Saturday in Edinburgh – What’s On Today

Dads Rock: part of a multi-award winning network of free playgroups for Dads and Kids (aged 0-5). 10-11.30am today and every Saturday, Whale Arts, 30 Westburn Grove and The Prentice Centre, 1 Granton Mains Avenue (groups operate at both locations.)

Edinburgh Independent Radical Book Fair continues with book launches, discussions, cabaret and a film. See The Edinburgh Reporter’s article for more details; for full programme visit Word Power Books‘ or Out of the Blue’s websites.  All sessions at Out of the Blue Drill Hall, 35 Dalmeny Street. All events free: donations very welcome.

Christian Aid Sale of Pictures and Scottish Books. 10am-3pm, Sanctuary, St Andrew’s and St George’s West Church, 13 George Street.

Christian Aid Coffee Morning – enjoy home baking, shop at the jewellery and gift stall, and visit the sale of pictures and Scottish books in the Sanctuary. 10am-12 noon, Undercroft Cafe, St Andrew’s and St George’s West Church, 13 George Street.

LGBT Roller Disco: all welcome for an afternoon of skates, songs and socialising! Family friendly event for LGBT people, their friends, families and supporters. DJ, lights and experienced skating instructors on hand. Skates, protective equipment and refreshments provided. 1.30-4pm, Meadowbank Sports Centre, London Road. Booking preferred, either online here or by contacting Jules on 0131 523 1104 or at jules@lgbthealth.org.uk.

Grow Your Own Garden Workshops: a course of six structured ‘grow your own’ workshops for beginners. Each week’s workshop will be offered twice, once on Wednesday evenings (6-8pm) and again on Saturday mornings, so you should only attend one or the other. Workshops are for those aged 16+. A creche is available for the Wednesday evening workshops; this should be booked in advance. This week: Introduction to ‘growing your own’, what grows in Scotland – how to get growing. Next week: Getting growing, sowing seeds and creating new plants from cuttings, bulbs and other plant parts. 10am-12 noon, North Edinburgh Arts, 15a Pennywell Court. No booking required, but you are asked to stay for the full 2 hours of each session, as the workshops are structured.

Create: drop-in artist-led creative art and messy play sessions for under-5s and their parents/carers, including dance/movement class and a healthy snack. 10am-12 noon, today and every Saturday, North Edinburgh Arts, 15a Pennywell Court. 50p per child per session. More information on 0131 315 2151.

Bow-Tow: A Newhaven Story. ‘A celebration of a vibrant community and its place in the 21st century.’ Songs, choirs, stories and spectacle inspired by the Newhaven people. 7-9pm at the harbour and throughout the village. For more information see event Facebook page. Free.

Free Family Cinema: adventure, excitement, fun and laughs. Choc ices and juice available in interval at 50p each. Best for children up to 10 years: all children must be accompanied by an adult. This week: Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (U) (1937), next week: The Croods (U) (2013). 10.30am-12.30pm, St Brides Centre, Orwell Place. Free.

St Columba’s Lecture: Duncan McLaren, former Secretary General of Caritas Internationalis, the world’s most extensive aid and development network, and Edinburgh University’s 2003 Alumnus of the Year, will talk about International Charity. 10.30am, Middle Hall, St Columba’s Church, Upper Gray Street. Coffee will be served prior to the lecture.

Low Port Art Group Autumn Exhibition: local artists exhibiting in oil, watercolour and mixed media. Burgh Halls, The Cross, Linlithgow. For more information call 01506 845805.

Scots Music Group Ceilidh with the Portobello Ceilidh Band. 7.30pm-12 midnight, St Brides Centre, Orwell Place. Licensed bar (No BYO). Tickets £8/£6 in advance, £10/£8 on the door (subject to availability) – advance tickets from St Brides’ Box Office or Scots Music Group: call 0131 555 7678 or book online.

Celebration Concert: Love Through The Ages. Join soprano Emily Walker, tenor Stuart Murray Mitchell and pianist Chris Harding and friends for a programme including Schumann song cycles Frauenliebe und Leben and Dichterliebe and participation from dynamic young a-capella group Vintage Twelve. 7.30-9.30pm, St Andrew’s and St George’s West Church, 13 George Street. Free: donations invited for Mulanje Mission Hospital in Malawi.

Out Loud: a big day out for families to have fun in church., and for young people to be heard by the church. Discussions, play, creative zone: for all families, children and teenagers. Free, refreshments provided. 11am-3pm (drop-in event), St Mary’s Cathedral, Palmerston Place. Organised by The Listening Project, a collaboration between the Dioceses of Edinburgh and Aberdeen and Orkney in the Episcopal Church. More information from Claire at youthandchildren@dioceseofedinburgh.org.

Queensferry Fair Trade Group Global Bazaar: the 12th Global Trade Bazaar, with stalls including One World Shop, Kwai River Crafts, Tearcraft, Hadeel, Green Gift Company, Gogo Olive and Comfort Rwanda, and tea and coffee tasting sessions by Equal Exchange. 10am-3pm, Queensferry Parish Church Centre, South Queensferry. £2 (includes refreshments), accompanied children free.

Tales of a Grandfather: Unrolling Sir Walter Scott’s Magic Carpet. Donald Smith presents Scott’s superb retelling of the history of Scotland. This is the 200th anniversary year of Tales of a Grandfather, which is also the inspiration for Andy Cannon’s contemporary remix Tales of a Grandson, which runs through the first weekend of the Scottish International Storytelling Festival 2014. 2-3pm, Auditorium, Level 1, National Museum of Scotland, Chambers Street. No booking required but please arrive promptly.

Tales of a Granny: storytelling sessions to introduce younger children, parents and carers to the riches of Scotland’s story. 11am-1pm (drop-in sessions), Scotland Galleries, National Museum of Scotland, Chambers Street. Free. Suitable for children under 5 and accompanying adults. Also available at same times on Sunday 26th October 2014.

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. Free and unticketed.

National Gallery Highlight Tours: an introduction to and tour of the Gallery’s permanent collection, focusing on key paintings. 2-245pm or 3-3.45pm, National Gallery of Scotland, The Mound. Free and unticketed.

Blackwell’s Edinburgh Presents The Sixteen: a drinks reception to celebrate The Sixteen’s Choral Pilgrimage visit to Edinburgh and the release of the new recording of Monteverdi’s Vespers of 1610 on the CORO label. The Sixteen, a choir and period instrument orchestra, is recognised as one of the world’s greatest ensembles. Exclusive signed copies of Monteverdi’s Vespers of 1610 will be available to purchase. 6-7pm, Blackwell’s, South Bridge. Free but booking is essential as event is outwith normal shop hours: contact the music department on 0131 622 8230 or email music.edinburgh@ blackwell.co.uk.

Nothing But The Poem: Wislawa Szymborska. A selection of the poet’s works will be read and discussed (please note that the poet will not be present). 11am, Scottish Poetry Library, 5 Crichton’s Close, Canongate. Tickets £5/£4 bookable via eventbrite.

Play Poland 2014 Film Festival Polish Cinema Posters Exhibition. The dynamic development of Polish film poster art dates from the 1950s to the 1980: Polish artists produced an original and unique style of posters, recognisable around the world today. Today until 7th November 2014 during opening hours, Corridor Gallery, The Filmhouse, Lothian Road. For more information see see festival website.

Ganek Gallery: Ben Warren, Daniel Grun – An Endless Supply. An event celebrating the UK book launch of Ganek Gallery, including talks and performances set in an installation by artist Ben Warren. Ganek Gallery is the name of an inaccessible rock formation in the High Tatras, a mountain range on the border of Slovakia and Poland, that was co-opted by artist Julius Koller as a site for a fictive institution. 4pm, Rhubaba, 25 Arthur Street.

Zombie Walk: the evening begins at Sofi’s Bar with a photobooth, giveaways, and make-up artists to help you become a zombie for the night; it continues to Boda Bar for punch, games, competitions and more giveaways and ends in the Victoria Bar with live music till late. A videographer will film the procession up Leith Walk. 6-7pm, Sofi’s Bar, 65 Henderson Street, 7-9.30pm, Boda Bar, 229 Leith Walk, 9.30pm-late, Victoria, 265 Leith Walk. For full details see event Facebook page. Sponsored by Kraken Rum.