CCA Highlights – May / June 2018

Queer Classics: The Films that Made Us (25-26 May) screens many striking portraits from LGBTQ+ cinema's vibrant history. The films cross continents and explore different eras from many perspectives. Funeral Parade of Roses takes place in Japan's trans subculture, while Paris Is Burning waltzes us through New York's drag scene balls for the origins of voguing – the stylised dance which imitates fashion model poses. Then, in the magical Orlando, a young nobleman is given eternal lifetimes and the secret of youth by Elizabeth I. He soon courts through British history experiencing lifestyles, relationships and identities from beyond the Tudor era.

The Scottish Mental Health Arts Festival's (10-13 May) theme of 'beginnings' is well explored in the CCA hosted film part of its wide ranging programme. In Being Keegan a naval officer faces up to a childhood trauma on his return to Liverpool. Teenage vulnerabilities come to the fore in But Honey You Look Fine, a documentary about bulimia centring on friendship that follows the first tentative steps of recovery. The Festival's film awards take place on 10 May and submissions will be screened over the following three days.

Another unique film event is provided courtesy of Matchbox Cineclub, as cinema's stranger side is brought to life for the aptly titled Weird Weekend (2-3 Jun). A carnival based con artist is the protagonist of The Astrologer: on discovering he has authentic psychic powers, Alexander naturally goes about using them for his own nefarious ends. The freshly restored 1976 film screens in Scotland for the first time. As does the mockumentary Top Knot Detective; a tale of a failed Japanese samurai series which became a cult hit. Bryan M Ferguson may put you off keeping your next appointment at the barbers with his micro horror Toxic Haircut. The winner of The Skinny's short film competition, Ferguson follows the scissor sharp screening of this and his other works with a Q&A.

Glasvegas headline this year's Stag & Dagger festival (6 May), joined by over 35 acts at the multi-venue showcase over the May bank holiday. The bumper line-up includes Detroit's post-punk quartet Protomartyr – whose Relatives In Descent was an album highlight of 2017 – plus Japanese rock outfit Bo Ningen, while the CCA's stage hosts a selection of local greats including Solareye, Edwin Organ, and The Vegan Leather. 

The melodic Melbourne act Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever (20 May) come to CCA as part of their tour, ahead of the release of the much awaited first album Hope Downs. The Wave Pictures' reputation as one of the most prolific bands around is certainly justified with two albums coming out in 2018. The imminent Brushes with Happiness was recorded in only one day and the follow-up Look Inside Your Heart is due in the autumn. But there's no need for fans to stave off the constant craving for their music when it can be satiated live at their Glasgow gig on 15 June.