Where were you when the largest art festival in the world started this weekend? The 62nd annual Edinburgh Fringe Festival brings performers from all over the world to Scotland for two weeks of doing whatever their muses lead them to do, for lucky audiences who don't mind waiting in line and drinking many, many beers. With most shows under £10, it's a cheap way to catch a show which could one day be sitting pretty on the West End, also known as the Broadway of London.

Our picks among the thousands of offerings this year:

· "The B.F.G."
Honor the U.K.'s own Roald Dahl with this puppet masterpiece for all ages about a man of unusual size and his new best friend. At Augustine's, 41 George V Bridge. Tickets £7. ]]> egw 2009-08-10T12:34:29-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2007/7/31/165135/625

O, my luve's like a red, red rose... With the advent of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival a week from Sunday, a flood of foreigners will be crowding the streets of Scotland's biggest city to see new and cutting-edge live works. But just because you're on the Fringe doesn't mean you can't find someone to take to the shows. Exercise those plus-ones for once after you visit these hot spots:

The Secret Garden -- Eating in this dark, candle-lit spot is a "indulgent and decorative experience" from the wine waiters to the baked-goat-cheese tarts.
Castlehill, The Royal Mile

The Bongo Club -- Cafe by day, jazz/soul/techno club by night, so the bongos need never stop playing. 37 Holyrood Road

The Jolly Judge -- Yes, it's around the corner from a court of law, but why should that stop you from sampling one of its 30-plus malt whiskies while you battle some smarties on Monday's quiz night? 493 Lawnmarket

Related Stories:
· Edinburgh Hotels [HotelChatter]
· Edinburgh Travel [Jaunted]

[Photo: attator]]]> egw 2007-08-03T11:43:24-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2006/3/3/75344/08361 Oh, Naked Rambler, you're always so naked, and now your ass is in jail. It all happened when Stephen Gough walked into Edinburgh Sheriff Court to deal with a couple of the many charges that occurred during his recent walks with his equally sky-clad girlfriend (no word on her charges, if any).

Of course, our N.R. went to court naked. When he did the same thing on the next day, the judge told him he was "offensive" and found him in contempt.

Related Stories:
·   Naked rambler jailed for contempt [BBC]
·   Cheeky Brits [Jaunted]
·   Naked Rambler Hits Snag [Jaunted]
]]> johnrambow 2006-03-03T07:55:02-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2006/1/2/161423/4887

A river of fire, burning of a Viking ship and a Catalonian wicker bull, and four straight days of partying--now that is ringing in the New Year.

About 100,000 revelers headed to Princes Street during the December 29 - January 1 (Ne'er Day) Hogmanay event in downtown Ediburgh.

Those up early enough after the New Year celebrations will be able to take part in the One O'Clock Run from Edinburgh Castle Esplanade or the Edinburgh Bicycle Triathlon at the Royal Commonwealth Pool and Holyrood Park.

Jesus, we wouldn't even be able to open our eyes, let alone run, after four straight days of downing drinks and torching wicker bulls.

photo via Staurt Yeates]]> markj 2006-01-02T16:14:23-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2005/9/22/11347/5034

Thriller writer Ian Rankin, who covered his home town of Edinburgh for the Sunday Times, is all about this time of year, when the town's many festivals are over and the town is more or less left to the natives. One place that gets special mention is Rankin's longtime favorite the Oxford Bar, a recurring location in his novels. Because Oxford Bar's a little out of the way, it's not quite the complete tourist trap you might fear, says the man.

Related Stories:
·   Edinburgh Confidential [Sunday Times]
·   Oxford Bar [Official site]
·   Oxford Bar [Edinburgh Pub Guide]
]]> johnrambow 2005-09-22T11:03:47-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2005/7/13/114929/659
Irvine Welsh isn't loving the gentrification of his beloved Edinburgh, especially that in the old waterfront town of Leith, where many of his books were partially set: "What is it about yuppies and water anyway? It's the same everywhere -- Belfast, Cardiff, Liverpool and Dublin." As for Welsh himself, he currently lives in a very nice apartment in Dublin.

Related Stories:

·   Trainspotting author rails against 'yuppiefied' Leith [Edinburgh News, via Bookslut]
·   The Sick Boy Guide to Edinburgh [Gridskipper]
·   Edinburgh and Leith Pub Guide [Edinburgh 247]]]> johnrambow 2005-07-13T11:49:29-05:00 Search Jaunted string http://www.jaunted.com/search/