What's On Prestonpans

Create a quirky cactus prop! This sweet needle felted design features in my new title Boho Felt Crafts (CICO Books). Made from 100% merino wool, it would make a lovely prop for your living room mantle or kitchen shelves!

Our fabulous Ranger Julia is hosting a gentle stroll through Dalkeith Country Park’s beautiful woodlands for Stress Awareness Month. Research shows that spending time in a wooded area is good for your mind, body and spirit so take some time out and enjoy an outdoor cuppa on your walk.

Fun and friendly pub quiz action with local favourite quizmaster Dr Paul. Come and have a go at winning booze and cash and mystery prizes. Nice quick quiz, nothing too heavy. Finished by 8.30pm

Acoustic singer-songwriter James Kirby is touring across the UK this spring. His blend of meaningful lyrics combined with his unique style of guitar playing has captivated audiences of all ages and sizes across the globe. This is an opportunity to see this technically brilliant performer up close ...

The Scottish National Jazz Orchestra (SNJO) directed by Tommy Smith Presents Kenny Wheeler’s ’Sweet Sister Suite’ featuring guest soloists Laura Jurd (trumpet) and Irini Arabatzi (voice) and The Music of Mary Lou Williams featuring Brian Kellock (piano) Sweet Sister Suite was specially

In the 1950s, American ethnomusicologist Alan Lomax conducted field recordings of Scots and Gaelic song. Now Interrobang, composer Paul Walker, and award-winning guests Stuart A.

The award-winning musical improv comedy troupe are joined by new and established improvisers and sketch comedians as they present two hours of off-the-cuff scenes and original sketch comedy.

Following on from the daytime Trad Talk event, Pete Coe leads an evening of narrative folk songs, rooted in English traditions. He sings and plays classic ballads, historical broadsides, rural yarns, travellers’ tales, songs of love and loss and industrial protest.

Festivals seem to flourish, CDs still pour from the pressing plants, musicians are fizzing with ideas and skill. All seems to be well in the trad scene today, but what is the reality for musicians, promoters and venues? Are there enough gigs? Has the folk club had its day? What do audiences want?

From social and energetic dances from Brittany or joyful group dances from the Basque country, to warm, exuberant Southern Italian dances or smooth couple dances from France, this series will take you on a folkdance tour of Europe!

TradFest’s Opening Concert celebrates the tradition of handing down a tune, song, story or dance to the next generation through performances and social occasions.

You see, that’s what you get! Come and hear tales about things that should have been left alone, and what happened when they were not! Edinburgh’s monthly storytelling night returns to its spiritual home at The Waverley Bar. With guest storyteller Ron Fairweather.

Singing makes you feel better, so come along to explore Scots song with two skilled enthusiasts, Scott Murray and Ruth Kirkpatrick.

The personal story of Cellardyke skipper Daniel Henderson and the fishing tragedy which struck numerous coastal communities in 1900. Richard Wemyss leads the audience through this moving tale set to his compositions (played by a six-piece traditional band), poignantly illustrating the real price of fish.

Led by musical director Corrina Hewat and featuring traditional singer Scott Gardiner, Sangstream folk choir observes Scotland’s Year of Young People.

A unique, bilingual storytelling creation between Finnish Rune singer and storyteller, Anna-Maria Toivonen and Highland Perthshire storyteller, Claire Hewitt.

We know it as John Knox House, but who did the property really belong to? Join Mariotta Arries, the true owner of the house, to hear the story of a wealthy burgess in 16th century Edinburgh.

A Cultural Journey in the Heart of Edinburgh. A celebration of Scotland, South Africa, India and Brazil in the heart of Edinburgh. Join BE United for a day of dance, music, storytelling workshops, stalls and talks.

Bringing a piece of Perthshire to Edinburgh, co-authors Lindsey Gibb & C.A. Hope launch their ’Perthshire Folktales’ book, the latest in the folktales series from History Press.

Two giant storytellers tell the tales of the gargantuan race of beings who once populated the earth. Mapping their rise and demise through myth and folktale, Alice Fernbank and Svend-Erik Engh take a loving look at the lives of the giants and their gradual departure from the earth.

Come with family and friends to dance well-known Scottish dances and sing well-known songs. All the dances will be called and there will be easier circles for the littler ones. A fun introduction to sociable dancing with live music and some stories too.

A circle dance-story celebrating the full moon of Beltane and the cosmic bull, an ancient rite of passage to summer. Featuring traditional ballads from Scotland, moon stories from Japan and the most beautiful ‘Buffalo Woman’ from the Great Plains. With Linda Williamson and Mio Shapley.

Fresh as today’s headlines, a contemporary story of murder, treachery and revenge based on a tale from the annals of Highland clan history.

Join friends from the Scots Music Group for an afternoon session of traditional songs, music, poems and stories, held in the relaxed setting of the Storytelling Court. All are welcome to listen or bring a tune for a turn!

Winner of the 2016 BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Award, and 2017 Scots Trad Music Awards ‘Up and Coming’ nominee, Skye musician and piper Brighde Chaimbeul is one of Scotland’s fastest rising stars.

Fred Freeman shares his knowledge on the renowned father of the Scottish Folk revival, highlighting his contributions as song maker and poet, birthing a new wave in the carrying stream of culture.

Named after a small Robert Louis Stevenson poem, ’Young Night Thought’ is a new album of original contemporary folk from Kirsty Law.

Wanted! Performers on all instruments suited for street parties - Brass, Reeds, Pipes (A, D, C), Accordions, Shawms, Drums, Percussion - and people who like costuming, dancing and acting out.

One of the most popular old-time roots acts in North America. Noted for their highly original presentation, the band have created a sonic and visual language that is very much their own, utilising instruments they’ve created, like the Sepia-phonic Monophone and the Contrabass HarmoniPhoneum.

Paisley’s Robert Tannahill continues to be celebrated as one of Scotland’s finest songmakers. With his beautifully delicate pastoral songs and an empathy for minority communities which sets him apart from many of his eighteenth-century contemporaries, Tannahill remains hugely influential.

The result of a collaboration forged at a residency in Mumbai in March 2018 which brings together two young artists from Scotland and two from India, combining music and storytelling to reflect on the connections, differences and influences that link the two countries.

The Rymour Club was formed in 1903 in tribute to the poetic inspiration of Scottish Song and Folklore. Regional songs and children’s lore abound in this celebration of the preservation and study of Scottish song.

Forget lazy pastiche; this collective live and breathe their own North-Eastern style, combining western swing, country blues and ragtime hokum. What began as four friends studying traditional music now sees them play throughout the UK and Europe.

Fierce loyalty, camaraderie and inherited blessings flirt with devilish deeds, treachery and dark ancestral secrets in this intimate exploration of those we cannot choose – our nearest and dearest families.

All are welcome to Scots Music Group sing-a-long event, singing favourite Scots songs in chorus to celebrate SMG’s launch of a brand-new songbook, ‘50 Mair Favourite Traditional Scots Songs’. All singers welcome – novices and seasoned sangsters – the more the merrier! Hosted by SMG’s weekly singing groups.

WANTED: DEAD OR ALIVE! An evening of anarchic tales from around the world, celebrating Robin Hood’s role in Scotland’s May Day traditions.

This delightful Beltane Fire Society tradition allows parents to share in the magic of the Beltane story with their little ones through storytelling, face painting and arts & crafts.

Artie Trezise returns to TradFest with a brand new show, featuring songs from ’The Singing Kettle’ days and fresh adaptations of traditional stories. All the songs have a chorus so expect plenty of participation!

Timothy Neat returns to the Folk Film Gathering to present his powerful, award-winning documentary ’Hallaig’, exploring the life and work of the celebrated Gaelic poet Sorley Maclean.

A hands-on, practical introduction to live storytelling and the associated skills. Storyteller and educator Kate Walker leads this participatory session for anyone curious about discovering and developing their own storytelling talent. Let out your inner storyteller and learn to craft your skills.

New England’s Quartet will blow you away. Windborne shifts genres, slipping from English folk to Corsican improvised couplets and 3rd century Georgian hymns to old time tunes.

An internationally acclaimed group of vocal chameleons who specialise in close harmony singing, shifting effortlessly between drastically different styles of traditional music within the same concert.

Chris thought he was in control of his life. Then, on New Year’s Day, he crashed his car at 80mph. In that moment, it seemed like the space between life and death was decided by little more than luck.

In his breathtaking and original show, this internationally acclaimed magician will take you on a journey towards the essence of the accomplished conjurer, demonstrating a range of advanced magical abilities along the way.

A unique opportunity to learn to perform exciting magic, make new wizard friends and become a graduate of the most mysterious school in the world - Magic School.

A relaxed, social session of stories, songs, memories and laughter in the Storytelling Court with some of our loveliest storytellers. Come to join in, or just to listen, with friends old and new. Tea, coffee and biscuits included. Hosted by the ElderWise group.

Billy Reid is one of the UK’s most devilishly brilliant close-up magicians. An expert sleight-of-hand artist and three times finalist at the Magic Circle’s Close-up Magician of the Year competition, his magic has amazed and astounded countless audiences.

Tiptoe and stomp with ’Nip Nebs’ author Susi Briggs as she takes you on an enchanted trail through the world of pixies and giants. Sway and play with her puppet friends Betsy Tinkle and Angus the Craw! Lots of fun for little ones in the relaxed setting of the Storytelling Bothy.

Scots-Italian conjurer and writer, Renz, has taken his beautifully crafted weaving of magic and poetry to international arts festivals in Brighton, Carlisle and Edinburgh. The show features both visual and mentalistic impossibilities weaved together with the magic of the spoken word.

The world is in turmoil. Can magic provide the much-needed solace and enchantment for these difficult times? Magician Vincent Gambini is not so sure.