William McIlvaney: Looking Glass Books and the University of Edinburgh present the Guest Writers Series – authors in conversation with Writer in Residence Jenni Fagan. Kilmarnock born McIlvaney is a writer of novels, short stories and poetry: his works include crime novels Laidlaw and The Papers of Tony Veitch, and his short story collection Walking Wounded. 6pm, Looking Glass Books, 36 Simpson Loan, Quartermile. Free, all welcome.
eBook Surgery: get help with downloading free eBooks, audiobooks and emagazines. 2-3.30pm, Central Library, George IV Bridge. Free, no appointment necessary.
University of Edinburgh Careers Fair: a great chance to find out about potential career opportunities and meet employers. Students and graduates of any university are welcome to attend. 1.30-6.30pm, Adam House, Chambers Street. Also open at same times but with different exhibitors on Wednesday 8th October. For more details of employers attending and talks offered throughout the day, click here. Free: no pre-registration necessary.
Lunchtime Concert: Daklen Difato (piano) will perform Beethoven’s Sonata Op 31 No 2 The Tempest, Schumann’s Papillons Op 2, Schoenberg’s Klavierstucke Op 19 and Debussy’s Estampes. 1.10pm, Reid Concert Hall, Bristo Square. Free: supported by the Italian Cultural Institute.
John Kitchen: Inaugural Concert to Celebrate the Restoration of the McEwan Hall Organ. The organ was originally built by Robert Hope-Jones in 1897: a major restoration has recently been completed by local firm Forth Pipe Organs. John Kitchen will play Francis Jackson Edinburgh Fanfare, Guilmant Grand Choeur in D, JS Bach Prelude and Fugue in E Flat (St Anne) BWV 552, Cecilia McDowell Church Bells Beyond the Stars (2013) and Widor Three Movements from Symphony No. 5 in F. 7.30pm, McEwan Hall, Bristo Square, University of Edinburgh. Free admission.
Art Party: a new artist film by Bob and Roberta Smith and director Tim Newton. This screening will inform the artist’s Friday Lecture Series talk on 10th October. The film features Cornelia Parker, John Smith, Haroon Mizra, Jeremy Deller, Richard Wentworth and Jessica Voorsanger. 5.30-7pm, Main Lecture Theatre (E22), Edinburgh College of Art, Lauriston Place. Free and open to all.
Japan Matters Lecture: Environmental Radiation in Fukishima. Mr Kimiaki Saito, Japan Atomic Energy Agency, talks about the current environmental radiation situation in Fukishima, three years after its nuclear power plant accident. He has conducted large-scale radiation monitoring, contamination mapping and investigation of radiocesium movement in the environment. Event organised by Japan Desk Scotland with a grant from Great Britain Sasakawa Foundation. 7-9pm, St Andrew’s and St George’s West Church, 13 George Street. Free entry, all welcome.
Madness and Melancholy: Boswell’s Life of Johnson. Allan Beveridge presents James Boswell’s Life of Johnson, a fascinating account of discussions between James Boswell and Samuel Johnson on their experience of melancholy and madness. Poet Jo McFarlane will then respond to this unique biography through contemporary poetry. 6.30-8pm, Anatomy Lecture Theatre, Summerhall, 1 Summerhall Place. Free but booking required: contact Kirsten at CAPS Advocacy: 0131 273 5116 or kirsten@capsadvocacy.org Part of Scottish Mental Health Arts & Film Festival.
Fairy Story Walks and Lantern Parade: SEASONS presents a family-friendly community event for wellbeing. Join a fairy story walk around a beautiful lit wild garden and experience the power of the wishing trees and other magical surprises, then warm up with homemade soup and a hot drink. 7-8pm, Enchanted Garden, Lochend House, 33-35 Lochend Road South EH7 6BR. Free but booking required: jane.mather@edinburgh.gov.uk A similar event will take place at Braids Hills, 5-6 pm on 15th October 2014. Part of Scottish Mental Health Arts & Film Festival.
Keywords: Realism. One of a 5-part series on language and contemporary art organised by the School of History of Art at the University of Edinburgh, with Glyn Davis (University of Edinburgh) and Antigoni Memou (University of East London), chaired by Kirsten Lloyd (University of Edinburgh.) For more information see www.keywordscontemporary.com. 6.30-8.30pm, Fruitmarket Gallery, Market Street. Free places should be booked on 0131 226 8181 or by emailing bookshop@fruitmarket.co.uk
