Around Town 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 Alien Wars Until Mon 31 Aug, 2.30–10pm; Sat/Sun noon–10pm. £10 (£8; under 16s £5; family ticket £27). The Arches, 253 Argyle Street, 565 1000. Last chance to be scared witless by the terrifying total reality experience.

✽✽ FREE Launch of SEEDBOM Fri 28 Aug, 7pm. CCA, 350 Sauchiehall

Street, 352 4900. See Hitlist FREE St Kilda Letters Sat 29 Aug, noon–3pm. Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum, Argyle Street, 276 9599. Iain Macrae and Davy Walker go through some 19th century letters from St Kilda. Part of Latha Hiort: St Kilda Day. FREE The Big Bulb Plant Sat 29 Aug, 12.15pm. St Mungo’s Primary School, 45 Parson Street. Join the Glasgow Guerrilla Gardeners as they brighten up the city. Bring tools and bulbs and meet at the side entrance of the school. Valerie MacLennan in Conversation with Tam Cowan Wed 2 Sep, 7.30pm. £10. Oran Mor, 731–735 Great Western Road, 357 6200. A chat with presenter and comedian Tam Cowan. FREE Heritage Walk Fri 4 Sep, 1.30–3pm. Pollok Visitor Centre, Pollokshaws Road, 632 9299. Learn about the natural and cultural history of Pollok Estate. Subject in Process Sat 5 Sep, 10am–10pm. £5. CCA, 350 Sauchiehall Street, 352 4900. Symposium into the obligation of artists to connect with events in the real world. FREE Cardowan Moss Local Nature Reserve Celebration Sun 6 Sep, noon–3pm. Cardowan Moss, 773 1895. Find out about the environment of this newly designated nature reserve and

take part in some tasks that will help improve it led by the Rangers. FREE The Big Kelvin Walk Sun 6 Sep, Dawsholm Park, Ilay Road, 276 0931. An all-day walk along the River Kelvin and Allander Water, ending up at Mugdock Country Park, with plenty of wildlife to see along the way. Booking essential, return transport from Glasgow provided. Conversation Pieces: Kenny Logan Mon 7 Sep, 1pm. £6 (£5 in advance). Royal Concert Hall, 2 Sauchiehall Street, 353 8000. The Scottish rugby star talks to John Beattie about scrums and pirouettes from the rugby field and Strictly Come Dancing. FREE Bratchy and the Wee Man’s Comedy Pub Quiz Thu 10 Sep, 8pm. The Arches Café Bar, 253 Argyle Street, 565 1035. Comedic brothers Bratchy and The Wee Man host a pub quiz with a difference.

Books Liam McIlvanney Thu 27 Aug, 7pm. £3. Mitchell Theatre, 6 Granville Street, 287 2999. McIlvanney launches his debut novel.

✽✽ FREE Jeffrey Lewis’ Watchmen Lecture Tue 1 Sep,

6pm. Glasgow Film Theatre, 12 Rose Street, 332 8128. See Hitlist. FREE Poetry Discussion Group Thu 3 Sep, 6pm. Mitchell Library, 201 North Street, 287 2999. Lively and informal discussions of poetry on the first Thursday of every month. Robert Douglas Thu 3 Sep, 6pm. £4 (£3). Glasgow Film Theatre, 12 Rose Street, 332 9105. Douglas talks about his first novel, Whose Turn for the Stairs. Tickets from Waterstone’s, Sauchiehall Street. FREE Milngavie Book and Arts Festival Thu 3–Sun 6 Sep, 10am–10pm. Various venues, 956 4752. Annual festival celebrating books and other arts. See www.milngaviefestival.org.uk FREE Robert Douglas Sat 5 Sep, 4pm. Borders Books, Fort Retail Park, 390 Provan Walk, 773 2910. See above. FREE Levi Roots Tue 8 Sep, 1pm. Borders Books, 98 Buchanan Street, 222 7700. 1pm. The man who found success with the moneylenders in Dragons’ Den

Fair Trade on the Fringe Ever feel like the Fringe was eating a little bit of your soul?

Yeah, us too, hon. Restore your karmic balance this week at the Fringe’s first all fair trade market, which features stalls selling ethical homeware and art (pictured), fashion, food and books, as well as free samples and tastings, live world music and kids activities. Aaah. Grassmarket, Fri 28–Mon 31 Aug, 10am–6pm, free.

18 THE LIST 27 Aug–10 Sep 2009

returns with Caribbean Food Made Easy. Iain Banks Tue 8 Sep, 6.30pm. £3. Waterstone’s, 153–157 Sauchiehall Street, 332 9105. Banks returns to his home country to talk about his new book, Transition. Carmen Reid Thu 10 Sep, 7–9pm. £1 (50p). Cardonald Library, 1113 Mosspark Drive, 882 1381. The Glasgow chick lit author settles into the library for a girlie evening. 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. Come face to face with Daleks, Cybermen, Sontarans and the Ood with nary a sonic screwdriver to fend them off. 110 Years, Mackintosh in Maryhill £4 (£2; children free; Wed free after 1pm). Mackintosh Church, Queen’s Cross, 870 Garscube Road, 946 6600. A display of items relating to the only church in the world designed by the great Scottish architect, designer and artist. Part of Mackintosh 100.

Fairs Homes & Interiors Scotland Fri 28–Sun 30 Aug, 10am. £7. SECC, Finnieston Quay, 0870 040 4000. Talks, demos, seminars and plenty of exhibitors for all your homes and interiors needs. See Shop, page 8 Body and Soul Fair Sat 29 Aug, 11am–5.30pm. £3.50 (weekend ticket £5). Royal Concert Hall, 2 Sauchiehall Street, 01368 862717. Demonstrations, talks, tarot readers and stalls selling jewellery, candles and aromatherapy products as well as a vegetarian café.

✽✽ FREE Handmade Heaven Sun 30 Aug, 1–6pm. Mono, 12 King’s

Court, King Street, 553 2400. See Hitlist FREE The Sunday Social With Rumble in the Jumble Sun 30 Aug, 1pm. 13th Note Café, 50–60 King Street, 553 1638. Curiosities for sale and curious sounds in your ear at this flea market come gig with DJs and bands (Fur Hood, Ultimate Thrush Weenliz). Food & Drink Auchentoshan Whisky Festival Sat 29 Aug, 11am–6pm. £5 inc dram and tour (children £2.50; under 8s free). Auchentoshan Distillery, A82 by Dalmuir. The first festival by Auchentoshan Distillery with samplings, top chefs, mixology demonstrations, tasting sessions, a farmer’s market and whisky masterclasses.

LGBT Revolver Quiz Sat 29 Aug & Sat 5 Sep, 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. Hello Sailor! Sat 5 Sep–Sun 29 Nov, Wed–Tue 10am–5pm; Wed–Tue 10am–4pm. £5.95 (£4.65; first child free; additional children £3). The Tall Ship at Glasgow Harbour, 100 Stobcross Road, 222 2513. A touring exhibition from National Museums, looking at gay life on board passenger ships and cargo vessels from the 1950s to 1980s. Sport Titan Abseil Sat 5 Sep, Times vary. Spectators free. Titan Clydebank, Garth Drive of Cart Street, Queen’s Quays, Clydebank, 952 3771. Kind-hearted daredevils throw themselves off the mighty Titan crane for ENABLE Scotland. £20 registration fee to partake. The Great Scottish Run Sun 6 Sep, 10.30am. Spectators free. George Square, 0845 2700 166. Your chance to take part in Scotland’s largest mass participation sporting event either a 10k or half marathon. There are also shorter races for kids and the option to just stand and watch.

FREE Scotland v Netherlands World Cup Qualifier Wed 9 Sep, 8pm. Prices vary. Hampden Park, Letherby Drive, 616 6000. Will Scotland make it through this time? Talks FREE Past Times Thu 27 Aug, 2pm. Maryhill Library & Learning Centre, 1508 Maryhill Road, 276 9368. Indulge a yearning for more civilised times (indoor smoking, tea caddies and afternoon tea) with this reminiscence session looking at the current display of museum objects. FREE Highlights of the Life Galleries for the Visually Impaired Tue 1 & Sat 5 Sep, 11am. Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum, Argyle Street, 276 9542. Features a Spitfire, an Egyptian sarcophagus, arms and armour, and Dali’s Christ of St John of the Cross. With visual descriptions and hands-on opportunities. Please book. FREE Burrell’s Tapestries: It’s All in the Detail Thu 3 Sep, 12.30–1.30pm. Burrell Collection, 2060 Pollokshaws Road, 287 2550. Noorah Al-Gailani, Curator of Islamic Civilisations, gives insights into the significance of the pomegranate tree in Islamic cultures. How Your Mind Can Heal Your Body Thu 3 Sep, 7.30pm. £4 (members free). University of Glasgow, Boyd Orr Building, 339 8855. Dr David Hamilton talks about the effects of thoughts and emotions on health.

Workshops Club Noir: Burlesque Workshop Sun 30 Aug, 2pm & 5pm. £15 per workshop. Universal Bar, 57–59 Sauchiehall Lane, 332 8899. Learn the art of being a burlesque performer from Vanity Kills and Tina Warren. Proceeds go to charity. Advance booking is recommended; email sarah@clubnoir.co.uk for more details. FREE Caricature Master Classes Sat 5 Sep, 2–4pm. People’s Palace & Winter Gardens, Glasgow Green, 276 0780. Learn the art of caricature from the Scottish Cartoon Art Studio. Book in advance. FREE Adult workshop: Charcoal drawing Wed 9 Sep, 10am. Burrell Collection, 2060 Pollokshaws Road, 287 2550. View the display of the Dutch artist Matthijs Maris, who used oil paints and charcoal, and learn how to work with the latter.

Edinburgh Activities & Events Big Red Door Festival Until Tue 1 Sep, times vary. £2–£10. The Big Red Door, 10 Lady Lawson Street, 229 1480. A fabulous pageant of freakery and skill from Edinburgh’s most secret venue. The Edinburgh Military Tattoo Until Sat 29 Aug, Thu–Fri 9pm; Sat 7.30pm & 10.30pm. £14–£49. Castle Esplanade, Edinburgh Castle, Royal Mile, 225 1188. A unique blend of music, ceremony, entertainment and theatre featuring bands from across the globe, set against the magnificent backdrop of Edinburgh Castle. Booking essential. Edinburgh International Festival of Middle Eastern Spirituality and Peace 2009 Until Sun 30 Aug, times vary. Prices vary. Various Venues, 331 4469. A celebration of the aspects of spiritual peacemaking, with a wide range of events including spiritual retreats, workshops and conferences. FREE Bats in the Park Fri 28 Aug, 8–10pm. Burdiehouse Burn Valley Park, Gilmerton Dykes Street, 4477145. Enjoy a dusk walk to discover more about bats and dispel the myths and legends about these small mammals. Booking Essential. Please bring a torch. Booking essential. At the Edge of the World Fri 28 Aug, 8pm. £10 (£8). Theatre Workshop, 34 Hamilton Place, 226 5425. Words, music and images about St Kilda from Donald S Murray, Calum Ferguson, Catriona Watt, James Graham and Mairi Macleod. Part of Latha Hiort: St Kilda Day. FREE Out and About ‘Within These Walls’ Sun 6 Sep, noon–3pm.