By Catherine Franks
Fringe by the Sea is without doubt the best week of the year to be in North Berwick. Here's a wee insider's guide (totally my own opinion) of some really cool stuff happening this year that I will not be missing! Hope to catch you there...
FBTS has gone from strength to strength over the years - they pulled off an incredible showcase of international and local talent last summer and this year have another belter planned. You can find out a lot more about FBTS, their history, ethos and community focus by listening to our podcast episode where we chat with Jackie Shuttleworth the programming director. Find it HERE.
You will have heard of some of the headlining acts like the Happy Mondays (the freaking Happy Mondays - 90's kids will appreciate the enormity of this) and Frankie Boyle, but there is such a variety of smaller interesting acts that may be flying under the radar and these are well worth checking out. Click HERE to get all the info you need and to book. HERE is a direct link to their full programme.
Also - you can grab a Steampunk coffee when you visit FBTS this summer - find our wee yellow camper Mavis there every day from 10am - 8pm. We are serving espresso based drinks and filter brews along with iced options.
This August Steampunk turns 10 years old and we will be celebrating all month. It is really fitting for us to be returning to FBTS as we spent our first few summers down there trading at the site down at the harbour. We are really pleased to be back there this summer at their incredible new site in the lodge grounds. There will be loads of space to hang out and chill, meet pals and graze from a stellar line up of food trucks. See the food options HERE.
Listen to this - catch these great acts!
Sunday 7th August
12noon: The Others (Lodge Stage) - collaboration of musicians from Scotland, Iran, Brazil and Chile including those from a refugee experience aiming to break down barriers through extraordinary music!
6pm: Ibibio Sound Machine (Belhaven Big Top) - irresistable afro funk grooves - I will 100% not be missing this! Cannot believe they will be in North Berwick. Jesus, what did we do to deserve this?
Tuesday 9th August
12:30pm: Esme Young (Belhaven Big Top) sharing the story of a creative life lived her way. My kind of woman!
7pm: Imogen Stirling (Lodge Stage) - award winning poet and local girl returns to NB to read from her latest incredible work 'Love the Sinner'. Read it! And go see her perform. She has come a long way from busking on our terrace years ago. I'm gutted to miss this as will be hosting our Steampunk Sessions at the same time...
9pm: We Got Nuts (Belhaven Big Top) - immersive screening of Chocolat done by Amanda Farnese Heath who always curates beautiful and tasty events.
Wednesday 10th August
6:15pm: Alistair McKay 'Alternatives to Valium' at the Boozy Book Club (Lodge Stage) - I follow him on Instagram and love seeing what life was like for a teenager growing up in NB in the 70's and discovering punk. Can't wait to hear more!
Friday 12th August
8pm: Yoko Pwno and DJ Refracta (Lodge Stage) - pictured below
8pm: The Cuban Brothers
These two clash for me so I reckon The Cuban Bros (pictured below) funk/soul/comedy/craziness are going to be my entertainment this time. They are as cuban as haggis but I love the collabs they have done with artists I'm into so here goes ...
If the Cuban Brothers wacky offering isn't your jam I can recommend checking out Yoko Pwno, a local band who fuses trad and electronic in such a cool way - I've seen quite a few times and they never disappoint. They are followed by NB native DJ Refracta. Should be a fun night all round!
Get stuck in - cool stuff to PARTICIPATE in!
Friday 5th August
3:45: graffiti workshop (Little Top)
4pm: DJ workshop with Orange Moon Records (at Steampunk)
Sunday 7th
10am, 11:15am, 12:30 & 2:15: Surfskate Sessions at the Rec
10am : ArtCycle with local film maker Holger Mohaupt
Tuesday 9th
10am: Project Play
10:30 & 2pm: Bushcraft
7pm: Steampunk Sessions
Three different sets of creative fun - the morning ones for younger kids and the evening for older teens at Steampunk - music, graffiti and latte art!
Saturday 13th
10am, 11:15am, 12:30 & 2:15: Surfskate Sessions at the Rec
This summer I have become a regular visitor to the rec as I have become totally obsessed with rollerskating so I have seen loads of folk getting lessons from Surfskate Academy, including our own pal Becca from Orange Moon Records. It is amazing what people can do after a first hour of instruction even if they are totally new to it and it is a great way of drilling down your skills for surfing.
Get stuck in and get out there! If the last few years of pandemic have taught us anything, they have hopefully taught us that!
Incidentally if there are any women out there who want to come join us for a non judgemental all abilities skate session, do get in touch (message me via Instagram). Our wee collective called Skatedays are a broad church and welcome all wheel formats - skateboard, quads, inline, scooter - whatever floats your boat, or should I say rolls your wheels?