Inspire Me: 9 great things to do in the next week

Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2015, Royal Mile, The Dream Sequentialists. Picture: Ian Georgeson

CINEMA: LAUREL AND HARDY DOUBLE BILL

THERE’S a chance to see Laurel and Hardy in all their glory on the big screen this Monday when Vue at the Omni Centre show a double-bill comprising Towed In A Hole and Way out West.

The first finds Stan and Ollie in the fish village, while in the latter they are charged with delivering the deed to a a valuable gold mine to the daughter of a dead prospector.

Vue, Omni Centre, Monday, 8pm, price tbc

COMEDY: THE BIG C

TONY and Olivier Award-winner and star of The Good Wife Alan Cumming is just one of the performers appearing at this year’s Big Comedy Gala in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support, at the EICC on Monday.

Host Ali McGregor will also introduce Jason Byrne, Mark Watson and The Axis of Awesome amongst others.

The Big C, EICC, Morrison Street, Monday, £18, www.venue150.com

FOOD & DRINK: VISIT THE LEFFE TRUCK

HEADING to the Foodies Festival this weekend? Then be sure to check out the Leffe Truck.

The brewers of the Belgian beer will be encouraging foodies to slow down and sample a Leffe Blonde paired on a specially created food and beer menu.

Created by TV chef Valentine Warner, the pairings which accompany your 75ml sample of Leffe Blonde include Cave Aged Farmhouse Cheddar matured deep in the heart of the caves in Wookey Hole, and Mimolette, a bright orange cheese with a nutty taste and dense brown rind.

Sourdough bread with a thick caramelised crust will be provided by French baker Richard Bertinet, whilst Salami Finocchiona (Italian pure pork salami from Tuscany seasoned with fennel seeds) will also be served. Sounds delicious.

For those with a sweet tooth, there will also be thyme-infused honey for dipping, and Amaretti biscuits for a sugary, nutty finish to the food and beer pairing experience.

Foodies Festival, Friday-Sunday, Inverleith Park, www.foodiesfestival.com

TALK: MAKING CHARIOTS OF FIRE

TOM McNab, Olympic coach and technical adviser on the film Chariots of Fire, will give talks on the making of the movie Chariots of Fire at the Eric Liddell Centre next Wednesday and Thursday at 6pm, with refreshments from 5.30pm.

With a haunting sound track by Vangelis, the 1981 historical drama told the fact-based story of two athletes in the 1924 Olympics: Eric Liddell, a devout Scottish Christian who runs for the glory of God, and Harold Abrahams, an English Jew who runs to overcome prejudice.

Both talks are fundraisers for the Centre, a local charity and community centre founded in 1980 in memory of the 1924 Olympic 400m gold medallist, Eric Liddell.

There will also be a raffle and silent auction for a signed copy of the script.

Making Chariots of Fire, Eric Liddell Centre, Morningside Road, Wednesday & Thursday, 5.30pm, £10, on door

EVENT: THE TATTOO

IT’S the annual showcase that brings the Castle alive and attracts participants and audiences from around the globe, The Edinburgh Military Tattoo begins in 2016 run on Friday and there are still some tickets available.

Celebrating Tunes of Glory, highlights of this year’s military spectacle include the Jordanian Royal Guard, Band and Drill Team; a magical snowfall across the Esplanade as the Nepal Army Band celebrate their homeland’s links with the United Kingdom; Tattoo favourites, the 38-strong Imps Motorcycle Display Team; and everyone’s favourite, the Massed Pipes and Drums - that’s more than 250 pipers and drummers.

The Royal Air Force, will open the show in spectacular style with impressive flypast on selected evenings including a planned flypast by the world famous Red Arrows on Saturday at 7.30pm.

Other flights are scheduled for 10, 17, 19 and 24 August.

Edinburgh Military Tattoo, Castle Esplanade, Friday-27 August, various times, £25-£00, go to edintattoo.co.uk/tickets, or call 0131-225 1188

ON NOW: THE FRINGE

IT’S August and the circus that is the biggest arts festival on the planet, The Fringe, is back to transform the city into a melting pot of drama, comedy and music.

With more than 3000 productions to chose from, the 70th Fringe might not be as large as last year, but still boasts something for everyone.

Pick up a programme today or go to www.edfringe.com to peruse the shows. You never know what, or who, you might stumble across.

TOUR: REBUS WALKS

JOIN Colin Brown on the beat as he offers an insight into Edinburgh as depicted in Ian Rankin’s Rebus novels, and you will be treated to a world exclusive - a reading from the new Rebus book, Rather be the Devil, which is not due for publication until November.

Rebustours, one of the Capital’s most popular walking tours, is an atmospheric journey of discovery through Detective Inspector John Rebus’ city, along the way discovering just who are Gates and Curt, as well as how James Hogg’s book Justified Sinner and Rankin’s Dead Souls are linked with Salisbury Crags.

Rebustours, Friday- 27 Aug, Royal Oak, Infirmary Street, 12pm-2pm, £10, www.edfringe.com

JAZZ: BOOK NOW

THE Scottish National Jazz Orchestra presents Brubeck: An Incredible Jazz Legacy at the Queens Hall on 14 August. Dave Brubeck achieved the status of jazz master and became a household name.

His familiar opening bars of Take Five were the sound track to sixties swing and mid-twentieth century cool and although composed by saxophonist Paul Desmond, the tune not only made Brubeck a familiar name but also changed perceptions of jazz as a niche art form.

The music chosen for this concert, performed by the SNJO, one of the world’s top Big Bands, comes from a period when Brubeck was in his prime as a jazz ambassador and are a ringing endorsement of his vision, ingenuity and prowess.

Brubeck: An Incredible Jazz Legacy, Queens Hall, Clerk Street, 14 August, 7.30pm, £22.50, 0131-668 2019

DINING: CHOP HOUSE EDINBURGH

FAN of Chop House in Leith? Then be prepared to be spoiled for choice as a second Chop House launches on East Market Street next Wednesday.

Open seven days, and serving steak and cocktails, as well as sharing starters, a trip to Chop House is a sociable occasion. Book a table now on 0131-629 1551 and be amongst the first to experience the Edinburgh Chop House.