Ten things to do during the Edinburgh Festival

Continuing the theme… 

Whilst our fair city is overrun with tourists, I thought I’d post some of the great ways to spend time and recharge in between festival shows this month.

1.  Mirazozo

Not quite a Fringe show but located in George Square/Assembly, the Mirazozo is a huge inflatable structure based on Islamic architecture which allows natural sunlight to filter though creating amazing stained glass window effects and optical illusions through lighting effects.  Ambient music adds to the tranquil, other-worldly atmosphere and there are lots of corners where you can sit or lie for as long as you want until you feel at peace with the world.  The light patterns are beautiful and it is hard to believe these are not created by electricity.  (Admission £5)

2.  Arthur’s Seat

It is hard to miss this big hill in the centre of Edinburgh but it is worth the climb to get fresh air and amazing panoramic views of the city. 

3.  The Museum of Scotland

Located on Chamber’s Street, the Museum has just re-opened its doors after major refurbishment and is bigger, better and more beautiful than ever.  Fascinating exhibitions and displays will keep visitors of any age amused and enthralled.  (Free entrance)

4.  Hedonics Massage

Anyone who has spent time hanging out in the main venues of the Udderbelly and Pleasance Courtyard will have seen a small team of masseurs wandering around offering 10 minute head, neck and shoulder massages.  Trust me this is the best ten minutes you will ever spend and the idea is that you donate what you think the massage is worth.  Truly one of the best massages I have ever had. 

5.  The Royal Mile

The High Street section of the Mile is essentially a market place where performers and publicists advertise their shows.  It is extremely crowded, lively and energetic with excerpts from plays, musicals, magic and comedy been played out all around you whilst people thrust handfuls of flyers at you from every direction.  There are street performers commanding large crowds as they juggle and perform jokes and acrobatics and a small market place with local craft producers selling their wares.  Truly the heart of the festival.

6.  The Tattoo

The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo has been the jewel in the crown of the Edinburgh Festival for over 50 years and still commands enormous crowds from around the globe every night.  Say what you will about military pomp and ceremony but there are few spectacles like this around and everyone stops what they are doing around the city to watch the fireworks light up the sky at the close of performance each night.

7.  West End Craft Fair

Like a larger version of the market place on the Royal Mile, around 40-50 local artists, jewellers and other craftsmen set up camp outside the St George’s church for three weeks offering unique gifts and ethical fair-trade products.

8.  The Water of Leith

Get out of the city and stretch your legs along Edinburgh’s best kept secret.  A beautiful, peaceful and at times slightly rugged walkway from Leith to Balerno.  It’s a long distance so few would do it in one go but certain sections are worth a wander for the time-pressed.  Especially the beautiful stretch from Murrayfield to Stockbridge which takes in the rear entrance to the Modern Art Gallery, National AIDS memorial site, Dean Bridge, St Bernard’s Well, 2 x Anthony Gormley Sculptures and other impressive sites.  If you are lucky you may see herons, water voles and other wildlife. 

 

9. Stockbridge

Despite its proximity to the city centre, Stockbridge retains a local, villagey feel.  Quite bohemian in atmosphere there are treasure troves of shops to explore, lots of lovely cafes and some of the best pubs in Edinburgh.

10.   Pleasance Courtyard

Before the other venues opened up eating and drinking spaces, the Pleasance was always the main hub of Fringe activity and despite the contenders it retains superiority.  Yes, it will probably rain and you’ll get wet and yes, the drinks are overpriced and served in plastic glasses but there is so much to see and do whether or not you actually have tickets for a show, a great atmosphere around and lots of opportunity for people watching, not to mention celeb-spotting!    

Ten Eating Options during the Edinburgh Fringe 2011

Anyone who has ever “done” the Fringe will know that for the three weeks of the festival, food becomes a source of fuel rather than a gourmet experience.  Often this is little time to sit down over a preper meal between shows so substinence in grabbed on the hoof thanks to the plentiful and varied stalls that set up around the Big Four venues and vegetables sadly become relegated to the September-July months.  There was a time where deciding what to eat would be a case of which burger topping to have each night but now there is more choice so here I present my ten of the best fast-food options for Edinburgh 2011.

1.  Mussel Men

Set up in the George Square/Assembly area for the second year running, this is a fantiastic venture offering fresh local seafood.  Moules Frites with a bottle of beer will set you back a non unreasonable £8.50 and you get some great banter with the equally delicious stall holders also!  They also sell fresh and tasty oysters for those who want in need of an aperitif or a little pick-me-up taste of the sea.

2.  La Favorita Pizza

In the Cow Pasture/Underbelly @ bristo Square, there is a small outpost of the large, successful Leith Walk restaurant.  The pizzas are beyond compare and freshly made to order at around £10 for a whole one or £3.50 a slice.  On an elusive sunny day, this is perfect al fresco eating.

3.  La Creperie

This has become a mainstay of the Gilded Balloon area in recent years and offers both savoury and sweet crepes and waffles with an astonishing amount of empty nutella jars piling up each day.  Good for a light lunch or sugar hit when energy levels are low.

5.  Red Box Noodle Bar

Okay, this is a permanent restarurant rather than a temporary stall but situated in the middle of both Festival and Student Land it does a great trade all year round.  Meals are simple, speedy and nutricious.  Choose from a variety of noodle types, meat option, up to three veggies and a sauce (chilli, ginger and garlic can be added at no extra cost) and your combination will be stirfried and served to you in a traditional box with chopsticks.  There are seats to sit in or you can take away and it is a good opportuinity to get in some elusive veggies!

6.  Pleasance Barbeque

The pleasance got in on the fast-food options some years ago and it is hard to resist the smell of grilled meat wafting through the courtyard.  Good quality burgers in different sizes with or without cheese.  This year S discovered “The Ripsnorkler” which included a haggis topping within the bun.

7.  Well Hung and Tender

I couldn’t leave out this Edinburgh institution.  Good quality beef burgers produced locally and ethically with a variety of toppings available.  S swears by the monster “deluxe burger” with bacon, cheese, onions and lots more.

8.  The Mosque Kitchen

Another Edinburgh institution and a permanent fixture, the Mosque Kitchen is and does exactly as it sounds.  Delicious Middle Eastern-style curries are served at a long counter with plentiful veggie options available along with some halal meat options.  Seating is communal and you just have to cross your fingers that one will be available once you have obtained your food.  Prices are astonishing cheap starting at just £4 for veggie curry with rice or you can mix and match meat with veggie or two diffeent kinds of vegetable curries.  Naan bread is available at an extra cost and the food is very good indeed (especially the spinach curry which is another way of packing in the veggies during the long festival month).

http://www.list.co.uk/place/102602-mosque-kitchen/

9.  Organic Juice Bar

Okay, this stall in George Square/Assemby area offers more drinks than food but a few tasty wraps and homemade organic cakes are available.  The vast menu of smoothies and juices are the star though and a welcome relif amongst all the neighbouring fried food stalls.  Supplements can also be added such as wheatgerm or guarana to give your tired and abused body more of a lift and keep you going and scurvy-free until the end of August.

10.  The Baked Potato Shop

It’s a little walk away on

Cockburn Street

but handy for those taking in the street theatre on the Royal Mile and constantly recommended by festival goers and performers alike.   Unsually this spud seller is totally vegetarian so those who can’t see past tuna mayo or coronation chicken may be better off at the equally good Tempting Tattie on

Jeffery Street

.  For those who want to try something a little different however, there is a vast array of veggie and vegan fillings served in moster sized jacket potatoes (also available as filled pitas or salad pots).  The avocado salad is the real winner in my opinion but if you are looking for something warner the veggie haggis is one of the best I have ever tasted!  Only downside is lack of seating which means you may find yourself tucking into your spud in a bus shelter or leaning on a bin.  Such is the festival!

http://www.list.co.uk/place/102318-the-baked-potato-shop/

Ten Comedy Shows to see at the 2011 Edinburgh Fringe

Well that time is upon us once more.  The three weeks of the year when the grandmother that is our city gets out of her rocking chair and dances!

S and I love the Fringe.  Well we love all the festivals, the Jazz Festival, Film Festival, Book Festival but for many people, Edinburgh means comedy and having seen around 25 comedy shows so far this year, I though I would give a rundown of my top ten faves:

1.  Idiots of Ants – Model Citizens.    We LOVE these guys and have seen them now on 5 consecutive years plus a few gigs at other times of the year.  The Idiots of Ants are a four-piece sketch group whose writing is as clever as it is silly with great use of technology.  The four lads are obviously great friends and love what they do and their enthusiasm is infectious.  Each show allows the audience to feel like the fifth member of the group and this year is no exeption with everyone involved in the smiley happy finale!  If you haven’t heard of them, why not check them out on youtube! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LrFdOz1Mj8Q

Pleasance Courtyard

2.  Chris Ramsey – Offermation.  Chris Ramsey is scarily young and scarily talented.  We saw his debut Edinburgh show last year and it was clear he would soon be onto bigger things and as expected he has already started appearing on various panel shows.  Honest, charming and optimistic humour from a guy you kind of wish was one of your best mates.

Pleasance Courtyard

3.  The Noise Next Door – Their Finest Hour.   A first-see for us this year and a bit of a gamble, having heard nothing about this five piece impro-group.  We were not disappointed, as they masterfully took audience suggestions and drawings(!) to create sketches and songs.  The musical interludes were definitely the highlight of the show and it is great to see something different from improv and a move away from the usual Whose Line is it Anyway? style games.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6XLwebG0r6Y

Pleasance Courtyard

4.      The Axis of Awesome.  This Australian musical comedy act is becoming more and more well known as “Four Chords” gets shared on facebook status profiles but they are not just a one-trick pony and can turn their hands to many different styles of music from boyband to garage!  Awesome!

Gilded Balloon

5.      Dave Gorman’s Powerpoint Presentation.  Okay, a seasoned professional like Mr Gorman was always going to give an entertaining Edinburgh show but the sheer brilliance of his Powerpoint Presentation and the way he deftly segues between topics deserves high praise indeed.  Nice bloke too!

Assembly

6.      Paul Sinha – Looking at the Stars.  Another Fringe regular and a regular in our ticket basket for the past few years, Sinha does not command the large audiences that the likes of Dave Gorman enjoy but provides an hour of intelligent and thought provoking comedy.  Very underrated and deserves a wider audience!

The Stand

7.      Alex Horne – Seven Years in the Bathroom.  Having seen most of Horne’s previous Edinburgh shows, this one did disappoint slightly in that the format seemed to restrict his brilliant wit and didn’t quite allow his very likeable persona to come though as much as usual.  Still a highly entertaining way to spend an hour though!

Pleasance Dome

8.      Phil Jupitus Quartet – Made Up.  Perhaps I was unfair on the old Whose Line is it Anyway? style improve.  After all, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it and judging by the crowds packed into the Gilded Balloon at 3.30 in the afternoon, we all want to see the masters at work!  Phil Jupitus is joined by three familiar faces from the old WLIIA days and Comedy Store Players line up and they show us exactly how it is done with style and infectious sense of joy!

Gilded Ballon

9.      Tom Price – Say When.   If, like me, you were staring at Tom Price’s poster for a while before realising he is Torchwood’s PC Andy, you may be tempted to write him off as an actor pretending to be a comedian.  Do not make this mistake.  Price proved to be great company in a dark Pleasance basement, telling tales of embarrassment in both childhood and as a jobbing actor.  Hilariously frank!

Pleasance Courtyard

10.  I love the 1990s.  It’s a free show!  And it’s only half an hour!  That said, the writing and performance is so good that you’ll want to pay and wish the show was longer.  Brilliant nostalgia for anyone who was a kid, teenager or otherwise lived through the 1990s.  Makes me long for a Britpop revival.  Now where is that Menswear CD?

The Three Sisters