29 JUL - 5 AUGUST
Skandia Cowes Week I
Cowes, Isle of Wight. 01983 299975. skandiacowesweek.co.uk
Celebrating its 180th anniversary this year. this eight- (lay regatta welcomes amateurs and Olympians alike to the challenging and sometimes unpredictable waters of the Solent. To complement the 40 different classes of racmg there is always plenty of entertainment taking place on the shore. as well as free hour-long classes as part of the ‘Try Sailing“ initiative. (RS)
4 - 6 AUGUST
The Big Chill I I
Eastnor Castle Deer Park, Gloucester. 020 7684 2020. £120 (£60 for 13-15 year olds). bigchill.net One of the most chilled out festivals in existence. Like Glastonbury. the music IS secondary to the vibe. and since it's set in the picturesgue grOunds of the magnificent Eastnor Castle this really is something specral. That doesn't mean the laid back line-up isn't worth mentioning and wrth an emphaSIs on Dds. live acts and multimedia, names like the Blue Man
Group, John Hegley and the Trachtenburg Family Slideshow Players rub shoulders with Coldcut. Lambchop. Jamie Liddel. Sparks. Gilles Peterson and Ouantrc. (HN)
4 - 6 AUGUST
Lollapalooza I
Grant Park, Chicago, USA. £75. |ollapalooza.com The touring US alternative thUSIC festival has settled down of late. eschewing the road. after a few idle years it's back making a home in Chicago. With Jane's Addictions Perry Farrell in charge as you'd imagine he's taped into his little black book of bands for a truly ast0unding line-up of the likes of Kanye West. Red Hot Chilli Peppers. Flaming Lips. Iron 8. Wine. Sonic Youth, Wilco. the Raconteurs and 130
20 THE LIST 25 May -8 Jun 2006
other acts aCross eight stages. (HN)
5 - 12 AUGUST Eisteddfod I I I
Velindre Steelworks, Swansea, Wales. Prices vary. eisteddfod.org.uk
Held in the grounds of an old steelworks. the Eisteddfod celebrates Welsh culture. past and present. and has everything yOu would expect — poetry. arts and crafts. theatre and dance. scrence and technology. and of course. lots of singing. International singers. local chOirs and schoolchildren all perform and compete for recognition by the GOrsedd of Bards. (JD)
5 - 13 AUGUST
Pittenweem Arts Festival I I Venues vary, Pittenweem, Fife. 01333 313903. pittenweemartsfestivalco.uk
Primarily a chance for visual artists to exhibit in a pretty East Neuk fishing village, the festival has featured appearances by Richard Demarco. Reinhard Behrens and Philip Reeves. Poetry and literature are also important: Ian Hamilton Finlay. Norman McCaig and Edwin Morgan are prevrous attendees. in 2006 Will McLean will exhibit; the festival has a strong children‘s strand too. (RL)
5 - 6 AUGUST
Traquair Fair I I I
Traquair House, lnnerieithen. Adults £16, children & concessions £10, family ticket £42 per day; weekend tickets available. 01896 830323. traquair.co.uk
Alexander I of Scotland signed a royal charter at Traquair House in 1 107, making the Borders Site at least 899 years old. The current house dates from 1695 and each August welcomes visitors to its family-friendly fair; this year the event has a strong African theme. with outdoor theatre. dance music and storytelling promised. (RL)
6 - 28 AUGUST
Edinburgh Festival Fringe I I I Venues vary, Edinburgh. 0131 226 0026. edfringe.com
Celebrating its 60th birthday. the largest arts shebang in the world promises more of the same. The same esoteric street theatre. al fresco lunches. stuffy venues and hedonistic nights - plus the sense that hopes and dreams are made or dashed over a hectic three weeks. Theatre and comedy dominate a wide-ranging. doorstep-thick programme. And then of course T on the Fringe is back, this year headed up by Snow Patrol. The biggest innovation will be in
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11-12 AUGUST
Belladrum Tartan
Heart Festival I I I I
Belladrum Estate, near Beauly. £60. tartanheartfestival.co.uk
There's a definite family friendl. focus to this small but perfectly formed Highland masii: exent As well as 90 acts performing on il\t‘ stages (including Embrace and Echo anti tne Bunnymen. and a host of great Scottish taienti there's street theatre entertainment. alternatr.e therapies. cabaret and performance art as well. Ari excellent and relaxed weekend is assured. rDJi
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12 - 28 AUGUST
Edinburgh International
Book Festival I I
Charlotte Square Gardens, Edinburgh. Prices vary. 0845 373 5888. edbookfest.co.uk
In 2005. around 220.000 lit-lovers marched into the capital's most chrllerliiut August arena for another record-breaking books bonanza, The full programme Will be announced in mid-June but there's always a strong showing from writer‘s With tomes out tilllllltl the last 12 months. ll‘.’lli(? Welsh, Lionel Shriver. Seamus Heaney, Noam Chomsky. Sarah Waters and
EDINBURGH'S AUGUST
it’s the month that people around the world pencil into their diaries and say, ‘Let’s do Edinburgh this year.’ The capital in August is a riot of new ideas, expectant performers and general bonhomie.
Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival Venues vary, 28 July-6 August See page 19
Edinburgh Festival Fringe Venues vary, 6-28 August See page 20
Edinburgh International Book Festival Charlotte Square, 12-28 August See page 20
Edinburgh International Festival Venues vary, 13 August-3 September See page 22
Edinburgh International Film Festival Venues vary, 14-27 August See page 22
Edinburgh Interactive Entertainment Festival Lothian Road, 21 -22 August See page 22
Festival of Politics Scottish Parliament, 23-26 August See page 22