What's On Scotland 26 Mar-2 Apr: Sofa Set & More

Last week's newsletter feels like a hundred years ago, so much has happened since. Venues have been officially closed by the government, millions of people are working from home and the country has gone into full lockdown (except for your one state-sanctioned exercise of the day. Use it well!). In such a time of uncertainty and chaos, how can there be any events on, asks your events editor, nervously.

Luckily, Scotland continues to step up. This week, it's Gilded Balloon's turn. Known for showcasing some of the best of spoken word and comedy performance, Gilded Balloon aren't letting a pandemic get in the way of their mission (safely, of course). Join them for the inaugural Gilded Balloon Sofa Setlist this Friday 27 March, streaming some of the biggest, smallest, and most medium-sized names in spoken word, comedy, cabaret, and music straight from their YouTube to your couch.

Glasgow Women's Library Archive
Glasgow Women's Library, Glasgow
If you're missing your local library, or just want an extra dose of culture in your life, don't forget many of your local libraries, museums and archives will be online. We're loving snooping around Glasgow Women's Library's collections, with over a hundred feminist gems on display. Image: Glasgow Women's Library.

Lighthouse Life Raft
Various dates
Lighthouse Books have come up with an exciting new initiative to battle this time of social isolation. Lighthouse Life Raft is a series of exclusive author interviews, readings and recommendations being released over the next few weeks: keep an eye on their socials and newsletter for more. Image: Lighthouse Books.

Golden Hare Books Recommends!
Golden Hare Books, Edinburgh
We've asked local bookshops to curate lists for all you book-deprived folk out there. This week, the wonderful people at Golden Hare Books are sharing their top reads. Although their physical shop is closed, you can still order all of these titles through them - just head to their online shop.

The Adventures of China Iron by Gabriela Cabezon Camara
(Golden Hare say: "Translated fiction of the highest calibre from one of Edinburgh's best small publishers that subversively reinvents an Argentinian gaucho epic.")
Truestory by Catharine Simpson (pictured)
The Sea Cloak by Nayrouz Qarmout
Nothing to See Here by Kevin Wilson
Things We Say in the Dark by Kirsty Logan

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Brooklyn 99 Season 6
Netflix, 28 Mar
We all need a laugh in this time of great stress and what better than the latest full season of everyone's favourite sitcom, which is finally dropping on UK Netflix. And if you need to binge watch the previous five seasons in the next *checks watch* two days, well, who's going to stop you?

Smith & Gertrude@Home
Smith and Gertrude, Edinburgh
More and more bars are turning to delivery to get through these weeks, and we're delighted that chic wine bar Smith & Gertrude have joined the list. Delivering Thursdays through to Sundays, opt for carefully curated wines, fresh bread, or their wine and cheese packs. Image: Smith & Gertrude.

The Stand Comedy Night
YouTube, 28 Mar, 8:30pm
Following a wildly successful stream last Saturday, The Stand are back with another Saturday night virtual comedy show. Tune into their Youtube link for pre-recorded exclusive sets by Frankie Boyle, Daniel Sloss, Mark Nelson and other unmissable names. Image: Louise Lockhart.

Celebrated by Strangers – Catholic Action
Streaming on Spotify and other platforms
Very aptly titled, Catholic Action's new album Celebrated by Strangers is released on Friday 27 March, and we're here to laud its praises. If you're feeling like angry shouting some socially conscious indie rock (and honestly who isn't), then this is the album for you.

Read more news from across the Scottish cultural scene at theskinny.co.uk/news
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