Inspire Me: 9 great things to do in the next week

DREAMBOYS

IT’S ladies night at the Playhouse tonight, yes, The Dreamboys are back with a new hotter than ever show for 2016.

The Dreamboys, arguably the UK’s top male glamour show, are unquestionably now the most famous male stripper act the country has ever produced.

With special guest appearances on everything from The X Factor to Britain’s Got Talent, Celebrity Big Brother to Loose Women and to This Morning, The Alan Titchmarsh Show and The Only Way Is Essex, it’s easy to see why they’ve earned themselves the accolade of the only male strip troupe in history to have celebrity status.

At the Playhouse tonight the promise is music, muscle, magic and mayhem, with presumably more than a touch of humour too, in an action-packed two hour show.

For the hen night to end all hen nights, it would seem the Greenside Place is the place to be this evening.

The Dreamboys, Playhouse, Greenside Place, tonight, 7.30pm, £21.65-£31.65, 0844-871 3014

KEEP DANCING

STRICTLY Come Dancing fans are in for a treat at the Playhouse next week, when Keep Dancing tours to the venue, bringing 2015 Strictly Champions Jay McGuiness and Aliona Valani with it.

From the creators of Spirit of the Dance, Keep Dancing is a brand new Latin and ballroom dance show that also features Strictly favourite Robin Windsor, and a number of other professional dancers from the series, alongside world-champion ballroom and Latin dancers.

Featuring some of the most popular styles of ballroom and Latin dance, this fast paced, high intensity production, which boasts dazzling costumes and breathtaking choreography, is guaranteed to have the audience dancing into the night.

A highlight of the show will be singer and dancer McGuiness performing with his winning professional partner Aliona Valani.

Valani, a long-serving dancer on the TV series led two of her celebrity partners to victory, as well as winning the Christmas Special with Louis Smith. Keep Dancing sees her reunited with Windsor, who also starred in the hit show Burn The Floor.

Keep Dancing, Playhouse, Greenside Place, Tue-Sat, 7.30pm, £21.40-£48.40, 0844-871 3014

COMEDY AT THE COUNTING HOUSE

IT’S launch night for Comedy at the Counting House tomorrow, the first edition of a new monthly night ‘guaranteeing’ happiness and laughter during 2017.

Headliner on the night is Steve Bugeja, with support from Scott Agnew, Jojo Sutherland, Robin Granger, Jamie McDonald, Natalie Sweeney Potter and pharmacist turned actress and comedian Lubna Kerr.

Winner of the 2013 BBC Radio New Comedy Award, Bugeja brought his second solo show Unpronounceable, to the Fringe in August and has been described as having ‘an eye for original comic detail.’

Meanwhile, Scott Agnew (pictured), one of the best story tellers in the business, has been likened to Billy Connolly, and of course, the charismatic Jojo Sutherland is one of the best-loved acts on the comedy circuit.

Comedy at the Counting House, Nicolson Street, tomorrow, 8pm, £10.15-£11.51, 0131-667 7533

THE EDINBURGH SINGERS

THE 2015/2016 season was a standout one for the Edinburgh Singers which saw them go from strength to strength under musical director Alistair Digges. It culminated with the choir being honoured for their inspirational year in the Scotland Sings Chorus Awards.

They return to the simple purity of a cappella at St Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral, on Saturday when they perform Rachmaninov’s All-Night Vigil (including both the Vespers and morning Matins). This achingly beautiful set of 15 movements will stir all but the hardest of hearts.

Rachmaninov’s All-Night Vigil, St Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral, Palmerston Place, Saturday, 7.30pm, £12, 0131-668 2019

BOOK NOW

“DID you hear that, Magrit? The 30th Anniversary tour of The Steamie is coming to The King’s next November for a week long run... and it’s on sale now.”

It’s Hogmanay in the wash house, and the girls need to get their washing done before the bells.

Join Dolly, Magrit, Doreen and Mrs Culfeathers as they laugh, cry and sing their way through the last day of the year – with a little help from the not so handy Andy.

The Steamie, a Scottish classic, is an ode to the hard working women of the 1950’s and to a by gone era.

Writer, Tony Roper says, “In my late-40s I sat down and wrote my first ever play.

“30 years have passed and The Steamie is still there, giving laughter and tears and touching that intangible something in an audience that has made it a favourite.”

The Steamie, King’s Theatre, Leven Street, 6-11 November 2017, £15-£30.50, 0131-529 6000

LORDI

MELODIC Finnish heavy metal band and Eurovision winners Lordi come to La Belle Angele, on Monday.

The band, known for their monstrous look and the horror tinged sets, are all set to inflict their catchy songs and screaming riffs on the Capital’s rock fans.

Lordi have been touring since 2002 and released their eighth full length album Monstereophonic in September.

Lordi, La Belle Angèle, Hasties Close, Monday, 7pm, £17, www.la-belleangele.com

HARRY POTTER BAR

ADULT Harry Potter fans in the Capital are in for a treat next week when The Three Sisters is transformed into the The Three Broomsticks.

The magical make-over will see the opening of a bar dedicated to all things Potter, where would-be wizards can drink away all their muggle woes. The Leaky Cauldron, situated in the upstairs bar, will open Monday for a week, serving ‘potion cocktails’ and a menu fit for the finest pure-bloods.

Enter into the Hogwarts spirit by earning House Points by taking part in activities, from a wizarding knowledge quiz on Monday, to cocktail potion classes throughout the week.

And if you have ever wanted to catch the snitch, there’s even a chance to take part in a quidditch pong tournament.

Alternatively, relive all the past movies in a day-long marathon.

So, jump on board the Hogwarts Express to The Leaky Cauldron and have a Butter Beer.

The Three Sisters/The Three Broomsticks, Cowgate, Monday-Sunday

VAN MORRISON

ONE of music’s true legends, Sir Van Morrison returns to the Playhouse on Sunday, for one night only.

The multi awarding-winning singer, composer and performer will showcase songs from his brand new studio album Keep Me Singing, as well as dipping into some of the greatest and best known hits from his back catalogue.

Van Morrison, Playhouse, Greenside Place, Sunday, 8pm, £50.15-£80.15, 0844-871 3014

STEAK ON STONES

WINTER is here which means from Saturday, Steak On Stones is open for lunch Saturdays and Sundays, with new weekend deals from £15 per person for a 250g rump steak, sauce, chips and donuts. There’s also Meat The Butcher at £70 (max 4 people), which includes 500g Chateaubriand, 250g ribeye and 250g rump.

Steak On Stones, Picardy Place, 0131-556 1286