Whether out on the town, or snuggled up indoors, here are Natasha Mckim’s top picks for making the most of your down time.
CINEMA The Accountant
In his first on-screen role since becoming the new Batman, Ben Affleck plays a mathematics savant in deep with deadly criminals. At a young age, Christian Wolff’s penchant for complex mathematics left people awed. Now an adult, he’s a highly successful financial consultant who has more affinity for numbers than people. But Chris’s story has a dark side.
MUSIC Cale Tyson
Cale Tyson is a singer and songwriter from Nashville. Born in a small town in Texas, he was raised in Fort Worth, the home of Townes Van Zandt and the place where he first heard the classic country sounds that have inspired and enriched his gentle, melancholic and undeniably whisky-soaked sound. Cale will be at the Blue Lamp in Aberdeen on November 14.
THEATRE The Underground Man
William John Cavendish Scott-Bentinck, the 5th Duke of Portland, is an eccentric English aristocrat whose imagination and curiosity know no bounds. In a sequence of events that are bizarre and hilarious, he reveals moments of surprising perception and wisdom. The play is at Eden Court in Inverness on November 16.
ART Michael Astbury
Michael Astbury grew up in a small village in the middle of Yorkshire back in the early 70s. He first became interested in art after he watched Style Wars – a documentary about graffiti on the streets and subways of America in 1983. Graffiti was the beginning of his journey into art and the streets of Yorkshire were his training ground. Michael’s work is exhibited at Newave Gallery in Aberdeen until December 6.
NIGHTLIFE The Answer & The Dead Daisies
The Answer is a blues-influenced hard rock band who first came together in 2000 when guitarist Paul Mahon, then 18 years old and living in Northern Ireland, decided to put together a group with the help of a friend, bassist Micky Waters. The Dead Daisies sound is soulful and accessible, influenced by 70s and early 80s rock. The groups will be supported by Jackaman at The Lemon Tree in Aberdeen on Saturday.
TV The Crown
Last week in London, I stumbled upon the filming of season two of the series. Naturally I am going to re-watch the first series of The Crown. The Netflix-based drama chronicles the life of Queen Elizabeth II from 1940 until modern times.
DVD The Secret Life Of Pets
On Monday, you will be able to buy one of my favourite animated movies of the year. The creators of Despicable Me bring to life what our pets do while we are out.
MUSIC Alicia Keys: Here
Her sixth studio album was made primarily with her husband Swizz Beats and Mark Batson.
PODCAST Dear Sugar
Wild author Cheryl Strayed and Steve Almond tackle topics such as family, career and love with honesty and share the mistakes they’ve made as they’ve muddled through the world. The show has the ability to make listeners feel connected to each other even if just through earbuds and the universality of experience.
BOOK Victoria
From the creator of the ITV Sunday night drama Victoria comes the exclusive standalone novel by Daisy Goodwin. I loved the ITV series so I thought I would give the book a go. Reading about the trials young Victoria had to go through during her first years on the throne makes the perfect bedtime reading.
COMING SOON…..
JAMES BEST
The Tivoli Theatre is taken back in time on December 2 with a reminder of James Best’s talents.
DISNEY ON ICE: FROZEN
Enter a fantastical winter wonderland beyond imagination when Disney On Ice presents Frozen. The AECC will turn into an ice palace on December 7 until 11.
THE KING AND I
Shall we dance? The show is a dazzling musical celebration and something rather extraordinary – it is a story of love and joy set to one of the most glorious, beautiful and unforgettable scores ever written. On at HMT in Aberdeen from January 25 to 28, 2017.
