The Edinburgh Reporter October 2021

19
Neil Hanna
Zooming in on
Taiwan on film
TAIWAN FILM Festival Edinburgh returns
for its second edition from 25 to 31
October with a range of Taiwanese cinema
gems, many of them UK premieres, dating
from the 1930s to 2020. The films will be
presented on in-person screenings and
digital talks at both Glasgow Film Theatre
and Summerhall in Edinburgh and online.
With the theme of Disruptions and
Transformations, inspired by the fastchanging
and unsettling world in the past
few years, the Festival explores the
historic shifts the Taiwanese society
experienced over the decades but also
portrays the seemingly small disruptions
of the everyday.
Featuring works by filmmakers such as
Hou Hsiao-Hsien and Edward Yang, and
exploring war, urban life and the struggles
of the LGBTQ+ community, the free
programme of digital screenings is
available to pre-book. Access is limited to
a specific number of viewers per film and
audiences are advised to book early.
www.summerhall.co.uk/whats-on/
Janis Mackay will
perform in the
opening concert,
Roch the Wind
October
offerings
Books and dancing to keep you on your toes
PORTOBELLO BOOK FESTIVAL
Portobello Book Festival is a book festival for
local people run by locals.
The festival will take place from 1 to 3
October. Everything is free and nobody is paid,
except for expenses paid to participants.
Partnering up with the local library pays off as
the library then becomes one of the venues.
portobellobookfestival@gmail.com
portobellobookfestival.com
THE TREASURE TROVE CRAFT FAIR
The Treasure Trove is holding a pop-up craft
fair at St Andrew’s & St George’s West Church
at 13 George Street EH2 3PA. 10am to 2pm 9
October 2021.There will be hand-made crafts,
toys and children’s clothes along with home
produce, baby knits and craft demonstrations.
LEITH COMEDY FESTIVAL
Leith Comedy Festival takes over The Biscuit
Factory on 14 October to bring some of the
finest comedians in Scotland on to an indoor
stage. Rosalind Romer, Director of Leith
Comedy Festival, said: “I can’t express how
much I have missed live comedy, and how
amazing it feels to be booking gigs again. This is
the first time Leith Comedy Festival has been in
a position to do a live indoor comedy show and
we can’t wait to share some laughs with you!
"First up, we have Amy Matthews, a bright
new comedian who’s going places. She is
award-winning and explores the absurdity of
modern life with zest.
"For the main act, we are thrilled to present
Christopher Macarthur-Boyd, a firm favourite
and rising star on the Scottish comedy circuit
and beyond. Bursting with energy and good
Storytelling
Festival opens
new chapter
THE SCOTTISH STORYTELLING FESTIVAL 2021 takes
place from 15 to 31 October and has expanded with
some online and some live events which will cover the
whole of Scotland. For the first time the festival extended
an invitation to storytellers to join the creative process by
submitting a proposal on the theme of Imagine. This
year’s festival invites audiences to imagine something
different. To imagine pasts, futures, or a timeless other.
Festival visitors will be invited to dip into dreams and
desires, old and new, lost worlds and worlds still to
become. There is also a children’s programme of
events. The performances will include 100
musicians and storytellers from Scotland and a
further 30 international performers from
countries including USA, Iran, Italy, Iceland, Sierra
Leone and Colombia. Storytellers were invited to
join the creative process by submitting a proposal
on the theme Imagine. The result is a series of new
works developed by storytellers and musicians and
funded by the Scottish Government Festival Expo Fund.
The programme is a mix of events encompassing a
wealth of cultures, traditions and styles. Audiences at the
in-person events will be kept to a small number and there
will also be some outdoor events.
A world of stories in the Festival City.
www.sisf.org.uk
Amy Matthews will
appear at Leith
Comedy Festival
vibes, catch him now before he becomes a
household name."
The host for the evening on 14 October 2021
is Billy Kirkwood who is a three time Scottish
Comedy Award winner.
Fiona Hamilton, Managing Director at
The Biscuit Factory said: “We are absolutely
delighted to welcome Leith Comedy Festival
to our lovely venue in the heart of Leith.
The past 18 months has highlighted the need
for community spirit and collaboration more
than ever.
"And we are all more than ready for a good
laugh together. We cannot wait to continue
working together with the fantastic people at
Leith Comedy Festival.”
www.leithcomedyfest.com
CEILIDH, LAURISTON HALL
Ceilidh in Lauriston Hall 30 October from 8pm
to 11pm, Lauriston Hall, Lauriston Street EH3
9DJ
With caller Ken Gourlay and ceilidh band.
Hall has air-conditioning and a bar. All dances
walked through and called. Good exercise and
great fun.
Soft drinks £1, alcohol £3
Instructions from the organisers:
Mobile phones and tablets: taking photos or
videos is OK but if you need to answer / make a
call / text / browse etc. (musicians find this very
rude) please do so outside the dance room in
the corridor. Please bring a face mask. No high
heels please.
Out to lunch
Authors Victoria Schofield and Trevor Royale
THE LITERARY lunch will take place on 21
October at The Royal Scots Club on
Abercromby Place beginning at noon. Guests
will enjoy a three-course lunch with
champagne on arrival and refreshments. The
authors - Victoria Schofield, Trevor Royale and
Rosemary Goring will participate in a panel
discussion followed by a Q&A with Jackie
McGlone. Tickets £60 per person
events@royalscotsclub.com