Friday in Edinburgh – What’s On Today

Family Arts Festival Activity Day: a fun-filled BFG themed activity day for all the family. Make and create things at a range of drop-in activities and bookable-on-the-day drama and movement workshops.  You can also make a wish and help to create a giant-sized dream blanket as part of the national Big Draw event. Quiet storytimes, arts and crafts, costumes display with the chance to try some on. 10am-4pm, Royal Lyceum Theatre, Grindlay Street. For more information contact the theatre box office.

Last Dark Music of the Painted Night: to mark the end of the Counterpoint exhibition, Talbot Rice presents an evening of artist videos, including works by Alexa Hare, Craig Mulholland and Michelle Hannah, whose video ‘STATUE‘ will be shown for the first time in the site of its creation – plus works from Karen Donnellan and Serena Korda. 6.30-8pm, Talbot Rice Gallery, South Bridge, University of Edinburgh. Free tickets should be booked via eventbrite. Read The Edinburgh Reporter’s review of Counterpoint here.

Lunchtime Concert: Ian Watt (guitar) will perform Sor Variations on a theme of Mozart (from Die Zauberflote) Op 9, John McLeod Three Mythical Pieces and  Fantasy on themes from Britten’s Gloriana, and Albeniz Granada Op 47/1 and Torre Bermeja Op 92/12 Reid Concert Hall, University of Edinburgh, Bristo Square. Free and unticketed.

1950s Sock Hop! Back to 1954! For ages 8-12. 2-4pm, Drumbrae Library, 81 Drumbrae Drive.

A Spooky Hallowe’en Windowscape: design and create a stunning 2D Hallowe’en windowscape with haunted houses, pumpkins, witches, bats, skeletons and all manner of other spooky images. Learn basic layering techniques with tissue paper to build up your scary scene. 10.30am-12.30pm or 1.30-3.30pm, Lauriston Castle, 2a Cramond Road. Suitable for families. £5 per person: bookings must be made via the Usher Hall box office, in person, by phone or online.

Performing Russian Music in Scotland: Glasgow Concerts in the 1930s. A free concert sponsored by the University of Edinburgh and open to all. Songs by Tchaikovsky, Rimsky-Korsakof, Sviridov and Mussorgsky, Medtner Fairy Tales Op 26, Eric Chisholm Celtic Folk Song Arrangements, Mussorgsky Songs and Dances of Death, Shostakovich from Preludes and Fugues Op 34, Prokofiev Three Children’s Songs Op 38. 5-6.30pm, Reid Concert Hall, University of Edinburgh, Bristo Square. Free tickets can be booked via eventbrite.

Monster Costumes: join in the run up to Hallowe’en (there will be a further costume making session next Friday and a party on 31st October.) 2.30-3.30pm, Newington Library, Fountainhall Road. Free.

Writing Letters, Writing Lives: in a society filled with emails, texts and tweets are we losing the powerful art of letter writing? Is there something you want to say? Something you want to tell someone? Write your letter in this fun, innovative creative writing workshop. 2-4pm, Ocean Terminal Community Space, 98 Ocean Drive. Free but booking required: contact Kim Schroeder on 07443 488 395 or at katschroeder@gmx.net. Also available at same time on Saturday 18th October 2014. Part of Scottish Mental Health Arts and Film Festival 2014.

Anya Lipska: the TV producer and scriptwriter for Panorama and Dispatches talks about her books and discusses contemporary Polish crime writing. Lipska’s Where the Devil Can’t Go and Death Can’t Take a Joke draw on her first hand experience of the lives of Polish immigrants in the East End of London. Chaired by Alex Sokoloff, this event is jointly organised by Word Power Books and Interactive Writing Salon in Scotland. 6pm, Word Power Books, West Nicolson Street. Free, all welcome: donations also welcome!

Coburg House Art Studios Showcase: Coburg artists and makers show paintings, prints, textiles, ceramics and jewellery in the run up to Christmas. Talks, demonstrations and classes will be held during the run of the exhibition, details available soon. From today until 24th December 2014, 10am-6pm Monday to Saturday, 11am-5pm Sundays, Kalopsia Gallery, First Floor, Ocean Terminal.

The Home Front – Rationing: come and try recipes taken from The Win the War Cookery Book, published in 1918 (the same year that rationing was introduced). Fish ‘sausages’, stewed nettles and rice and raisin dumplings are some of the dishes that will be on offer. Copies of the booklet will also be available. 11am-1pm, Gorgie War Memorial Hall, 338 Gorgie Road. One of Gorgie War Memorial Hall’s World War One Commemoration Events. Free.

Nitekirk: creative, drop-in experience of church in central Edinburgh. A welcoming, sacred space for all, ‘a space of welcome, a space for stillness, a pause on your journey, an open door.’ 8-11pm, Greyfriars Kirk, Greyfriars Place. Next month: Augustine United Church, on 21st November at same times. More information here.

Teatime Acoustic – Tartan Underground: acoustic session with guests each week, showcasing the hidden talents of Scottish songwriting. Hosted by troubadour singer/songwriter Sher Watson, 6.30-8.30pm, Jazz Bar, Chambers Street. Free before 8pm.

Freeze Frame Screening: His Girl Friday. Cary Grant stars in this fast paced, fast talking Howard Hawks’ comedy about journalism and jealousy. Free popcorn and good company guaranteed, or come early and enjoy a movie meal. Doors open 6.30pm, Out of the Blue Drill Hall, 36 Dalmeny Street. £2.50/£2 for the film, payable on the door or in advance at the cafe: £12 for a two course meal, which must be booked in advance – email stephanie.haigh@outoftheblue.org.uk or call 0131 555 7100.