list.co.uk/aroundtown Highlights | AROUND TOWN
SCOTTISH TATTOO CONVENTION Corn Exchange, Edinburgh, Sat 28 & Sun 29 Mar
Anyone who’s into a bit of body decoration will be familiar with the curious stares that a visible tattoo can attract on the bus. If your skin is of an inky persuasion, it can get a bit tiring. The i fth annual Scottish Tattoo Convention should, then, come as a
welcome relief: with almost 200 tattoo artists from around the world – some of whom usually have months-long waiting lists – offering up their needles for the day, painted folks will feel right at home. It’s also a chance to add to your collection and have a sneaky gander at other people’s art. If you don’t fancy undergoing the pain yourself, there’s plenty more entertainment on offer, including the i nal of the Miss Pin Up Scotland pageant, burlesque performances from Club Noir, i re breathing, sword swallowing and knife throwing – because tattoo enthusiasts aren’t exactly a shy and retiring bunch.
Those with spectacular ink spots of their own can enter one of the
weekend’s many competitions to win a prize. There’s even a category for the best Scottish-themed tattoos, so if you’ve got a nice big thistle permanently etched on your shoulder accompanied by a startling likeness of Robert the Bruce, it’s time to shine. (Charlotte Runcie)
HIGHLIGHTS Our pick of the best events around town. For full details of all that’s happening see list.co.uk/aroundtown
HITLIST GLASGOW
GARMIN ARENACROSS TOUR The SSE Hydro, Glasgow, Sat 7 Feb, thessehydro.com Watch in awe as the riders whip and back-flip their 100kg motorcycles 40ft above the track. See preview, page 48.
SCOTTISH TATTOO CONVENTION Corn Exchange, Edinburgh, Sat 28 Mar & Sun 29 Mar, edinburghcornexchange.com See preview, above.
THE ELECTRIC GARDENS Glasgow Botanic Gardens, until Sun 15 Feb, westendfestival.co.uk This unusual experience consists of a walking tour for adults, children and groups, through the darkened upper Botanic Gardens with dramatic lighting, sound effects and music. The tour also includes a special visit inside the Kibble Palace and live acts throughout such as fire eaters and an interactive spider. Part of the West End Festival’s expanded events for the winter months.
HINA MATSURI JAPANESE
GAME MASTERS SPRING FESTIVAL
National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh, until Mon 20 Apr, nms.ac.uk From classic arcade cabinets to the latest consoles, this unique and hands-on exhibition has something for everyone. Want to avoid the kids? Head to Museum Lates on Fri 13 Feb, featuring Happy Meals and The Wild Curve and Hosted by Vic Galloway.
Kibble Palace, Sat 28 Feb, japanese- matsuri-glasgow.org.uk Take part in this celebration of Japanese culture by checking out a spot of taiko drumming, trying your hand at origami, sampling some Asian sweets and testing out some Japanese fashion.
THE GREAT BRITISH DOG WALK Pollok Country Park, Sun 22 Mar, greatbritishdog.walk.org Take the doggy for walkies with this
national campaign, taking place at ten National Trust properties across the UK. This event is in aid of the national charity, Hearing Dogs for Deaf People. Mar, royalhighlandcentre.co.uk A day for all things motorbike with the latest models, major manufacturers, a bike jumble, retail village and plenty of live action.
EDINBURGH
EDINBURGH INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL OF MIDDLE
EDINBURGH IRANIAN FESTIVAL EASTERN SPIRITUALITY AND
Various venues, Fri 6–Mon 16 Feb, ediranfest.co.uk Volunteer-run, cultural festival which celebrates the heritage and creativity of Iran. The programme features art exhibitions, live music by the Arazoo Symphony Orchestra, fashion by contemporary Iranian designers, an Iranian film season, workshops, a lecture series and an Iranian teahouse set up within Persian Rug Village.
PEACE Various venues, Sat 7 Mar–Sun 29 Mar, eicsp.org For the 12th year the Middle East Festival draws together people from a wide range of spiritual backgrounds, cultures, traditions and communities to celebrate peace and mutual understanding via spiritual, educational, artistic and cultural events.
EDINBURGH’S FESTIVAL OF
SCOTTISH BREEDS CANINE IRELAND
SHOW Royal Highland Centre, Sat 28 Feb, royalhighlandcentre.co.uk Over 700 woofs from 12 native Scottish breeds compete for Best in Show and a chance to qualify for Crufts.
SCOTTISH MOTORCYCLE SHOW Royal Highland Centre, Sat 7
Various venues, Wed 11–Sun 15 Mar, edinburghsfestivalofireland. org A little bit of Ireland descends upon Edinburgh in the run-up to St Patrick’s Day. Edinburgh’s Festival of Ireland is a multi-arts, family-friendly celebration of the Emerald Isle, with storytelling, music, dance, talks, comedy and food & drink events.
CO-PROMOTION Swedish bars Calendar
Joseph Pearce
YEAR OF FOOD AND DRINK EVENTS: 16–22 Feb Kids Specials Entire Half term week. 20–22nd Feb Hail to the Cauliflower Weekend Local, environmental friendly and yummy.
20–22 Mar Vegetarian Weekend Scrummy, Scandinavian veggie food. Boda
Up-cycling Workshop (Every 2nd Monday) £12-15 Sweet Saturdays Coffee and Homemade Cake specials.
27 Feb DJ Frequent Flyers. (cid:54)(cid:82)(cid:192)(cid:86)
Mindful Mondays (every week) 5 - 6pm. £7 Saturday Afternoon Sessions present up and
coming musicians 28 Feb The Best from Barne Society.
Victoria
12 Mar Fuck up Night #1 A night where 3 speaker’s talk about their failures and what they have learned from them.
Hemma Hemma Mezzanine floor with capacity 130 people available for booking (£100). Perfect for birthday parties, networking meetings, charity events etc.
Check out the full calendar at bodabar.com
5 Feb–2 Apr 2015 THE LIST 49