Mix

We started slowly, with bacon sandwiches and browsing of the festival reviews etc, then I nipped out to a (longer than expected) concert at the Queen’s Hall of the Chineke! Chamber ensemble. Great to see such a young group performing with such personality and assurance. Included a premiere of a piece by William Barton, a ‘didgeridoo virtuoso’. Amazing to hear how he whistled and breathed through the instrument, flicking and knocking it too, rather than getting the sounds from it that I’ve heard before. He also sang in a haunting wordless way and blended beautifully with the ensemble. Really enjoyed it, and met SM and CM in the interval for a good chat.
Once I was home we set off down to the Dovecot gallery to see the jewellery exhibition, an a/v presentation about Raphael (great paintings, somewhat confusing presentation) and an exhibition of Alan Davie’s paintings and rugs/tapestries.
Had thought to visit the Book Festival but found it didn’t open til tomorrow, so had gorgeous ice creams from Mary’s milk bar. I had gooseberry sorbet…delicious! We sat on a bench in the sun eating them….peak festival fun!
Walked back to George Sq to see Donuts. We’d thought it was a play but it turned out to be a contemporary dance piece by three young women. No idea really what it was about but it was good dance, especially by one of the performers.
We had a quick supper at the Mosque kitchen…delicious and filling curries, then nipped home to change as the haar had descended and it was getting pretty chilly. I’d forgotten what it feels like to be cold!
After tea and a piece of fresh baklava from the local Syrian shop we went back out to see a Scots version of Medea. Another immersive standing audience event although I was pleased we got seats on the side as unlike at Candide the audience just stood still and that would have hurt my back. Excellent production…horribly poignant as Medea works herself into a position where killing her children appears to be an act of love for them, with a great women’s chorus and lots of action and drama.
Not too late a night and home for a final cup of tea and a catch up with A&N to find out about their day chilling on the Meadows in the sun. Caught the news about Salman Rushdie stabbing…..do hope he pulls through. He’s lived under the fatwa for so long I can hardly believe he’s been attacked now,
We went to bed as A&N set out for another show!