Inspire Me: 9 great things to do this week

SCOTLAND LOVES ANIME

SCOTLAND Loves Anime, a film festival now in its seventh year, has returned to the Filmhouse this week. Showcasing the best of Japanese anime films, it offers fans what is often their only opportunity to see them on the big screen.

With a mix of classic and new films, guest speakers, a jury and audience award, there’s something for everyone.

The film highlights include Your Name, which is currently a storming success at the Japanese box office, A Silent Voice, here just one month after opening in Japan, Kingsglaive: Final Fantasy XV, the screening will be one of the only chances to catch it on the big screen in the UK.

Also there will be a chance to see the digitally restored Momotaro, Sacred Sailors, the UK premiere of the wartime animated film that inspired Osamu Tezuka, creator of Astroboy, to become an animator.

This year’s guests are producer Kohei Kawase from Warner and director Naoyoshi Shiotani (Psycho-Pass, Blood-C The Last Dark) who will celebrate the release of Tokyo Marble Chocolate.

Jonathan Clements will return to present the films and host Q&A sessions.

Scotland Loves Anime, Filmhouse, until Sunday www.lovesanimation.com

WE ARE SCIENTISTS

THE hard working New Yorkers stop off at the Liquid Room, Monday, to perform tracks from their latest releases Helter Seltzer and TV en Français as well as a healthy dose of classics stretching right back to their 2005 major label debut With Love and Squalor.

As ever they promise ‘a unique night balancing unrivalled on stage humour and a blistering set of giant pop songs’.

Liquid Room, Monday, 7pm, £16.50, 0131-225 2564

THE VOYAGE OF BUCK

FANCY an award-winning cocktail? Then head over to William Street and the newly opened Edwardian-themed concept bar and restaurant The Voyage of Buck. There you’ll find Mike McGinty, winner of the Scottish Final of Patrón Perfectionist’s Cocktail Competition.

Mike triumphed after wowing judges with his cocktail, The Bell of Jalisco. From the hundreds who entered the challenge to invent a Patrón Tequila cocktail worthy of a perfectionist, his creation impressed judges the most.

Here’s Mike’s recipe should you want to try making your own: 30ml Patrón Reposado, 12.5ml Chamomile infused dry vermouth, 25ml Grapefruit IPA, 20ml Lemon Juice and 20ml Yellow bell pepper shrub.

Combine all ingredients and shake. Pour into a rocks glass with ice. Garnish with dehydrated lime, chamomile flowers and yellow pepper leather.

Or you could just pop down to The Voyage of Buck and ask Mike if he’ll mix one for you.

The Voyage of Buck, William Street, bookings 0131-225 5748

THE FULL MONTY

THERE’S an star-studded cast baring all at the King’s next week as The Full Monty, winner of the UK Theatre Award for Best Touring Production, returns to the Capital.

Led by Footballer’s Wives star Gary Lucy, Emmerdale’s Anthony Lewis, Andrew Dunn (Dinnerladies), Louis Emerick (Last of the Summer Wine), Chris Fountain (Coronation Street) and Kai Owen (Torchwood) are the six out-of-work Sheffield steelworkers with nothing to lose but their clothes.

It’s 1972 and as the steel industry falls into terminal decline, there’s only one option to escape the dole... but they can keep their hats on. Based on his smash hit 1997 film, The Full Monty features chart-topping hits from Donna Summer, Hot Chocolate and Tom Jones.

The Evening News has teamed up with The King’s Theatre to give you the chance to win a pair of tickets for the opening night of The Full Monty at the King’s on Monday.

To enter the draw to win, e-mail your name, age and contact telephone number to [email protected] by midnight on Saturday.

By entering this competition you confirm that you are 18 or older. Winners will be picked at random. Usual Johnston Press rules apply. Editor’s decsion is final.

The Full Monty, King’s Theatre, Leven Street, Monday-Saturday, 7.30pm (matinees 2.30pm), £23-£35, 0131-529 6000 Recomended for ages 12+

A BRIEF HISTORY OF EVIL

HILARIOUS and mesmerising, terrifying and absurd, that how Company of Wolves describe A Brief History of Evil, which they tour to the Assembly Roxy next week.

A duet about lies and where they can lead us, created and performed by Ewan Downie and Jonathan Peck, the piece asks who hasn’t embroidered the truth, or pretended to be someone they’re not? When all the lies are stripped away, however, who is left? When we look in the mirror, who looks back? And which version is really us?

A Brief History of Evil combines electrifying movement with the vulnerability, mockery, and satire of clown so if you like your theatre dangerous, relentless, and very, very funny, this could very well be for you.

A Brief History of Evil, Assembly Roxy, Roxburgh Place, next Thursday & Friday, 7.30pm, £10, 0131-510 5511

HARPETH RISING

AMERICAN folk trio Harpeth Rising make their Scottish debut at the Edinburgh Folk Club, on Wednesday.

The classically-trained trio of violin, cello and banjo/guitar add three-part harmonies and a variety of foot percussion into the mix to create distinctive ‘chamberfolk’ influenced by their classical roots, folk, newgrass, rock, and Appalachian music.

Expect to hear tracks from recent No 1 album Shifted.

Harpeth Rising, Edinburgh Folk Club, Summerhall, Wednesday, 8pm, £10, www.efc1973.com

EDINBURGH FIZZ FESTIVAL

BOOK now for The Fizz Festival, the UK’s only wine fair dedicated to Champagne and sparkling wine, at Edinburgh Academy on 29 October.

This unique event, held over two sessions, brings together independent wine merchants and specialist masterclasses to allow attendees to taste and learn about fizz from all around the world - you can buy it too.

As well as local wine merchants, Champagne Taittinger, Prosecco brand Zonin, and award-winning English wine maker Hush Heath will also be in attendance.

Edinburgh Fizz Festival, Edinburgh Academy, Henderson Row, £25 (includes tasting of more than 100 wines), 12pm-3pm, 4pm-7pm, www.crackingwine.co.uk

WHITE ISLAND

ESCAPE the winter chills at Vue Ocean Terminal tomorrow, with a one-off screening of the definitive Ibiza film, White Island.

From executive producer Carl Cox, comes a comic thriller with dark undertones and a big heart.

When Connor’s best friend becomes innocently embroiled in the plans of a gang in Ibiza, he is the only one who can help him, but it means returning to the island he has been avoiding since things for him became complicated.

Once back, Connor is reunited with Leo, his former boss and mentor, only thing is, Leo is trying to kill himself.

Connor’s journey teaches Leo that every day is precious and Connor that his life in London is not as perfect as it seems and that if he deals with his past, there is only one place he’ll ever be truly happy...Ibiza.

White Island, Vue Ocean Terminal, tomorrow, 7pm, £9.79, myvue.com

CRAIGMILLAR BOOK FESTIVAL

ENCOURAGING youngsters to read, the Craigmillar Book Festival returns to nurseries, schools and public spaces around Niddrie and Craigmillar this week, with some of Scotland’s favourite writers, illustrators and performers taking part, including authors Kirkland Ciccone, Chae Strathie and performance poet Aitch Giles.

Details www.craigmillarliteracytrust.org.uk