Around Town

SITE SPECIFICS

Being a new regular column where we take a fresh look at an old favourite attraction somewhere in the Central Belt.

THIS FOBTHIGHT: THE MUSEUM OF CHILDHOOD, EDINBURGH

What is it?

Two converted old buildings on the Royal Mile. housing a very impressive selection of toys and children's clothes. concentrating on the 18th—20th centuries. What’s it like then?

Not as big as you remember it being when you were little. There are some genuinely lovely pieces on show in the five themed galleries. but almost everything is behind glass. which must be frustrating for tiny tots. It's probably got more appeal for nostalgic adults; really if you were taken there as a child. you'll be delighted to discover that your favourite pieces are still there. What are the best bits?

We were excited by memories of the spooky piano that played itself (we’ve since found out this is called a ‘nickelodeon’ see. educational tool) and the coin-fed puppet horror show. Unfortunately all of the machines are currently out of order. as they’re old and expensive to fix. so we're going for the five foot-high dolls' houses in the miniatures section. where you can coo over the sheer detail of the work, with an honourable mention for Alf the meny-go- round horse.

How much will it cost?

Entry is free. We think you should make a huge donation to help get the nickelodeon working again. though.

Is there a cafe?

No. but it's on the Royal Mile. so you won't starve. There is an excellent toyshop. though. selling everything from bright kiddies macs to well-chosen books.

i’m feeling a little nostalgic, today. iiow do i get there? Being slap bang in the city centre. there are lots of good bus links. LRT's 35 actually stops outside the door. It's also a short walk from the Market Street entrance of Waverley Station.

I 42 High Street. Royal Mile, 0131 529 4142, Mon-Sat 10am—5pm, Sundays 12—5pm

28 THE LIST 53—19 Mar 2009

Events are listed by city, then type. Submit listings at least 14 days beiore publication to sportelistcomk for sport or aroundtownOlichomk for all other events. Listings compiled by Kirstin innes.

:l: indicates Hitlist entry

Glasgow

Activities & Events Allen Wars l'ntil Wed 31 Mar. The Arches. 353 Argyle Street. 565 I000. 330- l0pm. £l0 t£8; 5 for under 16st. Terrifying total reality experience with actual genuine Facehuggers. From the planet Zoink. Have you got the. er. guts for it'.’ Cryptic Nights Thu 5 Mar. C(‘A. 350 Sauchiehall Street. 353 4900. 8pm. £5. A new monthly night. run by Theatre Cryptic aitning to bring emergent artist. filmmakers and performers into the public eye whilst celebrating the possibilities of the CCA as a venue. There's a special meal deal available. with talks or performances followed by live music. This month. Bare Wires reinvent classical mUsic alongside acoustic musings from (ilasgow singer Anna Meldrum. Karaoke Rockstar Thu 5 Mar. The Sports Cafe. 393- 33! Sauchiehall Street. 8pm. Free before £‘)pm. liind karaoke a bit too tame‘.’ Really want to prove your rock star mettle'.’ Why not hop up in front of a live rock band. with backing singers. and unleash your inner Axl'.’. LENTtest until Sun l3 Apr. Various Venues. 433 9553. Times and prices vary. Annual faith-based arts festival organised by AGAP (Archdiocese of (ilasgow Arts Project) featuring music. theatre. film. dance and visual art.

Women of the Merchant City

History Walk Sun 8 Mar. (ilasgovv Women‘s Library. 3nd Floor. 8i Parnie Street. 553 8345. 3-4pm. £6.50. See Hitlist. DiScOmBoBuLaTe Tue 10 Mar. (‘(‘A. 350 Sauchiehall Street. 353 4900. 7.30pm. £4 (£3). Ian Macl’herson hosts another verbose outing of the literary'/coniedy/riiusic/perf‘oriiiarice/w'hate ver evening with readings from AL Kennedy. lain Heggie. Alan Bissett and

others. Tickets available at the door.

FREE Women Writers Unite: Women

and Animals Thu 13 Mar. (ilasgovv

Women's Library. 3nd Floor. 8| Parnie Street. 553 8345. 7—9plll. The first iii a series of writer's evenings introduced by Zoe Strachan and Eli/abeth Reeder with readings from Mandy Haggith and others. FREE St Patrick’s Day: Go Where lreland Takes You Sat 14 Mar. Merchant Square. The Courtyard. 71—73 Albion Street. l0arii«4.30pm. Tourism Ireland are turning Glasgow’s Merchant Square into a traditional Irish village this St Patrick's Day. Look out for 'Strictly

Come lrish Dancing'. a chance to try'

traditional Irish dancing and an appearance by celebrity host [iaiiionri Holmes.

Marie Curie Great Gatsby Daffodil Ball Sat 14 Mar. Hilton Hotel. I William Street. 304 5555. 7pm. £800 for a table of ten. Decadent Daisy's‘ and gorgeous (iatsbys sought for one of Glasgow's biggest annual charity fundraising balls. Flip on your flapper frock and get a table of bright young things together.

FREE Monosyilabic Thu It) Mar. Mono. [3 Kings Court. King Street. 553 3400. 8pm. Mono get into the spoken word game.

Exhibitions FREE Ancient Greeks: Athletes,

Warriors and Heroes Burrell

Collection. 3060 Pollokshaws Road. 387 3550. L'ntil Mon 4 May. Mon—Thu & Sat 10am-5pm; Fri 8; Sun 1 lam—5pm. With heroes. gods. monsters. athletes. music. drama and philosophy rampant. there was never a dull moment in Ancient Greece. Featuring one of the largest collections of Greek anefacts on loan from the British

Mtiseum. this C\lllhllltlll\ many interactive elements make it a great introduction lo the Ancient (irL‘L‘ks for s‘hllde‘il 100.

FREE Crowning Glory Collins (iallery.

33 Richmond Street. 548 3558 l'iitil Sat 38 Mar «not SiinI. 10am 5pm; noon 4pm. Hats arid garments by members of the International li'ltniakers' .-\ssociatron FREE Fassbinder 1945-1982 (ioethe liistitiit. 3 Park Circus. 333 3555. l'ntil Tue 31 Mar triot Suni. Mon

4 6.30pm; Tue noon 6.30pm; Wed

noon 6.30pm; Thu noon 8.30prii; l'Tl noon 4pm; Sat 9.30am 1.30pm. Created by the (itK‘lllt‘dllSIIIUI to mark the 35th anniversary of RW l-assbinder's death in 3007. this evhibition consists of eight prints of original (iermaii film posters and statements by international directors about his influence on them.

FREE Lord Kelvin: Revolutionary Scientist llunterian Miiseum. (iilbert Scott Building. l'niversity of (ilasgow. 330 433 l, l'ntil Thu 30 Apr tnot Surii. 9.30am 5pm. This permanent display is based around the life and work of Lord Kelvin. An evcitmg miv of hands-on activities. original scientific instruments. demonstrations and ctimputer~generated images. And physics.

Skin Deep: A History of Tattooing The Tall Ship at (ilasgow Harbour. 100 Stobcross Road. 333 3513. l'titil Sun 17 May. lllilill~4pliL Included iii admission: £4.05 (£3.75: first child free; additional children £3.50). A travelling exhibition from the National Maritime Miiseum. (ireenw'ich. Londoti. which traces the development of inking from homemade sailor blues to today 's prolific tribal designs. Arr.

FREE Uncovering industry: The M74 Dig Scotland Street School Miiseum. Museum of liducation. 335 Scotland Street. 387 0500. l'ntil Wed l Apr. l0aiti~5pni1 1 Iran 5pm. An exhibit of the finds by those archaeologists who have been exploring sites along the route of the M74 Completion. Much has been revealed about the area's industrial past.

Fairs & Festivals Silent Art Auction t'ntil Sat 3l Mar. Montgomery's Coffee House. 9 Radrior

Clothes Customisinq Workshop & Swap

Street. 35 1666. Bid for work by local artists. and support Yorkhill Children‘s Hospital Closing event. Saturday 31 March. 6.30pm.

FREE International Scottish Student Festival Sat Mar. Allen (ilen's Catiipiis. Central College. Cathedral Street. I laiti See picture caption Glasgow Music Fair Sal l4 Mar. Royal Concert Hall livhibttion Hall. 3 Saiichiehall Street. 353 8000 10am. £3 Huge sale of CDs. vinyl arid niiisic memorabilia. (io to w w w sip-34coni for further details.

Talks

The Problem with the Paranormal Thu 5 Mar. l'niversity of(ilasgow. Boyd ()rr Budding. 33‘) 8855. 7.30pm. £4 non members tmembers lreei lniies Smith. Research Officer for the Scottish Society for l’sycliical Research. discusses challenges presented by paranormal phenomena, Like poltet‘geists iiiov ing your equipment. we bet.

Glasgow’s Women and the Abolition Movement Walk Sun l5 Mar. Cilasgow Women's Library. 3nd Floor. «Sl l’arnte Street. 553 S345.

l0am noon. £6.50. A w alking tour round (ilasgow City Centre with accompanying facts about the presence and contributions of local women and families in the abolition movement. Booking essential.

Spon

Davis Cup: Great Britain vs Ukraine Fri 6 Mar. lir‘aehead Arena. Kitigs lrich Road. 0870 444 6063. Times vary. £35 (£33; children £8 £1”; one free child with full paying adult l. A chance to see a Davis Cup Tie iti Scotland for only the third tiriie on 40 years. The Davis Cup is awarded to tennis players. by the way. We tutu/Iv knew that.

Scottish Wrestling Alliance: Live Pro Wrestling Sat 7 Mar. Bellaliouston Leisure Centre. 3| Bellahouston Drive. 437 5454. 60pm. £8 (£6l. Adam Shame li'tt‘i’f/i'lll littlllcl) tlL‘l'L'lltls lllL' NW'A Scottish Heavyweight Chatripionship against Lionheart and HT (iiinn in a triple threat match.

The Cheer Challenge Sun l5 Mar. Braehead Arena. Kings lnch Road, 0870

Clothes swap parties are nothing new these days, but given the current economic climate, they are looking increasingly essential, and given the well-dressed lovelies who tend to shop and/or hang out at Glasgow fashion den Che Camille, you’re bound to find something good at this one. Swap embarrassing wardrobe items (there will be an anonymous donations pile so you can hide your shameful shellsuit secrets) and cherished bits that no longer fit; or just get yourself inspired by the outstanding views. One of their in-house designers is also on hand to help out with on-the spot customising and alterations, in case any of

your finds don’t fit.

I Sun 75 Mar. Che Camille, Floor 6. Argyle Centre, Buchanan Street. Glasgow.