Mobilise: A week-long Festival of Campaigning skills happening in Edinburgh from 13-20 August 2011

UNISON Scotland 60 Belford Road

MOBILISE does exactly what it says on the tin - brings people together and prepares for action. The art of creative campaigning.

Workshops

We don't teach protest theory; our workshops are preparation for action. Leaflets are designed, printed and distributed. Blogs are written „live? and uploaded. Films are shot, edited and broadcast. Skills learnt - jobs done. MOBILISE is a unique chance to work with artists and performers and develop your creative campaign skills. (Workshops are FREE. Check the programme for availability. Places are strictly limited so book early)

Protest Action

Edinburgh is the festival city, but it also has a dark side. Home of the UK banking crisis, the city is now on the brink of Scotland's largest ever privatisation of council services. Where better to hone your protest skills than in a boot camp for creative activists? Then watch the coalition crumble from the comfort of a West End attic. (We are MOBILISING for Street Action at 2.30 pm most days – check the programme for details)

Discussion and Debate

Late afternoon discussion across a range of subjects to reflect these turbulent times – see programme for details. (Discussion runs from 4.00 to 5.30 pm every day. Entry is free but places are limited so book early)

The MOBILISE Show

From 6.00 pm the emphasis is on entertainment, with a mix of live music and comedy. The line up varies through the week, with top class comedy from The Stand Comedy Club. Not forgetting the open mike slots for performers from the workshops.

The Venue and Gallery

The venue is a large attic space with a gallery, licensed café, wifi, books and an exclusive range of MOBILISE merchandise. We have a changing exhibition of campaign art, international labour movement posters and contemporary art on an anti-cuts theme - plus work developed as part of MOBILISE.

MOBILISE Blog

There will be Bloggers and writers galore at MOBILISE, including Cath Elliott (The Guardian). With numerous political and cultural highlights to report, a shortage of material is not anticipated!

Practicalities

Everything before 6.00 pm is free. Shows after 6.00 pm cost £6.00 each with £4.00 concessions. The events are open to everyone. Some places are reserved for UNISON members. We particularly welcome members of partner unions or community campaigns. We have an accessible entrance on Belford Road and an accessible toilet. There is a lift to the MOBILISE venue. The venue is not open to children under 16.

How to book

Numbers for all activities are strictly limited. We strongly advise that you book in advance for all activities. Please book online at www.mobilisefestival.co.uk or contact us at mobilise@unison.co.uk or call 0131-226 0053.

A short advert can be seen here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AHu8MhDHIj8

For further information please contact either myself (n.kelly@unison.co.uk) or Peter Hunter (p.hunter@unison.co.uk)

http://unisonmobilise.blogspot.com/

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