Welcome to Queer Folks’ Tales, our hugely popular bi-monthly storytelling series where queer storytellers from a diverse range of backgrounds, ages and cultures around Edinburgh and Scotland share stories of LGBTQ+ lives, past, present and future. Sometimes hilarious, often moving, occasionally shocking, the mix of true and fictional stories across the year is as varied as the range of storytellers invited.
Household names feature alongside new and diverse queer storytellers from the different communities of Scotland. Many of the stories told in the Queer Folks' Tales evenings will be true stories of LGBTQ+ experience in Scotland today. Hosted by Edinburgh’s Turan Ali, who is joined in February by Fife writer/actor Michael Johnson, singer-songwriter Raveloe and drag performer Alicia Tryde.
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Turan Ali has been a producer, director and writer of BBC radio dramas and comedies for over 20 years. He’s been a stage storyteller since 2012, and a stand up since 2021. He tours internationally and has two sell out monthly storytelling shows in Vienna. Turan is the creator, producer and host of Queer Folks’ Tales for which he won the Creative Edinburgh Leadership Award 2024. QFT now tours across Scotland and is Creative Scotland funded.
Michael Johnson is an actor/writer from Glenrothes, Fife. He founded Without Compromise Theatre, a new writing company dedicated to telling stories for and represented by working class and low income people. He debuted his writing at the Edinburgh Fringe 2024 with Wish You Were Here, which has been performed around Fife and raises money for 'Change Mental Health'. Michael won the Creative Edinburgh Development Award 2024.
Raveloe (a moniker found within the pages of George Eliot's Silas Marner, about a reclusive weaver) is the project of Glasgow songwriter Kim Grant. She takes inspiration from nature, magical-realism, the spectrum of human experience and emotions, and artists like The Microphones, Big Thief, Jason Molina. She released her debut EP Notes and Dreams in Feb. 2021 and her debut album Exit Light in Nov 2023 on Olive Grove Records.
Alicia Tryde is Edinburgh’s Triple Threat, a drag performer and host of multiple shows in the city including Tryde & Tested (live vocal drag cabaret) and Asteria (monthly astrological drag show). Alicia is known for her high energy performance style, her live vocals and her penchant for camp stupidity.
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Want to be the first to hear about what's happening in Edinburgh? Just hit 'Like' on our Facebook page, join the What's On Scotland Facebook Group and 'Follow' on our Twitter account and you're all set!The Scottish Storytelling Centre is delighted to present an exhibition of illustrations by Tea Bendix, inspired by the collection Danish Folk Tales by storyteller Svend-Erik Engh.
READ MOREJoin guest storyteller Peter Chand for another session of Edinburgh’s monthly storytelling club held upstairs in the Waverley Bar on Friday 28th February!
READ MOREJoin the Lothian Gaelic Choir for a pop-up performance in the relaxed surroundings of the Storytelling Court on 2nd March to celebrate Seachdain na Gàidhlig 2025!
READ MOREJoin storytellers Peter Chand and Kirsten Milliken as they share folk tales from their respective Indian and Scottish cultures, exploring the soaring highs and crushing lows of affairs of the heart!
READ MOREEnjoy a monthly session of Gaelic culture and community in Edinburgh, full of stories, songs, music, dance and good cràic at the Scottish Storytelling Centre!
READ MOREThe Scottish Storytelling Centre is holding an exhibition of works by Edinburgh based painter, Mike Turpie in March!
READ MOREJoin some of the Scottish Storytelling Centre's amazing apprentice storytellers for the March session, celebrating Scotland's stories!
READ MOREDon’t miss the next fantastic show from Scotland’s best spoken word night 'Loud Poets' on Friday 14th March!
READ MOREJoin an esteemed line-up of tradition-bearers on an extraordinary journey.. to celebrate and honour the memory of one of Scotland's great balladeers, Jeannie Robertson (MBE), on her 50th Anniversary.
READ MOREJoin us for a new quarterly series of full-moon celebrations, with live storytelling, music and a rotating programme of incredible performers.
READ MOREJoin us on World Storytelling Day for the first Hearth Fire Session of 2025, an eclectic night of ancient myth, contemporary storytelling, post-folk music, and physical artistry.
READ MOREThe National Theatre of Scotland is touring in 2025 with a brand new show 'Through the Shortbread Tin' and stops off at the Scottish Storytelling Centre on 8th & 9th April!
READ MOREJoin this open group at The Salisbury Centre to explore the amazing symbolism of the Tarot, and the many ways in which the cards can support our wellbeing!
READ MOREAll welcome to the Scots Music Group fabulous monthly fundraising ceilidhs at the St Brides Centre! Come on your own, with friends or in a group.
READ MOREBrought to you by City Music Promotions, treat yourself and your loved ones to an exceptional evening piano recital at the beautiful venue of St Giles' Cathedral.
READ MORECity Music Promotions presents the stunning programme of music for solo piano including Gerswhin's iconic Rhapsody in Blue in St Giles' Cathedral!
READ MOREEnjoy an outstanding candlelit evening of classical music in the beautiful setting of St Giles Cathedral.
READ MOREEnjoy an outstanding candlelit evening of classical music in the beautiful setting of St Giles' Cathedral.
READ MOREExperience close-up magic with Tim Licata, one of Scotland’s most entertaining sleight-of-hand artists, at your table in the lovely Joker & Thief pub every Thursday!
READ MOREJosie Long brings some fun new ideas for a new show about extinction and really big sloths to Monkey Barrel Comedy!
READ MORESet in the beautiful candlelit setting of St Giles' Cathedral, enjoy a night with the exceptional musicians of the Piccadilly Sinfonietta and some of the UK's leading opera singers!
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