What’s on in Edinburgh this week - The Edinburgh Reporter

MONDAY 23 JUNE 2014

Edible Gardening: Seasonal Advice. Drop in to find out how to grow your own food and take a look around the productive garden with the Edible Gardening Project team. 1-3pm, Demonstration Garden, Royal Botanic Garden. Free, no booking required.

Hidden Gardens of the Royal Mile: a talk by Jean Bareham. Learn about the history and stories behind gardens old and new in and around Edinburgh’s Royal Mile. 6-7pm, Gilmerton Library, 13 Newtoft Street. To book call 0131 529 5628 or email gilmerton.library@edinburgh.gov.uk

My Brother’s Keeper? The Edinburgh Philosophy and Psychology Group meet to discuss ‘Are we so concerned to protect people from risks and consequences that we make them more dependent?’ Discussions are non-academic and group members come from a range of ages, backgrounds and nationalities. Group meets monthly, non-members welcome. 8-9.30pm, The Links Hotel and Bar, 4 Alvanley Terrace, Bruntsfield, EH9 1DU. Free (with free sandwiches!)

Where Should the Birds Fly? The first film about Gaza made by Palestinians living the reality of the siege and blockade. The filmmaker Fida Quishta, one of the women whose stories are told in the film, will answer questions after the screening. 7pm (doors open 6.30pm and the cafe will be open prior to the show) Out of the Blue, 35 Dalmeny Street. Free, donations welcome.

TUESDAY 24 JUNE 2014

Author event: local writer Joan Rowe talks about her new book Duty, an intricate historical novel set before, during and after World War I, entwining the lives of two very different families over the tumultuous changes taking place in British society. 6-7.30pm, Blackhall Library, 56 Hillhouse Road. Free but booking essential as space is limited: 0131 529 5595 or email blackhall.library@edinburgh.gov.uk

Cornelius Johnson’s ‘Robert, Lord Bruce’: a new portrait acquisition. A talk by Karen Hearn, University College London Historian of British Art and Culture 1500-1710, on the Portrait Gallery’s first work by 17th century painter Cornelius Johnson, official painter to King Charles I. 12.45-1.30pm, Hawthornden Theatre, Scottish National Gallery, The Mound. Free and unticketed.

Can We See It All? The future of X-Ray crystallography. Dr Adam Kirrander will give the final lecture in the University of Edinburgh School of Mathematics’ Crystallography Matters! series celebrating the 2014 International Year of Crystallography. 6.30-7.30pm, Cairns Lecture Theatre, Summerhall, 1 Summerhall. Free tickets must be booked via eventbrite.

Stitch ‘n’ Time: award-winning sewing and crafting class led by a professional seamstress. The group focuses on projects that will benefit the community whilst learning new skills and enjoying a cuppa. Open to all levels and abilities. 1-3pm, WHALE Arts, 30 Westburn Grove. Call 0131 458 3267 for more information.

WEDNESDAY 25 JUNE 2014

Titian in Ten: ten minute pop-up talks delivered by NGS staff. Gain an exclusive insight as staff from across the galleries offer different perspectives on Titian’s masterpieces. 2pm, Scottish National Gallery, The Mound. Free and unticketed.

Guided tour of the National Library of Scotland: tour and introduction to the library’s collections and history. 10.30am (lasts about 45 minutes), National Library of Scotland, George IV Bridge. Free but numbers limited so booking essential, either via website or by calling 0131 623 3734.

Lunchtime Concert: The Girls and Youth Choir of Jeloy Church, Moss, Norway. 12.15pm, St Giles Cathedral, High Street. Free and unticketed.

Get Connected: Digital Skills Academy leads this drop-in session to support learning of all IT skills. Drop in for one session, or come regularly and you could gain accredited IT qualifications. 2.30-4.30pm, WHALE Arts, 30 Westburn Grove. Free. Call 0131 458 3267 for more information.

THURSDAY 26 JUNE 201

World in Chains: the Impact of Nuclear Weapons and Militarisation. Political activist Angie Zelter launches her latest book, ‘essays that question the integrity of a society that accepts nuclear deterrents as valid forms of defence.’ 6.30pm, Word Power Books, West Nicolson Street. Free, donations welcome.

Live Music Now: Suzanne Houston and Kristan Harvey – Kristan Harvey (fiddle) and Suzanne Houston (piano) specialise in Scotland’s traditional music. Their programme includes arrangements of some of Scotland’s oldest traditional melodies, as well as newer compositions that are shaping the development of folk music today. 6-6.30pm, Scottish National Portrait Gallery, 1 Queen Street. Free and unticketed.

The Economics of New Borders: Implications: a panel discussion. As the Independence Referendum approaches, economic questions have come to dominate the public debate on Scotland’s future. This Scottish Institute for Research in Economics event will showcase methods used by economists to evaluate the possible costs and benefits of independence, discuss the experience of other countries and explore the implications for Scotland. 6-7pm, St Cecilia’s Hall, Niddry Street. Free tickets must be booked via eventbrite.

Lunchtime Concert: Piano Speak. Will Pickvance’s popular off-the-cuff weekly concert of piano improvisations and repartee. 12.15pm, St Giles Cathedral, High Street. Free and unticketed.

Scandalous Edinburgh plc walking tour: an informative and interactive guided walking tour, full of surprises, around Edinburgh’s financial districts. ‘History, anecdotes and eye-opening information. Prepare to be scandalised…’ 4.30-6.30pm starting at St Andrew Square. Organised by the World Development Movement, a UK-based anti-poverty campaigning organisation. Tickets cost £5 (concessions £3) to include taxi ride and hot chocolate, and must be booked in advance via eventbrite. Other dates in July are also available – see website.

FRIDAY 27 JUNE 2014

John McPake and the Sea Beggars: Edinburgh native Stuart Campbell launches his debut novel ‘an extraordinarily warm and humane exploration of psychosis.’ 6.30pm, Golden Hare Books, 102 West Bow. Free event but please book via eventbrite or by calling into the shop in advance.

Gallery Social: John Byrne. Join artists for relaxed guided tours for anyone affected by dementia, their friends, relatives and supporters. Very informal tours exploring highlights from the permanent collection or special exhibitions. Tours begin with refreshments in the Learning Centre: meet at the Information Desk. 10.30am-12 noon, Scottish National Portrait Gallery, 1 Queen Street. To book a place call 0131 624 6560

Katie Paterson: Ideas. Paterson’s work is cross-medium, multidisciplinary and conceptually driven with an emphasis on nature and cosmology. Ideas presents her most recent work as part of the nationwide project GENERATION. 10am-6pm, Monday to Saturday, from today until 27th September 2014 (also open 12 noon- 5pm on Sundays in August only), Ingleby Gallery, 15 Calton Road.

Jim Lambie: a solo exhibition of the work of Jim Lambie, one of Scotland’s most internationally significant artists known for visually compelling, generous and beguiling work which attracts both critical and popular acclaim. Bringing together two decades of sculpture and installation, the exhibition is part of Edinburgh Art Festival 2014 and GENERATION. Today until 19th October 2014, 11am-6pm Monday to Saturday, 12 noon – 5pm Sundays. The Fruitmarket Gallery, 45 Market Street.

Lunchtime Concert: Dokko Long Beach Polytechnic High School Choir, California. 12.15pm, St Giles Cathedral, High Street. Free and unticketed.

Georgian Edinburgh before the New Town: a lecture by James Simpson, a conservation architect in private practice in Edinburgh. James co-founded the firm of Simpson and Brown, now one of the leading historic buildings practices in the UK. 2pm, City Art Centre, Market Street. Free: for bookings and further information contact Margaret Findlay on 0131 529 3963 or email margaret.findlay@edinburgh.gov.uk

Leith School of Art End of Year Exhibition: Leith School of Art offers full-time and part-time courses and a summer school. This exhibition will showcase work by this year’s students. 10am-4pm, Leith School of Art, 25 North Junction Street. Free. Also open Saturday 28th and Sunday 29th June.

Orchid Fair at the Botanics: the Taiwan Floriculture Association leads the world in orchid culture. See their stunning, colourful and elegant display of the state of the art in orchid floriculture. Special events, including painting demonstrations and a tea ceremony, will be held around this exhibition (see Sunday’s listing for the first one.) 10am-5,45pm, Real Life Science Studio, John Hope Gateway. Royal Botanic Garden. Free, no booking required. Exhibition ends 20th July 2014.

Afternoon Tea Club: 3.30pm, Fountainbridge Library, Dundee Street.

School’s Out for Summer! Summer crafts and games session. Celebrate the start of the summer holidays at South Queensferry Library, 9 Shore Road, 2-4pm.

SATURDAY 28 JUNE 2014

How To Train Your Dragon Activity Day: a dragon-themed activity day to celebrate the release of Cressida Cowell’s ‘The Incomplete Book of Dragons‘, which coincides with Dreamworks’ release of How To Train Your Dragon 2, a film inspired by the bestselling series. Activities include Design Your Own Shield, Find the Dragons, raffle, colouring and a Costume Parade at 2pm – come dressed as a Viking or dragon, prizes for the best costumes. 11am-4pm, Waterstones West End. Further information on 0131 226 2666.

Generation: 25 Years of Contemporary Art in Scotland. First day of a landmark series of exhibitions tracing the development of modern art in Scotland over the last 25 years. Works by over a hundred artists in more than sixty galleries, exhibition spaces and venues all over Scotland. In Edinburgh exhibitions open today at the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art, Collective Gallery, Scottish National Portrait Gallery, RSA and the Scottish National Gallery. More will follow at other venues later in the summer. See website for full details.

National Gallery Highlight Tours: an introduction to and tour of the National Gallery’s permanent collection, focusing on key paintings. 2-2.45pm and 3-3.45pm, Scottish National Gallery, The Mound. Free and unticketed.

Tour of the National Library Polish Collection: enjoy a behind the scenes tour at the National Library of Scotland and learn more about the Polish collections. Tour will last about 50 minutes and will include a visit to the reading rooms and one of the stack floors where 16 million print items are stored. There will be a small display demonstrating the range of Polish material held. 10am and 11.30am, National Library of Scotland, George IV Bridge. Free but numbers limited so booking is essential, either via website or by calling 0131 623 3734.

The Hidden Library – for creatives. Join print-maker, publisher and artist-book-maker Hugh Bryden for a book art workshop or novelist Vicki Hendry to find out how to use NLS for creative research. Take part in a travel writing workshop or join the Library’s own handy knitters to uncover surprise patterns from the past – and have a go at knitting them (beginners and experts welcome!) Discover the Ian Hamilton Finlay archive, ‘Library in a Box’, vintage quilting patterns and much more. 2-5pm, National Library of Scotland, George IV Bridge. Free but booking required via website or by calling 0131 623 3734.

Lunchtime Concert: St Maur’s Youth Choir, Rush, Co Dublin. 12.15pm, St Giles Cathedral, High Street. Free and unticketed.

Recycled City: help build a miniature version of Edinburgh using recycled materials. 1.30-3.30pm, City Art Centre, Market Street. A free drop-in workshop for families – no booking required.

Giving Nature a Home: a range of family-focused weekend wildlife activities. RSPB staff will help you to discover more about the range of wildlife that makes the garden its home. 11am-4pm, Royal Botanic Garden (ask at Reception for venue.) Free, all ages, no booking required. Also available on Sunday.

No Strangers: Ancient Wisdom in a Modern World. A group photography exhibition focusing on the plight of indigenous people throughout the world and the ways cultures express a shared humanity. Posing a fundamental question of ‘what does it mean to be human and alive?‘ No Strangers celebrates the 7,000 languages used globally, half of which could be silenced within a generation or two. 10am-5.45pm, John Hope Gateway, Royal Botanic Garden. Free. Exhibition ends 21st September 2014.

Mythical Monster Books: summer activities for children aged 5-11. 2-3pm, Blackhall Library. Free and unticketed.

SUNDAY 29 JUNE 2014

Joe Abercrombie: Half a King. Blackwell’s Edinburgh hosts the only Scottish event for Joe Abercrombie, one of Britain’s leading fantasy authors. An exclusive insight into Joe’s new book Half A King, a classic coming-of-age tale and the start of a new series. 6pm, Blackwell’s, South Bridge. Free but booking is essential; tickets are available from Blackwell’s front desk or by calling 0131 622 8218 or via eventbrite.

St Giles at Six: pianist Luke Welch plays Schumann, Chopin and Brahms. 6pm, St Giles Cathedral, High Street. Free and unticketed.

Stockbridge Duck Race: ducks (not real ones!) are numbered and released from the bridge into the Water of Leith at 3pm then caught by Duck Wardens further downstream. The owners of the first lucky ducks to cross the line win prizes generously donated by local businesses. Ducks are now on sale at £1.50 each from many local Stockbridge establishments and also online – see Facebook group for details. All profits will be donated to Lifecare and St Columba’s Hospice. Race is followed by an Apres Duck party and a children’s disco.

An Edinburgh Jewish Welcome – You’re Welcome to Write! Creative Writing Day presented by the Scottish Council of Jewish Communities around the themes of Welcome and Migration. Want to share your story about immigration and welcome? Come and discover your writing talents with the help of three writers who will offer insights and guidance on writing short stories and poetry. Open to everyone regardless of writing experience and level of spoken English. Free Kosher buffet lunch, creche facilities and activities for children. 10am-4pm, Jewish Community Centre, 4 Salisbury Road, EH16 5AB. Free, part of Refugee Week Scotland For bookings and more information see website or contact fiona@scojec.org

Plum Blossom Painting Demonstration: Dr Chun-Chao Chiu is an artist from Taiwan renowned for his mastery of traditional Chinese brush painting in depicting landscapes and floral art. Join him as he paints a classic plum blossom watercolour in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the designation of plum blossom as Taiwan’s national flower. Discover the symbolism behind plum blossom and many other national and regional flowers. 1-4pm, Patrick Geddes Room, Royal Botanic Garden. Free, no booking required.

Mythical Maze: art, crafts and activities for ages 5+. Part of Edinburgh Libraries’/The Reading Agency’s Summer Reading Challenge. 2.30-3.30pm, Oxgangs Library, 343 Oxgangs Road North.

Oxgangs Library 3