The Edinburgh International Science Festival shifts into its final stretch this week, but not without a big bang. Or rather, a series of them. Elsewhere, there's a sudden rash of literary events and three stripes of international music-maker: a Chicago jazz ensemble, a Scotland x Australia DJ-off and a faux-Scandi Merseyside electronicist.
Edinburgh International Science Festival, various venues, until Sun Apr 19
Again, it's a packed programme over at the SciFest, so we're gonna limit ourselves to mentioning only the highest of highlights: GastroFest, the EISF's mouthwatering food-and-science strand, remains in full swing throughout the week, while Full Spectrum celebrates UNESCO's Year of Light via the medium of visually-augmented clubbing on Friday.
The Woman in Black, King’s Theatre, Tue Apr 14-Sat Apr 18
Susan Hill's spook story, recently adapted for film with Daniel Radcliffe in the lead role, tells the story of a lawyer obsessed with a curse he believes has befallen his family. It'll give you chills.
Hollie McNish, The Pleasance, Wed Apr 15
Spoken word from one of the brightest young stars of the genre (pictured), who made her name talking frankly about motherhood and breastfeeding on YouTube.
Mark Thomas: Cuckooed, Traverse Theatre, Wed Apr 15-Sat Apr 18
Comedian and activist Mark Thomas follows up his superb 'Bravo Figaro' with another autobiographical theatre show, this one about the time he discovered a close friend of his was spying on him for Britain's biggest arms dealer.
Rally & Broad, The Bongo Club, Fri Apr 17
The ‘Can’t Buy Me Love’ edition of the impeccable poetry & performance night features Billy Letford, Bella Hardy, Emma Jane Unsworth, Freddie Alexander and Faith Elliot.
Record Store Day, Sat Apr 18
Underground Solu'shn, VoxBox and Elvis Shakespeare are just three of the capital's music emporia getting in on the RSD action this year - you can find out more in our sneaky preview.
Hypnotic Brass Ensemble, Liquid Room, Sat Apr 18
Many-limbed sibling horn posse from Chicago bringing their hot, hyped jazz-meets-hip hop sound to an ever-grateful Scottish audience.
Irvine Welsh, Royal Lyceum Theatre, Sun Apr 19
Scottish lit’s enfant terrible (well, once upon a time, anyway) revives beloved cabbie creation 'Juice' Terry Lawson (‘Glue’) for new novel ‘A Decent Ride’.
Låpsley, Sneaky Pete’s, Sun Apr 19
Up-and-coming new electronic pop singer-songwriter, who may sound like she’s Scandinavian with a mononym like Låpsley, but in fact hails from Southport, Merseyside. She signed to XL Records last year, and ranked highly on the BBC Sound of 2015 poll, so expect big things soon.
Éclair Fifi, Sneaky Pete’s, Sun Apr 19
One of the rising stars of the LuckyMe stable heads out on tour, with special guests Nina Las Vegas (of Australia's Triple J radio) and local boy Joseph Marinetti in tow.