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'Star Wars' convention on satellite radio

The official convention of Lucsafilm, Star Wars Celebration V, focussing on the Star Wars film series, will occur in the US city of Orlando, Florida this weekend, August 12-15. The theme for this year is the 30th anniversary of The Empire Strikes Back with 30,000 fans expected to attend.

The August cultural vacuum

Unless you're in Edinburgh or at a music festival, August is an artistic desert. In the age of the staycation, that's a disgrace, says Fiona Sturges

The Big Chill, Eastnor Castle Deer Park, Herefordshire (Rated 4/ 5 )
Libertines announce first public gig since reforming
Villagers, Sneaky Pete's (Rated 4/ 5 )

BBC Proms: Hall� Orchestra/Elder, Royal Albert Hall, London (Rated 5/ 5 )

It was the second outing for a John Foulds piece in one week.

BBC Proms: National Youth Orchestra/ Bychkov, Royal Albert Hall, London (Rated 4/ 5 )
BBC Proms: World Orchestra for Peace / Tilling / Gergiev, Royal Albert Hall, London (Rated 3/ 5 )

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The August cultural vacuum

Unless you're in Edinburgh or at a music festival, August is an artistic desert. In the age of the staycation, that's a disgrace, says Fiona Sturges

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Hot Mess, Hawke & Hunter (Rated 4/ 5 )

Down the black lacquered stairs we go into the basement nightclub. The floor is striped with blue neon, the ceiling slashed with pink, a DJ plays Lady Gaga. We take our seats on leather sofas around the dancefloor.

Don Quixote, Royal Opera House, London (Rated 5/ 5 )
My Romantic History, Traverse Theatre (Rated 3/ 5 )
Beautiful Burnout, Pleasance Courtyard (Rated 4/ 5 )

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Bo Burnham: Words, Words, Words, Pleasance Dome (Rated 5/ 5 )

He may look like the older brother of Justin Bieber, but don't let the youth and fragility of the 19 year-old American comedian Bo Burnham fool you. This is his "United States of Whatever" and he has come to kick some serious comedy butt.

Jonny Sweet: Let's All Just Have Some Fun, Pleasance Courtyard (Rated 4/ 5 )
Richard Herring: Christ on a Bike, Assembly Rooms (Rated 3/ 5 )

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