1. Glasgow International Comedy Festival
Various venues, Glasgow, from today
This hugely-popular event in the comedy calendar is back today for a 16th year. The 18-day long event will keep the city laughing with performances from household names like Tommy Tiernan, Rob Delaney, Katherine Ryan, Ed Byrne, Bridget Christie, Limmy, David Baddiel, Jerry Sadowitz, Alexei Sayle, Jonathan Pie and Elaine C Smith. With over 500 shows at 54 venues across the city - the most ever in the festival’s history - over 103,000 tickets are on sale.
Visit glasgowcomedyfestival.com to see the full programme of events and to book.
2. Meats & Beats Festival
Summerhall, Edinburgh, tomorrow and Saturday
After a sell-out inaugural festival last year, the event has moved to a bigger venue, allowing all cooked food to move outside to create an Outdoor Street Food Courtyard, where festival-goers can take a rest from throwing shapes on the dance floor and refuel on meat-stacked dishes. A carnivore’s playground, set against a soundtrack of all the cheesiest tunes from the last five decades, jerk meets twerk, burritos meet Blondie, and wings meet Wham! At this event that is as much about music as it is food.
Tickets are priced between £9.12 and £16.58, with booking fees. Head to meatsandbeats.co.uk to book and for more information.
3. Food Weekend
Bowhouse, near Fife, Saturday and Sunday
Providing an opportunity to see, discuss, taste and buy the best local food and drink in a vibrant atmosphere, take in live music and food demonstrations from leading experts. With the best food and drink producers from Fife and beyond, there will be a dedicated street food area with a growing reputation for showcasing the best produce. The markets have also become one of the biggest new food and drink events in the country.
Free to attend. Visit balcaskie.co.uk/bowhouse-food-weekend for a list of all the weekends lined up for this year.
4. Inverness Half-Marathon and 5K
Inverness Leisure, Sunday
The popular half-marathon is the perfect Spring race that follows a scenic route with great PB potential through the Highland capital. The 5K - regardless of running ability, fitness, age or experience - sees plenty cross the finish line with a smile on their face. The final few miles through the city offer the best vantage points for spectators and all are welcome to come to Inverness Sports Centre to welcome home all runners and enjoy the atmosphere.
Visit invernesshalfmarathon.co.uk for more information.
5. Feeling Good
Assemble, Aberdeen, tomorrow
Featuring Mitchell Rutter - one of the UK’s premiere Michael Bublé impersonators - take a musical journey through the story and songs of one of the most important and successful male artists of recent decades. From Bublé’s beginnings, through to hitting the big time, the show features hits including Home, Haven’t Met You Yet, The Way You Look Tonight, Come Fly With Me, Cry Me A River, Save the Last Dance, and - of course - Feeling Good.
Tickets £20, plus booking fee. Buy at aberdeenperformingarts.com.
6. Glasgow Walking Lunch
Royal Exchange Square, Glasgow, Saturday
What connects Robert Burns to a milkshake on Duke Street? How did a family recipe from the Isle of Lewis help to regenerate the Merchant City? And what do billionaires really like to eat? Food and travel writer Andrea Pearson answers these questions - and more - as she leads a guided tour through Glasgow, visiting hidden historic sites and sampling food and drink from some of the best independent eateries in the city.
Cost is £35 per person which includes four courses, a beer or cocktail and a coffee as well as the friendly services of guides and hosts along the way. Email Andrea at walkinglunch@copytaker.com to book.
7. Kustomised Kicks
Silverburn Shopping Centre, Glasgow, Saturday
Enjoy the very best pick of the kicks, as the centre introduces the ultimate sneaker service - bespoke customisation from one of Scotland’s leading graffiti artists, Conzo Throb. Whether you’re a lover of retro Reeboks or from the Converse camp, Throb will embellish your favourite pair with a hand-painted design of your choice. Available outside Debenhams, customers can book a place between 11am and 5pm, completely free of charge.
8. Perform in Perth
Various venues, Perth, until March 17
This annual festival of music, speech and dance sees around 3,800 performers take part in the two-week event every year. There are events for groups of almost any size and description, in addition to an extensive programme for solo performance. Performers have the opportunity to develop their skills through receiving advice and encouragement from a team of experienced professional adjudicators.
Head to perthshire-music-festival.org.uk/timetable for the schedule of events.
9. Arbroath & District Musical Festival
Webster Memorial Theatre, Arbroath, until tomorrow
Talented young performers from Arbroath and its surrounding areas have been sharing songs, verse and instrumental music once more in this week-long event, showcasing the worthwhile and educational opportunities afforded by the performing arts. The festival has been open to pre-school, primary, secondary school and adult choirs, solo singing, percussion, brass, piano, woodwind, guitars and verse. Why not head along and support the local talent by buying tickets at the door for each of the classes and the big concert tomorrow night?
Search “Arbroath & District Musical Competitive Festival” on Facebook for details.
10. Urban Yoga Day Retreat
200 SVS, Glasgow, Saturday
Yoga instructor Alice Gray will host the immersive day of relaxation and restoration, which also includes a healthy bento-style lunch and a treat to take away. Gray will lead two sessions - an energising session of Vinyasa followed by an afternoon of restorative yoga. Mats can be provided. Ideal for those looking to do something a bit different over the weekend.
Tickets are £55 per person and can be bought by emailing sales@200svs.com or by calling 0141 442 0088.
DON’T MISS…
Red Note/Music Lab
Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, Glasgow, March 15
As Contemporary Ensemble in Residence at the school, Red Note supports the Leverhulme Conducting Fellowship programme for young conductors on the verge of a promising career. The workshops culminate in a public concert of new works by some of the most important composers of our time.
Tickets are £10 with concessions priced at £7.50. Book at the box office at rcs.ac.uk/boxoffice or call 0141 332 5057.
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