CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Events, rides etc.

Firestarter festival - popup Parklet February 9

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  1. sallyhinch
    Member

    Walk Cycle Vote are doing a popup parklet as part of the Firestarter Festival (more info here https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/reimagining-your-city-from-parking-space-to-pop-up-park-tickets-41005066257?aff=es2 - don't worry about the tickets thing, it's just a way of saying that it's on as part of the festival).

    We've got some instant park stuff from Sustrans (benches, astroturf etc.) so that's all sorted - but what we need are some things going on that will help to make the space somewhere fun to hang out or draw people in on a February working day. We've got offers of a Dr Bike, and a led bike ride but we'd love something more offbeat - a knit in? A choir? A barbecue? A human pyramid?

    We have a very small budget most of which will go on paying for the parking suspension. If anyone has any suggestions, or can offer to help, or knows someone who would like to help transform a very boring stretch of road into an appealing space, please let us know

    We're outside St Andrew's House with the idea being of engaging some of the civil servants there with a different perspective on the city and what cities can be.

    Posted 6 years ago #

  2. unhurt
    Member

    This is brilliant and I will have a wee think. And see if I can take some time off work to come and hang out!

    ... Bike dynamo powered fairy lights? Outdoor yoga? Colouring in for kids? (might be able to source some Edinburgh themed colouring sheets)

    (Would a camping stove for making tea be a useful addition? I have a bunch of not empty but not full enough I'd trust them to last a camping trip gas canisters that need used up...)

    Posted 6 years ago #

  3. Frenchy
    Member

    ... Bike dynamo powered fairy lights?

    Someone (I think Gembo) on here has/had access to a bike-powered smoothie maker. Something like that?

    Posted 6 years ago #

  4. morepathsplease
    Member

    If live acoustic music would fit then it might be worth contacting the Scots Music Group.

    Posted 6 years ago #

  5. fimm
    Member

    We have a proper (but small and portable) barbeque that you could probably borrow: but I fear the health and safety elves would probably suggest that actually cooking anything on it would be a bad idea because of the risk of poisoning someone (or setting the artificial grass on fire...)

    Posted 6 years ago #

  6. unhurt
    Member

    @Frenchy I think @gembo borrows that from ?Sustrans for his smoothie activities. Sure he'll tell us.

    Posted 6 years ago #

  7. LaidBack
    Member

    Music would be good. SMG is good idea.

    As @unhurt noted the giant Urban Arrow XL cargo coolbox could be filled with stuff - but not beer? ;-)
    Being Feb things should be cool anyway.

    Just checking which day this is on but could lend it out anyway.

    Posted 6 years ago #

  8. unhurt
    Member

    Daytime pop up park bench drinking might not be the vibe they're going for... Or is it?

    Posted 6 years ago #

  9. Frenchy
    Member

    Daytime pop up park bench drinking might not be the vibe they're going for... Or is it?

    Even if not, come 15:01...

    Posted 6 years ago #

  10. I were right about that saddle
    Member

    Lovely idea. Will there be room for line dancing?

    Posted 6 years ago #

  11. Rosie
    Member

    @IWRATS - early cyclists did used to do country dances on bicycles. I'm sure you could muster 8 or so here for an Eightsome Reel.

    Posted 6 years ago #

  12. NiallA
    Member

    I play traditional music in a couple of sessions in Edinburgh and have loads of music contacts from that scene (many of us current or ex-SMG actually). If some live music/ busking would fit, I'd be happy to see if I could put together a group of folk to play? Won't do this unless there's a definite YES from Sally though (to avoid clashing with other plans).

    Posted 6 years ago #

  13. Arellcat
    Moderator

    Music would be good. SMG is good idea.

    Probably too short notice for this year, but The Pretend Stage have done some great mini-shows at the York Rally in recent years.

    http://www.thepretendstage.co.uk/ and
    https://en-gb.facebook.com/thepretendstage/

    Avant garde music, storytelling, and anything else that goes for a stageshow, all transported by bicycle (and train, perhaps).

    Posted 6 years ago #

  14. gembo
    Member

    I do have access to a bike smoothie maker, from the lovely people at Edinburgh Bicycle Co-op. D'ya want it?

    Posted 6 years ago #

  15. sallyhinch
    Member

    Briiliant - thanks for all the suggestions (although I'm disappointed at the lack of human pyramid volunteers)

    @NiallA definite YES to the folk music - that would be fab

    @Gembo - yes also to the bike smoothie maker - maybe the Urban arrow could be pressed into service with supplies (although we don't need to worry about the cold chain in February I imagine).

    I think we have a storytelling group/puppet show lined up already although we will need to be sure we will have some kids to listen to it

    @IWRATS - you have a month to get together a troupe of crack line-dancing cyclists who can work in a confined space (we have only taken over 4 parking spaces)

    @unhurt - outdoor yoga would be good (or maybe Zumba or something a bit warmer) - anyone know any instructors who'd be up for doing a session

    We were wondering about getting the Soup bike people (Union of Genius?) anyone got a contact for them? Certainly having something hot on hand would be helpful given the likely weather

    Posted 6 years ago #

  16. sallyhinch
    Member

    Also rather than colouring in, maybe if we leave some of the tarmac clear and bring pavement chalks kids could colour in the road?

    Posted 6 years ago #

  17. gembo
    Member

    Ok will ask Bg GED, he may offer kid size or adult size, any preference? Have worked with both. There is a very strict instruction. No starting until blender fitted to spindle. Hold lid on by pushing down gently. Stop when told. This stops the thing being worn out and also avoids splatter.

    Posted 6 years ago #

  18. NiallA
    Member

    Sally, thanks - will get started on that and let you know how I get on (fingers crossed).

    Posted 6 years ago #

  19. fimm
    Member

    Hadn't registered February - not quite barbeque weather? Though a source of heat might be good?

    Posted 6 years ago #

  20. sallyhinch
    Member

    @NiallA - great, keep us posted
    @Gembo - I think adult sized as it will be a school day ...
    @Fimm - exactly, something warm would be welcome but I think you're right it would be tricky on H&S grounds

    Posted 6 years ago #

  21. unhurt
    Member

    I don't know any yoga instructors but i may know people who do. Or, a friend at work sometimes teaches martial arts stuff - she might be persuaded to tone it down to some fun warming kicks (that won't lead to injury!)

    Posted 6 years ago #

  22. gembo
    Member

    @sallyhinch, schools break up for half term at lunchtime that day. No differs rally from any Friday as Edinburgh schools not open on Friday afternoons ever. Kids can go on the big bike with some adjustment (and vice versa)

    Posted 6 years ago #

  23. minus six
    Member

    Outdoor yoga

    i could turn up to advise on safe hip and knee alignment for half / full lotus zazen posture, 30 mins meditation

    tends to scare adults more than children, frankly

    also available for bar mitzvahs

    Posted 6 years ago #

  24. sallyhinch
    Member

    @gembo - ooh good point on Edinburgh schools

    We now also have a possible offer of a hula-hoop making workshop ...

    Posted 6 years ago #

  25. sallyhinch
    Member

    Someone has also suggested tai chi which might be better than meditating/yoga if it's really cold and is properly park-like ...

    Posted 6 years ago #

  26. minus six
    Member

    tai chi is an excellent idea

    yang style long form

    aber das ist nicht zwei euro

    Posted 6 years ago #

  27. gembo
    Member

    Quite a lot going on in this wee park, have you got the grass behind too?

    Posted 6 years ago #

  28. sallyhinch
    Member

    We've got some of the space outside the building I think. We'll probably have a schedule of events so the individual activities won't go on all day, although I think something like the smoothie bike could

    Posted 6 years ago #

  29. LaidBack
    Member

    @Gembo - I tried to contact Ged yesterday. Email bounced - seems he has left EBC. Went in Dec it seems.

    Posted 6 years ago #

  30. gembo
    Member

    @laidback, yes I had that too, I will pursue my other contacts within the co-op. May see the big man at our cinema, he often attends. A very fine fellow. Always cheerful and very tall. Sings in a choir too I think, so not all bikes.

    Posted 6 years ago #

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