What's On Scotland 20-27 Oct: Black History Month

With beer and whisky pairing nights, luminous gardens, and events dedicated to celebrating Black History Month all across the central belt, it's a damn good week for Scottish culture.

Feature by Kate Pasola | 20 Oct 2016

Black Excellence

Black History Month hits its stride in Scotland this week with an explosion of performance, discussion, art and film recognising the stories, the strife and the excellence of black people. CCA get stuck in with a BHM open mic, hosted by Tawona Sithole. They're also playing home to Document, Scotland’s international human rights documentary film festival, where you'll find films about black identity, colonisation, black gay life and more. 

Arika also dive into the next instalment of their anarchic, inclusive and progressive festival with Episode 8: Refuse Powers' Grasp. Expect all the usual action: clubs, performances, talks and discussions with noble efforts to keep things accessible and financially inclusive. Edinburgh-side, check out An Evening of Black Excellence at Teviot. It's held by Edinburgh University's BME Liberation Group and the African-Caribbean Society, but non-students are also welcome. Image: Juliana Huxtable

Beer Club: Hawf 'N' a Hawf
Drygate, Glasgow. 20 Oct, 7.30pm
Does the idea of chucking a whisky in your bev leave you baffled? Stuck for which beers to match with your malts? Head to Drygate's Beer Club for a pairing night with Danni-Su: five beers, five whiskies, one hangover to die for. Sorry – gotta put in some effort if you want to become a classy steamer.

Hide x ÜBER: Sidney Charles
Sub Club, Glasgow. 20 Oct, 11pm
For a serve of classic 4/4 club sounds, look no further than Hamburg's Sidney Charles, who makes his Subbie debut this week. His signature house style is most recently exemplified on the September release Sky High. ÜBER's head honcho Ki Creighton also makes his club debut with resident Junior G. 
Image: Andrew Denholm

The Scottish Storytelling Festival
Venues across Edinburgh. 21-31 Oct, times vary.
Are you sitting comfortably? Then we'll begin. The Scottish International Storytelling Festival is back for its 27th shot, and this year’s programme revolves around dreams. They’re also merging the talents of storytellers from across the globe, demonstrating just how much we have in common with one another.


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Botanic Lights
Edinburgh Botanic Gardens,  Until 6 Nov
The absolute worst thing about October in Scotland is that we’re swamped in darkness from about 4pm onwards. In the spirit of optimism, we encourage you to check out Botanic Lights. The trail takes around an hour and a half, and you’ll get to see Inverleith House, the Glasshouses and the grounds of the gardens in full, discotastic illumination. Image: Kit Carruther

Dancing with Colours, Whipping with Words
The Lyceum / Scottish Storytelling Centre / Italian Cultural Institute, Edinburgh. Until 22 Oct
Dario Fo wrote around 70 plays, many of which have provided norm-shattering critiques of injustice. He founded his own theatre company, revived the theatrical style of commedia dell'arte and won a Nobel Prize in Literature. Most unfortunately, he passed away earlier this month. Mourn for, celebrate and wonder at the legend of Fo at an exhibition of his work across Edinburgh.

Neu! Reekie! Suilven's Ascent
Leith St Andrew’s Church, Edinburgh. 21 Oct, 7pm
Wahey, FiniTribe are back! After linking arms with Neu! Reekie! for their first show in 20 years back in 2014, they’re returning for a preview of new record Suilven. They’ll be joined by the N!R! regulars along with Jenni Fagan, Woodleigh Research Facility (ft. Andrew Weatherall) and Sabrina Mahofouz. You’ll leave with a head full of earworms and a heart full of joy.

Want to win a pair of tickets? Email zap@theskinny.co.uk with your full name and favourite emoji. Best emoji wins. Closes midnight on 20 Oct. 

Image: Mihaela Bodlovic


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