Christmas movies today at The Cameo at 17.40. It’s a Wonderful Life with James Stewart is a real (or should that be reel) classic. More details on on the cinema’s website. At The Filmhouse they are showing the wonderful The Illusionist which if you have not already seen it (or even if you have) you should get along to Lothian Road to enjoy one of the best films of the year in our opinion. Also The Filmhouse are showing The Wizard of Oz at 11.00am and 18.00pm. Details here. Cineworld are showing A Christmas Carol in 3D on Tuesday 21st and Thursday 23rd December. More details here. If you need reminding about other great Christmas films then have a look at The Scotsman Screening Room blog which gives you the list.
The Open Eye Gallery is open this week till 23rd December. Currently their exhibition is an RCA portfolio of 48 printed works by artists including Joe Tilson, John Bellany, Patrick Heron, Allen Jones, Terry Frost, Peter Blake, Robyn Denny, Julian Trevelyan, Bert Irvin and Eduardo Paolozzi.
Feeling like getting out of doors today? You can go skiing at Midlothian Ski Centre. Opens around 9.30. Probably best to phone first to check the access road is clear. More details here.
There is a free drop in event this morning starting at 11am at The Scottish Storytelling Centre. Storyteller Tim Porteus leads special guests from the Bethany Christian Trust in an afternoon of storytelling, music and poetry to celebrate the Christmas season. Drop in for tales, tunes and warming banter. More details here.
On Tuesday 21 December there are two Taffy Thomas sessions at the Storytelling Centre. Enjoy memories and stories with Britain’s storytelling laureate Taffy Thomas. For all the young at heart, gather round the Christmas tree to share some festive fun and magic for all ages. Taffy will be accompanied by traditional singer Aimee Laura Thomas. One session at 2.30 and the ohter at 7pm. More details here.
On Thursday 23rd December at 7.30pm The Usher Hall presents Carols by Candlelight. Carols and seasonal classics performed by the UK’s most elegant ensemble in full 18th Century costume in a candle-lit style setting. Tickets available here.
The story of Scotland’s lighthouses, Shining Lights goes on until Sun 3 April 2011 at the National Museum of Scotland. Entry Free. More than 6,200 miles long and including more than 760 islands, the jagged Scottish coastline is one of the most dangerous in the world. Shining Lights: The Story of Scotland’s Lighthouses tells the story of the people who designed, built and operated Scotland’s lighthouses, lighting a safe passage for mariners for more than 250 years. The exhibition will mark next year’s 200th anniversary of the lighting of the world’s oldest rock lighthouse, the Bell Rock near Arbroath.
Spectacular giant optics, lighthouse models and interactive exhibits will be amongst the objects used within Shining Lights to explore the development of lighthouse technology. This ranges from the Egyptian Pharos lighthouse of Alexandria over 2000 years ago and the towers topped with bonfires that formed the first 17th century Scottish lighthouses, to the fully automated systems that mark the Scotland’s coastline today and are now controlled from a single room in Edinburgh.
Carols by Candelight at The Usher Hall on 23rd December with the Mozart Festival Orchestra. Tickets from £14.50 to £31.50. More information on the website
The Farmer’s Market has a special Mid-week market on 23rd December when they have all sorts of Christmas goodies on sale. Starts at 9.00am. More details from their Facebook page.
Edinburgh Sparkles have come up with a novel idea to bring a little extra festive cheer to shoppers in the run up to Christmas. Their ‘Tweet Treat Bus’ will be out and about be on the 15th & 16th and 22nd & 23rd, cruising round town, stopping at random to dish out all manner of goodies to lucky people.
Giveaways include designer necklaces from Covet, exclusive discount vouchers from stores like Frontiers and Odyssey Boutique, goody-bags from Arran Aromatics and House of Fraser, Lothian Buses day tickets, and scrumptious samplings from Eteaket, Chocolate Tree, The Royal Yacht Britannia and more.
‘How do we find out where it will stop?’ Well, it’s simple really. All you need to do is follow them on Twitter, where they’ll be sending out advance warning of the secret locations from the @edinburgh_ account. Simply sign up to receive their updates and voila! you could be in line for some ace freebies.
Founding Editor of The Edinburgh Reporter.
Edinburgh-born multimedia journalist and iPhoneographer.
