What's On Scotland 7-13 Mar: Glasgow Comedy Festival + more
Look ahead to Glasgow International Comedy Festival, StAnza poetry festival, gigs from Marika Hackman and Rebecca Vasmant Ensemble in this week's Zap
There’s not been much worth laughing about of late, so we’re feeling hopeful that our funny bones are about to be well and truly tickled in the west, thanks to the annual Glasgow International Comedy Festival which sees the likes of Sophie Duker, Rosie Jones, Leslie Liao and Kemah Bob roll into town. Taking over the city for two and a half gag-packed weeks, their 500-strong programme kicks off on Wednesday 13 March with Wobservations from 2022 Edinburgh Comedy Award winner and recent Taskmaster star Sam Campbell.
There’s plenty of local talent to be found throughout the month too. David Callaghan’s moving comedy-theatre show Everything That’s Me Is Falling Apart takes centre stage at The Old Hairdresser’s on opening night (13 Mar, 7:30pm); Mara Joy previews her first stand-up hour at Drygate (Peaks Bar, 18 Mar, 9pm); Krystal Evans brings a work in progress (28 Mar, 6.30pm) as well as her fantastic Edinburgh Fringe show (22 Mar, 6pm) to Blackfriars, and Liam Withnail (pictured) brings his acclaimed show Chronic Boom to The Stand (29 Mar, 8pm).
GICF runs 13-31 Mar. For the lineup head to glasgowcomedyfestival.com
LUNCHTIME READING:
Tackling Misogyny in Scottish Music
In light of the recent Misogyny in Music report, to give a snapshot of the music industry at play in Scotland, we chat to six women and nb people about their experiences navigating this so-called 'Boys’ Club'. Illustration: Marie-Lulu Högemann
SCO: Time and Tides
Holy Trinity Church, St Andrews. 13 Mar; The Queen's Hall, Edinburgh. 14 Mar; City Halls, Glasgow. 15 Mar
The Scottish Chamber Orchestra’s Time and Tides three-night series kicks off in St Andrews on Wednesday 13 March. With the evenings built around SCO alumna Anna Clyne’s violin concerto Time and Tides, violinist and director Pekka Kuusisto is joined by fiddle player Aidan O’Rourke and soprano Ruby Hughes for what is set to be a true celebration of the union of classical and traditional music.
Marika Hackman
Oran Mor, Glasgow, 12 Mar
Fresh from releasing her gorgeous fourth studio album Big Sigh at the start of the year, singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer Marika Hackman’s UK and EU tour kicks off in Glasgow on Tuesday. The album is full of luscious textured arrangements, complex narratives and deep introspection; expect to be captivated from start to finish as you witness Hackman entering the start of a new era.
Rebecca Vasmant Live Ensemble
Summerhall, Edinburgh, 9 Mar
Following the release of her sensational debut album, With Love, From Glasgow, Rebecca Vasmant has pulled together some of the finest musicians coming out of Glasgow’s white-hot jazz scene – Graham Costello, Harry Weir and Amanda Whiting to name a few. Catch Vasmant and co, with support from 2023 BBC Introducing Scottish Act of the Year Terra Kin, on Saturday as part of Summerhall’s exhilarating new Mare Music series.
StAnza
Various venues, St Andrews, 8-10 Mar
There’s an embarrassment of riches at Scotland’s international poetry festival this year. Big names abound – including past and present Scots Makars Liz Lochhead and Kathleen Jamie, Moroccan poet Mouna Ouafik and a closing event with 2023 TS Eliot Prize for Poetry winner, Anthony Joseph – as well as workshops with the likes of Maria Sledmere and Glasgow Zine Library and morning Poetry Cafés.
Rufus Wainwright LIVE with the BBC SSO
Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, Glasgow, 10 Mar
Baroque pop idol, Rufus Wainwright performs music from his Want One and Want Two albums, LIVE with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra at the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall on Sunday 10 March.
Get ready for new orchestral arrangements that blend Wainwright's extraordinary talent with the enchanting sounds of a live symphony orchestra. Join the orchestra for his only Scottish tour date and enjoy an unforgettable night of lush orchestral brilliance.
Tickets at bbc.co.uk/bbcsso
↪ 2024 Oscar Nominated Shorts: Live Action
Cameo, Edinburgh, 9 Mar, 11am
Ahead of the 96th Oscars ceremony, brush up on one of the more niche categories: Best live action short film. This Saturday, the Cameo screen all five shorts up for the award, including Wes Anderson’s take on Roald Dahl’s The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar (pictured), Misan Harriman’s directorial debut The After, and Nazrin Choudhury’s urgent Red, White and Blue.
→ RARE Club: Confidence Man (DJs)
The Caves, Edinburgh. 8 Mar, 11pm
Australian party-starters Confidence Man are known for their raucous all-singing, all-dancing live shows, but this month they’re hitting the road as a DJ outfit, so who knows what to expect. One thing we can guarantee is that they will most certainly bring the party; according to their Instagram it will be both “freaky” and “sensual”.
→ La Niña Barro
Roxy Theatre, Upstairs, Edinburgh, 7-9 Mar, 8pm
Having premiered a decade ago at the Fringe, we’re delighted to welcome the return of the Fronteiras Theatre Lab’s international hit, La Niña Barro to the capital. Featuring the original cast, who use the nude body as a tool for physical theatre, this iteration of the show is impacted by changes to our environment and culture over the past decade.
Competitions
– Win Biscuit Factory Beverage Festival tickets and a host of festival goodies. Enter at the link, closes 31 Mar at midnight.
– Win Perth Museum Unicorn exhibition tickets ... and a limited edition bottle of Dewar's whisky. Enter at the link, closes 31 Mar at midnight.