Something For The Weekend: Ichiko Aoba, Jenna Ortega, John Shuttleworth and more
The weekend is almost upon us, so why not circle a few of the cultural treats we've got lined up for you in the article below? This week we're in the hunt for a murderous unicorn, getting experimental at Counterflows, perusing the Scottish Vegan Festival, and much more

AROUND TOWN

Kicking off this weekend is this year’s Edinburgh Science Festival (Saturday 5 – Sunday 20 April), a celebration of scientific curiosity for all the family. It takes place across the city and features explosive events, hands-on activities, fascinating talks and immersive experiences.
Rocking up at Edinburgh’s Assembly Rooms this Sunday is the Scottish Vegan Festival (Sunday 6 April) which will be packed with deliciously ethical hot and cold treats, cosmetics, campaigning and more.
And over at The Briggait in Glasgow they’ll be hosting a Vintage Kilo Sale (Saturday 5 April) from second-hand legends Worth The Weight. They’ll be bringing nine tonnes of hand-picked clothing and accessories ready for a good rummage.
MUSIC

Championing the weird, experimental and underrepresented, Counterflows (until Sunday 6 April) is a music festival like no other, delivering four days of far-reaching sounds from local and international artists who will gather in Glasgow. Many events have already sold out but you can still buy tickets for The Art School club night on Saturday, while the Publisher’s Fair on Sunday is free and open to all.
Japanese sensation Ichiko Aoba (Saturday 5 April) will be sharing the sounds of her new album Luminescent Creatures when she swings by Glasgow’s City Halls this weekend, accompanied by special guest Pat’s Soundhouse.
Over at Glasgow’s iconic Barrowland Ballroom, Liverpudlian rockers The Zutons (Friday 4 April) of ‘Valerie’ fame, will be stopping off to play tracks from their most recent album, The Big Decider, alongside plenty of old faves. You can also check out jazz star Kamasi Washington (Sunday 6 April) at the Barras; he's out on his Fearless Movement European Tour.
STAGE

Comedy legend John Shuttleworth (Saturday 5 April) will be ‘Raising The Oof’ at Edinburgh’s The Queen’s Hall this weekend with a new show celebrating four decades in showbiz. Expect hilarious stories aplenty plus songs performed on his trusty Yamaha organ.
The Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh, plays host to some upcoming playwriting talent with A Play, A Pie And A Pint: Dancing Shoes (until Saturday 5 April), a comedy about isolation, support groups and bedroom dancing from writers Stephen Christopher and Graeme Smith.
While Festival Theatre, Edinburgh brings to the stage something much more familiar with a production of Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women (until Saturday 5 April). Adapted by Anne-Marie Casey, it features a well-known cast that includes Belinda Lang and Honeysuckle Weeks.
SCREEN

Paul Rudd and Jenna Ortega join forces for Death Of A Unicorn, a comedy horror from Alex Scharfman in which a father and daughter accidentally kill a unicorn foal, resulting in the pair being hunted down by its parents.
Also in cinemas, Last Swim is a soul-searching British coming-of-ager following a group of London teens on A-Level results day. Rising Kurdish-British star Deba Hekmat (Hoard) leads the cast in style, with debut director Sasha Nathwani also impressing.
New to Disney+ is Dying For Sex based on Nikki Boyer’s podcast series in which she documented the end-of-life sexual escapades of her best friend. Michelle Williams and Jenny Slate star.
PODCASTS
Affable twin medics Drs Chris and Xand van Tulleken are on a mission to help us take better care of ourselves in their new podcast What’s Up Docs? covering topics from dodgy knees to bad breath and helping sort fact from fiction.
In Disclosure: Hunting The Whisky Bandits reporter Sam Poling delves into the lesser-known world of cask investment, revealing a multi-million pound, organised crime fraud.
New to Wondery+ is Luigi. Presented by Jesse Weber, it considers one of the most divisive and obsessed-over figures in modern criminal history, Luigi Mangione, who stands accused of the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.
VISUAL ART

Opening this Friday at Edinburgh Printmakers are partner exhibitions Impressions: Selected Works From Jerwood Collection and Story: Selected Works From Edinburgh Printmakers’ Collection (both until Sunday 29 June) which feature a variety of printmaking techniques and internationally renowned artists.
Over at Edinburgh’s National they also have a pair of related exhibitions, Glasgow Boys: Drawings And Watercolours and The Glasgow Girls (both until Sunday 8 June] which look at the respective groups of artists, and feature the works of James Guthrie, Annie French, Jessie M King and more.
And finally, the Royal Scottish Academy is proud to present Delia Baillie: Memory Box (Sunday 20 April) which celebrates the life and career of a remarkable Scottish artist. This accomplished painter and printmaker was also a dedicated teacher at Duncan Of Jordanstone College Of Art & Design.
Sign up to receive this column, complete with additional offers and gig news, delivered to your inbox every Thursday.
All news, reviews and features on The List are chosen independently by our editorial team. However, we may earn a small affiliate commission when you make a purchase through one of the links embedded in this article.