What's On Scotland 19-26 May: World Whisky Day

From World Whisky Day to Scottish Jewellery Week to National Vegetarian Week, we pronounce the coming week as the week of the bandwagon. C'mon, join us – you know you want to...

Feature by Kate Pasola | 19 May 2016

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.

1. World Whisky Day

Various venues nationwide, 21 May

Ah, whisky, the great uniter and divider of liquor pickers. 21 May brings a whole day dedicated to celebrating the stuff, whether you like it or not. If you reside in Glasgow and are absolutely made of money, get involved with a Drambles whisky tour. Edinburgh enthusiasts can head to Tigerlily for a whisky cocktail making session with Steve Cooney, whose job title is literally 'whisky ambassador'. The Scotch Whisky experience is also offering the opportunity to become a '#WhiskyConvert' (hashtag sold separately). Or, if you're pushed for time, raise a tumbler of Old Pulteney at Whiski Rooms. Image: Emily Nash


2. Cate Le Bon
Stereo, Glasgow. 24 May

Sprinkle a little glimmer of experimental folk on yer Tuesday with Welsh artist Cate Le Bon, fresh from the release of her March LP Crab Day. Mostly playful, sometimes frightening, the record got a sparkly four stars from one of our Music scribes, and her gig this week at Stereo's been thoroughly recommended in our Gig Highlights. We can't promise that incredible sofa will also be in attendance, though, sadly. But still!


3. Scottish Jewellery Week
Various venues in Dundee, 25-28 May

SJW, a biennial celebration of Scotland's jewellery industry returns, following its inaugural 2014 session. This time round the affair makes its way to Dundee, nestling into the chaos of creativity that is Dundee Design Festival. There'll be an exhibition of 15 talented Scottish designers and silversmiths, a Dundee-wide jewellery trail, in which you'll have the chance to win a 'jewellery experience' with C A R V E, and a chance to meet Jeweller In Residence Islay Spalding. Image: Kelly Munro


4. They Had Four Years
Generator Projects, Dundee. 22-26 May, 12-5pm

They Had Four Years returns to Generator Projects for its 2016 edition, showcasing new works by four recent graduates from various Scottish art colleges. This year’s selected artists are Rachel Turner, Alice Chandler, Eleanor Paul and Tanith Marron. The showcase is part of Ignite Festival, a month-long Dundonian festival of creativity, beginning in early May. Image courtesy of Rachel Turner


5. DJCAD Degree Show
Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design, Dundee. 20-29 May

In case you still haven’t had your fill of Dundee’s artistic output this month, we'd also like to take this opportunity to recomend the DJCAD Degree Show 2016. You’ll have the opportunity to see showcases from the latest generation of artists, designers and architects graduating from courses at the institution, giving you a glimpse into the future of Scottish art as we know it. Perhaps. Image: Nadine Kelly


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6. Baba Stiltz
Sub Club, Glasgow. 26 May, 11pm

Your knackered, last-week-of-the-month body is crying out for a night soundtracked by Studio Barnhus crown jewel Baba Stiltz. We promise. Thumpy tunes with barely-there chants, 70s guitar licks and samples from mother nature herself, he creates the kind of bliss-making soundscapes that'll leave you undulating and grinning despite your own grumpy intentions. Listen to this and tell us you don't believe us. Plus, entry's so cheap you'll get enough change from a tenner to chuck some gin down your throat and forget all yo' stressors. Beaut.


7. BalletBoyz
Kings Theatre, Edinburgh. 22 May, 7.30pm
Dundee Rep, Dundee, 22 & 23 May, 8pm

Contemporary ballet's a pretty thrilling area of choreography at the minute, satisfying eyes keen for the clear narratives of physical theatre and the grace and clever elegance of classical ballet. The industry's finest are well and truly riding this wave, a prime example being BalletBoyz – a company founded by former Royal Ballet principle dancers Michael Nunn and William Trevitt. Catch their new show, Life. in both Edinburgh and Dundee this week.


8. James Veitch: Dot Con
The Stand, Edinburgh. 24 May, 8.30pm
The Stand, Glasgow. 25 May, 8.30pm

Imagine replying to every single spammer, scammer and ‘wealthy heir’ residing in Kenya who tried to rip you off via the medium of email. It’d be knackering, wouldn’t it? Luckily, James Veitch beat you to it, spending a year in correspondence with every con-person who emailed him during the space of said year. The result is his thoughtful and tickling stand-up show, Dot Con. Catch it at both Glasgow and Edinburgh's Stand outposts this week.


9. National Vegetarian Week
Venues nationwide, 16-22 May

Right, so you don't like whisky and you're not into jewellery. That's alright – in the spirit of making sure there's something for everyone, here's another bandwagon to jump on. Vegetarianism! Top pick of the week for the herbivores is CCA's Chinese Vegetarian Pot Luck, but if you're keen to plan your own little meat-free jaunt, why not have a gander at our guide to eating out as a veggie in Edinburgh? Image: Nikki Miles


10. FestivAle³
Summerhall, Edinburgh. 20 & 21 May, times vary

All that cultural engagement is thirsty work, isn’t it? Have yourself a break, fine friend, at FestivAle³. Taking place over the course of the weekend, the event will bring hours ‘pon hours of bevvie based fun to Newington, including distillery tours, tastings and lashings of liquid treats from the Rum Surgery, Pickings Gin, Barney’s and Williams Bros. Peckish? There’ll be street food snackeroonies too.


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