Five things you need to know today

All the Bells! – Scotland at the Cinema – Imran Khan –  Leith Business Association – Big C Comedy

 

The London Olympics start today when the opening ceremony will commence at 20.12 precisely in the Olympic Park. But here in Edinburgh we are joining in All the Bells at 8.12 am this morning just outside St Giles, and there is also an opportunity to ring your bells for three minutes at the Scotsman Steps, near the Fruitmarket Gallery.  

The event is described as:-

Work No. 1197: “All the bells in a country rung as quickly and as loudly as possible for three minutes” presents a truly celebratory work for the Games. It was commissioned by the London 2012 Festival as a ground-breaking new work. When it is performed, people all across the UK will be caught within its rich tapestry of sound. No two people’s experiences of Work No. 1197 will be the same, making it both a personal and a communal celebration.

You can also watch artist and musician, Martin Creed, whose idea it is, explain his vision for the project by clicking here.  He is of course a Turner Prize winner and was the brains and creativity behind the Scotsman Steps too. And here’s Lulu telling you all about it….

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQXQHuTJZKk]

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The Red Arrows flew over Edinburgh last year in June, and today they are coming back to roar over the city including Festival Square at 12.30. They are punctual but you should look out for them anytime from 12 noon. More information here.

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Scotland at the Cinema is running at the National Library of Scotland until 28 October. It tells you all about Scots on screen for the last 120 years and there is a dinky 10-seater cinema showing some documentaries and film clips. Not to be missed!

 

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Imran Khan is to be in Edinburgh today as the Royal College of Physicians are awarding him an  Honorary Fellowship in relation to his medical charitable works in Pakistan.

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Leith Business Association is looking for business owners in Leith to join the group so that a cohesive voice can be found when dealing with matters such as street furniture and the prospect of more road works to come in Leith over the next year or more. Their vice chair Keith Hales said to The Reporter that they are examining ways of improving Leith Walk and Constitution Street by taking positive steps  and they want as many business owners as possible to be involved. They are holding a meeting next week and would make you very welcome.

Their next Committee Meeting will be held on 1 August 2012 @ 5.45pm  At Kirkgate  Community Centre and they are also running their next  ‘Meet and Greet’ on Wednesday  8 August 2012  at I Love Café 26 – 27 Haddington Place Leith Walk 5.30 to  8.00.

If you have a business in the Leith area then this might be the group for you.

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BBC Radio 4 regular Susan Calman is to join the celebrity line-up for Edinburgh Festival Fringe Charity Comedy Gala

Calman, the star of Rab C Nesbitt, BBC Three’s Dead Boss, Have I Got News For You, Radio 4 regular (The News Quiz,The Unbelievable Truth, Vote Now) and Radio Scotland regular (Funny Friends), and Channel 4’s Ugly Kid, today announces she’s joining the all-star line-up at the 2012 Big Comedy Gala in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support. 

The Glaswegian comic gave up a lucrative career in corporate law to become a comedian and has proved herself one of the fastest rising stars in comedy.  Calman reached the semi-finals of the BBC New Comedy Awards and So You Think You’re Funny in 2005, she was also a finalist in Funny Women in 2006.

The feisty Glaswegian went on to become resident compere at Glasgow’s famous comedy club, The Stand, and has been awarded Best New Comedian at the Scottish Variety Awards as well as a Scottish BAFTA.

Calman will join a star-studded line-up at the Macmillan fundraiser, including: Roy Walker (host), George Wendt, Nick Helm, Nina Conti, Tom Stade, Fascinating Aida, Joe Lycett, Dan Nightingale, Steve Shanyaski and The Boy with Tape on his Face. (Now we have seen Fascinating Aida who are just so funny and completely irreverent, Nina Conti who is an extremely talented ventriloquist, and The Boy with Tape on his Face……..who does just that and is sidesplittingly funny!