Festival Logistics Coordinator, Stage Manager and International exchange artist

July 2023

Travelled to Santiago de Cuba with a group of 20 artists, collaborating with local talent to craft a unique performance for the Santiago de Cuba Carnival. Coordinated closely with Cuban dancers, drummers, and organizers to plan rehearsals and performances, stepping in as a leader during communication breakdowns to ensure productive sessions. Adapted seamlessly to a new cultural context, fostering inclusivity and appreciation for diverse art forms. Earned admiration from locals for our innovative fusion of music and collaborative spirit. Managed social media platforms, scheduling posts to document our participation and progress, working closely with videographers and photographers to create captivating content, including fully edited videos with original music recorded on-site.

You can find the Social media page here

Edinburgh Festival Carnival is Scotland’s largest multicultural celebration. For nine years, this has taken the form of a spectacular and vibrant parade in the centre of Edinburgh, followed by an afternoon of Carnival in the city's Princes Street Gardens. Every year, Carnival teams work with communities across Edinburgh, encouraging those who have little or no access to the arts the chance to learn a new skill and join in the Carnival atmosphere. Edinburgh Festival Carnival is produced by Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival, with a dedicated Carnival team headed up by Giles Agis, Carnival & Communities Manager (seen above). Link to EFC website here

I played a central role in event planning, engaging in both online and offline meetings with colleagues and authorities while working collaboratively in an office environment. Coordinating logistics and transportation, I ensured timely equipment and materials delivery. On event days, I oversaw logistics, managed the main stage for multiple bands, and efficiently communicated with colleagues and stakeholders. I maintained constant updates with supervisors regarding schedule changes and performance times, all while facilitating smooth operations and addressing disruptions assertively and respectfully.

I also worked with the EFC on some of their year round work (Windrush 75, City Vision 2050, Connect Project, Discover Project, Launch Party) See below:

June 2023

I played a pivotal role in organizing the Windrush 75 event, a collaboration between the Edinburgh Festival Carnival and the Edinburgh Caribbean Association. This event commemorated the 75th anniversary of the Empire Windrush's arrival from the Caribbean and the subsequent decades of racial tension and injustice. My responsibilities included coordinating logistics, communication with artists, equipment providers, venue managers, catering teams, and speakers, ensuring a smooth show.

I worked with colleagues to plan the stage layout, hall usage, safety measures, and legal obligations. I liaised with equipment providers and arranged rehearsal spaces for performing artists, including myself. During the event, I oversaw equipment setup and acted as the stage manager, ensuring artists were aware of the running order and arrived on stage on time. Handled running order improvisations based on crowd reactions. My role involved juggling multiple factors and resolving issues creatively to create a seamless experience for the audience.

I also performed in the event and enjoyed playing the triangle in a traditional Caribbean style. After the event, I organized the pack-up and clear-out process.

To read about this event see this

June 2023

My primary role for this event, organized by City Vision 2050 and Edinburgh College, was stage management. Performances from Edinburgh Festival Carnival took place to add liveliness to the event. Notable speakers included figures like the Lord Provost Robert Aldridge and Leader Councillor Cammy Day from The City of Edinburgh Council. Similar to my responsibilities at the Windrush 75 event, I utilized my quick problem-solving skills and ability to perform under pressure to ensure the smooth presentation of all speakers and activities. For more information on this event please see this article by the Edinburgh Reporter.

May - Jun 2023

As a representative of the Edinburgh Festival Carnival, I played a pivotal role in a collaborative project organized by the Edinburgh Festivals. This initiative brought together various festival groups, including the Fringe, Edinburgh International Festival, Storytelling Festival, and Science Festival, along with the Valley Park Community Centre, to engage young people in our vibrant festival scene. Our project involved multiple sessions where each festival group showcased its unique essence to children in the p7 to p6 age range, aiming to educate and excite them about our cultural celebrations. I curated a session for the Edinburgh Festival Carnival, where we offered an interactive experience with dance and drumming routines led by talented workshop leaders. Collaborating closely with Valley Park youth workers, we ensured the children's participation in the Carnival Parade, and the project's success was evident as these youngsters proudly represented their community in the Parade, embodying the spirit of inclusivity and community engagement. See here for more information.

July 2023

At the Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival launch party, I assumed the role of logistics coordinator, infusing the annual launch party with a vibrant carnival spirit. This carnival touch, encompassing costumes, dance, and lively music, breathed new life into the event, captivating stakeholders who enthusiastically embraced the festivities.

My responsibilities included orchestrating the seamless transportation of equipment and costumes, managing event setup and teardown, and ensuring the smooth flow of performances by communicating with artists and overseeing their stage management. Additionally, I planned event logistics, including venue layout, access arrangements, and parking coordination, all while ensuring that guests like company chairs and council members revelled in a fun and memorable experience.

Nov 2022

I spearheaded the organization, planning, promotion, and presentation of the live urban music event 'Chronicle Tones' as part of the Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival's 'Autumn Series,' from October to November 2022, with support from the festival staff. This multifaceted endeavour involved conceptualization, communication with stakeholders, venue visits, artist networking, scheduling, budgeting, and extensive promotion, including active social media engagement and creating LinkTree accounts. I ensured artist rehearsal spaces, commissioned visual elements, hired photographers, and handled logistics.

The event showcased my skills in networking, leadership, time management, event planning, and creative concept development. Despite facing challenges in financial management, artist punctuality, and set durations, the event successfully provided opportunities for artists and a diverse cultural experience for the audience, albeit with lessons learned in digital marketing and meticulous planning. Overall, this experience enriched my event management capabilities and was highly rewarding. To read about this event click here

Apr - May 2022

As part of the Emerging Artist Exchange program, I had the incredible opportunity to teach sound production to 15 school children at Gold Avenue School in Accra, Ghana. Through a blend of theoretical instruction and hands-on learning with FL Studio 20, I empowered these young minds to explore their creativity and acquire new skills. This experience significantly enriched my own personal development, enhancing my interpersonal, communication, and teaching abilities. It also broadened my musical horizons, fostering a passion for diverse genres and strengthening my sound production expertise.

Moreover, it instilled a newfound perspective and commitment to community engagement in my artistic journey. The positive impact on the students was evident in their enthusiasm for learning and newfound creative outlets, thanks to the software now available on their school computers. This transformative experience has left an indelible mark on my career and continues to inspire future projects with a similar ethos of artistic and community enrichment.