Fringe Festival 2023 : Flat & The Curves

Refreshing Pod is back for a new series, and this summer it's all about the Fringe Festival in Edinburgh, as Johnny speaks to a host or acts preforming in August as part of the Fringe, or Free (Fringe) Festival.

**Very strong language, with themes of a sexual nature feature from the very start in this interview**

Johnny had the awful job of hanging around 4 glamorous women as he spoke to Charlotte, Katy, Arabella & Issy who form comedy cabaret act Flat & The Curves.

A show for women, by women. Flat & The Curves bring Divadom to Edinburgh for a fresh run, after forming during the pandemic.

The girls chat about how real life experiences (from people flashing, husband problems, ex's and girls on a hen-do who are a nightmare) go into writing the set list. Bold statements delivered with brilliant comedy timing, including girls falling over mid act.

A perfect night out, that's packed with energy from the off, a powerhouse force telling stories, that are both funny and emotive.

Catch Divadom at the Pleasance Dome (Queen Dome) 21.50 (ends 27th Aug).

Set list highlights:

• Ladies Loo
• Period
• Porn 
• Cut the Cord
• Ikea
• Hen Do
• Flasher 
• Woman Up 

W: FlatNTheCurves.com

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Fringe Festival 2023 : TheSpaceUK (Head of Press - Nick Abrams)

Refreshing Pod is back for a new series, and this summer it's all about the Fringe Festival in Edinburgh, as Johnny speaks to a host or acts preforming in August as part of the Fringe, or Free (Fringe) Festival.

Running a venue connected with the arts is not the easiest of tasks, but add the Fringe Festival into the mix and you get something unique.

Johnny caught up with Nick Abrams from TheSpaceUK.

As a venue TheSpaceUK hosts the largest and most diverse programme at the fringe, showcasing both amateur and professional artists, via an affordable, supportive platform.

Nick chats about expanding the offer TheSpaceUK operates, and how he was taken back when Fringe favourite Phoebe Waller-Bridge attended the press launch last week. Plus, how you can get involved in the 2024 festival if you want to have help in bringing your show idea to life.

For the complete 2023 catalogue for every show on offer at TheSpaceUK, copy & click the below link.

www.thespaceuk.com

For anything you've missed from previous series - copy & click below.

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Fringe Festival 2023 : Alex Petty (Director Laughing Horse Comedy + Free Fringe Festival)

Refreshing Pod is back for a new series, and this summer it's all about the Fringe Festival in Edinburgh, as Johnny speaks to a host or acts preforming in August as part of the Fringe, or Free (Fringe) Festival.

Ever wanted to know what it's like to organise the Fringe from behind the scenes, and play a part in putting on a huge chunk of the Festival?

Alex Petty gives Johnny the background to what goes into making the Free Fringe Festival and how it's a yearly operation for just roughly 4 weeks of the year.

Alex chats about the beginnings of the Free Fringe Festival (that began in 2004), and earlier roots in comedy building the Laughing Horse in the 90's and putting on a host of stand up events. Plus the challenges facing anything Fringe related in the future.

It's a great interview packed with history (describing how one performer hosted a show in a chicken coop), memories of artists who have gone to great heights, and how you (or anyone) can get involved in the biggest arts festival in the world from 2024 preforming and showcasing yourself.

Hear how to see the arts for free!

More information to help plan a trip to Edinburgh can be found below (with tips on how to do the Festival on a budget).

https://freefestival.co.uk (mobile app also available).

Johnny is hosting a Free Pub Quiz, part of the Free Fringe Festival 2023.

https://www.instagram.com/quickestpubquiz/

For anything you've missed from previous series - copy & click below.

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Instagram @RefreshingPod contains exclusive content and Episode timing guides.

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Fringe Festival 2023 : David Baddiel

Refreshing Pod is back for a new series, and this summer it's all about the Fringe Festival in Edinburgh, as Johnny speaks to a host or acts preforming in August as part of the Fringe, or Free (Fringe) Festival.

He's back in Scotland for the 1st time in roughly 10 years, David Baddiel has a total of 4 shows during the few days of the 2023 festival.

David speaks to Johnny, on what's he is bringing to the stage in Scotland, from his storytelling, with question and answer sessions regarding his two recent publications 'The God Desire' (on how he would love to believe in God, and fantasising about how much better life would be if there actually was such a thing). Plus 'Jews Don't Count' (in this he outlines why and how, in a time of intensely heightened awareness of minorities, Jews don't count as a real minority: and why they should).

David also chats about his more traditional background in stand up comedy, as he revisits 3 gigs covering his life and career over the last 30 years.

Of course, Johnny get's in the subject of Football, and 3 lions, it would be rude not address this, because 2 England fans are chatting about football, with the recording taking place in Scotland, and Frank Skinner (as you might expect) gets a mention or two.

Catch: David Baddiel - Talking Books (3rd - 10th Aug) Assembly, George Square Gardens

And: David Baddiel WIP (x 3 gigs) at Monkey Barrel (4th, 6th & 9th Aug)

For anything you've missed from previous series - click below.

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Instagram @RefreshingPod contains exclusive content and Episode timing guides.

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Fringe Festival 2023 : Eddy Mackenzie

Refreshing Pod is back for a new series, and this summer it's all about the Fringe Festival in Edinburgh, as Johnny speaks to a host or acts preforming in August as part of the Fringe, or Free (Fringe) Festival.

A cross between Brian Blessed, and Jack Black - Eddy Mackenzie has the energy, guitar and smile to make anyone laugh!

Eddy is taking part in 2 shows this year at the Fringe, both with his friends.

Both are a hybrid between stand up storytelling, and musical comedy, delivered together - brilliantly.

Catch: Eddy & Paul, Comic Stands, Just The Tonic @ The Caves - 3-7th Aug

And: Eddy MacKenzie and Liam Farrelly: Little and Large, Stand 2 - Aug 3-13 & 15-27

Eddy chats about his Fringe experiences since 2019, how he just thought 'sod it, i'll go for it' and take his comedy career to the next level since taking part in a BBC new talent search a few years ago. Eddy addresses how fun, but expensive the Fringe can be for artists, but how incredible it is working with 2 mates who together and planning/putting on a gig. Plus what's it's like to preform at a comedy roast & lots more.

For anything you've missed from previous series - click below.

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Instagram @RefreshingPod contains exclusive content and Episode timing guides.

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Fringe Festival 2023 : Christine Bovill

Refreshing Pod is back for a new series, and this summer it's all about the Fringe Festival in Edinburgh, as Johnny speaks to a host or acts preforming in August as part of the Fringe, or Free (Fringe) Festival.

First up, it's Bonjour to Christine Bovill. Christine has preformed at the Fringe 2010, and has built a formidable reputation as a performer, chanteuse and writer. Born into a Glasgow family where folk music was the flavour of the age, Christine characteristically explored her own inclinations, finding a delight in jazz and cabaret, which she has been developing ever since.

After some years of teaching English and French by day and singing in the jazz haunts of her native city, Christine left the classroom to pursue a career in performing her love of French music from the golden age of French song.

Find out what Christine has in store for her run at the Fringe this year, hanging out with Alan Cumming, how the love with France started & writing songs in beautiful locations.

See Christine live:

• Piaf to Pop Queens Hall - August 10th
• Piaf to Pop Brunton (Loretto School) - August 19th
• Kiki Deathbed Cabaret Gilded Balloon -  August 21st- 27th (show added due to huge demand)

For anything you've missed from previous series - click below.

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Instagram @RefreshingPod contains exclusive content and Episode timing guides.

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BONUS DROP: Baton Of Hope

Summer Refreshed returns for a new series next month, but as ever we continue to bring you Bonus Drops featuring new content.

Johnny chats to Mike McCarthy, a founder of Baton Of Hope, a charity with the aim to be the biggest suicide awareness and prevention initiative the UK has ever seen, opening up necessary conversations and prompting appropriate actions.

The Baton Of Hope tour begins on Sunday 25th June 2023 in Scotland. The specially designed baton will tour UK towns and cities for two weeks raising the profile of suicide like never before finishing on the steps of Downing Street on July 6th. The tour hopes to help reduce the stigma, and get better at asking questions, listening, and directing people to the right help.

Both Mike, and co-founder Steve set up Baton Of Hope following the deaths of their sons, Ross and Jordan, to suicide.

In this (at times moving interview), Johnny speaks to Mike about his beloved son, and key aims of the charity both before, during and post Baton tour.

The Baton Of Hope aims to give hope to anyone affected by suicide, knowing: 'Together - we can save lives'

For help on anything raised in the interview, the resources are available.

Samaritans – 116 123

CALM – 0800 585858

Text ‘SHOUT’ to 85258

PAPYRUS (U35’s) – 0800 068 4141

SWITCHBOARD (LGBTQ+) – 0300 330 0630

More information on the Baton Of Hope, click below.

https://batonofhopeuk.org/the-tour/

For anything you've missed from Series One of 'Summer or Holidays Refreshed, With Graeme & Johnny' - click below.

https://linktr.ee/refreshingpod

Instagram @RefreshingPod contains exclusive content and Episode timing guides.

Baton of Hope UK is a registered charity in England and Wales no. 1203031

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BONUS DROP: Bristol Balloon Collectors / BBC One Balloon

Summer Refreshed is back for a second season later this year, but that doesn't stop us uploading some fantastic Bonus Drops for you to enjoy.

Johnny chats to Liam Whitelock from Bristol Balloon Collectors, who's involved with restoring and inflating the famous BBC One hot air balloon used on screen from 1997 - 2002.

From 1997 - 2002 the hot air balloon appeared in-between programmes on BBC One as the channel’s main brand identity.

It was much loved, and still is 20 years after the final appearance on screen.

The orange and red globe was manufactured in Bristol by Cameron Balloons, Its former pilot wrote to the BBC and the Bristol Balloon Collectors were given permission to inflate it again, and after some restoration it'll feature at some of the most popular air festivals in the UK this summer, with the 1st one taking place from the 2 - 4th June at the Midlands Air Festival.

Liam chats to Johnny about how the envelope happened to land in the collection, memories of the famous ident taking to the sky, where you can see it this year, and what's next for the balloon.

More information on the whole collection click below.

https://bristolballooncollectors.weebly.com/

(Liam and the gang, with many balloons from the collection are appearing at a handful of festivals this summer in the Midlands : June, Bristol, Northampton, Telford : Aug & more TBA) More info below:

https://bristolballooncollectors.weebly.com/2023-events.html

For anything you've missed from Series One of 'Summer or Holidays Refreshed, With Graeme & Johnny' - click below.

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Instagram @RefreshingPod contains exclusive content and Episode timing guides.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

BONUS DROP: Dyslexia Scotland

Summer Refreshed is back for a second season later this year, but that doesn't stop us uploading some fantastic Bonus Drops for you to enjoy.

Johnny chats to Cathy Magee, the CEO of the charity, Dyslexia Scotland, who's aim is to empower people with dyslexia to reach their full potential.

In 2022 Johnny found out he was Dyslexic aged 38. It's very common for adults to be diagnosed with Dyslexia at a later stage in life.

By reaching out to others, and finding support online he wanted to tell his story, and give a voice to a Scotland based charity, who has played a valuable part in Johnny making sense of what being dyslexic means.

Cathy (the CEO of Dyslexia Scotland) chatted to Johnny about her role at the helm since 2007, and how the charity has, and will continue to make waves in the future to help people with (or without) dyslexia discover what it's all about and provide the resources to continue to break down barriers in various ways.

More information on the Dyslexia Scotland charity can be found below:

https://dyslexiascotland.org.uk/

Helpline: 0344 800 84 84

For anything you've missed from Series One of 'Summer or Holidays Refreshed, With Graeme & Johnny' - click below.

https://linktr.ee/refreshingpod

Instagram @RefreshingPod contains exclusive content and Episode timing guides.

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BONUS DROP: MUSICIAN NIC COLLINS (Collins X Collins)

Summer Refreshed is back for a second season later this year, but that doesn't stop us uploading some fantastic Bonus Drops for you to enjoy, now the sun is setting later in the day.

It's not often Johnny gets to interview someone with the same surname, but on this occasion he chats to the amazing drummer Nic Collins.

Nic chats about the upcoming 'Mike + The Mechanics' tour (12th April > 7th June). Plus his time on the road with his own band 'Better Strangers', and playing on tour with 'Genesis', and his Dad, Phil Collins.

All this and Nic is only 21 years of age.

More information on Nic's band can be found here : www.betterstrangers.net

Tickets are almost sold out for the Mechanics tour, but grab the remaining one's here : https://mikeandthemechanics.com

Nic's Instagram : Instagram.com/nic_collins

For anything you've missed from Series One of 'Summer or Holidays Refreshed, With Graeme & Johnny' - click below.

https://linktr.ee/refreshingpod

Instagram @RefreshingPod contains exclusive content and Episode timing guides.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.