Five things you need to know today
Calling all Olympic torchbearers! – Dads Rock – Museum of Edinburgh – National Museum to spend £12m on new spaces – Man Booker Prize
Members of the public are being encouraged to assemble in Festival Square from noon on Friday to get the best view of the flypast by the Red Arrows, where they will also be able to enjoy a series of Olympic sports demonstrations and ‘come-and-try’ events, including judo, weightlifting and table tennis.
The crowd will also be treated to a lively performance by the kids from the Playhouse Stage Experience who will be singing and dancing their way through a couple of numbers from their fantastic production of ‘Footloose’.
Then, from 6pm, the City’s own Opening Ceremony Event will get underway in the Square. Hosted by BBC Scotland news presenter Catriona Shearer, the FREE event will include entertainment from the Pipefest Pipers, Ceilidhdonia ceilidh rock band, Pulse of the Place samba band, a highland dance troupe and an exclusive live performance of ‘Flower of Scotland’ by The Big Project Choir.
Meanwhile, an appeal has gone out to all Olympic torchbearers to join a parade, which will take place at 8.30pm. Was that you? Then contact the Council to find out more!
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Tonight at Eteaket on Frederick Street an exhibition is to be launched which you can visit throughout July and August. Dads Rock and Fathers Network Scotland are putting on a display of photos which they claim are unique. The photo exhibition is aimed at telling the stories of dads from all walks of life, and highlighting the positive caring relationship that many fathers enjoy with their children. You will then have the opportunity of seeing these photos at Holyrood where they will be on display to allow just as many people as possible to see. The exhibition was officially launched at the House of Lords in June this year. Dads Rock is the first musical playgroup run for fathers and their children every Saturday in Sighthill.
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Looking for somewhere to go today? The newly refurbished Museum of Edinburgh has a special ‘Spotlight’ tour at 11.
One of the Visitor Assistants will highlight an object, a gallery or a display case.
Meet at the Museum of Edinburgh reception desk. There is also a newly released app from Global Treasure Apps which will help you explore the Museum and other historic areas of Edinburgh. “Global Treasure Hunts are fun, interactive and informative, shining a new light on city walks and tourist attractions.”
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Elsewhere we are told that the National Museum of Scotland, hot on the heels of its recent renovation project is to spend another £12m on creating new galleries.
The magnificent tea service created for the Emperor Napoleon in connection with his marriage in 1810, a decorative charger by the Art and Crafts ceramicist William de Morgan, the world’s first pneumatic tyre invented by John Boyd Dunlop in 1888 and the Nobel Prize gold medal awarded to Sir James Black for the discovery of beta blockers and anti-ulcer drugs are just a selection from the outstanding collections which will be displayed in the new galleries.
The public response to the recent transformation of the National Museum of Scotland has been amazing with well in excess of 2 million visitors flocking through the doors since it re-opened last summer. Building on this success, the new galleries will increase the permanent gallery provision devoted to these collections, displaying the very best they have to offer. The new galleries will feature dramatic design, multimedia and interactivity.
Dr Gordon Rintoul, Director of National Museums Scotland said:-
“We are absolutely delighted that the Heritage Lottery Fund has awarded funding for the next stage in our Masterplan for the National Museum of Scotland. This grant will enable us to move forward in creating a further eight new galleries, opening up access for everybody to our outstanding National Collections of science and European art. The National Museum of Scotland is already one of the world’s great museums. This investment will further enhance its appeal and international importance.”
Colin McLean, Head of the Heritage Lottery Fund in Scotland, said:-
“The transformation of the National Museum of Scotland has been a runaway success, surpassing all expectations. It has rekindled peoples’ interest in our history and heritage with millions enjoying the fascinating artefacts on display. HLF is delighted to give its initial support to a project which will build on this triumph bringing many more of Scotland’s treasures out of storage and on public display for the first time.”
National Museums Scotland will now work with individuals, trusts, foundations and the corporate sector to secure the remaining funds to complete the next phase of the project.
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So the long list for the Man Booker Prize has been announced. So what you might say? Well the Edinburgh Guide has the answer to that question for you. Half of the nominees will be appearing at the Edinburgh International Book Festival. Although some events have sold out there are apparently still tickets for some of the events.