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

MONDAY 14TH JULY 2014

Dog Tales: the Dogs Trust are hosting this storytelling session about safety around dogs and responsible dog ownership. For ages 5-10. 2-3pm, Wester Hailes Library, 1 Westside Plaza.

Lunchtime Concert: First Central Presbyterian Church Choir, Texas. 12.15pm, St Giles’ Cathedral, Royal Mile. Free.

Street Games. 2.30pm, Colinton Library, 14 Thorburn Road. Part of the Mythical Maze Summer Reading Challenge.

Teen Events at Moredun: from X-Box tournaments to nail art – different activities every Monday and Wednesday evening. 6.30-7.30pm, Moredun Library, 92 Moredun Park Road.

Informal Concert: The Dreyfoos School for the Arts. 3pm, St Giles’ Cathedral, Royal Mile. Free.

Heroes vs Zombie Part One: Stage Make-Up. Come and try your hand at mixing fake blood, painting faces and mastering the art of transformation through this two hour workshop. All participants will become a character of their choice and will be invited to stay for the Heroes vs Zombies Assault Course in the afternoon. 10am-12 noon, WHALE Arts, 30 Westburn Grove. For ages 10+. Free, but booking essential (see website.)

Heroes vs Zombies Part Two: Assault Course. Designed to show off the wonderful results of the morning Stage Make-Up course: the participants will be split into two teams for a fun-filled and action-packed afternoon. 1-3pm, WHALE Arts, 30 Westburn Grove. For ages 10+. Free, but booking essential (see website.) If attending morning and afternoon session, please bring your own lunch.

TUESDAY 15TH JULY 2014

Edinburgh Hacklab Open Night: Edinburgh Hacklab is part of the worldwide hackerspace movement – shared spaces for people who mess around with technology for fun. Everyone is welcome to Hacklab Open Nights, which are held each Tuesday and Thursday. Bring along a project to tinker with, ask for some electronics help, hack some code, or just have a chat and see what’s happening. 7pm, Summerhall, 1 Summerhall Place. Also at same time on Thursday 17th July. Free, just drop in. For further information see website.

Stories, drama and games with author Corinne Davies. For ages 5-10. 2pm, Blackhall Library, 56 Hillhouse Road. Part of the Mythical Maze Summer Reading Challenge.

Mythical Maze: Activities and Events: 2.30pm, Colinton Library, 14 Thorburn Road. Part of the Mythical Maze Summer Reading Challenge.

Enter the Gallery on the Corner’s Fourth Open Postcard Exhibition: from 11am today you can collect postcard-size MDF (200 are available) from the Gallery and create a piece of artwork in any medium. Return it to the Gallery by 12th September and it will be exhibited there during the Scottish Mental Health Arts & Film Festival in October. Gallery on the Corner, 34 Northumberland Street. Gallery open 11am-5pm, Tuesday to Saturday.

Dog Tales: the Dogs Trust are hosting this storytelling session about safety around dogs and responsible dog ownership. For ages 5-10. 2-3pm, Sighthill Library, Sighthill Road.

eBook surgery: get help with downloading eBooks, audiobooks and emagazines. No appointment necessary. 2-3.30pm, Central Library, George IV Bridge.

Quests and Fables: Mythical Storywriting. For ages 5-11. 2-3pm, Muirhouse Library, Pennywell Court. Part of the Mythical Maze Summer Reading Challenge.

Teddy Bears’ Tea Party: to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Michael Rosen and Helen Oxenbury’s We’re Going on a Bear Hunt. 2-3pm, Wester Hailes Library, 1 Westside Plaza. Donations to RNIB welcome.

Leprechauns and Pots of Gold. For under 12s. 2.30-3.30pm, Gilmerton Library, 13 Newtoft Street. Part of the Mythical Maze Summer Reading Challenge.

WEDNESDAY 16TH JULY 2014

Eccentric Professors, Diabolical Baddies, Boy-Eating Monsters and High-Flying Jellyfish with award-winning author John Fardell. For ages 7-13. 2.30-4.30 pm, Corstorphine Library, 12 Kirk Loan. Free tickets for this event must be booked through eventbrite. Part of the Mythical Maze Summer Reading Challenge.

Lunchtime Concert: Will Pickvance – Piano Speak. 12.15pm, St Giles’ Cathedral, Royal Mile. Free.

Merlin Hats – make your own wizard hats! For ages 5+. 2.30-3.30pm, Oxgangs Library, 343 Oxgangs Road North. Part of the Mythical Maze Summer Reading Challenge.

Teen Events at Moredun: from X-Box tournaments to nail art – different activities every Monday and Wednesday evening. 6.30-7.30pm, Moredun Library, 92 Moredun Park Road.

Dancing on Tables: indie rock band from Dunfermline influenced by Biffy Clyro, the Vaccines, and Hendrix-style guitar. 7pm, The Pear Tree, West Nicolson Street. Free. Over 18s only.

Visually Impaired Tour and Workshop: GENERATION – 25 years of Contemporary Art in Scotland. A free visually descriptive tour and practical workshop for the visually impaired. 10am-3.30pm, Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art One, Belford Road. Places must be booked via the NGS Information Desk on 0131 624 6460.

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.

Scottish Self-Portraiture: From Jamesone to Byrne. Bill Hare, University of Edinburgh, explores the changing face and role of the artist in Scottish portraiture from Jamesone to Byrne. 12.45-1.30pm, Hawthornden Lecture Theatre, Scottish National Gallery, The Mound. Free and unticketed.

Cardboard Extravaganza! If you love a game show, this is the event for you. With a show host and prizes to be won, why not come and see if it’s your lucky day? 11am – 12 noon for ages 5-10, 1-2pm for ages 10+. WHALE Arts, 30 Westburn Grove. Free, drop-in, no booking required.

National Youth Orchestra of Scotland Concert: NYoS Senior Orchestra commemorates the First World War centenary. Soloist: brilliant 21 year old pianist Benjamin Grosvenor, the youngest British musician ever to sign for Decca Classics, who will perform Cesar Franck’s Symphonic Variations. NYoS will also perform works by Butterworth, Alexander Glazunov and Peter Longworth. Conductor: James Lowe. 7pm, Greyfriars Kirk, Greyfriars Place. Tickets £12/£8/£4 from Queen’s Hall Box Office.

THURSDAY 17TH JULY 2014

Dog Tales: the Dogs Trust are hosting this storytelling session about safety around dogs and responsible dog ownership. For ages 5-10. 2-3pm, Ratho Library, School Wynd.

The Accidental Fold: Fashion model Saskia De Brauw’s record of the discarded emphemera of everyday life that she encounters on her international travels, ‘forgotten remains that….capture and contain the proof of life.’ 10am-5pm daily until 25th July 2014, National Museum of Scotland, Chambers Street. Part of Edinburgh International Fashion Festival. Free.

Teddy Bears’ Tea Party: to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Michael Rosen and Helen Oxenbury’s We’re Going on a Bear Hunt. 2-3pm, Ratho Library, School Wynd.

Photopia: since the 1990s David McLean has been photographing on the streets of Milan, London, Edinburgh and Tokyo. His work is described as ‘collaborative street portraiture’ rather than street photography. Preview tonight 6-9pm, then 10am-6pm until 25th July 2014. Gayfield Creative Spaces, 11 Gayfield Square. Part of Edinburgh International Fashion Festival. Free.

This is Happening Now: exhibition of contemporary South African painting, photography and print curated by Fashion Festival Creative Director Jonathan Freemantle. ‘A subjective snapshot of the emerging South African scene….the exhibition showcases a new breed of artists vividly capturing the zeitgeist in Jonathan’s native country.’ Preview tonight 6-9pm, then 10am-6pm until 25th July 2014. Gayfield Creative Spaces, 11 Gayfield Square. Part of Edinburgh International Fashion Festival. Free.

Scotland’s Referendum: A Guide for Voters. Jamie Maxwell and David Torrance launch their new book. 7.30pm, Waterstone’s George Street. To reserve a place, email events@luath.co.uk or call 0131 225 3436. Free; refreshments will be served.

Mythical Stories and Crafts: different mythical stories and a related craft each week. For under 12s. 2.30-3.30pm, Moredun Library, 92 Moredun Park Road. Part of the Mythical Maze Summer Reading Challenge.

SAM (South African Market): pop-up design market and exhibition. Based in Cape Town, SAM is South Africa’s first one-stop shop for South African design. Set up by Naomi Bossert and Berlinda White, SAM provides a platform for South African fashion, furniture, jewellery and decor designers to retail their most accomplished work. SAM will bring a selection of the most exciting South African designers to Edinburgh. Preview tonight 6-9pm, then 10am-6pm until 25th July 2014. Gayfield Creative Spaces, 11 Gayfield Square. Part of Edinburgh International Fashion Festival. Free.

Story in the Park: stories in the sun with staff from Blackhall Library. 2.30pm at Drylaw Park (behind Drylaw Parish Church) Groathill Road North.

Blackwell’s Edinburgh presents A Brush with Burns: Ian Campbell, Emeritus Professor of Scottish and Victorian literature at the University of Edinburgh and a specialist in the works of the national bard, will talk about his selection of poems in A Brush with Burns, a new publication illustrated with watercolours by Dame Elizabeth Blackadder. Songs will be sung and wine will be drunk! 6.30pm, Blackwell’s South Bridge. Free tickets available from Blackwell’s front desk or by calling 0131 622 8218.

Edinburgh Skeptics in the Pub: Pippa Goldschmidt – Writing the World. Pippa has a PhD in Astronomy and writes fiction, non-fiction and poetry, all inspired by science. She will be talking about how literature can be used to interrogate and celebrate science. The Edinburgh Skeptics Society was founded to promote science, reason and critical thinking throughout the year and during the Science Festival and the Fringe. 7.30pm, The Banshee Labyrinth, 29-35 Niddry Street. Free, donations welcome, please RSVP here if you wish to attend.

Serenity Cafe Thrift Shop: drop in and update your look. 10am – 3pm every Thursday. Delicious lunches and snacks available to purchase in the cafe. Serenity Cafe, Jackson’s Entry, off Royal Mile (enter beside Starbucks or off Holyrood Road at Pizza Express.)

GENERATION DJ Set: Fudge Fingas. Fudge responds audibly to key GENERATION art works and plays a selection of tracks that have inspired artists in Scotland over the past 25 years. 6pm, Royal Scottish Academy (Scottish National Gallery), The Mound. Free and unticketed. Part of GENERATION by night.

The Drawing Room: artist Emma Bowen leads an informal drawing session inspired by the GENERATION exhibition. All materials supplied, no experience necessary. 5.30-6.45pm, Royal Scottish Academy (Scottish National Gallery), The Mound. Free and unticketed. Part of GENERATION by night.

Eight Blocks or a Film: contemporary artist Kate Davis will talk about her recent solo exhibition, inspired by the Edward Lovett Doll collection at the Museum of Childhood. 3pm, City Art Centre, 2 Market Street. Free, but booking required. Email Lynn.Wal@edinburgh.gov.uk or call 0131 556 9163

Corroboree: First Nation Woodcarving. Sculptor James Harry from Vancouver brings a First Nation perspective to his work with a range of materials, media and styles that reflect both the artistic heritage of the Pacific North West and contemporary influences. 10am-4pm, Royal Botanic Garden (various locations across the garden, check signs on arrival.) Free. Also on Friday 18th and Saturday 19th July.

FRIDAY 18TH JULY 2014

Director’s Choice: Michael Clarke, director of the Scottish National Gallery, leads a tour of his favourite paintings in the collection. 12.45-1.15pm, Scottish National Gallery, The Mound. Free but tickets must be obtained, either on the door (subject to availability) or in advance from the SNG Information Desk.

Monster Search Treasure Hunt and Quiz. Ages 4+. 2pm, Blackhall Library, 56 Hillhouse Road. Part of the Mythical Maze Summer Reading Challenge.

Blackwell’s Edinburgh presents Ride Like Hell and You’ll Get There. Paul Carter, author of Don’t Tell Mum I Work On The Rigs, This is Not a Drill and Is That Bike Diesel, Mate? launches his fourth book. Carter has worked in the oil industry all over the world but now lives in Perth with his family. 6.30pm, Blackwell’s South Bridge. Free tickets available from Blackwell’s front desk or by calling 0131 622 8218.

Crafty Day – drop-in for ages 4-12. 2.30pm, Corstorphine Library, 12 Kirk Loan. Part of the Mythical Maze Summer Reading Challenge.

Lunchtime Concert: Sanctuary Choir and Orchestra, First Baptist Church, Penascola, Florida. 12.15pm, St Giles’ Cathedral, Royal Mile. Free.

Crazy Mazes. For ages 5+. 2.30-3.30pm, Oxgangs Library, 343 Oxgangs Road North. Part of the Mythical Maze Summer Reading Challenge.

Informal Concert: Festival Chorus, Palatine, Illinois. 3pm, St Giles’ Cathedral, Royal Mile. Free.

Make a Loch Ness Monster! For ages 7-11. 2-3pm, Central Children’s Library, George IV Bridge. Part of the Mythical Maze Summer Reading Challenge. No need to book, just turn up.

Live Music at the Pear Tree: 4-5pm The Awakening Project, 5-6pm Houndog Fraser & Rock Hunter, Calum Baptie & Dylan Noble. The Pear Tree, West Nicolson Street. All free. Over 18s only.

Mythical Maze: Stories and Crafts: Colinton Library, 14 Thorburn Road. Part of the Mythical Maze Summer Reading Challenge.

Minotaur Mask Man: mask decoration and nose-ring design. For ages 4-12. 2-3pm, South Neighbourhood Office and Library, 40 Captain’s Road. Part of the Mythical Maze Summer Reading Challenge.

Scary Snake Surprise: make your very own scary slithery snake sock puppet inspired by the Greek legend of Medusa. For ages 4-12. 2-3pm, South Neighbourhood Office and Library, 40 Captain’s Road. Part of the Mythical Maze Summer Reading Challenge.

Facepainting Rainbow Fever: rainbows and rainbow biscuits. For under 12s. 2.30-3.30pm, Gilmerton Library, 13 Newtoft Street.

Make-believe masks: creative play activity for ages 4+. 2.30-3.30pm, Stockbridge Library, 11 Hamilton Place. Part of the Mythical Maze Summer Reading Challenge.

Imaginarium: part one of a two-day workshop. Let your imagination run wild and come and try your hand at making a play. All levels of experience welcome – imaginations essential! For ages 10+. 12 noon -2pm, WHALE Arts, 30 Westburn Grove. Free. but booking required.

SATURDAY 19TH JULY 2014

Want to start a band? If you are under 21, come along to try out the instruments that artist Ross Sinclair and the Collective Gallery are going to be giving away this summer. You must be committed to starting a band, interested in performing, and able and willing to take part in the project over the coming year. In return you would get free instruments, mentoring, recording time and distribution. 1-5pm, Collective Gallery, City Observatory, 38 Calton Hill. (Every Saturday until 31st August 2014.)

Fancy a day out? The picturesque borders village of Cockburnspath is less than an hour’s drive from Edinburgh: it was popular with many Scottish artists in the 19th century, and Cockburnspath Art Exhibition is on today! Original work by local artists. ‘Bite-sized’ pictures from £15. Tea, coffee, home baking. Cockburnspath Village Hall, 10am-7pm. Also on Sunday 20th July.

Knit Works! The Danish Cultural Institute has invited some of the finest knitting experts from Scandinavia and Scotland to exhibit their work. They will also share thoughts, stories, passion, ideas and knowledge with visitors to the exhibition, who are invited to join in a large co-creative drop-in workshop Nordic Knitathon, in which a giant knitted ‘masterpiece’ will be created from individually worked squares. Please bring your own knitting needles, size 4-4.5, if you wish to participate in the Knitathon: all yarns provided by sponsors. 11am-4pm, National Museum of Scotland, Chambers Street. Also on Sunday 20th July, same times. Free. Part of Edinburgh International Fashion Festival.

American Impressionism Opening Lecture: Katherine Bourguinon, TERRA Foundation for American Art, gives an overview of the exhibition ‘American Expressionism: A New Vision‘ carefully analysing individual paintings to explore what Impressionism meant to an American audience in the closing years of the 19th century. 2-3pm, Hawthornden Lecture Theatre, Scottish National Gallery, The Mound. Free, but tickets must be obtained on the door (subject to availability) or in advance from the SNG Information Desk.

Live Music at the Pear Tree: 4-5pm Ruari McMillan, 5-6pm Jordan Findlay, 6-7pm ThirtyThreeConnection. The Pear Tree, West Nicolson Street. All free. Over 18s only.

Imaginarium: part two of a two-day workshop: return for a fantastic second day of Imaginarium! Build on the ideas from day one and experiment with lights, music and film. At the end of the session there will be a short performance for family and friends. For ages 10+. 12 noon -2pm, WHALE Arts, 30 Westburn Grove. Free, but booking essential (see website.)

Portrait Gallery Architecture Tour: tour of the magnificent Arts & Crafts building designed by Sir Robert Rowand Anderson. 2-2.45pm, Scottish National Portrait Gallery, 1 Queen Street. Free but pre-booking essential: call 0131 624 6560.

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, Modern One (Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art), Belford Road. Free and unticketed.

SUNDAY 20TH JULY 2014

Mythical Maze art, crafts and activities. For ages 5+. 2.30-3.30pm, Oxgangs Library, 343 Oxgangs Road North. Part of the Mythical Maze Summer Reading Challenge.

Sunday at Six: Clarinettist Calum Robertson plays From Galloway by James MacMillan, Gaitadas by Marcos Fernandez and Kneeling (2014) by Clare McCue. 6pm, St Giles’ Cathedral, Royal Mile. Retiring collection.

GENERATION Tours at the Academy Building: 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.

Workshop with Arne and Carlos: bring your own crochet hook (4-4.5) and join Arne and Carlos as they demonstrate how to crochet a little flower from one of their own patterns. All yarn provided. 1.30-3.30pm, National Museum of Scotland, Chambers Street. Workshop sign-up sheet will be available on the day. Part of Edinburgh International Fashion Festival. Free.

The Stories We Tell: Amanda and Tallulah Harlech. Mother and daughter Amanda and Tallulah Harlech will talk about the stories parents tell their children, stories that are passed on though time, and the new stories that are told in return. They will also discuss the inspiration that stories, poems and prose give to their work in the fashion industry. 4pm, National Museum of Scotland, Chambers Street. Free, booking required via eventbrite.

Hearing Impaired Tour: GENERATION: 25 Years of Contemporary Art in Scotland. Tessa Asquith-Lamb leads a free tour with portable loops for the hearing impaired. To book a place contact the SNG Information Desk on 0131 624 6560. 11am-12 noon, Modern One (Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art), Belford Road.

Bags of Art: cool and creative fun with artists Tessa Asquith-Lamb and Louise Fraser. For ages 4-12. 2-4pm, Modern One (Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art), Belford Road. Free and unticketed. Supported by the Friends of SNG.

Retina: Rankin – Portraits of Men. Best known for his captivating fashion photography, Rankin’s photographs have become synonymous with dynamic and intimate portraiture, shooting everyone from royalty to rockstars, models to members of parliament. This exhibition showcases some of his most iconic male portraits. 10am-6pm, runs until 22nd July 2014. Assembly Rooms (Music Hall), 54 George Street. Part of Edinburgh International Fashion Festival.

Retina: Rika and Helena Christensen ‘A Private Moment.’ Helena Christensen’s passion for photography was the catalyst for her modelling career: view the private havens of creative and inspiring women Helena and Ulrika (Rika magazine) know and admire. 10am-6pm, runs until 22nd July 2014. Assembly Rooms (Music Hall), 54 George Street. Part of Edinburgh International Fashion Festival.

Talking Trees: volunteer storytellers will grow your imagination with tall stories from around the world. 2-2.45pm. John Hope Gateway, Royal Botanic Garden. For ages 5+. Free, no booking required.