What's On Scotland 7-14 Jul: Retina Festival

In our continued efforts to fill your plate with all the juiciest cuts of culture we've got a steamin' top ten this week, featuring the Scottish International Photography Festival, Dave Clarke at Jackhammer, Romeo and Juliet and Flying Duck's vegan fete

Feature by Kate Pasola | 07 Jul 2016

1. Scottish International Photography Festival
Various venues Scotlandwide, Until 30 Jul

The Scottish International Photography Festival (AKA Retina Festival) returns this month. We thoroughly recommend Kevin McElvaney's Refugee Photograph Journeys, an exhibition of moving photographs taken by refugees on single-use cameras, along with Out Of The Blue Drill Hall's Association of Photographers Awards showcase which features the works of over 35 award-winning artists. Image: Jon Enoch


2. Architecture Fringe
Until 24 Jul. Venues, times and prices vary

2016 is the year of Scottish architecture and design, in case you've been living under a (beautifully carved) rock for the last six months. That in mind, a group of architects, photographers, engineers, visual artists, curators and musicians have united to complement the Festival of Architecture with its very own fringe. You'll have the opportunity to check out exhibitions and performances, tour the city with architects and participate in sketching workshops until 24 Jul. Image: Robb Mcrae


3. King Tut's Summer Nights
King Tut's, Glasgow. 13-30 Jul, times vary

King Tut's wants you to find your new favourite band. To ease the process, they're reprising their fortnight-long festival fulla' talent, Summer Nights. A Golden Ticket gets you access to every single gig, or you can come and go as you damn please. The opening night on 13 Jul features The 21st State, Dancing On Tables, Real Life Entertainment, and the FCK YES DJs. Also worth your time is a gig from our July cover stars The Lapelles on 16 Jul. Image: Kate Johnston


4. Jackhammer: Dave Clarke
The Caves, Edinbugh. 9 Jul, 11pm

Jackhammer's back, continuing a series of dates in the belly of the The Caves with The Baron (also known as Uncle Dave – or his actual name, Dave Clarke). The Brighton-born, Amsterdam based veteran has always been a forward thinker (he was the first techno artist to release an online-only single, back in 2000). We’re sure he’s still got a few surprises up his sleeve.


5. Branagh Theatre Live: Romeo and Juliet
Cameo Cinema, Edinburgh. 7 Jul, 7.15pm

Kennth Branagh Theatre Company's interpretation of the Bard's Romeo and Juliet gets a screening in the velvety quarters of Cameo Cinema this week. Featuring Richard Madden and Lily James as the terribly unfortunate lovers and Sir Derek Jacobi as poor old Mercutio, it's a star-crossed, star-studded treat for the eyes and the soul. P'raps take a tissue. Or seven.


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6. Virgin Kids
Broadcast, Glasgow. 8 Jul, 7pm

Up next on this week's menu is scuzzy grunge and power pop trio Virgin Kids. They're from London, their debut album is called Greasewheel and their frenetic, effervescent tracks will grab you by the scruff of the neck and give you a sonic noogie. In a good way.


7. Flying Duck Vegan Fete
Flying Duck, Glasgow. 9 Jul, 12-5pm

Scotland's culinary scene caters to the e'er growing vegan community this week with both Flying Duck's monthly vegan fete, a cornucopia of cakes, confectionery, pies and pizzas, and V Deep's Vegan Feast. However, if the very thought of abstaining from cheese and meat enrages you, take your carnivorous appetite over to The Pitt's summer residency on Pitt Street. Something for everyone and all that.


8. Edinburgh Printmakers Market
Edinburgh Printmakers, Edinburgh. 9 Jul, 11am-5pm

Edinburgh Printmakers hop aboard the summer fair train this July with their very own Printmakers Market, filling up their Union Street premises with local artists and crafters flaunting prints, books, paintings, zines, ceramics, textiles and various other miscellany. And if all that shopping leaves you peckish, you can always head on over to The Manna House Bakery's stall for something to tide you over... Image: Vilma Kirvelaite


9. National Museum of Scotland Galleries Opening
National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh. 8 Jul, 9.30am-5pm

Fossil boffins and exhibition enthusiasts, ready yourselves. This month the National Museum of Scotland unveils ten new galleries featuring exhibitions of art, design, fashion, science and technology. Join in a launch celebration on 8 Jul at 9.30pm with Forth 1's Mark Martin, Beltane Fire Society Drummers, Boghall and Bathgate Caledonia Pipe Band and Animo samba band. Image: Stewart Attwood


10. Zine and Heard
Glasgow Women's Library, Glasgow. 14 Jul, 5pm

Glasgow Women's Library boasts a pure massive selection of zines dating back to the 1990s, and next Thursday they're celebrating having catalogued the lot – and publishing it all online, too. There'll be panel talks from local pros, live music, refreshments (fingers crossed for wine) and a mini zine fair where you'll be able to browse the contemporary works of local zine makers.


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