SUMMER EVENTS
SUMMER IN THE CITY
Whether or not the sun comes out to play, there’s plenty of great summer fun to be had across Glasgow and Edinburgh this season. Rebecca Monks picks out some of the best outdoor and indoor highlights
GLASGOW SUMMER SESSIONS OUTDOOR CINEMA
The Scottish Album of the Year-shortlisted Paolo Nutini, chat show-host scrapping Grace Jones, Dumfries clubbing legend Calvin Harris and the Elton John-covering Ellie Goulding. No, it’s not Now That’s What I Call a Music Festival, it’s the rather excellent Glasgow Summer Sessions lineup. Taking place at Bellahouston Park, other confirmed acts include John Newman, Disciples and Burns. ■ Bellahouston Park, Glasgow, Sat 29 & Sun 30 Aug, glasgowsummersessions.com EIFF initiative Film in the City has outdoor screenings in the Grassmarket (musicals) and in St Andrew Square (classic blockbusters), while Luna Cinema shows modern classics at the capital’s Botanic Garden in September. In Glasgow, Moonlight Cinemas screen a selection of outdoor movies. ■ Film in the City, Grassmarket, Edinburgh, Sat 6 & Sun 7 Jun; St Andrew Square Garden, Edinburgh, Fri 12–Sun 14 Jun, edfilmfest.org.uk; Luna Cinema, Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, Fri 4–Sun 6 Sep, thelunacinema.com; Moonlight Cinemas, Glasgow, date tbc, themoonlightcinemas.co.uk
MAGNERS’ SUMMER NIGHTS LEITHLATE
Contrary to popular belief, Scotland’s summer lasts longer than one weekend, and this live music event runs across three. In Glasgow, King Creosote, Glasvegas, Joan Armatrading and Echo & The Bunnymen take to Kelvingrove Bandstand, while James, the Flaming Lips and the Waterboys play Edinburgh’s Ross Bandstand. There’s cider and street food, too, if you need more persuasion. ■ Kelvingrove Bandstand, Glasgow, Thu 6–Sat 8 Aug, Thu 13–Sat 15 Aug; Ross Bandstand, Edinburgh, Wed 26 Aug–Fri 28 Aug, magnerssummernights.com This arts extraganza should keep you busy all summer long, with events taking place across Leith (the sun shines on it, remember) all the way from June through to September. Highlights include Kirsty Whiten’s exhibition Wronger Rites, a joint event with books and record store Elvis Shakespeare (which is celebrating its tenth birthday) featuring live performances from the likes of Blueflint and Broken Records, and an artist exchange between Edinburgh and Copenhagen at The Biscuit Factory. ■ Various venues, Edinburgh, Fri 12 Jun–Sun 27 Sep, leithlate.co.uk
COMMUNITY FESTIVALS EDINBURGH FOOD FESTIVAL
In Glasgow, the West End Festival is back for its 20th year. Highlights include the spectacular annual Sunday parade (Sun 7 Jun) and the Glasgow Mela (Sun 14 Jun). Over in Edinburgh, the volunteer-run Meadows Festival hosts several live outdoor gigs with confirmed acts including Eliza Carthy, Sea Bass Kid, Urvanovic, and the Mermaids. ■ West End Festival, Glasgow, Fri 5–Sun 28 Jun, westendfestival.co.uk; Meadows Festival, Edinburgh, Sat 6 & Sun 7 Jun, meadowsfestival.org Celebrating the best in Scottish produce during this Year of Food and Drink, the Edinburgh Food Festival features a series of talks, live cooking demonstrations and entertainment as well as some enticing stalls, food vendors and a dedicated market for producers. It’s a lot better than your neighbour’s backyard barbecue, that’s for sure. ■ George Square Gardens, Edinburgh, Wed 29 Jul–Sun 2 Aug, edfoodfest.com
4 Jun–3 Sep 2015 THE LIST 41