AROUND TOWN list.co.uk/aroundtown
HITLIST THE BEST FESTS & EVENTS
✽ Museum Lates: Retro-future Do a spot of time-travelling at this night- time celebration of both the old and the new. Edinburgh indie songwriter Withered Hand (pictured) will be performing along with gramophone DJ Lord Holyrude. See interview in clubs, page 59. National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh, Fri 16 May.
✽ Festival of Museums It’s easy
to forget what brilliant attractions are right on our doorstep. This three day festival aims to encourage people to appreciate Scotland’s museums with an array of special events. See preview, page 50. Various venues, nationwide, Fri 16–Sun 18 May.
✽ Zoo Nights It’s back. Spend the evening at Edinburgh’s animal park with a silent
disco, face-painting, tasty street food and animal handling all taking place amid the creatures. No kids allowed. See preview, page 51. Edinburgh Zoo, Fri 23 May & Fri 6 Jun.
✽ Glasgow Science Festival Find the best hangover cure or learn how a zombie brain works at this ten day festival for inquisitive minds. See preview, page 49. Various venues, Glasgow, Thu 5–Sun 15 Jun.
✽ Meadows Festival This laid-back annual community event sees the South Edinburgh green spot taken over with music, games and stalls. Lay out your picnic rug and soak up the atmosphere. See preview, page 52. The Meadows, Edinburgh, Sat 7 & Sun 8 Jun.
✽ Edinburgh Festival of Cycling See preview, left. Thu 12–Sun 22 Jun.
EDINBURGH FESTIVAL OF CYCLING Ten days of bike-themed rides, talks and challenges
F ollowing an inaugural outing in 2013, the best fest on two wheels returns for ten days of bike-themed performances, workshops, rides, races, talks, challenges and assorted what-have-you. Among our favourite picks from the programme are Strictly Cycling, a choreographed Bicycle Ballet production featuring volunteers from the public; talks by amateurs-turned-adventure cyclists Naomi Johnson and Chris Oliver; and a pedal-powered promenade performance from Visible Fictions entitled The Spokesmen. Our prize for quirkiest event of the programme goes to the ‘How Fast Can You Fold a Brompton Bicycle’ competition, in which five finalists (having completed a series of qualifying rounds) will compete to
win the title of fastest folder at the fest. And that’s not even mentioning the plethora of organised rides exploring every corner of the capital’s cycling network, from Cramond to the Crags and beyond (those who feel up to the challenge can embark on a group cycle to St Andrews). The festival aims to promote cycling as an activity for all ages and abilities, with numerous events and rides catering specifically for families and people with disabilities. The idea of cycling as an economically efficient way to travel is also supported, with many events free or by donation. (Niki Boyle)
Various venues, Edinburgh, Thu 12–Sun 22 Jun.
48 THE LIST 15 May–12 Jun 2014