Around Town SITE SPECIFICS
ALIEN WARS What is it? Imagine stepping into the world of Alien and Aliens (as created by Ridley Scott and James Cameron respectively) as you are guided round the Arches’ basement with extra terrestrials leaping out to scare you at every turn. ‘A ghost train on foot,’ as co-producer John Gorman so succinctly puts it.
Wait a minute I’m sure I recognise that name . . . You’re correct Alien Wars was first scarring customers in 1992 in Glasgow at this very venue. It was so successful it moved onto Bournemouth, Aberdeen and London and is off to Liverpool’s Spaceport next.
Yikes! So, is it scary? ‘Yes’ is the simple answer. In the past people have peed, pooped and puked but it’s open to kids ages eight and over and only last 15 minutes so while there are some good old fashioned shocks and frights you should survive. The Alien Wars team do everything in their power to immerse you in the world of terrifying xenomorphs. The Marines stay in character the whole time as they lead you though the dark corridors and you are fully briefed on the back-story which sets up the actual experience. Tell me more Basically it goes like this: ‘An Alien Spacecraft discovered in the basement of the Arches has been quarantined by the British Army who are now patrolling the site. We are all trying to work at the venue as normal during this time but it has been agreed with governmental authorities that we can invite members of the public to view this amazing discovery in small groups.’
Sounds ace, I think I’m tough enough, when can I go? Alien Wars is open seven days a week but sadly is coming to a close this month, so get in quick before you miss it. Remember, in Glasgow everyone can hear you scream. (Henry Northmore) ■ The Arches, Glasgow, until 16 Aug.
16 THE LIST 6–13 Aug 2009
Events are listed by city, then type. Submit listings at least 14 days before publication to sport@list.co.uk for sport or aroundtown@list.co.uk for all other events. Listings compiled by Suzanne Black. ✽✽ Indicates Hitlist entry
Glasgow Activities & Events Glasgow Tigers Speedway Sun 9 Aug, 4pm. £14 (£6–£10). Ashfield Stadium, Saracan Park, 404 Hawthorn Street, 336 4800. Watch fast-paced motorbike action, on bikes that have no brakes. Yes, that sounds very dangerous to us, too.
✽✽ Alien Wars Until Sun 30 Aug, 5–10pm; Fri & Mon 2.30–10pm;
Sat/Sun noon–10pm. £10.95 (£8; under 16s £6.50). The Arches, 253 Argyle Street, 565 1000. Terrifying total reality experience Alien Wars returns to its spiritual home at The Arches. The experience originally opened as Alien War in 1992 and was held in the street level area of the venue. Now updated for 2009 as Alien Wars, the drama moves into the creepy bowels of the venue for an utterly bone shaking fright. See Site Specifics.
✽✽ FREE Bratchy and the Wee Man’s Comedy Pub Quiz Thu 6
Aug, 8pm. The Arches Café Bar, 253 Argyle Street, 565 1035. Comedic brothers Bratchy and The Wee Man, him of YouTube infamy, host a pub quiz with a difference with interactive games, WWE moves and tomfoolery. See preview, page 15 Garden Walk Sat 8 Aug, 2.30pm. Included in admission: £5.50 (£4.50; family ticket £10-15). Greenbank Garden, Flenders Road, Clarkston, 0844 493 2201. Seasonal gardening tips and a round-up of what’s going on in the garden this month.
✽✽ FREE Anja Kirschner and David Panos ‘in conversation’ With Francis McKee Sat 8 Aug, 7pm. CCA, 350 Sauchiehall Street, 352 4900. CCA Director Francis McKee discusses the new installation and film work, The Last Days of Jack Sheppard, with the artists Kirschner and Panos. Scotland’s Gardens Scheme Day Walks Thu 13 Aug, 11am, 1pm & 3pm. £5.50 (£4.50). Greenbank Garden, Flenders Road, Clarkston, 639 3281. Interpretive walks around Greenbank for all those of a green-fingered tendency who would like to know more about the history and running of the garden.
✽✽ FREE Critical Applause 6: Will Holder Thu 13 Aug, 7pm. Ticketed.
CCA, 350 Sauchiehall Street, 352 4900. Will Holder, editor of FR DAVID, talks about publishing and all the forms it can take. Part of Critical Applause, a monthly series of talks and events that seek alternative means for talking or thinking about art.
Books FREE Meet Author Gordon Brown Thu 13 Aug, 6pm. Waterstone’s, 38 The Avenue, Newton Mearns, 616 3933. No, not that Gordon Brown. This Gordon Brown is the emerging author who has just published his first novel – a crime thriller set in Glasgow – and he will be reading from and signing copies in store. FREE Daniel Gray Thu 13 Aug, 6.30pm. Borders Books, 98 Buchanan Street, 222 7700. Daniel Gray talks about his book Homage to Caledonia: Scotland and the Spanish Civil War. Exhibitions Doctor Who Exhibition Until Mon 4 Jan 2010, 10am–5pm; Fri & Sun 11am–5pm. £7.50 (£4.50; family ticket £18). Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum, Argyle Street, 08444 815816. Calling all Whovians: a galaxy of Doctor- related material will be on display in Kelvingrove, from props to costumes. Come face to face with Daleks,
Cybermen, Sontarans and the Ood with nary a sonic screwdriver to fend them off. Fairs ✽✽ FREE Fringe in the Park Sun 9 Aug, noon–4pm. Eastwood Park Theatre, Eastwood Park, Rouken Glen Road, Giffnock, 577 3792. Rouken Glen gets its own Fringe celebration with musical acts (Jolly Beggars and the Daisy Daisy Singers), a Punch and Judy show, jugglers, stilt walkers, birds of prey, street theatre and costumed Edwardian and Victorian characters.
LGBT FREE Made in God’s Image Until Sat 22 Aug, 10am–5pm; Thu 10am–8pm; Fri & Sun 11am–5pm. Gallery of Modern Art, Royal Exchange Square, 287 3050. The culmination of a project by Anthony Schrag and David Malone which has used the personal experiences of people from the Christian and Muslim faiths to explore the often problematic intersection of sexuality and religion from an LGBT perspective. FREE Rendering Gender Until Sat 22 Aug, 10am–5pm; Thu 10am–8pm; Fri & Sun 11am–5pm. Gallery of Modern Art, Royal Exchange Square, 287 3050. The notion of gender has become increasingly fluid over the years. David Sherry’s work with Transforming Arts explores what makes a person male, female, both or neither, and the treatment of transgender people in the past, which has ranged from deification to social rejection. FREE Curator’s Tour: sh[OUT] Fri 7 Aug, 1–2pm. Gallery of Modern Art, Royal Exchange Square, 287 3050. Sean McGlashan, Curator of Contemporary Art, gives a tour of the exhibition. Revolver Quiz Sat 8 Aug, 4pm. £1 per person. Revolver, 6a John Street, 553 2456. A general knowledge quiz that takes place every Saturday. Teams of up to six people can enter and 25p from every entry fee goes to the Gay Men’s Health Charity. FREE Talk: Dani Marti Thu 13 Aug, 6.30–7.30pm. Gallery of Modern Art, Royal Exchange Square, 287 3050. sh[OUT] and Glasgay! artist in residence Dani Marti discusses the forthcoming exhibition ORIFICES (TAKE 2) at GoMA and his residency involving Gay Men’s Health. To coincide with Dani’s film programme at GoMA. Sport FREE Home Nations Touch Rugby Championships Sat 8 Aug, Hughenden Sports Ground, 32 Hughenden Road, 07764 770188. Teams from Scotland, England, Wales, Jersey and Ireland compete as the championships return to Scotland for the first time in four years. Talks FREE Objects in Focus Thu 6 Aug, noon. Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum, Argyle Street, 276 9599. A series of short talks looking in detail at works from the Mackintosh and Glasgow Style gallery. This session covers
www.list.co.uk/aroundtown
Margaret Macdonald Mackintosh’s O Ye, All that walk in Willowwood. FREE Burrell’s Tapestries: It’s All in the Detail Thu 6 Aug, 12.30–1.30pm. Burrell Collection, 2060 Pollokshaws Road, 287 2550. Helen Hughes, Textile Conservator, discusses the tapestries from a conservator’s viewpoint. FREE Curator’s Favourites Wed 12 Aug, 12.30pm. Burrell Collection, 2060 Pollokshaws Road, 287 2550. Rebecca Quinton, Curator of Costume and Textiles, discusses early 17th century sweet bags. FREE Themed Tours at the Burrell Thu 13 Aug, 11.30am. Burrell Collection, 2060 Pollokshaws Road, 287 2550. Liz Gibson discusses embroidery at the Burrell. Workshops Yoga Iyengar Mon 10 Aug, 6pm. £6. Langside Hall, 5 Langside Avenue, 637 4019. Beginners classes in Iyengar Yoga. FREE Peddlers of Pleasure – Mr Punch and his International Cousins Events Thu 6 Aug, 1pm. Springburn Exhibition Space, Springburn Leisure Centre, Kay Street, The Open Museum presents a series of free talks and workshops relating to everyone’s favourite puppet couple, Punch and Judy. Make your own puppets, your own interactive booth, and learn more about the Punch and Judy tradition. Visit www.glasgowmuseums.com for further details. Please note that some events require advance booking. FREE Fizzers Caricature Sessions Tue 11 Aug, noon–2pm. People’s Palace & Winter Gardens, Glasgow Green, 276 0788. Free caricatures for anyone who buys a copy of The Scottish Cartoon Art Studio’s book Fizzers from the People’s Palace shop between 18 Jul and 26 Sep. Bring proof of purchase to one of the sessions.
Outside the cities Ayr Flower Show Fri 7 & Sat 8 Aug, 10am–6pm. £13 (OAPs £11; under 16s £4; under 5s free; family ticket £28). Rozelle Park, Monument Road, Ayr, 01292 445447. Horticultural exhibition featuring national prize-winning gardens and displays as well as competition entries from local growers, cooks, and craft enthusiasts. This event in the beautiful Rozelle Estate also features a variety of children’s events and.
Sport Ladies’ Night at the Races Sat 8 Aug, 3.50pm. £20–£22. Ayr Racecourse, 2–4 Whitletts Road, Ayr, 0870 850 5666. Oh yes, it’s ladies’ night – with the best dressed ladies from race nights all year in the running to win a car and a cruise. So get out your favourite hat and go walk around a field in inappropriate shoes.
Who's up? Get involved in Kelvingrove's Doctor Who exhibition this weekend, with their sci-fi workshop and special guests.
■ Kelvingrove Museum and Art Gallery, Sat 8 & Sun 9 Aug