NEWS
LET’S GET POLITICAL As the Festival of Politics gets rebellious in its 13th year, Rowena McIntosh takes a look at some of 2017’s programme highlights
COMING UP DOORS OPEN DAYS A chance to have a good nosy about buildings not usually open to the public. Open Doors Day offers free access to over a thousand venues including theatres, churches and breweries across the country. Various venues, Scotland, throughout Sep.
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BLOODY SCOTLAND Stirling plays host to the sixth edition of Scotland’s international crime writing festival. Writers include Lynda La Plante, Peter May, Chris Brookmyre (pictured), Denise Mina and Graeme Macrae Burnet. Various venues, Stirling, Fri 8–Sun 10 Sep. GLASGOW MACKINTOSH FESTIVAL October is ‘Mackintosh month’, with events staged in Mackintosh venues focusing on architecture, design, visual arts and crafts. Various venues, Glasgow, throughout Oct.
GLASGOW AMERICANA Blues, country and folk fest featuring performances from Mark Olson, James Edwin & The Borrowed Band, Adam Holmes & The Embers and Rachel Sermanni. Various venues, Glasgow, Fri 4–Thu 8 Oct.
SCOTTISH MENTAL HEALTH ARTS & FILM FESTIVAL SMAFF returns to challenge perceptions, support art and promote change with regards to mental health. See feature, page 29. Various venues, Scotland, Thu 10–Tue 29 Oct. EDINBURGH COFFEE FESTIVAL Now in its third year, the baristas of the capital’s vibrant coffee scene unite for a day of demonstrations, interactive workshops and exhibitors, and as many l at whites as you can handle. Edinburgh Corn Exchange, Sat 14 Oct.
SAMHUINN FIRE FESTIVAL A celebration of the Celtic New Year, featuring a torchlit procession along the Royal Mile to West Parliament Square, with acrobatics, i reworks, beautiful costumes and breathtaking performances. Royal Mile, Edinburgh, Tue 31 Oct.
issues that affect so many young people’s mental health and addresses how we can work together to challenge them. Also keeping a teen focus are Christine Grahame MSP, singer Horse McDonald, actor David Ames and podcaster / presenter Scott McGlynn as they look back on their own formative years and discuss what still needs to happen for true LGBTI equality in LGBTI Teen Years. Scott McGlynn also pairs with Sam Jeffers, creator of website Who Targets Me?, for The Revolution Will Not Be Televised, to discuss the opportunities and impact of living in a virtually connected world. As well as talks and debates, the Festival of Politics features live music from Glasgow based singer-songwriter Martha Fi on, winners of the 2017 Young Scot Award the Ayoub Sisters and 20-strong Dundonian ukulele band Dee Ukes (pictured), because everyone appreciates the political power of a ukulele. Throughout the festival, the Festival Cafe Bar is home to two exhibitions; the Scottish Press Photography Awards 2017, celebrating images that outlive their headlines, and Teenage Instamatics: Punk Rock in Edinburgh 1977, featuring photos of artists and audiences from 1977, punk’s year zero.
Festival of Politics, Scottish Parliament, Thu 19–Sat 21 Oct, parliament.scot.festival
T he Festival of Politics has entered its teenage years. 2017 marks the festival’s 13th birthday and they’re embracing their teen status with a theme of rebellion and revolution that spans topics from women’s equality to fake news and investigative journalism.
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Highlights three-day programme include a series of events engaged with music. Repetitive Beats: The Rave Revolution examines the two decade journey of rave culture, from the underground to a multi-billion pound industry. Writer Sheryl Garratt, journalist Luke Bainbridge and DJ / producer Graeme Park discuss if rave’s success suppresses its original counter-culture ideals. Richard Jobson of Fife punk band the Skids talks about growing up in punk rock Scotland with music business expert Ronnie Gurr. Gurr also joins Bruce Craigie, manager of Idlewild and Fatherson, and musician Martha Fi on to discuss whether musicians still have to sell their souls and rights to major labels to make it big in How to Get Rich in the Music Business.
Greg McHugh of Gary: Tank Commander joins Dr Trevor Lakey and members of the Scottish Youth Parliament for Speak Your Mind: Youth Mental Health, an interactive exploration of the modern 14 THE LIST 1 Sep–31 Oct 2017