Around Town
THE FALKIRK WHEEL
Occupation?
The world's only rotating boatlift. There are two canals which run through Falkirk but don't connect. see? The Wheel lifts boats from one to the other. And commemorates the millennium. Aye, nine years ago it was millenniums as far as the eye could see round these parts. Now there's a big. ole functional sculpture in the way.
Really? Not just a ‘wheel’, then?
Not one at all, with its big, jaggedy, futuristic, sci-fi shape. Think tubes with teeth.
How does it work?
On the same energy as six toasters, apparently! lt's officially a marvel of engineering. Remember the Archimedes principle of displacement from physics lessons? The mass of the boat sailing into the gondola will displace an exactly proportional volume of water so that the final combination of ‘boat plus water‘ balances the original total mass. Up swings the boat! Obviously! Beg pardon?
Okay. Know how when you get in the bath and the water rises? It's something to do with that. Eureka! What else is there to do there?
It’s a favourite site for amateur photographers and boyracers alike, cos it just looks so weird. You can get married on it, or have your works' night out looking over the Forth Valley. wondering when all this will be yours. Kids can cavort in an actual Irn-Bru- themed play area. and there's a market every Sunday for your buy-low-sell-high needs.
Is there a cate?
Have soup and watch the boats go up and down. It‘s quite lulling, and the Wheel looks mighty from below.
How do I get there? Walkable from Falkirk High train station (it you're fit). Or else just sail your canal-boat there. posho. www.thefalkirkwheel.co.uk has all the info.
30 THE LIST 25 Jun—9 Jul 2009
Events are listed by city, then type. Submit listings at least 14 days before publication to sport@list.co.uk for sport or amundtown©list.co.uk for all other events. Listings compiled by Suzanne Black.
:1: Indicates l-litlist entry
Glasgow
Activities & Events Alien Wars L'ntil Sun 30 Aug. noon—10pm; Sat 10am—10pm. £10 (£8: under 16s £5). The Arches. 253 Argyle Street. 565 1000. Alien-inspired terrifying total reality experience in the creepy bowels of the Arches. West End Festival L'ntil Sun 28 Jun. times vary. Prices vary. Various venues. 341 0844. (ilasgow‘s West lind arts festival returns once again with more theatre. music. exhibitions. film. and activities including the midsummer street party. FREE Family Picnics at Crookson Castle L'ntil Sun 5 Jul. 1—4pm. (‘rookston Castle. Brockburn Road/Towerside Crescent. 882 3025. Bring your own picnic to (‘rookston Castle and enjoy free entertainment provided by magic man Ian Mulholland and local storyteller John Goodall. Greetin’ Glasgow Thu 25 Jun—Thu 9 Jul (not Sun). 1 1am 8; 2pm. £8 (accompanied children free). [)oulton Fountain. (ilasgow (ireen. 07751 976935. See Hitlist. The Scottish Minority Ethnic Achievement Awards 2009 Thu 25 Jun. 6.30pm. £650 per table. Hilton Hotel. 1 William Street. 20-4 5555. See Hitlisl. Glasgow Mod Weekender Fri 26 8; Sat 27 Jun. Fri 9.30pm - 3am; Sat 9.30pm—4am. £10 (£6 in advance). The Winchester Club. 49 Bell Street. 552 3586. Now in its seventh year. Glasgow’s annual Mod extravaganza presents 1)Js and live bands in Mc(‘hui11s. the Winchester Club and Basura Blanca at the Brunswick Hotel. as well as clothes and record stalls and a scooter rally on Sunday afternoon. FREE Kingslink Knightswood Carnival Sat 27 Jun. 1 1.30am 4.30pm. Knightswood Park. Archerhill Road. 959 0129. West Integration Network celebrates cultural diversity with a parade followed by music. art. dance and food. Part of Refugee ll'eek. FREE Refugee Week Celebration
A very cryptic night
Sat 27 Jun. 5 9pm. Maryhill (‘ommunity (‘cutral Hall. 304 Maryhill Road. Meet members of the Sudanese community in (ilasgow for traditional music. dance and food. More info from
nazaarm‘ hotmail.co.uk. Purl o/‘Re/irgec H'eek.
FREE International Family Day Thu 2 Jul. 1 1am- 3pm. King (ieorge V” Park. Boydstone Road. A day of fun in the park to celebrate (ilasgow’s cultural diversity. More info from info(a‘gpintegrationnetwork.co.uk. Part of Refugee lli'ek.
FREE Bratchy and the Wee Man’s Comedy Pub Quiz Thu 2 Jul. 8pm. The Arches (‘afe Bar. 253 Argyle Street. 565 1035. (‘omedic brothers Bratchy and The Wee Man. him of You'l'ube infamy. host a pub quiz. with a difference with interactive games. WWI-I moves and tomfoolery. ()h. and there'll be cash prizes and all. Cryptic Nights Thu 2 Jul. 8pm. £5. (‘('A. 350 Sauchiehall Street. 352 4900. See picture caption. below.
Glasgow Cabaret Festival Sun 5—Sun 12 Jul. times vary. Prices vary. Various venues. See preview, page 29.
FREE Glasgow Cabaret Festival Launch & VIP Press Party Sun 5 Jul. Mama San. 190 Bath Street. 352 8800. A glit/y start to this new festival with cabaret performances. I’ur! oft/1c (:‘Ius‘gmv ('ulmre! festival.
Exhibitions
Doctor Who Exhibition t'ntil Mon 4 Jan 2010. 10am-— 5pm; Fri & Sun
1 lam-~5pm. £7.50 (£4.50; family ticket £18). Kelvingrove Art (iallery & Museum. Argyle Street. 08444 815816. (‘alling all Whovians: a galaxy of Doctor- related material will be on display in Kelvingrove. from props to costumes. (‘omc face to face with l)aleks. (‘ybermeiL Sontarans and the ()od with nary a sonic screwdriver to fend them off. Tickets from www.Sli('xtracom or 08444 8l5816.
All Paws on Deck l'ntil Sun 30 Aug. 10am -5pm. Included in admission: £5.95 (£4.65; first child free: additional children £3). The Tall Ship at (ilasgow Harbour. 100 Stobcross Road. 222 2513. l‘eline friends are valuable on ships for more than their mice-catching abilities. This exhibition covers the history of cats on ships. superstitions surrounding cats. ships’ cats in film and literature and ships' cats today.
FREE Mechanics Alivel. lintil Mon 28 Sep. 10am- 5pm; Fri & Sun
1 1am— 5pm. Scotland Street School
Museum. Museum of liducation. 225 Scotland Street. 287 0500. A touring exhibition showcasing the craftsmanship and imagination of six renowned automata makers. liach automaton is interactive and tells its own story. showing what happens when mechanics and imagination meet.
Fairs FREE Sloan’s Market Sloan‘s. Argyle Arcade. 357 5387. Well-heeled weekly outdoor shopping market just tucked off Buchanan Street. with stalls stuffed full of gourmet treats and classy crafty things. FREE Glasgow Art - West End Indoor Art Market in 26 Jun. noon -6pm. llillhead Library. 348 Byres Road. 276 1617. Selected artists from across the city exhibit and sell work. Part rift/1e West [5nd festival. FREE Handmade Heaven Sat 27 Jun. 1—6pm. The Buff(‘lub. 142 Bath Lane. 248 1777. Also Sun 28 Jun. 1 -6pm. Mono. 12 King‘s (‘ourt King Street. 553 2400. See llitlist.
Food & Drink
The Larkfield Centre Blooming Great Tea Party Sat 27 Jun. 1—4pm. £1 (50p). Larkfield Centre. Inglelield Street. (iovanhill. 424 1797. A tea party to raise funds for Marie (‘urie ('ancer (‘are.
Spon
Scottish Masters Football Sat 4 Jul. 8pm. £10~£20. Braehead Arena. Kings Inch Road, (1870 444 6062. The most competitive indoor series in the world. Last year's Scottish champion Rangers return to go up against (‘eltic. Dundee l7td and Hearts.
Talks
The Soup Tour - Spanish Queens Fri 26 Jun. 1 1.30am 41pm. £10. Pollok llouse. Pollok ('ountry Park. 2060 Pollokshaws Road. 0844 493 2202. One of the Pollok guides gives a special talk about the lives of some of the llabsburg queens. Price includes a light lunch. Please book in advance.
FREE Mackintosh Tour Fri 26 Jun. 1pm. Scotland Street School Museum. Museum of liducation. 225 Scotland Street. 287 0500. Scotland Street School was designed by (‘harles Rennie Mackintosh and built between 1903 and 1906. liind out more on a tour of the school.
FREE Themed Tours at the Burrell Sat 27 Jun. 2.30pm. Burrell Collection. 2060 Pullokshaws Road. 287 2550. Mrs Jenny Inglis gives a tour of the jade and
New Media Scotland celebrates its tenth birthday with an interactive online, visual art and dance game/play/performance. Yes, we know that’s a whole lot of
genres. Follow the tales of two lovers on the @mediascot Twitter stream from Wednesday 24 June to find clues to a secret location in Scotland; attend the Cryptic Nights performance to finish the story, get involved in the game and possibly win prizes. With new work created and curated by Alt-W Fund - supported artists Thomson & Craighead, Sarah Kettley and Distance Lab, new writing by Netwurker Mez and Hannu Rajaniemi, choreography by Sue Hawksley and music by Peter Gregson. Admit it, you’re intrigued.
I CCA, Glasgow, Thu 2 Jul.