AROUND TOWN

Celebrate the shift in seasons with Edinburgh Cocktail Week (Friday 11 – Sunday 20 October), ten days of delectable drinks, both boozy and non-boozy, with a cocktail village, champagne lounge and pop-up bars aplenty.

Or, for those who enjoy all the spooky things that autumn brings, Perth Museum has the perfect event planned. They’re exploring The Dark Side Of History (Sunday 13 October) this weekend, delving into the horrors of the past with tales of deadly disease and gory torture.

While over at the University Of Dundee you can get stuck into the sixth edition of their Festival Of The Future (until Sunday 13 October). The programme combines the best in science, arts and culture, showing how creative collaborations can change our lives for the better.

MUSIC

Dancefloor diva and double Brit Award winner Becky Hill (Saturday 12 October) will be getting Glasgow moving when she swings by the OVO Hydro this weekend with her armoury of huge hits.

Edinburgh’s Leith Depot plays host to Dublin-born singer and composer Rachael Lavelle (Saturday 12 October), who will be treating attendees to tracks from her acclaimed debut album, Big Dreams, which has cemented her as one of Ireland’s most exciting new talents.

Over at The Queen’s Hall, Edinburgh, blues star Samantha Fish (Sunday 13 October) will show why she’s recently been nominated for a Grammy with Death Wish Blues. She’ll be touring with her own band this time, playing plenty of funky favourites, new and old.

STAGE

King’s Theatre, Glasgow will be the scene of a classic crime when Ken Ludwig’s Agatha Christie adaptation hits the stage. Ms Christie’s most famous whodunnit gets a gripping theatrical makeover in Murder On The Orient Express (until Saturday 12 October), starring Michael Maloney as Belgian sleuth Hercule Poirot, flanked by a stellar supporting cast.

Legendary political comic Mark Thomas (Friday 11 October) will return to the stand-up stage this weekend with his latest show, Gaffa Tapes. He’s already sold out The Stand in Edinburgh and Glasgow, but there are still tickets to catch him at the Dundee Rep.

Also at the Dundee Rep this weekend is emerging comedy star Connor Burns (Saturday 12 October), an Edinburgh native who combines cynicism and self-deprecation with a relaxed persona and razor sharp wit. He’s out on his third solo tour with his show 1994.

SCREEN

Following up on the promise of her directorial debut Prevenge, Timestalker finds writer-director-star Alice Lowe pursuing a swarthy love interest through time in hilariously humiliating fashion. Jacob Anderson, Nick Frost and Aneurin Barnard co-star.

Following the critical and commercial success of the second film in the franchise, Terrifier 3 is a horribly intriguing prospect. Scaring up the festive spirit a couple of months early, it follows Lauren LaVera’s Sienna as she’s terrorised once again by Art The Clown, with Samantha Scaffidi also returning.

Cate Blanchett and Kevin Kline head up Apple TV+’s latest classy offering, Disclaimer. From Oscar-winning director Alfonso Cuarón (Roma, Gravity) this miniseries tells the story of a documentarian who becomes the subject of a very revealing novel.

PODCASTS

Audio drama The Margate Murders pores over the hunt for a serial killer in a true crime-style tale. Consisting of interviews with those who offer their perspective on events, it stars Sheridan Smith and Joanne Froggatt. Check it out on Audible.

After finding themselves back on the dating scene in their 30s, comedians Amy Gledhill and Harriet Kemsley have done the sensible thing and started a podcast. Single Ladies In Your Area follows their dating journey and asks you to get involved with your tips and horror stories.

Amy Gledhill can also be heard on a recent episode of Evil Genius With Russell Kane, which takes a look at the influential Russian mystic and faith healer Rasputin. Anne Boleyn is also up for discussion as this popular podcast returns.

VISUAL ART

Budding artists can make the most of the art materials and activities in Dundee Contemporary Arts’ Create Space. During these free, regular drop-in sessions you can relax, create and be inspired by exhibitions which are currently on in the galleries.

Scott Myles: Head In A Bell (until Sunday 23 February) at the Glasgow Gallery Of Modern Art is an exhibition of painting, sculpture, print, moving image and sound in which the artist looks at ideas of exchange and circulation.

And finally, in No More Sheep: Margot Sandeman On Arran (until Sunday 1 June), the Glasgow School Of Art graduate’s profound connection with the eponymous island is explored. See it at the Fragile Art Gallery in Glasgow’s Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum.

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