Checklist of days out
Whether you are looking for a fun-filled family day out, a good book to read or games to play while you relax, Checklist has it covered with our 10 things to do, books to read and games of the moment. All you have to do is decide.
1 Glasgow International Comedy Festival
Various venues, until Sunday
Europe’s largest comedy festival has had the city in stitches since the beginning of the month. Sadly, it draws to a close this weekend. Thankfully, it’s going out with a bang. Be sure to see Elaine C Smith take over the King’s Theatre (today and tomorrow), Janey Godley hit Oran Mor (tomorrow to Sunday) and viral comedian Limmy at the King’s on Saturday.
Ticket prices vary. Head to glasgowcomedyfestival.com to book.
2 Irvine Welsh
Various venues,
Saturday and Sunday
The Scots author will be signing copies of his new book, Dead Men’s Trousers, at various Waterstones branches around Scotland. Welsh will be at Waterstones in Dundee and Stirling on Saturday then Tramway in Glasgow and Waterstones at intu Braehead on Sunday. Closing the Aye Write!
Event in Glasgow, Welsh will be talking about the follow-up to his phenomenally successful first novel, Trainspotting, which follows Mark Renton, finally a success but dissatisfied with his life. Rocked by a chance encounter with the psychotic Frank Begbie.
All events are free to attend with the exception of
Tramway. Visit irvinewelsh.net to know more.
3 Puppet Animation Festival
Across Scotland, until April 14
The UK’S largest and oldest annual performing arts event for children is celebrating its 35th anniversary in 2018. With 165 puppetry performances, workshops and animated films in more than 90 venues across the Islands and Highlands,
Borders and Central Belt, the festival exists to bring quality theatre and animation to all audiences.
Visit puppetanimation festival.org to find an event near you.
4 Catch of the Day
Scottish Fisheries
Museum, Anstruther, ongoing
Curated by postgraduate students on the St Andrews Museum and Gallery
Studies programme, this exhibition looks at how the role of fish in the Scottish diet has changed over the past century and what changes there might be to come. Learn how catches have fluctuated and how this has been driven by developments in tastes, technology and availability. It also looks at how everincreasing levels of plastic in the oceans is affecting marine life. Ends June 24.
Entry into the museum is £9. Visit scotfishmuseum.org to learn more.
5 Platform
The Arches, Glasgow tomorrow to Sunday
The iconic former nightclub has been turned into a haven for foodies every weekend where 10 of Scotland’s best independent traders gather to offer the best in street food. In a city saturated with fast-food and chain restaurants, organisers say Platform offers a “fiercely independent alternative to the generic, mass-produced, lowest common denominator food”. All produce is locally and sustainably sourced, seasonal, free range and Fairtrade.
Entry is free. Search “@ PLATFORMGLA” on Facebook to know more.
6 The Big Feed
Govan, Glasgow
Saturday and Sunday Scotland’s biggest indoor, fully licensed, street food market turns one this weekend. To celebrate, organisers are “going big” and offering one lucky diner free entry for four people, a private table and £100 cash. All you have to do is visit the event’s Facebook page, hit “Going” and share it. With live music, DJS, games for the little ones and a large outdoor seating area, this is one party not to be missed.
Entry is £2 or £1 with a Subway concession card. Under-tens go free.
7 Sam Smith
SSE Hydro, tomorrow and Saturday
The Too Good At Goodbyes singer is stopping off in Glasgow for a two-night stint, bringing his much-loved hits. The tour comes on the back of his highly successful sophomore album The Thrill of It All. Tickets have been selling fast for months. However, before going to print, there were still some available from £57.40, including booking fees. Head to either ticketmaster.co.uk or twickets.live to buy.
8 Belle & Sebastian
Perth Concert Hall, tomorrow
Having wrapped up a North American tour that included Panorama and Osheaga Festivals and an appearance at the legendary Hollywood Bowl, the Glasgow folk band arrived in the UK at the beginning of March, bringing their wistful, intellectual lyrics and melodic style, often compared to The Smiths.
Tickets are £32, with booking fee. The group then moves on to the Usher Hall in Edinburgh on Saturday.
9 The Wizard of Oz
Eden Court Theatre, Inverness, until Saturday
After the successful production of 9 to 5: The Musical, Inverness Musical Theatre is getting audiences to “click their heels together” this weekend with a musical adaptation of the 1939 family classic.
Tickets are £26, with booking fee. Head to eden-court.co.uk to buy.
10 Quartet
Monifieth Theatre, until March 31
Based on the play by Ronald Harwood – which was turned into a film in 2012 with Maggie Smith and Billy Connolly – Cissy, Reggie and Wilf reside in a home for retired opera singers in Kent. Each year, there is a concert to celebrate Italian opera composer Giuseppe Verdi’s birthday. Jean, who used to be married to Reggie, arrives at the home and disrupts their equilibrium.
She still acts like a diva and refuses to take part. Will the show go on?
Tickets are £7, plus booking fee. Buy via monifieththeatre.co.uk.