1 EIGHTIES pop darlings Vince Clark and Andy Bell taught us all about amour and sometimes it's good to revisit old favourites. They gave us one of the worlds best dance tunes, A Little Respect, the very epitome of all that was good in my generation – disco, dance, and glitter balls. Well Erasure are on an almost sold out tour of the UK and this week they are in sunny Glasgow with their new show NEON at the Armadillo, for four nights. Another date has been added due to popular demand on Monday, October 4. Tickets are still available as we go to print. Run don’t walk to www.erasureinfo.com
2 WE love ourselves a bit of Brian Cox in Scotland (either one) but in this instance I’m talking about the sexy science geek version. Cox hits Auld Reekie this week with his show testing the limits, pushing the boundaries, continually surprising and delighting. This show is an up close and personal, no holds barred interview with the man himself. He’s on at the Edinburgh Playhouse, Thursday, October 7 at 7pm. For more info go to www.atgtickets.com
3 SEQUINS and Glitter, Drag and Dance, the Vesta Girls present Subzero Sequins a live theatrical drag cabaret extravaganza hosted by and starring Auntie Effie, Sally Starshine and Nomi Divine (The VESTA Girls). Featuring live vocals, lip syncing, dance, comedy and so much more, including music and performances inspired by Broadway, the 60s, 70’s and 80s, divas, camp classics and songs from around the globe. This week they are in Bathgate, at the Bathgate Cinema, Thursday October 7. For tickets and all the information head over to www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/bathgate-the-vesta-girls-present-subzero-sequins-tickets-156174428921
4 BACK from the break nobody wanted, A Play A Pie And A Pint is open and raring to go. This week’s offering is The Tale of Typhoid Mary which takes us to New York where an epidemic of typhoid (a disease of the slums) is rife among New York’s wealthy. A pioneering virologist traces the infection to Irish cook Mary Mallon. But Mary has no symptoms and denies the link. The state decides to seize and imprison her. All week and that includes your pie and your bevvy (or soft drink). Doors open 12 noon for a 1pm start, every day this week. www.playpiepint.com
5 IF you don’t go to this gig, then your children will be going next… (I’ll get my jacket…). Anyway the mighty Manic Street Preachers are hitting the greatest venue of all time, the brilliant Barrowland Ballroom in Glasgow’s getting-more-trendy-by-the-minute Barras. Plenty of time to pop into one of the great bars, BAAD or The Gate for a swift one before the show on October 5, 7pm.
6 SHOWHAWK Duo are the viral sensation young guitarists who dazzle as they break down the barriers between old school guitar and electronic dance. From trance classics to modern funky house or a bit of acoustic guitar, anything can and does happen. They started as buskers and are quickly selling out everywhere, go see them whilst you can afford it. They are doing the Glasgow Classic Grand this week on Ocotber 8 and Aberdeen Unit 51 on October 9. For more info and to buy tickets head over to www.gigantic.com
7 A BELTER of a show is in store for all you Dundonians as the sidesplittingly funny Raymond Mearns – described by Frankie Boyle as a genuine genius – and local comic Steve McLeod team up and play at Number 57 venue down at 57 Dock Street. Thursday, October 7 at 8pm www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/stand-up-comedy-ft-raymond-mearns-steve-mcleod
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here