festival. For the last two years. Byres Road has played host to tens of thousands of revellers all basking in the sights and eclectic sounds that the fest has to offer. Don't miss the midsummer carnival or the Whyte and Mackay street-party on 22 June. Various venues. Glasgow, 0141 341 0844, wwwwestendfestival. co. uk. prices vary. I Hebridean Celtic Festival
(1 6-1 9 Jun)
Experience the Gaelic language. music. dance and the Hebrides themselves in this eclectic four-day festival. An Lanntair and various venues, Stornoway. 07001 878787. prices vary.
I Scottish Traditional Beer Festival (19-21 Jun)
This inaugural event is supported by the
West End Festival
20 THE LIST 22 May—:3 Jun 2003
Small Independent Brewers Association in Scotland and creates a home for the Champion Beer of Scotland competition. Ales. beers and ciders are all there to tantalise the taste buds as more than 75 different beers and breweries vie to be your tipple of choice. Assembly Rooms. Edinburgh, 0131 220 4349. www.camra- scottishbeerfestivalcom. £3 (£2).
I Large Jan Festival (21-22 Jun) A little bit of New Orleans comes to Largs for one weekend as the sound of jazz echoes around the town. Highlights include David Milliga. Nonh Songs and Carol Kidd. Viki‘ngar and various venues. Largs, 01475 676182. wwwjazzmusic.co.uk, 26431250.
I Mendelssohn on Mull Festival (26 Jun-5 Jul)
Founded by celebrated violinist Leonard Friedman and set in the beautiful surrounds of the Inner Hebrides. the Mull fest promises an extraordinary opportunity for ten days of artistic exploration relating to the landscape and the beautiful sounds of Mendelssohn himself. Various venues. Mull (donation), Dunoon (£4436). Oban
Nautical but nice
The INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL OF THE SEA claims Leith as its port of call for 2003. Werds; Anna Millar
Ihce it ii‘OOred its inaugural anchor on Bristol's shares in 19.96. the
International Festival of the Sea ilFoSi has plax ed host to a staggering
quarter-of-a-ii‘iilliOn visitOrs. Sex en years On. Edinburgh has reeled in the catch of the year as the popular Sea Fest prepares its fCLll-da\ spectacular at Leith harDOLir.
An international fleet of tall ships takes centre stage aIOngside 'rore traditional vessels. With highlights that include the Jubilee Sailing Trust's Tei‘ae‘ous. the Sail Training Associations Prince \r‘i/l/llall‘i. Leith's own Jean de a Lune. Dutcn schOOner Oosterscne/de. Polish tall ships Dar Allodziez and Pogcrra as v. ell as the UK's own replica of John Cabot's caravel. Mattheii Seafaring viSitois are intited to climb aboard and embark on a Neptunian journey from the deepest ocean to the uppermost reaches of the estuary. from fishing fleets to a study of the ocean floor as the festival attempts to trace Our relationship With the sea both past and present.
The ROyal Navy Will Showcase its air. sea and land team. so expect marine combat demonstrations. marine cookery displays and hi-tech simulatoi rides. Meanwhile. speed fiends can take the helm of the Dr'anibuie ice Breaker. a monster 46ft Scarab powerboat wrth diesel powered engines that reaches speeds of 60mph.
The maritime zeitgeist continues ashore With a specially designed interactive area. brimming With model boat displays. the UK's largest sand sculptures and a plentiful array of art exhibitions. Street performers and stOrytellers are also on hand to prowde entertainment throughout the daily 12-hour programme. The more active viSitor can ‘Try a Dive' in the Sub-aqua tank 0r head to the ‘Try a Boat' area.
WorldWide acts — from rock troupes. marching bands and folk Singers to shanty Singers. chOral grOups and pipe ensembles — ensure that there's plenty to get the party started and keep the festivities flowmg. Highlights include aCid-croft songmeisters Shooglenifty. Celtic harp‘s shining star Savourna Stevenson. Beach Boys tribute band. Beach Boys lnc. Salsa Celtica and ac0ustic folkster Pete Quinn. And keep 'em peeled for the community led Nautical Parade befOre the dramatic light-show finale.
With an estimated turnout of 150.000. this is the nautical carnival of the year.
I The International Festival of the Sea. 23—26 May. 5 70—5 75 (free—F. 7 .50); family ticket £36. available from www.festiva/ofthesea.co.uk and thrOugh the box office at SECC 0870 013 40 60. the Hub 0131 473 2000 and through Ticket Scotland 0870 220 1 1 16 in Rose Street. Edinburgh and Argyle Street. Glasgow.
award winner Nitin Sawhney (4 Jul). Golden oldie Tony Bennett draws proceedings to an end (6 Jul). Elsewhere there's comedian and List columnist Phil Kay as well as writer and poet Jackie Kay. Various venues. 0141 552 3552. wwwjazzfestcouk, prices vary.
I A Massiff Adventure (6 Jul) Glasgow's evolving Trongate plays host to a Massiff Adventure. bringing the city's diverse Creative communities to the thriving Kings Court market-place for a multicultural celebration of music. arts and carnival and the first independent fringe to the International Jazz Festival. Highlights include the Soul II Soul Soundsystem featuring Jazzie B. Edinburgh's premier roots-hip hop act the Live Sciences. (with human beat-box Psylent V). Richard Worth from NYC's funk outfit Groove Collective and much more. As a collaborative project. participation from any other artists who would like to exhibit or perform their works at the festival is welcomedfrongate. Glasgow. For more information 0141 552 278 7; tickets available from Fopp Records
(£5437) and Glasgow (EB-£10). 0131 225 8282, www.mullfest. org. uk
I Scottish Traditional Boat Festival (28 -29 Jun)
This traditional sea festival attracts around seven visiting boats alongside an array of events and activities for all the family. Various venues. Portsoy, 01261 842951. www.theb/p.co.uk. phone for prices.
I Royal Bank Glasgow Jazz Festival (2—6 Jul)
This annual jazz fest is launched on 30 Jun with soulful vocalist and jazz guitarist George Benson at the Clyde Auditorium and continues with highlights including Ronald Brunner (2 Jul). Wayne Krantz (5 Jul) and BBC