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Scotland’s capital city of Edinburgh is a busy place throughout the year – at some point in the history of Edinburgh, someone thought it would be a good idea to combat our fickle and sometimes torturous weather with a series of festivals. Now, I think the city is deserving of the title City of Festivals, because nearly every month you’ll run into a festival or two to spruce up your visit.

Here’s the low down on some of my favourite festivals; if you want to check out the full festival calendar, head on over to Edinburgh’s Inspiring Capital website.

Beltane Fire Festival, End of April – I love the Beltane Fire Festival because it’s a good excuse to wander up onto Calton Hill at night – the views are stunning. While yes, I would agree that the antics of the fire festival performances can be bizarre and downright rude, the fires blazing along the National Monument makes me feel like I’ve travelled back in time to some ancient ritual performed by the Greeks. And to feel the searing heat and squint into the bright flames of the bonfire at the end of the show is a treat not often experienced here in Edinburgh. (Note: This is not a family-friendly event.)

Edinburgh International Film Festival, mid-June – Edinburgh’s film fest is a real gem for me because it features so many good indie features from our various European neighbours. Other festivals tend to show off big blockbuster hits with many of America’s major stars, but here in Edinburgh the focus is more on cinematic quality and top notch cinematography. The venues that host the festival as well – particular the Cameo and the Filmhouse – are such cute and cosy movie houses, I’d recommend a stop there even if the festival isn’t on.

Edinburgh Fringe Festival, August – Any festival-related text would be remiss not to highlight The Edinburgh Fringe, the world’s largest arts festival. The city is literally transformed – sometimes I still don’t believe it myself – into a bustling metropolis twice the size of normal and every empty space all over town becomes a performance venue, which does add to the serendipity but sometimes these cramped, hot spaces aren’t always the ideal choice. The Fringe has so many acts it can be really overwhelming – don’t worry so much about it, just live in the moment and ask around for a recommendation. If you’re on a tight budget, go to the half price tent next to Princes Street and Waverley Station in the afternoon for discount seats.

Hogmanay, end of December – What would any self-respecting city do when the winters turn cold and daylight becomes sparse? Hold a party, of course. Edinburgh’s Hogmanay (an old Scots word for New Year’s) features fireworks, a German Christmas market, loads of amusement rides, and plenty of merry good cheer. Grab your warmest coat – but keep in mind it’s not that cold – and head here to celebrate Christmas in Edinburgh style.

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For more information on Edinburgh, be sure to check out the Edinburgh Guide – hopefully we’ll have it covered. If you still can’t find what you need, you can contact me, I’m happy to help.

Photo credit:  raymccrae @flickr

Post from: Fly Away Cafe

Founded in 2001 by Robert DeNiro and Jane Rosenthal, the festival was an attempt to revitalize a neighborhood that was laid low as a result of the 9/11 World Trade Center attacks.  The first festival was held in 2002, and even with only four months of planning, it was a critical, financial, and public success.  Since then it has grown in what it offers, attendance, and a variety of partnerships, and today it is one of the premiere film festivals.

Depending on your availability and interests, there are several ways to take in the festival:

• Consider buying a pass or ticket package.  These range in price from $225-400, and combine tickets to several films (10-20) and other admissions.
• Check the listing of films, show times, and theater locations of films that you’d like to see, and order tickets online, by phone at (866) 941-FEST (3378), or at ticket outlets.  Have several back up choices in case your first choices aren’t available.  Single tickets go on sale April 14th for American Express Card members only, on April 19th for downtown residents (proof required), and on April 20th for the general public.
• Get a discount ticket package.  On sale April 14th, these offer some great values for film lovers.  Priced $39-100.
• If you in the “biz” or are a film lover with some coin, there are also a number of VIP packages available.

Other festival events include:

• Sports Film Festival (in partnership with ESPN)
• Shorts Section
• World Narrative Competition
• World Documentary Competition
• Discovery Section (featuring new talent in cinema)
• Encounters (narrative features and documentaries)
• Showcase (10 international films)
• Spotlight (award winners and acclaimed filmmakers)
• Midnight (horror genre)
• Restored/Rediscovered (rarely screen or newly restored films)
• and lots of community events

What are you waiting for?  Download the 2009 Film Guide, and plan to be a participant at this year’s TriBeCa Film Festival!

Photo credit: SXC

Post from: Fly Away Cafe

For those of you too young to remember Easy Rider, it is one of the iconic movies of the 60’s. 

It debuted at the Cannes Film Festival in May 1969, and was both a counterculture classic and a warning against the communal lifestyle and use of drugs popular in the era.  It starred Peter Fonda, Dennis Hopper and Jack Nicholson, was produced by Fonda and directed by Hopper, and featured music from Steppenwolf, Jimi Hedrix, the Band, and the Byrds.

Dennis Hopper was living in Taos at the time Easy Rider was filmed, and some of the shots were filmed there.  Taos was home to a thriving artists colony along with several thriving communes.  Although the town is much different today, it is still appeals to those searching for a different, perhaps alternative, way of life.

Hopper remains a part-time resident of Taos, New Mexico, and the festival features two of his exhibits at The Harwood Museum of Art.  The summer is full of events, including art, film and music designed to let you flash back to a the era of the late 60’s. 

Taos Summer of Love runs May through September, and kicks off with a fundraising dinner with Dennis Hopper to benefit the Harwood Museum.  The full Summer of Love schedule is available, and you can also follow them on Twitter.

You may not have been Born to be Wild in 1969, but you can recreate the experience in Taos this summer.

Image credit:  Courtesy of Taos Vacation Guide

Post from: Fly Away Cafe