FRIDAY 8TH AUGUST 2014
The Edinburgh Book Fringe starts today, featuring writers and activists from around the globe. Today Alan McCoombes, journalist and founding member of the Scottish Socialist Party, launches Restless Land: A Radical Journey Through Scotland’s History, (co-written with Roz Paterson) which looks beyond the kings and queens, the aristocrats and industrialists, the politicians and generals, to the extraordinary men and women from the sprawling masses. An epic story of heroism and betrayal, courage and intrigue, sacrifice and avarice, told with flair and clarity. 7pm, Word Power Books, 43 West Nicolson Street. Free.
Less is Mor – ‘not as minimal as it sounds.’ 8pm-3am, Forest Cafe, 141 Lauriston Place. Free.
Matisse Collage Sea Creatures: craft event for ages 7-11. 2-3pm, Central Children’s Library, George IV Bridge. Free. Part of the Mythical Maze Summer Reading Challenge.
Lunchtime Concert: Kong-Affonso Piano Duo. 12.15pm, St Giles Cathedral, Royal Mile. Free.
Lunchtime Concert: Piano Speak with Will Pickvance. 1.30pm, St Giles Cathedral, Royal Mile. Free.
Messy Nessy Craftiness: Play-Doh fun making wee Nessies. For ages 4-12. 2-3pm, South Neighbourhood Office and Library, 40 Captain’s Road. Free. Part of the Mythical Maze Summer Reading Challenge.
Mythical Mazes: fun and games in the library garden. For ages 5-11. 2-3pm, Blackhall Library, 56 Hillhouse Road. Free. Part of the Mythical Maze Summer Reading Challenge.
Mythical Maze Party! Pin the ring on the Minotaur, spider bookmarks, hula-hoop challenge, hunt the mythical character. For under 12s. 2.30-3.30pm, Gilmerton Library, 13 Newtoft Street. Free. Part of the Mythical Maze Summer Reading Challenge.
Lunchtime Recital: Momoko Sakai, cello. 1.10pm, St Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral, Palmerston Place.
Curators In Conversation: the five curatorial advisers of Where Do I End and You Begin come together to discuss the ideas raised by the works on show and the process of working together across continents. 4pm, City Art Centre, 2 Market Street. Free but booking required via eventbrite. Part of Edinburgh Art Festival.
Expressionist Landscapes: family event to explore the techniques and colour schemes of Expressionist artists and, inspired by the gardens, to create a landscape study in their style. 10.30am-12.30pm or 1.30-3.30pm, Lauriston Castle, 2a Cramond Road South. Tickets cost £5 and must be purchased via the Usher Hall Box Office, online, in person or by phone.
GENERATION TG: The Travelling Gallery brings the work of five artists working in a range of media, including ceramics, textile wall hangings, digital animations, drawings, sculptures, film, performance and song, to various locations in Edinburgh this week. The exhibition focuses on what it is like to be a contemporary visual artist in Scotland and includes a film of artists talking about their work to pupils from Edinburgh schools. Today: 11am-5pm, Portobello High Street, outside Bank of Scotland, 153 Portobello High Street. Free. Part of the GENERATION exhibition.
