Here's what you can get up to in Scotland this week...
1) FANCY a club night where the middle age and the cutting edge collide? The mighty Hip Replacement hits the Old Fruitmarket again, the club night that has been for some years filling the disco void for those too old to go out clubbing but too young to go to bed. The regular club night takes place at the Partick Cricket Club once a month, but once a year the team behind this gem of a night hold a big “do” up the toon. Friday 26 July at 7pm Old Fruitmarket. £10 All the deets and booking at https://www.facebook.com/events/437595020363838
2) THIS week also sees the opening of the Merchant City Festival in Glasgow, starting with a spectacular street carnival party! Taking inspiration from the baroque delights of the Venice carnival, expect beautiful masks, gorgeous costumes, and palettes of colour! Turn up as fancy as you dare, and strike a pose. (there’s nothing to it…) After the street celebrations join the party in Merchant Square from 7.30pm for live music and choreographed dancing. www.merchantcityfestival.com
3) RUM & Reggae again hits auld reekie. Enjoy the sounds of the reggae fire band and the festival vibe with the widest selection of rums and the smoothest selection of reggae music in the UK. Take a rum journey around the world, tasting rare and special craft rums from the West Indies, Cuba, South America and the United States and enjoy street food such as jerk chicken and good vibes only. Alongside this, enjoy some amazing acts, including Harmony Reggae Carnival Dancers, to get moving. Get yourself down to Royal Jersey Agricultural and Horticultural Society, Great Stuart Street, EH3, Edinburgh, EH3 Saturday 27 July at 7pm Tickets From £18. www.rumandreggaefestival.com
4) WHAT’S’s new pussycat in the increasingly superhip Dundee? The green green grass of Slessor Gardens in Dundee this week plays host to global superstar, the one and only Tom Jones. The man knows how to put on a show and this one is a greatest hits extravaganza. It is, of course, not unusual to have a great time at a Tom Jones gig (see what I did there?) Get tickets at www.ticketmaster.co.uk From £45, Saturday July 27
5) ROUKEN Glen Park becomes a riot of colour as this year’s Festival of Colour will take place on Saturday July 27 from noon to 4pm. Colour play, fun sports and arts activities for children such cricket taster, sponge throwing, kite flying, rangoli, brooch making and face-painting. This free event will take place in the events area near the pond.
6) HIGH on a hill overlooking Helensburgh in all its majesty stands Hill House, a Charles Rennie MacIntosh masterpiece. A family dwelling home for nearly 50 years, today it throws open its doors for family fun from trails to drop-in arts and crafts inspired by design elements throughout the house. Find out more about the children who lived here and what they got up to inside. Saturday July 27 from 10am onwards. Free
7) OH mist rolling in from the sea, my desire is always to be at an indy march. AUOB are on the march again, this time in Mull of Kintyre and Campbeltown. Meet at Kinloch Green 1pm on Saturday July 27 ready to march at 2pm. Bagpipes, banners, painted faces and drums. End London Rule (sooner the better) All deets on the AUOB facebook page.
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