Paisley Beer and Food Festival
Paisley Town Hall/Abbey Close, today until Sunday
Scotland’s largest festival of real ale returns, accompanied by a one-day food extravaganza on Sunday as Paisley continues to push for UK City of Culture 2021. Enjoy over 300 ales, beers, ciders and wines from across the country and abroad while also exploring the breadth of Scotland’s vibrant street food scene. Traders will be serving the best seasonal ingredients and sustainably-sourced and hand-reared produce, including gourmet burgers, Indian and Mexican street food, French patisseries, outdoor-reared pork and apple burgers from Duntarrin Farm in Argyll and plenty for vegetarians too. Visitors will also be able to sample a wide range of small batch gins and prosecco on tap. Celebrity chef Gary Maclean will host a series of cooking demonstrations throughout the day on Sunday. Beer festival ticket prices start from £6 while the food event is free. Visit paisley2021.co.uk for more information.
Monkey Business
National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh, Friday to Sunday
Get the chance to stand shoulder to shoulder and eye to eye with some of the most fascinating creatures from across the animal kingdom, from the tiny mouse lemur to the mighty gorilla, in this interactive exhibition for all ages. Featuring more than 60 taxidermied primates including orangutans and chimpanzees, visitors will learn how they adapt to their surroundings and communicate with each other. There will also be photography, film and hands-on activities for the whole family which aim to take animal fans into the heart of the jungle. All specimens in the exhibition are animals that have died naturally in captivity and none were harmed. Adult tickets are £10 while children under 15 go free. Visit nms.ac.uk for more information.
Estate Safari
Glen Tanar Estate, Aboyne, ongoing
Take in some of Scotland’s most photogenic and breathtaking Highland scenery with this not-to-be-missed guided Land Rover tour which ventures into the heart of the spectacular Cairngorms National Park, along forest tracks into some of the most remote corners of the glen. Visitors will look out for red and roe deer, red squirrels, adders, golden eagles, osprey and black grouse, while also learning about the history, geology, botany and management of the area. Binoculars and refreshments are provided and tours last between two and three hours. Prices are £55 for adults and £30 for children. Visit glentanar.co.uk for more information or call 01339 886451.
Cirque de Glace
Eden Court Theatre, Inverness, Friday to Sunday
Described “as flashy as Las Vegas,” this team of professional skaters from the internationally renowned Russian Ice Stars take part in a spectacular ice show filled with colour, clamour, music, dazzling costumes and jaw-dropping acrobatics. Taking a leap away from traditional fairytale storylines, the performers will be bringing to life the story of the creation of the planet Earth, coupled with the evolution of mankind and eventually journeying into the limits of technology in a stunning icy spectacular. Ticket prices start from £20. Visit eden-court.co.uk for more information.
On Our Way to Lisbon
King’s Theatre, Glasgow, Sunday
It’s been exactly 50 years since Glasgow Celtic became the first British team to win the European Cup over the mighty Inter Milan to become the legendary Lisbon Lions. This two-man play follows two fans who look back and recreate how the ‘Bhoys in green and white’ beat the team who were labelled “unbeatable.” This wildly ambitious work comes to life as two supporters become everything from a vicious Swiss football team to the entire population of Lisbon. Both theatre and football fans are urged to put on their scarves, dust off their passports and prepare to be taken on a journey as, once again, Celtic steamrolls over the best teams in Europe to achieve immortality. Tickets are priced between £26.25 and £41.25 plus booking fee. Visit atgtickets.com for more information.
Men With Coconuts and Friends
Scottish Storytelling Centre, Edinburgh, Saturday
Aiming to foster and cultivate a thriving improvisational scene in Scotland, the award-winning musical improv comedy troupe is back in the capital and joined by new and established acts. Presenting two hours of off-the-cuff scenes and original sketch comedy, audiences can look forward to a performance filled with energy, easy confidence, self-effacing good humour and quick-fire comedy. Having debuted at the 2013 Edinburgh Fringe, the group has since firmly established itself as the country’s leading professional musical improv group. Tickets are £8 with concessions available. Visit tracscotland.org for more information.
Caledonian Fiddle Orchestra
City Halls, Glasgow, Saturday
Now in its 129th year, the traditional Scottish music group - founded by six friends in 1888 - is still playing its annual show in its original Glasgow venue. Audiences are guaranteed a night of traditional Scots reels, jigs, strathspeys, waltzes, polkas, two-steps, slow airs and folk tunes, all while supported by guest fiddlers from around the country and beyond. Guests can be sure of a foot-tapping and memorable evening. Support will be provided by the “future star of the Scottish fiddle world” and BBC Radio Scotland’s Young Traditional Musician Finalist, Ryan Young. Ticket prices start at £12. Visit glasgowconcerthalls.com for more information. With a membership of over 50 players, the Caledonian Fiddle Orchestra performs at concerts throughout the October to May playing season for many groups, organisations and charities to help them raise funds. Visit callyfiddle.com to learn more.
Joan Osborne
The Queen’s Hall, Edinburgh, Sunday
Having earned a reputation as one of the greatest voices of her generation, Osborne became a household name after her smash-hit 1995 single ‘One of Us’ led to the multi-platinum breakthrough album Relish. The song was revered for the way in which it dealt with various aspects of belief in God and led to a two decade-plus career as a highly sought-after collaborator and guest performer. Now, the soulful vocalist will sing the songs of Bob Dylan as part of an acoustic trio featuring Kevin Bents and Jim Boggia. Ticket prices start at £25, plus booking fee. Visit thequeenshall.net for more information. [If using attached Joan Osborne image, please credit Jeff Fasano]
Dance International Glasgow
Various venues across Glasgow, from today until May 21
The second edition of the biennial event will feature a stunning range of work from some of today’s most exciting choreographers, directors and companies, including Scottish Ballet with work from choreographers Ivgi and Greben, Scottish Dance Theatre - whose ‘Velvet Petal’ is part-inspired by Patti Smith’s book about her relationship with Robert Mapplethorpe - and Mark Murphy’s V-Tol with ‘Out of This World’, a genre-defying mix of aerial acrobatics, projected film and special effects from the creative mind behind the Glasgow Commonwealth Games closing ceremony. Tramway shows are available to book now at early-bird prices. Visit tramway.org for more information.
Live Sessions
Foundry 39, Edinburgh, Friday and Sunday
After a busy Easter weekend, wind down with good food, drink, music and company at one of the capital’s most popular bar/restaurants for live jazz, funk and soul nights. Friday will see four acts take to the stage; James Gamgee, Ben Jammin and the Goat, The Wolf and the Stallion and BER. Enjoy craft beer and smoking cocktails on Friday while the Sunday sessions offers up brunch and Bloody Marys against a backdrop of more acoustic sets. The event is free to attend. Friday sessions kick off at 7pm, while the Sunday one starts at 1pm. Visit foundryproject.com for more information.
DON’T MISS
An Evening With Artlink Central, Bridge of Allan Parish Church Halls, April 22
Support this gala event in a night of music, art and celebration including a special performance from jazz legend, Carol Kidd, and an exclusive auction of work by well-recognised artists. Recommended donation is £15 per person. All funds support the charity’s work with artists to create opportunities for people with a range of disabilities. Visit artlinkcentral.org for more information.
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