Floral feast at the Botanics, Sat 27 Mar

I A Crime Tale of Two Cities Tron Theatre. 63 'l’rongate. 552 4267. 6.30pm. £3. Best-selling crime writers Denise Mina. Louise Welsh. Quintin Jardine and (‘ampbell Armstrong get together to launch a series of crime- writing events. Highly recommended.

Edinburgh

I Curator’s Choice: Matisse 8- Rosso National (iallery of Modern Art. 75 Belford Road. 624 6200. l2.45pm. Free. Patrick lilliot disctisses works by Matisse and Rosso.

North Queensferry

I Endangered Species Deep-Sea \Vot'ld. ()l 383 4| l880. £7.95

(£5.75 £6.50): family ticket £26. See Thu l8.

Glasgow

I Sarah Payne 8. Patrick Redmond ()ttakar‘s Bookstore. l’nit 6. Buchanan (iallet'ies. Buchanan Street. 353 I500. 6.30pm. Learn about psychological crime writing with Sarah Rayne and Patrick Redmond.

I Big Word Performance Poetry The Vault. l l l() Pollokshaws Road. Shawlands. 649 0007. 8pm. £4 (£3). Viv (iee. Anita (iovati and Jem Rolls bring their unique brand of hyperactive and hilarious performance poetry to the (ilasgow International (‘omedy Festival. For full comprehensive listings see ('otnedy page 74.

Edinburgh

I Bashabir Fraser: Tartan 8. Turban Blackwells (formerly James Thin South Bridge). 5.3 59 South Bridge. 622 8222. 6.30pm. l-‘ree but ticketed. The poet and Scottish/Indian writer disctisses issues of transculturalism and dual identity.

I Call my Quaff lidinburgh Zoo, ('ot‘storpliine Road. 334 9l7l. 7 9pm. £7 (£5). l'nder the expert gttidance of a master sommelier. join in this light hearted qui/. about wines from different regions.

North Queensferry

I Endangered Species Deep-Sea \Vorld. (H.383 4] I880. £7.95

(£5.75 £0.50): littltlll} ticket £20. See Thu l8.

Wednesday 24

Glasgow

I Curator’s Favourites Bttrrell (‘ollection. 2060 Pollokshaws Road. 287 2550. 12.30pm. l‘ree. Robert Wenley. curator of European art ( I600 I800) discusses Masterpieces of Dutch (ilass‘. I Crime Writing Workshop with Denise Mina & Louise Welsh ()ttakar's Bookstore. [hit 6. Buchanan (ialleries. Buchanan Street. 353 I500. 6.30pm. l.earn abotit writing crime fiction from two of the best in the business. Denise Mina and Louise Welsh. Highly recommended.

Edinburgh

I South Africa: Hope or Despair? Morningside Justice and Peace (iroup. 420 Morningside Road. 44l 2169. l0.30am. £l. ProfJames l.awrie discusses the issttes going on in this multifaceted landscape.

I Merlin James: Easel Painting (Talk) Talbot Rice (iallery. l'niversity of lidinburgh. South Bridge. 650 2210. lptn. l’ree. Round room discussion with lillen .‘vlum'o.

I Brian Whittingham 8. Alistair Findlay ()ttakar's. 57 (ieorge Street. 225 4495. 7pm. liree. Poets Brian \\'liittittgltztttt arid Alistair l-‘indlay read from their poetry collections.

I Sustrans Scotland Augustine t'nited (‘hurch. 4l (ieorge l\' Bridge. 220 1677. 7.30pm. Free. Spring public meeting where Sustrans Scotland describe the many exciting projects underway including safe routes to school. travel planning and tnore.

North Queensferry

I Endangered Species Deep-Sea \\'t)t'ltl. (H 383 4| 1880. £7.95

(£5.75 £6.50): fatnily ticket £26. See Thu 18.

Glasgow

I Brian Whittingham: Drink the Green Fairy Borders Books. 98 Buchanan Street. 222 7700. 6pm. Whittingham reads from his poetry collection about (ilasgow and the world of absinthe.

I Lindsay Davis ()ttakar's Bookstore. l'nit 6. Buchanan (ialleries. Buchanan Street. 353 I500. 6.30pm.

Hear frotn the author of the best selling Marcus l)idlus l’alco series. Lindsay Davis.

I Echo (ilasgow llniversity (‘ollege (‘Iub. University Ave. 7.30 9.30pm. Free. See Thu 18.

Edinburgh

I The Prince’s General lidinburgh ('astle. Royal Mile. 225 9846.

llatn 3.30pm. £|5 (£l0 £12). See Thu l8.

I Conservation Live! National (iallery of Scotland. the Mound. 624 6200. 6pm. Free. A unique chance to see how paintings are conserved as Michael (iallagher. director of conservation and his team embark on conserving the National (ialleries‘ largest painting. Alexander III a/‘Sentlaml Reseller/from the Fury Ufa Stay by the Irttt'epirlity of (‘01:?) Fitzgerald by Benjamin West. There are three talks doettmenting the start. middle and end of the conservation work.

I Douglas Maxwell Lecture lnstitut l‘rancais d‘lieosse. l3 Randolph (‘rescent. 225 5366. 6.30pm. Free. Playwright Douglas Maxwell gives a lecture as part of the first World Week of Modern Theatre writing. l-‘ans may remember Maxwell's festival hit. Variety.

I John Honeyman - Architect RIAS (iallery. l5 Rtttland Square. 229 7545. 7pm. £4. Principal architect of Keppie Design. David Stark. talks about the founder of the architectural practice John llotneytnan.

I SiLENCiO (‘ounting House. West Nieolson Street. 667 0876. 7.30pm lam. £3 (£2). Surreal and glamorous offerings as always courtesy of this innovative performance piece featuring experimental music. theatre. spoken word. visuals. comedy and more with surprise MC Ali and D] Daniel. (‘reative vintage/glam encouraged.

North Queensferry

I Endangered Species Deep—Sea World. (H.383 4| I880. £7.95

(£5.75 £6.50); fatnily ticket £26. See Thu l8.

Glas ow

I An y Serkis: Gollum, How we Made Movie Magic Borders Books. 98 Buchanan Street. 222 7700. |.30pm. l-‘ree. The actor Andy Serkis. who played (iollum in the Lani aft/1e Rings movies. will be signing copies of his book. (in/lam: How We Made Movie Magic.

Edinburgh

I The Prince’s General lidinburgh ('astle. Royal Mile. 225 9846.

Ilam 3.30pm. £15 (£l0 £l2). See Thu I8.

I Charity Ceilidh Event The King James Thistle Hotel. l.eith. ()7884 373642. 7.30pm. £l5. (‘eilidh with Scottish dance. bands. guest speakers. auction and more with proceeds going to charity.

I MARS - The Edwin Morgan Poetry Competition 2004 Queen's Hall. (‘lerk Street. 668 2019. 7.30pm. £5 (£3). l’inal selection of entries for the second competition in honour of the well loved (ilasgow‘s Poet Laureate and based on the theme Mars.

North Queensferry

I Endangered Species Deep-Sea World. 0| 383 4| 1880. £7.95

(£5.75 £6.50); fatnily ticket £26. See Thu l8.

Glasgow

I Farmers Market Mansfield Park. Hyndland Street. 287 2000. 10am 3pm. Free. A chance to buy fresh produce direct from the farmers.

Citylife

THE BEST EVENTS THIS Fl

As St Andrews extends its literary hand and welcomes the StAnza poetry festival, we select the events that most make it worth the train fare.

Stanza Poetry Festival Launch Minister for culture Frank McAveety opens the 2004 StAnza Poetry Festival. With poetry from Kit Wright and a trumpet fanfare by Richard Merchant. Crawford Arts Centre, 93 North Street, 07 334 474670. 5pm. Free.

Peter Read Professor Read examines how poets experimented with collage. layout and typography in 20th century France, Italy and Scotland. Byre Theatre, Abbey Street, 07 334 475000. 3.30pm. £4 (82).

Poetry Reading: Wendy Cope and Kit Wright Poetry readings from the wonderful Wendy Cope and poet-in- residence Kit Wright. Byre Theatre, Abbey Street, 07334 475000. 8pm. £9 (£4).

Louis de Bernieres The best-selling author of Captain Core/It's Mandolin (pictured) talks to Fiona Morrison about the importance of poetry in his work. Byre Theatre, Abbey Street, 07334 475000. 3pm. £7 (£3).

Talkin’ Bob Dylan: Stephen Scobie 8. Neil Corcoran A discussion on the influence of Bob Dylan as songwriter and poet. Byre Theatre, Abbey Street, 07334 475000. 3.30pm. £5 (£2.50).

I Faith to Faith St Mungo Museum of Religious Life And Art. 2 ('astle Street. 553 2557. 2 4pm. Free. A talk and workshop focusing on the many different faiths in the city entitled ‘Discovering African Religions'.

I Late Night Poetry with lain Heggie Tron Theatre. 63 'l‘rongate. 552 4267. l0pm. l’ree. Writer lleggie asks you tojoin him for a late night poetry session after the performance of his latest play. .Saia'ltr'e/tal/ Street. With multifaceted Vanishing Point theatre company at the helm of this comedy. this is definitely worth a look. See theatre preview page 66.

18 Mar 1 Apr 7004 THE LIST 101