Thursday 30 August 2012

SCOUTING FOR GIRLS JOIN LOOPALLU 2012



SCOUTING FOR GIRLS JOIN LOOPALLU 2012
We are delighted to announce Scouting for Girls as the 2nd headliner for this years 8th outing of Loopallu. They join previously announced and recently reformed headliners The Fratellis who have chosen Loopallu as their first live outing since reforming earlier this year.

Scouting for Girls have been noimated for 4 Brits and an Ivor Novello award, with a string of hits in their back catalogue including 'She's So Lovely', 'Hearbeat', 'This Ain't a Love Song' along with current single ' Summertime in the City' Scouting for Girls are set to bring to biggest singalong Loopallu has ever seen.




Kassidy, 2012 Belladrum Festival

Back by phenomenal demand Scottish rockers Kassidy make a very welcome return and will guantee to get the party in full swing having spent the summer playing stornming sets at festivals up and down the country.


Also added to the line-up is fast rising Scottish singer-songwriter Rachel Sermanni fresh from her much talked about BBC Introducing Reading and Leeds Festival appearances and coinciding with the week of release of her much awaited debut album 'Under Mountains' which is released on the 17th September. 




Rachel Sermanni, Wickerman festival 2012

Acoustic folk trio The Staves who's debut album 'Dead & Born & Grown' is also out
imminently (Oct 22nd) is also the first album where production credits have been shared between legendary producer Glyn Johns (Bob Dylan, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, The Clash) and his son Ethan Johns (Ryan Adams, Kings of Leon, The Vaccines).

We’re so pleased to have a secured a long overdue return to the North of Scouting For Girls who we know will bring the festival to a rousing, loud, singalong finale. Rachel Sermanni will be a highlight, having watched her career blossom over the past two years now to return on the week of her debut album release will be quite something. Then also The Staves. Simply wonderful. We can’t wait.’ Robert Hicks

Final additions for the moment are London's Public Service Broadcasting who use samples from old Public Information Films mixed with samples, drums, guitars and 'teach the lessons of the past through the music of the future', goNORTH acts, Dundee's Anderson, McGinty, Webster, Ward and Fisher, pop-rockers Minarture Dinosaurs, rising scottish three piece Brown Bear and the Bandits, and Ullapool local legends Naked Strangers.


Jake Bug, Wickerman Festival 2012

Also appearing over the weekend are, Radio One favourite and act of the moment Jake Bugg, festival favourites The DangleberriesLilygreen and McGuire and Celtic/Gaelic cross-over act Manran.

Loopallu takes place in the west coast village of Ullapool on Friday 21st and Saturday 22nd of September 2012 and doubles the population of the village for the weekend. As well as the usual eclectic line up of acts appearing at the festival big top and the fringe events after hours in the villages pubs, the festival will again provide a selection of fine food and drink from around the Highlands as well as the usual warm Ullapool welcome. 

Tickets for this year are priced at £60 for weekend tickets and £75 for weekend and camping. Weekend and Camping ticket holders wishing to bring campervans and caravans will be charged £25 per vehicle. As, since the beginning, tickets for children 12 & under will be free (though need to be accompanied by an adult)

Tickets, available in person from Northwest Outdoors (Ullapool), Mania & Ironworks (Inverness); Online from 
www.ticketmaster.co.ukwww.skiddle.com
 ; 24 hr Tel 08444 999 990 

Tuesday 21 August 2012

The Gilded Balloon Festival Highlights


The Gilded Balloon is one of Scotland’s leading entertainment venues with the best of live entertainment. As one of the four largest venues at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, the Gilded Balloon is respected internationally for presenting a stunning annual showcase of theatre, comedy and cabaret.



Jarred Christmas, Gilded Balloon 2012 Fringe



Venue: Gilded Balloon Teviot - Dining Room

Jarred Christmas: Let's Go MoFo

An electric hour of arse-kicking comedy. You’ve seen him on Mock The Week, 8 Out Of 10 Cats, Argumental, Dave’s One Night Stand, and dancing a Madonna on Let’s Dance For Comic Relief. He’s the guy with the sideburns and the glasses...That’s right, it’s Jarred Christmas.. Fast, funny and in-demand. Let’s Go MoFo!






Lady Sings it Better, Gilded Balloon 2012


Venue: Gilded Balloon Teviot - Wine Bar

Lady Sings it Better

Smashing expectations one soaring harmony at a time, these women reinvent tunes from the greatest male musicians. Soulful, sassy and surprising, the Ladies romp through popular culture, with stellar vocals and a little ridiculous dancing.

Age Category: PG

Show Duration: 1hr





Doug Segal, Gilded Balloon 2012




Venue: Gilded Balloon Teviot - Dining Room

Doug Segal: How to Read Minds and Influence People

Imagine if Derren Brown was funny. Last year's sell out hit returns! A mind reading show unlike any other! Learn to read minds, detect lies & more. With laughs & rakish charm. Seen on BBC1 and BBC3. ***** What's On Stage, Skinny







Celia Pacquola, Gilded Balloon, 2012





Venue: Gilded Balloon Teviot - Sportsmans

Celia Pacquola - Delayed

The smallest thing can change a life. In 2010, the award-winning Aussie comic moved to London and learned the word ‘bellend’. This and other stories. As seen on the Rob Brydon Show and Russell Howard’s Good News. **** from Scotsman, Daily Telegraph The Guardian, Time Out, Chortle.







Simple Matters, Gilded Balloon 2012




Venue: Gilded Balloon Teviot - Debating Hall

Simple Matters

In times of social upheaval, when faced with economic, political, and spiritual uncertainty, historically society has always turned to the clown for perspective. Well... here we are ! Sorry if we’re a little late. Without red noses, five clowns from four countries take you on a journey through the miraculous unraveling of everyday life, dancing on the ridge between the absurdity of our current reality and a really good time. Ensemble created and directed by alumni from Cirque Du Soleil, Dell’ Arte School, and The San Francisco Clown Conservatory. This surreal refined ridiculousness is beyond a theater show, this is live action cartoon. A must see for all those that love to laugh and created for those that need to most.







Blanks, Gilded Balloon 2012





Venue: Gilded Balloon Teviot - Debating Hall

The Blanks' Big Break

The Blanks aka ‘Ted’s Band’ from the hit TV show “Scrubs”, make their Edinburgh Festival debut. They mix a cappella, a knock about comic tale and sketches into an unashamedly feel good show. They have an eclectic mix of styles from The Marx Brothers through to Spamalot. Blessed with the vocal powers of "Glee" and the silliness of "TV Burp" giving them a universal appeal which has generated over 8 million YouTube views and hit shows from Melbourne to Montana. To avoid disappointment book now.






Andrew Bird, Gilded Balloon 2012



Venue: Gilded Balloon Teviot - Billiard Room

Andrew Bird's Global Village Fete

Following last year's critically acclaimed sell out run Andrew Bird returns to lift the gloom of the modern world with the delightful madness of the village. Expect new stories of village life, growing up moving away and then what happens when you come back. From the sleepy villages of England to the plains of Latvia - this time it's global. Total sell out 2011. There will be a raffle.

Age Category: 14+

Show Duration: 1hr






Carl-Einar Hacker, Gilded Balloon 2012 






Venue: Gilded Balloon Teviot - Nightclub

Carl-Einar Häckner: Handluggage

The man who can fill a tight white jumpsuit like no other, Carl-Einar Häckner brings his new show to Edinburgh, jam-packed with more silliness than ever before. Guaranteed to tickle you with more than just his Ikea props, marvel at this Swedish sorcerer as he performs underwhelming feats of magic, sings completely ridiculous songs and proves that foreign accents are almost always funny.








Bob Downe, Gilded Balloon 2012 





Venue: Gilded Balloon Teviot - Debating Hall

Bob Downe ... Smokin'

More Classic Hits! More Great Prizes! Same Hair! Lighter in the loafers and funnier than ever, Australia’s Clown Prince of Polyester was top of the Edinburgh pops in 2011 and now he’s back by popular demand!Direct from blitzing Melbourne International Comedy Festival and Adelaide Fringe, you’ll laugh yourself silly as you singalong with Bob.






Morgan & West, Gilded Balloon 2012





Venue: Gilded Balloon Teviot - Wee Room

Morgan & West: Lying, Cheating Scoundrels

Morgan & West invite you to join them at the card table for an intimate evening of shams, scams and good old fashioned cheating. Hear how some of the finest minds in history were swindled by the nineteenth century's greatest magical duo. Witness dastardly deceptions and staggering sleight of hand from naught but three feet away. Strictly limited capacity.






Hannah Gadsby, Gilded Balloon 2012 




Venue: Gilded Balloon Teviot - Sportsmans

Hannah Gadsby - Mary. Contrary.

She had a famous son and has been paparazzied by painters for centuries since. Comedian Hannah Gadsby takes you on an historical art tour of the many faces of everyone’s favourite virgin. She directs her wry, mordant wit to matters of serious art intellectualism (kind of).






Munfred Bernstien, Gilded Balloon 2012



Munfred Bernstein's Cabinet of Wonder

Welcome to Munfred Bernstein's Cabinet of Wonder. This hilarious musical misadventure from a man unhinged is a cabaret of wild tales, collected from the four known corners of the globe. Munfred has scoured the lengths of the earth, and from his travels this rambunctious raconteur brings back stories and songs most curious s he opens his Cabinet of Wonder for your viewing pleasure - a shrine to the truly bizarre, the beautifully wonderful and the wonderfully odd. 'Splendiforous' (RipItUp.com.au). 'Quick-witted brilliance' (Tvnz.co.nz).







Al Pitcher, Gilded Balloon, 2012




Venue: Gilded Balloon Teviot - Sportsmans


Al Pitcher - Tiny Triumphs

Now living in Sweden and following a five year absence from Edinburgh, it’s time for the Kiwi who has won comedy awards
in Australia, the UK and Sweden to make you laugh once more. He has missed you, now don’t miss him. Come and experience
this ‘hysterical comedy force’ (Time Out) and his TALL tales of tiny TRIUMPHS





Fascinating Aida, Gilded Balloon 2012




Venue: Gilded Balloon Teviot - Debating Hall

Fascinating Aida: Cheap Flights

Continuing their smash-hit sell-out tour, the Olivier Award-nominated and now a global internet sensation, Fascinating Aida is still Britain’s best comedy cabaret trio. Dillie Keane, Adele Anderson and Liza Pullman return to Edinburgh with several numbers hot off the press, plus a few old favourites including their infamous anthem to budget travel, Cheap Flights (nine million plus hits on YouTube) as well as the Dogging Song, a fond homage to the joys of al fresco sex.





Monday 20 August 2012

His Hoffness Goes Tartan for the Fringe

David Hasselhoff from TV’s hugely popular Knight Rider series turned out in true Hoff style with his iconic KIT car and Bay Watch girls outside Pleasance Grand this morning to promote of a week of performances of his brand new show David Hasselhoff Live. Billed as an intimate, hilarious and fun-filled behind-the-scenes look at his amazing life through media, song, dance and audience interaction. With a Knight Ride through the 70s, 80s, 90s and today! From the Knight Rider days to Baywatch to Broadway and to the Berlin Wall. Hoff crazy? You bet it is! Come party Hoffstyle! You'll like him, he's nice! Tall but nice!


Let's hope his Hoffness has got the hang of wearing a kilt by then or it could be a bit too intimate for some.















Sunday 19 August 2012

Ever been taken up Arthur's Seat? Arthur has.






The now-legendary annual "This Arthur’s Seat Gala Belongs To Lionel Richie" up's the stakes this year as Edinburgh’s unofficial King Of Comedy Arthur Smith was carried to the summit on a custom made sedan chair. At the top, he addressed his subjects alongside fellow Fringe favourites Josie Long, Joel Dommet and Barry Ferns.

Last year over 300 brave souls donned their walking books to attend the Fringe’s highest venueand this year's gala looks set to be bigger and better.





 













Saturday 18 August 2012

The Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Assembly Hall Highlights

Assembly's impressive venue on the Mound, home to our smallest (Bailie Room) and largest (Main Hall) performance spaces. Enjoy a drink in the Quad Bar before (and after!) your show.

Sub-venues: Main Hall, Rainy Hall, Baillie Room.

Assembly Hall's Box Office is located in the central courtyard of the Hall, to your immediate right as you enter. Box office opening hours: 10am until 10 minutes after the last performance, from 1st August - 27th August.


Knee Deep, The Assembly Hall, 2012







6-27 August
Performance time 19:35
Spiegeltent Teatro - Assembly George Square
Australia's hottest new circus company, created by the stars of 2009's C!RCA, present the gem of the Adelaide Fringe. Walking on eggs, flying from the sky and breathtaking physical magic. 'The crowd was in awe' (Adelaide Now).


Time for Fun,The Assembly Hall, 2012



7-27 August
Performance time 14:30
Central - Assembly Roxy
This unique troupe from St Petersburg create an exceptionally beautiful and upbeat show using only their hands. Stories to make you laugh. Unforgettable visual imagery. You'll enjoy life all over again. We'll make your day!




The Pajama Men, The Assembly Hall 2012















6-12 August
Performance time 21:00
Spiegeltent Teatro - Assembly George Square
The Pajama Men do a completely improvised set in their street clothes. Seeing them raw and unscripted like this is like seeing a snow leopard mate with an eagle.



Vocal is Lekka, The Assembly Hall 2012

Six of Cape Town's most talented and award-winning stars present an a capella-style mash-up of pop classics and traditional folk tunes featuring slick choreography, exceptional harmonies and improvised instruments. 'Inspired, exuberant and beautiful' (Cape Times).



Denise Scott, The Assembly Hall, 2012

6-26 August
Performance time 18:30
Baillie Room - Assembly Hall
This venue is not wheelchair-accessible
This is multi award-winning Australian comedian Denise Scott's Fringe debut. Scotty is Australian comedy's next big thing and she's been around for a while. 'A fresh, funny and exquisitely delivered masterclass of frill-free stand-up' (Chortle.co.uk).



Ali McGregor, The Assembly Hall

6-26 August
Performance time 21:10
Elegance - Assembly George Square
Cabaret favourite Ali McGregor's brand new show. Unique mash-ups and genre-defying versions of Madonna, Salt-n-Pepa and Kiss, sung by a 1940s style siren with live band in a Las Vegas club. **** 'Cabaret Gold' (Adelaide Advertiser).




Shane Dundas, The Assembly Hall, 2012

Believe - Starring Shane Dundas from the Umbilical Brothers
6-27 August
Performance time 22:10
Two - Assembly George Square
This venue is not wheelchair-accessible
A legend in the comedy world as one half of the hugely popular Umbilical Brothers, Shane Dundas is about to leap into the unknown, as he performs his own solo show, Believe.



Hi-Kick, 2012 The Assembly Hall

7-27 August
Performance time 16:05
Main Hall - Assembly Hall
Local football club ‘white team’, whom just play football as a hobby regardless of victory, regularly come together to kick the ball around and have fun at the local football grounds. But one day, an exceptionally skilled ‘black team’ appears and threatens to occupy the grounds. The ‘white team’ takes on a match against the ‘black team’ to defend their grounds, but due to their insufficient skills they lose the game and lose their grounds. But their grounds will not be handed over that easily! In order to take back their grounds they concentrate on professional training, and eventually regain the grounds through a re-match. As the competition goes back and forth, both teams get immersed in intense training ahead of the final match but which team will take ownership of the grounds?



Jim Jefferies, Assembly Hall 2012

Caustic? Charming? Controversial? Call him what you will, but stand-up phenomenon Jim Jefferies is acknowledged as the fastest rising, most hilarious cutting edge comic ever to claw his way to the top of the comedy world. Hailed by critics and loved by his legions of fans, Jefferies' glorious roasting of society's most sacred cows has made him a headlining sensation around the world. 'Better than Jesus' (Scotsman). 'Britain's most offensive stand-up comedian' (Q Magazine). *****(Metro). ★★★★★ (News of the World). ★★★★★ (Herald). ★★★★★ (List). ★★★★★ (Edinburgh Evening News). ★★★★★ (Manchester Evening News). Ages 16+.



Flash Mob, The Assembly Hall 2012

6-27 August
Performance time 18:00
Main Hall - Assembly Hall
A dance fan's paradise! The nation's favourite dance reality stars from shows like Got To Dance and So You Think You Can Dance. Watch dance worlds collide in this explosive show that will get everyone on their feet.



Mother Africa, The Assembly Hall 2012

7-27 August
Performance time 14:20
Main Hall - Assembly Hall
An ensemble of acrobats, dancers and musicians from across Africa come together to present a colourful and extravagant display of breathtaking circus acts, infectious live music and fantastic dancing. 'Cirque du Soleil with abundant African flavour' (Australian Stage).



Rythmic circus, The Assembly Hall 2012

6-27 August
Performance time 15:40
George Square Theatre - Assembly George Square
Broadway-bound Rhythmic Circus has quickly risen from an underground percussive dance phenomenon to an innovative live performance company, known for transforming their tap shoes into instruments of rhythm.




The Magnets, Assembly Hall 2012

After months of hard work we gave our brand new show Homegrown its first preview at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival last night. Despite a few nerves we’re pretty delighted with how it went, and can’t wait for everyone to see it. Its an all British affair featuring songs by Led Zepplin, Tears for Fears, The Jam, Emile Sande and Mud to name but a few. Plus we’ve got a brand new original song by James, meaning he is with us in spirit even if he remains in London nursing his beautiful brand new baby Flynn.
We’re playing at the Assembly Hall at 7.30pm every night until 15th August. Come along and be one of the first to see the new show. Click here for tickets and details.