What's On Scotland 24-31 Aug: Free Fringe Comedy
As we approach the final curtain of the Fringe, we recommend the best Free Fringe comedy this week, plus EIF and EAF picks, along with Sounds of the African Diaspora at Stereo...
The end is nigh. Nope, we're not talking about the apocalypse (but sure, that too) – we're talking about the festival. It feels like only yesterday you were treating yourself to an £8 mac and cheese as a wee start-of-Fringe treat. Now you're weeping into a Lemsip and one EIF ticket away from bankruptcy. Push through though. Hang out at the free Fringe shows we've recommended below, and have a big old dance at the end of it. 5am Edinburgh cloob licenses don't come around very often – you can sleep in September.
In terms of party plans, there's a Ride festival party at Sneaky Pete's on 26 Aug, plus Nightvision at La Belle featuring top techno DJ Dixon (both until 5am); Summerhall's Fringe closing party starring Soulsville on 27 Aug; a blazer of a night at The Liquid Room courtesy of Jackhammer on the same night; and Unbound's Last Night On Earth closing party feat. Dive on 28 Aug. Plus, fireworks galore, if that's your thing. Image: Thomas Munter
Free Fringe Comedy
Desiree Burch: Unf*ckable
Heroes, BlundaBus, 10pm
Despite its title, Unfuckable is one hell of a ride
What we said: "Unfuckable is a celebratory hour of sex... sex as it actually is." (★★★★)
Mae Martin: Dope
Laughing Horse at City Cafe, 8pm
An addictive and compelling show from Mae Martin.
What we said: "This is a fantastic, stimulating hour which will rightly earn Martin a new horde of fans." (★★★★)
Ali Brice's Never-Ending Pencil
Heroes @ The Hive, 2.30pm
A hidden gem of an hour
What we said: "A simultaneously touching yet surreal hour, Brice balances it all with ease." (★★★★)
Mat Ewins Presents Adventureman 7: The Return of Adventureman
Heroes @ The Hive, 8.45pm
An hour of multimedia comedy mayhem.
What we said: "This show is pure joy, and there really aren’t many stand-up shows that work on this level." (★★★★★)
ADVERTISEMENT | Patti Cake$
Patti Cake$ stars newcomer Danielle Macdonald as aspiring rapper Patricia Dombrowski (AKA Killa P AKA Patti Cake$), chronicling her quest for fame and glory with humour, raw energy and unforgettable beats. Catch it at cinemas across Scotland from 1 Sep, including Glasgow Film Theatre, Grosvenor Glasgow, Cineworld Glasgow Renfrew Street, Cineworld Glasgow Silverburn, Cineworld Aberdeen Union Square, Cineworld Dundee, Cineworld Edinburgh, Odeon Edinburgh Lothian Road and Vue Edinburgh Omni. Book now here.
Also this week:
Cocktails in the City
Bars across Glasgow. 25 Aug, 6pm
Cocktails in the City festival makes its first appearance in Glasgow following several successful runnings in Edinburgh over the past five years. Sixteen of the city's best cocktail bars are represented, with tasting tables and various other activities to supplement the main event – tasting lots of delicious cocktails without the usual hassles of 'walking' or 'planning an evening'.
Sounds of the African Diaspora
Stereo, Glasgow. 31 Aug, 9pm
Head to Stereo next Thursday for an unmissable night of music from two of South Africa's avant-garde
Pester & Rossi: Lunarnova Campout
Jupiter Artland, Edinburgh. 26-27 Aug, 8pm
Since 2008, Pester and Rossi have been producing wearable sculpture, DIY costume and props working with an anarchic and feminist approach. This year as part of EAF hey host an overnight camp-out and search for hope in the dark, inspired by nocturnal rituals and notions of destruction and renewal that surround the cycles of the moon. Fallopé & the Tubes, Jarsdell Solutions, Asparagus Piss Raindrop, Haunted Actors Guild, G.O.D.S. (Glasgow Open Dance School) and Babaloose will also be in attendance.
Real Magic
The Studio, Edinburgh, 22-27 Aug, 7pm
Last year's Fringe saw a bizarre influx of game show plays, so we wouldn't blame you if the thought of Real Magic – a play taking the format of "part mind-reading feat, part cabaret act, part chaotic game show", complete with chicken costumes and canned laughter – sets your eyes a-rolling slightly. But Tim Etchells' play, performed by iconic Sheffield-based collective Forced Entertainment, is no gimmick. It's a provocative insight into hope, struggle and desire for change. Image: Hugo Glendinning
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.