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 we invite.
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, joined in December by award-winning poet-comedian RJ Hunter, talented writer-performer Emma Lynne Harley and acclaimed singer-songwriter Josie Duncan.
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Turan Ali has been producing, directing and writing BBC Radio dramas and comedies for over 20 years. He has also been telling stories of queer lives and experiences on stage since 2012, and more recently as a stand up. His shows have toured internationally and he has two sell out monthly storytelling shows in Vienna. He is the host and producer of Queer Folks’ Tales.
Emma Lynne Harley is a queer, working-class, multidisciplinary theatre maker, director, writer and performer who makes vibrant cross-genre work. They are a Lyceum L20 alum, and co-director of award-winning Siren Theatre Company with shows including TXT ME: Cyber Showcase and Online Protest, Walking on Eggshells. They perform regularly as a cabaret artist around Scotland.
RJ Hunter (they/she) is an Edinburgh-based spoken-word artist and comedian who is the Loud Poets Grand Slam Champion 2023. Known for fast-paced performances and work that balances the political with the joyfully stupid, Hunter's first collection 'Flustercuck' was released in June 2023.
Josie Duncan is a talented and captivating singer-songwriter who won the BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Award (2017), Her songs have been showcased at Celtic Colours (Canada), National Celtic Festival Australia, Tönder (Denmark) and festivals closer to home Hebridean Celtic Festival Opening Concert & Sidmouth Festival, plus Scottish folk music community Bogha-frois: Queer Voices in Folk.
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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 Multi Cultural Family Base (MCFB) at the Scottish Storytelling Centre on 21st February a powerful celebration of diverse talent shaping the future of Edinburgh’s artistic landscape!
READ MOREThis event, at Scottish Storytelling Centre on 22nd February, is open to all with an interest in the future direction of culture and creative society in Edinburgh and beyond.
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 MORECome along to Newhailes monthly market where you'll find a fine selection of handmade goods; from jams and chutneys to pies and candles!
READ MOREJoin us in the historic Abbey Strand Centre for our special Royal Rhyme Time sessions for toddlers.
READ MORELooking for something fun to do with the kids? Then come along to these FREE arts and crafts sessions every Saturday at the Scottish Parliament!
READ MOREAt Dynamic Earth's Dino's Science Club, your child will make new discoveries each week in these hour-long interactive science sessions for 6-12 year olds!
READ MOREEdinburgh Printmakers' Family Print Club is perfect for children as they explore lots of different printmaking techniques and have fun as well!
READ MORECome along to some fun-filled craft sessions guaranteed to keep the kids busy...for a little while at least!
READ MOREEnjoy crafts? Or enjoy a boardgame? Or simply would appreciate being in the company of others in a warm, relaxed space with a bowl of soup? Then this is the space for you!
READ MOREOcean Terminal Market is a fantastic monthly weekend market with a great range of arts, crafts, food and drinks!
READ MOREThis monthly untutored life drawing group at The Salisbury Centre gives men the opportunity to come along and draw a male Life model in a friendly, supportive drawing group.
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