EXTRA TIME LISTINGS
I BURNS SUPPERS Various venues. It’s that time of year again when Scots in every comer of the globe set about celebrating the memory ot Rabbie Bums. Most people remember something of his work but that tends to be overshadowed by the seedier aspects ol his life. Still, it doesn’t prevent many millions tucking into haggis for pleasure. And this year there is a new single malt called Rabbie’s Dram, specially commissioned by The Whisky Connoisseur and limited to 1997 bottles. Duite clever, that. Contact your local tourist board for full details oi nearby suppers.
This section gives details of special selected events taking place within Edinburgh and Glasgow and around the Central Belt this lortnight. listings are compiled by date, place and then event. Listings compiled by Brian Donaldson.
SATURDAY 25 Edinburgh
I All Formats Computer Fair Meadowbank Stadium. info: 0l890 883807. 10am—3pm. £4 (£2). Business interests. multimedia types. educationalists and those simply larking around with new technology will have a field day at the All Formats Computer Fairs. On display are second-hand equipment. a range of CD-ROM titles and lots of tips for beginners and trainspotters alike. Entry after 2pm requires a handover ofjust £2 while the fair is free in wheelchair users all day.
Renfrew
I Rentrew 600 Various venues. Renfrew. info:014l 886 1997. Until 31 Jan. A year- long celebration to mark Renfrew‘s status as a Royal Burgh will see the good people of the town sharing many platforms with various artistes in celebration of their own talents. achievements and heritage. This fortnight's events include a Burns Supper (Fri 24). the Glasgow Phoenix Choir (Sat l) and the Chinese New Year. The ABC Way (Thurs 6).
Various venues
I Burns Suppers Two centuries after the death of the Scottish bard. the annual sheep-entrail munching and whisky- quaffing gets into its stride this week. See photo caption.
SUNDAY 26
Glasgow
I All Formats Computer Fair The Time Capsule. Buchanan Street. info: (MSW) 883807. l0atrt-3pm. £4 (£2). See Sat 25. I 3D-2D Cralt And Design Fair Glasgow University Union Building. Kelvirrway. info: 0l3l 66l 6600. l lam—5pm. 80p (50p). Glasgow Uni plays host to another event organised by 3l)-2l) Craft And Design Fairs. This fair is a special January sale-type shindig with old stock. seconds and discontinued lrrtes all on parade.
Selkirk
I Duchess Drive Bowhill Country Park. info: 01835 83028 I. Want" 2.‘~0pin. fl (free). A brisk hike through woodland and over moorland may be just the thing to get over the feeling of having haggrs (living out ofevet‘y orifice. The beautiful Bowhill Estate. which follows the route of an old Victorian carriage drive. provides buckets of history and panorama. Bowhill Country Park is situated three kilometres west of
Selkirk.
TUESDAY 28
Mrlngavre
I Biodiversity Dn Scottish Farmland Milngavie Lesser Town Hall. info: 0| 360 770447. 7.30pm. free. Biodiversity may not be on the lips of the British public as often as. say. The Spice Girls. but this illustrated talk will show that the effects of modem agricultural practices have an equally profound effect on our everyday existence. Speakers are lain Downie and Vicky Abernethy of the Scottish Agricultural College.
WEDNESDAY 29 Edinburgh
I Morningside Justice And Peace Group ()pen Door. h'lorningsidc Road. 445 l628/22‘) I020. l0.30--l l.3(lattt. 50p. During the aututrtn and spring months. this group meet ey cry Wednesday morning as an open forum to discuss issues of local. national and international importance. Today‘s heated debate is led by Professor Kenneth King. Director at Edinburgh University‘s Centre of African Studies with his lecture The Future Slut/re ()f/lj'rit‘u. Questions will follow.
I lcebreakers Cafe Kudos. Greenside Place. info: 556 404‘). 7.45pm. free. Run by l.othian (lay attd Lesbian Switchboard. this group meets on the second arid fourth Wednesday ofevcr'y month. providing an informal and friendly atmosphere for gay men. Further rrtforrnation is available from the Switchboard on 556 4049. operating nightly between 7.30 and l0pm.
Livingston
I Latin American Dance Howden Park Centre. Howden. 0 l 506 433634. 7--8_30pm. £l8 (U2). You've seen them do it on the telly and now it's your chance to learn the lambada every Wednesday night until early March. The fee covers thesis sessions which last an exhausting 90 minutes each. (‘arambal ()r something.
THURSDAY 30 ’ Edinburgh
I Women Di The Waterfront Assembly Rooms. George Street. info: 333 I743. 7.30pm. free. Five hundred Liverpool (lockers were sacked irt September l‘)‘)5 for their refusal to cross the picket litre. The dockers and their families are receiving no strike pay and no benefits. leading to hardship on a devastating scale. Women Of The Waterfront. a group of wives. partners and relatives of the strikers. was set up to highlight their
plight. Tonight. representatives of the group will speak on this issue and the broader picture of working life in 90s Britain.
Lower Largo
I Up-ilelly-Aa Night Lower Largo l-larbour. info: 0| 333 320759. 8.30pm. free. It's traditional Viking festival time again. when all right-minded people go around bunting long boats arid the like. Music and a bonfire is on the agenda. l’illaging isn't. We hope.
FRIDAY 31 Edinburgh
I Stockaree! Theatre Workshop. Hamilton Place. 226 5425. 7pm. £5 (£3). The furtdraising ceilidh season continues apace with this event to get the caslt together for Stockbridge's first large-scale community play set to take the stage in May. The Captain Swing Ceilidh band inject the Celtic vibe.
I Planetarium Evening Mitts Observatory. Balgay Park. 0l382 435846. 7.15pm. 8pm. 8.45pm. free. If meteors. interplanetary dust and shooting stars of the non-Vic and Bob variety are your bag then this could be the night of your life. There will be three planetarium shows followed by a viewing through the rnaitt telescope. Weather permitting. lforre taste of the observatory gets you hooked then you will be over the moon to discover that it is open to the public Tue—Fri (4*10pm) and Sat (2—5pm). Over the rrtoon — geddit'.’
SATURDAY 1 Edinburgh
I Renew Scotland Ceilidh Assembly Rooms. George Street. 220 434‘). Spin—lam. £6 (£3.50). A Friends Of The liarth fund-raiser with music. dancing and beer. See photo caption.
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llD CEILlDll Assembly Rooms, George Street, 220 4349, 8pm—1 am,
£6 (£3.50). It‘s fund-raising ceilidh time with recipients Friends Di The Earth Scotland hoping to raise a few hundred nicker to help in its campaign in promoting clean and sale renewable energy. Cash cobbled together will go towards the costs involved in producing materials for their campaigns aimed at influencing people to think green. Do the night, the entertainment is provided by the ever-popular Robert Fish Band. As it that wasn’t enough, there’s a cheap bar to be cleaned out.
76 The List 24 Jan-6 Feb I997