The hidden gems, pop-ups and top tips in Scotland this week:
Put on your red shoes and dance the blues. Two of my faves, the dynamic DJs Aarti, Pam and Lynne are hosting Pretty Ugly, their brilliant monthly event at the Admiral Bar in Glasgow.
One
Expect a night out that’s a bit like every brilliant house party you ever went to but with better music. Think Arcade Fire, Bowie, Cher, Robyn, Pulp, Whitney, Blossoms, TLC, Pet Shop Boys, Kylie, Hot Chip, Dua Lipa, Chic, New Order, Arctic Monkeys, Confidence Man, Blondie, Goldfrapp, Wolf Alice, Prince, St Vincent, Rihanna, Kate Bush, Yeah Yeah Yeahs.
Saturday 14th 11pm-3am Downstairs at the Admiral Bar, Glasgow.
Two
The brilliant EH1 Festival is back.
Roger Sanchez, Sasha & John Digweed, Danny Rampling ... this event always goes above and beyond (who as luck would have it are also appearing). Tickets £50 via www.skiddle.com. Royal Highland Centre, Edinburgh 14 September, 12 noon till the witching hour. Get on it.
Three
A special night in Dundee Contemporary Arts Centre on Tuesday.
Literary addicts (or Netflix fans) will already know that Margaret Atwood’s long-awaited sequel to The Handmaid’s Tale, The Testaments, will be published on the same day. This momentous event will be celebrated with an exclusive live cinema broadcast in which the Canadian novelist will be interviewed by broadcaster and author Samira Ahmed. In a conversation spanning the length of her remarkable career, Atwood will talk about her diverse range of works and her reasons for returning to Gilead. With exclusive readings from the new book by special guests, this will be an unmissable night. Tickets available via Dundee Contemporary Arts Centre at £17.50.
Four
Stirling’s iconic Wallace Monument opened its doors to visitors on 11 September 1869 and Wednesday marks the building’s 150th anniversary.
This special anniversary is being commemorated with a programme of events under the Wallace 150 programme. Quite the celebration, including a screening of my favourite movie ever Brigadoon. Guests are highly encouraged to get into the swing of this musical extravaganza and fully embrace the dress code of “Technicolour Jacobite” – which can be interpreted however you wish! Tickets are a mere £10 which includes a welcome glass of fizz Tickets on Eventbrite and going fast!
Five
On Saturday night I’m gonna be on my way from misery to happiness at The Proclaimers gig at the Hydro, having the time of my life. I didn’t even have to go cap in hand for my ticket. You can still be one of the lucky and joyful ones, as long as you don’t get the Kilmarnock blues. Log on to www.
ticketmaster.co.uk/the-proclaimers-tickets/ artist/735899 – tickets are priced from £39.
Hand over your pennies and you can be there to link up with these arms of mine.
Six
The National Theatre Live are teaming up with the GFT in Glasgow on Thursday 12 to screen the hilarious, award-winning, one-woman show that inspired the BBC’s hit TV series Fleabag, broadcast live to cinemas from London’s West End. Written and performed by Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Fleabag is a rip-roaring look at some sort of woman living her sort of life.
Tickets from glasgowfilm.org/shows/ nt-live-fleabag-15-ctbc.
Seven
This column has brought you all manner of strange and wonderful evenings out, including the memorable Bez at the bingo, but I’m really excited about this one.
Richard Jobson (pictured) is playing the Tivoli in Aberdeen! Yes. The indomitable and sexy frontman of Skids is playing the Tivoli tonight. Tickets at £22 fare available from the venue. See you at the bar.
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