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Times
9 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Times
The 8 best shows to see at the Edinburgh Art Festival 2025
All human life is at the Edinburgh festivals (sometimes, walking on the Royal Mile, it feels as if that's literally the case). It has never been entirely clear to me why they all happen at the same time, the Fringe and the International Festival crashing into the film, book, TV and art jamborees every August, but one advantage for the Edinburgh Art Festival (EAF) is that it can provide a welcome respite from the noise. As a body that commissions work and provides an umbrella for exhibitions that would be happening anyway, the EAF can feel frustratingly disparate (and the website is maddening), but there is still much to enjoy. Of the commissions this year, Lewis Hetherington and CJ Mahoney's delicate film about queer Scottish lives obscured through history is the strongest, and can be found in the festival pavilion at 45 Leith Street, a disused office building given over to artists' studios (some are open to visitors on certain dates). • Edinburgh Festival 2025: the best shows to see this year And as ever, slipping into a gallery and shifting your mindset for an hour or so, especially if you've spent the past few hours being aggressively entertained, is always worthwhile. Here are the top shows. ★★★★☆A fascinating exhibition that uses fabulous paintings, books, jewellery and other objects to reveal a man about whom English audiences at least may have a pretty fuzzy idea, overshadowed as he has been by the travails of his descendants (especially Charles I and II) and his mother (Mary, Queen of Scots). It reveals a complex, intelligent, devoutly religious king scarred by childhood trauma but given to breathtaking arrogance; a dog lover, fashion plate and patron of the arts who hated smoking almost as much as he hated witches, and who managed to hold together two fractious nations, but had a weakness for pretty young Galleries, Scotland: Portrait, to Sep 14, ★★★☆☆Curated by the IKEA Museum in Almhult, Sweden, this jolly exhibition traces the early development of the massive interiors brand's textile division and highlights the designers behind some of its most popular fabrics (such as Inez Svensson's banana print — a nice detail is that when she died in 2005 she requested her coffin be draped in it). It's really only mildly interesting, but it's enjoyable, and does make you want to buy new cushions. Dovecot Studios, to Jan 17, • Edinburgh festivals 2025: the best theatre, music and dance shows ★★★★★It's rare to see Andy Goldsworthy's work inside a gallery — mostly he makes it in the landscape, out of natural materials, then leaves it to the mercies of nature, often to disappear altogether. This poetic, gently witty, quietly magical show includes photography and video documentation of some of his more ephemeral works, as well as objects and large installations that recognise and pay tribute to our integral relationship with the land. With works ranging from an elegiac room of stones displaced by human burials to vast paintings made by the muddy feet of hungry sheep, it's a strangely touching experience that makes you want to immediately tramp up Arthur's Seat, fires permitting, and hold your arms Scottish Academy, to Nov 2, ★★★★☆With their quiet clarity, soft palette and domestic focus, the paintings of the Philadelphia-based artist Aubrey Levinthal feel familiar in a way that is comforting yet disquieting. Revolving around life with her husband, son and friends, they are full of relatable detail that you rarely see in painting — a Tupperware containing the remnants of lunch; the startling black of a laptop screen reflecting an overhead light; a charger; discarded hoop earrings; an escapist scribble of spaghetti; drooping houseplants; children clustering around an iPad. She skilfully evokes, too, the solitude that comes with the territory of artist — and motherhood. Don't miss her prints in the hallway of the gallery, or the small exhibition upstairs of gorgeous canvases by Mia Kokkoni, a recent graduate based in Gallery, to Sep 13, • Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2025: the best comedy shows to see ★★★★☆The glorious sculpture park of Jupiter Artland is always worth visiting, but every summer a couple of new commissions are presented there, and the standout this year is the film-maker Guy Oliver's new piece, Millennial Prayer. Looking back at the day we briefly thought the clocks were going to stop, this hour-long, highly entertaining exploration of a cultural moment that was hugely significant and a complete damp squib wields deadpan humour to create a nonchalantly acute social Artland, to Sep 28, ★★★★☆Exquisitely made and totally compelling, this exhibition by the Egyptian artist Wael Shawky centres on two films about politics and history. The two-hour epic (part of a trilogy) Cabaret Crusades III: The Secrets of Karbala uses intricate glass marionettes, some of which are on display ('We are all like marionettes, manipulated by forces we cannot see,' he says), to give an Arab perspective on the context and motivation underpinning the Crusades. The strange but stunning Drama 1882 is an operatic rendition of Egypt's abortive nationalist Urabi revolution against imperial rule, undermined by the British to protect its interests in the region and leading to Britain's occupation of Egypt until 1956. Most visitors won't sit through them, but they're really worth your time. Talbot Rice Gallery, to Sep 28, • Read more art reviews, guides and interviews ★★★★☆At the heart of Edinburgh's Royal Botanic Garden, Inverleith House feels like an oddly appropriate location for this 50-year survey of work by the post-punk feminist artist Linder, who often draws on floral imagery to wittily subvert the tropes of femininity. Her scalpel-sharp, surgically executed photomontages critique conventional assumptions about gender and sexuality. From soft porn spliced with images of domestic appliances to photographs of the working-class drag clubs of 1970s Manchester, she kicks hard and precisely where it hurts. Inverleith House, to Oct 19, ★★★☆☆Mike Nelson creates immersive environments from salvaged materials that are stuffed with cultural references. They're not always easy to read, and this, a study in the politics of construction and destruction across all three gallery spaces, is no different — the short film upstairs, in which he reluctantly explains where he's coming from, is by far the most helpful place to start. Based on two sets of photographs — one of Mardin, a predominantly Kurdish city in Turkey that was at the time in a remarkable state of infrastructural redevelopment, and one of an unnamed London housing estate in the last silent days before its destruction — it's a cumulative experience that is more poetic and atmospheric than expressive. Make sure you visit the warehouse section of the gallery (through the café, then through a big metal door) or you'll be to Oct 5, Follow @timesculture to read the latest reviews
CBS News
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- CBS News
Outside Lands brings thousands to Golden Gate Park for music, food and community
Saturday marked the second day of the Outside Lands Music and Art Festival in Golden Gate Park. It began 17 years ago as a loving tribute to the City of San Francisco. And in return, the city has given the festival its unique vibe. Outside Lands is the largest independently owned music festival in the United States and draws more than 200,000 people each year. But when the first music set began at 1 p.m., the throngs hadn't arrived yet, and it was a more intimate audience for emerging artist Emilia Moore on the Lands End stage. Still, Kody Haynie from Sacramento said he knew how crowded it would get when evening fell and he was relying on his height to help out. "Yeah, I'm a people person. I do like big crowds and I might have a slight advantage. I can see a lot," he said, laughing. Early arrivers got to skip the normally long lines at the food booths, and this was the first year at the festival for Mezcla Eats, a local Colombian fusion pop-up vendor. Their specialty is Arepa, a corn masa pocket sandwich filled with savory barbecued beef. Co-owners Juan Melendez and Stephanie Ngyuen said they weren't sure how busy it would get when 70,000 people show up in the same place. "Coming into it, I didn't know what to expect, right? You know, just kind of blind," said Juan. "Obviously, everyone tells you it's busy, it's busy. But you don't know what busy is like until you're in it. So, yesterday was kind of the tone-setter for the rest of the weekend. But now we're ready for work." Along with the food, music and dancing there was also a space for love. Jazzy Grahm-Davis and Brandy Border were one of the couples who got married at the Outside Lands wedding venue. "We wanted to have a simple, easy wedding, but wanted something that was extra fun and didn't want to just go to City Hall," said Jazzy. "We're definitely going to remember this for the rest of our lives and have enjoyed having everyone here with us." And it wouldn't be San Francisco without a little social consciousness thrown in. "The Mission" area features a row of booths for non-profits, including Indvisible, the national group that organized the recent "No Kings" rallies that drew millions across the country. "You know, we've been pleasantly surprised that folks here at Outside Lands are really passionate about making sure they're building a good future," said Indivisble's Media Director Antonio Arellano. "Because we recognize at this moment that people-power is what it's going to take to fight back against the potential challenges to our community." That was something that festival-goer Kayla Stewart really appreciated. "I think it makes me feel a real good sense of community. And, like, people care," she said. "That's been my favorite part. Obviously, there's the songs and dancing and the local food, but my favorite part is just knowing that there's so many people that DO care." A sense of community is a common feeling at the festival. Concert veteran Jillian Devine said even in such huge crowds, at Outside Lands, there's a genuine atmosphere of togetherness. "Oh, it's total cohesion. Like, everyone's best friends after this," she said, and then added, "Getting out's kind of a you and 60,000 people, or whatever. But, I mean it's great and also knowing that you're coming back tomorrow and everyone's talking about what they're pumped up to see tomorrow. It's great! It's really one of the only times you can get a lot of us to come out to this side of the City because it's so cold in the summer. But it's a wonderful event." Despite the cold, it was a good bet that they'd all be back again on Sunday, enjoying all Outside Lands had to offer with 60,000 of their new best friends.
CBC
25-07-2025
- Entertainment
- CBC
Home County Music & Art Festival returns with Bedouin Soundclash headlining
The Home County Music & Art Festival is back at Victoria Park in London, Ont., this Saturday, promising a full day of live music, artisan vendors, and a laid-back summer vibe. This year marks the festival's 49th edition, although festival director Darin Addison said the team is still catching up after a few challenging years. "We did a small summer celebration last year, but we didn't call it a festival," Addison said on CBC London Morning. "We missed a couple of years with the pandemic and last year, so this year is kind of a step back. Fingers crossed we'll be back next year for our 50th edition with a three-day festival." A one-day event The festival will take place over a single day, with opening ceremonies set for 1 p.m. Addison said the decision to scale back to one day was primarily due to financial constraints and a lack of volunteer resources. "We lost our executive director and site coordinator, both volunteer positions, and people weren't stepping up," he said. "We had to sit back and regroup." More than 40 craft vendors will line Victoria Park, alongside a variety of food options and a beer garden hosted by London Brewing. The main stage will feature a mix of local and national performers, with Bedouin Soundclash headlining the lineup. Other acts include Ambiguous, Raised by Swans, Leanne Mayer, Fraser Teeple, The Marrieds, and bluegrass favourites New Cumberland. "People love the laid-back vibe of Home County," said Addison. "We're putting the stage in the middle of the park, inviting people to bring their own chairs or blankets and hang out." Admission by donation As always, the festival is admission by donation, and Addison emphasizes the importance of community support. "We rely on donations from patrons, but we want everyone to feel welcome," he said. The Home County Music & Art Festival runs all day Saturday at Victoria Park. More details, including the full performer lineup, can be found at
Scotsman
21-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
Summer events will leave us thunderstruck
Brian Johnson and Angus Young from AC/DC perform at the Rose Bowl Stadium, Pasadena, California in April 2025 (Picture: Valerie Macon/AFP via Getty Images) With August just around the corner, the city is set to once again become the world's stage and play host to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, the International Festival, Book Festival, Art Festival, Film Festival, and the iconic Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo. With the Fringe alone boasting 3350 shows across 265 venues there will be no shortage of things to see and do. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... August will also see Oasis play three gigs at Murrayfield which will see over 200,000 fans descend on the stadium as part of their long-awaited reunion tour. With AC/DC set for their Scottish return the following week, the range of events on offer this summer will leave us 'Thunderstruck'. Of course, our many festivals and events bring significant economic and cultural benefits to the city each year, but they also come at a cost. They require meticulous planning and coordination behind the scenes to limit the inevitable pressure on the city and our residents – and I want to extend my thanks to the many people who are working to ensure that Edinburgh and our world-leading events programme remains safe, inclusive, and successful. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad This summer also marks one year until the Edinburgh Visitor Levy comes into effect on July 24, 2026. This will bring tens of millions of pounds to the city, and I'm really pleased to welcome Julie Ashworth to her new role as Chair of the Visitor Levy Forum. The forum will play a key role in advising councillors on how best to deliver this scheme in a way that benefits everyone working in, living in and visiting the city. With elected members the ultimate decision makers on how funds are spent, this will be an excellent opportunity to invest the proceeds into enhancing and sustaining the things that make Edinburgh the world class place to live and visit that it is. I recently went along to the launch of the Scran Academy which is a unique café at the Royal Hospital for Children and Young People where young people are given jobs and training that will help them to grow their confidence in a real workplace. There are currently six people employed, and many others will benefit from work placements in the future. The Scran Academy lives the principle that every young person has the potential, and the power, to thrive when given the right support. This is exactly the kind of new approach that we want to champion in Edinburgh, where employability goes hand-in-hand with wellbeing, and where young people are supported not just to work, but to feel happy, valued and confident while doing so. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Finally, I'd like to welcome the acceptance by the trade unions – Unite, GMB and Unison – of a two-year pay deal which recognises the value of colleagues across the council and ensures that people are paid fairly for the work they do. I look forward to seeing this payment reach the pockets of many of the people who provide the services that we all rely on across the city, from those working to keep the streets clean, to the teams responsible for clearing the beach at Portobello, as well as all of our teachers who will soon begin a new year educating children throughout the city. They all play such an important role in making Edinburgh the city that is.
New York Times
17-07-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Times
New York's Best Summer Art Shows Are Upstate
Summer in the city is group-show season — but some of this summer's best are beyond the five boroughs, in Upstate Art Weekend, a five-day festival of more than 150 participants that sprawls across 10 counties in the Catskill Mountains and the Hudson Valley. The festival, which begins Thursday, July 17, and continues through Monday, July 21, brims with museum shows, live performances and opportunities to visit artists at work in their studios. And while some of the shows are ongoing, for many, this weekend is your only chance to visit. I've gone through the entire list and visited several shows in advance. Listed below, under the heading 'Highlights,' are nine of my favorites, destinations that I'd recommend organizing a day around. But I'd consider visiting an open art studio, too, one of more than 200 listed by the Foreland art center in Catskill, the Millbrook Arts Group and Upstate Open Studios. You can also be part of a conversation and studio viewing with the collector Jack Shear (the widower of the great American painter and sculptor Ellsworth Kelly) in Spencertown, in Columbia County. And at the Spencertown Academy Arts Center, a show of second- and third-generation Gee's Bend quilters is worth a visit. Glasshouse, in New Paltz, has a dedicated performance art series. At Storm King Art Center, the 500-acre outdoor museum in New Windsor, the artist Kevin Beasley will be staging music and dancing in front of his 100-foot-long work titled 'Proscenium.' And just like last year there will be a dance party fund-raiser for Noise for Now, a health care and reproductive rights nonprofit, at Assembly in Kingston. One of the loveliest sites for a visit is the KinoSaito foundation in Verplanck, a converted former school building set up by the Japanese American Color Field painter Kikuo Saito before his death. There, in addition to a show of Saito's own paintings, you'll find an alluring collection of cross-cultural abstractions in the group show 'The Unknown and Its Poetics.' Other venues with interesting shows include the River Valley Arts Collective; 'Upstate Gnarly,' an annual group show in an artists' studio, with work by Judith Linhares, Carolee Schneemann and Nicola Tyson; Athens Cultural Center, with Polly Apfelbaum and other abstract artists; and 'So It Goes,' a colorful group show in the grand old wooden grain elevator of the Wassaic Project, an artists' residency center in Wassaic. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
