AroundTown
Sport Glasgow Rocks Home Games Fri 30 Dec, 7.30pm. £9–£11 (children £6–£7). Kelvin Hall International Sports Arena, 1445 Argyle Street, 334 4600. Scotland’s only professional basketball team face Sheffield Sharks in the British Basketball League. Talks FREE Ancient Egyptian Astronomy Thu 15 Dec, 7.30–9pm. University of Strathclyde Royal College Building, 204 George Street, 950 3000. Astronomical Society of Glasgow president Chris O’Kane gives a talk. FREE The Age of the Earth – An Age-Old Question Sat 17 Dec, 3–4.30pm. Mitchell Library, North Street, 287 2999. One of a series of monthly science talks organised by the Galilean Society.
Workshops Jive Swing Thursdays, 7pm. £6 (male first-timers go free). Blackfriars, 36 Bell Street, 552 5924. Come along and learn to jive at this dance workshop. FREE Tango Libre Thursdays, 7.30pm. La Bodega Tapas Bar, Dance with Attitude Studios, 1120 South Street, 581 3401. A weekly Tango Salon with live music and tapas to fuel those moves. FREE Tango Club Wednesdays, 8.30pm. Blackfriars, 36 Bell Street, 552 5924. Tango dance class for all abilities. FREE Reclaiming Christmas Sat 17 Dec, 10am. Pearce Institute, 840 Govan Road, 445 6007. Christmas celebration featuring Santa’s grotto, a wishing tree, a craft fair and the chance to make your own decorations. There’s a ‘procession of light’ from Govan Cross to Govan Parish Church from 6pm, topped off with carol singing, a puppet show and a ‘special surprise’. FREE Guided Meditation Hour Sun 18 Dec, 6.30–7.30pm. Inner Space Glasgow Meditation Centre, 277 High Street, 552 7446. Meditation session suitable for all levels of experience. Zoot Swing Mon 19 & 26 Dec, 7.30pm. £6. Blackfriars, 36 Bell Street, 552 5924. Zoot swing class open to dancers of all abilities.
EDINBURGH
Activities & Events Edinburgh Dungeon Alternative Christmas Grotto Until Mon 26 Dec (closed 25 Dec), Mon–Fri 11am–4pm; Sat & Sun 10am–5pm. £11.20–£16.20 (children £7–£12). Edinburgh Dungeon, 31 Market Street, 240 1001. Satan takes over from Santa in this festive grotto with a twist. Also features Carol Sinners, Santa on trial and the traditional attractions.
✽✽ FREE Edinburgh Sparkles Treasure Hunt Thu 15 & 22 Dec,
5.30–7pm; Sun 18 Dec, 2–3.30pm. City centre, edinburghsparkles.com/treasure- hunt Treasure hunt run by the city’s official Christmas fairies, with a host of exciting prizes to be won by solving clues given out on Twitter (@edinburgh_, #edintreasure). FREE Gift Thu 15 Dec, 7.30–10pm. Out of the Blue Drill Hall, 30–36 Dalmeny Street, Leith, 555 7100. Exhibition of work and networking event for artists of all kinds, facilitated by the Edinburgh Peer Group. Public Astronomy Evening Fri 16 Dec, 6.30–7.30pm & 8–9pm. £4 (£3). Royal Observatory Visitor Centre, Blackford Hill, 668 8404. Hear about the history of the Observatory, journey through the solar system, observe the skies (weather permitting) and touch a real piece of outer space. Booking essential.
✽✽ FREE A Twonkey Variety Night Fri 16 Dec, 8pm. The White
Horse, 266 Canongate, myspace.com/twonkeyscastle Paul Vickers’ alter ego Twonkey presents a ‘jolly piss-up before Christmas’, with music, stand-up and all-round madness. Return of the Queen Sat 17, Sun 18 & Sat 24 Dec, 10.15am–3.15pm. 66 THE LIST 15 Dec 2011–5 Jan 2012
Included in admission. Edinburgh Castle, Royal Mile, 225 9846. Meet James Stewart, half brother of Mary, Queen of Scots, as he prepares for her return to Edinburgh. Theatre Tour Sat 17 Dec & Wed 4 Jan, 10.30am. £12.50 (£9.50). The Edinburgh Playhouse, 18-22 Greenside Place, 0844 847 1660. See behind the scenes at the country’s largest purpose-built theatre. Tales of Christmas Past Sat 17 Dec, 3pm. £5 (£3). Scottish Storytelling Centre, 43–45 High Street, 556 9579. Storytellers Heather Yule and Janis Mackay delve into Scotland’s Christmas and winter solstice lore. FREE Christmas Crafternoons Sun 18 Dec, 12.30–4.30pm. National Museum of Scotland, Chambers Street, 0300 123 6789. Add a personal touch to your Christmas wrapping.
✽✽ Winter Tea Dance Extravaganza Sun 18 Dec,
2–5pm. £7 (£5). Out of the Blue Drill Hall, 30–36 Dalmeny Street, Leith, 555 7100. Getting your jitterbug on at this vintage party with fancy dress, dance lessons, beauty parlour, mulled wine and cakes. FREE DVD Swap in Joseph Pearce’s Mon 19 Dec, 7pm. Joseph Pearce’s, 23 Elm Row, 556 4140. Meet fellow film fans in JP’s cosy setting and swap your DVDs for a free film fix. Traverse Arts & Entertainment Quiz Mon 19 Dec, 8pm. £1 per person. Traverse Theatre, Cambridge Street, 228 1404. Regular quiz perfect for artsy types who always struggle with the sports round. Proceeds go to the Edinburgh Maggie’s Centre. Café Voices Wed 21 Dec, 7–9pm. £4. Scottish Storytelling Centre, 43–45 High Street, 556 9579. A relaxed session of oral storytelling, poetry by memory, music and song. Christmas carols special, with host Linda Bandelier. Daft Days Tue 27–Sat 31 Dec, 11am–4pm. Included in admission. Edinburgh Castle, Royal Mile, 225 9846. Find out what went on during Mary, Queen of Scot’s reign on the ‘daft days’ between Christmas and Hogmanay, plus a weapon demonstration by the Royal Guard. FREE Edinburgh BlogTogether Tue 27 Dec, 6–8pm. Sofi’s, 65 Henderson Street Leith, 555 1979. Friendly environment for bloggers to step away from their computers and, y’know, socialise. FREE Torchlight Procession Fri 30 Dec, 6.30pm. Free to watch; torches £6 in advance, £7 on the night. Parliament Square, High Street, 0844 573 8455. Folk in their thousands, led by the massed pipes and drums from Shetland’s Up Helly Aa, carry a torch from Parliament Square to Calton Hill and a spectacular fireworks finale. Part of Edinburgh’s Hogmanay. Guid Crack Fri 30 Dec, 7.30–10pm. £3 suggested donation. Waverley Bar, 1 St Mary’s Street, 557 1050. The monthly storytelling session holds an open floor midwinter special. FREE Hogmanay Ceilidh Sat 31 Dec, 2–3.30pm. National Museum of Scotland, Chambers Street, 0300 123 6789. The Canongate Cadjers Ceilidh Band presides over an afternoon of traditional Scottish fun in the museum. Hogmanay Ceilidh Sat 31 Dec, 8.30pm–1am. £25. Hill Street Theatre, 19 Hill Street, 07515 409985. Music from the Da Hooley Ceilidh Band (with walkthroughs before all dances), and a great view of the fireworks at midnight. BYOB.
✽✽ Edinburgh’s Hogmanay Street Party Sat 31 Dec, 9pm–1am. £15. Edinburgh City Centre, 0844 573 8455. Thousands of revellers bring in the New Year in the centre of Edinburgh with a mix of live music and DJs. See feature, page14. Part of Edinburgh’s Hogmanay. A Happy Old Year Sun 1 & Mon 2 Jan, 10.15am–3.15pm. Included in admission. Edinburgh Castle, Royal Mile, 225 9846. 16th-century-themed food and activities celebrating Hogmanay, plus a weapon demonstration from the Royal Guard.
✽✽ FREE The New Year Games Sun 1 Jan, 2–6pm. Grassmarket &
various venues, Old Town, thenewyeargames.com The Grassmarket is transformed into a huge playground with giant boardgames, fairground rides and large-scale public games, while in four venues across the Old Town (Dance Base, The Hub, St Giles’ Cathedral and the National Museum of Scotland), innovative and exciting games specially developed by Scottish artists including FOUND and Spotov are on offer. Part of Edinburgh’s Hogmanay. Loony Dook Sun 1 Jan, 2.30pm. £6. South Queensferry Lifeboat Station, Hawes Brae, South Queensferry, 0844 573 8455. Dive into 2012 with a dip off South Queensferry. Gather at the High Street for the Grand Parade, led by the mad swimmers themselves, and watch as they freeze their proverbials off under the iconic Forth Rail Bridge. Entry fee includes a donation to the RNLI. See feature, page 16. Part of Edinburgh’s Hogmanay. FREE Sofi’s Knitting Club Tue 3 Jan, 7.30–9.30pm. Sofi’s, 65 Henderson Street Leith, 555 1979. Friendly monthly knitting session.
Exhibitions ✽✽ FREE Design & Democracy Until Sun 19 Feb (closed 23 Dec–3
Jan). Times vary. The Scottish Parliament, Horse Wynd, Holyrood, 0800 092 7500. Work by 16 new designers, all recent graduates from Scottish art schools, demonstrating ways in which design can alter the ways in which we live. FREE 26 Treasures Project 2011 Until Sun 29 Jan (closed 25 Dec). Daily 10am–5pm (except 26 Dec, 1 & 2 Jan, late opening at noon). National Museum of Scotland, Chambers Street, 0300 123 6789. Part of a nationwide project, the Scottish leg of this exhibition features 26 objects from the museum, which have been written about by 26 selected writers, forming a trail through the galleries and through Scottish history. FREE Admiral Cochrane – The Real Master and Commander Until Sun 19 Feb (closed 25 Dec). Daily 10am–5pm (except 26 Dec, 1 & 2 Jan, late opening at noon). National Museum of Scotland, Chambers Street, 0300 123 6789. The life story of this brilliant and aggressive naval commander, also a fiercely radical politician and the inspiration for CS Forester’s Hornblower novels.
Fairs & Markets FREE Traditional German Christmas Market Until Sat 24 Dec. Sun–Wed 10am–8pm; Thu–Sat 10am–10pm (except Sat 24 Dec, early closing at 8pm). Mound Square, off Princes Street, edinburghschristmas.com A range of traditional German crafts, toys, sausages and gluehwein to get you in the festive spirit. FREE Highland Village Christmas Market Until Wed 4 Jan (closed 25 Dec). Sun–Wed 10am–8pm; Thu–Sat 10am–10pm (except: Sat 24 Dec, 10am–8pm; Mon 26 Dec, 11am–8pm; Sat 31 Dec, 10am–6pm; Sun 1 Jan, noon–10pm. East Princes Street Gardens, Princes Street, edinburghschristmas.com A Highland Village-style market selling top of the range food, drink, clothing and jewellery from all over Scotland. FREE The Ethical Christmas Fair Until Sun 18 Dec, 10am–6pm. Castle Street, edinburghschristmas.com Feel extra smug by not only giving gifts, but making sure they’re ethically sound, too. FREE Broughton Christmas Fair Until Fri 23 Dec, 10am–6pm. Framed Gallery, 11b Gayfield Square, 556 8511. Gift fair with crafts, fashion, arts, food and drink, plus live entertainment and a cafe. Christmas Fair Opening times and dates as Highland Village Christmas Market (see above). Prices vary. East Princes Street Gardens, Princes Street, edinburghschristmas.com Rides and fun for all the family, including the big wheel, carousels and helter skelter, plus gentler rides especially for wee ones.
FREE Out of the Blue Flea Market Sat 17 Dec, 10am–3pm. Out of the Blue Drill Hall, 30–36 Dalmeny Street, Leith, 555 7100. A Christmas special of this bargain-fest including furniture, clothes, music and more. FREE The Market Sat 17 Dec, noon. St Columba’s-by-the-Castle, 14 Johnston Terrace, 622 2277. Local designers sell handmade prints, textiles, jewellery and more, perfectly timed for picking up a unique Christmas gift. Talks FREE Scotland’s Shakespeare: Episodes and Examples Thu 15 Dec, 5.45pm. National Library of Scotland, George IV Bridge, 623 3918. Dr James Loxley of the University of Edinburgh discusses what Shakespeare can mean to Scotland, which does, after all, have its own bard for a’ that. Art History Lecture Series Thu 15 Dec, 6.30–7.30pm. £4. Edinburgh Printmakers, 23 Union Street, 557 2479. Dr Norman Shaw delivers a series of lectures on key moments in the history of art, with a particular focus – befitting of the lecture venue – on the development of printmaking. Booking essential. Life Before Anaesthesia Mon 19 Dec, 6pm. £10 (£7.50). Surgeons’ Hall Museum, Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, Nicolson Street, 527 1649. A unique Christmas tour exploring the birthing story of Jesus and the history of pain medicine, religious and cultural influences on medical practices, as well and superstition around birth. The Night Sky in January Mon 19 Dec, 7.30–8.30pm. £3 (£1.50). Royal Observatory Visitor Centre, Blackford Hill, 668 8404. Russell Eberst explains what to look out for in your New Year stargazing.
Workshops Cute Button and Heart Wreaths Thu 15 Dec, 10.30am–3pm. £18. Lauriston Castle, 2a Cramond Road South, 529 3963. Make little wreaths with hand-painted hearts and stars. Awwww. Screen Printed Table Runner Thu 15 Dec, 7–10pm. £25. Edinburgh Contemporary Craft Workshops, 59 Home Street, 07816 640298. Make something to brighten up the Christmas dinner table. Mini Wreath Door Decoration Fri 16 Dec, 1.30–7pm. £8. Edinburgh Contemporary Craft Workshops, 59 Home Street, 07816 640298. Make a mini- wreath out of cane, wire, berries and leaves. Activity takes around 1.5 hours, drop in any time. Sequined Bauble Sat 17 Dec, 1.30–7pm. £8. Edinburgh Contemporary Craft Workshops, 59 Home Street, 07816 640298. Drop-in workshop where you’ll make a sparkly bauble for the tree – once you’ve done it once it’s an easy process to repeat at home. Activity takes around 1.5 hours, drop in any time. Fresh Wreaths Sun 18 Dec, 10am–12.30pm or 1.30–4pm. £15. Lauriston Castle, 2a Cramond Road South, 529 3963. Make a wreath using greenery from the Castle gardens. Block Printed Paper and Tags Sun 18 Dec, 4.30–7pm. £25. Edinburgh Contemporary Craft Workshops, 59 Home Street, 07816 640298. Make sure your Christmas gifts are the best-dressed under the tree with a hand-cut lino stamp. You can also take the stamp home to print more. Green Wreaths Mon 19 Dec, 10am–12.30pm or 1.30–4pm. £15. Lauriston Castle, 2a Cramond Road South, 529 3963. Use fresh greenery from the Castle gardens to make your own Christmas wreath. FREE Easel Sketching in the Gallery Thu 5 Jan, 2–4pm. Scottish National Gallery, The Mound, 624 6200. If you feel inspired enough by the masterpieces in the gallery to try your hand at a bit of sketching, come along for a session led by artist Damian Callan. There’s a different subject each month, and sometimes a live model.