Latest news with #CreativeScotland
BBC News
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Glasgow Mela draws big crowd to Kelvingrove Park
Scotland's largest South Asian festival drew more than 21,000 people to Kelvingrove Park on hailed crowds at the Glasgow Mela as "a sight to behold", with live music, art and workshops on offer throughout the also sampled food from around the world and tried their hand at a mix of sports including tennis, pickleball, kabaddi and was the 35th edition of the event, after it started in 1990 as part of Glasgow's European City of Culture celebrations. Bailie Annette Christie, chairwoman of organisers Glasgow Life, said: "Seeing thousands of people pack out Kelvingrove Park for the Glasgow Mela is always a sight to behold. "The 2025 Mela proved why Glasgow is known the world over as a diverse, multicultural city full of artistic talent. The Mela is a firm favourite in Glasgow's cultural events calendar and provides fantastic free performances and a fun day out for everyone."This year was particularly special as the spirit of Glasgow 850 was woven into the programme." Acts including Gtown Desi, Saloni and Maya Lakhani performed at the Mela, which means means "gathering" in aims to promote local artists and their rich cultural heritage, with funding provided by Creative Scotland.
Glasgow Times
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Glasgow Times
Sold-out shows and big energy at Glasgow Jazz 2025
The event, running from June 19 to 22, showcased a dynamic mix of legendary performers, rising stars, album launches, and community events across Glasgow. With more than 200 musicians taking part in over 35 performances, the festival saw an increase in audience size compared to 2023, with several shows selling out. Brian Jackson (Image: knkography) The festival offered a wide range of events, including free jam sessions, one-off collaborations, a children's music workshop, and a book reading. The festival has supported the music industry's gender equality initiative, Keychange, since 2017, and this year, 75 per cent of performances included female artists. Read more: 'We blew it' - Bernardo admits to shock Portugal Euro U21s defeat Glasgow man violently raped 'much younger' woman, causing injury Paesano news, interviews and updates on the pizzeria chain Jill Rodger, director of the Glasgow Jazz Festival, said: "The 39th Glasgow Jazz Festival has been one to remember – from packed venues to incredible performances, the energy brought by both artists and audiences has been wonderful. "Our commitment to inclusivity, giving young and emerging talent a platform, and celebrating all genres of jazz, are at the heart of what we do. (Image: Campbell Skinner) "I want to personally thank everyone who played a part in making this festival such a success. "We're already looking forward to what's in store for our very special 40th edition. "See you next year, Glasgow." The Glasgow Jazz Festival 2025 was supported by Creative Scotland and the Glasgow 850 Festivals Fund. The festival is set to return for its 40th edition in June 2026. For more information, visit
Edinburgh Reporter
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Edinburgh Reporter
Edinburgh Deaf Festival has a vibrant new line up for this year
The Edinburgh Deaf Festival is back for 2025, with a vibrant programme of shows and events embracing everything from new drama to comedy, music and magic. After a long, tough but ultimately successful campaign, this unique annual celebration of deaf culture, is laying the foundations for future expansion after securing three-year funding from Creative Scotland. Last night saw the launch of a programme featuring more than 70 scheduled events and activities from 8-17 August. Among those taking part in the fourth annual festival are comedians John Smith and Gavin Lilley and Gaelic and Scots singer and musician Evie Waddell, who are all well-known to hearing audiences. There will be a specially commissioned production written and directed by Nadia Nadarajah, who recently earned huge acclaim as Cleopatra in Antony and Cleopatra at The Globe. Nadia, who is also the festival's Creative Programmer, said: 'This year, we've got a lot that's new, so we can deliver even more of what we know the deaf community wants. 'And we are doing much more to engage with hearing audiences, to give them the opportunity to discover something new by experiencing deaf culture and the work of enormously talented deaf performers. 'Last year was very difficult because of funding challenges and the future looked very uncertain. We had a real struggle but we were persistent, and didn't want to give up. 'So, I am really excited, because finally we've got the three-year funding from Creative Scotland, which is amazing and gives us the stability to grow in coming years.' As part of the drive to expand the festival's reach among hearing audiences Evie will perform at Summerhall as well as the Deaf Action HQ and venue in Albany Street. Among the highlights in this year's programme are: Echoes Across Time: Three women, three timelines. In 2000 and 2012 deaf women vanished without explanation. In 2025 small traces of their lives begin to reappear. A specially commissioned new production by Nadia Nadarajah. Performed in BSL with English voiceover for hearing audiences. Three women, three timelines. In 2000 and 2012 deaf women vanished without explanation. In 2025 small traces of their lives begin to reappear. A specially commissioned new production by Nadia Nadarajah. Performed in BSL with English voiceover for hearing audiences. John Smith Show's 20 Years of Laughter: Celebrate two decades of sharp wit and non-stop laughter with one of the UK's best-known deaf comedians. Celebrate two decades of sharp wit and non-stop laughter with one of the UK's best-known deaf comedians. Deaffy Drag Queeny: Glitter, Gags and GSV: Deaffy drag queens Mary and Danielle bring cheeky charm, outrageous wit and deaf gay Pride to the stage. Deaffy drag queens Mary and Danielle bring cheeky charm, outrageous wit and deaf gay Pride to the stage. Ivory Cutlery by Evie Wadell: Let your imagination run wild with Evie Waddell as she presents a visual and musical storytelling experience inspired by the magnificently eccentric Scottish poet and singer Ivor Cutler. Let your imagination run wild with Evie Waddell as she presents a visual and musical storytelling experience inspired by the magnificently eccentric Scottish poet and singer Ivor Cutler. Gavin Lilley: Signs of the Times: A hugely popular deaf comedian who bridges the gap with hearing audiences with his fresh take on everything from parenthood to travel misadventures. A hugely popular deaf comedian who bridges the gap with hearing audiences with his fresh take on everything from parenthood to travel misadventures. Magic Morgan and Liliana: A family-friendly show packed with illusions, comedy and mime. A family-friendly show packed with illusions, comedy and mime. Scratch Night: An evening of bold new ideas from comedy to experimental acts – raw creativity which may be the next big thing. Deaf Action Organised by Deaf Action (the world's oldest deaf charity and deaf-led organisation which dates back 190 years to 1835) the festival continues the pioneering work that made Edinburgh a world-leader in championing the interests of deaf people. Philip Gerrard, CEO of organisers Deaf Action, said: 'We have been at the heart of efforts to promote the interests of the deaf community for 190 years, and the Edinburgh Deaf Festival continues that pioneering work. 'We fought hard to keep it alive, and now it is back and stronger than ever. 'The deaf community has a lively, vibrant and distinctive culture – along with a multitude of highly talented performers and other creatives. 'This 10-day festival is a unique chance for deaf people to come together to enjoy and celebrate that culture and to provide a platform for deaf performers to reach hearing audiences and have more of a presence in the performing arts mainstream.' Other festival events include a networking session with Scottish-based theatre company Solar Bear, allowing deaf and hearing creatives to connect, a pub quiz, karaoke, discussions, parties and film screenings. There will be comedy and drama workshops, guided tours of The Georgian House, the Royal Botanic Garden and National Galleries Scotland. A festival Youth Club for deaf young people aged 10-18 will run from 8-10 August and there will be a parent and toddler group. The festival, which runs in collaboration with the Fringe, is also working with Summerhall, the Edinburgh International Festival and the Edinburgh International Book Festival to provide a range of accessible events. An interpreter and captioning request service will allow deaf people to arrange an interpreter or captioner for Fringe shows that are not accessible. Deaf Action is working with local businesses to create The Edinburgh Signing Quarter, a network of deaf-friendly cafés and bars in the Broughton Street and Canonmills area. Like this: Like Related
Leader Live
21-06-2025
- Business
- Leader Live
Festivals given £3m in Government funding
The events will receive a share of the £2.8 million Festivals Expo Fund, and Festivals Edinburgh will get £200,000 from Creative Scotland for branding and marketing support for the events in the capital. The Expo Fund spending has increased from £1.7 million last year. The Edinburgh Festival Fringe will receive £670,000, while the Edinburgh International Book Festival will be given £200,000, the same amount as for the Scottish International Storytelling Festival. Culture Secretary Angus Robertson said: 'Scotland's festivals are our cultural shopfront to the rest of the world. 'As well as offering performers and creatives an unrivalled international platform, they also deliver an annual economic uplift to businesses, jobs and livelihoods right across the country. 'This year's funding increase for the existing Expo festivals cohort represents an increase of £1 million across the 14 festivals in Glasgow and Edinburgh, the first in 10 years. 'It recognises the success of festivals in shaping and supporting hundreds of commissions, enhancing the ambitions of thousands of Scottish artists and attracting audiences in the millions for Expo-supported work since the fund's creation in 2007. 'From this foundation we will expand the reach of the Expo fund across the whole of Scotland, and I am working with festivals across the country through the strategic festivals partnership to realise this commitment.' Dana MacLeod, executive director of arts, communities and inclusion at Creative Scotland, welcomed the funding, saying it will enable festivals to 'commission bold ideas, develop creative collaborations and present high-quality programmes for audiences in Scotland and internationally'. Lori Anderson, director of Festivals Edinburgh, said: 'Today's announcement is welcome news for our festivals and for Scotland's cultural sector, ensuring that the guiding principle of the Scottish Government's Festivals Expo Fund – to showcase Scottish talent to the world on the country's premier festival platforms – continues to successfully support creative careers.'
North Wales Chronicle
21-06-2025
- Business
- North Wales Chronicle
Festivals given £3m in Government funding
The events will receive a share of the £2.8 million Festivals Expo Fund, and Festivals Edinburgh will get £200,000 from Creative Scotland for branding and marketing support for the events in the capital. The Expo Fund spending has increased from £1.7 million last year. The Edinburgh Festival Fringe will receive £670,000, while the Edinburgh International Book Festival will be given £200,000, the same amount as for the Scottish International Storytelling Festival. Culture Secretary Angus Robertson said: 'Scotland's festivals are our cultural shopfront to the rest of the world. 'As well as offering performers and creatives an unrivalled international platform, they also deliver an annual economic uplift to businesses, jobs and livelihoods right across the country. 'This year's funding increase for the existing Expo festivals cohort represents an increase of £1 million across the 14 festivals in Glasgow and Edinburgh, the first in 10 years. 'It recognises the success of festivals in shaping and supporting hundreds of commissions, enhancing the ambitions of thousands of Scottish artists and attracting audiences in the millions for Expo-supported work since the fund's creation in 2007. 'From this foundation we will expand the reach of the Expo fund across the whole of Scotland, and I am working with festivals across the country through the strategic festivals partnership to realise this commitment.' Dana MacLeod, executive director of arts, communities and inclusion at Creative Scotland, welcomed the funding, saying it will enable festivals to 'commission bold ideas, develop creative collaborations and present high-quality programmes for audiences in Scotland and internationally'. Lori Anderson, director of Festivals Edinburgh, said: 'Today's announcement is welcome news for our festivals and for Scotland's cultural sector, ensuring that the guiding principle of the Scottish Government's Festivals Expo Fund – to showcase Scottish talent to the world on the country's premier festival platforms – continues to successfully support creative careers.'
