The hidden gems, pop-ups and top tips in Scotland this week. By Suzanne McLaughlin
1. Hosted by Radical Independence, a brilliant line-up of big names in the indy movement are gathering for a conference on “a failed state in a failed system”. Speakers include Aamer Anwar, Lesley Riddoch, Chris Stephens MP, Clara Ponsati and Mogwai’s Stuart Braithwaite, who will be doing a special reading of the Declaration of Independence. Get your tickets now as they are selling out. Saturday, October 26, 10am Radisson Blu Hotel Glasgow. Waged, £10 and unwaged, £4. All the details, link for tickets and full line-up available at https://www.facebook.com/events/753255465103390/
2. There are only a few tickets left for The Enchanted Forest at Pitlochry, which runs until the end of the month. The show of a lifetime returns to to Faskally Wood and this year its creative team are encouraging you to look up and be inspired by the magnificence of the cosmos and the vastness and natural beauty of the skies that sit above our beautiful world. Dazzling visuals, yummy food and totally family friendly. All details at www.enchantedforest.org.uk
3. Beyond Words is the International Story Telling Festival at Edinburgh until October 31. The festival is one of the most admired in the world and invites you to drift into other worlds. Scottish tradition bearers will share their story, dance and song inheritance, while contemporary narratives include exile, migration, cultural displacement and the search for mutual understanding and healing across a fractured world. Stories and politics, networking and a cuppa. Perfect. All details at https://www.sisf.org.uk. Various prices and times
4. Some films are inextricably linked to the time in which they were made, and everything about The Lost Boys – the fashion, the brat pack cast, the video store, the soundtrack, the hair – is unapologetically 1980s. And it is totally brilliant because of that very fact. Dundee Contemporary Arts Centre is putting on a special screening in the run-up to Halloween on Friday at 20:30pm. Tickets available at https://www.dca.org.uk/whats-on/event/the-lost-boys? £7
5. Don’t stamp out your fire, don’t change your desire, it’s time to break out the maracas. Twisting my melon man. The Happy Mondays are off to sunny (?) Aberdeen. Enough said. Do it. Thursday at Music Hall, Union Street, Tickets from £32, available at ticketmaster
6. This next event comes labelled with love. So unscrew the top of a new whisky bottle. Get online and book tickets to see the brilliant Squeeze. Not only will you have a blinding gig, but the band are on tour to raise money for food banks. Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, tomorrow at 7pm £40 from www.seetickets.com
7. Back bigger and better than ever, Oli Norman and the team at itison have brought an even better GLASGLOW to the Glasgow Botanic Gardens. Expect a magical 60-minute journey that’s bigger, better and more interactive than ever before, a street food village and a seriously impressive bar to cosy up with a drink and an unparalleled view. £14 and £9 for kids. Last year was nothing short of spectacular. Quickly becoming THE event of the season. Starting on Friday. Details at https://www.itison.com/glasglow
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