Someone Was Singing: World War One in Poetry and Song. In association with the Scottish Poetry Library, Edinburgh Reads presents poet Alexander Hutchison and singer/musician Wendy Carle Taylor for an evening of poetry (contemporary and historic) and song commemorating those who died in the First World War. This evening launches a programme of World War One events in Edinburgh libraries over the next four years. 7-8pm, Central Library, George IV Bridge. Free tickets should be booked via eventbrite.
Harrison Park Bat Night: community event. All welcome, but under-16s should be accompanied by an adult. 7.15pm, Harrison Park, Polwarth. Meet at the play area accessed by Ogilvie Terrace, Harrison Road and Harrison Gardens. For further information contact Esperanza Martin on 0131 445 4025. Organised by the Friends of Harrison Park. Free.
Underwater Explorers. This term: Vikings – Norse Mythology, Viking Navigation, Viking Burials, Monsters and Myths. For ages 8-13. 3.45-5.45pm (children can arrive from 3.30pm), Fort Community Centre, North Fort Street. £1 per session. To book or for more information call Caithleen on 0131 553 1074 or email CLD-Fort@ea.edin.sch.uk
Jay Griffiths on Kith: Jay Griffiths, award winning writer and author of Wild: An Elemental Journey discusses her new book Kith: the Riddle of the Childscape, which examines what it means to be a child, and the huge differences in how childhood is experienced in different cultures. Griffiths explores why many children in American-Euro cultures seem unhappy – and why many children in traditional cultures seem happier. 7-8pm, Lecture Theatre, Royal Botanic Garden, Inverleith Row. Tickets £5, available from eventbrite. The talk is held in conjunction with the no strangers exhibition at RBGE, which focuses on the plight of indigenous people throughout the world. Further talks related to the exhibition will take place on 13th & 20th September.
Inch Community Centre Senior Youth Club restarts today for ages P7-S2. Cooking, arts and crafts, physical activities and a healthy snack. 6.30-8pm every Thursday until 11th December, Inch Community Centre, 225 Gilmerton Road. For more information contact the centre on 0131 664 4710 or email Margaret.faichney@ea.edin.sch.uk
Drift Live Performance: Drift weaves together stories of generations of women with connections to Portobello Prom across their lives. In a promenade performance by Laura Cameron Lewis and Juliana Capes, participants will walk along the Prom experiencing the scene as it is set and the narrative unfolds. 6-7pm, Portobello Prom; meet on the Prom at the bottom of King’s Road – the walk will end at The Espy for optional drinks. Free. To book call Artlink Edinburgh and Lothians on 0131 229 3555 or email susan@artlinkedinburgh.co.uk A portable loop system will be available. Part of Investigate – Create ‘opening up the arts in Edinburgh for people with sight loss, hearing loss, people who are Deafblind, and sign language users.’ More information about Investigate here.
Waterstones Edinburgh presents An Evening with David Mitchell: the Man-Booker Prize nominated author of Cloud Atlas and The Thousand Autumns of Jacob De Zoet will discuss his new book The Bone Clocks. 7pm, Assembly Roxy, 2 Roxburgh Place. Tickets £8 or £5 with Waterstones loyalty card from Waterstones West End (Princes Street) or online. Further information on 0131 226 2666.
Raising Spirits: Allotments, Wellbeing and Community. Authors Jenny Mollison, Judy Wilkinson and Rhona Wilkinson talk about their new book, which shows how allotments came about, why they can make such a substantial contribution to health, wellbeing, community, food production and the environment, and what’s happening with allotments in other countries. 6-8pm, Waterstones, George Street. Free tickets available from the shop. Further details on 0131 225 3436.
Portrait Gallery Insights: John Byrne Sitting Ducks. Julie Lawson, Chief Curator of the Portrait Gallery, explores John Byrne: Sitting Ducks, an exhibition by John Byrne featuring friends, family and celebrity sitters. 5.30-6pm, Scottish National Portrait Gallery, 1 Queen Street. Free but places limited so please book by calling 0131 624 6560.
The Welcoming Association: Skills for Living and Working – Job Seeking Skills. 2.15-4.45pm, The Hall at St John’s Church, Princes Street. Refreshments and all materials provided. For more information on The Welcoming Association, see Wednesday’s listings or click here.
The Drawing Room: informal, artist-led drawing sessions. Each session is developed by a contemporary artist and is inspired by the GENERATION exhibition, also reflecting concerns within each artist’s own work. This week: artist Morgan Cahn. No experience necessary, all materials supplied. 5.30-6.45pm, Royal Scottish Academy, The Mound. Free and unticketed.
From Virgil to Tintin: Translating into Scots. A panel of distinguished scholars and translators will discuss the future of literary translation into Scots. Speakers, who will also read from their translations, are poet and novelist Tom Hubbard, J Derrick McClure, translator of Sorley Maclean and Alice in Wonderland into Scots and Susan Rennie, editor of The Dictionary of the Scots Language and creator of the Scots Tintin. 6pm, National Library of Scotland, George IV Bridge. Free tickets can be booked here. Sponsored by BOSLIT.
Artist Talk: Roderick Buchanan. Artist Roderick Buchanan discusses his exploration of identity in the works currently on show at the Scottish Gallery of Modern Art One, including Soda Stream 1995. 6pm, Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art One, Belford Road. Free and unticketed. Part of GENERATION By Night.
Gayfield Twilight Talks – The Power of Place: Global Pictures, Local Spaces. Stuart Falconer of Edinburgh-based architects GRAS and Katy West, curator of the India Street exhibition, will explore their experience of working with designers and makers from different cultures, and the ways in which design can both create international links and highlight international concerns. Chaired by Dr John Ennis, Gayfield’s Creative Director. 6-8pm, Gayfield Creative Spaces, Gayfield Square. Free tickets should be booked via eventbrite. Read The Edinburgh Reporter’s article about India Street here.
