EXTRA TIME LISTINGS
This section gives details of special selected events taking place within Edinburgh and Glasgow and around the central belt this fortnight. Listings are compiled by date, place and then event. listings compiled by Brian Donaldson.
FRIDAY 29
Edinburgh
I Amnesty Internet Amnesty International Shop. Jeffrey Street. 557 2957. Until 6 Jan; Mon—Wed. Fri/Sat l().30am—5pm; Thurs l0.30am—8pm. Free. Created by Datalink Computer Services in l.eith. the unique Scottish Amnesty International web site will provide Information on Al's current campaigns against human rights abuses in Turkey. torture. and for the establishment of a permanent International Criminal Court. Surfers will be able to find out how they can get involved in Ainiiesty’s worldwide and local activities. and update themselves on events. concerts. talks and exhibitions across the country.
I Amnesty International St Andrew’s Eve Ceilidh St Bride's Centre. ()rwell Terrace. info: 557 2957. 8pm. £6 (£4). Amnesty's Edinburgh St Mark's Group’s key fund- raising event of the year comprises a ceilidh with the Haddington Fiddles. haggis (meat and veggie). cakes. a raffle with prizes including signed books by the likes of John Hegley. Alan Warner and Al. Kennedy. Cl)s and tickets for theatre. cinema and restaurants.
I The Peoples DI Edinburgh Events City Art Centre. Market Street. 529 3993. free. A series of events which celebrate the vitality and spread of Edinburgh‘s cultural existence. Running until Saturday Jan 4. the range includes Brazilian and Polish
dance. Portuguese storytelling. hand painting workshops. Ukrainian cuisine sampling and a Gaelic choir. Full details are available from the City Art Centre.
Dundee
I Planetarium Evening Mills Observatory. Balgay Park. 0l382 667 l 38. 7.l5. 8.00. 8.45pm. free. During the winter months. the Mills ()bservatory is open every evening. Tuesday to l‘riday. but this could be the hot event of the period with three special planetarium shows and. weather conditions permitting. possible sightings of Saturn through the telescope.
SATURDAY 30
Glasgow
I Shine On Glasgow Various venues. info: 552 6027. Glasgow's run up to Christmas gets into ftill swing with this annual feast of events taking place on each week iid up until Christmas live. See photo caption.
Edinburgh
I Craft and Design Fair Assembly Rooms. George Street. info: ()(1' 6600. l().3()am-5pm. 80p (50p). This annual Assembly Rooms fair has built a reputation as a forum for the finest in Scottish design and opens up lots of opportunities to get Christmas shopping in early. There will be over l00 craft makers. designers and artists participating with many one-off items available on the stalls. There will also be refreshments. face painting and children‘s entertainments provided.
I SlIIIIE Dll GLASGOW Various venues, info: 0141 553 1937. last year’s Shine On Glasgow with Coca-Cola generated extra trade somewhere in the region of £12m creating an additional 400 seasonal jobs, and the organisers expect a similarly roaring trade around the city up until Christmas Eve. There are many highlights, of which this is but a sample - the lllt’s biggest winter procession leaves Blythswood Square with illuminated bears, fish and penguins led by Santa and his reindeer heading for George Square where a spectacular finale is promised; an eleven metre tall Christmas candle will accomodate up to 40 performers for a series of musical events, while the spectacular steel tree makes a welcome return in Buchanan Street. Full details on the events, venues and times are available from the Shine On hotline
(0141 5531937).
\f‘s.
I BBUCE’S BIG NIGHT IN The Arches, Midland Street, 0141 221 9736, 8pm, £5. Not an event hosted by Mr Forsyth, but a new regular monthly bonanza of music, film, art, comedy, dance, theatre, poetry and lots of surprises at The Arches, and in association with The list. Hosted by Bruce Morton, hence the name, Glasgow audiences will be offered an exclusive preview of the best of the month ahead in arts and entertainment. Mr Morton provides a relaxed and unconstrained guide to the city’s vibrant cultural goings-on with the musical support of resident house band MYLC. The first night will showcase performances from Chocolate Art, The Beat Poets, film from the GET and surprises from Glasgow’s December theatre agenda. It’ll
be nice to see it, to see it, nice.
SUNDAY 1 Glasgow I Glasgow Buddhist Centre Open Day
Glasgow Buddhist Centre. Sauchiehall Street. 333 0524. l0.30am—5pm. free. The Glasgow Buddhist Centre is opening their doors for anyone wishing to take a look around or talk to any of the teachers. Throughout the day there will be teaching of meditation and showing of videos introducing newcomers to the religion. The bookshop inside holds the largest selection of Buddhist literature in Scotland.
Edinburgh
I Craft and Design Fair Sec Sal An
I lleritage Events Edinburgh Castle. into 668 3300. lpm. £5.50 (£3.50/L‘ 1.50). The Heritage liy ents Company presents an afternoon programme of living history. drama and comedy kicking off at lpm with In lii'rll' The White Cur kin/e. a tale of an imprisoned rebel after Culloden. 2pm sees an audience with Sir William Alexander entitled l-‘u/rr'v 'I'liur w fill the day 's happenings finishing with A Matter ()1 I-iriili. an account of the religious debate between Mary Queen of Scots and the Calvinist preacher. John Knox.
MONDAY 2
Glasgow
I Bruce’s Big flight In The Arches. Midland Street. 22l 9736. Xpm. 1.5. A The I.f\l/ Arches co-production presents Bruce's Big Night In. a new monthly met" on the Glasgow scene. See photo caption.
SATURDAY 7 Irvine
I Festoon 96 liglinton Countryside Park. info: 0l505 6839l7/ 684225. noon—4pm. free. The main event of North Ayrshire Council's new Winter Festival commences with across country run. followed by a procession. tree dressing exhibitions. short performances from local youth theatre. storytelling. music and a l’laybus. And food aplenty. The festival runs until Saturday .Ian J.
TUESDAY 10
Edinburgh
I Trees and SCOTS Scottish National Portrait Gallery. Queen Street. 556 892 l. 7.30pm. £7 tL'5). .-\t the time of year when many people are thinking of buying and decorating their Christmas trees. Professor Christopher Smout. Historiographer Royal for Scotland. will spend the evening enlightening us about sylvan concerns. Seasonal refreshments will add flavour to the proceedings.
DEEM—
Edinburgh
I Icebrealters Cafe Kudos. Greenside l’lace. info: 556 40-19. 7.45pm. free. Rtiii by l.othian Gay and Lesbian Switchboard. this group meets on the second and fourth Wednesday of every month. providing an informal and friendly atmosphere for gay men. Further information is available from the Switchboard on 556 4049. operating nightly between 7.30 and l0pm.
72 The List 29 Nov-l2 |)cc I996