Be IN with the EIF’s Party People
The Festival party season comes early for younger culture-vultures
By Thom Dibdin
It's Bliss in the EIF IN crowd - Opera Australia's 'Bliss'. Photo credit: Branco Gaica
The Edinburgh International Festival is staging a pair of free pre-Festival events this month, aimed at stimulating interest in its year-round education programme – and appealing further to the under-40 year-old Festival goer.
The first of the events takes place on Friday June 18 at the Hub when Sally Hobson, the EIF’s Head of Programme Development, will talk about the festival’s year-round outreach work. Titled New Worlds, New Horizons, the lecture will also be attended by EIF Director Jonathan Mills, who will be talking about his thinking behind this year’s EIF programme.
The second event is being held on June 23rd at the Roxy Art House, when the EIF launch IN, their new initiative for culture lovers in their 20s and 30s. The scheme will augment the existing 50% discount on all tickets for under-18s and those in full-time education, as well as the £8 on-the-day tickets for under 26 year-olds.
Although the club costs £20 to join, members of IN will be offered a whole raft of offers, from “hot tickets to exclusive VIP parties and behind the scenes events” to invitations to preview performances and discounts on selected performances.
According to the EIF, membership of IN will give the “chance to brush shoulders with the artists and production staff at the heart of Festival 2010”.
Including Jonathan Mills himself, who added: “IN is an INvitation to get under the skin of the Edinburgh International Festival. We hope that young arts enthusiasts will join IN to get closer to artists, see behind the scenes, access previews and immerse themselves in the Festival experience. I very much look forward to meeting INsiders in August.”
The launch party is being held in association with The Skinny. There will be the chance to take up exclusive ticket offers for some of the hottest shows at this year’s Festival, Festival 2010 goodie-bags, complimentary drinks and an on-the-night competition. All to a soundtrack of Latin and New World tracks from DJ Brian d’Souza, designed to complement this year’s New World theme.
Entrance to both events is free, but ticketed.
New Worlds, New Horizons, The Dunard Library, The Hub, Friday 18 June, 5.30 – 8pm. Tickets bookable on the Hub Ticketing system here.
INsider Launch Party, Roxy Art House, Wednesday 23 June, 6.30 – 8.30pm. Email: INsider@eif.co.uk by Monday 21 June to get on the guest list. Further details on the EIF website at: eif.co.uk/INsider
ENDS
