AROUND TOWN 

Author: Evie Glen 

In Portobello this Saturday 19 September, Women Who Write Edinburgh are hosting a writing retreat for women and non-binary people. The one-day workshop is open to writers at every stage of their practice, whether you’re a published novelist or ardent journal keeper. The day includes quiet time for writing as well as opportunities to discuss your work with the rest of the group and a walk along the beach to keep creativity flowing. With discounted tickets available if required, it sounds like a wonderfully fulfilling day to spend your Saturday.

This Sunday 20 September in Glasgow, community arts group House Arts Collective are hosting an all-day cabaret in Munn’s Bar. Head to the (supposedly haunted) Maryhill pub for performance and music from 2pm until late. Children are welcome until 8pm and no one will be turned away for lack of funds. 

MUSIC

Author: Danny Munro 

The world lost the late and unquestionably great John Coltrane to liver cancer in 1967. Aged just 40 at the time of his passing, the saxophonist left a disproportionately vast impact on jazz, one that is still, rightly, celebrated today. On what would have been the week of his 100th birthday, the Scottish National Jazz Orchestra is teaming up with acclaimed rising star Emma Rawicz to play tribute to Coltrane with performances in Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Glasgow. While tickets for the Glasgow recital have sold out, a handful remain in Edinburgh (Friday 18 September) and Glasgow (Sunday 20 September).

Who’s your favourite member of the Luxembourgish alt-rock scene? If push came to shove, I’d probably have to say that mine is Francis Of Delirium, which is great news as she’s headed for Sneaky Pete’s on Saturday 19 September. Having propped up several indie figureheads in recent years, including Horsegirl, Soccer Mommy and Alanis Morissette, FOD (as we’ll call her) is celebrating the success of her second album, Run, Run Pure Beauty, by taking her headline show around Europe. For a flavour of the atmospheric sound the Luxembourgian will be taking to Sneaky’s, give ‘Requiem For A Dying Day’ a listen.

STAGE 

Author: Rachel Morrell

While creatives open their doors to the public this weekend for Colony Of Artists, this stage writer is feeling inspired. There’s whimsy in the west with a new feel-good adaptation of movie masterpiece Amélie at Eastwood Theatre, Giffnock (until Saturday 19 September). Complete with a live band and a vibrant ensemble cast, it’s a great chance to catch this story of childlike wonder and human connection up close.

We are swimming in surrealism with Samuel Beckett’s iconic play Happy Days at Pitlochry Festival Theatre (until Saturday 10 October), which follows Winnie, played by Siobhán Redmond, who is completely fine. She just happens to be buried up to her waist with nothing but a small collection of objects and a not-so-present husband, Willie. 

The Naked Neds are starting their post-Fringe run (until Friday 23 October) in Kirkcaldy, taking a silly, yet stirring, look at the fundraising attempts of four friends after a sudden death and a scary diagnosis. Expect a new perspective on male friendship alongside ‘The Full Shebang’ for those looking to sharpen their life drawing skills.

SCREEN 

Author: Kevin Fullerton

Festival season never really disappears. Until Saturday 26 September, IberoDocs is touring Edinburgh, Oban, Aberfeldy and Dundee with a diverse selection of documentaries, Q&As, exhibitions and community events featuring voices from Spain, Portugal and Latin America. It’s a packed programme, so I’d recommend taking a look at the IberoDocs site.

Despite the immense ambition of Alejandro González Iñárritu’s Amores Perros, few could have predicted that this mid-budget portmanteau would come from the same man who’d go on to make The Revenant and Birdman, or that Gael García Bernal would become an immediately recognisable breakout star. Glasgow Film Theatre is celebrating the 25th anniversary of Iñárritu’s debut with a number of screenings in 4K. 

And in Dundee, Bizarro Video Club is back at Canvas with a Sam Neill and John Carpenter special, In The Mouth Of Madness, on Sunday 20 September. Like most Carpenter (particularly his 90s output), a biting sense of camp envelops this psychologically fraught story of an insurance salesman on the trail of a missing horror writer, but Neill’s oozing charisma and game performance holds together its more rickety elements. 

EAT & DRINK 

Author: Suzy Pope

I'll be heading to the new Edinburgh restaurant opening Tatties on Union Street. It looks like less is more with a stripped-back Scandi interior and ever-changing menu of day-boat mackerel and pickles, braised lamb, vegan risottos and, of course, always tatties on the side. There's also a wine list worthy of wine bar status and mellow jazz on the stereo. Good times. 

A recent new opening in Glasgow is one for the grain-drink enthusiast. Valinch on Hope Street is bragging pretty heavily about its malt whisky collection. Part bottle shop, and part bar, pop in for a dram and chat or to peruse the rare bottlings. 

If gin and amarols are more your thing, the Southside Negroni Weekender is running from Friday 18 to Sunday 20 September. Pick up a negroni passport and experience the weird and wonderful ways Glasgow's Southside bars have made negronis their own.

VISUAL ART 

Author: Greg Thomas

Let’s hear it for Glasgow Art Map, a unique arts organisation that produces a biannual printed map of contemporary creative spaces across Glasgow, as well as offering regular listings and online articles. From Thursday 17 to Sunday 20 September, GAM is hosting its inaugural Glasgow Art Weekend, with previews,   exhibitions, shows, screenings and more all over the city.

Those of you without one-year-olds to put to bed can head to a launch party at David Dale Gallery on Friday 18 September. And around that fulcrum of fun is splayed an extended weekend full of happenings. On Saturday 19 September, why not pop along to Glasgow Sculpture Studios' open day from 12–4pm, then spend the evening at the South Block launch of Plastic Milk by Megan Rudden from the magnificent independent Glasgow publishers Rosie’s Disobedient Press? On Sunday 20 September, check out the anniversary exhibition Ten Years Of Govanhill Baths Ceramics at the famous southside heritage site, then scoot to the 5–6pm exhibition-closing reading with Mina Heydari-White and others at 68 Nithsdale Road.

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