Events to enjoy this weekend
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 Danny Kyle Open Stage
Royal Concert Hall, Glasgow Until Saturday
Danny Kyle was a passionate supporter of traditional music and a constant campaigner for its revival in Scotland. Each night on the open stage, new musical talent is given the chance to shine under the Celtic Connections spotlight and the six best acts win through to the final night showcase concert. With a support slot at next year’s festival up for grabs, it’s a hardfought competition. Compered by the late Danny’s close friend Liz Clark, it has been the launch pad for many now-familiar names such as Karine Polwart, Rura and The Chair. The six winners will perform in a showcase concert on Sunday.
Free to attend. Visit celticconnections.com for more information.
2 Perth Riverside Light Nights
Perth City Centre
Until February 10
Brighten up those winter nights with one of the high points of the Perth City Centre calendar: the return of the Perth Riverside Light Nights. Following a variety of themes, visit the winter wonderland at Norie Miller Park on the banks of the River Tay to enjoy spectacular lighting and entertainment to chase away those start-of-the-year blues. Celebrate Chinese New Year on Saturday and Sunday. Follow the Chinese Dragon as it leads the annual parade from High Street, along St John Street and across the Queens Bridge to the Riverside Lights. There is plenty happening this weekend to keep the whole family entertained.
Head over to perthcity.co.uk/ riverside-light-nights to find an event.
3 Hebcelt Festival
Òran Mór, Glasgow
Saturday
An annual summer highlight for thousands of Celtic music fans, the Hebridean Celtic Festival transplants that glow to Glasgow’s winter with this specially-curated programme of contemporary Lewis talent. Rated by The Herald as “one of the country’s truly great pop songwriters,” Willie Campbell helms his current collective The Tumbling Souls, whose heady blend of vintage Americana, classic pop and Scottish folk puts a dynamic new spin on wild West music.
Tickets are £16. Visit oran-mor. co.uk for more details or call 0141 353 8000 to book.
4 Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour
Eden Court Theatre, Inverness Today and tomorrow
Experience an extraordinary collection of short films from the world’s most prestigious mountain film festival. Follow the expeditions of some of today’s most incredible adventurers, see amazing footage of adrenaline packed action sports and be inspired by thought-provoking pieces shot from the far flung corners of the globe.
Tickets can be bought at edencourt.co.uk. Event will also take place at Pitlochry Festival Theatre on Saturday.
5 Fife Festival Of Music
Various venues, Fife
Until February 8
Founded in 1981, the festival exists to support and develop music making in the community across Fife. Expect two weeks of vibrant music making, both competitive and non-competitive, ranging from instrumental, through vocal to choral, with solo, duet, ensemble and large group classes available. Participants are invited to use the festival platforms to display their talents. The event attracts people of all ages from nurseryaged pupils upwards and school and community groups alike.
Head to ffom.org.uk/janfebfestival-2019 to see the complete timetable of events.
6 A Country Night in Nashville
Music Hall, Aberdeen
Tonight
Country music has seen a great resurgence in popularity in recent years, with the likes of The Shires, Taylor Swift and Lady Antebellum bringing their own contemporary style to the genre. These artists, together with the hit US TV show Nashville, has introduced country to a huge new, young audience. This event recreates the scene of a buzzing Honky Tonk in downtown Nashville, perfectly capturing the energy and atmosphere of an evening in the home of country music. Tickets are £29.15 via aberdeenperformingarts.com. The show then moves onto the Edinburgh Playhouse tomorrow and Eden Court in Inverness on Saturday.
7 Giant Lanterns of China
Edinburgh Zoo
Until February 17
There’s still time to catch this exciting adventure as Scottish myths, ancient Chinese legends and incredible creatures come to life. Escape into a world of folktales and fantasy with over 450 beautifully crafted lanterns lighting a magical trail through the zoo. For 50 legendary nights, we’ll be home to unicorns, giants, kelpies and even the Loch Ness Monster, alongside animals past and present.
Book tickets at edinburghzoo.org. uk
8 Touching the Void
Royal Lyceum Theatre, Edinburgh
Until February 16
Joe Simpson’s memoir, an international bestseller and Bafta-winning film sensation, charts his struggle for survival on the perilous Siula Grande mountain in the Peruvian Andes in 1985. The heart of the story is Simpson’s mental battle as he teeters on the very brink of death and despair. The Lyceum’s artistic director David Greig brings his award-winning writing skills to the first stage adaptation of this nail-biting adventure, rich in psychodrama and suspense. Ticket prices vary and can be bought at lyceum.org.uk.
9 Start to End: Carole King – Tapestry
Summerhall, Edinburgh Saturday
Following a sellout show at Celtic Connections 2018 performing Joni Mitchell’s Court and Spark, Start to End and leading Scottish vocalist Rachel Lightbody team up once more for a night celebrating Carole King’s classic 1971 album. Featuring hits such as It’s Too Late, I Feel the Earth Move, You’ve Got a Friend, Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow? and the all-time classic (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman, this show will be a true rendition of this legendary album with an all-star cast of young Scottish musicians. Tickets are £13 via summerhall. co.uk.
10 The New Tradition: Talisk, Vishtèn and Xabier Diaz
Old Fruitmarket, Glasgow Tonight
An international triple bill of contemporary Celtic acts, all of whom delivered outstanding new albums in 2018. Multiaward-winning Scottish trio Talisk – concertina dynamo Mohsen Amini, fiddler Hayley Keenan and guitarist Graeme Armstrong – excelled themselves with Beyond. Francophone Canadian trio Vishtèn’s latest release, Horizons, continues to refine their vibrantly distinctive spin on traditional Acadian music. At once a deep-dyed traditionalist and an intrepid innovator within Galician folk music, percussionist, piper and singer Xabier Diaz – formerly a member of the mighty Berrogüetto – joined forces on his recent release.
Tickets are £16 via glasgowconcerthalls.com.
IF you have an event you would like to see featured in Checklist, please email details to aftab.ali@heraldandtimes.co.uk.