I This year's List Eating and Drinking Guide awards took place at Glasgow‘s Classic Grand on Tuesday 24 April. The event. catered by Heart and Buchanan, was a great success with guide editors Barry Shelby (pictured, left) and Donald Reid (right) presenting awards for Best Restaurant. Best Newcomer and Best Budget Restaurant in both Edinburgh and Glasgow. including Edinburgh Restaurant of the Year. The Kitchin. whose award was accepted by Michaela Kitchin (also pictured).

I Alan Carr has been confirmed as the host of this year’s Comedy Gala in aid of Waverley Care. The comedian and star of The Friday Night Project (pictured) is not performing in a solo Fringe show this year so the gala will be one of only two live appearances in the capital. Carr said of the gig, ‘I’m really excited to be involved in the Comedy Gala as it’s always a fantastic night, and for a great cause. I appeared as a guest in 2005, this year I’m hosting it - next year I’ll probably be selling the ice cream.’ Tickets for the event, which takes place at the Edinburgh Festival Theatre, and is generally a roll call of the best

y 2007

comedy acts at the Festival, are now on sale. www.eft.co.uk

I An exhibition of work by artists shortlisted for the inaugural Jolomo award for landscape painting will take place in the Atrium of Duncan House. 120 George Street, Edinburgh. from Friday l—Mon 18 June. The award. named after and funded by John Lowrie Morrison. one of Scotland's most successful artists, was set up to encourage and promote the painting of the Scottish landscape. The nine shortlisted artists. who hail from as far afield as Harris. include Sian

McQueen. whose work includes ‘Seawall, Argyll' (pictured). Morrison said of the shortlist ‘It has been a fascinating year since we launched this award. The interest in the whole project has been great and I believe that we have uncovered some real talent in landscape painting for the future of Scottish art.‘ The wrnner will be announced at a ceremony on Thursday 21 June.

I Following the disappointing news at the end of last year that the Scottish Arts Council (SAC)

M M A cunning fusion of Brazilian and British

musical skills is being showcased at a series of gigs in Glasgow this July. The series of gigs, in association with TrocaBrahma beer, are the result of an exchange programme where UK artists travel to South America to collaborate with kindred spirits from Brazil. These shows will be the fruits of these meetings. Psych-rock legends Os Mutantes team up with the Optimo DJs while King Creosote collaborates with Romulo Froes, Gruff Rhys of Super Furry Animals performs with Tony da Gatorra, and UK junglist Ben Westbeech meets Tita Lima at an event hosted by Gilles Peterson. I Various venues. G/asgow. Thu 26—Sun 25) July. For more vr'srt www. trocabra/ l/7 ra. cor r r.

had declined their application for bouldering facilities and a f()()ft aerial funding, the Indian Music and Dance Collective (lMDCoII) have been inundated with offers of support. Current and past students, parents and members of the community have written letters to the SAC, MSPs and government ministers about the impact the organisation had made on their lives. lMDColI are currently appealing against the SAC’s decision, keeping as much activity going as possible by using volunteers, partnering with Dance Ihayami, and minimising other costs. www.imdcoll.org.uk

assault course. The launch Will be marked by a family fun weekend (Friday 25—Mon 28 May). which offers climbers the chance to compete in various events as well as bouncy castles and face painting for the kids. www.crca-ratho.com

I The Edinburgh International Climbing Arena officially reopens this month followrng) a 5‘6 million refurbishment. The unique i)ll|i(ill)fi. grafted onto the (iiiar‘ry‘s rock face at Ratho, now features such dynamic delights as three highly advanced

climbier walls, more than 1300 routes.