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.
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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.
Bee Asha is an Edinburgh spoken word artist, working between rap and poetry. She was in the Scottish female rap trio The Honey Farm, and co-founded the award-winning charity The Spit it Out Project. Her first EP ‘From Girl to Men’ won the SAMA’s best newcomer in 2022, and was shortlisted for BBC Introducing Scottish Act of the Year 2024. Her new album, Goodbye, Gracious was been longlisted for Scottish Album of the Year 2024.
Finn Brodie is a Glasgow based indie-folk musician who has been writing songs and playing gigs since he was 15. Now in his 20s, and having come out as trans, Brodie’s songs are packed with emotion and vulnerability, and are produced by his long-time collaborator Andy Monaghan of Frightened Rabbit. Brodie’s new work consists of intimate, bittersweet studies of identity, relationships and growing up, including his debut EP Home Run.
Sam Lake is a celebrated Edinburgh-based stand up who is fresh off a nationwide tour of his critically acclaimed show 'Aspiring DILF' & an award nominated Edinburgh Fringe Run of his new show 'Esméralda'. Sam is also a comedian and host on the podcast 'I've Had a Rosé, Let's Talk About Feelings'. He’s been seen on the TV network Dave's 'The Comedy Guide to Life', All4's 'The Joy of Missing Out', and on 'Breaking The News' (BBC Scotland).
★★★★★ 'Edinburgh's most vibrant, authentic and exciting storytelling event' (The Wee Review)
★★★★★ 'Utterly fabulous' (TheQR.co.uk)
★★★★★ (BroadwayBaby.com)
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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!Join us for a new quarterly series of full-moon celebrations, with live storytelling, music and a rotating programme of incredible performers.
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READ MORECome with family and friends to dance Scottish dances and sing well-known songs with the Minnow Ceilidh Band at the Scottish Storytelling Centre on 4th May!
READ MOREDon't miss cinematic-folk duo Dowally and innovative French drummer Philippe Boudot as they celebrate the release of their album Ici et Là-Bas, recorded last year in Edinburgh!
READ MOREJoin Claire McNicol and Fergus McNicol for a lively, family-friendly session of traditional street games, playful rhymes, toe-tapping songs, and captivating tales from Old Edinburgh!
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READ MORECelebrate Edinburgh's Tradfest with a free afternoon session of traditional songs, music, poems and stories with friends from the Scots Music Group in the Scottish Storytelling Centre!
READ MOREJoin ballad singer Allan Taylor, fiddler Karin Paterson and storytellers Phyll McBain and Jackie Ross for a ceilidh of land, laughter and a hearty dollop of Doric!
READ MORESangstream, the a cappella Scots folk choir now in its 28th year, led by the renowned Corrina Hewat, is excited to perform their rich choice of songs as part of Tradfest.
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READ MOREBog Standard is the gripping true story of a tip off which led a rookie journalist to one of the most important archaeological finds of the 20th century.
READ MOREThis special live performance from filmmaker/storytellers Nadir Bouhmouch and Soumeya Ait Ahmed combines film, lecture and storytelling!
READ MORETuFlamenco presents a tribute to Federico García Lorca, Spain’s most iconic poet, through Flamenco’s rhythm, dance, and poetry at the Scottish Storytelling Centre on Saturday 10th May.
READ MOREJoin musician and storyteller David Francis and learn how to improve your patter and song introductions with some basic rules of storytelling on this workshop as part of Tradfest!
READ MOREMeeting at the Scottish Storytelling Centre, enjoy a walking tour around the sights and sounds of Edinburgh’s Old Town with artist/curator Claudia Zeiske on 10th May as part of Edinburgh Tradfest!
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READ MOREJoin us at the Scottish Storytelling Centre for a celebration of independent film in Scotland through the lens of celebrated filmmaker Douglas Eadie!
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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 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 MOREEnjoy an outstanding candlelit evening of classical music in the beautiful setting of St Giles' Cathedral.
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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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READ MOREJoin us at The Stand Comedy Club Edinburgh for a mixed-bill five act show every Saturday!
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