AroundTown
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 Laura Ennor. ✽✽ Indicates Hitlist entry
GLASGOW
Activities & Events Irn-Bru Carnival Until Sun 16 Jan. Thu 6–Sun 9 & Sat 15–Sun 16 Jan, noon–10pm; Mon 10–Fri 14 Jan, 5–10pm. £10. SECC, Finnieston Quay, 0844 395 4000. From the traditional whirl of the waltzers to the brand new Extreme, plus gentler rides for wee ones. Gardening For Wildlife Sat 8 Jan, 2.30–4pm. £5.50 as part of garden admission (£4; family ticket £15; single parent family ticket £10). Greenbank Garden, Flenders Road Clarkston, 639 3281. The garden team give advice on how to attract wildlife to your garden. Blochairn Car Boot Sale Sun 9 & 16 Jan, 6am. Wholesale Fruit, Veg, Flower and Fish Market, 130 Blochairn Road. One of the UK’s largest weekly car boot sales, attracting over 500 sellers, with just about anything you could think of on sale, from curtains to cakes. FREE The Monday Night Social Mon 10 & 17 Jan, 6–8pm. Trongate 103, 276 8380. Monday night meet-up for artists with learning disabilities and other people with learning disabilities who are interested in getting crafty and meeting new people. Ages 18+. Stars Over the Botanics Tue 11 Jan, 7.30pm. £4 (children £2). Glasgow Botanic Gardens, 730 Great Western Road, 334 2422. A star-gazing session with the Astronomical Society of Glasgow and the University of Glasgow. FREE Film Discussion Group Wed 12 Jan, 6.30pm. Glasgow Film Theatre, 12 Rose Street, 332 6535. Meet up with film writer Eddie Harrison and lots of other film buffs to swap opinions and perceptions of both art house and big blockbuster recent releases. FREE Rock Choir Free Taster Session Wed 12 Jan, 7.45–9.15pm. The National Piping Centre, 30–34 McPhater Street, Cowcaddens, 353 0220. Stretch your vocal cords with a sing-song with the Rock Choir, covering pop, motown and gospel styles, for all abilities. FREE Family History Tours Thu 13 Jan, 2.30–3.30pm. Mitchell Library, North Street, 287 2999. Learn about the library’s genealogical research resources. FREE Celtic Connections Torchlight Parade Thu 13 Jan, 4.45pm. George Square, www.celticconnections.com. Celtic Connections launches with a torchlight procession through Glasgow’s city centre, from George Square to the steps of the Concert Hall, led by a mass of pipes, drums and flaming torches. If you’d like to take part, application forms can be downloaded from the website. Part of Celtic Connections. FREE Wonder of Winter Wildlife Sun 16 Jan, 1–3pm. Hogganfield Loch, 1628 Cumbernauld Road. Wrap up warm for this gentle winter walk searching for some of the creatures who don’t mind the cold. FREE Archive Sources for Family History Thu 20 Jan, noon. Mitchell Library, North Street, 287 2999. Find out about all the sources held in the Mitchell Library that can help you discover and explore your family history. Exhibitions Titanic: Honour and Glory Until Sun 27 Feb. Daily 10am–4pm. £3 (£2). The Tall Ship at Glasgow Harbour, 100 Stobcross Road, 222 2513. An exhibition about the ill-fated ship with original artefacts and props and costumes from James Cameron’s 1997 film. See Hitlist. FREE Scottish Glass at Kelvingrove Until Sun 1 Jul. Mon–Thu,
32 THE LIST 6–20 Jan 2011
Sat 10am–5pm; Fri & Sun 11am–5pm. Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum, Argyle Street, 276 9599. This year marks the 400th anniversary of glassmaking in Scotland, and to celebrate Kelvingrove presents an unique long-term exhibition of glass art and artefacts from the 18th century to the present day. FREE Mr Jackson’s Toy Theatres Until Fri 28 Jan. Mon–Thu 9am–8pm; Fri & Sat 9am–5pm. Mitchell Library, North Street, 287 2999. An exhibition of Peter Jackson’s creations in his role as one of the leaders of innovative toy theatre. FREE Glasgow Electric at 50 Until Mon 7 Feb. Mon–Thu & Sat 10am–5pm; Fri & Sun 11am–5pm. Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum, Argyle Street, 276 9599. In celebration of the launch of the iconic Blue Train commuter electric rail link in Glasgow in 1960, the museum presents a community exhibit telling the story of the people who made it happen and its role in transforming the suburban landscape. Talks Alison McCleery: Beyond Table Mountain Thu 6 Jan, 2.15pm. £8 (students/under 18s/RSGS members free). Renfield St Stephen’s Church, 260 Bath Street, 332 2826. Professor Alison McCleery examines the lives of the people who live in the townships of the low-lying sandy plain behind South Africa’s Table Mountain, discovering a richer and more joyful culture than the bleak stereotypes of drugs, gang warfare and unemployment would have us believe. Iain Anderson in Conversation: Mary Craig Mon 17 Jan, 12.30pm. £5. Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, 2 Sauchiehall Street, 353 8000. Mary Craig, Chief Executive of the Lloyds TSB Foundation for Scotland, discusses so- called ‘high banking syndrome.’ Part of Celtic Connections. Iain Anderson in Conversation: Rodge Glass Tue 18 Jan, 12.30pm. £5. Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, 2 Sauchiehall Street, 353 8000. See picture, below. Part of Celtic Connections. FREE German Language in Scottish Education Tue 18 Jan, 7–8.30pm. Goethe Institut, 3 Park Circus, 332 2555. Herr Generalkonsul Wolfgang
Mössinger gives a talk on the topic of future plans for German in education in Scotland, or ‘Deutsche Sprache in schottische Erziehungsweisen’, if you were listening in lessons. Followed by a discussion and refreshments. Iain Anderson in Conversation: Rab Noakes with Stewart Cruickshank Wed 19 Jan, 12.30pm. £5. Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, 2 Sauchiehall Street, 353 8000. Rab Noakes and Senior BBC Music producer Stewart Cruickshank discuss the influence of Scottish songs and poetry on Bob Dylan. Part of Celtic Connections. The Great Walk of China: My Story from Exhibitionist to Expeditionist Wed 19 Jan, 7.30pm. £8 (students/under18s/RSGS members free). University of Glasgow, Boyd Orr Building University Gardens, www.rsgs.org Model-turned-explorer Katie-Jane L’Herpiniere tells the story of her endurance trek along the whole length of the Great Wall of China. Iain Anderson in Conversation: Mike Harding with Archie Fisher Thu 20 Jan, 12.30pm. £5. Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, 2 Sauchiehall Street, 353 8000. The music and radio men chat about Harding’s autobiography. Part of Celtic Connections. FREE The Search for Gravitational Waves Thu 20 Jan, 7.30pm. University of Strathclyde Royal College Building, 204 George Street, 950 3000. Professor James Hough of the Institute for Gravitational Research speaks on the nature and agency of gravitational waves. Workshops FREE Tigerstyle Thu 6, 13 & 20 Jan, 6–8pm. The Arches, 253 Argyle Street, 565 1000. Creative music making programme headed by Scottish bhangra outfit Tigerstyle. Adult Acting Class Mondays, 10 Jan–14 Mar, 6.30pm. £75. Vivace Theatre School, Dixon House, St Enoch’s Square, 554 3318. A practical course for all levels taking place over ten weeks, designed to improve confidence and prepare participants for any acting situation that might arise. Booking essential. Tango Tipica Fri 14 Jan, 7–9pm & Sun 16 Jan, 3–5pm. £74. Venue tbc, West End, contact@tangotipica.info Learn the
Iain Anderson in Conversation: Rodge Glass
authentic Argentinian tango at these intensive workshops, which will give you a firm grounding in the dance style, meaning you can join Tango Tipica’s level 2 series of weekly classes, which begin on Fri 21 Jan. Price includes two workshops and eight evening classes. Booking essential. Sing Out Vocal Workshop Sun 16 Jan, 2–5pm. £8 (£6; students £4). John Anderson Building, Strathclyde University, 107 Rottenrow East, 548 3444. Give your vocal chords a workout with Alan and Rebecca Tavener and a selection of melodies and rhythms from around the world. No experience required. Booking essential. Nightschool Mon 17 Jan–Tue 15 Mar, various times. £75 (£50). Citizens Theatre, 119 Gorbals Street, 429 0022. Informal acting courses at beginner (Tue 7–9pm), intermediate (Mon 5.30–7.30pm) and advanced (Mon 7.30–9.30pm) levels. FREE The Gnostic Movement Mon 17 Jan, 6pm. Mitchell Library, North Street, 287 2999. A workshop practising self-examination and meditation techniques.
EDINBURGH Activities & Events A Great Escape Sat 8 & Sun 9 Jan, 11am–3pm. Included in admission: £14 (£11.20; under 16s £7.50). Edinburgh Castle, Royal Mile, 225 9846. Living history event all about John Mhor Macgregor, one of the rare few who have ever managed to make an escape from Edinburgh Castle, which houses a very secure prison. FREE Behold the Light of Nature: Ruskin on Turner, Edinburgh, 1853 Wed 12 Jan, 12.45–1.30pm. National Gallery of Scotland, The Mound, 624 6200. Actor and art historian Paul O’Keeffe recreates John Ruskin’s moving account of the life and work of JMW Turner in this performed reading. FREE Salsa Dance Night Wed 12 Jan & 19 Jan, 7pm. Harry’s Bar, Randolph Place, 539 8100. A free salsa class followed by an evening dance session. FREE Remembered Remedies Sat 15 Jan, 10am–noon. Royal Botanic Garden, Arboretum Place, 248 2979.
One of the most interesting things about Celtic Connections is the way they don’t just limit themselves to music; they like go wider, examine Scottish culture and the, ah, connections between the arts and life. BBC Scotland’s Iain Anderson is in residence and conversation with a number of luminaries throughout the festival, and one of the most interesting events looks like this chat with Alasdair Gray’s biographer and author Rodge Glass (pictured above, right), on Scottish literature of the past, present and future. ■ Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, Tue 18 Jan, 12.30pm, £5.