AROUND TOWN list.co.uk/aroundtown

HITLIST THE BEST FESTIVALS, FILMS & TALKS

Edinburgh International Festival of Middle Eastern Spirituality and

Peace 2013 marks the tenth year of this festival, promoting cultural understanding through spiritual, academic and arts events. This year’s programme includes a cinematic retrospective on the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict. Various venues, Edinburgh, Thu 7 Feb–Sun 17 Mar.

Hot Rocks Not the

Sleater-Kinney record, but a chance to learn about the history of Arthur’s Seat which is, in case you haven’t noticed, A GIANT EXTINCT VOLCANO. Holyrood Park, Edinburgh, Sun 27 Jan.

The Nobel Prizes 2012 A free talk on last year’s Nobel Prizes for

those who love all things science. Mitchell Library, Glasgow, Sat 26 Jan.

Burns Night Whisky Tasting in Conjunction With Piece

Anyone who knows Glasgow sandwich joints will tell you that Piece is a foodie force to be reckoned with, so this Burns-themed food and whisky night should be a treat. The Good Spirits Co, Glasgow, Fri 25 Jan.

Imbolc and Candlemass Gathering Pagans, Christians and all in between gather to mark the mid-point between the Spring Equinox and the Winter Solstice, with readings and fire lighting. Pollok Country Park, Glasgow, Sun 3 Feb.

Mono Sunday Social Laid-back weekly event for folks who like a broadsheet, a

good brunch menu and some DJs to help them wind down their weekend. Mono, Glasgow, Sun 27 Jan.

24 Jan–21 Feb 2013 THE LIST 35

BURNS NIGHT A veritable feast of Rabbie Burns events

I t’s that time of year again and Burns Night once more, but what to do in celebration of

the ol’ Bard this time round? Edinburgh-dwellers might head to Lauriston Hall for a dance scored by the Flaming Heather ceilidh band (25 Jan) or visit the Burns Unbound exhibition at the National Museum of Scotland (27 Jan) with workshops focusing on the man himself. The Scottish Storytelling Centre’s Burnsfest has a little bit of everything on the menu. Get a side of storytelling with your neeps and tatties at returning event Supper with

Burns (23 & 24 Jan), or head to the closing Saturday of the festival (26 Jan) for a whole programme of kiddie-friendly events for their Burns Family Day, with readings, performances and puppeteers. In Glasgow, Celtic Connections is the go-to provider for a classy celebration, with Burns and Beyond (City Halls, 25 Jan) fusing Burns’ work with leading Indian and Jamaican musicians, and the Big Burns Night (Royal Concert Hall, 25 Jan) featuring Braebach, Blazin’ Fiddles, Dougie MacLean and Kathleen MacInnes. (Lauren Mayberry)