Lauren Mayberry

Gays in Space promises LGBT-friendly clubbing with a cosmic theme

DJ Space Cadette talks us through the disco night's ethos

‘What’s in a name?’ your man Shakespeare once said. Well, a lot apparently, if you are Gays in Space, one of Glasgow’s newest gay nights. ‘People’s initial reaction is often a bit confused, thinking the name sounds really stupid,’ admits organiser Hazel…

The newly-christened Tradfest presents 'feast of culture in the Festival city'

Traditional and folk artists taking part include Karine Polwart, Alasdair Roberts and Shooglenifty

Tradfest is a new 12 day festival bringing dance, crafts, folk drama and environmental celebrations to venues across Edinburgh. The first under this particular name, the festival is organised by the Scottish Storytelling Centre on behalf of Traditional…

Interview: Peggy Shaw - Queer theatre icon discusses her new show RUFF

'My shows are a spectacular take on my queerness and uniqueness'

For those who don’t know about your work yet, who is Peggy Shaw? In general, my shows are a spectacular take on my queerness and uniqueness, placed in ‘normal’ society from my own perspective. I write my shows from my body; from all parts of my body…

The organisers of Glasgow LGBT club night Birdcage discuss their

Birdcage is a new alternative gay night in Glasgow, organised by the motley crew of Mia Knani, Caity Cooper, Jenny Redpath and Fiona Robertson. The List caught up with the ladies for some quick-fire questions

Events for Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day 2013 in Scotland

Highlights events include Nicola Sturgeon, Margo MacDonald anf Muscles of Joy

It was Beyoncé (or should we say Mrs Carter #awarenessofcurrentevents) who mused that it’s girls who run the world, and never has that rung more true than this March, with a plethora of events happening in your neighbourhood for Women’s History Month…

LGBT History Month 2013 - programme highlights

Project coordinator Amy Murphy shares some highlights from the event's biggest cultural programme

LGBT History Month returns in February with a packed programme of events in Scotland. The festival, which began in Scotland in 2003, aims to get people engaged with LGBT issues through art, music, theatre, film and literature, encouraging people of all…

A preview of the Edinburgh Iranian Festival 2013

The festival brings together film, music, visual art, and comedy in the shape of Patrick Monahan

When you mention Iran in the current climate, most people think of the politics of the country. But there is of course more to the place than what we see in the news – and the 2013 Edinburgh Iranian Festival is our opportunity to learn more about…

Yes! Club aims to bring some indie sensibilities to Glasgow's LGBT clubbing scene

The playlist for the Flying Duck-based night features Blondie, Django Django, Elvis and The Smiths

Sad that Lock Up Your Daughters is no longer your regular queer fun time at the Duck? Well, dry your eyes and get on your dancing gear, as the venue has secured another alternative gay night in the form of Yes! Club on the first Friday of every…

Festive fairs and markets in Glasgow and Edinburgh

A round-up of the best places in both cities to get those last minute Christmas gifts

Glasgow Regular craft markets take a seasonal twist, with Granny Would Be Proud offering clothing and accessories with a retro twist (Hillhead Bookclub, 16, 23 Dec). Designers and makers will be showcasing their wares at The Lighthouse Design Markets…

Hit So Hard

Documentary about Hole drummer Patty Schemel

When you think of Hole, you most likely see in your mind’s eye Courtney Love, the blonde, foul-mouthed sometime powerhouse of a front woman and present day ‘celebrity for miscellaneous things’. Hit So Hard focuses on Hole’s second drummer Patty Schemel…

I Am, Call me Kuchu and Mommie Dearest included in Glasgay 2012 film programme

Until now, Glasgay! has left film relatively alone, focusing more on a vibrant programme of theatre, visual arts and music. This year, however, they unveil a revitalised film strand in collaboration with Glasgow Film Theatre and Lock Up Your…

A guide to the Edinburgh and Glasgow LGBT scene

Clubs, bars, films, visual art, sports events and festivals all covered

Glasgow Not short of club nights, Glasgow has a reasonable mix of the mainstream and the leftfield. Play and Polo Lounge offer reasonably priced midweek nights, while FHQ in Merchant City is a ladies-only bar with affordable, regular nights including…

Edinburgh International Fashion Festival 2012 - events round-up

Edinburgh’s Festivals have pretty much everything, but fashion is not something that has been given centre stage. Until, that is, the Edinburgh International Fashion Festival, with four days of events centered around Summerhall, including…

Davey Anderson's coming-of-age tale The Static mixes superheroes and ADHD

Quirky physical theatre show from Scottish talent developers ThickSkin

ThickSkin Theatre has a hard-earned reputation for developing new Scottish talent. The company returns to this year’s Fringe to showcase the skill of Glasgow-based playwright Davey Anderson before heading off on a UK tour in the autumn. The Static is a…

Theatre show Confessions of a Grindr Addict explores modern age dating

Sex is easy, dating difficult in 2012 edgy Edinburgh Fringe Festival show

What does a guy actually do on a date these days that doesn’t involve sex? This is the question posed by dark but comical one-man show Confessions of a Grindr Addict, written and performed by Australian Gavin Roach. Grindr, for anyone unfamiliar, is a…

CC Blooms celebrates re-opening with Church of High Kicks

Legendary Edinburgh gay club re-launches with day-time cafe/bar

CC Blooms has been part of the furniture of Edinburgh nights out for as long as most of us can remember. Born in the early 90s as a wonderfully cheesy gay club, the venue recently came under new management and last month reopened following a brief…

Merchant City Festival 2012

5 day fest of dance, music and theatre to bring Glasgow streets to life

Interactive performance company Mischief La-Bas present a premier of their latest work, The Zoo (Ingram Street Car Park, 28 & 29 July), fusing science with art. The performance follows Professor Hildeberg and his famous hibernating Antarctic Zoo…

Micachu and the Shapes: Never

Never say never - strong electro pop release with inventive vocal hooks

(Rough Trade) Never is probably not a word Mica Levi (aka Micachu) uses. Never mix clashing sounds, including what may be a hoover. Pah. Never blend 90s hip hop and classical music (see last year’s Chopped and Screwed, her collaboration with the…

Joe McElderry to headline Pride Glasgow 2012

The Cheeky Girls, Lloyd Daniels, Ryan Jagger and Barbara Bryceland also on the bill

Hear ye, Glasgow dwellers: July heralds the return of Pride. With bells on, from the sounds of things too. ‘Pride is definitely back with a vengeance, bigger and better,’ explains festival director Ross Stevenson. ‘From the feedback and communication…

Edinburgh International Magic Festival boasts black magic, mime and masterclasses

Magic fest 2012 offers host of wizard delights

Magic has come a long way since the semi-cringe days of Paul Daniels and Debbie McGee, with hip magicians like David Blaine and Derren Brown (and Harry Potter?) changing the way we look at modern-day illusionists. The Edinburgh International Magic…

Summer Festivals 2012: Ones to watch

A selection of industry experts and List writers choose their musical highlights for this summer

Lanterns on the Lake Chosen by Jonny Ensall, Editor, The List What does that name bring to mind? Boats on the water? A night to remember? An ethereal choir of knitting together a sense of the magical past and the optimistic future? You’re spot on with…

Single of the month: Poliça - ‘Dark Star'

Other releases by Liars, Tribes, Childish Gambino and Hot Chip also reviewed

The pile of pre-summer releases on The List’s doorstep this month was rather intimidating, but here is a round-up of the best (and rest). Liars new track, ‘No 1 Against The Rush’ (Mute Song ●●●), is three-and-a-half minutes of slithering synths and…

Refugee Week 2012 highlights

Programme of awareness-raising events features King Creosote and Glasgow Girls: The Musical

Scotland’s favourite Fence Records chap and former Mercury Award nominee King Creosote will kick off seven days of events to promote understanding of the experiences of refugees living in Scotland. The gig, which takes place at the Old Fruitmarket on…

Is Lip Service anything like Glasgow’s real lesbian life?

Second series of BBC lesbian drama returns

Any fool who saw the first series of Lip Service will be aware that sex, talking about sex and being sexy are a large part of the show. It’s glamorous, glittery and oh so slightly ridiculous. First hitting UK small screens in 2010, the drama returned to…

The ancient tradition behind the Beltane Fire Festival

The annual ceremony takes place on Edinburgh's Calton Hill

Fire, processions and rituals – all sounds a bit Wicker Man, right? Beltane Fire Festival, however, is not remotely cult-related and Christopher Lee (nor Nicolas Cage, ahem) will not be anywhere in sight at this annual celebration of changing seasons…