BrainBomb: Craigmillar 1 West End 0

Today I popped into the Book Festival in Charlotte Square. I told them I was a local writer, had written a book about mental health and the Edinburgh post-punk scene, could I leave some flyers? The reaction I got from the non-Edinburgh accented staff at the foyer, you'd think I'd asked to streak through one of the celebrity readings. 'No flyers. Definitely not. You'd have to run that by our press office'.

Outlandish, an arts events at the Wave Theatre, Craigmillar on Thursday 21 August 2009, was a glimpse of what can make the Edinburgh Festival special.  Drama about the Rwanda genocide by Sonja Linden, performed by Malawi Logan ... Excerpts from 'Coast', by Annie George, played by Avaes Mohammed and Phil ... Post-apartheid political satire by Pieter Dirk Uys, performed by Serena Parks ... And a hilarious performance by Lisa Jackson 'Heart in Jamaica, England Thy Home'. There was also Indian Dance Fusion by Indira Kemp, spoken word by Kokumo Rocks, jazz-tinged soul by Edinburgh's Townhouse, Afro-beat by Samba Sene and Diwan, as well as dance. I was asked to do a reading from BrainBomb. It was an excellent night, relaxed atmosphere, good vibes, challenging theatre, food and drink, a show that lasted well over 3 hours, and all for a five-spot.