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

As we say goodbye to the festivals, there’s still plenty on offer in the capital, and as ever, most of our listings are FREE!

MONDAY 25TH AUGUST 2014

Leith in World War One: Andrew Grant talks about the Home Front and what happened to the men who marched away. 6.30-7.30pm, Leith Library, 28-30 Ferry Road. Free but advance booking required: call 0131 529 5517 or email leith.library@edinburgh.gov.uk There will be more talks in this series throughout the autumn.

Bach Before Breakfast: John Bryden plays Bach and Shostakovich on the Cathedral Steinway. Coffee and croissants follow. 8.05-8.35am every day until Friday 29th August, St Mary’s Cathedral, Palmerston Place. Free: retiring collection.

Glitz Lit: this reading group for girls aged 11-14 starts again today! 6-7pm, Oxgangs Library, Oxgangs Road North. Call in to the library for more information, or email them at oxgangs.library@edinburgh.gov.uk

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, no booking required. Also available at same times on Tuesday 26th August.

From Scotland With Love: special screening of this feature film by award-winning director Virginia Heath, consisting entirely of Scottish film archive and with a transcendent score by King Creosote. ‘A journey into our collective past, exploring universal themes of love, loss, resistance, migration, work and play. Ordinary people, some long since dead….appear shimmering from the depth of the vaults to take a starring role…..their stories given voice by King Creosote’s poetic music and lyrics.’ Introduced by Dr Jonny Murray, Senior Lecturer in Film & Visual Culture at ECA. Followed by a Q & A session with Virginia Heath and King Creosote, who will play a couple of tunes from the soundtrack live. Certificate U. 6pm, The Filmhouse, Lothian Road. Prices vary; to book call 0131 228 2688 or visit the Filmhouse website. Part of the To See Oursels season.

Where Do I End and You Begin: Curator’s Tour. Director of the Edinburgh Art Festival Sorcha Carey will lead this informal tour, introducing the exhibition and its themes. 3pm, City Art Centre (meet at reception), 2 Market Street. Free.

LGBT Drop-In: weekly informal gathering for LGBT people. Have a cup of tea and a chat and meet others in a friendly, relaxed and welcoming environment. Find out what is happening at the Centre and in the community. This week’s Drop-In will include an information session with Support In Mind Scotland: an informal session exploring what schizophrenia means, how it may impact on everyday lives and relationships, and what support is available. Drop-in 5.30-8pm weekly (not 15th Sept), Support In Mind 6.30-7.30pm this week only, LGBT Health & Wellbeing Centre, 9 Howe Street.

Elaine Wilson: an exploration of the crossover between fine and applied arts. Paintings, drawings and textile pieces from Out of the Blue based artist and QMU Masters student Elaine Wilson. Launch tonight at 6pm, then 10am-5pm until Thursday 28th August 2014. Out of the Blue Drill Hall, 36 Dalmeny Street.

Lunchtime Concert: The Pilgrim Singers. 1.10-1.50pm, St Mary’s Cathedral, Palmerston Place. Free: retiring collection.

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

Amnesty Undercroft Group: this group meets on the last Monday of the month to write letters campaigning for the release of prisoners of conscience. All welcome to join in. Soup and light lunches available to purchase from the cafe. 12.15-1pm, Undercroft Cafe, St Andrew’s and St George’s West Church, 13 George Street.

TUESDAY 26TH AUGUST 2014

eBook Surgery: get help with downloading free eBooks, audiobooks and emagazines. 2-3.30pm, Central Library, George IV Bridge. Free, no appointment required.

Drama Workshop: explore mime, improvisation and working with scripts – build up your confidence and try something new! For ages 12-16. 5.30-6.30pm, Corstorphine Library, 12 Kirk Loan. To book your place drop in to the library or call 0131 529 5506.

Chatterbooks! This fortnightly group for ages 7-12 starts again today: games, quizes, arts, crafts, reading, chat, juice, biscuits and lots of fun! 4-5pm, Oxgangs Library, Oxgangs Road North. Call in to the library and speak to a member of staff to book your place.

‘Those who live forever unconquered’ – Edinburgh’s First World War Monuments. The First World War Memorials around Edinburgh commemorate the young men of the city who marched off to war, from the Hearts FC players to those who died in the Gretna Green train disaster. The Scots American Memorial is also evocative and poignant. Paul McAuley, Conservation Officer with the City of Edinburgh Council, discusses the memorials using art, artefact and poetry. 12.45-1.30pm, Hawthornden Lecture Theatre, Scottish National Gallery, The Mound. Free and unticketed.

Blackwell’s Edinburgh presents Swim Until You Can’t See Land: Edinburgh-based author Catriona Child launches her second novel, which charts the relationship between two women born sixty years apart whose chance encounter marks a watershed. 6.30-7.30pm, Blackwell’s, South Bridge. Free tickets available from the shop’s front desk, by calling 0131 622 8218, emailing events.edinburgh@blackwell.co.uk or via eventbrite.

Lunchtime Concert: New Beginnings African Children’s Choir from Uganda. 12.15pm, St Giles’ Cathedral, Royal Mile. Free.

Yann Seznec in conversation: Drill Hall based artist and musician Yann often uses technology as a medium to reveal natural processes that are imperceptible to the human eye and ear. In Currents he expands his interest in technology as a tool, to consider how it shapes our environment. Seznec will talk about his work, ideas and approach with composer and sound artist Martin Parker before giving a performance using the instruments specially created for Currents. 6.30-7.30pm, Out of the Blue Drill Hall, 36 Dalmeny Street. Free but please book in advance via eventbrite.

Lunchtime Concert: Conal Bembridge-Sayers (tenor) and Tim Stuart (piano) 1.10-1.50pm, St Mary’s Cathedral, Palmerston Place. Free: retiring collection.

Reading Women: this month the group will be discussing The First True Lie by Marina Mander. 6.30pm, Looking Glass Books, 36 Simpson’s Loan. Contact the shop for more information or to be added to the group’s email list.

WEDNESDAY 27TH AUGUST 2014

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.

War Artists Series: The First World War – New Art for a New Type of War. Freelance art historian Dr Patricia Andrew traces art from the beginning of the century and discusses how artists met the challenge of the First World War. This was a new type of war, and as it progressed artists had to cope not only with an unprecedented degree of slaughter but also with censorship, despite a wish to convey the truth of what they were seeing. After the war there were numerous commissions for war memorials and memorial paintings. War art and artists could never be the same again. 12.45-1.30pm, Hawthornden Lecture Theatre, Scottish National Gallery, The Mound. Free and unticketed.

Blackwell’s Edinburgh Presents New Writing Scotland 32: Songs of Other Places. New Writing Scotland is the principal forum for poetry and short fiction in Scotland today. ‘Excellent contemporary literature, drawn from a wide cross-section of Scottish culture and society, and including new work from more than forty authors, some award-winning and internationally renowned, some just starting their careers.’ 6-8pm, Blackwell’s, South Bridge. Free tickets available from the shop’s front desk, by calling 0131 622 8218 or by emailing events.edinburgh@blackwell.co.uk

Faith in the Face of Empire: The Rev Dr Mitri Raheb is a Palestinian Pastor in Bethlehem, theologian, author of 16 books, winner of several international peace prizes and renowned speaker on peace and justice in Palestine. He is also the director of the International Centre of Bethlehem and Dar Al Kalima College. Dr Raheb will discuss his new book, Faith in the Face of Empire: The Bible Through Palestinian Eyes with Kathy Galloway, head of Christian Aid in Scotland. 12.30-1.30pm, St Andrew’s and St George’s West Church, 13 George Street.

Lunchtime Concert: Maxwell String Quartet. 1.10-1.50pm, St Mary’s Cathedral, Palmerston Place. Free: retiring collection.

The Christiane Trio: Music by Beethoven & Brahms. Kay Stephen (violin), Helen Beauchamp (horn) and Richard Beauchamp (piano). 7.30-8.40pm, St Mary’s Cathedral, Palmerston Place. Free: retiring collection.

Zoo Arts: visual art workshop for young artists. Have fun exploring, experimenting and creating with artist Alice Betts. For ages 9-14. 4-5.30pm every Wednesday, North Edinburgh Arts, 15a Pennywell Court. 50p per person per session. See Zoo Arts Extra’s Facebook page for more information.

THURSDAY 28TH AUGUST 2014

Map Making: drop-in workshop for families working together. Take inspiration from the Where Do I End and You Begin exhibition and make your own hand-drawn map of Scotland. 1.30-3.30pm, City Art Centre (meet at reception), 2 Market Street. Free, no booking required.

Easel Sketching in the Gallery: inspired by the Titian exhibition and working from a costumed figure. 2-4pm, Scottish National Gallery, The Mound. Free; no booking required. Also on Friday 29th August at same times.

Artist Talk: best known for his short films exploring historical themes, Henry Coombs will discuss his artistic process and inspiration before showing a selection of his films. 6pm, Hawthornden Lecture Theatre, Scottish National Gallery, The Mound. Free and unticketed. Part of GENERATION By Night.

Lunchtime Concert: Mark Spalding, piano. 12.15pm, St Giles’ Cathedral, Royal Mile. Free.

Zombies in the Museum! Edinburgh is on lock-down following the outbreak of an infectious disease. Brave survivors are needed to help in a mission to locate the source of the outbreak. You will be trained in how to survive a zombie attack. Zombies in the Museum is part of Scotland Creates, a national project working with partner museums, young adults and creative partners. This event has been devised by young adults, for young adults. For ages 14+. Soft drinks only. 7-10pm, National Museum of Scotland, Chambers Street. Tickets cost £5 and can be booked here or by calling 0300 123 6789. Supported by the Esme Fairbairn Trust and Creative Scotland.

Blackwell’s Edinburgh Presents Writers at the Fringe: Zoe Venditozzi, Jonathan Falla, Victoria Hendry, Lisa Tuttle and Louise Walsh give a taste of their work. 5.45-7.45pm, Blackwell’s, South Bridge. Free tickets available from the shop’s front desk, by calling 0131 622 8218 or from the Fringe box office.

The Travelling Gallery at the Collective Gallery: today the Travelling Gallery brings its GENERATION TG exhibition to Calton Hill. The exhibition focuses on what it is like to be a contemporary visual artist in Scotland, and features the work of five artists working in a range of media. 11am-6pm, Collective Gallery, 38 Calton Hill. The Collective Gallery is also showing Ross Sinclair’s GENERATION exhibition 20 Years of Real Life until 31st August.

Lunchtime Concert: Danae Eleni (soprano) and Guy Newbury (piano.) 1.10-1.50pm, St Mary’s Cathedral, Palmerston Place. Free: retiring collection.

MYDG Creative Youth Hub: drop-in youth cafe with creative activities including dance, photography, nail art and lots more. Tuck shop provided. For S1+ 5.30-9pm, North Edinburgh Arts, 15a Pennywell Court, free.

Live Music Now: David Foley and Jack Smedley, founding members of the 5-piece folk band Rura, play a mixed programme of traditional and contemporary Scottish and Irish folk music. 6-6.30pm, Scottish National Portrait Gallery, 1 Queen Street. Free.

FRIDAY 29TH AUGUST 2014

Bach Before Breakfast: John Bryden plays Bach and Shostakovich on the Cathedral Steinway. Coffee and croissants follow. 8.05-8.35am, St Mary’s Cathedral, Palmerston Place. Free: retiring collection.

Mythical Maze Ceremony: have you completed the Challenge? Come to the ceremony to collect your certificate, medal and prize! For ages 4-11. 2-3pm, Central Children’s Library, George IV Bridge. Part of the Mythical Maze Summer Reading Challenge.

Be A Legend! Stockbridge Library Summer Reading Challenge Closing Party. Fancy dress competition – come dressed as your favourite hero, heroine or mythical creature; design your own coat of arms and collect your Reading Challenge awards! 3-4.30pm, Stockbridge Library, Hamilton Place. Part of the Mythical Maze Summer Reading Challenge.

Isa Genzken: Botanical Garden Curator’s Tour. Inverleith House Curator Paul Nesbitt and Exhibitions Officer Chloe Reith present an insight into the artworks presented in Botanical Garden, focusing on the last 15 years of Genzken’s artistic practice. 2-2.45pm, tour begins from Reception, Inverleith House, Royal Botanic Garden, Inverleith Row. No booking required. Inverleith house is currently hosting Botanical Garden, the first Scottish exhibition of Genzken’s work, featuring sculptural assemblages and wall and floor based photographic collages. The exhibition is open 10am-5.30pm, Tuesday to Sunday, until 28th September as part of the Edinburgh Art Festival 2014.

Easel Sketching in the Gallery: inspired by the Titian exhibition and working from a costumed figure. 2-4pm, Scottish National Gallery, The Mound. Free; no booking necessary.

Self-Portrait, aged 51 by Rembrandt: Art historian Andrew Paterson will discuss Rembrandt’s possible motivations for making this and his many other self-portraits, and ways in which the painting might be interpreted in the light of the artistic and religious culture of 17th century Holland. 12.45-1.30pm, Scottish National Gallery, The Mound. Free and unticketed.

Scotland The Brave: A Graphic History of Scotland 1514-2014: Portobello-born Martin Fowler launches his new book, which is available in a limited hardback edition of 500. This history of Scotland in visual form contains highly detailed and dramatic ink drawings which appropriate the formal style of the 18th century political cartoons of James Gillray. ‘They present an accessible and dynamic aide-memoire for those interested in Scottish history, while serving as a timely comment on ideas of nationhood and identity.’ 6.30pm, Word Power Books, 43-45 West Nicolson Street. Admission free! Donations welcome!

Lunchtime Concert: Ivor Clayman (baritone) and John Bryden (piano.) 1.10-1.50pm, St Mary’s Cathedral, Palmerston Place. Free: retiring collection.

SATURDAY 30TH AUGUST 2014

Frisky Ducks and Other Poems and The Lucky Charm of Major Bessop: Mario Relich and Tom Hubbard launch their new works. Relich was born in Zagreb, grew up in Montreal and has lived most of his life in Edinburgh: he is an Associate Lecturer for OU Scotland and has also taught at the Edinburgh College of Art, the University of Ife in Nigeria and Napier University. Relich’s poems, articles and reviews have been widely published in reviews, periodicals and newspapers: Frisky Ducks is his first collection. Hubbard is a novelist and poet and has been a visiting professor at European and US universities: The Lucky Charm of Major Bessop, Hubbard’s second novel, is subtitled ‘a grotesque mystery of Fife’ – Tom is a Fifer. 12 noon, Word Power Books, 43-45 West Nicolson Street. Admission free! Donations welcome!

National Gallery Highlight Tours: an introduction to and tour of the National Gallery’s permanent collection, focusing on key paintings. 2-2.45pm or 3-3.45pm, Scottish National Gallery, The Mound. Free and unticketed.

GENERATION Tours at Modern One: free, discussion-led tours of the exhibition, focusing on key themes and artists. 11-11.45am or 1-1.45pm, Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art ONE, Belford Road. No booking required.

Rebuilding the Past: come and discover the traditional building skills being used to reconstruct the Botanic Cottage and the challenges that have been encountered on the journey to rebuild this special house. 1-4pm, Real Life Science Studio, John Hope Gateway, Royal Botanic Garden, Inverleith Row. No booking required. Also available at same times on Sunday 31st August.

Where Do I End and You Begin: discussion and tour with Richard Hylton and some of the UK-based artists taking part in the exhibition. 12 noon, City Art Centre, 2 Market Street. Free, but tickets should be booked in advance via eventbrite. Part of Edinburgh Art Festival.

Stop Thief! Commentator, activist and author (The Poor Had No Lawyers) Andy Wightman will discuss the ideas and observations captured in his audiovisual presentation, which was commissioned by Emma Rushton and Derek Tyman as part of their installation Flaghall. 2pm, City Art Centre, 2 Market Street. Free, but tickets should be booked in advance via eventbrite. Part of Edinburgh Art Festival.

Out of the Blue Flea Market: rummage for treasures at this monthly flea market. Over 45 stalls selling clothes, jewellery, small furniture, music, books, bric-a-brac and more. Arts Cafe open for sale of refreshments. 10am-3pm, Out of the Blue Drill Hall, 36 Dalmeny Street.

Lunchtime Concert: Nick Wearne and John Bryden Duo. 1.10-1.50pm, St Mary’s Cathedral, Palmerston Place. Free: retiring collection.

SUNDAY 31ST AUGUST 2014

GENERATION Tours at the Academy Building: free, discussion-led tours of the exhibition, focusing on key themes and artists. 11-11.45am or 1-1.45pm, Royal Scottish Academy, Scottish National Gallery, The Mound. No booking required.

Magical Birds: make exotic bird sculptures from modroc and paint and decorate them in vibrant colours and patterns. A family event with Margaret Findlay. 11am-3pm, Lauriston Castle, 2a Cramond Road South. £5 per person: bookings must be made via the Usher Hall Box Office, in person, by phone or online.

St Giles’ at Six: Veronica Henderson (cello) and Veronica Wilson (piano) play Beethoven Sonata for Cello and Piano in A Minor (Op 69), Bosanquet Elegie (in memoriam Joan Dickson) and Cassado Sonata in the Old Spanish Style. 6pm, St Giles’ Cathedral, Royal Mile. Free: retiring collection.

Weekend Story Time: enjoy a journey through one of the wonderful children’s titles on the shelves via role play, dance, music and song. 11am-12 noon every Sunday, Looking Glass Books, 36 Simpson’s Loan. Free.