1

THE single greatest event this week is the launch of a fantastic book by the very brilliant Laura Bissell. Laura has written an empathetic and enthralling book Bubbles: Reflections On Becoming Mother. Pre-pandemic that word only brought connotations of the nicest of things – shimmery spheres of fun beloved by babies, glasses of French champagne – and then everything changed.

Laura talks about her bubble of three and how they navigated a new baby, catching Covid and writing a book whilst she balanced motherhood with academia and her husband edited newspapers.

Warm, compassionate and utterly enchanting. The launch event is Wednesday at 18:30. Tickets on Eventbrite and the book is available at quality booksellers and of course online.

2

THE Bootleg Beatles are one of the best cover bands around, second only to Glasgow’s own Spiders From Mars, drawing critical acclaim from around the globe.

The Bootlegs hit Glasgow Royal Concert Hall this Wednesday. For tickets head over to www.glasgowconcerthalls.com.

3

I HEAR the opera is wonderful this time of year, I’ve never been, but my interest is peaked as Carmen, the classic by George Bizet, is playing at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre.

Telling the tragic tale of Don José lured away from his duty as a soldier and his beloved Micaëla by the gypsy factory-girl Carmen, whom he allows to escape from custody.

Get dressed up, go out and have a ball. Tickets are available for December 17 at 7:30pm at www.eicc.co.uk.

4

ZANDRA Rhodes is celebrating five decades of fabulousness and Aberdeen is hosting the largest ever exhibition dedicated to a fashion icon.

This exhibit explores 50 years of Dame Zandra’s career, from day one right up to her recent collaboration with furniture giants IKEA. At Aberdeen Art Gallery all this week 10am-4pm, for all the information and tickets head to www.aagm.co.uk.

5

HE’s behind you!”

It’s panto time in Ayr, and the Gaiety Theatre is proud to present Jamie and the Unicorn. Featuring magic and mayhem, panto dames, local heroes and stars of the small screen, the show is just the hit of fun and feel goods needed to start your Santa countdown.

Shows every night and matinee at the weekend.

For more information and tickets head over to www.thegaiety.co.uk/events/jamie-the-unicorn-a-legend-of-a-panto.

6

IT’S the Nutcracker and nothing could be more Christmassy than dreams of sugar plum fairies in little heads. It’s been called the most beautiful ballet ever and you can see it this week at the Festival Theatre in Edinburgh. Check in on Clara and her Nutcracker prince.

All week, for tickets and further info head over to www.capitaltheatres.com.

7

DUNDEE and Dundonians are in for a treat as The Red Hot Chilli Pipers are hitting the Caird Hall this week - expect the unexpected. A unique brand of "bag rock" (that’s bagpipes plus rock, if you were wondering) with stirring tunes and energetic performances.

Expect everything from ‘Flower of Scotland’ to Coldplay’s ‘Clocks’, via AC/DC and Deep Purple.

Next Saturday at 7:30pm. For more info head to www.leisureandculturedundee.com/culture/caird-hall.