What's On Scotland 7-14 Aug: Fringe of Colour & more
With festival season officially upon us, we look at how Scotland is adapting its typical August line-up, with Edinburgh Art Festival, the Fringe, and the EIF all getting involved.
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Six months ago, I thought our first Zap of August would be full to the brim with exciting, unmissable festival content. Four months ago, I thought there would be nothing to write about. Now...it is full again?! Scotland, bless your indomitable cultural spirit.
Kicking off this week's chockablock festival content is Fringe of Colour Films, a brand new digital arts festival featuring a range of performance art, theatre, stand up comedy, and spoken word by people of colour. Fringe of Colour ran as a database and free ticket scheme spotlighting works in the Fringe Festival featuring predominantly people of colour. This year, with the cancellation of the live festivals, they've put on their own (!!). New batches of filmed content drop every Saturday, so you have one day to catch up with their incredible first week, including Esme Allman's intoxicating CLUB and Tim Lo's haunting dance piece Somebody's Child, before they're replaced by the next set.
Elsewhere, Edinburgh Art Festival are also putting on a show, Edinburgh International Festival have moved online, and art galleries are slowly opening back up. Read on for more!
Edinburgh Art Festival
Edinburgh, 30 Jul-30 Aug
Edinburgh Art Festival have invited ten artists from previous editions of the festival to mark what would have been the 2020 season. The artists, including Tamara MacArthur, Shannon Te Ao and Martin Creed, have put together a series of responses both online and within the city, pieces that seek to respond to the current pandemic and imagine futures beyond it. Image: Rae-Yen Song.
My Light Shines On
8-28 Aug
Edinburgh International Festival has been going steady since 1947 and 2020 was not about to get in the way. Together with some of the biggest names in Scotland's culture scene, including the Scottish Ballet and National Theatre Scotland, they've put together an online programme that kicks off with a one-hour performance on 8 August on their YouTube. Image: Peter Dibdin.
ADVERTISEMENT | Taiwan Season 2020
4-28 August
Since 2014, Taiwan Season has been one of the highlight of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, showcasing a wealth of live performances every year. This summer, in collaboration with the Fringe, they are offering a month long digital programme from 4-28 August. With a series of artist interviews on Tuesdays, themed webinars on Wednesdays and Fridays, and a special showcase on 10 August, this is an unmissable series.
Glasgow Print Studio
Glasgow
Glasgow Print Studio reopened their doors this week with a number of safety measures in place. They currently have two exhibitions running: a series of lithographs used for Alistair Gray's seminal novel Lanark, and a welcome splash of colour from screenprinter Richard Marsden. Image: Patrick Jameson.
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AJ Bell Fringe on Friday
Fri 7 Aug, 9pm
Every Friday in August, the Fringe is putting on an online variety show to fundraise for artists and venues. Tickets are £9 and comedy, cabaret, theatre and music will all feature. Confirmed acts across the month include David Doherty, Sadia Azmat and Magical Bones. Image: Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society.
Home at Ingleby Gallery
Ingleby Gallery, Edinburgh. 5 Aug - 19 Sep
Edinburgh's charming Ingleby Gallery is unveiling their new exhibition Home, presenting a series of new works by Scotland-based artists, including Moyna Flannigan and Kevin Harman. The gallery is open Wednesday to Saturday 11am-5pm, call ahead to book a viewing. Image: John McKenzie.
Crafternoon
Online, Glasgow Zine Library. 7 Aug, 3pm
Glasgow Zine Library continue their digital programme of workshops, perfect for a moment of creative relaxation in the midst of this somehow busy August. This Friday, join them for a wee digital craft session - bring your knitting, bring your collage materials and set loose! Image: Saffa Khan.