The Weekend, and a little more
November 4, 2010
Originally uploaded by miketransreal
On Sunday the 31st October, we went to the zoo for the first time for several months… One or two surprises – aardwolves! – lots of little otters, and a rare view of just how quickly a giant anteater can move! Her offspring was sleeping in full view (but as always, poor light) and see tore in through a little doorway, sniffed him, dashed to the water dish, and sped out again! I got several photos, but only one had her in focus!
Similarly the new aardwolves were great to see, but stayed indoors where it was too dark for a decent photo. And is it worth mentioning that the tapirs were asleep!?
In the evening we went along to Vittorio’s on George IVth Bridge for a fairly quick meal (but very nice) before going for a pint outside at the Jolly Judge and then back up the close to the High Street in time for the procession of characters, dancers, performers, etc. from the Castle Esplanade down to Parliament Square and the main celebrations for Samhuinn.
It was a big, good natured crowd; we probably ended up in several people’s photos because I persuaded M to join me in wearing little elephant masks I had bought at the zoo earlier!
Probably the cheapest ‘costumes’ of the night, as most people who bothered at all had hone to great lengths to make their costumes, do their body paint, etc. But we had fun!
Tuesday was Michelle Shocked at the Queen’s Hall – where she performed last time she played Edinburgh back in 1992, when I 1st(?) saw her live. She had decided to play several songs from the Arkansaw Traveller album, and, coincidentally, that was the release she was touring back then! Much looser performance this time, though!
She came on and warned us that she talked a lot, then introduced her band and went off again while they played 3 numbers, coming on again eventually to sing back-up vocals, and then starting the set proper.
And she did talk a lot, often during the songs, and made the audience sing the choruses and even enlisted a woman from the audience to play madolin on one track. I’ve seen her do this before (on the same song) and other people wanted to be chosen but left it too late to come forward, so I know it wasn’t a fix-up…
Good set, good fun, but a little less chat might have been better.
The band was an Irish Hothouse Flower on bazouki, a Californian on banjo, and an Italian on fiddle, with Michelle on guitar and mandolin.
Last night was a little event at an architect’s office, and tonight is the opening bash for Madeleine’s latest exhibition down at Stockbridge. It’s a joint exhibition with the gallery owner and I’ve not seen either artist’s work for it properly yet. RMArt in St Stephen’s Street. On until Christmas. Shop hours.
