5 feelgood things to do in Inverness this weekend
It's a bumper one for choice – the return of Eden Court's homegrown musical, Beethoven, dance music, punk, pimping your patio and eating to the beat at the Victorian Market
1 Return of two favourites
It depends on your taste – but this weekend two class choices of entertainment come our way – as two big hitters return. The Stamping Ground, the musical created with Eden Court and RAW Material and built on Runrig's music, gives us a very contemporary Highland world about our lives, our problems and our dilemmas, as a cast with some new faces starts off a Scottish tour back home in Inverness where the show was built and had its premiere last year. There are two preview shows on Friday, May 5 and Saturday, May 6, no performances Sunday and Monday (May 7 and 8), then more performances from Monday, May 8 till Saturday, May 13. Director Luke Kernaghan revealed this week that they have tweaked the production based on their experience of performing last year. Fancy seeing the latest version? Or maybe see it for the first time? Now's your chance. On a different note ... Fancy classical? The Mahler Players are back with their first concerts of their 10th anniversary year, in Inverness Cathedral on Saturday, May 6 at 8pm and at the Strathpeffer Pavilion on Sunday, May 7 at 3pm. Beethoven's Eroica Symphony is the main piece. The Players' director Tomas Leakey says "It
should be quite overwhelming as an experience to listen to, people should sit back and enjoy it and let it speak to them in whatever way it does!" And in the first half, hear soprano Magdalena Anna Hofmann sing arias from Beethoven’s Fidelio and Wagner's Tannhäuser.
2 Dance the night away
It's Forres-based DJ and producer Acutek bringing "House, techno and everything in between" to his all night slot at Upstairs on Bridge Street (from 10m to 2am) in Inverness on Friday, May 5. He talked about his music here – check it out!
TICKETS: £5 on the door.
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3 Feed The Poor and treat Coronation fatigue!
While you are helping out with donations to go to local foodbanks at Tooth & Claw's Feed The Poor event on Friday, May 5, treat yourself to some alternative bands. Doors open at 8pm with Dundee's bagpipe-infused punks The Cundeez, Inverness punk legends The Signal, Teuchter punk The Fragz and two-piece feelgood anarchy from I Will Take You Hunting. And also good for anyone suffering coronation fatigue, you could head on Saturday, May 6, for the free open mic starting at 5pm in the Market Bar. All welcome. With Maraan And The Wildcats.
4 Grown-ups, pimp your patio!
We are in National Gardening Week and there are lots of events at local garden centres for kids – a great way to get them started with everything from planting their own flower to learning about how to help save the sparrow (find out more about both on this weekend in this week's 4 fun family time things to do ...). But adults can have fun finding the feelgood at Dobbies too on Saturday, May 6 at 10.30am. A Grow How: Create The Look session is focused on putting together stylish pots and plants for your patio. These sessions are designed to be flexible, fun and interactive, in the 10-15 minute-session. There is a live demonstration with a Dobbies’ horticulture expert and an ask the expert section, where the floor will open to relevant questions. You can discover: how to select the right pot and peat-free compost; tips for choosing the design and colour theme for your pots, including selecting your plants; and how to plant and look after your pot. You can book your place or join the session on the day. Marcus Eyles, Dobbies’ horticultural director, said: “We are constantly searching for ways to inspire people to get involved in gardening. Growing plants for your patio is not only good for the environment and your mental health, but it is also a fun way to get the whole family involved in a project."
5 If music be the food of love ... tuck in
The Victorian Market is staying open late on Friday and Saturday (to 8pm) with live music for their Summer Nights Taster. The Food & Drink Hall businesses will be open for food and here are the musicians you can hear over the two nights. FRIDAY: DJs from HOUSEHOLD (4-8pm) with chilled dance sounds with hints of disco and jazz. SATURDAY: If you are in earlier, hear traditional folk duo Pigs In Blankets (1-3pm) with ceilidh and covers and craic! Then Calum MacPhail + Sean Cousins (5-8pm) will play upbeat Scottish tunes. Food is available from Bad Girl Bakery, Good Girl Greengrocer, Highland Food and Drink Trail, Moonshine Inverness, Salt N Fire – Inverness, Sushi Inverness and The Redshank.
