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Around Town.
www.list.co.uk/aroundtown
Emma E" Polloc
Emma Newlands takes a look at the upcoming programme of events highlighting mental health issues in Scotland
‘ nyone can suffer from mental health issues. regardless of your walk of life.‘ says ldlewild‘s Rod Jones. curator of a music
evening during the Scottish Mental Health Arts and
Film Festival.
‘lt's something I really wanted to get involved in. It's about raising awareness and saying that it's OK —- everybody goes through it.‘
Now in its second year. the 2008 bill showcases over 100 events around Scotland. packing in film screenings. comedy. visual art and Bollywood dance. Literary events include appearances by poet Lil. Lochead and writers Alan Bisset and Denise Mina.
Notable for attracting hard to reach audiences. the festival hopes to tackle any stigma surrounding mental illness by being both thought-provoking and entertaining.
There will be gigs over two days under the Music Like A Vitamin banner. and Rod has put together a top notch bill for his Vitamin A night (9 Oct) at Glasgow‘s ABC. when The Twilight Sad. Norman Blake and Sons and Daughters will perform.
Rod explains: ‘It was an opportunity to get a lot of
my favourite bands to play. It‘s great they are giving up their time for free — it shows the collaborative
nature of the Scottish music scene.’ He laughs as he adds. it‘s a ‘unique chance to see one of the tnost
under-rehearsed covers bands ever making idiots of
themselves‘.
Jones has personal motivation for taking part. and is candid about his experience of mental health difficulties.'When I first realised I had depression I was quite embarrassed. but there’s no need to be. Attitudes are getting better and now people are more willing to talk about it.‘
Also taking part is former l)eldagos frontwoman limma Pollock. who suffered from postnatal depression alter the birth of her son Ben. Along with Sushil K Dade. she will curate the second Music Like A Vitamin night (Vitamin B. l() ()ctl with performances from Kenny Anderson. Duglas T Stewart. The Phantom Band and Kim lidgar.
limma says: 'lt’s an opportunity to see a unique line-up that will never be repeated. This is an issue that should really be embraced. Help should be freely available and getting support from the people around you is of vital importance.‘
The Scottish Mental Health Arts and Film Festival runs 1-19 October. For more info see www.mhfestival.com. See listings for details.
=l< Found Proving one man's trash really is another man's treasure. this team of real-life Wombles behind US magazine. Found, are on tour. with live music, sword swallowing and plain old letter- reading. See feature on page 24. Forest Cafe, Edinburgh, Fri 73 Oct; Sub Club, Glasgow. Sat 74 Oct.
* Scottish Mental Health Arts and Film Festival See preview, left. Various venues across Scotland, Wed 7-Sun 79 Oct.
=l< An Evening with Ray Mears Want to pick the brain of this outdoor lover and bushcraft expert? Rough and ready Ray is hosting a O&A session after giving the crowd insight into his survival skills. City Hal/s, Glasgow, Mon 73 Oct.
* British Natural Bodybuilding Federation Championships Come along to the gun show, where oiled-up men and women will be pumping iron in the UK hunt for a new champion. SECC, Glasgow, Sun 72 Oct.
* Hispanic Festival Si si, senor. It's the 3rd festival of Spanish and Latin American dance. music and theatre. Various venues, Edinburgh, Thu 76 Oct- Sun 19 Oct.
* Apple Day Celebration Two days dedicated to la pomme. and all its crunchy, shiny, juicy goodness. Suitable for all the family.
Sun 5 & Mon 6 Oct, Royal Botanic Gardens, Edinburgh.
246 Oct 2008 THE LIST 29