Issue 635

Days Out Hitlist

The best books, talks and LGBT

7 Aug 2009

Fringe in the Park, Alien Wars, Bratchy and the Wee Man’s Comedy Pub Quiz, Anja Kirschner and David Panos ‘in conversation’ with Francis McKee, Critical Applause 6: Will Holder.

Over the sea to Skye

6 Aug 2009

Brad Pitt may be somewhat lacking but as we clamber Thelma and Louise-style into my old knackered banger, a miraculous sunny spell sets the mood for the days to come. Heading north out of Edinburgh, we leave behind us the traffic jams and daily grind of…

Cult Fiction Movies shop opens in Edinburgh

6 Aug 2009

To a certain type of movie fan, Newington’s newly-opened Cult Fiction Movies is a magical store where a litany of grindhouse double features, BFI Classics and films from America’s Criterion Collection which remain currently unavailable on this side of…

Scottish Islands: The essentials

6 Aug 2009

Go in search of the fairies The Isle of Mull’s MacKinnon’s Cave is believed to be the deepest in the Hebrides. A winding path leads towards a waterfall just before the mouth of the Cave and folklore suggests that it offers a passage to the underworld…

Tom Kitchin - From Nature to Plate

Kitchin confidential

6 Aug 2009

All cookbooks reveal something of their author; first cookbooks are often most revealing of all as chefs justify their status by retelling formative experiences. As with the opening of their own restaurant, it’s both a statement and a landmark. Tom…

The gathering of the bribes

6 Aug 2009

We don’t like to call it bribery, that’s a dirty word, but now that the Festival’s starting to roll into town the standard of, er, unsolicited gifts arriving here at List Towers is definitely on the up. And we don’t mind it one bit. It might not…

The Bratchpieces reinvent the Humble Pub Quiz

A family guffaw

6 Aug 2009

The Bratchpieces (faither Mark, elder brother David, or Bratchy and younger scion Neil, aka the Wee Man) are well known as Scotland’s only family of stand up comedians. They’ve taken that dynamic into all-Bratchpiece stage shows, and the logical next…

First Word - Allegra McEvedy

6 Aug 2009

First record you ever bought Ian Jury and the Blockheads’ ‘Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick’. Last time you were chatted up I don’t think I’ve ever been chatted up. I’m more of a predator. First film you saw that really moved you I think it…

Velvet Elvis & Amore Dogs

How to beat the neighbours as a restaurateur

6 Aug 2009

As a restaurateur you’re always interested in what’s going on around you. Who’s busy, who’s not, who’s hiring, who’s lost their chef. When Allan Mawn opened up Pintxos two years ago he had no such issues. He was so far west along Dumbarton Road there…

Site Specifics - Alien Wars

6 Aug 2009

What is it? Imagine stepping into the world of Alien and Aliens (as created by Ridley Scott and James Cameron respectively) as you are guided round the Arches’ basement with extra terrestrials leaping out to scare you at every turn. ‘A ghost train on…

Five festival over-achievers

6 Aug 2009

Robin Ince One can only assume that Robin Ince sits in a thick blue funk for that small portion of the day when he isn’t A) hosting a ‘lunchtime celebration of science and the wonderful’, B) being a ‘bleeding-heart liberal’ or C) opposing ‘the moral…

Conversation Pieces at Royal Concert Hall

Bill includes Michael Palin, Kenny Logan and Sir Peter Maxwell Davies

6 Aug 2009

Michael Palin, Kenny Logan and Sir Peter Maxwell are just a clutch of the names rocking up to the Royal Concert Hall as part of their Conversation Pieces season. The talks, held in September and October, boast talents from across the board, including…

Music hitlist

The best music from the festival

6 Aug 2009

The Bang Bang Club, David Byrne, Dub Syndicate, The Edge, Rough Cut Nation, Rough Cut Nation, Shooglenifty, The Stranglers, Time(less) Machine

Side Dishes - The Yard, Gourmet Glasgow and Villeneuve Wines

6 Aug 2009

The main feature of The Yard, a new family restaurant and bar off Bonnington Road near Leith, is a large enclosed courtyard for outdoor eating with a decent chunk of it given over as a children’s play area. Run by the family behind Molly’s play area in…

Busta Rhymes - Back on My BS

6 Aug 2009

In a sea of pouting, posturing wannabe players, Busta Rhymes has always stood out as a true rap individual. Never afraid to play for laughs, he broke through in the early 90s as an affiliate of De La Soul and A Tribe Called Quest. Solo, he’s been one of…

Minibeast Safari & A Wander With Bugs and Butterflies

Ugly Bug Ball

6 Aug 2009

If you’re already bored of staring at comedians, why not spend a little time investigating a very different kind of wild and unpredictable beastie? Summer is excellent bug-spotting time, as both Cammo Visitor Centre, who are offering A Wander With Bugs…

Product of the Month

6 Aug 2009

As part of our ongoing partnership with the Glasgow Craft Mafia, we’ll be taking an occasional look at some of the excellent Scottish design on offer at their monthly markets. We really like the look of this leopard print clutch by Sarey Poppins for £27…

Bruce Morton’s Pick of the Fringe

6 Aug 2009

Lanky Londoner, Ava Vidal (pictured) joins the Friday night line-up at The Stand, where host Bruce Morton gives a bite-size taster portion of Fringe comedy shows going on at the other end of the M8. The Stand, Glasgow, Fri 7 Aug.

Nashashibi / Skaer: Our Magnolia

Collaborators tackle controversial subject compellingly and powerfully

5 Aug 2009

The artistic careers of Rosalind Nashashibi and Lucy Skaer have followed parallel courses. Born two years apart, the pair studied at Glasgow School of Art, exhibited at the 52nd Venice Biennale in 2007, and have collaborated as Nashashibi/Skaer on five…

The Discovery of Spain

Fascinating exhibition of British and Spanish art demands a long look

5 Aug 2009

Besides proffering a coloured selection of chapters from an intriguing art historical narrative, this major exhibition presents some seriously affecting works of art. Didacticism aside, simply gazing at these terrifically moving paintings – Goyas, El…

Tartan Clef Awards, Reclaiming the Rainbow and We Will Rock You

5 Aug 2009

The Homecoming Scotland Tartan Clef Awards will this year take place on Fri 27 Nov at the SECC in Glasgow, in a bid to create a bigger profile for the event. Last year Peter Kay attended to award Sharleen Spiteri with her Outstanding Contribution to…

One More Tune turns two

The folk behind the sound talk to David Pollock about difficult beginnings

4 Aug 2009

It’s overplaying things to describe it as a rags-to-riches tale, but Matthew Craig’s career as a DJ and promoter on the Glasgow circuit has come a long way since he started putting on One More Tune (alongside Ralph Thomson, who he DJs with as Define…

Fictionalised history

A review of David Peace's Occupied City

4 Aug 2009

The theme of defeat has been central to the work of David Peace but has never been more potent in this, the second of his Tokyo trilogy. The Damned United featured loss at the heart of Brian Clough’s 44 days in charge of Leeds United while GB84 probed…

Five Biographies

Newly published non-fiction

4 Aug 2009

Roland Chambers, The Last Englishman The all-true story of Arthur Ransome, who was caught up in the Russian Revolution while working for British intelligence and became a double agent. (Faber) J Randy Tarborelli, The Secret Life of Marilyn…

Poorboy Playroom bring creative chaos to museum

Scottish collective bring site specific improvisations to Fringe

4 Aug 2009

Scotland’s mighty collective, the Poorboy Playroom, are bringing a creative flurry to this year’s Fringe. The popular posse, best known for their multi-sensory site specific improvisations, are heading indoors to occupy space in the National Museum of…

Michael Jackson - Off The Wall

The King of Pop at the Gates of Heaven and Hell in Edinburgh

4 Aug 2009

It was bound to happen but still we at List Towers couldn’t help but raise a smile at the news that Michael Jackson at the Gates of Heaven and Hell is rocking into town and landing at the Big Belly. In a series of sketches, audiences will hear from…

Online Clubbing

Be At TV at the EH1 Music Festival

4 Aug 2009

Having established itself as the destination for virtual and vicarious clubbing, free web TV community Be At TV (www.be-at.tv), featuring some of the world’s best venues and festivals – from Space to Matter via Global Gathering – and backed by DJ’s…

These Colours Productions win the Dupliquick Zebra prize

Edinburgh Fringe poster design competition

4 Aug 2009

These Colours Productions, the team behind King of Gypsies have started their festival season in style by winning the first award of the year, the Dupliquick Zebra prize for poster design. The company won £500 in cash plus £500 worth of printing.

Alastair Sim season calls at Filmhouse

A season of films celebrating the Scottish actor

4 Aug 2009

The films of (arguably) Scotland’s greatest stage and screen actor (sorry Sir Sean) are celebrated in this superb season. Things kick off with the 1954 adaptation of JB Priestley’s celebrated play An Inspector Calls with Sim masterful in the titular…

Cine Cuba

Fifty years of revolution on film

4 Aug 2009

This season celebrating ‘50 Years of Revolution on Film’ hits its stride with Pavel Giroud’s ageing gangster drama Omertà and the queer politics of Tomás Gutiérrez Alea’s Strawberry and Chocolate. Also showing later in the season are Manuel Pérez’s…

Stories from the Spanish Master Juan Cruz

Mensch via Bluetooth accross Edinburgh

4 Aug 2009

Ten individual Bluetooth delivered stories from Spanish master Juan Cruz’s new commission Mensch will be available on phones at The Hub, Edinburgh Festival Centre, Royal Mile; Edinburgh Festival Theatre, Nicolson Street; King’s Theatre, Leven Street…

Alistair MacLeod, Libby Purves and more Carol Ann Duffy

New events at the Edinburgh International Book Festival

4 Aug 2009

New events added to the Edinburgh International Book Festival line-up include Alistair MacLeod on Fri 28 Aug, who arrives to discuss No Great Mischief and renowned broadcaster and novelist Libby Purves. Following great demand, more tickets are also up…

Words and Pictures

David Peace and Garrison Keillor celebrate fiction and adaptation

4 Aug 2009

Writers David Peace and Garrison Keillor will both be making an appearance at this short season celebrating fiction and adaptation. Peace will be talking about The Red Riding Trilogy and Keillor will be talking about A Prairie Home Companion. There…

Jenny Éclair for one night only

Laughter saves lives at the Hot Pink Breakthrough Balloon Show

4 Aug 2009

Funny lady Jenny Éclair will host the one-night-only premiere Hot Pink Breakthrough Balloon Show to raise money for Breast Cancer. The comedy benefit will be happening on Saturday 22 August from 3pm–5pm in the Debating Hall, in the Gilded Balloon.

Am I Black Enough For You?

Philadelphia soul legend Billy Paul in a film by Goran Olsson

4 Aug 2009

Taking its title from his most impassioned and radical tune, the life and formidable times of Philadelphia soul legend Billy Paul are celebrated in Goran Olsson’s engaging, well-researched documentary. GFT, Glasgow from Mon 10-Wed 12 Aug.

Looking For Eric

Ken Loach does love, delusion and footballers

4 Aug 2009

Last chance to catch Ken Loach’s pleasing comedy of love, delusion and platitude-quoting retired footballers on the big screen. Filmhouse, Edinburgh from Fri 7-Mon 10 Aug.

Andy and Mike's ... Big Box of Bananas

CBeebies guy goes bonkers

3 Aug 2009

To the nation’s children, presenters on CBeebies and CBBC are practically like gods, bringing great programmes, reading out birthday cards and generally acting the fool. Currently enjoying his place in the sun is Andy Day, a regular smiling face on the…

Lighter Than Air

Balloon comic capers

3 Aug 2009

As any parent of a six-year-old will confirm, kids love watching adults making total balloons of themselves. So, if you take one adult, arm him with a cupboard full of actual balloons, you’re probably on to a winner. ‘The bit where I walk my inflatable…

The Legend of Magnificent Moon & A Most Curious Quest

Double helping of African tales

3 Aug 2009

Having discovered two great stories ripe for adaptation, Mara Menzies of Toto Tales was torn between which show to deliver at this year’s Fringe. But help was at hand. ‘I was deliberating for weeks, when my 7-year-old niece piped up, “Why don’t you do…

Tap Kids

High school hoofing

3 Aug 2009

Long before Troy and Gabriella took the world by storm in High School Musical, dancer and choreographer, Lisa Hopkins was putting together her own show about the teen years. Starting life as a tap dance workshop in upstate New York, Tap Kids soon…

The Red Room

19th century decadence and decay

3 Aug 2009

For years, the Traverse has been synonymous with ground-breaking, innovative theatre. And while it regularly shows dance throughout the year, when it comes to the Fringe, it’s drama all the way. Until now. When the David Hughes Dance Company delivers…

Lost World

Cinematic expedition

3 Aug 2009

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s swashbuckling adventure, Lost World is brought to life by The Paper Cinema. Using angle-poise lamps, black-and-white ink illustrations and laptops, a DIY-film takes shape before your eyes. ‘The Paper Cinema is an illustrated…

100 Wounded Tears

Powerful Czech dance theatre

3 Aug 2009

One of the most moving pieces of dance on last year’s Fringe came from young Czech company Dot 504. Holdin' Fast was a beautiful investigation of the mathematics of human relationships, and was one of the biggest successes at Zoo Venue. The dazed…

Kataklo Athletic Dance Theatre - Love Machines

Art-inspired precision

3 Aug 2009

Nearly five hundred years after his death, the creative genius of Leonardo da Vinci continues to exert influence. Most recently on Italian company, Kataklo, who blend athletic physical dexterity with an appreciation of art. ‘I’ve always had a great…

Ludus Baroque

Indulging in Alexander’s Feast

3 Aug 2009

His fame these days may be mainly due to his commanding role as conductor of The Really Terrible Orchestra, but there is a much more serious side to Richard Neville-Towle’s pursuits with a baton. Having founded the baroque chamber orchestra, Ludus…

Libera

Boys in fine voice

3 Aug 2009

Think English choirboys and centuries of choral tradition in vast cathedrals spring to mind. Libera is somewhat different. The South London boys, aged seven to 16, who make up the internationally chart-topping group, would rather think of themselves as…

Eilidh Steel and Mark Neal

Double dunt of local folk talent

3 Aug 2009

While performers and musicians jet into the capital this August ready to ply their trade amongst the city’s myriad venues, Edinburgh-based folk duo Eilidh Steel and Mark Neal are broadening their horizons by embarking on a European sojourn instead. But…

The Chair

Family, death and narrative dance

3 Aug 2009

Over the past couple of years, Zoo Venue has got increasingly good at giving opportunities not only to the most interesting international dance companies, but exciting younger companies from the UK. In that slot this year is C-12 Dance Company…

Piping Live! – Family Fun Day

3 Aug 2009

As this little lady ably proves, you’re never too young to pick up a pipe. ‘Come and try’ sessions are just one aspect of the Family Fun Day, organised as part of this year’s Piping Live! You can also try your hand at drumming and Highland dancing…

Baptiste Trotignon

3 Aug 2009

Sometimes the setting is everything, and for one of the real Edinburgh Jazz Festival highlights this year, the programmers have taken the ingenious step of putting French pianist Trotignon in the hallowed environs of Rosslyn Chapel. Trotignon has shown…