2 :SUN EDINBURGH FESTIVALS

August in Edinburgh can mean only one thing festival season. Below are some of the biggest and best

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Edinburgh Art Festival

Various venues. Prices vary, www.edinburghartfestival.com. 0782 533 6782 In a nutshell Housed in over 30 galleries across Edinburgh, this festival features everything from blockbuster exhibitions to grassroots artist-led projects. Highlights include Andy Warhol. Richard Long and a new exhibition by Nathan Coley.

27 JULY - 5 AUGUST

Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival Various venues. Prices vary, www.edinburghjazzfestival.com, 0131 467 5200 In a nutshell The 2007 EJBF features some of the biggest names in its history. They include The Bad Plus, Benny Jolson. Courtney Pine. Barbara Morrison and Colin Steel.

5 - 27 AUGUST

Edinburgh Festival Fringe

Various venues. Edinburgh. www.edfringe.com, 0131 226 0026. www.tonthefringe.com. 0870 169 0100

In a nutshell Last year the Fringe featured more than 28,000 performances in 261 venues. and 2007 boasts an even more impressive line up of comedy. drama. dance. kids' shows and music courtesy of T on the Fringe.

10 AUGUST - 2 SEPTEMBER

Edinburgh International Festival Various venues. Prices vary. www.eif.co.uk. 0131 473 2000

In a nutshell The EIF is widely regarded as one of the leading arts festivals in the world. This year, under new director Jonathan Mills. there is an emphasis on the importance of mythology in the packed programme.

11 - 27 AUGUST

Edinburgh International Book Festival

Charlotte Square. Edinburgh. 923—10. www.edbookfest.co.uk. 0131 718 5666

In a nutshell An international line up of over 600 authors will take part in book readings. debates and discussions.

IS - 26 AUGUST

Edinburgh International Film Festival

Various venues. Prices vary. www.edfilmfest.org.uk. 0131 228 4051

In a nutshell Now in its 61st year the EIFF is the best film festival in the UK and features a stimulating and entertaining mix of films. talks, lectures and other events.

20 THE LIST 7—21 Jun 2007

18 - 19 AUGUST

Whisky Fringe Festival

Mansfield Traquir Centre. Edinburgh. Prices vary. www.royalmi|ewhiskies.com. 0131 622 6255

In a nutshell Take your first nip or enhance y0ur existing knowledge at this relaxed and informal event. Industry professionals will be on hand to guide you through some of the 150 whiskies featured in the show. helping to educate participanls' palates. Based in a restored episcopalian church. over 15 different distilleries will be present. so whether you are a professional or just want to learn. there is something for everyone. Typical festival goer The whisky and architecture connoisseur.

23 - 27 AUGUST

Towersey Village Festival

Towersey, Nr Thame. Oxfordshire. £22 per day www.towerseyfestival.com, 01 629 827 01 6

In a nutshell Now in its 43rd year. the Towersey village festival plays host to an impressive mix of established names and rising stars including Seth Lakeman, John Tams 8 Barry Coope, The Battlefield Band and Van Eyken. as well as a lively ceilidh tent. The Shooting Roots Youth Project returns and comprises music. dance. theatre. song workshops and interactive performances. For younger festival goers. the simultaneous Towersey village children 's festival includes music and craft workshops which are designed to be both fun and educational. Typical festival goer For those who appreciate community spirit.

24 - 27 AUGUST Orkney Beer Festival

The Stromness Hotel, Orkney. Free www.visitorkney.com/events. 01856 972 856

In a nutshell This is an event for the serious beer connoisseur. which. besides the sampling of huge varieties of beer and ales in a beautiful Orkney setting. features a series of informal lectures and talks on the art of making and drinking beer. Typical festival goer For beer connoisseurs everywhere.

25 - 26 AUGUST

Creamfields

Daresbury Estate. Halton. Cheshire. 257-100 www.creamfieldsfestival.co.uk. 0871 424 4001

In a nutshell This hedonistic party in the countryside attracts tens of thousands of revellers each year. The event is truly massive. with over 50 acts playing across multiple stages throughout the day and night. This year includes the likes of The Chemical Brothers. Carl Cox. Kelis. Mark Ronson, Carl Cox. Erick Morillo and Dave Clarke. Typical festival goer For the rave and hardcore dance faithful.

25 - 26 AUGUST

Strathhaven Hot Air Balloon Festival John Hastie Park. Strathhaven. Free www.strathavenballoonfestival.co.uk. 01555 860 285 In a nutshell Hot air balloon flights and

demonstrations run throughout the two days (depending on weather conditions) as enthusiasts try to outdo each other with the craziest colours and biggest balloons. A farmers' market and children's fun fair and tombola also feature. The highlight is a series of evening flights on Saturday 25 as the fiery mammoths lumber their way into the night sky. Typical festival goer For anyone seeking a relaxed

vibe.

25 - 27 AUGUST

Spirit of Speyside Walking Festival Moray and Speyside. Walks free; $350 for those who want transport and accommodation.

. www.walkingfestival.net. 01343 542 666

In a nutshell A festival of themed walks throughout Moray and Speyside for the young. old. complete beginner and experienced walker. Moray and Speyside offer some of Scotland's most spectacular walks with pristine trails and countryside. Typical festival goer For the walking and nature enthusiast.

26 - 27 AUGUST

Notting Hill Carnival

London. Notting Hill. Free. www.nottinghillcarnivalorg.uk

In a nutshell This event is a celebration of dance.

colour and life. Moving around a four mile circuit. the

procession features the masquerade. steelband. calypso. soca. static sound systems and samba. While purists have attacked it as a sell out to its upmarket surrounds. it is essentially about exhibition and expression. Typical festival goer Families and party animals who love an electric atmosphere and mixing it up with the locals.

27 AUGUST - 3 SEPTEMBER

Burning Man Festival

Black Rock City. Nevada. Approx $2140 wwwburningmancom

In a nutshell After starting out as a small community who made pilgrimages to a beach in Florida to escape the madness of the modern world. this event has grown to embrace a community of over 25.000 who congregate each year for an eight—day-long

' happening on the beach of the Black Rock Desert in

Nevada. The event takes its name from its Saturday night ritual. the burning of a wooden effigy. Typical festival goer Free spirited hippies.

29 AUGUST

La Tomatina

Bunol, nr Valencia. Spain. Free. www.cyberspain.com/Iife/tomatina.htm.

00 34 923 26 88 60

In a nutshell This single day of red madness and mayhem envelopes the small town of Bunol every year. Rumour has it that the festival started when a fight between two market vendors broke out and spread through the town. They obviously enjoyed it because it has been repeated every year since on

the last Wednesday of August. A fortnight-long

music and food festival runs for a week on either