Here's what you can get up to in Scotland this week – from indyref2 events to some fantastic music.
1 Have a great night and show your support for would-be new Scots. Glasgow’s Grand Ole Opry is hosting Musicians in Exile, during which local asylum seekers and refugees share the music of their home cultures. Tickets on the door. Tuesday, February 26 at 6pm. £3/£1
2 Scottish Music Industry Association Creative Conversations this week are with one of Glasgow’s unsung heroes, the clubbing legend that is Mike Grieve, on Thursday, February 28 at 6.30pm. Mike (who is managing director of the Sub Club) will be in conversation with Dougal Perman (executive chair of the Scottish Music Industry Association), discussing the history of the venue, telling stories from some of their best nights and outlining the challenges the venue has faced, as well as talking about the Sub Club’s cultural and economic value for both Glasgow and Scotland and what to expect from the venue in the future. There will also be a q&a where audience members can ask their own questions and learn more about one of Glasgow’s longest running and best nightclubs. The event will take place at the Sub Club.
3 Is this the year for indyref2? (Yes please). A q&a discussion hosted by Edinburgh Radical Independence Campaign takes place on Wednesday, February 27 at 7pm, Augustine Church, George IV Bridge, Edinburgh. A free event hosted by Jonathan Shafi and Maggie Chapman. Time to get radical folks.
4 The Audacious Women’s Festival. Augustine Church, Edinburgh, until tomorrow. Tickets available at eventbrite, £13.50, Do what you always dared. Women Celebrating Women. A host of fabulous, empowering events including a talk with Mairi Campbell.
5 So much Brexit talk and still nothing sensible from the UK Government. So this event certainly appeals. A talk on Customs in an Independent Scotland, given by customs expert Bill Austin. Hosted by Common Weal. Best of all it’s free, and you can reserve your place on Eventbrite. It’s in the Aberdeen Arts Centre on King Street, on Thursday, February 28.
6 Keep Scotland the Brand. It is absolutely imperative that we protect Scotland’s brand in the face of almost overwhelming efforts by the UK Government to brand all produce as British. The Keep Scotland the Brand campaign aims to protect and promote Scottish produce, which often conforms to higher environmental and welfare standards than products from other parts of the UK. The always interesting and approachable Ruth Watson is off to Paisley on Saturday, March 2, to talk through the campaign at the Methodist Central Hall. The free event is organised by Tannahill SNP but is open to the public. 12 noon.
7 I have green eyes and love dance music, so there is a special place in my heart for Ultrabeat and Ian Redman. He’s appearing at Dusk Nightclub in Stirling on Saturday. March 2, playing the wheels of steel. Tickets at skiddle.com and cost a measly £8. Over 18s only.
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