East Lothian Courier | News | Fringe by the Sea on track

Saturday, 30th August, 2008

Published: Thursday, 17th July, 2008 11:00

Fringe by the Sea on track

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THE county’s very own mini version of the Edinburgh Fringe steams ahead next month. . . with an opening concert on a train!

A series of top music acts and other entertainers descend on North Berwick for Fringe by the Sea.

Tantallon Road residents Eric Wales and John Shaw have teamed up with Stenton-based concert promoter Jane Thomson to stage the inaugural event – dubbed Scotland’s music festival by the beach – from August 13-16.

Four town centre venues – St Andrew Blackadder Church, Abbey Church, North Berwick Masonic Hall and a marquee at Harbour Green – will showcase the best in jazz, world, folk and contemporary music. There is even a children’s entertainer and a stand-up comedy show included in the eclectic line-up.

Eric, a guitarist with Fat Sam’s Band, said: “John and I were having a beer back in January when the idea came up of pulling a bit of the Festival Fringe buzz away from Edinburgh and down to North Berwick.

“We thought a wee break down to the beach would be welcomed by the festival goers.

“After a day of sun and sand in North Berwick, there’s not much to do by way of entertainment after 6pm. We aim to change that.”

The pair contacted Jane, who put on the successful James Taylor concert at Lennoxlove House, near Haddington, in 1999, and it all went from there.

With support from East Lothian Council, they have come up with what they hope will be a winning formula. All the concerts have been timed to enable visitors to catch the last train back to Edinburgh.

Passengers on the 1.37pm Edinburgh Waverley to North Berwick service on Wednesday, August 13, will be treated to a free onboard concert by Orkestra de Sol, which officially opens the four-day festival. The spectacular 10-piece group will then parade along High Street from 2.15pm to 3pm. The full programme for Fringe by the Sea is:

August 13 – Mr Boom, Harbour Green Marquee, 3pm to 4pm; Orchestra del Sol, Harbour Green Marquee, 6pm to 7pm; Becky Mills, North Berwick Masonic Hall 7.30pm; Fat Sam’s Swing Band, St Andrew Blackadder Church, 8pm;

August 14 – Mr Boom, Harbour Green Marquee 11am to 12noon. Comedy Special, North Berwick Masonic Hall, 7.30pm; Dougie MacLean Accoustic Band, St Andrew Blackadder Church, 8pm-10pm; Seaside Skiffle, Harbour Green Marquee, 8pm;

August 15 – Fischy Music, Harbour Green Marquee, 2pm; Mike and Ali Vass, North Berwick Masonic Hall, 7.30pm; Taking Chase and Friends, Harbour Green Marquee, 7.30pm; Tommy Smith Youth Jazz Orchestra, St Andrew Blackadder Church, 8pm to 10pm; Giveaway, Harbour Green Marquee, 8pm to 10pm.

August 16 – Rab Knoakes with Mike and Georgi Heron, St Andrew Blackadder Church, 8pm to 10pm. Opera East, Abbey Church, 7.30pm.

Tickets are available on the reservation line 07500 772 720 and from Greens & Blues at 59 High Street, North Berwick.

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