Around Town
Events are listed by city, then type. Submit listings at least 14 days before publication to sport@list.co.uk for sport or aroundtown@list.co.uk for all other events. Listings compiled by Suzanne Black. ✽✽ Indicates Hitlist entry
Glasgow Activities & Events George Square Festivities Until Sun 3 Jan, times vary. Prices vary. George Square, www.winterfestglasgow.com. The square will be bustling with festive activities all through the Crimbo period. Keeping Christmas at Pollok House Until Sun 3 Jan, 10am–5pm. £4 (members £1; under 12s free). Pollok House, Pollok Country Park, 2060 Pollokshaws Road, 0844 493 2202. See Preview, page 39. Rockaoke Idol Thu 17 Dec, 7pm. £45. Trades Hall, 85 Glassford Street, 552 2418. Live out a rock’n’roll fantasy by singing live backed by The Artisans. There’s a three-course meal and party games as well, but don’t go so rock’n’roll that you trash the place, eh?
✽✽ Irn-Bru Carnival Fri 18 Dec–Thu 7 Jan (not Fri 25 Dec), times vary. £10. SECC, Finnieston Quay, 0870 040 4000. F £10 entry gets you 10 vouchers (rides = 1 voucher; side stalls = 2 vouchers). See Hitlist. FREE Christmas Eve Celebrations Thu 24 Dec. George Square, www.winterfestglasgow.com. See preview, page 39.. Hogmanay Ceilidh Thu 31 Dec, 7.30pm–1am. £35. St Andrew’s in the Square, St Andrew’s Square, 0870 013 4060. Bring in the bells with traditional music and dancing featuring The Ardoch Ceilidh Band and piper. Also includes a dram and haggis. Hogmanay and New Year 2010 Ceilidh Thu 31 Dec, 9pm–1am. £25. Lauries Bar, 34 King Street, 552 7123. Ceilidh dance with live music and buffet to see in 2010. Glasgow’s Hogmanay Thu 31 Dec, £15. George Square, 564 4220. See feature, page 14.
Exhibitions ✽✽ Doctor Who Exhibition Until Mon 4 Jan (not Fri 25 Dec, Fri 1 Jan
& Sat 2 Jan), 10am–5pm; Fri & Sun 11am–5pm; Thu 31 Dec 9am–1pm. £7.50 (£4.50; family ticket £18). Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum, Argyle Street, 0844 481 5816. Tickets from www.SECxtra.com or 0844 481 5816. See Hitlist. FREE Furniture in Focus – The Decorated Surface Until Mon 31 May, (not Fri 25 Dec, Fri 1 Jan & Sat 2 Jan), 10am–5pm; Fri & Sun 11am–5pm; Thu 31 Dec 9am–1pm. Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum, Argyle Street, 276 9599. A new display highlighting three pieces of furniture from the museum’s permanent collection, created between 1895 and 1919 by three very different designers: a folding screen by George Logan, an embroidered folding screen by Eliza Kerr and a chair by Carlo Bugatti. FREE Darwin and Evolution Until Thu 31 Dec (not Fri 25 Dec), 10am–5pm; Fri & Sun 11am–5pm; Thu 31 Dec 9am–1pm. Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum, Argyle Street, 276 9599. A dual celebration of the 200th anniversary of the naturalist’s birth and the 150th anniversary of the publication of his groundbreaking and controversial On the Origin of Species. Find out more about the great man’s ideas, what we have in common with amoeba, our place on the planet and more. Future Foods: An Exhibition Debating Genetic Modification Until Mon 1 Mar (not Fri 25 Dec & 1 Jan), 10am–5pm. £8.25 (£6.25). Glasgow Science Centre, 50 Pacific Quay, 08715 401000. The pros and cons of GM food are debated through computer interactives
40 THE LIST 17 Dec 2009–7 Jan 2010
and audio visual displays in an exhibition from the Science Museum in London. FREE Nadfly + Baxendale Tree Until Thu 24 Dec & Tue 5 Jan, 10am–5pm; Sun noon–5pm; Thu 24 Dec 10am–noon. Trongate 103, 276 8380. A contemporary tree in the Trongate 103 lobby with thousands of handmade decorations.
Fairs FREE Art Fair Until Wed 23 Dec, 10am–5.30pm; Sun 11am–4pm. Eastwood Park Theatre, Eastwood Park, Rouken Glen Road, Giffnock, 577 4970. Alternative gifts for the festive season. FREE Merchants Market Sun 20 Dec, 11am. Bell Street, Merchant City, 287 2500. Produce, arts and crafts market. FREE Partick Christmas Farmer’s Market Wed 23 Dec, 11am. Mansfield Park, Hyndland Street, 287 2500. A wide variety of fresh Scottish produce. Talks FREE Hogmanay Traditions Tue 29 & Wed 30 Dec, 11am & 4pm. Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum, Argyle Street, 276 9599. Find out how and why we celebrate Hogmanay. FREE Lunchtime Talk Thu 7 Jan, 12.30–1pm. St Mungo Museum of Religious Life and Art, 2 Castle Street, 553 2557. A free half-hour talk entitled ‘Coming of Age – Initiation Masks’. The Royal Scottish Geographical Society: Orkney to New Zealand by Motorbike Thu 7 Jan, 2.15pm. £6 (free). Renfield St Stephen’s Church, 260 Bath Street, 01738 455050. Gavin Francis talks about some of his experiences on an 18- month journey from Scotland to New Zealand by motorbike.
Workshops FREE Tigerstyle Thu 17 Dec, 4–6pm & 6–8pm. The Arches, 253 Argyle Street, 565 1000. Creative music making programme headed by Scottish Bhangra outfit Tigerstyle with a series of classes and workshops looking at urban music production. Classes are free and open to anyone aged 14–25, for more info contact erin@thearches.co.uk Next Step Dance Tue 22 Dec, 7pm. £5. G12 Studios, 37 Ruthven Lane, Byres Road, 0845 299 0842. Body sculpting, ballet and musical theatre drop-in classes. Write Camera Action Mon 21 Dec, 6–9.30pm. £5 (£3). CCA, 350 Sauchiehall Street, 352 4900. A series of workshops for film writers, directors and actors for development and feedback on the third Monday of every month. Register interest at writecameraaction@hotmail.co.uk. Observers are also welcome. Ages 18+.
Edinburgh Activities & Events Winter Wonderland Ice Rink Until Mon 4 Jan (not Fri 25 Dec), times vary. Adult £9.50; children £8.50; under 7s £5; family ticket £28–£31.55 (With own skates, adults £8.50; children £7.50). East Princes Street Gardens, Princes Street, 226 6550. Last entry one hour before closing. Part of Edinburgh’s Christmas. FREE Fanzine Sunday Sun 20, 27 Dec & 3 Jan, 11am–5pm. Collective Gallery, 22–28 Cockburn Street, 220 1260. Collective will be open for young publishers, emergent writers and artists to go into the gallery to produce new work. FREE Games Night at the Big Red Door Sun 20 Dec, 6pm–midnight. The Big Red Door, 10 Lady Lawson Street, 228 4567. A weekly get together for the competitively minded: play board games, RPGs and others by candlelight. Bar with snacks and drinks available by donation. Christmas on the Closes Thu 17, Sat 19 & Sun 20 Dec, Thu & Sun 3–5pm; Sat 6–9pm. £12. The Real Mary King’s Close, 2 Warriston’s Close, High Street, 0845 070 6244. Find out what a traditional Christmas would have been like on the Edinburgh closes from the 1500s–1800s on the festive version of the
spooky underground tour. The Red Bus Christmas Trips: Evening Trip to Winter Wonderland Thu 17 Dec, times vary. £5 (£3). Various venues, 07599 912687. See preview, page 39. The Red Bus Christmas Trips: Evening trip to the Castle Until Sat 19 Dec, times vary. £6 (£4). Various venues, 07599 912687. A scenic trip up the Royal Mile to the Castle Esplanade with on-board fiddler Roland Fraser, hot punch and spectacular views of Edinburgh’s Christmas lights. Yule Night Thu 17 Dec, 7pm. £10 (£8). Scottish Storytelling Centre, 43–45 High Street, 556 9579. Donald Smith, Lawrence Tulloch, Judy Paterson and Danny Jamieson come together for a night of stories, music and mulled wine to celebrate the midwinter festival. FREE Christmas & New Year Indoor Carnival Fri 18 Dec–Sun 3 Jan (not Fri 25 Dec), times vary. Royal Highland Centre, Ingliston, 335 6200. Stalls, slides and rides (free entry but £1 per ride). Cromwellian Soldiers – No Christmas Here Thu 24 Dec, 11am, noon, 1.30pm & 3.30pm. Included in admission: £11 (£8; children £6). Edinburgh Castle, Royal Mile, 668 8858. See preview, page 39. FREE Epic Rock Quiz: The Holiday Edition Sun 27 Dec, 10pm. Opium, 71 Cowgate, 225 8382. Rock knowledge quiz on the last Sunday of the month. The Daft Days Mon 28–Wed 30 Dec, 1.30pm & 3pm. £4 (£3; family ticket £12). Scottish Storytelling Centre, 43–45 High Street, 556 9579. Silly stories for the holidays with storytellers Robert Howat, Debra Wells, James Spence and puppeteer Jack Martin. Edinburgh’s Hogmanay Tue 29 Dec–Fri 1 Jan, times vary. Prices vary. City Centre, 0844 894 2010. See feature, page 16.
✽✽ FREE Torchlight Procession and Son et Lumiere Tue 29 Dec,
6.30pm. Torches £5. Various venues, www.edinburghshogmanay.com. See Hitlist. Purchase a torch in advance from www.edinburghshogmanay.com. Part of Edinburgh’s Hogmanay.
✽✽ Night Afore: Legendary Light Wed 30 Dec, 6.30pm. £11 (£8;
children £5.50). Edinburgh Castle, Royal Mile, 225 9846. See Hitlist. The Family Hoog Wed 30 Dec, 7–10pm. From £11. Assembly Rooms, 54 George Street, 220 3234. A modern take on the ceilidh: as well as your favourite dances (with caller) there are DJs too, all under the banner of The Family Hoog Allstars. Ages 9+; doors open 6.30pm. Run in aid of Bethany Christian Trust for the Homeless. Night Afore: Home Light Wed 30 Dec, 7pm. £6. John Knox House, High Street, 556 9579. Torchlight ghost tours of John Knox’s house. Part of Edinburgh’s Hogmanay. FREE Hogmanay Family Ceilidh Thu 31 Dec, 2pm. National Museum of Scotland, Chambers Street, 225 7534. Start your Hogmanay celebrations early with an afternoon knees-up, with music provided by the Canongate Cadjers Ceilidh Band. OOR Tours Thu 31 Dec, 2pm. £15. Royal Mile, 07817 362171. History tours of Edinburgh with songs performed by Graeme E Pearson and a free nip of whisky. The tour starts from the three red telephone boxes on the Royal Mile and lasts at least one and a quarter hours. Booking essential. The Hoog Thu 31 Dec, 7pm–3am. £50. Assembly Rooms, 54 George Street, 220 3234. Hoog it up until 3am with Hogmanay entertainment from ceilidh bands (Whisky Kiss and Teannaich) and plenty of DJ action. FREE Midnight Fireworks and World’s Biggest Auld Lang Syne Thu 31 Dec, midnight. Calton Hill, Waterloo Place, www.edinburghshogmanay.com. See in the New Year with a spectacular fireworks
display and mass singalong. Part of Edinburgh’s Hogmanay. New Year Knox Fri 1 Jan, 11am–6pm. £3.50 (£1–£3). Scottish Storytelling Centre, 43–45 High Street, 556 9579. Reformation day at John Knox’s House with live and audio drama. Part of Edinburgh’s Hogmanay. FREE Re:solution Wall Fri 1 Jan, 1–4.30pm. Royal Mile, www.edinburghshogmanay.com. A special wall between the Scottish Parliament and Holyrood Palace where you can post New Year resolutions. Part of Edinburgh’s Hogmanay. FREE New Man Walking Fri 1 Jan, 4.30pm. Royal Mile, www.edinburghshogmanay.com. Puppet Lab’s giant blue man walks from Holyrood Palace to The Tron, saying hello to John Knox on the way. Part of Edinburgh’s Hogmanay.
Exhibitions FREE Gifted Until Sun 10 Jan (not Fri 25 Dec), 10am–5pm; Sat 26 Dec & Fri 1 Jan noon–5pm. National Museum of Scotland, Chambers Street, 225 7534. A selection of beautiful handmade treats on display and available for purchase, including ceramics, jewellery, textiles and books. Find an original Christmas present for someone away from the high street crowds. Food & Drink Night Afore: Amber Light Wed 30 Dec, 7pm. £10. Scotch Whisky Experience, 354 Castlehill, The Royal Mile, 220 0441. An exclusive tasting and private viewing of the world’s largest collection of Scotch whisky. Part of Edinburgh’s Hogmanay.
Talks FREE Pecha Kucha Thu 17 Dec, 7.30pm. Ticketed. Inspace, 1 Crichton Street, 650 2750. The Japanese term ‘Pecha Kucha’ roughly translates as ‘chit- chat’. A succession of invited guests will show 20 slides for 20 seconds each, allowing the audience to experience an exhilarating range of speakers and images over the course of the evening. Tickets from pknedinburgh.eventbrite.com Christmas Lecture: Building Intercultural Bridges Between East and West Mon 21 Dec, 6.30pm. £5 (£4; members free). National Museum of Scotland, Chambers Street, 225 7534. Please book in advance. See preview, page 39 Edinburgh Lectures: The New Year’s Day Conversation Fri 1 Jan, 3.30pm. £10. Signet Library, Parliament Square, 473 2000. Harry Reid, author of Reformation: the Dangerous Birth of the Modern World and Richard Holloway, formerly the Bishop of Edinburgh, talk about the Reformation. Register at www.edinburghshogmanay.com. Part of Edinburgh’s Hogmanay. The Royal Scottish Geographical Society: Orkney to New Zealand by Motorbike Thu 7 Jan, 7.30pm. £6 (children, students & members free). Appleton Tower (Lecture Theatre 5), University of Edinburgh, Crichton Street, 01738 455050. Gavin Francis talks about some of his experiences on an 18-month journey from Scotland to New Zealand by motorbike. Workshops Fresh Green Christmas Wreaths Thu 17 Dec, 10.30am–3.30pm. £15. Lauriston Castle, 2a Cramond Road South, 529 3963. See preview, page 39. Zumba, Ditch the Routine – Join the Party Tue 22 Dec, 7pm. £4 (students £3). King’s Buildings, University of Edinburgh, Mayfield Road, 07984 746070. Dance/fitness class that burns mega calories. Zumba Family Party Sun 27 Dec, noon. £6 (£3; family ticket £10). Meadowbank Sports Centre, 139 London Road, 07984 746070. Dance away the party pounds with this high energy fitness programme.