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The Herald Scotland
21 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Herald Scotland
EIF bosses clash with city council over event permits
Organisers said they were "disappointed" at the outcome but hoped an upcoming review of licensing charges by the authority would bring costs down in future. City of [[Edinburgh]] Council's fee structure for public entertainment licences (PELs) - permits for events open to the [[pub]]lic required to ensure safety and compliance with regulations - provides discounts for some some groups including charities. However the council says this is not applied "where there is clear commercial activity". On Monday, less than two weeks before the start of the Edinburgh International Festival (EIF), councillors considered an application by the EIF Society, which is a registered charity, seeking a partial refund of licensing costs for events at the University of Edinburgh's Old College Quad and Ross Bandstand in Princes Street Gardens. Read more The value of the discount sought was not made public, however PELs range from £1,454 for a venue with capacity of up to 200, to £5,808 for a capacity of up to 10,000. Lebanese-French dance company Maqamat are due to perform at the Old College Quad over four nights in August with tickets priced at £30. The Ross Bandstand will host a free 'big singalong' event featuring Dougie Maclean on August 3 to mark the start of festival season in Edinburgh, followed by Norwegian folk ensemble Barokksolistene alongside Scottish musician Donald Shaw and his ceilidh band the following night, costing £20 a head. Council reports by head of regulatory services, Andrew Mitchell, said these were ticketed events and the licensing department "understands that any monies raised will go back to the Society". He said charges for licence applications "are used to offset the significant costs which are incurred in dealing with licensing issues in the city". However a spokesperson for EIF said events at the Ross Bandstand and Edinburgh College Quad were not being run on a commercial basis "and will not generate a profit". They said: "They are deliberately programmed to engage a broader audience, with an average ticket price of just £25, and thousands of people will attend events in Princes Street Gardens completely free of charge. "As a registered charity, we operate on a not-for-profit basis and subsidise these events significantly to ensure wide public benefit. "Any reduction risks setting a precedent. However, the committee has the discretion to waive fees where it considers this appropriate." Councillors on the licensing sub-committee unanimously refused the fee reduction on the advice of officers. An International Festival spokesperson said: 'We're disappointed by the decision of the Licensing Sub-Committee. "We understand the basis for licensing charges will be reviewed at the upcoming Culture and Communities Committee meeting and we look forward to that discussion.' More from our Edinburgh correspondent It follows a decision by councillors last month to turn down a similar request by the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society, also a charity, for a discount on its £18,163 PEL bill for fringe performances on the Mound Precinct and High Street. Officials said in a report published last month the Fringe Society was yet to pay its licensing fees and the council was "processing these applications without payment". They added: "This is not normal practice - irrespective of any request to reduce a fee, payment must be made at the time of application." They said the Society has paid commercial licensing application rates since at least 2012 and discounts "operates commercial arrangements whereby it allows other businesses to sell goods from stalls within the licensed footprint. "It is the understanding of the Directorate that these arrangements are strictly commercial."
Edinburgh Reporter
19-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Edinburgh Reporter
The Big Singalong with Dougie MacLean to lead this year's Edinburgh International Festival
Dougie MacLean will lead the singing at the opening weekend of this year's Edinburgh International Festival with The Big Singalong featuring his best known song Caledonia singing with a group of community choirs. Donald Shaw will lead The Ceilidh Sessions for an afternoon of music and dance – and Festival Director Nicola Benedetti will be joined by jazz pianist Joe Webb to lead improvisational music sessions with young musicians. The free outdoor event will get everyone singing at the very start of the festival in Princes Street Gardens. The Perthshire singer-songwriter is the epitome of everything Scottish and is the composer of the Scottish anthem, Caledonia. The mass singalong that welcomes all voices, curated by Edinburgh's Love Music Community Choir Artistic Director, Stephen Deazley. Choirs include The Phoenix Choir, the Maryhill Integration Project Joyous Choir and the Westerton Male Voice Choir. Tickets are free and available at midday at Dougie MacLean – PHOTO Rob McDougall On the following day The Ceilidh Sessions in Princes Street Gardens will combine Scottish tradition with Baroque flair. Norwegian folk ensemble Barokksolistene join forces with Donald Shaw, known as founding member of Scottish folk legends Capercaillie, accompanied by his ceilidh band. Alongside well-known ceilidh tunes such as the 'The Gay Gordons' and 'Strip the Willow Barokksolistene add Baroque music, sea shanties and alehouse tunes to the mix for a truly international afternoon of music and dance. Nicola Benedetti, Festival Director, Edinburgh International Festival said: 'At the heart of our Festival is a commitment to connection – providing a closer communion between artist and audience. From our mass ceilidh dancing, to singing Dougie MacLean's iconic anthem 'Caledonia' at the top of our lungs in the Princes Street Gardens, to spontaneous jam sessions for jazz lovers and classical enthusiasts alike, these events invite everyone to take part in the magic of live performance. We are all about celebrating artistry in its most human, communal form, and I can't wait for everyone to experience it with us in August.' Stephen Deazley, Artistic Director of The Big Singalong, said: 'Caledonia has become more than just a song—it's a reflection of Scotland's spirit. Nearly 50 years on, it still speaks powerfully about what it means to find home, especially for those who are new to Scotland or have journeyed far. Singing it together in Princes Street Gardens this August for the International Festival opening weekend isn't just about music; it's about connection. It's a way for people to feel they belong, to share in something bigger. When thousands of voices come together, you feel that sense of welcome, of joy, of community—and that's what Scotland is all about.' Rob Dickson, Director of Industry and Events at VisitScotland, said: 'The Edinburgh International Festival is one of Scotland's signature events, and we're proud to support The Big Singalong and The Ceilidh Sessions as part of the festival's opening weekend. These events not only celebrate our rich musical heritage—with icons like Dougie MacLean and Donald Shaw—but also play a vital role in growing the value of Scotland's visitor economy. Free, inclusive events like these are essential in ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to experience the joy and connection that live events bring. Together with our enviable portfolio of cultural and sporting events, the Edinburgh International Festival reinforces Scotland's global reputation as a world-class destination for tourism and events.' Tickets to all performances at the 2025 Edinburgh International Festival are available at EIF Opening Fanfare Day © Mihaela Bodlovic Ceilidh Sessions PHOTO Andrew Perry Like this: Like Related
Yahoo
30-01-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Thousands of kids enjoy Celtic Connections' free school concerts
Over 7,000 school pupils have enjoyed performances from some of Scotland's best traditional musicians at Celtic Connections 2025. The festival's free school concert programme is open to schools across Scotland. It gives young people the opportunity to experience live music in the iconic Main Auditorium of the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall. This year, pupils from schools all over Scotland have been treated to spectacular performances from some of the festival's favourite acts. Peat and Diesel, Blazin' Fiddles, Breabach and Kinnaris Quintet have all performed as part of the 2025 programme. Alongside the concerts, traditional musicians have also led in-school workshops for every primary 7 class in Glasgow. The sessions, in partnership with Glasgow CREATE, aim to develop musical skills and introduce children to Scottish traditional music. They include workshops in Scots and Gaelic song, pipe band drumming, bodhran, fiddle and Scottish stepdance. READ MORE: Van-living Spain's Got Talent finalist to make Celtic Connections debut A night of sugar rush highs - Celtic Connections' Roaming Roots Revue Celtic Connections kicks off with opening weekend across Glasgow Donald Shaw, Creative Producer for Celtic Connections, said: 'It's wonderful to see our learning programme continue to bring thousands of children and young people together, giving them the chance to enjoy and learn about Scotland's musical heritage. "The festival's school concerts are all about introducing young people to live traditional music, which can encourage a lifelong love of music and inspire the next generation of musicians. Celtic Connections is a festival for everyone, and we want to make sure as many people as possible experience the magic of traditional music.' Aultmore Park Primary and St Cuthbert's Primary in Glasgow were two of the schools which attended the concerts. Primary six pupil Chanya, from Aultmore Park Primary School, said: 'I enjoyed dancing, and I saw lots of music and other people dancing as well. I saw the violin, the guitar and the piano, and I liked the piano because it sounds good and makes the music sound good as well.' Eight-year-old Nico, from St Cuthbert's Primary School, said: 'The best part was all the dancing and the Scottish instruments, I've not seen a couple of them, but I liked it. My favourite were the bagpipes because it's just my favourite and I liked the sound of it. I was up dancing, I was just jumping about crazy.' Primary four pupil Carly, from St Cuthbert's Primary School, said: 'My favourite bit was seeing the Blazin' fiddles and the loud music they were playing. I was just dancing about crazy. I liked the fiddle, they make good noise and they look cool. It was really fun, it was really cool and I loved to see all the people dancing.' Celtic Connections first began in 1994 and has grown in size and ambition ever since, building an international reputation and making an unmatched contribution to the prominence of folk, traditional and world music. Celtic Connections 2025 runs until Sunday 2 February. Visit
