What’s on in Edinburgh this week

MONDAY 30 JUNE 2014

Continuing: GENERATION: 25 Years of Contemporary Art in Scotland. Venues include the Scottish Gallery of Modern Art One, Scottish National Gallery, Scottish National Portrait Gallery, Fruitmarket Gallery and Collective Gallery, with more exhibitions opening throughout the summer.  See website for locations and opening times.

Edinburgh in the 1950s: the authors of this fascinating book will give an illustrated talk on the dramatic changes the city underwent during this decade. 6.30pm, Blackhall Library, 56 Hillhouse Road. Booking recommended as seating is limited: email blackhall.library@edinburgh.gov.uk or call 0131 529 5595.

This Room is Waiting: poems from Iraq and the United Kingdom.  Ghareeb Iskander, John Glenday and Krystelle Bamford launch an anthology that sheds new light on real lives in contemporary post-war Iraq.  ‘A ground-breaking anthology.’ 6.30pm, Word Power Books, West Nicolson Street. Free, donations welcome.

Last Monday Book Group: Golden Hare Books’ monthly group discusses Sworn Virgin, an extraordinary contemporary novel by Albanian writer Elvira Dones. Wine and other refreshments provided – you are welcome to go along even if you haven’t read the book!  6.30pm, Golden Hare Books, 102 West Bow.

 

TUESDAY 1 JULY 2014

Journey: an exhibition by Queen Margaret University Art Psychotherapy graduates 2014. Preview tonight 6-8pm, then continues Tuesday to Saturday, 11am-5pm, until 28th July 2014.  Gallery on the Corner, 34 Northumberland Street.

eBook surgery: get help with downloading free eBooks, emagazines  and audio books.  2-3.30pm, Central Library, George IV Bridge.  Free drop-in session, no booking required.

Monster Tattoo Designs.  For ages 5-11.  2-3pm, Muirhouse Library, Pennywell Road.  Free, part of the Mythical Maze Summer Reading Challenge.

Nessie Door Handles.  For under 12s.  2-3.30pm, Gilmerton Library, 13 Newtoft Street. Free, part of the Mythical Maze Summer Reading Challenge.

Trevor Royle at NLS: on the 98th anniversary of the Battle of the Somme ‘Flowers of the Forest’ author Trevor Royle will explore the battle from a Scottish point of view and explain that, despite the heavy casualties, the Somme cannot be written off as a complete failure.  6pm, National Library of Scotland, George IV Bridge.  Free: book online or call 0131 623 3734.

Pirate Pete’s Paper Dressing-Up Box: spend a fun morning transforming yourself into a pirate! Make your own crazy cutlass, pirate hat, accessories and even your own parrot! Suitable for families. 10.30am-12.30pm, Lauriston Castle, 2a Cramond Road South.  £5 per person.  Bookings must be made via the Usher Hall Box Office, in person or by calling 0131 228 1155  (Monday to Saturday 10am-5.30pm) or via the Usher Hall website.

 

WEDNESDAY 2 JULY 2014

Remade in Edinburgh: Repair Surgery.  Weekly drop-in session to help you fix your computers and your textiles, with volunteer sewing tutor and computer assistants. Free but donations encouraged to help with running costs.  7-9pm, Repair and Reuse Centre, 17 Guthrie Street, EH1 1JG.

National Galleries of Scotland Visually Impaired Taster Session: want to find out more about the NGS’s visually-impaired programme?  Drop in to this informal taster session, meet some of the artists who work on the programme and learn more about the kinds of activities offered.  Open to all. 10.30am-1pm, Farmer Education Suite, Scottish National Portrait Gallery, 1 Queen Street.  Free, but places must be booked by contacting the Information Desk on 0131 624 6560.

PhD in an Hour: Music Listening in the Treatment of Anxiety Disorders. One PhD student, one fascinating topic, one cafe, one hour. Every month a PhD will be explained so that complete beginners to the subject can enjoy learning about groundbreaking research and ideas. This month Ellen Spaeth, whose PhD is in Clinical Psychology but who has a background in music, discusses how music evokes emotions in us and how that power can be harnessed for good.  6-7pm, Lovecrumbs, 155 West Port. Free.

Titian in Ten: ten minute pop-up talk 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.

John Byrne: a Portrait.  Robert Hewison, art historian and biographer of John Byrne, discusses the art and life of one of Scotland’s most engaging contemporary artists.  12.45-1.30pm, Hawthornden Lecture Theatre, Scottish National Gallery, The Mound.  Free and unticketed.

Monster Mash: draw your own monster: for ages 5+.  2.30-3.30pm, Oxgangs Library, 343 Oxgangs Road North.  Part of the Mythical Monster Summer Reading Challenge.

Blackwell’s Edinburgh presents Charlie Stross: The Rhesus Chart.  Edinburgh resident and celebrated science fiction writer Charlie Stross introduces the new novel in his Laundry Files series. 6.30-7.30pm, Blackwell’s South Bridge.  Free tickets available from Blackwell’s front desk or by calling 0131 622 8218.

Wiff Waff Wednesday: a monthly ping pong night for all ages with music, drink and great food at the Drill Hall Arts Cafe, ‘friendship first, competition second.’  6-10.30pm, free entry, all welcome. See Facebook page for more information.  Out of the Blue, 36 Dalmeny Street.

 

THURSDAY 3 JULY 2014

Trust: Ajay Close talks about her new novel, which follows a set of characters with very different social backgrounds over three decades, from the Miners’ Strike to the banking crisis, asking some searching questions about how people adapt over time – and how they stay the same. Chaired by Ali Bowden, Director of Unesco City of Literature Edinburgh.  7-8pm, Central Library, George IV Bridge.  Book via eventbrite.

GENERATION Opening Lecture: Katrina Brown, GENERATION Associate Curator, Simon Groom, Director, Gallery of Modern Art and artists Graham Fagen and Rachel MacLean will discuss the life of an artist in Scotland and the vision for the GENERATION project, while offering a flavour of the art scene then and now.  6-7.30pm, Hawthornden Lecture Theatre, Scottish National Gallery, The Mound.  Free and unticketed.

Books in Focus: Surrealist Poetry. The ‘Books in Focus’ sessions focus on artists’ books held in the Special Collections of the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art.  This session will look at collaborations between surrealist artists and poets, featuring poetry by Paul Eluard, Andre Breton and Georges Hugnet and illustrations by artists such as Man Ray, Joan Miro and Hans Bellmer.  11.30am-12.30pm, Reading Room, Modern Two.  Free, but limited places: book by calling 0131 624 6268 or emailing: gmainfo@nationalgalleries.org

‘Patriotic Porkers’ and other films: Scotland’s First World War film collection.  This screening showcases films from the First World War held at the Scottish Screen Archive at NLS.  Senior Curator Ruth Washbrook will guide you through these historic films, which were often made by local cinema managers and which provide an insight into the war effort at home. 6pm, National Library of Scotland, George IV Bridge.  Free: book online or call 0131 623 3734.

Nordic Walking Taster Session: Nordic Walking is a specific fitness technique that enhances everyday walking with the use of poles and is great for people with knee or back problems.  Free session taught by Sam Leyton: poles provided. 12noon-1pm, East Gate, Royal Botanic Garden. Booking essential: call the Education Office on 0131 248 2937.

 

FRIDAY 4 JULY 2014

Amazing Minotaurs and Other Mythical Creatures: for ages 5-11.  2-3pm, Blackhall Library, Hillhouse Road.  Free, part of the Mythical Monsters Summer Reading Challenge.

Lady Agnew of Lochnaw by John Singer Sargent.  Lady Agnew, painted in 1892, seems in hindsight to belong to a lost era which must, by contrast with the tragedy of the First World War that concluded it, have seemed frivolous. Dr James Lawson of the University of Edinburgh will attempt to recover the eye of the 1890s in approaching the picture.  12.45-1.30pm, Hawthornden Lecture Theatre, Scottish National Gallery, The Mound.  Free and unticketed.

Make a Dragon: craft event for ages 7-11.  2-3pm, Central Children’s Library, George IV Bridge. Free, part of the Mythical Monsters Summer Reading Challenge.

Rainbow Loombands and Hana Bead Bracelets: craft event for under 15s.  2.30-3.30pm, Gilmerton Library, 13 Newtoft Street

Monster Crafts: for ages 5+.  2.30-3.30pm, Oxgangs Library, 343 Oxgangs Road North.  Part of the Mythical Monster Summer Reading Challenge. Free.

American Treasures for 4th July: in the United States Independence Day celebrates the adoption of the Declaration of Independence in 1776. To mark the 238th anniversary NLS curators Chris Taylor and Dora Petherbridge will show fascinating rare books and manuscripts from NLS collections.  10am, 11.15am and 2pm, National Library of Scotland, George IV Bridge.  Limited places so book early, either online or by calling 0131 623 3734.

Lunchtime concert: Canadian Celtic Choir from London, Ontario. 12.15pm, St Giles Cathedral, Royal Mile. Free.

Literary Salon: Burn This Book – Freedom to Write/Freedom to Read. A monthly gathering for anyone keen on new experiences and bookish chat. Burn This Book will focus on the transformative power of writing and the importance of freedom in producing and accessing literature. Three speakers – Moira Forsyth, Christine de Luca and Sarah Irving – will discuss the vital role of PEN Scotland, the issue of diversity in literature, writing in a minority tongue, the recent prisoner book ban, and more.  6.30pm, Golden Hare Books, 102 West Bow.  Free: donations will be taken for PEN.  Book via eventbrite or call into the shop.

 

SATURDAY 5 JULY 2014

Garden Story Time: a special story time session for under-12s, with stories outside, growing your own salads and learning about healthy eating.  2.30-3.30pm Moredun Library,

Ruskin Opening Lecture – ‘The Innocence of the Eye’: Ruskin Revealed.  Christopher Newall, art historian and curator, will focus on the creative genius of Ruskin and how this is quintessentially represented in his draughtsmanship.  2-3pm, Hawthornden Lecture Theatre, Scottish National Gallery, The Mound.  Free but tickets required: available from the Information Desk at the National Gallery or on the door, subject to availability.

Images of Childhood: Portrait Gallery Thematic Tours. Emily Learmont looks at the way our perceptions of childhood have changed over the centuries, and how portraiture has reflected this. 2-2.45pm and 3-3.45pm, Scottish National Portrait Gallery, 1 Queen Street.  Free and unticketed.

GENERATION tours: discussion-led tours of the exhibition, focusing on key themes and artists. 11-11.45am and 1-1.45pm, Modern One, Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art.  Free and unticketed.

Zoo Arts Extra: Summer Animation Project.  Outdoor filming and stop motion performance animation – book now for all or part of this four day summer project. Come with your family or by yourself to watch a treasure trove of inspiring artists’ animations.  The artist Alice Betts will introduce a range of techniques, including sound recording and editing, whilst filming around Muirhouse. Create your own short animated films: there will be a screening of the final production at the Filmhouse. Snacks and/or meals will be provided each day.  10am-1pm today, then 10am-3pm on Monday 7th and Wednesday 9th July and 10am-1pm on Saturday 12th.  Suitable for ages 9+ and adults.  North Edinburgh Arts, 15a Pennywell Court.  Free but a returnable deposit of £2 per session or £5 for all four sessions will be required.   Contact 0131 315 2151 for more information.

Hugh Murdoch: a new exhibition including over a dozen new acquisitions from Hugh Murdoch’s estate. Opens today, then 10am-5pm, Monday to Saturday, Doubtfire Gallery, 3 South East Circus Place.

Your Green Spaces: spend a day exploring some of Edinburgh’s iconic green spaces. In the morning take a tour of some of the spaces with the Garden History Society in Scotland  – come dressed for the weather and wear comfy shoes!  In the afternoon work with artist Erik Petrie to create some amazing artwork interpreting your experiences and imagining your vision of these spaces. The afternoon session is optional. Free and suitable for all ages.  10am-4pm, City Art Centre, Market Street.  To book call 0131 529 3993.

 

SUNDAY 6 JULY 2014

Art Maker: join the Art Maker Club (for ages 4-12) and make your own masterpieces with artists Tessa Asquith-Lamb and Louise Fraser. 2-4pm drop-in session, Scottish National Gallery, The Mound.  Free and unticketed. Supported by the Friends of the National Gallery.

Children’s Flower Painting and Face Painting: come and learn about Chinese flower painting and get your face painted too!  Free, all ages welcome, no booking required: part of the Botanics Orchid Fair, supported by the Taipei Representative Office in the UK, Edinburgh office.  1-4pm, John Hope Gateway, Royal Botanic Garden.

Giving Nature a Home: hop along to the Botanics and take part in a range of family-focused weekend wildlife activities.  RSPB staff will help you discover more about the range of wildlife that makes the garden its home, from minibeasts and birds through to mammals.  Free, all ages welcome, no booking required.  11am-4pm, Royal Botanic Garden: ask at reception for venue.

St Giles At Six: organ recital by Heinrich Walther.  Programme will include Byrd, Liszt, Bach and Uzandigaza.  6pm, St Giles Cathedral, Royal Mile.