Community Arts, Festivals, Opportunities, Youth Music

Dunbar Music Festival

Sat 23 Sept 11am-3pm Dunbar Parish Church

ELjam is hugely excited to be staging a youth bands showcase at Dunbar Music Festival on Sat 23rd September. Featuring six bands from East Lothian high schools, this promises to be a fantastic day of music and a superb display of talent. We are also delighted to have Nicky Dannaher from East Coast FM joining us as our compere for the day.

The line up is:

11:00-11:25       Cardiac Arrest (Dunbar Grammar)

11:35-12:00       Queen Spirit (North Berwick High School)

12:10-12:35       The Watts (Dunbar Grammar)

12:45-13:10       Gaslight (Knox Academy)

13:20-13:45       Kings of Lugton (Prestonlodge High School)

13:55-14:20       Room 27 (Dunbar Grammar)

Entry is free and there will be a soft drinks and snacks bar available.

Dunbar Music Festival runs from Fri 22 to Sun 24 September and has gigs at various venues all over the town. Click here to see the line up of free gigs and click here for details of our youth showcase, including venue location. There are two brilliant headliners as well: Gruff Rhys and Callum Easter & The Roulettes. All in all a weekend NOT to be missed!

BPAN, Community Arts, Opportunities, Visual Arts, Youth Dance, Youth Music, Youth Theatre

Opportunities at Fringe by the Sea

4-13 August 2023, Lodge Gardens, North Berwick

www.fringebythesea.com

Youth Band Gigs

This year, ELjam and East Lothian Council Arts Service will partner with Fringe by the Sea to showcase some of the region’s best young talent.

As well as FBTS’s own superb line up, ELjam is inviting youth bands (under 25s) to apply for one of eight 40min slots on the Lighthouse Stage.

If you’d like to be considered, please complete the form below and return it to eljam@eastlothian.gov.uk by 26 May 2023. Acts will be selected jointly with the FBTS team and scheduled to compliment the rest of their varied programme.

Download gig application form

Reasonable travelling expenses will be covered (receipts/mileage required) and a food allowance will be provided.

Workshop Delivery

If you are interested in running a creative arts workshop at Fringe by the Sea festival in 2023 (on in North Berwick from 4th – 13th August) please complete the form below and return by April 14th 2023 to eljam@eastlothian.gov.uk. The venue for workshops is a stretch tent with space for up to 40 participants and workshops should ideally be 45 mins to 2 hours in duration.

Download workshop proposal form

Weaving Wonder

Visual Arts Brief for 2023

Fringe by the Sea, in partnership with East Lothian Council Arts Service, is inviting notes of interest from East Lothian-based visual artists and craft makers to create a textile-based art installation for presentation at this year’s festival in North Berwick from 4th – 13th August.

For more information and to submit a note of interest, please download the full brief. Deadline 26 April 2023 to info@fringebythesea.com

Download brief

Crew Staff Temporary Vacancies

The festival is looking for a “crack team of positive-minded, energetic people to help us deliver a friendly, fun and safe event”. General crew vacancies are available 3-14 August and lead roles 2-14 August.

Download full info

Positions available are:

  • General Event Crew (e.g. event set up and strike, public liaison, crowd management, ticket checks, box office, & artist liaison. Bar and hospitality work is also available.
    • Box Office Lead
    • Artist Liaison Lead
    • Venue Leads

Apply  to info@fringebythesea.com with your CV, telling us a bit about yourself and why you’d like to work at Fringe By The Sea. Closing date for applications is 19th May 2023.

Find out more about the festival at www.fringebythesea.com

BPAN, Community Arts, Festivals, Youth Dance, Youth Music, Youth Theatre

Haddstock Taster Sessions

view all sessions & book

The Arts Service is delighted to offer a selection of taster sessions at the Bridge Centre on Saturday 27th May from 9:30am.

These sessions form part of the wider Haddstock festival, and will run alongside ELjam‘s (East Lothian Youth Music Forum) Battle of the Bands competition.

All sessions are free and no previous experience will be required. Places are limited and you will need to book online here via the Brunton Box Office.

Bridge Centre Pool Room

The pool room is opposite the main (Alistair Grant) hall and can be accessed by walking up the ramp and through both sets of doors. The room is on the right.

9:30 – 11:15 – African Drumming and Dance Experience

Experience traditional Ghanaian drumming and dancing with master drummer  Thomas Annang, and acclaimed dancer Adie Baako-Elias. You will try out dancing and/or drumming and at the end of the session you will do a whole performance featuring drumming and dancing. Suitable for all ages from children in P3 upwards. U12s must be accompanied by an adult. 25 places

Rooart Framing & Gallery, Haddington

10 The Sands, Haddington EH41 3EY. Upstairs studio. Please enter through main shop and stair case is in the left back corner. Please note there is no lift.

11:45 – 13:45 – Drama Workshops

11:45 – 12:45 Drama 1 for ages 5-10 – 15 places

12:45 – 13:45 Drama 2 for ages 10-16 – 15 places

Is your child is interested in learning more about drama, acting and performance? Join us for a free taster session as part of Haddstock 2023!

Our sessions will explore and create different worlds through improvisation activities, group work and creative tasks. Could we be in an underwater kingdom or are we flying through space bumping into new creatures along the way!?

Tasters are a great way to explore our Brunton Performing Arts Network Classes so come along to meet new people, share your creativity and have lots of FUN!

The Granary

The Granary room is on the 2nd floor of the Poldrate building which is accessed via the door across the courtyard from the Bridge Centre cafe. There is also an entrance from the road opposite the church. There is a lift available. Please see the timetable below.

14:30 – 15:30 – Street & Commercial Pop Dance – Ages 7-12

A 1-hour Dance workshop learning StreetDance & Commercial Pop choreography to current Tiktok chart-topping music. No previous dance experience necessary. Please wear trainers (no flip flops/sandals) and bring water! 

15:30-16:30 – Musical Theatre Workshop – Ages 11+

A 1-hour Musical Theatre workshop combining triple-threat acting, singing & dancing skills to the song ‘We Go Together’ from the ‘Grease’ musical soundtrack. Suitable for 11+ years, no previous musical theatre experience necessary. Please wear trainers (no flip flops/sandals) and bring water! Please wear trainers (no flip flops/sandals) and bring water! Familiarity with the song lyrics before the workshop would be helpful, but is not mandatory – lyrics will be provided on the day.

Bridge Centre Studio

The studio is upstairs above the cafe in the Bridge Centre, and can be accessed through the doors on the right as you enter the courtyard.

9:30 – 10:30 Music & Me Workshop – Ages 3 – 7

A family-friendly music session for young children and their adults with Dave Trouton. Dave runs developmental music classes for YMI in East Lothian’s Nurseries and Primary schools. Songs, drumming , music  games, rhyming, strange stories and fun will all feature in this 50-60 min session, suitable for 3- 7 year olds and their families. Children must be accompanied by an adult. 30 places

10:45 – 11:45 Ukulele Taster Workshop – Ages 6-12

A beginner workshop introducing you to the basics of playing the ukulele. Ukuleles will be provided! 10 places

12:00 – 13:30 Storytelling Sessions – U5s and 5-12 (plus their adult)

12:00 – 12:30 for Families with children under 5 on a Seaside Theme

12:40 – 13:30 for Families with children aged 5-12. “Come and celebrate summer with tales of the fairies and dancing trees”.

30 places per workshop Children must be accompanied by an adult.

14:00 – 16:00 Introduction to Music Technology – Ages 12-16

Technology is more widespread and cheaper than ever, and it is a must for any musician, no matter the stage of their career. This workshop introduces you to free tools and affordable equipment to help with music routines such as daily practising, writing and composing, recording, mixing, performing, etc. The workshop will allow you to:

  • Choose and set up the proper rig for your needs.
  • Gain skills using the right tools for specific scenarios (old smartphones and computers, affordable MIDI controllers, microphones, etc.)
  • Decide between all free DAWs (Digital Audio Workstations) and Plugins based on specific needs.
  • Measure and keep track of your goals and milestones.
    During the workshop you will learn all these and much more by creating an idea from scratch and producing it professionally in a collaborative and open environment. Open to anyone with music interests—no previous knowledge needed.

Max 15 places

View all sessions & Book
BPAN, Community Arts, Opportunities, TV & Film, Uncategorized, Visual Arts, Youth Dance, Youth Music, Youth Theatre

Call Out for Arts Practitioners

submit c.v.

Submit C.V. to artsservice@eastlothian.gov.uk

DEADLINE: 10th April

East Lothian Council Arts Service and Brunton Theatre Trust delivers inclusive, accessible and professional arts activities to all East Lothian residents in the form of school holiday programmes, weekly workshops and community arts projects. We are looking to increase and update our database of freelance arts practitioners who can deliver workshops in music, drama, dance and a variety of visual arts and crafts disciplines and have experience of arts engagement. We welcome general applications and also workshop proposals.

Qualifications and Experience:

Degree Qualification in a relevant subject or minimum 3 years demonstrable relevant experience. 

Experience of engaging individuals and communities in arts activities

An understanding of the value of arts engagement for individuals and communities

Current PVG scheme member. Will be required to join ELC PVG scheme

Must have own Public Liability Insurance, Unique Tax ref number and be registered as a sole trader

Scottish Artists or Musicians’ Union rates apply

If you have the skills required and would like to be considered for creative projects please send your C.V. into: artsservice@eastlothian.gov.uk

Community Arts, Opportunities, Youth Dance

One Billion Rising Protest Feb 14 2023

One Billion Rising is the biggest mass action to end violence against women that are subject to gender-based violence. The campaign, which launched on Valentine’s Day 2012, began as a call to action based on the staggering statistic that 1 in 3 women on the planet will be beaten or raped during her lifetime. With the world population at 7 billion, this adds up to more than ONE BILLION WOMEN AND GIRLS.

1 in 3 women across the planet will be beaten or raped during her lifetime. That’s ONE BILLION WOMEN AND GIRLS. Every February, we rise to show our local communities and the world what one billion looks like and shine a light on the rampant impunity and injustice that survivors most often face. We rise through dance to express joy and community and celebrate the fact that we have not been defeated by this violence. We rise to show we are determined to create a new kind of consciousness – one where violence will be resisted until it is unthinkable.

Break the Chain

Break the chain is the long established anthem to help us mark our One Billion Rising protest.  There is an easy to learn dance routine and if you’d like to join in with our protest you can learn the routine here:

What do WAEML have planned?

WAEML plan to protest in Dalkeith town centre at noon on Tuesday 14th February at Eskdail Court.

At the protest participants will have the chance to rise, dance, sing in solidarity with other groups of women protesting around the world.   Note that this is a public event and anonymity cannot be given. Everyone welcome, including children, young people and animals!

If you’d like to join us please register at our Eventbrite page here:  https://www.eventbrite.com/e/486775527707

For more information contact:

      Women’s Aid East and Midlothian

      E:  info@womensaideml.org

TV & Film, Uni & College Partnerships, Visual Arts

QMU Creates Film Making Project

The Arts Service is delighted to be embarking upon a new project in partnership with Queen Margaret University and East Lothian Works.

QMU Creates will lead young people from East Lothian high schools through a creative film making project, focused on developing the fundamental skills, knowledge and confidence to produce a short film.

Activities will involve photography, videography, acting, performance, costume, props and set design, and music design and production.

The project will be led by QMU students and will provide insight into possible paths of study in creative arts, film and media subjects at the university.

Opportunities, YMI, Youth Music

NYCoS Recruiting Pianists

The National Youth Choir of Scotland (NYCoS) is currently recruiting accompanists for their partnership project with East Lothian Council’s Arts Service and Youth Music Initiative (YMI).

The project will run for 10 weeks from w/b 27 Feb until the end of May ( term time only)

These 2 hour after school singing sessions deliver to pupils across an age range P3-P7 and last for 2 hours each week (4-6pm). Available posts are:

Mondays in Prestonpans, Tuesdays in Dunbar and Wednesdays in North Berwick.

Some song leader experience would be fantastic but not essential.

For more info and to apply please contact Anna Ghazal.

BPAN, Youth Theatre

BPAN New Term Dates

Brunton Performing Arts Network, run by the Brunton Theatre Trust (formerly known as East Lothian Youth Theatre Network), offers young people aged 5-18 the opportunity to participate in weekly drama, musical theatre and dance sessions across East Lothian.

The new term has just launched and we are keen to hear from anyone who would like to join us!

Visit our booking pages for times , dates and prices.