What's on today

The top 10 cultural events in Scotland today

1 MUSIC: MY BLOODY VALENTINE

Allegedly the legendary guitar band are most of the way through recording a follow-up to their 1991 shoegazing masterpiece Loveless. We'll believe that when we hear it. For now, it's enough that Kevin Shields and co are finally back in action. Tonight they play the second of two long-awaited comeback dates in Glasgow. They are as loud as ever, apparently, so bring earplugs.

• Barrowland, Glasgow, 0141-552 4601

2 DANCE: SCOTTISH BALLET

Scotland's national dance company continues to go from strength to strength under the directorship of Ashley Page, left. Tonight it continues its wide-ranging summer tour, which will take its current programme to a wider audience across Scotland. The show consists of extracts from five dance pieces, including Stephen Petronio's Ride the Beast, set to the music of Radiohead, and Krzysztof Pastor's In Light and Shadow.

• Galashiels Volunteer Hall, 7:30pm, 01721 725777

3 MUSIC: ANCIENT AND MODERN I: PÄRT & BACH

In times of turmoil, composer Arvo Pärt, above, would take inspiration and solace from the music of Bach. In this concert, part of the East Neuk Festival, the SCO Strings and Orlando Consort contrast the pair's music.

• Holy Trinity Church, St Andrews, 7:30pm, 0131-473 2000

4 THEATRE: OUR HOUSE

This musical based on the songs of Madness has had mixed fortunes since its opening in London back in 2002. It won the Laurence Olivier award for best new musical, but some critics' verdicts were harsh, and it closed after less than a year. It's back, though, heading off round the UK on a summer tour.

• Theatre Royal, Glasgow, 7:30pm, 0870 060 6647

5 MUSIC: LLYR WILLIAMS

In two lunchtime concerts at this year's East Neuk Festival, titled The Romantic Dream, pianist Llyr Williams contrasts work by two pianist composers. Today he plays Chopin's Romantic Ballades and Debussy's Estampes. There's a second concert at noon tomorrow.

• Crail Parish Church, Anstruther, noon, 0131-473 2000. Returns only.

6 THEATRE: LEST WE FORGET

The studio theatre at the Lemon Tree in Aberdeen has 166 seats. This week, though, one will be added to pay tribute to the 167 men who died in the infamous Piper Alpha disaster, whose 20th anniversary is this year. The occasion is Lest We Forget

a new play telling the Piper Alpha story.

• Lemon Tree, Aberdeen. 7:30pm, 01224 642230

7 VISUAL ART: VANITY FAIR PORTRAITS – PHOTOGRAPHS 1913-2008

Many of these celebrity portraits are breathtakingly narcissistic, but there are many striking, fascinating pictures in the SNPG's big summer show, such as one of a young Albert Einstein.

• Scottish National Portrait Gallery, Edinburgh, 10am to 7pm

8 THEATRE: THE MERCHANT OF VENICE

Glasgow's annual Bard in the Botanics season kicks off with a version of The Merchant of Venice set in 1930s Europe, a time when, director Gordon Barr says, good and evil came sharply into focus. Remember to bring waterproofs and hot drinks.

• Botanic Gardens, Glasgow, 7:45pm, 0141-330 5522

9 FILM: IN SEARCH OF A MIDNIGHT KISS

Set on New Year's Eve, this hipster, low-budget comedy throws together an aspiring screenwriter, Wilson, and a wannabe actress, Vivian, and sends them on a rambling romantic odyssey around a secret Los Angeles, spouting witty, polished dialogue reminiscent of Woody Allen.

• Cinemas nationwide.

10 THEATRE: THE WEDDING SINGER

Based on the 1998 Adam Sandler movie, this is a dog's breakfast of a musical that does little more than go through the Hollywood rom-com motions, via terrible songs. On the plus side, there are good performances from Jonathan Wilkes and Natalie Casey.

• His Majesty's Theatre, Aberdeen, 7:30pm, 01224 641122