The Safari Lounge Edinburgh
Friday 24th October, 2025
Our Hosts;
Iria Fogie and Christine Thomas.
The Talented Wordsmiths;
Elliott Jordan McNaughton
Ginger Nomad,
DJs And Musicians
Mr Ben.
Acis As
Divine
Caro Bridges
Hollerin franklin
Midlife Krysis
Erb n Ting
Geoff Winde
Jo Malik
DJ Divine
Sometimes things seem too horrific for even words. Let alone actually doing anything about it. Living in the relative comfort and safety of the UK its difficult to comprehend how, and why this is happening and has been happening for quite some time. I mean one would have to have been living under a rock to not know what is happening in Gaza. I myself have Arabic friends that are deeply traumatized and grieving on a level that is difficult to comprehend because of the Genocide and the UK’s Gaslighting of its population, because its a very profitable thing for the arms industry of the UK. and the only reason voices have been stifled and silenced and the recent diabolical prohibition of protesting the murder of innocents. I mean, really, where does one begin?????
Who wouldn’t support something that stopped the murder of little babies? I know a lot of people who are at a loss as to what to do to change things for the better. Well, let’s face it they couldnae be much more fucking worse for the suffering souls in Gaza could they???
A couple of weeks ago, my lovely friend Donna recommended that I do a poetry reading at The Safari Lounge, that was raising funds to directly help people affected by the ravages of War. The lineup was a no-brainer. I have a soul connection and have drummed with the very brilliant Midlife Krysis and Erb N Ting in years past, The Compares of the night are my very good friends, and the love I have for everyone performing, some of which I haven’t seen for quite some time. It was already a fantastic night and it hadnae happened yet.
So the very beautiful and noble Iria Fogie contacted me and asked me if I would perform my poetry at this prestigious event. Good Time Divine. The light switch went on as the answer to my prayers had been received, a proper introduction to the amazing and very beautiful Iria. Iria’s fellow Visionary, Christine Thomas, is another noble lady who has gone over and beyond to create change where change has needed to be. Collectively to raise awareness and vital funds.
It was a dreary, dreich, wet and windy afternoon. tunes and decks were packed, make up and wardrobe applied, Acis As swung by and picked me up, arriving at the Safari Lounge in good time to cleanse the space and ground the Angels, it was so lovely to see everyone who was already there and I was equally as excited to see the people on their way, Good Time, my heart was beaming. I had to conserve energy as DJ Divine had the closing set. I was well-rehearsed and confident of my tune selection. (The Mix of the tunes that I selected will be forthcoming).
To begin proceedings, Iria created a satellite link up with Majd and Maomin. The two guys who have had their lives ripped apart by the Genocide that is currently occurring in Gaza, this created a Healing Bridge and connected all the performers with the guys that we are helping.
Caro Bridges was our first seasoned performer of the evening, singing self-composed songs with a delicious Autumnal flavour, a very talented guitarist with a beautiful beautiful voice that set the tone for the quality of artistic merit that was present in The Safari Lounge that night. After a selection of beautifully sung songs, Caro was joined by her lover, Hollerin Franklin on effects, loops and Bass Guitar, collectively creating a Cosmic Healing Groove. This was top-drawer quality musicianship from both of these gorgeous musicians. Thankyou guys you were brilliant, setting the tone for the forthcoming Rock n Roll spectacular.
Steven Vickers is a local Rock N Roll legend who has been rocking different incarnations of himself for years. The Lead singer and guitarist of The Victor Pope Band and the rapping genius of Midlife Kryisis has created a loyal following in Scotland. And everyone was up and dancing for this bit of satirical brilliance. Mr Vickers has earned his Geni reputation and tonight was no exception, delivering an electric performance. The Safari lounge was bouncing. Everyone was really Happy.
Next up, a rising entertainer, an MC who has gained his stripes in both Edinburgh and Berlin. Elloquent Elliot delivered with a real passion both within his performance as a rapper and as compere of the evening.
Mike Daniel (MC MAD) and Al Roberts. Are The Mighty Erb n’ Ting. Two musical geni that create and perform professional Rock N Roll Gusto. MC MAD seasoned composer and singer of Groove Armada Classics, Superstylin and “I Feel Good”. Delivered beautifully, what a treat. The combination of Mike and Al Roberts’ brilliant guitar work added fuel to the creative fire burning in the Safari Lounge, it was squeeze in room only. which is not surprising.
The other very talented and handsome Compere of the evening Stuart Avitas Morgan. Is also a brilliant performance poet and wordsmith. Stuart composed the following poem and performed it beautifully.
Year after year
So many people die
War after war
Disguised genocide
Ignoring the laws
Makes you wonder why?
How they ignore
The blatant brazen lies
Puppet masters, they all run the globe
Pushing us pawns to the limit
For them its a show
They drive us apart in a skism
So good we do not know
We need to work together
Beat back what they bestow
In the future, we might look at these times
& justify to children why we just stood by
We have to organise
Do not give into apathy we cannot confine
Whether it be Palestine, Gaza or Ukraine
Human beings, we bleed all just the same
Human nature? Nah, I want some actual change
Sick of seeing the same thing again and again
Bairns burnt in their sleep
Unimaginable pain
They prey on the weak
Petitions in vein
It is seeming so bleak
But stay in your lane
This is their technique
So we all remain
Unchanged
In the future, we might look at these times
& justify to children why we just stood by
We have to organise
Do not give into apathy we cannot confine
See the right they are running
Circles around
Listening to our infighting
No middle ground found
Even while I’ve been writing
They slowly surround
Reforming defects, inviting
The left then confound
Instead of reuniting
We keep going round
Instead of providing
Our voices are drowned
Instead of us driving
Something profound
We keep on denying
Uniting our crowd
In the future, we might look at these times
& justify to children why we just stood by
We have to organise
Do not give into apathy we cannot confine
We have to stand together
Maybe rearrange
It may be bleak weather
But dont be estranged
Never say never
Lets start a new page
Things may get better
If we control our rage
Work smart not hard
Stop chasing tails
But keep up our guard
Because this sure entails
They will still bombard
Chemical weapons, it hails
They will send their regards
Narritive off the rails
We can keep going chasing our tails
Or we stand together
We may then prevail
We cannot fail!
Numbing the minds of war
From the living to deceased
Pushing pawns to the limit
Some cant even breathe
They will force it some more
Troops then released
We may all deplore
This puppet master beast
Cut down the strings
Free Palestine
Slava Ukraine
Lets catalyse change
In the future, we might look at these times
& justify to children why we just stood by
We have to organise
Do not give into apathy we cannot confine
Fuck all war
Fuck the puppet masters
Preach love a bit more
But lets evolve a bit faster
Don’t be reformed
By the stories they plaster
Let the right wing be scorned
Before it is a disaster.
Stuart Avitas Morgan 2025
The final musical poetry act of the evening, the rather amazing Geoff Winde. A very wise and knowledgable poet and performer that had his audience hooked on the words he performed. More of an education than a poem, breaking down walls of ignorance with the power of the pen and rather sparse acoustic guiitar. A Bob Dylan of our times, fresh from a soldout run at the Edinburgh Fringe.
Geoff’s words held his audience perfectly. Triggering quite a few tears in the audience indeed it was a powerful performance that is going to be with me for quite some time. After the performance we had a chat about Bradford and the 1In12 Club and the beauty of Hebden Bridge. I love making new friends.
All in all The Emergency Fundraiser was an excellent showcase of some mighty fine talent that raised awareness and some much needed money indeed it was a fantastic night. Free Free Palestine.
Mark Divine Calvert.xx
themumble.uk 