Stan's Studio

out and about: let’s fill this town with artists;

I decided a couple of days ago that I’d take this Thursday and Friday off from the day job, both because (i) I’m not as young as I used to be and I am aware of The Hold Steady’s tendency to almost kill me at the worst of times (and this one was the absolute best of times); (ii) my inbox and to-do list are in need of a little TLC. What that means is that I’ve spent most of this week pushing things back, and telling people that I owe things to that I’ll be doing them over the weekend.

This was an excellent plan in theory.

In practice, what actually happened was that I spent most of yesterday in bed after getting what I have dubbed my “patented Saturday migraine” two days early – but hey, at least I made my deadlines, and that means that I’m going to have a super productive weekend, right? RIGHT?? This afternoon I have taken myself to Stan’s Studio – Glasgow’s first pay-what-you-want cafe, and purveyors of the finest coffee that the east end has to offer, courtesy of Edinburgh roasters Mr Eion – where I am eating soup and trying to work out what I really need to tell you about NOW.

Lentil soup at Stan's Studio
Dennistoun > Shoreditch

You can drop by Stan’s tonight from 8pm for home-made ginger ale-inspired cocktails, which sounds like a perfect remedy for October’s increasing chill (Sarah sells the ginger ale in pint bottles too, for which in true west of Scotland style you’ll get 30p back if you return them). Or, if you’re more of a west end than an eastender you can head to Peep Show Coffee on Ruthven Lane. This new coffee/arts space is taking proposals from the public for use of the space, and their first residency is from cinephiles Das Kino who are converting the shop into an intimate, 35-seat cinema for the next three weeks.

Das Kino residency @ Peep Show

Until 7th November, Das Kino will be running day, evening and late-night screenings of an eclectic selection of films, and you can find details and book tickets at Eventbrite. For their opening night extravaganza they’ll be screening one of my absolute favourites, Almost Famous, accompanied by a celebratory drinks reception. Doors are at 7pm.

I’m keen to see what Peep Show make of the space, and hopefully will be able to bring you some more news soon – rumour has it my favourite surface pattern designer will be popping up in the space next month…

Finally, if you’ve been on Queen Street recently you may have seen an interesting-looking shop taking shape in the old Cult Clothing. Glasgow may not be short on arts supply stores, but Cass Art – sponsors of this year’s Glasgow School of Art degree show – have had a special place in my heart since their Charing Cross Road shop inadvertently titled an end-of-year mix on mine a few year’s back.

Cass Art: Let's Fill This Town With Artists
Cass Art: Let’s Fill This Town With Artists

Founded in 1984, Cass Art’s ecumenical vision to “fill this town with artists” expands even as far as me – the company sent me a gorgeous watercolours set a while back and I haven’t the first clue what to do with it. The Queen Street store, which opens tomorrow, is not only their first shop in Scotland but also the first step in a plan to open affordable art shops across the country. The Glasgow store is over 6,000 square feet in size, and includes an art space that will be used to support and celebrate the local artist community.

So that’s a few suggestions of things to check out this weekend, while I sit scheduling posts in front of my laptop. What will you be getting up to?