Who: Walking the streets of this year’s festival will be a “Pavement PoemCatcher” begging for fresh poems to be written “on the fly”. Nearly every poem that is donated gets published, creating books with poetic snapshots that capture the public experience and delight the reader.

The pavement poemcatcher is the unofficial fringe of the fringe, offering maverick performances, popping up where you least expect and engaging your participation. Keep an eye out for him on the streets of N Berwick, or at the open-mic/poetry events.

Books can be purchased pre-print or online within 5 days of the festival finish. They cost £10 including a £2 donation to SOS Children’s villages Haiti program. See poemcatcher.com.

Who: Featuring pipes, fiddles, flutes, whistles, guitars, accordion, drums, bodhran, banjo and bass, they create a mighty wall of sound that'll leave your chest bone throbbing, This band have the sonic ammunition to set alight any festival. You have been warned; miss them at your peril. A fantastic opening salvo!

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Who: What sets Eddi Reader apart is the depth and quality of the emotional performance, her ability not only to move the listener but to connect her experience to that of her audience. Her rare blend of meltingly true vocals with an astute and pragmatic nature make her a unique and powerful figure and one of popular music’s most thrilling and affecting performers.

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Who: Alan Pratt's mighty drumming drives this excellent blues combo, featuring the raw rootsie talent of vocalist and blues harpist Ronnie Tait, and the fiery guitar playing of Stevey Hay. A brilliant end to the opening night.

Who: One ticket for an evening in the Spiegeltent to see The Treacherous Orchestra, Eddi Reader and Alan Pratt Blues Council. See individual events for full details.

Who: In a rural French village an old man casts his eyes on an adjoining vacant property. They need its spring water so are dismayed to hear the man who has inherited it is moving in. They block up the spring and watch as his efforts to find water break his health. Moving and beatifully filmed, with Gerard Depardieu and Yves Montand.

Who: Keith Warwick and Simone Welsh sing and play catchy, clearly personal, politically-nuanced songs that lodge firmly in the brain. Actor and musician Keith is back this year by popular demand, following his support slot with Michael Marra last year.

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Who: Dave Batchelor has produced a hilarious and moving show, with a mix of songs and stories from the Home Front during WW2, based on actual diaries of the period. With Crawford Logan, Gerda Stevenson and Eric Rice. Entertains and illuminates.

Who: Two nights of standup, hot from that other Fringe up in Edinburgh, this quartet will amuse, provoke, and, may even, heaven forbid, offend you. But let's hope not. Guaranteed to be a hilarious night with wine and beer and crisps and stuff like that.

Maeve Higgins's Website
Bec Hill's Website
Scott Agnew's Website
Michael Redmond's Website

Who: Fringe by the Sea brings arguably the world's best guitarist to North Berwick. He has won every top award, and is in huge demand all over the world. His solo jazz virtuosity is enthralling, inspiring and hugely entertaining, and his great stage presence will make it a night to remember.

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Who: Mr Boom's one man band is back again to enthral kids of all ages with his catchy tunes and gently educational manner. Singing, dancing and general nonsense keeps the youngsters mesmerised. Recommended age 4 - 8.

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Who: Fancy yourself in "Britain's got Talent"? Be brave and take the mic for five minutes or so and see what response you get! Singers/musicians/dancers/comedians etc Contact us to book your slot on eric@fringebythesea.com.

Who: A 4 piece semi-acoustic band from the Edinburgh area. Midway through a radio interview / live set at the 2007 Edinburgh Festival Fringe the band discovered they share absolutely no common musical influences and sound nothing like the ones they did cite. Other folk have mentioned Frank Sinatra covering Mark Lanegan backed by Primus and Killing Joke. Make up your own mind!

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Who: Phil & Aly, the two most famous Scots musicians since Fran & Anna, are making a very welcome return to North Berwick. Their easy going banter belies a command of their instruments that is unsurpassed. From fast and furious reels to hauntingly beautiful slow airs, this show will ensure a packed house. Get your ticket early.

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Who: Late night live music revelry from a motley crew of a band, loosely based on the 50s and 60s when youth club dances were the rage, skirts didn't get much above the knee, and Ecstasy was listening to a new Beatles LP.

Who: One ticket for an evening in the Spiegeltent to see Phil Cunningham and Aly Bain and Oldies Youth Club. See individual events for full details.

Who: Dave Berry does what he does best! Like a stick of rock he has North Berwick written right through him – and during his guided walks around the town, you will learn many things interesting and surprising, from history to geography, botanical to cultural. Starting from the Spiegeltent at 3pm.

Who: THE LIVES OF OTHERS begins in East Berlin in 1984, five years before Glasnost and the fall of the Berlin Wall and ultimately takes us to 1991, in what is now the reunited Germany. Few films have dared paint East Germany and its legions of demons in such honest and unsparing detail.

Who: An Edinburgh-based all girl quartet, with alluring front vocals, double bass, accordion, an array of percussive objects and fine harmonies sung by four sexy and mischievous women straight from the Edinburgh grass-roots music scene. Stories of love and loss from intimate and macabre to funny - pure enjoyment!

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Who: Do you love cartoons and wonder how they are made? Animation is about bringing your own drawings to life and making short films with your wildest ideas! At these 2D animation workshops, you'll be taught how to make 2D puppet cartoon characters & animate them with cameras & computers. Your films go online too! The workshops are done by Red Kite Animation Studio in Edinburgh. Ages 8 - 12.

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Who: Two nights of standup, hot from that other Fringe up in Edinburgh, this quartet will amuse, provoke, and, may even, heaven forbid, offend you ( but let's hope not.) Guaranteed to be a hilarious night with wine and beer and crisps and stuff like that.

Maeve Higgins's Website
Bec Hill's Website
Scott Agnew's Website
Michael Redmond's Website

Who: BBC Radio 2 Folk Singer of the Year 2008 and the first Scottish Gaelic artist to appear on the legendary show 'Later...with Jools Holland” in 2007. With her top-class touring band including Éamon Doorley, Dublin's Tony Byrne, Highlander Duncan Chisholm and bodhrán champion Martin O'Neill, this formidable line-up has become synonymous with emotive, expressive and high energy live shows.

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Who: Come to Daniel's show to see fairies, beasts and strange beings from far-off forests come alive through the presence of a unique storyteller. Raised in East Lothian, he brings to his shows the spellbinding sounds of the didgeridoo, medicine drum, Native American flute and Tibetan singing bowl. Ages 5 -10.

Who: Fancy yourself in "Britain's got Talent"? Be brave and take the mic for five minutes or so and see what response you get! Singers/musicians/dancers/comedians etc Contact us to book your slot on eric@fringebythesea.com.

Who: This special 1 hour concert style performance from Cilla, Artie, Gary & Kevin is guaranteed to have the whole family dancing, laughing and singing. Scotland’s favourite children’s entertainers will captivate and delight the audience as only The Singing Kettle can! Superb singalong songs like "Shove Yer Granny" and "Apples and Bananas", a fun-filled, action packed experience! Remember to wear something in your favourite colour to the show! Ages 1-8 &emdash; and the whole family!

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Who: Best selling local author Quintin Jardine, in conversation. His books have sold worldwide in their millions, with the ongoing series featuring Edinburgh cop Bob Skinner taking it's rightful place at the world top table of crime novels.

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Who: The undisputed Queen of the Blues on a rare visit to her native soil, with Dave Kelly and the fabulous BBQ, featuring Zoot Money, Colin Allen, Miller Anderson and Colin Hodgkinson. The band have played with all the greats, from Howling Wolf to Bob Dylan. The best blues you are ever likely to hear.

Maggie Bell's Website
Dave Kelly's Website

Who: The much anticipated relaunch of one of Scotland's finest bands of the 70s, Café Jacques play a smart, jazz-tinged pop in a style reminiscent of Steely Dan. Fronted by the gravelly vocals and deft guitar playing of Chris Thomson and now with Alex Harvey's sensational bass player, Chris Glen.

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Who: One ticket for an evening in the Spiegeltent to see Maggie Bell, Dave Kelly and the British Blues Quartet and Cafe Jaques. See individual events for full details.

Who: Dave Berry does what he does best! Like a stick of rock he has North Berwick written right through him – and during his guided walks around the town, you will learn many things interesting and surprising, from history to geography, botanical to cultural. Starting from the Spiegeltent at 3pm.

Who: Set in a village schoolhouse in Auvergne, where Georges Lopez teaches 13 children, ages ranging from about four to 12. Against a landscape of mountains and farmland, from driving snow to rain to sun, the children gather in Lopez's warm and colorful classroom, to read, write, cook, and also learn to live side by side. Ten star rating!

Who: The Nova Scotia Jazz Band is firmly in the tradition of the groups led by Eddie Condon and Bix Beiderbecke. Featuring the world class cornet of Mike Daly, Duncan Findlay's banjo wizardry, the slap happy bass of Roy Percy and the clarinet and saxophones of John Burgess this sweet and hot quartet are a fresh take on the classic jazz style.

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Who: With the Strange Happenings Theatre Co. you are invited to help Inspector Herring and Sergeant Kipper to solve a dastardly deed in the Chapel, the night before the wedding of Agatha Christie. A hugely entertaining way to spend a couple of hours and exercise your brain cells at the same time.

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Who: Andy Cannon and musician Wendy Weatherby join forces in a new partnership called Foolish Notion, intent on introducing young and not so young audiences to the life and works of Robert Burns. A unique theatrical experience, the folk singer and storyteller will relate Burns’ tale through live music and a witty banter of his best-known works. Ages 6 - adult.

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Who: John Sampson & Stewart Hanratty join forces in a tour de force of music and humour, with an assortment of instruments, from crumhorns to whistles, trumpets to guitars. John's spectacular performance of two recorders at the same time - whilst humming – is not to be missed.

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Who: A Musical Variety from the local favourites. Led by John Marshall and this time with a 17 strong orchestra and a selection of movie themes, Scots songs, classical favourites and popular hits spanning many years, this is Opera East Lothian at their most enjoyable and accessible.

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Who: Fancy yourself in "Britain's got Talent"? Be brave and take the mic for five minutes or so and see what response you get! Singers/musicians/dancers/comedians etc Contact us to book your slot on eric@fringebythesea.com.

Who: Edinburgh's award winning Dancebase run the first of two kids' workshops. This one is Funky, Creative dance for kids aged between 7 – 10 Have a cup if coffee while your childen get rid of their excess energy! (Children must be supervised by a responsible adult)

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Who: This is dance for the masses, not for the high art elitist. Don't sit in the front row unless you want to be in the action. Ass in the face, hands on boobs slow dancing combined with comedy set pieces and slinky skills from the Irish cast.

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Who: Forever remembered as Mrs. Doyle in Father Ted, and currently showing her acting talents in “Shameless”, Pauline McLynn is also an author of great insight and compassion. Her new novel, “The Time is Now” will enchant and enthrall Pauline McLynn’s many fans as she transports her readers to Soho past and present. This will surely be an exhilirating afternoon of warmth and wit.

Who: Not content with being a world famous singer, musician and award winning actress, the release of her autobiography "A Shirt Box Full of Songs" reveals Barbara Dickson to be an accomplished writer, with a great story to tell.

Who: We are delighted that Scotland's finest singing export has chosen us for an all too infrequent visit to her homeland. Barbara's voice is as breathtaking as ever, and she and her band will perform material from her latest album "Time and Tide" as well as some gems from her wonderful back catalogue. Support by rising star, local singer/songwriter Alex Cornish.

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Who: Just back from a week of gigs in Las Vegas, Hi Voltage bring late night Rockabilly to the Spiegeltent. Featuring the stylish vocals of Keith Turner and the stentorian sound of Kenny Tomlinson's sax, it's a great way to end the night. Get your blue suede dancing shoes on!

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Who: One ticket for an evening in the Spiegeltent to see Barbara Dickson supported by Alex Cornish and afterwards, Hi Voltage Roackabilly. See individual events for full details.

Who: Dave Berry does what he does best! Like a stick of rock he has North Berwick written right through him – and during his guided walks around the town, you will learn many things interesting and surprising, from history to geography, botanical to cultural. Starting from the Spiegeltent at 3pm.

Who: "Caché" will have you glued to your seat, your eyes and brain required to work in full gear from beginning to end, making it impossible to erase it out of your mind (instead of the instantly forgettable films you see every week), and actually making a second viewing almost compulsory! Fabulous filmmaking.

Who: Heavily influenced by the 1960s Folk Revival and growing up surrounded by the wealth of traditional music in Scotland and Wales, Chloe's voice is true and mellow with a particular indefinable quality to it which really does make you sit down and listen. Chloe will be releasing her debut album, Next Market Day, later this year.

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Who: North Berwick's own Dave Berry presents a wonderful and fascinating history of the Forth's Lighthouses, from the early and dangerous days, including the construction of the engineering marvel on the Bell Rock, and the long involvement of the famous Stevenson family.

Who: With the Strange Happenings Theatre Co. you are invited to help Inspector Herring and Sergeant Kipper to solve a dastardly deed in the Chapel, the night before the wedding of Agatha Christie. A hugely entertaining way to spend a couple of hours and exercise your brain cells at the same time.

Website

Who: Probably the finest Scottish folk singer of his generation. Rod has a marvellously rich and expressive voice and a reputation as an unequalled interpreter of the songs of Scotland. Formerly with Jock Tamson's Bairns & The Easy Club who were the most influential Scottish band in the mid to late eighties.

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Who: The best of young Scottish voices, this choir is made up of youngsters aged 16-19. Don't let the word "training" put you off, this choir is technically superb and the repertoire challenging. We are delighted to host them. Seating will be slightly limited so don't put off getting your tickets!

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Who: Edinburgh's fabulous Dancebase are back with a great hip hop class... Could be the birth of a North Berwick dance entry on BGT! Suitable for ages 11-16.

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Who: The merry Skifflers are back for a light lunch with the usual kazoo orchestra and wonderfully tuneless audience participation. Lonnie Donegan meets Cliff Richard meets er..George Clooney. Inflation means we are charging £1 at the door for a kazoo, or bring the one you pinched from our last concert!

Who: Simon King OBE is the face of BBC's “Springwatch” and “Big Cat”. He is one of the world's most celebrated wildlife experts and film makers. Winning numerous awards over his career, he is a renowned author and contributes to many magazines and television programmes. Books include his “Shetland Diaries”, the story of a year in Shetland bring to life the natural wonders of the islands.

Who: The fabulous ten piece scoundrels of Ska are back to get us brassed off with their mighty sound. Tea dancing the modern way! Ably supported by Europe's only Weezer tribute band, inevitably called what else but Beezer. A right bunch of comics.

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Who: FC Ukelele, winners in the recent Cup Final against FC Crumhorn, will amaze and delight with their stunning interpretation of such favourites as Sultans of Swing, Hoochie Coochie man and many such unlikely things. Jaunty rock. Probably the best fiver you'll ever spend.

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Who: Fred MacAulay is a legend in Scotland, with his measured delivery and wry, astute observations, he is the epitome of straightforward stand up comedy. Shappi Khorsandi is the most famous (perhaps the only) Iranian comedienne, her regular TV appearances bring huge audiences. A hugely entertaing night in store for laughter lovers!

Fred MacAulay's Website
Shappi Khorsandi's Website

Who: Possibly one or two familiar faces in this late night exploration of the three or four chords that made up the best of rock and pop music of the 50s and 60s. Sort of like the early days of clubbing, only not as loud as it is these days. Bounce around and enjoy yourself.

Who: One ticket for an evening in the Spiegeltent to see four acts: Bombskare supported by Beezer, FC Ukulele, Fred MacAulay & Shappi Khorsandi in stand up and lastly, Seaside Rock. See individual events for full details.

Who: After last year's spectacular, bring the house down performance, how could we not ask them back? With an eclectic mix of sound and song, these talented St. Andrew's students will amaze and amuse. How do they get that sound?

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Who: Awe and spectacle... hilarity and insinuation... buffooning and midwifery... midwifery ?? Well anyway, following our policy of sticking with a good thing, OdS are back with more Balkan mayhem and, underneath it all – astonishingly clever musical arrangements. What better way to spend an afternoon?

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Who: Proper Tea Dancing with the Fly Right Dance Company on hand to help with the steps, and the fabulous Nova Scotia Jazz Band providing the right music at the right tempo. Get the period glad rags on and come and learn the basics of a Foxtrot or Charleston as we recreate a Palm Court atmosphere and the gentility of the jazz era. Well, maybe not so genteel...

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Who: And Finally.... The irrepressible Hamish McGregor leads Fat Sam's band in their Silver Jubilee year. A Spiegeltent feels like the spiritual home of the band as they blast through their repertoire of big band and swing classics. Laced with humour and huge talent, there couldn't be a better band to bring Fringe by the Sea to a close.

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Who: One ticket for an evening in the Spiegeltent to see four acts: The Alleycats, Orkestra del Sol, Tea Dance with the Flyrights and Nova Scotia Jazz band followed by Fat Sam's Jubilee Band. See individual events for full details.