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Around Town
Is it drafty in here?
As Doors Open Day turns 20, Kirstin Innes looks behind some of the portals
Did you know that, in any given weekend in September this year, it’s possible to gain free, behind-the-scenes access and guided tours to 920 theatres, nightclubs, castles, transport depots, museums and buildings of historic interest across Scotland? The Scottish Civic Trust’s wonderful Doors Open Day project turns 20 this year, with a record number of places across the country to visit. We’ve put together a selection of the most List reader-appropriate tours in Glasgow, Edinburgh and beyond.
Glasgow’s Doors Open Day weekend is Sat 18–Sun 19 Sep, and out of all the cities has the broadest selection of cultural buildings participating. Those of you who missed the original production of David Leddy’s Sub Rosa last year can take this chance to sneak around the spooky shell of a Victorian entertainment palace sitting underneath the modern- day Citizens Theatre, or just wander through the costume racks; there’s also a rare chance to spend sepia-tinted time in the old Britannica Panoptican Music Hall on Argyle Street, famously the site of Stan Laurel’s comedy debut. You can also find out how The A rc h e s manage to create a massive nightclub, experimental theatre space and throbbing hive of a bar from the (reportedly haunted) brick structures holding up Central Station, or, coming into the present day, take a proper guided tour round Malcolm Fraser’s gorgeous new headquarters for Scottish Ballet. If that all sounds a bit too indoors for your liking, get
some air in your lungs and muck under your nails with the Gates Open Day strand, in which 12 allotment areas around Glasgow open their (you guessed it) gates, for a guided tour into the mysteries of growing. There’s also a chance to look around the great old Govanhill Baths and get involved with the campaign to restore the pool to its former glory. In Edinburgh, Doors Open Day happens from Sat 25–Sun 26 Sep, and one of the most interesting sites this year is the newly-refurbished Usher Hall – between 10am–1pm on Saturday there’s even a chance to sing onstage with the Scottish Chamber Orchestra. More lovely Malcolm Fraser architecture on show round at the Scottish Poetry Library, which will be hosting its annual artists’ book fair By Leaves We Live that weekend, while more muck/ghost/foolhardy explorers might be interested in going underground at the Caves.
Elsewhere, you can see behind the curtain at the A b e rd e e n M a s o n i c H a l l, with actual masons guiding the tours, or check out an Invernessian WW2 bunker. Possibly the most exciting (certainly the most patriotic) Open Door is Cumbernauld’s Ir n Bru Factory (Sat 11–Sun 12 Sep). Unsurprisingly, all the tours are already booked out, but look out for ticket giveaways for that one on the Doors Open Day website.
www.doorsopendays.org.uk
www.list.co.uk/aroundtown Hitlist WORKSHOPS, WALK-INS & WALKS*
✽✽ Tron Studio The Tron’s excellent adult drama workshops start up again: term starts on 14 Sep. Tron Theatre, Glasgow, Tue 14 Sep. ✽✽ Napiers 150th Anniversary Workshops Edinburgh’s herbalists offer to share a century-and-a-half’s worth of accumulated knowledge, with you, sweet things they are. Stockbridge Parish Church, Edinburgh, Wed 15 & 22 Sep. ✽✽ MediCinema Movie Walk Cinema-themed charity fundraising walk, taking in some iconic film locations around Glasgow (Kersland Street in Hillhead was New York in Portrait of a Lady, Weegie movie fact fans!). All proceeds go to Medi Cinema. People’s Palace & Winter Gardens, Glasgow Green Sun 19 Sep, 11am. ✽✽ Doors Open Days The 20th anniversary of the annual draught-including festival. See preview, left Various venues, Scotland, weekends throughout September. ✽✽ Auction of Pleasures Lots of tempting, er . . . lots are on offer at this charity fundraising dinner and auction for Glasgow Women’s Library. See picture, page 38. Glasgow Women’s Library, Mitchell Library, Fri 17 Sep, 6pm. ✽✽ Glasgow Night Hike A ten- mile tour of Glasgow by night, experiencing iconic buildings and sights under cover of darkness, all in aid of Maggie’s Centre cancer care unit. Various venues, Glasgow, Fri 17 Sep, 7.30pm. 9–23 Sep 2010 THE LIST 37