series, will be joining Edinburgh Foodies Festival this summer. Paul Hollywood said: “I could not be more delighted by who will be joining me on the show. Prue is a hugely respected culinary legend.” Visitors to Edinburgh’s Foodies Festival will be given the chance to ask Prue their questions about her illustrious career, cooking tips and of course, insight into the Great British Bake Off. Prue set up Leith’s at the EICC, Edinburgh in 1995, which was one of her original catering venue partnerships and continues to build its world-class reputation. Following in Mary Berry’s footsteps is a huge challenge, but the producers of the show have said they are confident that Prue, the former Great British Menu judge, has all the attributes to match her predecessor. Born in South Africa, Prudence Margaret “Prue” Leith, CBE, has been a restauranteur, caterer, chef, television presenter/broadcaster, journalist, cookery writer and novelist. Her eventful career following training at Le Cordon Bleu has included everything from cooking lobsters for Princess Margaret to catering for the Orient Express Train. Chefs Theatre Foodie fans can look forward to a celebrity and Michelin-starred chefline-up in the Chefs Theatre this summer, with Scotland’s top chefs showcasing their culinary skills and inspiring the audience with their delicious dishes. There will be a focus on culinary wellness, with farm-to-table dishes, sugar-free cooking and ‘feel good’ food trends. We’re delighted to announce that MasterChef Winner 2016 Jane Devonshire will also be cooking up her family favourites and showing the Foodies visitors how to make gluten-free healthy, comfort food. Top chefs in the Chef’s Theatre include:- Jane Devonshire, MasterChef Winner 2016 Paul Wedgewood – Wedgewoods Kaori Simpson – Harajuku Kitchen Mark Greenaway – Restaurant Mark Greenaway Graeme Pallister – 63 Tay Street Iain Pirrie – Edinburgh School of Food & Wine Scott Davies – The Three Chimneys Michael Bremner – Great British Menu Neil Forbes – Café St Honore Ugne Bubnaityte – Great British Bake Off Finalist Stuart Ralston – Aizl Jamie Scott – The Newport & MasterChef: The Professionals Winner 2014 Fraser Allen – Pompadour by Galvin Brothers Marcello Tully – Kinloch Lodge Juanita Hennessey – MasterChef Finalist 2016 Adam Newth – The Tayberry Jane says: "I'm really excited to return to the Chef's Theatre at Foodies Festival this summer. I love Foodies Festival and being a part of the show, having taken part last year shortly after winning MasterChef. When I'm not in the Chef's Theatre you'll find me exploring the exhibitor stalls to see what delicious treats are on offer, getting lured in by the Street Food Village or chatting to visitors. I love the opportunity to cook for my fans and to pass on my cooking tips to fellow foodies."             The Art of Healthy Living in Association with Lululemon  Foodies Festival is introducing a new health and wellbeing focus to Foodies Festival this summer and is collaborating with Lululemon for the first time to provide an exciting timetable of yoga classes, mindfulness, meditation and nutrition talks from Olympic Silver medallist Keri-Anne Payne. There will be Eating for Energy talks and top chefs demonstrating how to cater for food intolerances and inspiring people to reconnect with ‘real’, unprocessed food. Essentially, how to indulge the foodie in you and still maintain a healthy image; how to have your cake and eat it! ‘Ask the Experts’ sessions will highlight the latest trends in ‘feel good foods’ and healthy living to educate visitors on why what we cook is key to a happy, balanced lifestyle.  Browse, buy and speak with experts in the healthy living shopping area with a hand picked selection of the best health, fitness and nutrition brands to keep you glowing long after you leave the festival. Creative Summer Workshops Enjoy Creative Summer Workshops by creative chef and Vogue featured food stylist Cicely Violet, with practical masterclasses on how to createPsychedelic Pavlovas, MidSummer Cupcakes or Summer CocktailClasses. These hands on workshops will continue the theme of healthy living with a creative twist on homemade herbal cordial cocktails and fruit sorbets. Live Music, Restaurant Tents and Pop-Up Bars Find out why Foodies Festival was hailed the “Gastronomic Glastonbury”by dancing along to the live music on our Entertainment Stage, and soaking up the atmosphere with a glass of Pimms from the Giant Pimm’s Teaport or double-decker BarBus. The Unsigned Music Stage is set to be bigger and better than ever and our VIP tent will have an exclusive acoustic music stage for the first time. Cook with Critters: Creative Healthy Living There is a new bug-eating trend in healthy living, with Chef Dan Barber having declared that “Sushi of 30 years ago is the insects of today”. Don’t shy away from this new trend too quickly, as the insect food industry is booming and the Vietnamese Street Food Stand will be demonstrating how to cook with critters and the health benefits of doing so. Amongst growing research that eating insects may be the road to a more sustainable future, stop by to learn about the benefits of chocolate-dipped and candy-coated worms, scorpions, locusts, ants, caterpillars, mealworms and crickets! These tasty critters will also be sold in powder and flour form – a high source of protein - to bake, season and cook with. For those brave enough, there’s a daily Bug-Eating Contest, where visitors compete against one another by eating jungle insects, from small ants to large juicy grubs, with the contestant eating the biggest and the most being crowned champion. The famous Chilli-Eating Challenge also continues in 2017, inviting fans of spice to compete in a challenge for only the bravest of visitors! Drinks Theatre Expert mixologists and sommeliers, including Neil Phillips and Charles Metcalfe, will host a full timetable of masterclasses on wine, whisky and champagne and cheese tastings in the Drinks Theatre each day. There’s a Beer for That will be leading craft beer and food pairings, so there’s something for everyone. Street Food Avenue Now in its 12th year, Foodies Festival attracts street food vendors from around the world, offering visitors the chance to take a culinary trip to all corners of the world. Japanese, Thai, Malaysian, Argentinian, Turkish, Indian, Korean, Mexican, French and African are just some of the flavours to feast on this summer. With everything from Crème Brulee campervans to flavours of Morocco and paella, we challenge you not to be lured in by the sensory overload of the Street Food Avenue. Artisan Producers Market A stunning array of Great Taste Award winners will be exhibiting at Foodies Festival 2017, each being hailed as a producer of ‘Exquisite, Outstanding and Simply Delicious’ food and drink. This is a fantastic opportunity for visitors to meet artisan producers from the local area and across the country, ask questions about their produce and story, and stock up on award winning produce. With over 200 stalls to peruse at each festival, visitors will be spoilt for choice while they meander between smoked salmon tasting stands, outstanding local cheeses, melt-in-your-mouth brownies, award-winning oils and chutneys, and much, much more. Cakes & Desserts Theatre  From Great British Bake Off winner Candice Brown to baking extraordinaire Charlotte White, master chocolatier Fiona Sciolti and top local cake-makers and patisserie chefs, the Cakes and Desserts theatre is set to expand to include not only top local bakers but also local chefs renowned for their outstanding desserts. From delectable desserts to show-stopping cake towers, these chefs and bakers will be inspiring visitors to reach for their spatulas and whisks at home to recreate their delicious summer bakes. Avid bakers can get hands on with our practical baking masterclasses or bring along your best bake to enter our very own Foodies Bake Off competition judged at 3pm each day with aKitchenAid Mini for the winner! The Chocolate, Cake and Dessert Villagewith freshly baked breads, sponges, tarts, jellies and desserts gives you the opportunity to taste, decorate and learn from local experts. Afternoon tea can be enjoyed in the beautifully decorated Vintage Tea Room, where teas, handmade cakes and scones with clotted cream and jam are served on china from a tea trolley by vintage styled tea ladies and gentlemen, and vintage music for ambience. Kids Zone and Kids Cookery School   The Kids Cookery School is a chance for the whole family to join in while the children are introduced to new food and flavours from around the world. There will be fun science inspired kids cookery with Kiddy Cook leading classes on ‘Marvellous Microbes’, science experiments you can eat, making sherbet and ‘Fizz! Bang! Wallop!’ classes on how Co2 makes dough rise as they make bread bubble bombs, carbon dioxide rockets and delicious dough balls with homemade garlic butter with the kids. In addition there will be outdoor activities, simple crafts, toys, books, bouncy castles and trampolines, giant hula hoops, giant Jenga, chess and garden games. Private toilets and a nursing area will also be included. Live Music, Restaurant Tents and Pop-Up Bars Find out why Foodies Festival was hailed the “Gastronomic Glastonbury”by dancing along to the live music on our Entertainment Stage together with Success Express, with local favourites taking to the stage. Enjoy the music and soak up the atmosphere with a glass of Pimms from the Giant Pimm’s Teaport, a rum cocktail from the Rum Galleon Ship, gin and tonic from the Giant Gin Pot or bask in the sun atop the double-decker BarBus. Don’t forget to stop by one of the amazing restaurant tents, which champion new restaurants and provide visitors with the first taste of newly launched menus – the only difficulty is deciding where to dine with such a culinary feast on offer! Restaurant tents include Bilbao Tourist Board, celebrating the new direct Edinburgh-Bilbao route with Spanish delicacies, CAU Steak Restaurant with it’s distinct Buenos Aires twist and Maki and Ramen restaurant with freshly made sushi and steaming hot ramen. VIP: The Red Carpet Welcome in Association with Anthropologie  The Foodies Festival VIP experience will be taken to a new level in 2017 with Anthropologie styling the VIP area along with a top florist, with exclusive VIP creative summer workshops, champagne tasting sessions, and ‘Meet the Chef’ sessions held in the comfort of the VIP area, complimentary glass of fizz in hand. The VIP lounge will also have a new deli and gourmet snacks area and complimentary, exclusive Foodies Festival tote bags with VIP goodies inside. Live music on the VIP acoustic music stage will add to visitors’ luxury experience in VIP and make their time at Foodies Festival all the more memorable. Festival Highlights: Art of Health Living and Balanced Lifestyle with Yoga Classes Grow Your Own Brand New Creative Summer Workshops Michelin-star, celebrity and top local chefs cooking in the Chefs Theatre More award-winning producers than ever before Champagne, wine, gin, rum and craft beer masterclasses Bug-Eating competition and the famous Chilli-Eating Challenge Live Music from local bands at the Unsigned Music Awards Stage Burlesque Baker Charlotte White and patisserie chefs whipping up summer bakes in the Cakes & Desserts Theatre

PRESS RELEASE: Edinburgh International Magic Festival Announces Biggest Ever Programme for 2017

MagicFest Announces Biggest Programme to Date with Levitations Theme and New Events that will Bring Edinburgh’s Historic Venues and their Untold Secrets to Life 

Building upon the success of last year, MagicFest has announced their biggest festival to date for their 8th year programme, inviting Edinburgh and magic fans from afar to ‘let their imagination fly’ 30th June – 8th July.

MagicFest is celebrating the Year of History, Heritage and Archaeology 2017 by partnering with Scottish Historic Buildings Trust, Edinburgh Museums & Galleries and Edinburgh World Heritage to expand their sell-out show ‘The Secret Room’ from four to twenty shows, bringing three of Edinburgh’s unique historical venues and their untold mysteries and dark pasts to life with captivating magic tours.

Another new event for this year includes the UK debut of ‘From the Dark’, a show originally designed for the blind, which invites sighted and non-sighted audiences to experience the world’s only illusion show performed in complete darkness. 

Highlights of this year’s programme include: 

• MagicFair at Summerhall returns after sell-out launch last year with family events and late night sessions
• New ‘From the Dark’ show invites the audience to experience illusions while blindfolded in complete darkness – a show originally developed for the visually impaired
• After four sell-out years ‘The Secret Room’ expands to Riddle’s Court, The Writers’ Museum and Lauriston Castle, bringing their untold mysteries and dark pasts to life through the wonder of magic
• A ‘Levitations’ themed Gala Show brings MagicFest 2017 to a grand finale at Festival Theatre with international acts and gravity defying performances
• Solo shows from Morgan & West, R Paul Wilson, David Stone, Dave Alnwick and Luke Eaton

Kevin Quantum commented… ‘I’m delighted to see more Scottish performers than ever before on the line-up for 2017, many of whom, in the Secret Room performance, are creating new work inspired by Edinburgh, her history and past residents and celebrating the year of History, Heritage and Archaeology. From overseas I’m hugely excited to announce the arrival of Chilean Juan Esteban Varela. Magicians have a real talent for problem solving, making the impossible possible.  Magic is fundamentally a visual art form but Juan’s “magic show in the dark” is truly ground-breaking, allowing us to reach an audience who have never experienced magic before, it’s really heart-warming.’

MagicFair: 30th June – 2nd July | Summerhall | From £8 | Under 5s free | Morning all ages | Afternoon 7+ | Lates 16+

After a sell-out launch last year, MagicFair returns to Summerhall with over 80 live magic shows and 20 of the greatest illusionists from around the world. Best described as a Magic Theme Park, the three-day event offers all ages a spellbinding day out across Morning, Afternoon and Lates sessions. One-ticket-in gives festivalgoers entry to up to seven 20-minute shows, where they will experience live magic in intimate groups of 10 or 120 seat theatres, plus drop-in events and courtyard fun. Whichever sessions visitors choose they are promised a thrilling ride on the MagicFair rollercoaster.  

Under 5s go free to family-orientated morning sessions (10-2pm). Kids can enjoy Mini Magic School workshops, wand-crafting, Brilliant Beasts and six different magic shows including Morgan & West, Tricky Ricky and Monkey Magic with Gary Dunn. Alchemy themed Afternoon sessions (2-6pm) boast Mind Wizards, Fake Magic, Tech Tricks and Laboratory Experiment shows and the chance to get hands-on and learn magic tricks with the pros in new drop-in workshops. As the sun goes down, things take a darker turn for the Lates sessions (7.30-11.30pm) with horror magic, mind-control and daredevil stunts, plus street food, music and pop-up bars in the courtyard for revellers to party with into the wee witching hours.

Magic and Variety Gala Show: 8th July | Festival Theatre | From £24 | Age 5+

This year’s ‘Levitations’ themed Gala Show brings MagicFest to a grand finale at the spectacular Festival Theatre. This two-and-a-half-hour enchantment sees the greatest illusionists and circus acts from around the world defy the laws of gravity and perform visually stunning and dreamlike flights of fancy as they float, fly and soar through the air. 

Highlights include French performers Cubic Act and their floating box - which Penn and Teller described as ‘ the best big illusion stage act we’ve ever seen!’ - the master of mystery and suspense Aaron Crow - who captures the audience without uttering a single word - black art illusionists Les Chapeux Blancs, and World Magic Champion Marko Karvo with his dazzling bird act – it has to be seen to be believed!

Secret Room: 3rd – 7th July | Lauriston Castle, Riddle’s Court and The Writers’ Museum £18/£16 conc/£12 child | Age 10+

Following a four-year sell-out run at Lauriston Castle, the hugely popular ‘Secret Room’ expands across the city this summer, bringing the colourful history and untold stories of Edinburgh’s hidden gems to life with magic-filled tours. New venues include Riddle’s Court and The Writers’ Museum, where magicians will take groups of secret-seekers on a magical adventure as they animate the dark past and unsolved mysteries of each with captivating magic. The growth of Secret Room from four to twenty shows comes from a partnership between MagicFest and the Scottish Historic Buildings Trust, Edinburgh Museums and Galleries and Edinburgh World Heritage allowing more people than ever before to experience magic in an innovative way while exploring the historic architecture and cultural heritage of Edinburgh.

From the Dark: 2nd July | Assembly Roxy | £16/14 conc | Age 11+

Juan Esteban Varela invites the curious to experience illusions and the feeling of astonishment while blindfolded in complete darkness, at the UK’s debut of ‘From The Dark.’ Originally designed for the blind after 10 years of research, From the Dark has been adapted so both non-sighted and sighted people can experience this one-of-a-kind show, redefining the definition of disappearance.

Once blindfolded and guided to their seat, the audience are subjected to sensory-stimulation to activate their imagination and emotion and force their judgement to work against them to create deceptions of the mind. This is magic as never ‘seen’ before.

Magic School & Workshops: 4th – 7th July | Quaker Meeting House | £90/18| 7-10

Magic School offers budding young wizards the chance to graduate from the world’s most mysterious school and follow in the footsteps of 1000s of previous students, who are putting their magic skills to good use around the world. Under the supervision of Headmaster Gary James, students will learn, create and perform their own magic tricks during a 5-day course or one-off workshop, with each day focussing on a different area of magic and performance, from levitation to vanishing card tricks, with a graduation ceremony on the final day.

Special Performances and One-Off Events:

David Stone: 1st - 2nd July | Summerhall | £12/£10 conc/£8 child | Age 12+

David Stone is an award-winning crazy French magician specialising in comedy and misdirection. Spectators will be dumbfounded as they watch him multiply objects with the touch of his hand, make champagne bottles appear from thin air and produce glass after glass of water from his sleeve, while somehow stealing the audiences’ jewellery and making it reappear somewhere very unexpected.

Paul Wilson: 1st – 2nd July | Summerhall | £20/18 conc | Age 14+

Internationally acclaimed master of deception and star of BBC’s ‘The Real Hustle’, Paul Wilson, delivers 60 minutes of suspense, mystery and surprise as he shares his most cherished secrets, scams and fantasies with mindreading, conjuring, cons and manipulation.

Morgan & West: 1st - 2nd July | Summerhall | £12/£10 conc/£8 child | Age 7+

Time-travelling duo Morgan & West promise to leave no future unseen and no timeline unaltered as they celebrate their 10th anniversary with a show brimming with baffling magic, their favourite tricks, unparalleled powers and a totally genuine ability to travel through time.

Dave Alnwick: 1st - 2nd July | Summerhall | £12/£10 conc/£8 child | Age 12+

This ‘Ginger Ninja Wizard’ attempts to brainwash his audience with a devastatingly dangerous combination of brilliant mentalism and genius sleight-of-hand stunts. Fresh from two national tours and six consecutive sell-out years at the Edinburgh Fringe, cult magician Dave Alnwick entices his audience into a world of mind trickery and astonishment, meticulously delivered with sublime control and contagious enthusiasm.

Luke Eaton: 1st - 2nd July | Summerhall | £12/£10 conc | Age 14+

A maniac in the disguise of a magician. Those who enjoy horror dare to enter Luke Eaton’s The Horrible Magic Show as he delivers a stomach-churning repertoire of bizarre, disgusting and totally insane magic that will have audience members squirming in their seat or jumping out of it.

PRESS RELEASE: Greater Grassmarket's Vintage Weekend returns

  Greater Grassmarket’s Vintage Weekend returns

A weekend of free entertainment celebrating all things vintage

The Greater Grassmarket Business Improvement District’s (BID) free Vintage Weekend returns to Edinburgh for the second year on Saturday 29th and Sunday 30^th April from 12pm – 5pm.

The catwalk Vintage Fashion Show will return, featuring Edinburgh’s finest vintage wares sourced from Greater Grassmarket retailers including Armstrongs Vintage Emporium and Godiva Boutique. Taking place at 2pm, the catwalk show will focus on fashion for all occasions from evening to day wear plus vintage looks for the summer season.

Also returning this year is the Vintage Variety Show, hosted by burlesque and cabaret group Gypsy Charms, with performances taking place from12pm, 1pm and 3pm. Acts include The Great Aziz, a multi-award winning magician, Scottish cabaret group the French Fling Showgirls, The Saw Guy who will be performing beautiful melodies in a peculiar way, and Deux Ailes, an acrobatic duo creating mesmerising routines both in the air and on the ground. From 4pm each day, Glasgow-based rockabilly band, The Shiverin’ Sheiks, will be performing their hits to get visitors dancing.

On Saturday, visitors can admire Edinburgh’s most colourful hot rods and vintage cars, whilst on Sunday the Distinguished Gentleman’s Bike Club will be showcasing their classic bikes alongside classic bike dealers such as Royal Enfield Edinburgh who will be offering information and advice to visitors on classic bike culture. From 12pm – 5pm both days, visitors can pick up vintage clothing and classic bric-a-brac treasures from the Vintage Market. Throughout the weekend there will also be an array of performers taking to the streets to keep children entertained.

This event follows on from the successful 2016 Vintage Weekend which increased footfall to the area by 61%. The Vintage Weekend is one of a number free events that the Greater Grassmarket BID has lined up this spring/summer to attract visitors to the area.

Norrie Stewart, Grassmarket BID Project Manager, says: “We’re excited to bring our Vintage Weekend back, and it’s even bigger and better than last year. With over 50 independent retailers in the area, many of which specialise in vintage goods and antiques, the Greater Grassmarket is the perfect destination for vintage lovers and collectors.

“Whether it’s shopping for vintage items, admiring the classic cars or enjoying the retro entertainment, we want our Vintage Weekend to encourage the whole family to celebrate all things vintage.”