7 THINGS YOU HAVE TO DO THIS WEEK

0 Comments | Sunday Herald, The, Jul 30, 2006

1 THIS Friday is the launch of the 57th Edinburgh Tattoo. This year will see the largest gathering of pipes and drums ever to grace the spectacular esplanade of Edinburgh Castle. They will be joined by the Regimental Bands of the Scots Guards and the Coldstream Guards, Switzerland's awesome Top Secret Drum Corps, the New Zealand Army Band and display teams and dance troupes from around the world, including a martial arts demonstration by the Jiangxi Xishan International School Kung Fu Group.

The Tattoo is world-famous and extremely popular, so the entire August run is already sold out. But the Sunday Herald has teamed up with the main sponsors, The Royal Bank of Scotland to give two lucky winners the chance to experience a fantastic weekend break with a partner in Edinburgh. The prize includes an overnight stay in luxury accommodation, at the five-star Sheraton Grand Hotel & Spa in the heart of Edinburgh, on Saturday, August 5, 2006. This includes access to Europe's most advanced city spa, One. Each lucky winner will also receive a pair of tickets to attend the Edinburgh Tattoo performance on Saturday night and GBP100 towards travelling expenses.

To be in with a chance of winning this brilliant prize, simply send an e-mail with your name and a contact number to marketing@sundayherald. com, putting TATTOO in the subject line. The closing date for entries is noon on Monday, July 31, and normal Sunday Herald rules apply.

August 4-28, various times, Edinburgh Castle (08707 555 118)

2 ARAB Strap, Uncle John And Whitelock, The 1990s and Emma Pollock are among the excellent acts appearing at Hey You Get Off My Pavement! , a mini-music festival in Glasgow that costs just GBP13 to get in.

And there's a vegan barbecue too!

Today, noon, Mono, King St, Glasgow (0141 553 2400)

3 SCOTLAND'S greatest photographer has snapped presidents, pop stars and films stars, and his best work down the decades is showcased in the major new retrospective Being There: Harry Benson.

Expect it to be busy.

From Friday, 10am-5pm, Scottish National Portrait Gallery, Edinburgh (0131 624 6200)

4 THE World Sufi Festival looks to be the biggest intercultural event of 2006 in Scotland, a gathering of poetry, puppetry, music, dance, theatre, film, crafts, fashion, discussion and food. Most events are free.

Friday-Sunday, times vary, Tramway, Glasgow (0845 330 3501)

5 THANKS to a good story and some zingy songs, Disney's movie version of Beauty And The Beast, pictured, lent itself perfectly toward being adapted into a musical.

Featuring spectacular costumes and theatrical effects, this touring show has been nominated for various awards and has travelled successfully around the world, helping millions of theatre-goers believe that true love can conquer all . . . and that cutlery can dance.

From Tuesday, 7.30pm, plus selected matinees, 2.30pm, King's Theatre, Glasgow (0870 060 6648)

6 THE Edinburgh International Jazz Festival gets off to a flying start with a reunion between cornettist Warren Vache and the Scottish Ensemble. Anyone who thinks that jazz and classical should never mix should be made to listen to their collaborative CD Don't Look Back, recorded last summer in Glasgow. Expect the unexpected at this promising gig.

Friday, 8pm, The Hub, Edinburgh (0131 473 2000)

7 THE 34th annual Aberdeen International Youth Festival starts this week, with over 700 performers from 16 different countries bringing a riot of colour and sound to the city. The festival kicks off with a massed parade down Aberdeen's Union Street - from the Music Hall to the Castlegate - that begins at noon on Wednesday, allowing a sneak preview of many of the shows that are on offer. For full details of the many performances, telephone the number below or visit www. aiyf. org From Wednesday, August 12, various venues around Aberdeen (01224 213800)

INDIAN SUMMER

BILLED as a "boutique weekender", Indian Summer - taking place in Glasgow's Victoria Park on September 2 and 3 - looks like being a different kind of music festival.

With a bill that includes Antony And The Johnsons, The Yeah Yeah Yeahs, The Fall, Yo La Tengo and Tapes N Tapes, it's intended to be relaxed and family friendly.

Tickets cost GBP60 for the weekend and are available from www. ticketweb. co. uk or by phoning 08700 600 100. For more details about this intriguing-sounding event, visit www. indiansummerglasgow. com