For musicians who want to be better storytellers on stage! Learn how to improve your patter and song introductions with some basic rules of storytelling. An interactive and fun session led by experienced musician and storyteller David Francis, where you will learn how to stay grounded, be aware of your audience and try different introductions to songs and music, with honest and useful feedback. Presented by the Traditional Music Forum.
David Francis has been involved in folk music in Scotland for around 40 years as a folk club organiser, musician, researcher and administrator and is also involved in other aspects of the folk arts such as dance and storytelling.
As a musician, David is known for his guitar and songwriting work in duo The Cast with his wife Mairi Campbell, with whom he recorded and toured in the 90s and 00s. The duo was nudged into the spotlight and temporary solvency when their version of Robert Burns’s Auld Lang Syne was picked up for the film of the hit TV show Sex and the City.
He worked with the Traditional Music Forum and TRACS until his recent retirement but continues to stay involved through other organisations like the European Folk Network.
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Edinburgh Tradfest presents the very best traditional music and traditional arts from Scotland and around the world. This year's dates are Fri 2 – Mon 12 May 2025. Edinburgh Tradfest is run by Soundhouse, alongside programming partners at TRACS, Scottish Storytelling Centre, Queen's Hall, University of Edinburgh Celtic & Scottish Studies, Folk Film Gathering and other individual artists and creatives. Funded by Creative Scotland and the William Grant Foundation.
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Want to be the first to hear about what's happening in Edinburgh? Follow us on Facebook and join the What's On Scotland Group!Following a sold-out, standing-ovation premiere at the Scottish Storytelling Centre in 2025, Balancing in Freedom returns to the stage in 2026.
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READ MOREFor one night only, three outstanding acts come together to showcase the richness and diversity of contemporary folk from around the world, at the Scottish Storytelling Centre!
READ MOREThis exhibition documents the lives of 10 couples and families to illustrate the human cost of the spouse/partner migration policy and their sense of being continuously in limbo!
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READ MOREComing to the Scottish Storytelling Centre, Maya and The Whale is the story of a young climate activist on the run, grappling for hope amid unfolding global disasters.
READ MOREJoin Scottish Storytelling Centre on Monday 16th March for a talk and book signing with Alhierd Bacharevič and Julia Cimafiejeva, who will discuss the use of Belarusian language as defiance!
READ MOREJoin the Scottish Storytelling Centre for their first Hearth Fire Session of 2026 featuring Beverley Bryant, Dougie Mackay, Linda Perttula and Esther Swift on Thursday 19th March!
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READ MOREExperience magic or misogyny with Witches Corner, an upbeat new play with original songs that turns Scottish history into a powerful, must-see celebration of feminine strength and justice!
READ MOREJoin the Scottish Storytelling Centre for another fun and friendly session of Edinburgh's monthly storytelling club, Guid Crack, held upstairs in the Waverley Bar!
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READ MOREEnjoy upbeat and innovative folk music from Rura and Astro Bloc, two of Scotland's finest instrumental bands, at Potterrow as part of Edinburgh Tradfest 2026!
READ MORECelebrating traditional arts from Scotland and around the world, Edinburgh Tradfest returns between the 1st and 11th May with another exciting programme of live music and workshops!
READ MORELaura Jane Wilkie and Ian Carr are two leading figures in today's contemporary traditional music world. Don't miss them live at the Traverse Theatre as part of Edinburgh Tradfest 2026!
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READ MOREDon't miss an hour of strathspeys and other trad tunes with four of Scotland's most distinguished players as #WorldPlayAStrathspeyDay returns to Edinburgh Tradfest 2026!
READ MOREThe velvet voiced singer and composer Kim Carnie returns to Edinburgh Tradfest and the Traverse Theatre on Sunday 3rd May!
READ MORESAZ will bring the traditional music of Western Rajasthan into the 21st century and to the Traverse Theatre as part of Edinburgh Tradfest 2026!
READ MOREExpect an evening of musical magic from world class guitar and melodeon player Tim Edey when he returns to the Traverse Theatre as part of Edinburgh Tradfest 2026!
READ MOREJosie Duncan presents a special show all about the 'Scottish Sappho' Marie Maitland, showcasing her poetry and challenging the notion that queerness could ever be considered 'modern'.
READ MOREDon't miss the return of Deiseil at Edinburgh Tradfest... an upbeat, immersive celebration of Scottish stepdance and heritage told through fiddle that's guaranteed to get your feet tapping!
READ MOREExperience a dazzling blast from the past at Traverse Theatre as Canada's finest folk stars bring the 1920s to life with a brilliant, antique-recorded medicine show that's pure old-time magic!
READ MOREJoin friends from the Scots Music Group for Cafe Ceilidh... an afternoon session of traditional songs, music, poems and stories at the Scottish Storytelling Centre!
READ MORECelebrating 20 years, award-winning folk collective The Onlies bring their rich and joyful new-gen stringband sound to the Traverse Theatre on Wednesday 6th May as part of Edinburgh Tradfest 2026!
READ MOREThe Furrow Collective comes to Traverse Theatre on Wednesday 6th May, breathing new life into old ballads, in song, story and art with their contemporary interpretations of folk songs!
READ MOREDont miss Northern Resonance at the Traverse Theatre as the Swedish trio blends soulful Nordic tradition with explosive rhythms and strings for a truly captivating, world-class folk experience!
READ MOREHead to Traverse Theatre on 7th May as the award-winning Brian Molley Quartet celebrates the surprising Scottish roots of jazz through a vibrant blend of folk, gospel, and Afro-Caribbean grooves!
READ MOREA decade on from their first performance, and with 4 acclaimed albums under their belt, RANT remain at the forefront of the Scottish fiddle scene... don't miss them live at Traverse Theatre!
READ MOREThe Nexus Project comes to Traverse Theatre with a vibrant fusion of jazz, folk and classical, blending Highland pipes and global sounds like the didgeridoo for a truly fresh Scottish sound!
READ MOREHead to the Traverse Theatre on Saturday 9th May to see multi-award-winning Glasgow-based harp and percussion duo Eleanor Dunsdon and Gregor Black preform as part of Edinburgh Tradfest!
READ MOREAcclaimed artist Ganna brings her Ukrainian folk traditions, jazz-tinged arrangements and electronic soundscapes to the Traverse Theatre on Saturday 9th May as part of Edinburgh Tradfest!
READ MOREIsla Ratcliff is a unique and compelling voice in the folk world, don't miss her live at the Traverse Theatre on Saturday 9th May as part of Edinburgh Tradfest 2026!
READ MORETraverse Theatre welcomes back the ETF Spotlight show for a lively evening that will throw a light on some of the most exciting new performers in folk and traditional music today!
READ MOREMontreal-born Grenadian-Canadian Kaia Kater's jazz-fueled voice and deft songcraft have garnered acclaim! Don't miss her at Traverse Theatre on Sunday 10th May as part of Edinburgh Tradfest!
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READ MORENow in their 21st anniversary year, Session A9 have earned their reputation as one of the best live bands in the country. Catch them at the Traverse Theatre as they close out Edinburgh Tradfest 26!
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Join Summerhall Distillery at their historic venue for an immersive cocktail masterclass, where the art of mixology meets the science of spirits!
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Each month in the beautiful and historic Abbey Strand Centre, Community Connections will explore themes from across the Royal Collection and the history of the Palace of Holyroodhouse.
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Castle Chorus is a small, friendly choir open to anybody who loves singing. If you’re interested in coming along, singing some songs and meeting new people, feel free to just turn up on a Thursday!
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Presented by Brick and Sip, come along to The Gilded Saloon and live your childhood dreams of being a LEGO® Master Builder, while fulfilling your adult dreams of having a drink!
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Enjoy a mindful connection with nature by joining Wild Rose Forest Therapy at St Mark's Park in Leith for a Forest Bathing taster Session!
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Reconnect with your inner self and the natural elements on a Sound Bath Meditation Workshop with Marcela Tršová at Birchwood Art Studio!
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Come and learn dances from Jane Austen's time at Institut Français d'Écosse with Talitha MacKenzie, a teacher of Historical Dance & Dance Music at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.
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Join The Paint Club at BrewDog DogHouse for a relaxed and creative evening of painting where a friendly artist will guide you step-by-step from a blank canvas to your very own work of art!
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Learn the fundamental basics of blacksmithing in a supportive and engaging environment on this one day course run by Work of Iron at The Pitt.
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