memoirs of a festival floozy : #26 dj danny

What do you get if you put a hyperactive Maths teacher and a quiet RE teacher, with a mixing deck and some phat and cheesy tunes? You got it.

This was much much better than it actually sounds. DJ Danny's energy and enthusiasm are infectious, as he takes us on a seven-step journey to attaining Superstar DJ status.

A bellyachingly fun time was had by all. 3 and half stars.

memoirs of a festival floozy : #25 henri cartier-bresson exhibition

@ the Dean Gallery.
The only downside to this truly superb exhibition, was that I had to peer over the shoulders of half of Edinburgh in order to view it. There are hundreds of photographs in 5 rooms.

Apparently HCB had planned much of the detail for this exhibition himself, before he died, aged 95, just over a year ago.

These weren’t just old photographs, a bit of reflective learning pointed that out. These were historical documents from the master of reportage photography, and the founder of modern day photojournalism. It sends a chill down your spine when you realise that some of the photos of Chinamen were taken in the forbidden City of Pekin a couple of days before the Communist forces entered, and that these old fellows probably died. HCB and his photos got out on the last civilian plane.

As Edinburgh is said to be the only UK venue on this exhibition's International tour, it is definitely worth seeing vaut le detour.

And even if you have no car, you can get a free National Galleries bus from The Mound every 45 mins.

5 stars. Do not miss this.

memoirs of a festival floozy : #22 green velvet

@ the honeycomb. a glorious night of mindless, rhythmic jumping around to the sublime beats provided by this techno god. this is hot, sweaty, dance music at its best.

memoirs of a festival floozy : #15 josie long & dan nightingale

An audience with...
Josie Long is a star in the making. Though she’s not to everyone’s taste - a significant proportion of the audience were simply bemused, rather than amused. But Josie’s half hour of rambling comedy had me giggling in the aisles. After all she does have “the best confectionary based rock anecdote on the Fringe”. Pure class.

Dan Nightingale (alternative racist) is a very funny guy too. But he’s a friend, and I’m biased.

memoirs of a festival floozy : #12 spank!

Midnight. 6 comedians. 2 comperes. Lots of laughs. Lots of beer. A little full-frontal nudity. Well, what else do you want on a Saturday night?

3 stars. Good, but could do better.

memoirs of a festival floozy : #11 alun cochrane

Comedy with sad bits. As lanky, likeable, Yorkshireman Alun commenced his show (which is mostly comedy, hardly any sad bits) by talking about food, one thought struck me. This man is me. Or rather, I am Alun Cochrane (without the hot pineapple). From his obsession with the perfect sandwich, to his purchasing a Melton Mowbray pie as a wee treat for doing the shopping, and even down to his observations on Pelzer’s books – this man was articulating my thoughts exactly. It was really quite freaky, and enormously funny to boot.

Even when the fuses had blown and we were plunged into darkness, Alun continued to shine. 4 stars. Excellent.

memoirs of a festival floozy : #7 adam buxton

Better known as half of TV comedy duo Adam and Joe, Adam braves the Fringe solo, as his wonderfully-created woeful character Pavel. Looking like a cross between a tramp and a terrorist (it was a good idea to get out of London) with his big bushy beard, he performs a play-type comedy – a sort of long, hilarious soliloquy, punctuated by cleverly manipulated video clips (I never realised Star Trek could be so funny), and just a smidgeon of audience participation. I must just have one of those faces I guess.

This was clever, well-prepared and a joy to watch. 4 stars. Excellent.

memoirs of a festival floozy : #3 stephen k amos

100 greatest things – his personal take on list shows. He’s intelligent and well-spoken and downright rude, but very very funny, and ultimately, that’s what counts. I was pleased to see I got a look-in at number 60 “doctors” and gave a little whoop to celebrate. As it turns out, this is a surefire way to get picked on. He was easy on me though (compared with the unfortunately situated lady in the front row whom he systematically humiliated) and I am thankful for that.

The venue was small and it was far too hot inside, but overall this was a very good performance. 3 and a half stars. Recommended.

memoirs of a festival floozy : #1 Patrick Monahan

Roadmap to Peace. Billed as a one-man ethnic melting pot, Pat Monahan is the funniest Irish-Iranian Geordie I've ever met. I first saw him 2 years ago as a compere at the Fringe - then a promising young comedian with oodles of charm. He's still very funny, and is just such a super-nice guy too, he'll have you eating out of the palm of his hand in no time. More than just one to watch. One to go for a drink with afterwards.

Memoirs of a Festival Floozy : Intro

The long-awaited Edinburgh Festival has finally started, and I can hardly contain myself. I love the Fringe in all her flawed beauty. Every year she takes me by surprise, and brings me to my knees, and makes me beg her to enslave me. And in return she hears my groans of pleasure and pain, as my heart breaks, and I fall in love again and again, night after night. Bring it on.