What’sOn
■ Books ■ Clubs ■ Comedy 43 47 55
■ Film ■ Kids ■ LGBT 59 72 75
■ Music ■ Theatre ■ Visual Art 76 105 112
AroundTown HITLIST SUMMER, STORIES & SCIENCE
Merchant City Festival The annual celebration of all that’s great about Glasgow’s ‘Cultural Quarter’. See Neighbourhood Watch, right. Various Merchant City venues, Glasgow, Thu 21–Sun 24 Jul.
Hidden Lane Festival One of Glasgow’s loveliest creative communities opens its doors for the annual all-dayer: Liusic, shisha lounges, stalls, fashion shows, BBQs and treasure hunts, before an Ivy/Sub Club afterparty. Hidden Lane, Glasgow, Sat 25 Jun. The Golden Hour The penultimate edition of the louche, wordy cabaret night, hosted by the moustachioed Ryan Van Winkle, as the future of the Forest hangs in the balance. Go show some support. Forest Café, Edinburgh, Wed 20 Jul.
Storytelling Scotland: the People, the Stories, the Songs Explore our storytelling culture, with discussions on everything from ballads to hero legends. Scottish Storytelling Centre, Edinburgh, Sat 16 Jul. Midsummer Picnic Jupiter Artland bring the sculpture gardens, the picnic, and the wine; you bring good vibes and a rug: a great way to spend a long summer evening. Jupiter Artland, Wilkieston, Sat 25 Jun.
Glasgow Science Centre’s 10th Birthday Party! Clydeside’s silvery spaceship celebrates its hands-on programmes, helping Scotland to engage with science. Glasgow Science Centre, Sat 16–Mon 18 Jul.
Govanhill Baths See song, dance, cuisine and art, with nods both to Refugee Week and the 10th anniversary of Govanhill Baths Community Trust’s fight to reopen this beautiful building. Govanhill Baths, Glasgow, Sat 25 Jun.
Edinburgh International Magic Festival Shazam! Edinburgh’s newest festival settles into its second year with shows and talks on the future of magic. See preview, page 40. Various venues, Edinburgh, Fri 1–Fri 8 Jul.
Dear Mr Harper Help the all-round good egg of Scottish politics launch his new book. There may even be a chance later to ask him for knitwear tips. See picture, page 42. National Library of Scotland, Edinburgh, Tue 28 Jun.
Book Swap Bookcase Free books! Bring books you’ve read, leave them on the Book Swap Bookcase and help yourself to other people’s well-thumbed paperbacks. Er, Matron? Trongate 103, Glasgow, Thu 21–Sat 23 Jul.
38 THE LIST 23 Jun–21 Jul 2011
list.co.uk/aroundtown
NEIGHBOURHOODWatch AROUND YOUR BIT OF TOWN
MERCHANT CITY GLASGOW
What’s it like? Darling! It’s the Merchant City! Glasgow’s Cultural Quarter! Glasgow’s Style Mile! Home to designer shops, glossy bars, great food and the Merchant City Festival! Short answer: expensive but vibrant.
Where’s it, like? Ostensibly, it’s those few streets of gorgeous architecture immediately south- east of George Square, but its boundaries have wandered in recent years, and it now lays claim to the galleries and hipster bars of Trongate, arts complex Trongate 103, George Square itself and the Saltmarket. Who’s from there? As cavernous warehouses in the area were converted into luxury lofts comparatively recently, there aren’t too many famous residents yet. Campy BBC drama Lip Service was filmed in the MC’s chichi bars, and one of the most famous local faces is Seamus MacInnes, who set up foodie staple Café Gandolfi 30 years ago. Oh, and Liam Gallagher visited recently to open the Scottish branch of his clothes shop Pretty Green on designer mecca Ingram Street. What? We’re not sniggering.
Why would I go there? This month? Because the Merchant City Festival is on, showcasing everything that the area does best: great food, open-air gigs, comedy, fashion shows, as well as local makers’ markets, dining offers and a healthy dose of street theatre. Year round? Because it’s really quite a lovely place to be. ■ Merchant City Festival, Thu 21–Sun 24 Jul, merchantcityfestival.com