An Evening with Barrington Stoke – award-winning Edinburgh-based publishers of books for struggling, reluctant or dyslexic young readers. For teachers and parents interested in dyslexia and children’s reading, with speaker Mairi Kidd, Barrington Stoke’s MD. With 350+ books in print, Barrington Stoke’s list includes works from authors such as Julia Donaldson and Anne Fine and is designed with tinted backgrounds, heavy paper and special fonts to reduce visual stress and overcome barriers to reading. 7pm, Christ Church Centre, 6a Morningside Rd. Free but space limited so please book via mail@edinburghbookshop.com or 0131 447 1917. Event organised by The Edinburgh Bookshop.
Keywords: Aesthetics. A five part series on language and contemporary art organised by the School of History of Art, University of Edinburgh. Tonight: Neil Cox (University of Edinburgh) and Larne Abse Gogarty (UCL), chair Stacy Boldrick (Fruitmarket Gallery) 6.30-8.30pm, Fruitmarket Gallery, 45 Market Street. Free but booking essential: information here.
Cafe Ceilidh: Songs of War and Peace. An afternoon of songs and music with Linten Adie and friends from the Scots Music Group. 2-4pm, Storytelling Court, Scottish Storytelling Centre, High Street. Free and unticketed.
ShuttleScots: inclusive, relaxed and friendly LGBT badminton club. Meet new people, make friends, develop skills and have fun in a supportive and non-judgemental environment. First session free and you are welcome to bring a friend; racquets are available to borrow. Previous experience of badminton not needed; all levels of players welcome, and regular social activities are arranged. 7-9pm, Meadowbank Sports Centre, London Road. Email the group at info@shuttlescots.co.uk or complete the form here to let them know you are attending.
Line Dancing: strut your stuff, keep fit and have fun at the Line Dancing class that’s second to none – stetsons optional! Tutor: Kat of Bear Essentials. 12.30-2pm, St Bride’s Centre, 10 Orwell Terrace. £3.50 per session. Please note this is an intermediate class. Contact centre for more information.
LGBT Health: Self-Image for Men. The first of two linked workshops for GBT men: this week there will be time to discuss how you feel about yourself, next week will build on the first session to explore how this can affect the decisions you make about relationships and sexual health. 6-8pm, LGBT Health & Wellbeing, 9 Howe Street. Booking essential: contact George by emailing george@lgbthealth.org.uk or calling 0131 652 3281.
The Edinburgh Quartet: Helen Grime String Quartet and Shostakovich String Quartet No 4 in D, Op.83. 1.10pm, Reid Concert Hall, Bristo Square, University of Edinburgh. Free and unticketed.
Queen Alexandra’s Imperial Military Nursing Service (QAIMNS) During the First World War: Yvonne McEwan discusses the much-neglected story of QAIMNS. Based on original ground-breaking research, this talk moves away from the long-held overly-romanticised view of First World War nursing and addresses the personal, political and professional issues that arose for nurses in the pivotal years of 1914-18. 4pm, Level 5 LRC, Edinburgh Napier University Sighthill Campus, Sighthill Court. Free but spaces are limited so please email events@napier.ac.uk to book. Presented in association with the Words and Deeds, Weapons and Wounding exhibition.
World War One: Scottish Tales of Adventure. Best selling author and historian Allan Burnett explains how he has brought the First World War vividly to life for young readers. Allan will discuss his decision to focus on how the war affected Scottish men and women, and why he chose the book-lined trenches of NLS as the HQ of his research campaign. 6pm, National Library of Scotland, George IV Bridge. Free but booking required: call 0131 623 3734 or click here.
Once Upon a Forest: bike-powered screening. Be transported into the rainforest canopies of the Amazon and Africa. In a tropical forest 200 feet above the ground, botanist Francis Halle makes intricate drawings of all he surveys. His images then come alive in Oscar-winning director Luc Jacquet’s sensory spectacular, using innovative, soaring cinematography techniques to illustrate how trees communicate, co-operate and fight for their lives. Suitable for ages 8+. 7.30-9.15pm, Gateway Decking (outdoors), Royal Botanic Garden, Inverleith Row. Tickets £6/£4; book via Take One Action Film Festival here.
