Traquair Fair Programme

For individual act timings please see our programme times page.

THEATRE/OUTDOOR SPECTACLES

On wineglass lawn and performances both days unless otherwise stated.

AVANTI DISPLAY– MR LUCKY’S PARTY (Sat only)
A celebrated company known for their engineering and mechanical feats present Mr Lucky’s Party. Mr. Lucky begins, as usual, alone under a perpetual downpour, but he is soon joined by a guest. During the tea party that follows our couple begin a celebration. Party hats, even a cake, appear, however, with each course the weather worsens, the downpour increases and their mood blackens. In typical Avanti style it concludes with a bizarre, spectacular and unexpected twist.

CIRCO RUM BA BA
One of the best street theatre companies in the UK, Circo Rum Ba Ba bring their show “Dress Circle” – a 13ft high lady with sumptuously brocaded child bearing hips who will reveal some fairly extraordinary theatrical surprises below her skirts. Follow her progress to the wine glass lawn and see what lies beneath.

FATALIA (on the main drive) is: childhood, the world of dreams,
Find and enter the fantastical bus on the avenue. From Germany, a visual experience with a difference. A cross between a cabinet of curiosities and a freakshow it moves between farce and grace.  It tries to illustrate the silent presence between mirror dreams in our secret life. Explore and decide for yourself.

HATRICK & FRIENDS – THE MAD HATTER’S TEA PARTY
(Cupid’s Garden and walkabout)
Watch out for the intriguing characters from Alice in Wonderland as they roam around the Fair and then join them for The Mad Hatter’s Tea Party in the beautiful surroundings of Cupid’s Garden to the right of the main house.

RECKLESS INVENTION – TURBO JONEZ
Hilarious show and a totally unique comedy fusing breakdance, physical comedy, audience participation and 80’s rap. Turbo remixes Vanilla Ice’s ‘Ice Ice Baby’ and there is homage to the ‘Hello’ video from Lionel Ritchie. We’re talking Rock Steady, Grandmaster Flash, MC Hammer and the great Rick Astley. Turbo headspins, beatboxes and scratches his way to the finale, a jaw dropping 1000 watt sneaker fest complete with bling to, wait for it, RUN DMC….WALK THIS WAAAYYYY!

STRANGE BIRDS ZIRCUS
Strange Birds are an innovative team of aerial artists who will be using the trees at Traquair to perform a stunning aerial act as well as some Chinese pole performances in front of the house.

MUSIC

Performances on both days unless otherwise stated

BEVVY SISTERS (Sat only)
The Bevvy Sisters unite the richly seasoned voices of Heather Macleod, Kaela Rowan and Lindsey Black (see pic: left to right), in a headily harmonised cocktail of jazz, Americana, folk and newly-written material. Sometimes sighted fronting Edinburgh's semi-mythical LoveBoat Big Band, there are accompanied David Donnelly (guitar,mandolin), and James Mackintosh (percussion) and, on really special occasions, by Emma Smith (double bass).

"some of the silkiest, sultriest, sauciest harmonies ever likely to caress your ears." Sue Wilson

DAS CONTRAS (Sun only)
Das Contras are a six-headed musical monster with a Latin temperament, a worldly attitude, two devilish horns and a rock ‘n’ roll heart. Since winning the PRS new music award in 2006 they have played from Auld Reekie to New York.
The Fife grown, Glasgow based band began as a duo and have grown into a 6 piece ensemble with Sher Watson (lead vocals, guitar), Dave Webster (trumpet, keys, backing vocals), Tony Courtney (sax, flute), Colin Walker (drums), Marky Furniss (bass) and Gerardo Ballesteros (percussion).
With an eclectic, original sound, the Das are a bit folk, a bit rock, a bit Latino and a bit reggae and just like their own music, their influences criss-cross genres and include Love, Manu Chao, Tiger Lilies, and The Specials among others.

ETHNO SCOTLAND (Sat only)
Over 30 young folk  musicians from around the world are coming together in Scotland this summer for an exciting collaboration  and will bring  you a colourful melting pot of music and dance from around the globe.
They will present a world ceilldh of musical styles and a parade around the Fair. You can’t miss them!

FOLKAHOLICS (Sat only) 
Folkoholics are a world-class interethnic/national folk-punk-improv duet. Matija Solce from Slovenia and Fernando "Nano" Stern from Chile present an amazing blend of South American camping songs, Russian children's music and klezmer. They have played together all over the world.

IN CHORUS
This local choir from Peebles are barely a year old but their range and abilities are impressive.  They sing a broad repetoire with some great classics. Catch the in the courtyard on Sunday with up to 50 members involved this will be some sound!

MATT SEATTLE BAND 
Music with a Border heart, welling forth in muckle springs from watershed ridges thrown skywards from Earth's fiery depths to where Alba and Albion touch shoulders.  The Muckle Springs are the big tunes, singing, dancing and playing their way across the centuries.  They grow out of the Border rivers and hills and a history peopled with saints and prophets, wizards and fairies, lovers and heroes. 

The blend of Border pipes (Matt), accordion (Lewis Powell-Reid ), guitar (Donald Knox) and middle eastern percussion (Frazer Watson) has been likened to Border lamb with Moroccan spice - music from here, enhanced with the finest natural ingredients from around the world. 

MOONZIE ALLSTARS
Featuring members of Macumba, Skelpaig, The Big Cat Ceilidh Band and the Anthill Mob Blues band. The Moonzie Allstars are based in Fife and perform energetic Afro-Celtic and world fusion music, centred on bagpipe and whistle tunes, interwoven with foot tapping backing arrangements of West African, Arabic, Cuban, and Rock styles.
The band is David Adam on Pipes & Flutes, Graham Dickson on Bass & Guitar, Geoff Stevenson on Vocals, Guitar & Bouzouki and Johnny Beaver on Percussion & Drums

REEM KELANI
Palestinian singer, musician and broadcaster Reem Kelani  has been researching traditonal Palestinian songs in Palestine and the Diaspora for over 20years. Her debut album in 2006 “Sprinting Gazelle received great critical acclaim. She is also an accomplished broadcaster and wrote and presented “Distant Chords” for BBC Radio 4. She will be performing with her band on Saturday and solo o Sunday where she will give  a workshop on Arabic and Palestinian singing,

“Reem Kelani is Palestinian but her vocal style seems to effortlessly transcend any boundaries. ”Time Out, London

STROAT ENSEMBLE OLDENZAAL (Sat only)
Direct from Holland in their large colourful bus, The Stroat Ensemble from Oldenzaal  have a large orchestra with a broad repertoire  of old and new music. There are around 16 musicians  young and old who play trumpets, saxophones, trombones, bass and various percussion. They promise to produce a great sound and even greater enthusiasm.

THE BEGGAR GIRLS (Sat only)
The Beggar Girls are a 4/5 piece band from the Scottish Borders. Great favourites at the Fair their music is a magical blend of original Balkan, French and English folk, with heart warming, quirky and wholesome songs of love, dreams and squeezeboxes.

VRONI – LADY CHARLESTON
Don’t just chill in the walled garden. Make the effor to get round to the back f the house and see the wonderful Maze where Lady Charleston will be playing her mix of ragtime jazz in great style.

WILD MYRTLES
A six piece a cappella group based in Edinburgh. Together they delve into the rich harvest of traditional music from all around the world, gathering songs from places as diverse as Scandanavia, Eastern Europe, Africa, USA and Britain, weaving a tapestry of songs to lift the spirit and touch the heart.

ZUBA BASSA BEAT
Some may remember Zuba’s electric performances at the Fair in years gone by. Led by Jerry Boweh who founded Zuba in 1997 and were JTP African best album in 2006. Jerry is from a cast of musicians in Liberia's Grand Bassa county, where his grand-uncle is still a legend of Liberia's music scene. This slightly new line up promises to have you up on your feet and dancing into the night.

CHILDREN’S  ENTERTAINMENT

(in the Children’s Area)

CLYDEBUILT THEATRE COMPANY
One of Scotland’s best loved puppet companies Clydebuilt are coming to the Fair this year with two shows.
How The Raven Stole the Moon (Saturday)
Raven is a trickster.  She uses her wits and magic and loves beautiful, bright and shiny things.
So begins this classic tale of how the Raven takes the Moon from an old cedar box and carries it to it’s rightful place in the heavens.
The Iroquois story of ’THE THUNDERER’ introduces Water Lily, a girl who is forced into marriage with ‘Sweaty Hands’, a rather nasty character.  Water Lily, rather than face this terrible fate, throws herself over the Falls and is saved by The Thunderer, a godlike creature who protects good from evil. (suitable for 5 – 12yr olds)
Red Riding Hood’s Magic Purse (Sunday)
A classic story told with a difference.  Favourite characters abound, an adventurous Red Riding Hood, an independent Granny (home at last from her trip round the world), and of course the wonderful, Wicked Wolf who plans to eat “Grannie for lunch and Little Rosie for afternoon tea.” 

Find out how Red Riding Hood’s Magic Purse saves the day in this delightful show for ages 3 – 8 years. Rod-glove puppets and shadow theatre combined with original music and sounds bring this fabulous story to life.

MR BOOM
Scotland’s greatest under 5’s entertainer and a complete favourite at the Fair. His songs are infectious, his ability to engage even the youngest children is legendary. There is simply choice but to go and join in with  the songs and fun from the man from the moon.

MACASTORY
Stories and fun with with  'Kasim and the Magic Carpet' ( a magical adventure with stories from  around the Globe ) and 'The Great Race' (The story of Ganesh and his brothers race around the World)

DR PANDEMONIOUS FOGG & PHILEAS FLASH
Although plagued by disaster and blind incompetence, veteran explorers Phileas Flash and Dr.Pandemonius Fogg continue in their historic scheme to circumnavigate the globe in a variety of ridiculous ways. Hailing from a bygone era of bravado and derring-do, these two colourful and eccentric characters face the many challenges that arise during their adventure with barely a trace of sanity and unwittingly entertain people everywhere

CHILDRENS WORKSHOPS & OTHER THINGS TO DO

EYEMOUTH ARTWORKSHOPS – make and create plastercasts, wind socks and other great things to take away. (Children’s Area)
COLOUR MAZE – Explore the amazing inflatable maze at the top of the avenue.
FAIRY WINGS – make your very own fairy wings in this popular workshop at the top of the walled garden.
SWING BOATS, FACE PAINTING, CIRCUS WORKSHOPS –  yes it‘s all free!

CHILDRENS BOOK TENT

FRANK RODGERS
Dog titles for Puffin and my latest swashbuckling Pirate Penguins
One of Scotland’s best selling and popular children’s authors Frank has been writing and illustrating for children since the 1980’s. Since then he  has written and illustrated over sixty children’s books. His books have been published in Europe, Africa, the US and Asia, and in Britain have been chosen for the Book Federation’s annual recommended lists, appeared on the  Book Trust’s Top 100 Books of the Year and adapted for radio, tv and audiobook. He has also illustrated over thirty books by other authors.  Most of his recent work has been for developing readers in the 5-8 year-old age range – The Witch’s Dog,(adapted for TV) Robodog and  the Pirate Penguins series – all published by Puffin.

TERESA FLAVIN
New-York-born illustrator Teresa Flavin has lived in Scotland for over 15 years and it was an early visit to Traquair and the Maze that has inspired her debut novel, The Blackhope Enigma just released and chosen as The Scottish Book Trust’s Book of the Month for July.
When Sunni Forrest’s stepbrother accidentally transports himself into a Renaissance painting, she and her friend Blaise set out to bring him back. They find themselves in a strange world of labyrinths, monsters and pirates.
Can they evade their greedy pursuers? And will they ever find their way home?

ANNABEL CLARIDGE
Annabel Claridge was born and brought up in the Borders before moving to London where she is a successful children’s writer with a recent series of books based around the adventures of her time travelling poodle, Bo.
Her new book, Iron Horses, takes Bo to 1860’s America. Iron Horses is a thrilling follow - up to Storm Dogs and Mortal Gods. Bo the poodle is Buffalo Rabbit, pet of the great Sioux warrior, Crazy Horse, who defeated Custer at the Battle of the Little Big Horn. It’s a ‘true’ story packed full of atmosphere, a three-legged wolf and a very clever raven, and it’s Bo’s most intrepid adventure so far
For Ages 7 -12 year olds.

SERAFINA PRESS – JENNIFER DOHERTY AND CARA LOCKHART-SMITH
Eyemouth based publishers, Serafina Press, have  built a strong reputation over recent years with their art driven books for young readers.  Their popular Bear in a Boat series celebrates the coast, the rivers and the beautiful landscape of the Borderlands as the Bear travels through it on his adventures . Jen and Cara will be doing readings as well as a craft activity at the Fair.

SARAH HARRIS
Sarah Harris lives and works in Skye where she has created a beautifully illustrated series for youn children, A Sheep Called Skye. She will be at the Fair with her book and also running a writing workshop and craft activities.

MAGGI GIBSON
Maggi has worked with teens and tweens in many settings. While her three children struggled to survive their chaotic upbringing she held three Scottish Arts Council Fellowships, had several poetry collections published, and won the Scotland on Sunday/Women 2000 Writing
Prize. In 2007 the SAC awarded her a major bursary for children's writing.
Maggi’s new series about  Sassy Wilde  has been a great hit for teenagers. Sassy is a teenage heroine with  plenty to say about life, love and . . . lemurs. She's a rock chick with eco attitude. Her latest book in this series, “Pinch me, I’m Dreaming” has just been released.

WALKABOUT THEATRE

THE HULA DOLLIES
Hula hooping like you have never seen it before. Catch these girls around the Fair whether they are performing a comedy star wars themed act, 1920’s circus girls or a 50’s style Hoop La La. Don’t miss their workshops too each day on the main avenue.

PEOPLES ART PROJECT
The makers of the larger than life puppets whose 12ft high frames can be seen moving through the Fair and popping up in the most curious places.

BELL & BULLOCK – No Flies on UZZZ
Aristotle and Felicity Bluebottle, two charming and cultured flies will be buzzing about the event.  Experience life through the eyes of a fly and see their fascinating mating dance.
 
MICHAEL ANGELO
The amazing and friendly gentle giant will be teetering, unicycling and juggling throughout the event.

THE VISUAL ARTS AREA

This new addition to the Fair can be found on the avenue above the Crafts Marquee.

EXHIBITION BY ARTISTS IN EXILE

Artists in Exile, Glasgow (AiEG) is a network for refugee, asylum seeking, international and British artists across all disciplines. Artists from as far afield as Iran, Kosovo, Palestine, Congo, Bulgaria and Russia meet regularly with artists from the UK and Europe to discuss personal practise and develop new work. This small exhibition will show a selection of this work and a chance to meet and talk to the artists.
EXHIBITION BY EDINBURGH PRINTMAKERS

Esstablished in 1967 as the first open access studio in Britain, Edinburgh Printmakers (EP) is dedicated to the promotion of contemporary printmaking practice. A selection of the work of  some of the artists will be on sale and demonstrations of etching and screen printing will be running throughout the weekend.



It achieves this by providing, maintaining and staffing an entrance free gallery and inexpensive, open access print studio, where artists and members of the public can use equipment and source technical expertise in order to develop their hands on printmaking skills. 

The Art of Watercolour Painting – Joseph Maxwell Stuart
A chance to see a demonstration of watercolour painting and see a picture created from scratch. Joseph is an accomplished artist who has exhibits regualry in Edinburgh with the Torrance Gallery and has also taught extensively. A selection of his work can also be seen in the 1745 Cottage Restaurant.

Cartoon Workshop – Jo Powell
Join local artist and workshop leader Jo powell as she will lead you through some easy techniques to become better at drawing cartoons. Jo will be also creating a mural in which everyone can take part.

Outside the Marquee

Paint the FAIR – take part in our ongoing workshop to paint our huge 8ft high letters over the weekend

Sculpture Recycling Workshop - Join artist Allal Yamine to make  your own sculpture using recycled materials. From bees, wasps anddragonflies you will be amazed by what can be created.
 
Daemon or Doppleganger – a unique clay workshop to make an image of yourself or a friend in clay and build up a record of the Fair in clay over the weekend..

WORKSHOPS

FELTMAKING
Visit the wonderful feltmakers yurt in the walled garden where in addition to an exhibition of felt from Georgia you can take part in felt making workshops

WITCHES WORKSHOP
These witches play with potions, peruse their fabulous poison garden explaining about plants and their magic, myth and fairytale, tarot and tastings. Explore their fabulous airsteam caravan complete with polytunnel, magic and midwifery library with potions at all stages of their production on display; Jars of ingredients, bundles of healing herbs, and bottles of interesting liquid.

MONGOLIAN ARCHERY & THE GENGHIS KHAN EXPERIENCE
(top of grassed avenue)
Visit the Mongolian yurt to see and find out about the history of Archery in Mongolia and have a go with a traditional longbow and arrow.

CAPOEIRA
Demonstration and workshop in the ancient Afro-Brazilian art form that combines elements martial arts, music and dance

YOGA
Relax in the garden and join a yoga workshop led by Michelle Fagan

DANCE, STORYTELLING AND SOUND HEALING

PARAIG MACNEIL (chapel)
Superb Scottish storytelling from the Highlands and Islands, Paraig is a larger than life figure and his storytelling events are always hugely popular with all ages.

TWISTED TAILS & SEDOSA – Middle Eastern Dance (courtyard)
This group demonstrate arabic style dance which looks very colourful as it has flamenco and gypsy style presenation.  It is a world dance with costuming from Afghanistan and Pakistan as well as the near and middle east. Dances with swords as well as group dances.

SUZANNE HARRIS  & ANSU (chapel)
"Songs of the Chakras" Join ANSU for a combination of eclectic chant, vocal harmonies, sacred singing bowls, flutes of the heart and shamanic drum as they weave beautiful chakra song.
 
"Sonic Womb". A healing journey in sacred sound as you flow with the rich resonance of Tibetan and Quartz Crystal singing bowls,  powerful gongs and earth rhythm to bring deep relaxation, connection and peacefulness

Visit the SOUND SPHERE tent near the Complementry Therapy marquee to chat with professional sound therapists Suzanne Harris and Anthar Kharana, a chance to play the singing bowls, treat yourself to a taster healing session or buy your own sacred singing bowl"

For individual act timings please see our programme times page.