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FOR THREE NIGHTS only My First Gig will rock into Edinburgh’s GRV from Sat 15–Mon 17 Aug. Acts confirmed include Celia Pacquola, Pappy’s Fun Club, Ed Aczel, Brian Gittins and more. Each is part of the £5 Fringe. See www.fivepoundfri nge.com for more.

SEASIDE DELIGHTS Fringe by the Sea, in North Berwick, looks set to launch in suitable style, proving that the Fringe fun can extend east beyond Edinburgh. St Andrew Blackadder Church, the Masonic Hall and the Abbey Church will all host a variety of acts, alongside the new Spiegeltent. Acts including Orkestra del Sol, Dougie Maclean, Karine Polwart, Michael Marra, the Anna Massie Band and Bombskare will all make an appearance. See www.fringebythesea.co.uk.

Getting on her soap box You have to love a Fringe act willing to go that extra mile for their cause. Improbable Theatre’s Lucy

Foster is set to do just that, taking inspiration from her multimedia Fringe show Oh, My Green Soap Box about climate change. This Saturday (15 Aug), the mighty Foster is organising a mass cycle ride across the Forth Road Bridge to Holyrood to protest against the decision not to repair the current Forth Bridge, the consequence of which, she says, will be a further increase of carbon emissions. Foster is inviting anyone interested in making a change to get hold of a bike, come dressed in white (or just your normal clothes) and join the group of cyclists at the North Queensferry end of the Forth Road Bridge at 10.30am, where polar bear masks will be provided. From there the large group of polar bears will cycle en masse to the Scottish Parliament. Check out Oh, My Green Soap Box at Pleasance Dome, until 31 Aug, 3.40pm.

just that. Perma-tan cans at the ready as Peter Andre, thankless star of Katie & Peter: The Next Chapter Stateside offers his insight into the making of his fly-on-the-wall reality series.

THOSE LOOKING FOR a little Fringe memento needs look no further than the newly unveiled Fringe t-shirts. Spanish designers Kukuxumusu have created this year’s unique logos. T- shirts can be purchased at the Fringe shop webpage and at the official Fringe shop on the Royal Mile in Edinburgh, priced at £15.

The Fringe has always encouraged debate and this year is no different. A free but ticketed public debate entitled What is the Fringe worth? will be held on Monday 17 August at 11am, at the New Town Theatre, Freemasons’ Hall, on George Street. Organised in response to the growing belief that that there is a lack of understanding about the Festival Fringe amongst the majority of stakeholders of the Edinburgh Festivals, anyone is invited to attend. Ticket reservations can be made at 0131 220 0143. Alternatively, contribute to the debate in advance by registering comments at debate@universalartsfestival.com Just when you thought the EITF couldn’t offer up any more excitement, organisers have done 4 THE LIST FESTIVAL MAGAZINE 13–20 Aug 2009

If you’re dining out in the capital this month, look out for restaurants supporting the Streetsmart campaign, endorsed by The List, to help the homeless in Scotland. In the scheme a voluntary £1 is added to each table’s total bill, with all money raised given to homeless charities in the city, including FareShare, run by Edinburgh Cyrenians, which redistributes food past its sell-by date to the homeless.

AND FINALLY, ticket sales for the Edinburgh Festival’s 2009 season have seen a 40% hike on last year, leaving festival chiefs relieved. Long live the Fringe.

COMEDY CAPERS Impressionist Alistair McGowan, The Chippendales and Denise van Outen are just some of the names guest- starring in free Fringe chat show, Devlin’s Daily. Check it out every weekday at 12.30pm at the Stand Comedy Club, courtesy of Bruce Devlin.

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