Here are the hidden gems, pop-ups and top tips in Scotland this week...
1. Next week will see us wishing a happy 140th birthday to John MacLean! In honour of the legendary Glasgow socialist, the John MacLean society are throwing a major musical extravaganza at Pollokshaws Burgh Hall. Songs of rebellion and red Clydeside and speeches worthy of the great man himself will be heard in the very venue in which he spoke and taught. The great John MacLean going hame to the cart. Saturday, 7:30pm at Pollokshaws Burgh Halls. More info is available at www.johnmaclean100.scot
2. It’s back! The Dockyard Social is a brilliant Finnieston-born foodie initiative, with street food and guest DJs and three bars. Weans and dugs are welcome. From bourbon dive bar to flamboyant tiki cocktails, the choice is yours. Striving to support Scotland’s homegrown food and drink community, with the motto: Eat Well, Drink Well, Do Good. You can start by heading down to the relaunch party on Saturday at 95 Haugh Road, Finnieston. Tickets are £5 and doors open at 12 noon until late.
3. What a treat in store for bibliophile’s tomorrow when Arundhati Roy and Nicola Sturgeon share a stage at the Edinburgh International Book Festival. The Booker Prize winner and the FM will be talking all things books and life experiences in an intimate discussion. Not to be missed. Tickets available at www.edbookfest.co.uk for £10. Held in the New York Times Main Theatre at 19:45pm.
4. Jarvis Cocker, the blisteringly smart and oh so woke frontman of Pulp is still one of the sexiest and most relevant pop stars out there, and we all owe him a debt for attacking Jacko, don’t we? This week he’s coming to hang with the common people in Leith to play new stuff and a mix of hits from the Pulp days. If you’re going make sure you’re all sorted out for Es and Whizz – and wear your pink gloves, baby. Tickets are £30. Leith Theatre, August 22, 8pm.
5. Jupiter is Rising. On August 23-25 at Bonnington House, Scotland’s newest intimate arts and music festival is happening within the unique Jupiter Artland, and invites you on a journey to explore underground and DIY music and art alongside established and international acts. Put together by the cooler-than-cool Jim Lambie in collaboration with Simon Sweeney. Expect, among others, The Vaselines, Alpha Maid, Apartment House, and a late-night DJ stage. You can enjoy moving images, art workshops, walks, late-night lake swimming and culinary feasting. Tickets are from FREE for those unwaged who can’t afford up to £100 for the weekend. More info available at facebook.com/Jupiterrising
6. DunDee 80s. I’m all over this one as I adore the other Yes city, I adore the 80s and I love Pat Kane, my fellow National columnist and all-round good guy (@thoughtland). So, get thee out of your penthouses and off the pavements and make tracks to Slessor Gardens on Saturday for the time of your (teenage) life with ABC, Hue & Cry, Midge Ure, Go WEST and China Crisis. Deets available at www.ticketmaster.co.uk
7. What’s happening in the Granite City? Well, yesterday it was the independence march, and next week it’s all about Comic Con. Cosplay, creators, interaction, Comic Con superstars. All at the Doubletree Hilton Treetops on Saturday August 24. Details and tickets available at brownpapertickets.com
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