What’sOn
■ Books ■ Clubs ■ Comedy 38 41 48
■ Film ■ Kids ■ LGBT 52 61 63
■ Music ■ Theatre ■ Visual Art 64 84 88
AroundTown HITLIST MERCHANTS, MUSEUMS, MAGGIE’S
Pilot So . . . a bit like a radio show, a bit like an open mic event and a bit like a night in the bar with your arty friends? Flatrate defy all definitions with their new event, but it still sounds fun. See preview, page 37. CCA, Glasgow, Thu 21 Jul.
National Museum of Scotland: Opening Ceremony Get queueing early, and you could be the first to see the completely refurbished National Museum. We’re promised street entertainment and a spectacular opening party. Look out for the new T-Rex! See feature, page 13. National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh, Fri 29 Jul, 9.15am. Merchant City Festival The celebration of Glasgow’s cultural quarter is ten years old, bless its socks. A packed-out programme of street theatre, live music, comedy, fashion and more. See picture, page 38. Various venues, Glasgow, Thu 21–Sun 24 Jul.
Becky Beasley and Alasdair Gray in conversation with Lisa Le Feuvre and Tom Morton Gray and a fellow arts-literature polymath talk to the British Art Show curators. CCA, Glasgow, Sat 30 Jul.
Banned Books This great exhibition looks at the history of book censorship, from Lolita to, um, Harry Potter. Nope, us neither. National Library of Scotland, Edinburgh, until Sun 30 Oct. The Briggait Open Weekend Glasgow’s newest creative community/workspace throws open its doors for exhibitions, tours, dance and circus performance. The Briggait, Glasgow, Sat 23 & Sun 24 Jul.
Sunday Market in the Grassmarket Market stalls colonise the Grassmarket once again with a scintillating musical backdrop provided by the Jazz & Blues Festival. Grassmarket, Edinburgh, Sun 24 Jul.
Walking Tours of Glasgow Necropolis One of the most beautiful, hidden parts of Glasgow, revealed by an informed guide. Highly recommended, but booking essential. Glasgow Cathedral, Thu 21 Jul.
The Big Welcome A community- decorated tablecloth display and accompanying picnic ahead of August’s Big Things on the Beach public art project. Portobello Promenade, Edinburgh, Sun 24 Jul.
Maggie’s Glasgow Night Hike A ten-mile, ‘festival on foot’ taking place through the streets of Glasgow and in some of its interesting buildings. See listings, page 37, for details. Various locations, Glasgow, Fri 22 Jul.
34 THE LIST 21 Jul–4 Aug 2011
list.co.uk/aroundtown
NEIGHBOURHOODWatch AROUND YOUR BIT OF TOWN
LEITH EDINBURGH
What’s it like? It’s Leith. If you’re an Edinburgh List reader, it’s very likely you live there.
Where’s it, like? It’s the area around the port at the very north of Edinburgh to the top of Leith Walk, spreading up Easter Road and all the way along to the Terence Conran-designed Ocean Terminal. Am I right in thinking I can take a tram there? Oh, you prankster. Watch your mouth.
Who’s from there? Only the most internationally-famous Edinburghers in the last two decades: Renton, Sick Boy, Spud and Begbie and of course, their creator, Irvine Welsh. You can still take Trainspotting tours during the festive months. Other notable Leithers include Eduardo Paolozzi, who created the sculptures at the top of Leith Walk, and The Proclaimers, obv. Why would I go there? Because just about anyone can have a good night out in Leith: delicate flowers can get their cocktails-in-teacups fix at the Roseleaf, the hippy-to-arts- enthusiast scale is covered by the Out of the Blue Drill Hall, off-beat families and singletons alike can find a home at Sofi’s or Joseph Pearce’s and upmarket foodies have a whole plethora of Michelin-starred establishments to choose from (The Plumed Horse, The Kitchin). Fortunately, you can still access the real Leith at legendary pub the Port O’Leith. Just don’t look at anyone’s pint funny.
Where should I start? We’re big fans of the Edinburgh Murmur (edinburgh.murmur.info) a low-fi audio tour through Leith history, as told by its residents.