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Playing fair

Free entry to the Fair Trade Experience with The List. Words: Allan Radcliffe

ver the past few years. politicians and retailers

have been working hard to cement Scotland‘s

reputation as a fair trade nation. It‘s not often. however. that the country‘s consumers get the chance to see the effects of their ethical buying in action.

On Saturday 3 and Sunday 4 March. Glasgost Royal Concert Hall will play host to Scotland‘s biggest celebration of Fair Trade with the fifth annual Fair Trade lixperience. which this year highlights the burgeoning links between Scotland and Malawi.

Among this year's visiting key speakers are two Fair

Trade producers from Malawi. They are I)yborn (‘hibonga. who works with peanut farmers through the National Smallholder Malawiland and Brian Namata. who represents a group of smallholder sugar farmers in the south of the country.

Farmers‘ Association of

A Fair Trade tasting event

Both will discuss the positive impact that Fair Trade consumers in Scotland are having on their lives. And it doesn‘t end there. The two day event also hosts

live world music and features free craft activities for

kids. an extensive Malawi photographic exhibition and a number of stalls offering Fair Trade food and drink.

jewellery. clothes and crafts all made by small scale

producers in the developing world. Interested parties can also hook tip with the Global Banner Procession. which leaves George Square at l2.45pm on Saturday 3 March having already crossed ()0 countries since leaving Mumbai in January 2004.

The Fair Trade Experience takes place at The Glasgow Royal Concert Hall (Strathclyde Suite). Ently is £l (kids go free). However the organisers are offering lucky List readers free entry to the event with their copy of the magazine.

DONATE TO MAGGIE'S WITH THE GLASGOW COMEDY FESTIVAL

I Laughter will literally be the best medicine at this year’s Glasgow International

Comedy Festival. Mention ‘Maggie’s Offer’ when booking tickets for legendary double

act Cannon and Ball on Wednesday 14 March or The Friday Night Project’s Alan Carr (pictured) on Saturday 17 March and a donation of £5 from the sale will be made towards Maggie’s Cancer Caring Centres.

For ten years Maggie’s Centres have offered free of charge psychological and emotional support and practical information to people affected by cancer.

Linda Allan, coordinator for the Glasgow International Comedy Festival, said: ‘The Festival is delighted to be able to assist Maggie’s in raising funds for their Centres which provide such valuable support for people with cancer and their families’. Both shows are on at the city’s King’s Theatre. For tickets call 0141 240 1111. (AR)

I Dundee Contemporary Arts show off the burgeoning Dundee music scene on Thursday 1 March with a day of screenings and live music. Simon Poon Tip of PTE Media discusses his music videos for Dundee rapscallions The Wew (singer Kyle Falconer, pictured) and The Fratellis, before the world premiere of his documentary on the former. In the evening The Dirty Wee Middens (a Dundee zombie horror punk band) will be playing to celebrate the recent release of their first album Crack Open a Cold One. See www.dca.org.uk for more details.

I A tented village of Fringe venues is to be created on the gap site left by the Cowgate fire of 2002, which destroyed the Gilded Balloon. The idea was dreamed up by C Venues impressario Hartley Kemp and will include temporary cafes and bars as well as performance spaces.

I New Glasgow-based visual arts organisation the Common Guild is to present its first event, a live performance by artist Martin Creed on Saturday 10 March. Creed’s ‘Words and Music’, which stems from his desire to ‘communicate somehow’ will be presented at the RSAMD’s New Atheneum theatre.

1 15) Mar 1200? THE LIST 7