Home Culture What’s On in Edinburgh this week

What’s On in Edinburgh this week

August 4, 2014 5:49 am

MONDAY 4TH AUGUST 2014

GENERATION: Curator’s Tour. Senior Curator Lucy Askew leads an introductory tour of the GENERATION exhibition at Modern Art One, introducing key artists and themes. This part of the exhibition includes spectacular installations by Ross Sinclair, Graham Fagan and Simon Starling. 12.45-1.30pm, Scottish Gallery of Modern Art ONE, 75 Belford Road. Free and unticketed. Free bus from Scottish National Gallery on The Mound – see timetable here.

Blackwell’s Edinburgh Monthly Book Quiz: Do you know your Waugh from your Peace or your Meyer from your Heyer? Teams of up to five people can take part in Blackwell’s monthly quiz. 6-7.15pm, Caffe Nero at Blackwell’s, South Bridge. Free and unticketed, but come early as tables go quickly. For more information contact Ann Landmann at events.edinburgh@blackwell.co.uk or call 0131 622 8216.

Phill Jupitus: Sketch Comic. NGS will be letting legendary stand-up, punk poet and roving sketchsmith Phill Jupitus loose in its rooms for three weeks. Each weekday morning from 10am to 12 noon Phill will sketch a favourite of his from the gallery collection and encourage you to come and watch, join in, and share your sketches. Phill will be at a different gallery each week, starting with the Scottish National Gallery, The Mound. Phill and fellow stand-up and art lover Hannah Gadsby will also present a free talk every Thursday about the works they’ve seen that week. Free and unticketed.

Read more here…

Teen events at Moredun: different activities for teenagers, from X-Box tournaments to nail art. Every Monday and Wednesday. 6.30-7.30pm, Moredun Library, 92 Moredun Park Road. Free.

National Library of Scotland Guided Tour: a tour of the building and an introduction to the Library’s collections and history. 2-2.45pm, National Library of Scotland, George IV Bridge. Free but booking essential via library’s website or call 0131 623 3734.

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: 12-6pm, Leith Walk, opposite Albert Street. Free. Part of the GENERATION exhibition.

Tricolour: monthly night showcasing three different poetry and spoken word talents: this month AJ McKenna, Tim Clare and Lucy Ayrton. 6.30pm, National Library of Scotland, George IV Bridge. Free but booking essential via library’s website or call 0131 623 3734.

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 and unticketed. Also available on Tuesday 5th August.

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

Calvinball: Ipdip Theatre: ‘marvellous rolling play for babies and families. Lively, musical and slightly wild.’ An outdoor, unseated performance for under-5s and their families. Please dress appropriately for the weather. 11am, 12 noon and 2pm, every day from today until Sunday 17th August 2014. Each performance lasts 35 mins. Meet at John Hope Gateway, Royal Botanic Garden, Inverleith Row. Tickets cost £5 and are available from the Fringe Box Office. (Tickets may also be available on the door but last year almost every performance sold out in advance.)

Lunchtime Recital: Galatea Duo. Harp and flute. 1.10pm, St Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral, Palmerston Place.

TUESDAY 5TH AUGUST 2014

Far Off Places: Literary magazine launch. Far Off Places is a young magazine featuring creative writing and illustration, aiming to create a stage for emerging writers. 7-9pm, Forest Cafe, 141 Lauriston Place. Free.

The Beautiful Word, Jen and The Giants, Green Diesel: gig featuring ‘dance circles and smile squares’ 9pm-1am, Forest Cafe, 141 Lauriston Place. Free.

Lunchtime Concert: Bellevue Rendezvous. Scottish-based trio of Gavin Marwick (fiddle), Cameron Robson (cittern, jaw harp) and Ruth Morris (nyckelharpa), plundering Europe for strange and interesting tunes. The nyckelharpa is a traditional Swedish instrument rarely seen in the UK. 12.15pm, St Giles Cathedral, Royal Mile. Free. Also on Wednesday 6th August and Thursday 7th August.

Andrew Gilchrist: Art and Autism: In 2013 Art In Healthcare acquired a large selection of work by talented Scottish artist Andrew Gilchrist. The range and quality of Andrew’s work is testimony to both his talent and intrigue as a prolific and contemporary Edinburgh-based artist. Open preview tonight 6-8pm, then 11am-5pm Tuesday to Saturday until 30th August 2014, Gallery on the Corner, 34 Northumberland Street.

Victorian Garden Fairies: enjoy designing and making your very own fairy shadow puppets and theatre with Jo Scott in the magical gardens of Lauriston Castle. Listen to a fairy story and finish by putting on your own show. 10.30am-12.30pm, 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.

Arthur Melville in Context: Chris Brickley, Head of Pictures at Bonhams, takes a look at the career of one of Britain’s most original artists of the later 19th century. 12.45-1.30pm, Hawthornden Lecture Theatre, Scottish National Gallery, The Mound. Free and unticketed.

Mermaid Plates and Glamorous Nails: for under 15s. 10.30-11.30am, Gilmerton Library, 13 Newtoft Street. Free. Part of the Mythical Maze Summer Reading Challenge.

Lunchtime Recital: Lunchtime Jazz at St Mary’s. 1.10pm, St Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral, Palmerston Place. Free.

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

Gruffalo Party! Songs, snacks, crafts and lots of fun. For under 5s. 2-3pm, Stockbridge Library, Hamilton Place. Free.

Monster Fabric Creatures: 2-3pm, Muirhouse Library, 15 Pennywell Court. For ages 5-11. Free. Part of the Mythical Maze Summer Reading Challenge.

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: 10am-5pm, Westside Plaza Shopping Centre, Wester Hailes Road. Free. Part of the GENERATION exhibition.

WEDNESDAY 6TH AUGUST 2014

Culture Laser – ‘featuring people who do things, make things and live life like art.’ 7pm-1am, Forest Cafe, 141 Lauriston Place. Free.

Lunchtime concert: Philomusica of Edinburgh. Michael Garrett 3 Pieces for String Orchestra Op261, Aaron Copland Quiet City, Elgar Carillon (1914), C Armstrong Gibbs Peacock Pie. 1.10pm, St Mary’s Cathedral, Palmerston Place. Free.

Dog Tales: the Dogs Trust will host this storytelling session and give tips re safety around dogs and responsible dog ownership. For ages 5-10. 2.30-3.30pm, Currie Library, 210 Lanark Road. Free.

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.

Scotland’s Shrine: The Scottish National War Museum. Art historian and critic Duncan Macmillan talks about the Scottish National War Museum, one of the outstanding pieces of public art of its time. It is the masterpiece of architect Sir Robert Lorimer and the work of a team of 200 artists and craftsmen, with outstanding stained glass by Douglas Strachan and a bronze frieze by Alice and Morris Meredith Williams. 12.45-1.30pm, Hawthornden Lecture Theatre, Scottish National Gallery, The Mound. Free but ticketed: tickets can be obtained in advance from the gallery’s information desk, or on the door subject to availability.

Celebrity Organ Recital: Peter Backhouse. Sweelinck Ballo della Granduca, CPE Bach, Sonata in A Minor, Mozart Adagio and Allegro K594, Maxwell Davies Farewell to Stromness, Jackson Third Sonata, Vierne Meditation; Carillon de Westminster. 8pm, St Giles Cathedral, Royal Mile. Tickets £8, students £5, accompanied children free, from Cathedral shop (0131 226 0673) or on the door.

Dungeons and Dragons: make your own Dungeons and Dragons adventure board game! For ages 7+. 4-5pm, Stockbridge Library, Hamilton Place. Free. Part of the Mythical Maze Summer Reading Challenge.

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: 10am-6pm, Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art TWO, Belford Terrace. Free. Part of the GENERATION exhibition.

Teen events at Moredun: different activities for teenagers, from X-Box tournaments to nail art. Every Monday and Wednesday. 6.30-7.30pm, Moredun Library, 92 Moredun Park Road. Free.

THURSDAY 7TH AUGUST 2014

Come on Over, Over: Watch Thieves, Lake Montgomery, Hailey Beavis, Faith Elliott and Caro Bridges. 8pm-1am, Forest Cafe, 141 Lauriston Place. Free.

Lunchtime Concert: Piano Speak with Will Pickvance. 1.30pm, St Giles Cathedral, Royal Mile. Free.

Gayfield Creative Spaces presents its first Twilight Talk: Material Goods, Quality and the Marketplace: Paul Simmons, founder of Timorous Beasties and textile designer Laura Spring discuss their experience of creating thriving studios through design innovation and quality production. 6-8pm, Lyon and Turnbull, 33 Broughton Place. Free but booking required via eventbrite.

Amadeus Duo: Alina Bzhezhinska (harp) and Margaret Preston (flute) perform an eclectic mix of classical music and new works by modern composers. 6-6.30pm, Scottish National Gallery, The Mound. Free and unticketed.

Books in Focus: Surrealist Erotica. The ‘Books in Focus’ sessions focus on artists’ books held in the special collections of the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art. This session is a preview of some of the publications which will be included in a forthcoming display at Modern Two, featuring explicit Surrealist erotica by artists and writers including Hans Bellmer, Marcel Duchamp, Georges Bataille and the Marquis de Sade. Owing to the nature of the materials, suitable for over-18s only. 11.30am-12.30pm, Reading Room, Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art TWO, Belford Road. Free but places are limited and must be booked by calling 0131 624 6268 or emailing gmainfo@nationalgalleries.org

Ghosts in a Gallery: the third incarnation of the Edinburgh International Festival’s highly successful pop-up performance series, exploring love in the face of extraordinary sacrifices and challenges faced during the First World War. Written for soprano, tenor and piano, it features some of the most poignant and beautiful art song and Leider from Western classical music. 2.30pm, Scottish National Portrait Gallery, 1 Queen Street. Free and unticketed.

Blackwell’s Edinburgh presents Writers at the Fringe: every Thursday during the Festival Blackwell’s invites a selection of Scottish performers to give a taste of their work. This week: Bert Flitcroft, Dorothy Cummings McLean, Michael Malone, Sureshini Sanders and Rosemary Goring. Free tickets available from Blackwell’s front desk or by calling 0131 622 8218. For more information contact Ann Landmann at events.edinburgh@blackwell.co.uk or call 0131 622 8216.

Lunchtime Recital: Shane Brogan (classical accordion), John Pfaff (piano), Bill Blackwood (clarinet and flute) and Peter Galinsky (clarinet). 1.10pm, St Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral, Palmerston Place.

The Generator! By Night: unleash your childlike, creative side at the crazy art lab and have fun imagining the art of the future. Take inspiration from art works on display in the GENERATION exhibition and jump into a world of experimentation, exploration and invention. Special evening opening of the children’s Generator! activities for adults only. 5-7pm, The Royal Scottish Academy, The Mound. Free and unticketed. Part of Generation By Night.

Phill Jupitus: Sketch Comic Lectures. A talk by Phill Jupitus and Hannah Gadsby about the works they have seen at the Scottish National Gallery, the works that Phill has created this week, and those of members of the public who have joined in the project. An enjoyable, personal look at art with the occasional surprise guest. 6.30-7.30pm, Hawthornden Lecture Theatre, Scottish National Gallery, The Mound. Free and unticketed.

Welfare Rights Advice from SWOP: free confidential welfare rights advice from SWOP (South West Outreach Project.) 10am-1pm, Oxgangs Library, 343 Oxgangs Road North. Call 0845 3024607 and quote ‘SWOP project’ to book a place.

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. 11am-1pm, Portobello Library, 14 Rosefield Avenue. To book your place call 0131 529 5558 or email portobello.library@edinburgh.gov.uk

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. 2-4pm, Craigmillar Library, 101 Niddrie Mains Road. To book your place call 0131 529 5597 or email craigmillar.library@edinburgh.gov.uk

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

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, Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre, Groathill Loan. Free. Part of the GENERATION exhibition.

THURSDAY 7TH AUGUST 2014

Come on Over, Over: Watch Thieves, Lake Montgomery, Hailey Beavis, Faith Elliott and Caro Bridges. 8pm-1am, Forest Cafe, 141 Lauriston Place. Free.

Lunchtime Concert: Piano Speak with Will Pickvance. 1.30pm, St Giles Cathedral, Royal Mile. Free.

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, Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre, Groathill Loan. Free. Part of the GENERATION exhibition.

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.

SATURDAY 9TH AUGUST 2014

Comic Art Masterclasses with Kev F Sutherland: join Kev, a writer and artist for the Beano, Marvel and many other comics, to find out all there is to know about making comic strips and manga. By the end of the session the group will have produced a comic containing a strip by each participant and will each have a character portrait of themselves drawn by Kev. For ages 8+. 10.30am-12.30pm, Morningside Library, 184 Morningside Road. To book a place at Morningside call 0131 529 5654 or email morningside.library@edinburgh.gov.uk OR 2-4pm, Newington Library, 17-21 Fountainhall Road. To book a place at Newington call 0131 529 5536 or email newington.library@edinburgh.gov.uk

The Edinburgh Book Fringe presents social historian and Vice-Principal of St Hilda’s College, Oxford, Selina Todd, who will discuss her book, The People: The Rise and Fall of the Working Class 1910-2010. ‘Her narrative documents the voices of working class people…Brilliant and well-researched.’ (New Internationalist) ‘The scope and range ..is impressive…taking in working class culture, music and dance crazes, and the move from a world of clerks, secretaries and manual workers to DIY superstores, Sunday working and the demise of trade union power.’ (The Scotsman) 1pm,Word Power Books, 43 West Nicolson Street. Free.

Soundproof: sound/art/noise/music. 8pm-3am, Forest Cafe, 141 Lauriston Place. Free.

The Mute, the Hidden and the Mysterious: a new body of work showcasing artist Kate Walters’ renowned talent for capturing the intimate relationship between humans and nature. Watercolours, oils, monotypes and drawings. Today until 31st August 2014, 10am-5pm Monday to Saturday, 1-5pm Sundays, Arusha Gallery, 13a Dundas Street.

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 Gallery of Modern Art ONE, 75 Belford Road. Free and unticketed. Free bus from Scottish National Gallery on The Mound – see timetable here.

Southside Elderly Club presents a Chand Raat/Commonwealth Celebration (for ladies only): Ghidda (dance), Bollywood Dance, Hina/Mehndi Design, tasty snacks. 7.30pm till late, St Thomas Aquinas High School, 2-20 Chalmers Street. More information from M Malak on 07867 576345.

Lunchtime Recital: Catherine Jones, Mezzo-Soprano and Stephen Wood, piano. 1.10pm, St Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral, Palmerston Place.

SUNDAY 10TH AUGUST 2014

The Edinburgh Book Fringe presents Andrew Davies, Senior Lecturer in Modern British History at the University of Liverpool, who will discuss his book, City of Gangs: Glasgow and the Rise of the British Gangster. ‘…evokes the energy and excitement of gang life, their pride, their loyalty to each other, their love of fighting and their brutal excesses’ (History Today) 1pm, Word Power Books, 43 West Nicolson Street. Free.

Songwriter’s Bliss: one full band backing five great songwriters. 8pm-1am, Forest Cafe, 141 Lauriston Place. Free.

GENERATION tours at The Royal Scottish Academy: free, discussion-led tours of the GENERATION exhibition, focusing on key themes and artists. 11-11.45am and 1-1.45pm, The Royal Scottish Academy, The Mound. Free and unticketed.

Celebrity Organ Recital: Duncan Ferguson, Master of Music, St Mary’s Cathedral. 4.45pm, St Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral, Palmerston Place.

Watch Out, Beetles About! Investigate the undergrowth of Lauriston Castle and learn how to identify the different creepy crawlies you find. Use these as inspiration to create a bug finger puppet. 10.30am-12.30pm, 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.

St Giles At Six: Rudsambee. Rudsambee return to St Giles with an eclectic programme to appeal to many different tastes. Well established choral works by Kodaly and Tormis rub shoulders with newly composed pieces such as the award winning Cariad by Welsh composer Ieuan Wyn. 6pm, St Giles Cathedral, Royal Mile. Retiring collection.