Light Night – What’s on at Edinburgh’s Hogmanay ? – Limbo the show – Sunday Assembly – Wikimedia Editathon
Today the Christmas Lights in Edinburgh will be switched on and with just over a month to go the big countdown to the fat chap in the red suit starts.
This afternoon will be an all-singing, all-dancing extravaganza not to be missed, hosted by one of Edinburgh’s most familiar voices, Arlene Stuart from Forth Radio. This year there is a VERY special guest turning on the Christmas lights: none other than six-time Olympic champion cyclist, Sir Chris Hoy, who will be joined on stage by local girl, Amy McBeath from the Edinburgh charity Cash for Kids, whose fantastic work Light Night is very proud to support.
Sir Chris Hoy said:-“ I’m really looking forward to being involved in Edinburgh’s Christmas ceremony – to be asked to switch on the lights in your home town is a massive honour and I cant wait”.
With 12 stages set along the length of George Street, this event is for the community and by the community. There will be 63 school, community and other local groups with an estimated total of 1,300 performers, each performing an act, a dance, a song or a piece of music to celebrate one of the 12 Days of Christmas.
This will be one of the largest and most ambitious events ever staged on George Street. With groups showcasing a range of skills from hula hooping to swing dancing, bag-piping to African drumming, Gaelic singing to acting, Edinburgh’s community can expect a fantastic array of performances which encapsulate the true spirit of Christmas and celebration.
We will be there and hope to capture at least some of the action!
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The easiest way to find out how to entertain yourselves and your guests this Hogmanay is to visit this webpage here, but first of all let us tell you a little bit about what is out there waiting for your delectation and delight! We plan to highlight an event or two over the next week or so to remind you of the various events and attractions.
On 30 December when Edinburgh’s Hogmanay really starts you can get involved in the Torchlight Procession. At the launch of Edinburgh’s Hogmanay Pete Irvine from Unique Events promised there will be enough torches for everyone, but you are best to book ahead.
The opening event of Edinburgh’s Hogmanay 2013/14 and start of the ‘Year of Homecoming Scotland 2014’ is the spectacular Torchlight Procession.
A total sell-out each year, last year’s event welcomed over 35,000 people to this world renowned family event. Join thousands of torch carriers as they illuminate the city through the city centre to a spectacular Son et Lumière and fireworks finale. Led by Shetland’s Up Helly Aa’ Vikings and the massed pipes and drums.
More information here.
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One of the shows being staged in the Spiegeltent in St Andrew Square is Limbo – just watch this….
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Sunday Assembly have shared with us their news about an event taking place today from 10.45am. You can find out more on their Facebook page.
The next Sunday Assembly in Edinburgh is on Sunday 24th November.
The Sunday Assembly is a godless congregation that meets to hear great talks, sing songs and generally celebrate the wonder of life. It’s a service for anyone who wants to live better, help often and wonder more. We want to take all the well known attributes of church services across the country and apply them to a new community that’s not reliant on religion.For this Sunday Assembly the theme is “Living Better”. Our Speaker will be broadcaster, producer and performer Richard Melvin and we also have a real live performance Poet – Sophia Walker – who There’ll also be an opportunity to sing along to some uplifting but probably quite cheesy pop songs and to have a quick chat with your neighbours in what may be the pinkest room in the whole of Edinburgh.
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Now here is something for the women – and particularly those in the science field. An event taking place on 3 December 2013 in Edinburgh at The Royal Society of Edinburgh may be of interest.
Herei s how it is described on the Eventbrite page where you can book your place:-
Wikimedia UK and the MRC, supported by the Royal Society of Edinburgh, are organising a Women in Science themed editing event on Tuesday 3 December 2013 in Edinburgh to celebrate Women in Science. We would like to create or add to the Wikipedia pages of female scientists (who tend to be under-represented on Wikipedia), and attract more female editors to the project. The panel discussion will also serve as a forum on women’s experiences in science and diversity in the workforce more generally.
At the workshops representatives from Wikimedia UK will explain how Wikipedia works and be on hand to answer questions about editing and improving Wikipedia articles.
We will have access to a rich collection of printed and electronic works about women in science, including biographies and works authored by scientists; together with target articles to edit on Wikipedia. Attendees will be encouraged to work together to edit those articles, using the location’s resources.
We will also have a panel discussion in the evening led by eminent female scientists on women’s experiences in science, and diversity in the scientific workforce more generally, together with how underrepresentation can be tackled in the future.
Programme
Editathon
- 13.15 – Lunch for editors
- 13.45 – Introductions, Mel Nunn, Head of Equalities MRC
- 14.00 – Guidance on how to edit Wikipedia
- 15.00-18.00 – Edit a thon, including refreshment breaks
Talks and panel discussion
- 18.30 – Reception with drinks and canapés
- 19.00 – Introduction and welcome by Professor Alan Alexander, General Secretary, Royal Society of Edinburgh and Mel Nunn, Head of Equalities MRC
- 19.15 – Screening of “A Chemical Imbalance”
- 19.30 – Talks by Professor Polly Arnold, Professor Sally Macintyre and Professor Lesley Yellowlees, followed by Panel discussion
- 21.00 – Finish
You are invited!
The events are open to people who are new to Wikipedia and experienced Wikipedia editors. Female editors are particularly encouraged to attend.
Please bring your own laptop if you have one.
If you’d like to take part remotely then please join us on Twitter at: #WISWIKI
Founding Editor of The Edinburgh Reporter.
Edinburgh-born multimedia journalist and iPhoneographer.
