Theatre and comedy are the things for which the Edinburgh Fringe is most famous, but there's an awful lot else going on too. There's a full music programme, from classics to rock, from folk to easy-listening, from solo singers or instrumentalists to full orchestras, large choirs of big bands. And of course there's dance (ballet to contemporary, flamenco to Scottish country dancing) and physical theatre, and a whole section of the Fringe devoted to kids. And there are exhibitions - five pages of them in the Fringe programme.

Less known is a whole range of events so diverse as to defy categorisation. If, for example, you are stressed out by the rigours of running from venue to venue, you can relax by learnng Buddhist meditation at the Edinburgh Buddhist Centre in Marchmont, or, if you'd prefer to experince another kind of chill, thje sort that runs down your spine, there's Auld Reekie's Haunted Underground City Experience.

Interested in drink? There's a Not Another Firkin Festival (a celebration of Scotttish beer), the Old Town Literary Pub Crawl, no less than four Whisky with... events organised by the Scottish Malt Whisky Society, and even a Wine School.

If you're a fan of crime novels (or crime TV series), how could you come to Edinburgh and not give a little thought to John Rebus, Ian Rankin's beer-swilling detective? You can take a tour of Rebus locations in one of two tours, Rebus - A Hidden Edinburgh or Rebus - Body Politic.

Or if poetry is your interest, the Society of Poets invites visitors to come along to Courtyard Readings at the Scottish Poetry Library, where you can read your own or other people's poetry in any language.

For artists, there's Dr Sketchy's Burlesque Art Salon at the Green Room - life drawing with a twist - and prizes.

Dancers can join in a range of classes from Pilates to ballet at Dance Base or you can learn Korean percussion, song, dance and gnmes at the Dulsori Workshops in Old College Quad. Or if the ballroom is more your style, there are tea dances in the Spiegel Garden.

But of course BTG readers are theatre people, and there's an awful lot to interest them. There are sessions on Acting and Creating a Character, How to Do a Show at the Fringe, How to Get Ahead as a Theatre Director, How to Sell Your Show at the Fringe, How to Tour After the Fringe, A Musical Theatre Discussion and Planning to Act.

Not all of these events are on throughout the three weeks: some are and some are one-offs. Check the Fringe Programme for details.