Arcadia Scotland

Art and Culture

Shattered Hopes: The Gordon Highlanders in 1914: Throughout the Beginning of May, The Gordon Highlanders' Museum

Discover the role the Regiment had in the first few months of World War I.

Aberdeen Artists Society Annual Exhibition: Beginning 10 May, Aberdeen Art Gallery

A popular annual open exhibition which gives professional, amateur and emerging artists the opportunity to show their work. Art forms vary widely from painting and sculpture to printmaking, textiles and ceramics. Entry forms are available from the Gallery Shop or by contacting info@aberdeenartistssociety.co.uk.

Anthony Schrag: Throughout the Beginning of May, Aberdeen Art Gallery

Work by an artist who specializes in work that doesn't necessarily look like art at all; for a public commission in Hoxton, London, he got the locals to play an unwinnable (but still losable) game of five-a-side tug of war.

Curator's Corner: 14 May, The Gordon Highlanders' Museum, 2pm

Meet the curator of the Shatter Hopes: The Gordon Highlanders in 1914 exhibition, Jesper Ericsson.

Fiji, Scotland and the Making of Empire: Throughout the Beginning of May, King's Museum

Artifacts displaying the connections between Northern Scotland the South Pacific.

Jasmin Sutherland: Between Every Act: Throughout the Beginning of May, His Majesty's Theatre

Exhibition from the Australian-born artist who uses to backdrop of His Majesty's Theatre to develop her themes.

Music, Comedy and Dance

Scottish Ballet: Romeo and Juliet: 1-3 May, His Majesty's Theatre

Another chance to see Scottish Ballet's contemporary take on the Prokofiev ballet with Polish choreographer Krzysztof Pastor bringing a fresh twist to the classic tragedy.

Field Marshal Montgomery Pipe Band and Bucksburn & District Pipe Band: 3 May, Music Hall, 7.30pm

Young local talent from Bucksburn and District join the nine times and current Grade One World Champions for a pre-season show.

Edinburgh Quartet: 8 May, The Cowdray Concert Hall, 12.45pm

Scotland's premier string quartet was founded in 1960 and maintains close relationships with composers all over the UK, as well as playing dozens of concerts a year in venues all over the country.

Dunedin Consort: Monteverdi Madrigals of Love and War: 10 May, King's College Chapel, 7.30pm

Monteverdi's madrigals are among the jewels in the choral repertoire, reflecting the shift in styles from the late Renaissance to the early Baroque. These pieces from his eighth book describe the pursuit of love through imagery of war.

MurleyDance: The Object of My Affection: 11 May, Arts Centre & Theatre Aberdeen, 7.30pm

Three dance works which looks at the relationships we have with objects.

Happy Days: A New Musical: 6-10 May, His Majesty's Theatre, 7.30pm

New show based on the madly popular TV programme and written by its creator Garry Marshall. Plus, the Fonz (Henry Winkler) acts as creative consultant, so you know it's gonna be good.

Scottish Opera: Madama Butterfly Unwrapped: 13 May, His Majesty's Theatre, 6pm

A free, hour-long introduction to Puccini's tale of doomed love. Hear highlights from the show, meet the principal characters and find out more about the production in this Unwrapped session.

Lectures, Sports and Local Festivals

The University of Aberdeen May Festival: 9-11 May, Various Venues and times

Aberdeen University's May Festival features music, film, literature and food-related events for the whole family.

ODI: Scotland v England: 9 May, Aberdeen Cricket Club, Times to be Confirmed

One Day International fixture between the long-running rival countries.

Aberdeen Parkrun: 3 and 10 May, Beach Esplanade, 9.30am

An informal weekly 5k run along the Beach Esplanade. Everyone is welcome, no matter how fast or slow (you're welcome to walk the route, bring your dog or push a buggy), so you can use it as a one-off fitness test, a chance to get some fresh air or come every week to try to beat your personal best time.