News

Edinburgh's club scene: what happens now?

Representatives from Bongo, Cab Vol, Electric Circus, Summerhall and G1 Group have their say

Rob Hoon. Manager of Bongo Club’s parent organisation, Out of the Blue. Despite being a beautiful, blossoming city of international renown and appeal that hosts the biggest arts festival in the world, Edinburgh’s all year round independent music and…

City of Literature enLIGHTen project

Quotes from Scotland's finest Enlightenment minds to illuminate the capital

Back in 2010, a City of Literature initiative used Edinburgh as the backdrop to the Carry a Poem campaign. On Valentine’s Day that year, arm-in-arm lovers and single folks mooching around the centre of town on their tod were stopped in their tracks by a…

Scottish Children's Books Awards 2011 winners

Ross Collins, Ross MacKenzie and Nicola Morgan win award judged by 24,000 children

Ross Collins, Ross MacKenzie and Nicola Morgan have been announced the winners of the Scottish Children's Books Awards 2011. The contestants of the awards were judged and voted for exclusively by young readers from all over Scotland, 600 of whom…

Florence & The Machine and Noel Gallagher to play T in the Park 2012

The Vaccines, The Maccabees and The Horrors also on bill

DF Concerts and Tennent’s Lager today unveiled that Florence and the Machine and Noel Gallagher’s Flying Birds will be two of the big acts playing at Balado this summer. Flame-haired and big-lunged star Florence had her second full-length record…

Gary Numan announces UK tour

The 'Cars' singer will pull over in Glasgow on Wed 23 May

Electronica icon (and licensed aircraft pilot) Gary Numan has announced a full UK and Ireland tour to take place this summer, in celebration of his new album Machine Music: The Best Of Gary Numan. The tour features just one stop in Scotland, at the O2…

Edinburgh's Bongo Club eviction threat

The venue's lease to be terminated early by landlords Edinburgh Uni

Out of the Blue, the charity organisation that runs Edinburgh venue The Bongo Club, has been served eviction papers by the venue's landlord, Edinburgh University. A statement on the Bongo Club's website said: 'This notice terminates the lease a whole…

Madonna announces Scottish date for 2012

The Queen of Pop will visit Edinburgh's Murrayfield Stadium on Sat 21 July

Pop empress Madonna has just announced a world tour which will call in at Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh on Saturday 21 July. The 'Sticky & Sweet Tour' comes off the back of a busy period for Madge: she's just directed period/contemporary romance W.E.

Edinburgh's Cabaret Voltaire venue to close for refurbishment

Owners G1 promise 'a wholly new look' for club and music venue

Veteran Edinburgh club venue Cabaret Voltaire is due to close for six weeks, from Mon 20 Feb–Sun 1 Apr. The club will be subject to a major refurbishment according to a statement released by G1 Group, who have owned the venue since July 2011: ‘A six…

Glasgow boutique Made in the Shade prepares to move to London

Carrie Maclennan and Clare Nicolson on expanding their horizons

Bad news for all Glaswegians who can’t get through the week without buying a quirky new tote bag. The Made in the Shade Maisonette, the spiritual home of the vintage fabric stuffed bird and curly moustache keyring, is closing its doors. Owners Carrie…

Opinion: MSP Joan McAlpine on same sex marriage

The need for equal marriage rights for Scotland's same-sex couples

The introduction of civil partnerships in 2004 meant many people believe we already have gay marriage. Lots of us have celebrated the union of gay friends and family. Thirty years ago, few gay people were allowed to be open about their sexuality. Thank…

Spring/ summer 2012 trend preview

Citrus shades Marigold and canary yellow were among the zingy citrus hues championed for the new year at New York and London fashion weeks. During the UK’s biggest fashion event, designers such as Osman, Mark Fast, Jaeger and Aquascutum used the…

How to survive a Christmas away from home

Top tips for living an independent Christmas

Utilise technology Why not use video calling to talk to your loved ones back at home? This way, you can visually update each other on your Christmas presents and have face-to-face conversations. Send presents Send thoughtful gifts to your…

FOUND win the first ever List Award

Edinburgh arts collective claim prize, while Cargo Publishing collect Best Newcomer

Edinburgh-based band and arts collective FOUND have won the first annual List Award. The Award, presented on Thursday 15 December at the Scottish National Portrait Gallery as part of The List's Hot 100 Party, recognises achievement in the arts over the…

The List Hot 100 Awards to honour the best and brightest in Scottish arts and culture

List Award and List Newcomer Award celebrate artistic achievement

It’s stating the obvious to say that Scotland is full of great artists and performers. Our cultural stars dominate the Turner Prize every year, grab lead roles in Hollywood films, and write epoch-defining novels and poetry. We publish an annual Hot 100…

Stone Roses headline T in the Park 2012 - but is it a good idea?

Malcolm Jack ponders the significance of the Roses at T in the Park 2012

I am not in favour of The Resurrection, I’ll be honest about that. Like all bands of yesteryear that matter to me – and The Stone Roses were a staple of my teens – I believe they should be remembered as they were in their prime. I was too young to…

Arts & Business Scotland announces 25th anniversary Awards winners

Bank of Scotland and EIF are among the organisations recognised

Arts & Business Scotland has been promoting mutually beneficial relationships between business and culture for 25 years. As a charity they offer networking and sponsorship opportunities, help to invest in sponsorships and provide training and…

Celebrate the life of a loved one with Light a Light

As Christmas approaches, it’s easy to be swept up in the excitement of presents, late night shopping, work nights out and even talking about the weather. Although Christmas is a time for friends and family, it’s easy to forget this amid the noise and…

Ever been to a silent disco with a Chinese dragon?

Ever explored a museum at night? Ever had a cocktail surrounded by thousands of years of history? Ever been to a silent disco with a Chinese dragon? Thanks to the support of RBS and The List, the National Museum of Scotland is bringing you an exclusive…

The Stone Roses reform to play dates at Manchester's Heaton Park in summer 2012

As you’ve no doubt heard, yet another cornerstone of the British music establishment has chosen to dust off its bucket hat and have it large with a reunion tour. This is no ordinary by-the-numbers reformation, though. This is The Stone Roses. Capable…

Scottish BAFTA awards 2011 shortlist announced

Peter Mullan's NEDS receives four nominations in this year's shortlist

The Scottish BAFTA Awards have returned after a one-year absence, with the nominations shortlist announced yesterday by Karen Dunbar. Peter Mullan's NEDS, a film telling the story of a teenage boy growing up in 1970s Glasgow, received four…

The importance of business in the arts - Linda Crooks, Traverse Theatre

An appraisal of the relationship between the two spheres

The call for business involvement with the arts in Scotland has been proclaimed loudly over the past 25 years by Arts and Business Scotland and the response has been impressive. Arts and Business have played a key role in brokering arts/business…

Getting Digital Webinar: New Tools for Fundraising in the Cultural Sector

How the creative sector can use social media for fundraising and audience building

Social media and mobile tools are great for staying in touch with friends, but how many creatives are exploring such tools to target their marketing and raise crucial funds? The joint Amb:IT:Ion Scotland and Arts & Business Scotland event offers arts…

Red State survey reveals loss of morals in UK

A questionnaire promoting Kevin Smith's Republican-skewering horror flick has interesting results

Kevin Smith is well-known for baiting controversy - his apocalyptic comedy Dogma drew massive complaints for its depiction of a shallow Catholic church, while latest release Red State focuses on a group of serial-killing Christian fundamentalists.

Scottish Storytelling Festival 2011

21st festival includes Homer’s Odyssey and contributions from Corsica, Cypus and Sardinia

Reaching 21 is a landmark event for everyone, and the Scottish Storytelling Festival is no exception. From fairly humble beginnings at the former Netherbow Theatre, the Festival has grown to encompass not just Edinburgh and Glasgow, but Dundee…

World War Z wraps up in Glasgow; where does that leave the Cinema City?

What next for the west coast filming hotspot?

The production of World War Z, an adaptation of Max Brooks’s best-selling account of a zombie apocalypse, brought parts of Glasgow to a well-documented standstill last month. With the City Chambers standing in Philadelphia’s City Hall, Glasgow finally…