What's On Scotland 17-24 Aug: Glasgow Pride

First up, we're taking a step back from the Fringe to noise you up about something equally important at the other end of the M8 this weekend: Glasgow Pride! The official parade and festival takes place on 19-20 Aug at Glasgow Green (tickets £5-25). And while Saturday's entirely sold out, tickets still remain for Sunday's parties.

If you're looking for something slightly less pricey and slightly more radical, The Art School's Free Prideis your best bet. Head down on 19 Aug for a day of free activities, stalls, workshops and talks between 2-7pm, and then reward yourself with a ticket to their big ol' knees up, featuring Deep Brandy Album Cuts, Letitia Pleiades, Bella Baxter, Mondo Bongo, Nena Etza and way more besides. Over at CCA you'll also find panel discussion on Bi culture, conversations about supporting LGBTQ+ refugees, and a sex worker advocacy and solidarity workshop. 

An Evening with Scapegrace Gin
71 Renfield St, Glasgow. 21 Aug, 6.30pm
Next up, a chance for juniper lovers to get themselves a new favourite tipple, as Gin71 host An Evening with Scapegrace Gin. Distilled at the foot of the Southern Alps on New Zealand's South Island, Scapegrace takes advantage of the country's unspoilt nature to make, they tell us, a delicious gin. Head along for a chance to try the stuff out for yourself.
Image: Didriks

Edinburgh Cocktail Festival
Sibbald Walk, Edinburgh. Until 28 Aug, 12-10pm 
At first glance this sounds fairly straightforward, until you dig a little deeper. There's a Bloody Mary Kitchen run by Ketel One in which you can design your own Bloody Mary, and your gin and tonics will be 'flash-infused' with ingredients from the Tanqueray Future Forest. Elsewhere you'll find masterclasses and DIY cocktail talks – suffice to say this is one worth checking out. Image: Jamie Faulkner

Blak Whyte Gray
The Lyceum, Edinburgh. 16-19 Aug, 7.30pm (also 2.30pm on 19 Aug)
Olivier Award-winning East London hip-hop company Boy Blue Entertainment bring Blak Whyte Gray to the Lyceum Theatre this week as part of Edinburgh International Festival. We're expecting fierce choreo, urgent storytelling and a ground-shaking score.

Fleabag
Underbelly, George Square, Edinburgh, 21-27 Aug, 5.15pm
Wait, if you haven't seen the Phoebe Waller-Bridge's triumphant TV show Fleabag yet, drop everything and get to bingeing right away. Of course, this is not a prerequisite for seeing her original play of the same name this Fringe – but it'll certainly get you in the mood. It's a searingly clever and dry representation of what it is to exist as a living, breathing, dating, mistake-making British woman, and it's not to be missed. Image: Richard Davenport

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Book Festival: Laurie Penny
Studio Theatre, Edinburgh, 8.45pm, £10-12
Frighteningly articulate writer and activist Laurie Penny is coming to EIBF this week to talk about her new book of essays for dissenting adults called Bitch Doctrine in an event called Taking Bigotry to Task. Don't forget the Book Festival's edgier little cousin Unbound also returns this year, bringing a series of free late night parties featuring storytelling, music, comedy, games, word-play and more in the Spiegeltent. Image: Rosalux-stiftung

Thunder Disco: Leon Vynehall
Sub Club, Glasgow. 18 Aug, 11pm
The Brighton-based Vynehall makes a welcome return to Subbie this week. As a producer he crafts house music that roams from bright and effervescent to lush, atmospheric and sample-based, so expect plenty of eclectic dancefloor selections. Image: Andrew Denholm

Wolf Alice
Fat Sam's, Dundee. 18 Aug, 7pm
Much loved London four-piece Wolf Alice are set to release their sophomore album, Visions of a Life, on 29 Sep, so it makes sense that they're heading out on full UK tour in November. If you just can't wait, catch them this week at Dundee's Fat Sam's. They also play Aberdeen's Garage on 19 Aug. Image: Derek Robertson

Withered Hand / Iklan / Savage Mansion
Summerhall, Edinburgh. 19 Aug, 7pm
A collaborative effort between NEHH and Made in Scotland, this eclectic night of music features Dan Willson's Withered Hand as a full ensemble; Iklan featuring Law Holt, Young Fathers' co-producer Timothy London and the Leith Congregational Choir. The night will also be kicked off by Lost Map signees Savage Mansion. Image: Paul Storr

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Each week The Skinny team hand pick a selection of events from the Scottish cultural calendar to provide you with this guide to the most exciting goings on in the week ahead. From gigs, plays and exhibitions to spoken word and pop up cake shops, we give you the insider's guide to things to do in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Dundee every Thursday morning.