What’sOn
■ Books ■ Clubs ■ Comedy 67 70 78
■ Film ■ Kids ■ LGBT 81 90 91
■ Music ■ Theatre ■ Visual Art 92 112 118
AroundTown HITLIST THE WHOLE HOG
Glasgow on Ice The George Square ice rink cometh once a year, so get your skates on (pun points: 5). Take advantage of special quiet afternoon sessions for under 7s and over 60s, or go with pals after work. See feature, page 19. George Square, Glasgow, until Tue 3 Jan (not Sun 25 & Mon 26 Dec).
Edinburgh’s Hogmanay Street Party Sure, this month’s hitlist brimmeth over with crimbo and New Year events, but Edinburgh’s official Hogmanay street party has nabbed the top spot. Tap your chilly toes to Mark Ronson, Friendly Fires and Bombay Bicycle Club. See feature, page 14. Edinburgh City Centre, Sun 31 Dec. Design & Democracy Running until February, this exhibition at the Parliament showcases work by 16 graduates from Scottish art schools, looking at how design can impact our environment and society itself. Chinstrokey but really quite good. The Scottish Parliament, Edinburgh, until Sat 19 Feb (closed Fri 23 Dec–Tue 3 Jan).
The New Year Games Hit the Grassmarket for an unusual type of first footing, with giant boardgames and rides, some developed by Scottish artists like FOUND (pictured) and spotov. Various Old Town venues, Edinburgh, Sun 1 Jan. Global Christmas Market One of the more unusual Christmas food fairs, St Enoch Square is this year hosting vendors from Mexico, Ecuador, Belgium, Poland, South Africa, France, Finland, Germany and Spain. St Enoch Square, Glasgow, until Fri 23 Dec.
Mitchell Library Centenary Tours The Mitch has reached the grand old age of 100. Booking is a must for these tours, showing you the nooks and crannies of Glasgow’s most luxurious lib. Mitchell Library, Glasgow, Thu 15 Dec.
Edinburgh Sparkles Treasure Hunt Part of the city’s official Christmas celebrations, you can follow this treasure trail on Twitter to win prizes (follow @edinburgh_). Edinburgh City Centre, Thu 15 & Thu 22 Dec.
A Twonkey Variety Night A mix of music, stand- up and general silliness presented by Twonkey (aka Dawn of the Replicant and The Leg’s Paul Vickers). A unique pub experience for sure. The White Horse, Edinburgh, Sat 16 Dec.
Adults Only Afternoons at Kelvingrove Take a break from the kiddie- toting hordes of shoppers and enjoy a quiet, child-free afternoon at Kelvingrove. Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum, Glasgow, Fri 16 Dec.
Winter Tea Dance Extravaganza A retro style Christmas party, with dance lessons, a beauty parlour and plenty of mulled wine. Poodle skirts and pop socks optional but encouraged. Out of the Blue Drill Hall, Edinburgh, Sun 18 Dec.
64 THE LIST 15 Dec 2011–5 Jan 2012
list.co.uk/aroundtown
NEIGHBOURHOODWatch AROUND YOUR BIT OF TOWN
GREAT WESTERN ROAD GLASGOW
What’s it like? One big road full of pubs, cafés and little shops. Flats are mostly old tenements above the bars, restaurants and stores which go up most of the road.
Where’s it, like? In the West End, a stone’s throw from Woodlands and Byres Road. Kelvinbridge underground station brings you out in the middle of the road, or you can take a 66 bus from the city centre to go all the way along it (but remember to get off before you end up in Anniesland).
Who’s from there? List staffers have spotted Alex Kapranos (Franz Ferdinand) and Liz Lochhead in the area, as well as Robert Carlyle fingering the veg in Roots and Fruits.
Why would I go there? For music (The Captain’s Rest); for food (Bar Gambrino does two for one pizzas and many claim Philadelphia does the best chips in the West); for beers (The Belle, The Lansdowne or Oran Mor); for vintage clothing (Watermelon and Glasgow Vintage are on Great Western Road, with Retro tucked round the corner on Otago Street). Tasty delis include Roots and Fruits, Lupe Pintos and Il Cappuccino, plus a plethora of halal shops. (Lauren Mayberry)