MUSIC

The Anchoress, Summerhall, Edinburgh, Friday

Back in 2021 we were big fans of The Art of Losing, the second studio album from Catherine Anne Davies, aka The Anchoress. So was Elton John, who called it one of his favourite records of the year. Davies, who in recent years has also been a regular member of the live line-up of Simple Minds, is in Edinburgh on Friday to play songs from The Art of Losing. In a week of top gigs across Scotland (see also Devon Sproule, Jazzateers, Kathryn Williams and Public Image Ltd), this is the one we are most looking forward to.

 

Glasgow Stands with Ukraine, Royal Concert Hall, Glasgow, tonight

This benefit concert will see an impressive line-up of Scottish and Ukrainian musicians hosted by River City’s Cameron Fulton and Ukrainian opera star (and Glasgow resident) Oksana Mavrodii. Lau, Elzara Batalova, dance trio Flowers of Ukraine and Hamish Napier are just some of those appearing.

 

FESTIVAL

Scottish Wild Food Festival, Tir na nOg, near Drymen, today and tomorrow

Expect walks, talks, music, wild foodThe Anchoress and cooking at this boutique festival in Stirlingshire. There will be cocktails, bushcraft and a marketplace too. For more details and to book tickets visit scottishwildfoodfestival.co.uk

 

FILM

Alan Sharp: From Greenock to Hollywood, Glasgow Film Theatre, Thursday and September 28

There’s still time to catch the last two screenings of the GFT’s current Alan Sharp season. The adopted son of a Greenock shipyard worker, Sharp was a Scottish novelist who carved out a career in Hollywood working with the likes of Peter Fonda, Robert Aldrich and Arthur Penn. The GFT’s season includes screenings of his western Billy Two Hats, starring Gregory Peck and directed by Ted Kotcheff, which is at the GFT this coming Thursday and Penn’s dark neo noir Night Moves, starring Gene Hackman at his peak, which will screen near the end of the month. There will be a discussion of Sharp’s work after the latter. 

 

THEATRE

Totentanz, Tramway, Glasgow, tonight, 7.30pm

Tonight sees the world premiere of this new theatrical piece by Shotput. Set in a dancehall this fresh slice of dance theatre is subtitled “five attempts at a dance of death,” which maybe gives you a flavour of what to expect. Performed by Lucy Ireland and Jim Manganello, it promises a sense of celebration. Do not go gentle into that good night, remember.

 

Mark Thomas: England & Son, Tron Theatre, Glasgow, tonight

Alternatively, you could try and catch the last night of England & Son, Ed Edwards’ one-man play written for comedian Mark Thomas. On tour after an acclaimed run at the Edinburgh Fringe, the play tallies up the moral cost of a colonial past. Thomas returns to the Traverse in Edinburgh with the play in December.

 

DANCE
Scottish Ballet: Twice-Born, Theatre Royal, Glasgow, Thursday to Saturday

With Twice-Born, Scottish Ballet presents a new commission from Dickson Mbi, the choreographer and hip-hop dancer who has previously collaborated with everyone from Robbie Williams to CHVRCHES. Rounding out the evening will be a performance of Schachmatt - the work of Spanish choreographer Cayetano Soto - which sees dancers move across a giant chessboard. Probably best to resist the temptation to shout “checkmate” at any point.