We all know what starts this week: on Friday both the Fringe and the Just Festival open their numerous doors. The Edinburgh Reporter will cover many events at both festivals – so What’s On will concentrate on the other activities on offer this week in Scotland’s capital.
MONDAY 28TH JULY 2014
Summer Storytime with the Dogs Trust: snuggle down and listen to Rachel’s doggy tales, then chat about safety around dogs and how to be a responsible dog owner. For ages 5-10. 2-3pm, Granton Library, Wardieburn Terrace. Free, no booking required.
Ho Hey Croquet! try your hand at golf croquet with the expert help of the Edinburgh Croquet Club. Family event. 10.30am-12.30pm or 1.30-3.30pm, Lauriston Castle, 2a Cramond Road South. £5 per person, bookings must be made via Usher Hall Box Office, in person, by phone or online.
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, Inverleith Row. Free. Also available on Tuesday 29th July.
South West Neighbourhood Summer of Sport: get competitive! take part in this summer’s themed events and activities. 2.30pm, Colinton Library, Thorburn Road. Part of the Mythical Maze Summer Reading Challenge.
Last Monday Book Group: July’s book is The Falling Sky, a stunning Scottish novel by writer and astronomer Pippa Goldschmidt. ‘A blackly comic campus satire combined with a heartbreaking family mystery.’ Wine and other refreshments provided. 6.30-8pm (approx), Golden Hare Books, 102 West Bow.
Summer Storytime with the Dogs Trust: snuggle down and listen to Rachel’s doggy tales, then chat about safety around dogs and how to be a responsible dog owner. For ages 5-10. 4-5pm, Stockbridge Library, Hamilton Place. To book please call 0131 529 5665 or email stockbridge.library@edinburgh.gov.uk
The Edinburgh Philosophy and Psychology Group: meet other people who think the world is worth debating in a friendly, social context. July’s topic is ‘Is work necessary? With increasing automation will we be able to keep everyone gainfully employed? A different approach to work and leisure.’ 8-9.30pm, The Links Hotel & Bar, 4 Alvanley Terrace. Free event with free sandwiches, but RSVP if you would like to attend.
Teen events at Moredun: activities for teenagers, from X-Box tournaments to nail art. 6.30pm, Moredun Library, 92 Moredun Park Road. Also at same time on Wednesday.
Conversation Cafe for World Hepatitis Day: free confidential testing for hepatitis B or C and for HIV, discussions on testing and treatment. Tea, coffee and cakes provided. 2-6pm, Serenity Cafe, The Tun, 8 Jackson’s Entry (off Holyrood Road.) Please call Yanni on 0131 556 8765 if you are interested in attending or would like more information.
TUESDAY 29TH JULY 2014
Falling Walls Lab: want to hear about some ground-breaking discoveries and innovative ideas that could change the world? Falling Walls Labs are international events that aim to build connections between young researchers and representatives from academia, business and policy, and discover ideas that could have a significant positive impact on society. Twelve presenters have 3 minutes to present their big ideas. Details of presenters and judges here. 3-5pm (doors open 2.45pm), Playfair Library, University of Edinburgh, Old College, South Bridge. Free, but tickets must be booked via eventbrite.
Aztec Ruins and Mazes: for ages 5-11. 2-3pm, Muirhouse Library, 15 Pennywell Court. Part of the Mythical Maze Summer Reading Challenge.
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, Inverleith Row. Free.
The Venice of Titian and the Venice of Ruskin: Professor Richard MacKenney, State University of New York, explores Titian’s life and works in the context of 16th century Venice. Ruskin’s understanding of Venice made him suspicious of Renaissance individualism and led him to extol Tintoretto as the guardian and champion of Venetian tradition. 12.45-1.30pm, Hawthornden Lecture Theatre, Scottish National Gallery, The Mound. Free and unticketed.
A Mermaid’s Tale: story time for the under 5s. 10.30-11.30am, Gilmerton Library, 13 Newtoft Street.
eBook surgery: get help with downloading free ebooks, audiobooks and emagazines. 2-3.30pm, Central Library, George IV Bridge. No appointment necessary, just drop in.
Design your Nessie: make your own Nessie sock. For under 12s. 2.30-3.30pm, Gilmerton Library, 13 Newtoft Street. Part of the Mythical Maze Summer Reading Challenge.
Mythical Maze activities and events. 2.30pm, Colinton Library, Thorburn Road. Part of the Mythical Maze Summer Reading Challenge.
Edinburgh Hacklab Open Night: the Hacklab is a hackerspace open to anyone interested in tinkering with hardware or hacking some code – bring along a project, ask for some electronics help, or just see what’s happening. 7pm, (and every Tuesday and Thursday, but check website for last minute changes) Summerhall, 1 Summerhall Place. Free, just drop in and say hello.
WEDNESDAY 30TH JULY 2014
Herbal Medicine Workshop with the Friends of Harrison Park: 6.30-8pm, Harrison Park, Harrison Road – meet by the new community herb garden at the dog-free zone. Free, all welcome but under 16s should be accompanied by an adult. For more information contact Esperanza Martin on 0131 445 4025.
Blackwell’s Edinburgh presents Alan Cochrane and George Kerevan: Scottish Independence, Yes or No? Alan Cochrane, of the Scottish Daily Telegraph, and George Kerevan, Scottish journalist and SNP politician, launch their new book, looking at the potential impact of independence on key economic, social, political, defence and cultural issues. Cochrane will put his case for NO and Kerevan will put his for YES. 6.30-7.30pm, Blackwell’s, South Bridge. Free tickets can be obtained from the shop’s front desk or by calling 0131 622 8218.
Shadow Puppet Theatre: Katie Forrester and Moira Harvey show you how to make amazing creature puppets and put on your own shadow theatre show. For ages 4-11, under 8s must be accompanied by an adult. 2-3pm, Central Library, George IV Bridge. Please book a free ticket via eventbrite for every child and every adult attending (maximum of one adult per child.)
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. Free and unticketed.
Teen events at Moredun: activities for teenagers, from X-Box tournaments to nail art. 6.30pm, Moredun Library, 92 Moredun Park Road.
Ruskin and the Pre-Raphaelites: Stephen Wildman, Director of the Ruskin Library at Lancaster University and editor of a new collection of Ruskin’s writing about the Pre-Raphaelites, will look at Ruskin’s close involvement with the Pre-Raphaelite movement. 12.45-1.30pm, Hawthornden Lecture Theatre, Scottish National Gallery, The Mound. Free and unticketed.
Dog Tales: The Dogs Trust present canine story telling and an information session. 2.30-3.30pm, Colinton Library, Thorburn Road.
Lunchtime concert: Piano Speak with Will Pickvance. 12.15pm, St Giles’ Cathedral, Royal Mile.
Magical Mazes: online computer challenges and games for over 7s. 4-5pm, Stockbridge Library, Hamilton Place. Part of the Mythical Maze Summer Reading Challenge.
Zoolab: come and meet the animals at Zoolab’s animal handling workshop. 2pm, Fountainbridge Library, 137 Dundee Street. Call into the library, call 0131 529 5516 or email fountainbridge.library@edinburgh.gov.uk to check times and to book a place, or join the event via the special Facebook page. Part of the Mythical Maze Summer Reading Challenge.
Live Music at the Pear Tree. 5-6pm: Simply Soweto Encha, a 5-piece a capella group singing gospel, soul, jazz, doo-wop and R ‘n’ B in both African and popular styles. 6-7pm: Ruari McMillan, singer, songwriter and guitarist whose influences include Dylan, the Stones and John Lennon. The Pear Tree, West Nicolson Street. Strictly over 18s only. Free.
THURSDAY 31ST JULY 2014
Edinburgh Art Festival starts today, with a programme featuring work by over one hundred artists in over thirty city venues; exhibitions, talks, performance, tours and film. Most events are free. See website for full details, or pick up one of their lovely maps/guides at the kiosk in George Street or at any of the featured venues.
The Independence Referendum: leading academics Dr Bryan Glass and Professor James Mitchell, who have both recently published books on the historical perspectives of the debate, will place the independence referendum and the rise of modern Scottish nationalism into a wider historical perspective. 6.30-7.45pm, followed by a drinks reception. Conference Room, University of Edinburgh Business School, 29 Buccleuch Place. Free places must be booked via website.
Mythical Stories and Crafts: a different mythical story and related craft every week. For under 12s. 2.30-3.30pm, Moredun Library, 92 Moredun Park Road. Part of the Mythical Maze Summer Reading Challenge.
Golden Hare Books presents an exhibition by Edinburgh-based artist Marie Varley, whose work is a celebration of the humble postage stamp, ‘that small window of national expression that has become an increasingly endangered art form.’ Open preview with refreshments 6.30-8.30pm tonight, then 10am-6pm daily. Golden Hare Books, 102 West Bow.
Yeti Family: make and name your own Yeti family! 2.30-3.30pm, Gilmerton Library, 13 Newtoft Street. Part of the Mythical Maze Summer Reading Challenge.
The GENERATOR by night! – unleash your childlike, creative side in the crazy art lab and have fun imagining the art of the future. Take inspiration from the amazing art on display in the GENERATION exhibitions and jump into a world of experimentation, exploration and invention. Special evening opening of the children’s GENERATOR activities for adults only. 5-7pm, Royal Scottish Academy (Scottish National Gallery), The Mound, free and unticketed. Part of GENERATION by night.
Teddy Bears’ Picnic: Fountainbridge Library, 137 Dundee Street. Call into the library, call 0131 529 5516 or email fountainbridge.library@edinburgh.gov.uk to book a place for your teddy.
Lunchtime concert: Mark Spalding, piano. 12.15pm, St Giles’ Cathedral, Royal Mile.
Live Music at the Pear Tree: The Irresistible Urges. International band performing original songs, from agit-pop to world music and tango groove. ‘Original songs and voodoo rhythm – delve into the avant-garage.’ 6-7pm, The Pear Tree, West Nicolson Street. Strictly over 18s only. Free.
Edinburgh Hacklab Open Night: the Hacklab is a hackerspace open to anyone interested in tinkering with hardware or hacking some code – bring along a project, ask for some electronics help, or just see what’s happening. 7pm, (and every Tuesday and Thursday, but check website for last minute changes) Summerhall, 1 Summerhall Place. Free, just drop in and say hello.
Live Music on the Kopparberg Stage: a daily session of outdoor performances in the courtyard with buskers, musicians, cabaret, comedy and much more. 4-8pm, today and every day until 24th August, with different acts every day. The Pear Tree, West Nicolson Street. Strictly over 18s only. Free. Part of the Edinburgh Free Fringe Festival.
FRIDAY 1ST AUGUST 2014
Anne Frank: a History for Today. An exhibition managed by the Anne Frank Trust UK telling the story of Anne’s short life through text, quotes from her famous diary, and powerful images. Opens today and runs till 21st August 2014. Opening times vary, see website for details. St Mary’s Cathedral, Palmerston Place.
Mythical Maze Stories and Crafts: 2.30pm, Colinton Library, Thorburn Road. Part of the Mythical Maze Summer Reading Challenge.
Where Do I End and You Begin An international exhibition of contemporary art selected by curators from five Commonwealth countries, exploring ideas, ideals and myths which underpin notions of community, common-wealth and the commons. 10am-5pm Monday to Saturday, 12-5pm Sunday, until 19th October 2014. City Art Centre, 2 Market Street, and Old Royal High School, Regent Road. Part of Edinburgh Art Festival.
Discussion: Where Do I End and You Begin As part of this new exhibition, artist Kay Hassan and jazz trumpeter Faya Faku discuss their collaboration with curator Thembinkosi Goniwe, followed by a chance to hear Faku perform. 12 noon, City Art Centre, 2 Market Street. Free, but places must be booked via eventbrite. Part of Edinburgh Art Festival.
Being in Common: a panel of artists and curators involved in Where Do I End and You Begin will discuss the exhibitions’s themes of community and what we hold in common. 3pm, City Art Centre, 2 Market Street. Free, but places must be booked via eventbrite. Part of Edinburgh Art Festival.
Bullets and Daffodils: a historic performance commemorating the meeting between Wilfred Owen and Siegfried Sassoon and a centenary of war and its verse. Wilfred Owen met his hero and mentor Sassoon at the War Hospital at Craiglockhart; this set in motion one of the greatest literary couplings of all time. Playwright Dean Johnson has spent the last four years tracing Owen’s footsteps: the journey reaches its zenith at Craiglockhart. 7.30pm, Lindsay Stewart Lecture Theatre, Edinburgh Napier University, Craiglockhart Campus, 219 Colinton Road. Free. For more information email: bulletsanddaffodils@gmail.com or call 07539 371925.
In Conversation: Vidya Shivadas and Nalini Milani. Curator Shivadas leads a conversation with Milani, one of this year’s Edinburgh Art Festival commissioned artists. 6pm, Hawthornden Lecture Theatre, Scottish National Gallery, The Mound. Free but please book via eventbrite. Part of Edinburgh Art Festival.
Comic Art Masterclass with Kev F Sutherland: make your own comic strip and get your caricature portrait drawn by Kev, a writer and artist for the Beano and Marvel. 10.30-11.30am, Currie Library, 210 Lanark Road. Please book a place by calling the library on 0131 529 5609 or emailing currie.library@edinburgh.gov.uk
Q & A with Genesis Breyer P-Orridge: Genesis will talk about the Pandrogyne project, and his/her roles as a hugely influential musician (Throbbing Gristle, Thee Temple of Psychick Youth, Thee Majesty) and leading social activist in the fields of sexuality, identity and gender. Session led by Summerhall’s curator Paul Robertson. 10pm, Summerhall, 1 Summerhall. Tickets £5, book via Summerhall website. Life as a Cheap Suitcase (Pandrogeny and a Search for a Unified Identity) opens today in Summerhall’s Upper Church Gallery and runs till 26th September 2014. Please note this exhibition contains explicit images.)
Dr Jekyll’s Dr Book: strange and scary reading recommendations for ages 5-11. 2-3pm, Blackhall Library, 56 Hillhouse Road. Part of the Mythical Maze Summer Reading Challenge.
Urbanscape and Ruralsprawl: performative walk. Deveron Arts will lead a two hour walk around the corridors, cupboards and lecture halls of Summerhall with artists Tim Knowles and Ania Bas, followed by a panel discussion at Creative Scotland, chaired by curator and writer Dave Beech. Both rural and urban walking artists will take part. Walk: meet at 10.30am in the Courtyard at Summerhall, 1 Summerhall. Discussion: 2pm, Creative Scotland, Waverley Gate. Free but please contact Deveron Arts to book your place. Part of Edinburgh Art Festival.
Dragon’s Den: colour in the dragon before making it stretch. 2-3pm, South Neighbourhood Office and Library, 40 Captain’s Road. Part of the Mythical Maze Summer Reading Challenge.
America in the Gilded Age: a Nation on the Brink. Frank Cogliano, Professor of American History at the University of Edinburgh, considers the social, economic and political development of the USA in the last decades of the 19th century. As the nation grew in strength it was increasingly riven by social, racial and class tensions which threatened its well being. By 1900 it was a nation on the brink. 12.45-1.30pm, Hawthornden Lecture Theatre, Scottish National Gallery, The Mound. Free and unticketed.
Matisse Icarus Cutouts: craft event for ages 7-11. 2-3pm, Central Children’s Library, George IV Bridge. Part of the Mythical Maze Summer Reading Challenge
Evelyn Buchanan and Kathleen Mullaniff: a new exhibition of paintings. Open preview 5.30-7.30pm tonight, then 9am-5pm Wednesday to Sunday until 7th September 2014. Bon Papillon Gallery, 15 Howe Street.
Design Your Own Flying Carpet: teatowels made into flying carpets. For under 12s. 2.30-3.30pm, Gilmerton Library. Part of the Mythical Maze Summer Reading Challenge
Lighting and Telling – the Gateway to the Heart: Youngson Park. Park is a mixed-media artist who creates picture books using still images, moving images, performance, sound and space. She paints on traditional hand-made Korean paper. Until 7th August 2014, Arusha Gallery, 13a Dundas Street.
Fairy Jewels: craft activity for ages 4+. 2.30-3.30pm, Stockbridge Library, Hamilton Place. Part of the Mythical Maze Summer Reading Challenge.
Coburg House Summer Open Studios: over eighty artists and makers will open their doors to the public to allow exclusive access to their studios. Preview 6-9pm today, then 11am-6pm Saturday 2nd and Sunday 3rd August. Coburg House, 15 Coburg Street.
Hare and Tortoise Commonwealth Games: at 11am join the Tinderbox Street Band for a rehearsal (no experience necessary, bring an instrument if you have one), get dressed up and at 2pm take part in a parade with the Hare & Tortoise Vision Mechanics Giant Puppets! Followed by games with Vision Mechanics and the Yard. North Edinburgh Arts, 15a Pennywell Court, beside Muirhouse Library, Pennywell Road.
SATURDAY 2ND AUGUST 2014
Celebrate Wester Hailes! Come and celebrate the Games and our community in this free and fun gala event. Bouncy castle, face painting, stories, songs, local and international food, Commonwealth ceilidh, performances, exhibitions, local groups including SCOREScotland, Dads Rock, West Edinburgh Majorettes and Edible Estates. 12 noon-3pm, WHALE Arts Centre, 30 Westburn Grove.
Nature Play for Families: enjoy some nature play activities and find out about RBGE’s Nature Play conservation project that is helping young children to love nature. With the Conservation Volunteers. 11am-4pm, Demonstration Garden, Royal Botanic Garden, Inverleith Row. Free.
Hare and Tortoise: a performance of Licketyspit’s new production, followed by a Bun Brothers Tea and Hare and Tortoise racing about in the beautiful garden. 2pm, North Edinburgh Arts, 15a Pennywell Court, beside Muirhouse Library, Pennywell Road. Free.
Wiff Waff Special – a recreational, intergenerational monthly table tennis night – is holding a special community table tennis day today. 11am-4pm, Out of the Blue Drill Hall, 36 Dalmeny Street. All welcome, free.
Stop thief! Emma Rushton and Derek Tyman discuss their work Flaghall, a space of potential multiple uses. In the Where Do I End and You Begin exhibition it becomes a reading room where texts, talks and performances are brought together. 12 noon, City Art Centre, 2 Market Street. No booking required. Part of Edinburgh Art Festival.
Lunchtime concert: Sundown Swing from Huddersfield, West Yorkshire. 12.15pm, St Giles’ Cathedral, Royal Mile.
Romans at Cramond: go back in time to when Roman legions were stationed at Cramond, and make your very own centurion costume. Family event with Mike Durnan. 10.30am-12.30pm, Lauriston Castle, 2a Cramond Road South. £5 per person, bookings must be made via Usher Hall Box Office, in person, by phone or online.
Artist talk: Katie Paterson. Paterson, whose practice is cross-medium with a focus on nature, ecology, geology and cosmology will talk about her exhibition Ideas, including her works Fossil Necklace and Second Moon. 11am, Ingleby Gallery, 15 Calton Road. Free but please contact the gallery to book your place. Part of Edinburgh Art Festival.
Fun Family Gardening Sessions: Container Gardening. Where can you grow if you don’t have much space or soil? Come along and make cheap, fun planters out of recycled materials, and get started growing in them. For all ages, but children under 8 must be accompanied. Wear old clothes and bring waterproofs if it looks like rain. 10am-12 noon, North Edinburgh Arts, beside Muirhouse Library, Pennywell Road. Free, and mid-morning snack provided.
Danie Mellor: in Conversation. Award winning Australian artist Mellor discusses his new exhibition Primordial: SuperNaturalBayiMinyjirral at the National Museum of Scotland with Dr Alison Bracker (Royal Academy, London.) The exhibition explores Mellor’s own indigenous and European heritage and suggests ways of appreciating the complex intertwined narratives of Scotland and Australia. 2-3pm, National Museum of Scotland, Chambers Street. Free but please book via the Museum’s website. Part of Edinburgh Art Festival.
Portrait Gallery Thematic Tours: this month Susanna Kerr, former senior curator, explores the background to the significance of tartan in portraiture. 2-2.45pm and 3-3.45pm, Scottish National Portrait Gallery, 1 Queen Street. Free and unticketed.
GENERATION tours at Modern One: free, discussion-led tours of the GENERATION exhibition, focusing on key themes and artists. 11-11.45am and 1-1.45pm, Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art ONE, Belford Road. Free and unticketed.
Gayfield Creative Spaces: new exhibitions. Gayfield opens new exhibitions today: India Street, Making Well – Fragments (click on the titles to see our articles about them) and Garden Party, in which the imagined grounds of a summerhouse are the setting for a contemporary design twist on a garden party. This exhibition features works (available to purchase) from leading makers from Scotland and Holland. All exhibitions open 11am-6pm Thursday to Sunday until 11th September 2014.
August Works on Paper: ‘august’ – impressive, inspiring awe and admiration. A mixed exhibition of paintings, drawings and limited edition prints by artists including Bob Dewar and Jim Dalziel. 10am-5pm, Monday to Saturday, Doubtfire Gallery, 3 South East Circus Place. See our review of Bob Dewar’s recent solo exhibition at Doubtfire here.
Coburg House Summer Open Studios: over eighty artists and makers will open their doors to the public to allow exclusive access to their studios. 11am-6pm today and Sunday 3rd August. Coburg House, 15 Coburg Street.
SUNDAY 3RD AUGUST 2014
Festival Columbiano: a festival to celebrate the plants and culture of Colombia. Share the important work that RGBE are doing there and enjoy a fantastic range of activities including dance, music, food and children’s activities. With RGBE, University of Strathclyde, Sabedores-Sabedoras and the Tambora Foundation for Children. 12 noon-5pm, Real Life Science Studio, John Hope Gateway, Royal Botanic Garden, Inverleith Row. Free.
Where Do I End and You Begin: discussions and tours. Curators and artists discuss and tour their involvement in this project. At 12.30pm, join curator Thembinkosi Goniwe and artist Mary Sibande, and at 3pm, join curator Aaron Kreisler and some artists from New Zealand. City Art Centre, 2 Market Street. Free but booking required via eventbrite – – see website for details. Part of Edinburgh Art Festival.
St Giles’ at Six: organ recital by Robert Patterson. Programme includes JS Bach Toccata and Fugue in D minor BWV 565, Durufle Suite Op 5 and music by CPE Bach and Messiaen. 6pm, St Giles’ Cathedral, Royal Mile. Retiring collection.
Faile with Bast: artists’ talk. Faile is a Brooklyn-based collaboration between Patrick McNeil and Patrick Miller and is regarded as one of the most important street artists in the world. Bast has been an intricate part of the street art scene for more than 15 years throughout New York and Europe. Together they have produced an amazing games machine DELUXXE FLUXUS ARCADE which will be installed in Summerhall’s basement. They will discuss their work and their history of being graffiti pioneers in the USA. Chaired by Summerhall’s curator, Paul Robertson. 6pm, Summerhall, 1 Summerhall. Tickets cost £2.50 and can be booked here. Part of Edinburgh Art Festival.
GENERATION tours at the Academy: free, discussion-led tours of the GENERATION exhibition, focusing on key themes and artists. 11-11.45am and 1-1.45pm, Royal Scottish Academy, Scottish National Gallery, The Mound. Free and unticketed.
Coburg House Summer Open Studios: over eighty artists and makers will open their doors to the public to allow exclusive access to their studios. 11am-6pm, Coburg House, 15 Coburg Street.
Giving Nature a Home: nature is struggling, but if we all pull together and take small actions for wildlife in our gardens and outdoor spaces we can make a real difference. Hop along to the Botanics and take part in a range of family-focused weekend wildlife activities with RSPB staff. 11am-4pm (drop-in), Reception, Royal Botanic Garden, Inverleith Row. Free.
