AROUND TOWN

^{Saied Silbak / Picture: Hatem Kiwan}

The Falkirk Science Festival (until Saturday 27 May) is back with plenty to wow all ages. Hear about the science behind our senses by indulging your tastebuds, go wild with outdoor events, or learn more about wonderful women in the Royal Society Of Edinburgh’s female scientists pop-up.

A performance from acclaimed composer and oud player Saied Silbak is the highlight of Palestinian Gala Day (Sunday 14 May), a bargainous family-friendly day packed with activities and delicious food, held to mark the 75th anniversary of the Nakba. Head along to Edinburgh’s South Side Community Centre to check it out.

There’s plenty of caffeinated fun to be had for connoisseurs and casual coffee drinkers alike at this year’s Glasgow Coffee Festival (Saturday 13 & Sunday 14 May). Enjoy some incredible aromas and speciality blends as you’re treated to talks, tastings, competitions, workshops and more when the event returns to The Briggait this weekend.

MUSIC

^{Post Malone}

Expect an elaborate, pyro-filled production when the Grammy nominated, boundary blurring US rapper brings his latest show to Glasgow’s OVO Hydro. Post Malone: Twelve Carat Tour (Saturday 13 May) will showcase new hits alongside fan favourites like ‘Rockstar’ and ‘Congratulations’. Rae Sremmurd provides the support.

Those of a more sensitive disposition might want to check out the gentler sounds of Franco-Scottish folk singer Siobhan Wilson (Friday 12 May) who will be serenading Edinburgh’s Traverse Theatre with her sad and stirring melodies. Siobhan’s ethereal vocals are flanked by simple arrangements, while her inspirations include Joni Mitchell, John Martyn and Madeleine Peyroux.

Delivering an altogether odder vibe is Novelty Island (Friday 12 May), the surreal pop project of Liverpool-based songwriter-producer Tom McConnell who combine classic pop, woozy electronica and northern wordplay. Find out what that sounds like when they swing by The Old Hairdressers in Glasgow to perform tracks from their recently released second album, Wallsend Weekend Television.

STAGE

^{Strictly Ballroom: The Musical}

Based on the beloved Baz Luhrmann movie, Strictly Ballroom: The Musical (until Saturday 13 May) is on tour with a stop off at the Edinburgh Playhouse. Starring Strictly Come Dancing favourite Kevin Clifton and Coronation Street’s Faye Brooks and directed by none other than Craig Revel Horwood, it’s sure to deliver feel-good and shamelessly glitzy fun.

Tolstoy’s dramatic, heart-breaking masterpiece Anna Karenina (until Saturday 3 June) is reimagined by writer Lesley Hart and director Polina Kalinina in an eye-catching, boldly theatrical adaptation that brings the language bang up to date. See it at Edinburgh’s Royal Lyceum Theatre.

Inspired by real-life experiences, No Love Songs (until Saturday 20 May) is a new gig theatre show at Dundee Rep, featuring songs from Kyle Falconer of The View. It follows a couple grappling with the challenges of new parenthood and blends music, tears and laughter.

SCREEN

^{The Origin / Dundead Horror Film Festival}

The joint winner of the Cannes 2022 Jury Prize, The Eight Mountains is a gorgeously sad drama from married Belgian filmmakers Felix van Groeningen and Charlotte Vandermeersch, based on Paolo Cognetti’s acclaimed novel. It follows two men who meet as children in a remote Italian Alpine village and are reunited years later.

Get the tissues at the ready. The Fab Five are back to change the lives of some more lucky individuals as Queer Eye returns for its seventh season. Join Jonathan, Tan, Antoni, Karamo and Bobby as they deliver whole life makeovers from the heart.

Prepare to be scared witless when the Dundead horror film festival (until Sunday 14 May) rises again at Dundee Contemporary Arts. This frighteningly good fest features Scottish and UK premieres, a rare chance to see cult classic Messiah Of Evil on the big screen, a David Cronenberg retrospective, and a quiz.

PODCASTS

Following Celtic’s recent Scottish Premiership win, there’s a chance to celebrate, commiserate or simply learn more by listening to BBC Sounds’ Scottish Football Podcast. There are interviews with Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou and Greg Taylor, while the gang have plenty to say about the other sides too.

It's been quite the wild ride since billionaire Elon Musk acquired Twitter. Hosted by David Brown, new Wondery podcast Flipping The Bird: Elon Vs Twitter dives deep into the chaos that was unleashed when one of the richest men on the planet took over a social media company in the name of free speech.

Celebrating all things working class, in podcast Proper Class hosts Laura Checkley and Hannah Chissick are joined by celebs who, like them, grew up working class. Together they have a good old chinwag about their personal journeys, accents and working class culture. Their first guest of the new series is actress Susan Wokoma.

VISUAL ART

^{Poor Things}

Class is also at the centre of Poor Things (until Sunday 21 May), now showing at Edinburgh’s Fruitmarket. Bringing together 22 artists from working class or lower middle class backgrounds, it’s an exhibition of sculptures designed to trigger debate, and is the brainchild of Emma Hart and Dean Kenning.

Dalkeith Palace is the glorious setting of Inception Art Show (until Sunday 14 May), a sales-led contemporary art exhibition which sees 35 sculptors, photographers and painters taking over this historic building for ten days, with workshops, tours, a charity auction, and an art and supper event all taking place.

Pen Reid – Behind The Curtain (until Wednesday 7 June) is a new solo exhibition at the Compass Gallery, Glasgow which sees the artist in question imbue seemingly insignificant domestic events with a sense of foreboding in colourfully painted scenes.

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