EXTRA

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This section gives details of special selected events taking place within Edinburgh and Glasgow and around the Central Belt this fortnight.

Listin s are com iled by date, place and en event. istings compi ed by Brian Donaldson.

FRIDAY 10

Glasgow

Modern Homes Exhibition 1997 SECC. Finnieston Quay. info: 248 3000. Until Sun 19. Mon—Fn’ noon—9.30pm. Sat/Sun noon—7pm. £4.50 (£3). Looking for brand spanking new ideas to turn your abode into the home of your dreams? Cease looking as the the biggest home and garden roadshow in the country comes to town. Roam around the Showhouse. rub shoulders with superstars such as GMTV‘s Ross Burden and Ready, Steady Cook’s Richard Cawley and observe as The Scottish Homes Interior Designer of the Year go into battle.

Edinburgh

Commonwealth ‘97 Various venues. info: 469 3547. As the leaders of the Commonwealth hugger down for negoti- ations. there is an events frenzy occuring to remind us that the spirit of the Commonwealth is a bit more than a very large talkin shop. See photo caption. Original Etfinburgh Literary Pub Tour The Beehive 1nn,Grassmarket. info; 226 6665. 7.30pm. £6 (£5). A great excuse to educate yourself through alcohol as the tour follows in the footsteps of Rabbie. Sir Walter. Robert Louis and Irvine across the ale houses of the city. The tour is now running Thursdays to Sundays.

North lanarltshire

North Lanarkshire Cultural Festival Various venues, info: 01698 267515. Until 25 Oct. Three weeks of music. dance. an. theatre. workshops. competitions and open days. Some of the highlights include comedy mistress Dorothy Paul. jazz chanteuse Carol Kidd. kids‘ fave Magic Bob. Communicado‘s The Suicide. Cwni Ballet Gwent‘s production ofA Midsummer Night's Dream. cuddly comic turned dark humourist Sean Hughes and the legendary Motherwell Beer Festival.

Aberdeen

Aberdeen Alternative Festival Various venues. info: 01224 635822. Until Sat 18. This year‘s festival is a superb collection of artistic endeavour across the spectrum with performers eyeing up the Trinity Award for the best act at the festival as voted for by you. the people. See separate listings. page 99.

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94 THE LIST 10 Oct—23 Oct 1997

Benfrew

Renfrew 600 Various venues. info: 0141 886 1997. Until 31 Dec. This fortnight’s happenings to help the town celebrate its big year include the J azzband Ball (Fri 10), local art exhibition (Sat l8—Fri 24) and Flamenco marvels Jaleo (Thu 23).

SATURDAY 11 Glasgow

Indian Woven Textiles Exhibition Pollokshields Library. Leslie Street. info: 422 1460. 9.15am—4.15pm. free. Need a bedspread, throwover or wall hanging? This display is made up of selected traditional Indian textiles woven into plant motifs from 100% cotton and dyed in bright colours. A repeat performance on Sat 18.

Aviemore

Scottish Balloon Festival Rothiemurchus Estate. 01479 810647. Until Sun 12, £3 (£1.50). fatnily weekend ticket £15. The inaugural Scottish hot-air event features medieval jousting. parachute and kite displays. laser show, pipe bands, fireworks and live music all set against the backdrop of the Caimgorms.

Aviemore

Scottish Balloon Festival Rothiemurchus Estate. 01479 810647. Until Sun 12. £3 (£1.50). family weekend ticket £15. See Sat 11.

WEDNESDAY 15 Edinburgh Morningside Justice and Peace Group Open Door. Momingside Road. info: 445 1628/229 1020. 10.30-11.30am. 50p. These meetings are open to all with debates on issues of local. national and international interest. The autumn season contines with Life in Hungary. Edinburgh Greenpeace Campaigning Group Bannerman's Bar. Cowgate. info: 557 5204. 8pm, free. With current campaigns on the go such as preventing deep sea oil exploration off the West Coast of Scotland and nuclear discharges from Sellafteld. the group will be happy to greet new members.

THURSDAY 16 Argyl Historic Features of Benmore Younger Botanic Garden Benmore, Dunoon. 01369 706261. 2pm. £2 (£1.50/50p) family ticket £4.50. Discover the historical background to some of the key features in this Argyll

COMMONWEALTH ’97 Various venues, Edinburgh, info: 469 3547. Unless you’re mates with Nelson Mandela, the leaders' conference will probably

e out of bounds but there are loads of events to immerse

ouinthe

true spirit of the Commonwealth. On Tue 21, the doors of t e Assembly Rooms are thrust wide under the aus ices of the Commonwealth Centre with exhibitions, cafe and bar, works ops and the Africa Bus. The celebrations continue well after the leaders have turned on their heels with events such as the Edinburgh Plantathon, the India 50 photographic exhibition, the Commonwealth Film Festival and performances of Giselle (above) from the Royal Winnipeg Ballet and Scottish Chamber Orchestra.

botanical paradise including Puck‘s Hut. Benmore House and the Redwood Avenue.

SATURDAY 18

Glasgow

National Wedding Show SECC. Finnieston Quay. 248 3000. until Sun 19. 10am—6pm. £6 (£5 in advance). Arguably the biggest parade of marital merchandise and marketing in the UK. Six daily fashion shows. the Designer Emporium. a limousine showcase. designer florists and a chance to win a fourteen day honeymoon in Jamaica.

Indian Woven Textiles Exhibition Pollokshields Library. Leslie Street. info: 422 1460. 9.15am—4.15pm. free. See Sat 1 1.

Melrose

Apple Day Earthward. Tweed Horizons. Newton St Boswells. info: 01835 822122. 11am—4pm. free (£2 charge for your car). Fun-filled frolics to celebrate and investigate apple varieties with

cooking displays. tnusic. dance and games.

TUESDAY 21

Edinburgh

Dickie Bird John Menzies. Princes Street. 226 6214. l—2pm. free. Legendary cricket umpire Dickie Bird pops in to sign copies of his autobiography entitled. would you believe. Dickie Bird: My Autobiography. in it. he analysesjust why the English are repeatedly humped in the Ashes. slams the current trend of circuit training and why he turned down the Kerry Packer circus.

Edinburgh

Momingside Justice and Peace Group Open Door. Momingside Road. info: 445 1628/229 1020.

1030—] 1.30am. 50p. This morning‘s heated debate is entitled How can peace management be effected?

For a free brochure detailing over 40 new Scottish books and 70 free Scottish Book Fortnight

events throughout Scotland please contact: Scottish Book Marketing Group - 0131 228 6866

or you r local library and bookseller.