The programme for Fringe by the Sea has been published for a while and tickets went on sale on 1 June but there are still some shows available.
There are more than 225 events encompassing music, literature, children’s events and the new Weaving Wonder theme.
This will include community initiatives such as knitting festival bunting to the Wool School craft corner which takes place each day.
Each day there is yoga, coastal wildlife walks and Walk the Toun with Dave Berry. The Makers Market has goods from some of East Lothian’s most talented artisans and food and drink stalls and this year, as it did last year, the festival takes place in the North Berwick Lodge Grounds.
Fringe By The Sea director, Rory Steel, said: “Putting together this festival is a year round process – it couldn’t be done without the amazing staff, wonderful volunteers and our generous sponsors. No matter what your interest or age, there will be something in this programme for you. We look forward to seeing East Lothian residents as well as audiences from further afield from 4th August”.
Take a quick gallop through the programme:
Music
The music programme brings all forms to North Berwick, from chart-toppers Travis, Elkie Brooks, Geno Washington and Sister Sledge to Cole Porter, folk with the incomparable Lewis lads in Peat & Diesel as well as FBTS favourites Phil Cunningham & Aly Bain; hiphop from both sides of Scotland with Bemz and The Honey Farm and DJ sessions from Groove Armada and family favourites Dick & Dom. There will also be a performance by the North Berwick Pipe Band and closing the festival will be the International Film Orchestra performing music from the Harry Potter films.
Comedy
Stand up comedy superstars Dylan Moran and Dara O’Briain lead the laughter this year. Scottish breakout star Susie McCabe will be performing her brand new show,Femme Fatality and Just The Tonic has put together an amazing line up for a comedy night.
Books
Authors talking about their latest work include North Berwick born Maggie O’Farrell, Scottish crime queen Denise Mina, William Dalrymple(returning to his childhood base of East Lothian). Those with lives less ordinary include Robin Knox-Johnston, Patrick Grant (Great British Sewing Bee), Cal Major, Mark Beaumont and winner of Strictly 2022 Hamza Yassin. The Boozy Book Club returns with Karen Campbell and cocktails. There will also be a poetry session with Hollie McNish and Michael Pederson, accompanied by Withered Hand.
Family
There’s no need to leave the kids at home when there is so much for them to do at FBTS – there is even a special Beano Guide for them to see what is available. Music with Mr Boom and Artie’s Singing Kettle; song-writing classes, nature rambles, Alexander The Great Circus Show, Monski Mouse baby disco, Shrek The Musical(Haddington Musical Mill Company), Splash Test Dummies, the Children’s Classic Concert, children’s authors including Skye McKenna(Hedgewick), totem pole designing, mask making and so much more.
Environment
The festival has always had a commitment to raising environmental issues through engaging talks and interactive events. This year these will include Andy Cato of Groove Armada discussing his passion for regenerative farming which he’ll discuss in an event before his DJ set; Megan McCubbin from BBC Countryfile highlights what can be done to save endangered species in her new book; Eco Futures events with the Scottish Seabird Centre (FBTS’s charity partner) from diver and founder of circular economy company Ocean Plastic Pots and sharing economy expert Eleanor Tucker; a day long Bioblitz a celebration of our marine and coastal wildlife; Alien Species from dance company Dudendance a stunning outdoor performance highlight plastic waste and the Daily Green Dollop with Caledonian Horticulture.
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