Arcadia Scotland

Art and Culture

Fun Makes Good: A New Angle: Through 12 January, The Lighthouse

A site-specific textile installation inspired by both the newer and older aspects of the Lighthouse's design.

Henry Coombes and Carles Congost: Man of the Year: Throughout the Beginning of January, CCA

Joint show by UK artist Henry Coombes and Spanish artist Carles Congost, concerning the ways in which the art scene replicates the hierarchies of the social world.

Ian Hamilton Finlay: Throughout the Beginning of January, Gallery of Modern Art

A major exhibition of prints, cards, booklets and sculpture by poet and visual artist Ian Hamilton Finlay (1925–2006), one of the most remarkable Scottish artists of the 20th century, who weaved together themes from classical culture, European history and modern warfare.

Interwoven Connections: The Stoddard Templeton Design Studio and Design Library, 1843-2005: Throughout the Beginning of January, Mackintosh Museum

An overview of the design work of the Stoddard Templeton companies, manufacturers of iconic carpets for Glasgow Cathedral, the White House and White Star Lines; their carpets were/are on the Titanic and the Queen Mary. The exhibition shows samples of the company's work and uses archive material to give an insight into the design process.

Music, Comedy and Dance

RSNO: Handel's Messiah: 2 January, Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, 7.30pm

By supplying the London public with a string of hit Italian operas, Georg Frideric Handel became the world's first really famous composer. When the English decided that they didn't like Italian opera any more, Handel's income dried up. Being a financial genius as well as a musical one, he turned to writing English oratorios on religious subjects and on his sixth go, he had a breakout success: Messiah ended his money worries forever.

Caledonian Voices: 4 January, Glasgow Cathedral, 7.30pm

Caledonian Voices was founded in 2010 by musical directors Andrew McTaggart and Calum Fraser, and consists of young Scottish singers currently studying in universities or conservatoires or those who are just starting their professional careers.

Governor's Recital Prize for Chamber Music: 10 January, Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, 3pm

Students compete to perform in Westbourne Music's series of lunchtime concerts.

Mieko Kanno: 10 January, Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, 1pm

Virtuoso violinist Mieko Kanno is the RCS' new Head of Strings, and here she plays works from her large repertoire, including works for electric violin.

Scottish Chamber Orchestra: Paris Masterworks: 10 January, City Halls, 7.30pm

A concert of music from, or inspired by, Paris, with Mozart's Symphony No 32 and Concerto for Flute and Harp K299, featuring Alison Mitchell and Sivan Magen; Debussy's Danses Sacrée et Profane for harp and string quintet; and Bizet's Symphony in C. Joseph Swensen conducts.

Johann Strauss Gala: A Viennese Party:  11 January, Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, 3pm and 7.30pm

Rainer Hersch conducts an evening of Straussian music and dance, with waltzes and polkas galore.

Sound Thought: 10-12 January, CCA, Various Times

Postgraduate students from Glasgow Uni take the reins on this music festival that blends performances with academic inquiry, including new compositions, early music performances, sound art, research papers and audio/visual works.

Alex Horne: Lies: 13 January, The Stand, 8.30pm

Inventive and thought-provoking humour from the writer and leader of The Horne Section.

Lectures, Sports and Local Festivals

Culture 2014: Throughout the Beginning of January,  Various Venues

A national celebration counting down to the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games. Culture 2014 will showcase dance, theater, music, visual arts, comedy and so much more in the run up to the Games. Everyone’s invited!