What's On Scotland 25 Apr - 1 May: Paisley Book Festival + more
Cult film screenings, a pantheon of writers in Paisley, and dance festivals in Edinburgh and Glasgow are just what we need now that Spring has sprung
The weather has been on and off all month, and we're looking forward to the end of these April showers. Conveniently, the theme of the 2024 Paisley Book Festival is "Imagine Something Different". Event series include The Beautiful Game, connecting the world of literature with football, Oot and Aboot, exploring the links between stories and the natural world, and Ireland in Focus. Among tons of other great events to see, author Andrew McMillan discusses working class literature, Scots poet Len Pennie (pictured) and writer Sarah Grant discuss the challenges of working in the public eye, and Olumide Popoola launches new novel Like Water Like Sea.
Paisley Book Festival, multiple venues, Paisley. 25-28 Apr
LUNCHTIME READINGS:
Under the Spell Tree: Community Building with the Unknown
With her vampire novel Fragile Animals out today, Genevieve Jagger explores local magic and queer history in Glasgow's southside.
Futuristic Folktales
Tramway, Glasgow. 26-27 Apr
Dancer and choreographer Charlotte Mclean and her collaborators combine contemporary dance, Highland dance, theatre, and experimental music to place the audience in the shifting environment of the womb to explore themes of reproductive justice and identity.
Pomegranates Dance Festival
Multiple venues, Edinburgh. 25-30 Apr
The Traditional Dance Forum of Scotland will run its third Pomegranates Festival, celebrating Scottish traditional dance as well as the cultural dance practices of Edinburgh's migrant communities. Expect performances, ceilidhs, workshops, and more – all on a pay-what-you-can basis.
Queer Cinema Sundays: Weekend
GFT, Glasgow. 28 Apr
If, like us, you can't get over All of Us Strangers, it might be helpful to attend Glasgow Film Theatre's first ever monthly Queer Cinema Sunday. This month it's Andrew Haigh's modern classic Weekend (2011). Introduced by freelance programmer Rosie Beattie.
Niamhy Mac
Summerhall, Edinburgh. 27 Apr
Highlands-born, Edinburgh-based singer-songwriter Niamhy Mac combines her background in Scottish traditional music with rock/pop influences, and celebrates new single The Dreamer at Summerhall's Old Lab with openers Oriana Setz and Dara Dubh.
↪ Candice Lin: The Animal Husband
Talbot Rice Gallery, Edinburgh. Until 1 Jun
Candice Lin's first solo exhibition in Scotland makes a strong first impression, with crude, human-animal sculpture, kinetic video on castration, and transhuman texture work, all exploring our societal issues with bodies, autonomy and race.
→ I$$A Lifestyle - We Rule Amapiano
142b Lounge, Glasgow. 27 Apr
You're invited to dance - and drink - like a South African, as Manchester's Maniac 017 teams up with DJ Ozzy and DJ Ziwa for a late night celebration of South African Independence Day, heavy with Amapiano.
→ Weird Weekend presents The Crazy Family
Offline, Glasgow. 26 Apr
The team behind the cult film festival Weird Weekend have begun a monthly film night at Govanhill's Offline (FKA GAMIS). This month, see Sogo Ishii's off-beat black comedy The Crazy Family (1984).
Inception Art Show
Dalkeith Palace, Dalkeith Country Park. 3-12 May
Inception Art Show returns to Dalkeith Palace 03 – 12 May 2024, showcasing a carefully curated collection of 35 modern and contemporary artists. Over 10 days art lovers will have access to the artists and their work with an exciting additional programme of Palace tours, an online charity auction and a Family Day featuring workshops and demonstrations for all ages. Tickets are now on sale. Inception takes place in Dalkeith Palace, Dalkeith Country Park.
Competitions and Offers
Win tickets to internationally renwoned street art festival Yardworks Festival and a bottle of Label 5 whisky! Just answer our multiple-choice question for a chance to win! Closes Tue 30 Apr.
Win tickets to FyneFest! It's your last chance to enter our competition to win a pair of adult camping tickets for the beer, music and food festival! Closes Sun 28 Apr.
It's also your last chance to enter our competitions for Belladrum tickets, tickets for Peat & Diesel's Black Isle Belters gigs, and a food voucher for The George Hotel in Inverary. Competitions close Sun 28 Apr.
