The Weekender

Published on Friday 24 October 2008 12:42

FILM

For those generations reared on the all-American high school fantasy of Grease or Fame!, the arrival of High School Musical may have passed you by. That is unless you have offspring between five and 10 years old (and this is all the more true if they are female) and the words Zac and Efron are strung together with such swooning that you worry for your kid's health. So, High School Musical 3: Senior Year will be the cause of all those queues of tweenagers round the block at cinemas this weekend, as Efron, Vanessa Hudgens and Ashley Tisdale leap out from the Disney Channel and onto the big screen.

No sex, no drugs and not much rock and roll, despite the sing-a-long style of the basketball games and general student life, but if you're looking for squeaky-clean kids' fun and can turn a blind eye to yet another monstrous marketing assault from the cinema, then this is the top pick this weekend.

More adult entertainment can be found courtesy of Ricky Gervais in Ghost Town, as the Office star leaves David Brent behind and takes his first lead role in a Hollywood film. Gervais plays Bertram Pincus, a dentist who goes in for a routine surgical procedure, only to die for seven minutes and awaken in the company of ghosts seeking salvation. Pincus isn't a grumpy old man for turning, which makes for some credible comedy moments.

MUSIC

If you want to catch some of the best gigs this weekend you'd better be quick off the mark, as most are happening this evening. Bearded bard of the country way, Seasick Steve, plays Queen's Hall, Edinburgh, tonight, 7.30pm. Welsh rockers Feeder are at the Barrowland, tonight, 7pm.

Current teenage rock favourites Elliot Minor are playing Moshulu, Aberdeen, tonight, 7pm, and that defiantly pop pair Alphabeat bring their rainbow colours to the ABC, Glasgow, tonight, 7pm.

DAYS OUT

If next weekend's ghoulish goings-on are already top of your little one's priorities, then pop along to the Scottish Mask and Puppet Centre tomorrow for a helping hand with your creations. All materials are supplied, and the event kicks off at 10am.

• www.scottishmaskandpuppetcentre.co.uk

• 0141-339 6185.

Alternatively there is the final chance to catch Kids Go Free month, with Historic Scotland throwing open its doors for free to under-16s until this coming Friday. Find out what's happening in your area.