MONDAY 6TH OCTOBER 2014
Mrs Mash the Storytelling Cook: stories, songs and participative fun for Portobello’s youngest residents. 10.30-11am, The Skylark, 241-243 Portobello High Street.
Toddler Time: Poppy Cat. Join fabulous feline Poppy Cat on her adventures through magical lands with her colourful group of friends. Each story is a celebration of imaginative play and problem solving; three 11 minute programmes will be shown. Poppy is voiced by Joanna Page and based on the award-winning books by Lara Jones. Toddler Time is for pre-school children and their parents and carers only. 11-11.33am, Cameo Cinema, 38 Home Street, Tollcross. £3 per child, babies under 1 year free, accompanying adults free provided they become members of Toddler Time (free membership – ask at Box Office or call 0871 902 5747.)
Inspired by Dutch Still Life: a practical workshop and tour suitable for community groups, including care homes and those with dementia. Explore the National Gallery, work with artists and create a beautiful art work inspired by Dutch Still Life. Wheelchair users welcome – please note there will be some moving between the gallery and the workshop area. 10am-12 noon or 2-4pm, Clore 1, Scottish National Gallery, The Mound. Free: to book places call 0131 624 6560. Part of Luminate: Scotland’s Creative Aging Festival. Also available at same times every day until Friday 10th October.
What Next for Scotland? the Referendum result has raised question for both the medium and the long-term future of Scotland and the rest of the UK. Experts from the Scottish Centre for Constitutional Change will offer some answers, looking at what happened on 18th September and what might happen in the weeks, months and years ahead, and highlighting research by some of the UK’s most respected academics. 9am-12.30pm, Our Dynamic Earth, Holyrood Gait. Free tickets should be booked via eventbrite. A University of Edinburgh event chaired by the Rt Hon Henry McLeish.
Blackwell’s Edinburgh presents The Monthly Book Quiz: if you know your Waugh from your Peace and your Meyer from your Heyer, try Blackwell’s monthly book quiz. Teams of up to five welcome. 6-7.15pm, Caffe Nero, Blackwell’s, South Bridge. Free and unticketed but arrive early as space is limited. For more information contact Ann Landmann on 0131 622 8216 or email events.edinburgh@blackwell.co.uk
Tricolour: monthly night showcasing three different poetry and spoken word talents. Three different voices, three different styles, three different takes on life. This month: Diana Hendry, Hamish White and Kate Hendry. 6.30pm, National Library of Scotland, George IV Bridge. Free but places should be booked here or by calling 0131 623 3734.
For Crying Out Loud: special screenings for carers and their babies (under 12 months). This week: Woody Allen’s Magic in the Moonlight (12A) featuring Colin Firth, Emma Stone and Eileen Atkins. 11am, The Filmhouse, 88 Lothian Road. £4.50/£3.50 per adult (max. 2 adults per baby.) Baby changing, bottle warming and buggy parking facilities available.
Exposure: a thought-provoking exhibition as part of Scottish Mental Health Arts and Film Festival. Through the medium of photography, young people with experience of mental ill health explore issues of living with social anxiety, depression, OCD and isolation. 10am-5pm today and every day until Friday 10th October 2014, Out of The Blue Drill Hall, 36 Dalmeny Street. Free.
Firhill Art Group Exhibition: the group returns to the Undercroft Cafe with a mixed exhibition of work curated by Alex Lodge. Today until 1st November 2014, Undercroft Cafe, St Andrew’s and St George’s West Church, 13 George Street.
A Scottish Architect Abroad: Robert Lorimer’s work in England and further afield. Simon Green will explore this topic to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Lorimer’s birth. 6.30-8.30pm, St Andrew’s and St George’s West Church, 13 George Street. A talk in the Architectural Heritage Society of Scotland’s winter lecture series. £5 (students £2.50), non-members warmly welcomed.
Oh What a Lovely War! Based on the celebrated anti-war stage piece by Joan Littlewood’s Theatre Workshop, this film (made in 1969) chronicles the various madnesses of the First World War. Shown as part of Gorgie War Memorial’s commemoration of the start of the war. 6.30-8.45pm, St Bride’s Centre, Orwell Road. Free: certificate PG.
Conflict, War and Climate Change: the need to act now. A short film produced by the Move for the Abolition of War, aiming to convince people that climate change and conflict are linked and can be tackled together by ordinary people, communities and governments. To be followed by a discussion. 7.30-9pm, Quaker Meeting House, 7 Victoria Terrace. All welcome. Presented by the Campaign Against the Arms Trade. Part of Edinburgh World Justice Festival 2014.
TUESDAY 7TH OCTOBER 2014
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
WEDNESDAY 8TH OCTOBER 2014
Remembering the Great War: Peter Catrell. Photographer Peter Catrell talks about his lifelong fascination with the Great War, his project to photograph the battlefields of the Somme and his research into the Sheffield City Battalion (of which Edinburgh poet Alexander Robertson was a member.) ‘A homage to those men, and to the sad loss of a talented generation.’ 12.45-1.30pm, Hawthornden Lecture Theatre, Scottish National Gallery, The Mound. Free and unticketed.
George Monbiot: Feral: Rewilding the Land, Sea and Human Life. Monbiot has spent his career as a journalist and environmentalist: his celebrated Guardian columns are syndicated all over the world. He is the author of many bestselling books, including Captive State and Amazon Watershed, and won the UN Global 500 Award for outstanding environmental achievement. He discusses his latest book Feral. 3pm, Word Power Books, West Nicolson Street. All welcome: free – donations also welcome!
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. For more details of employers attending and talks offered throughout the day, click here. Free: no pre-registration necessary.
Lunchtime Concert: Sandra Landini (piano) plays Chopin, Glinka, Tchaikovsky and Prokofiev. 12.15pm, St Giles Cathedral, Royal Mile. Free.
Meet the Author: local author Janice Cairns talks about her debut novel Forgiving Nancy. ‘A rags to riches family saga drawing a fascinating picture of wealthy and deprived Edinburgh.’ 2.30pm, Morningside Library, 184 Morningside Road. Booking essential: call 0131 529 5654 or drop into the library.
Lothians On Film: an exciting selection of short films made in and around the Lothians. The films (documentary, fiction, animation and film-art) include previous winners of SMHAFF Film Awards, newly finished and highly acclaimed films by members of the Midlothian Men’s SHARE Project, film-art pieces by members of the Stepping Stones (now Alma) Project, Volunteering Changes Lives a celebration of 30 years work by Volunteer Centre Edinburgh’s Health & Wellbeing Team, and documentaries by CAPS Advocacy, MECOPP and many more. 6.30-8.30pm, The Stafford Centre, 103 Broughton Street. Free but booking required: email emily@health-in-mind.org.uk Part of Scottish Mental Health Arts & Film Festival.
Regeneration: 1997 film revealing the humanity at the heart of the nightmare of World War One. Wilfred Owen and Siegfried Sassoon meet at Craiglockhart War Hospital: destined to become two of Britain’s most important poets, they struggle to give voice to the pain and futility of armed combat through their poetry. 6-8pm, Lindsay Stewart Lecture Theatre, Craiglockhart Campus, Edinburgh Napier University, 219 Colinton Road. Free but booking required via eventbrite. Part of Scottish Mental Health Arts & Film Festival.
Morningside Justice and Peace: Human Trafficking in Scotland. A short talk by Graham O’Neill, Policy and Communications Manager, Scottish Refugee Council, followed by questions and discussion. Morningside Justice and Peace Group exists to promote informed opinion on matters of concern to the community at large. 10.30-11.30am, Open Door, 420 Morningside Road. All welcome: donation of £1 requested to help cover costs.
Between Tides: Tentsmuir is a unique area of NE Fife caught between the tides. In this exhibition of artwork, internationally acclaimed artist Derek Robertson captures the rich ecology of the place, inspired by his 2013 artist-in-residence appointment at Tentsmuir National Nature Reserve and his collaborations with scientists, poets, dancers, artists and storyteller Lea Taylor. Lea will present a storytelling performance based on the tales of Tentsmuir later in October. 10am-6pm today until 20th October 2014 (closed Sundays), Scottish Storytelling Centre, 43-45 High Street. Free.
THURSDAY 9TH OCTOBER 2014
GENERATION DJ Set: A La Fu. A La Fu has performed at Glastonbury, Brixton Academy, Trans Musicales, Pukkelpop and NYC’s Knitting Factory. He will be offering an improvised response to the GENERATION art works before playing tracks that engage with the Scottish art and music scene of the last 25 years. 6pm, Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art ONE, Belford Road. Free and unticketed. Part of GENERATION By Night. ‘Inspired by the turntable and anything slightly off kilter.’
Drama @ WHALE: Whale’s Without A Cause drama group are looking for new members who would like to be involved in devising a show to be performed at the WHALE Arts End of Year Christmas Party – no previous experience needed! 7-9pm today and every Thursday until 11th December 2014, WHALE Arts, 30 Westburn Grove. Free.
Wordplay: Transportable Words. Creative gallery-based writing session inspired by the GENERATION exhibition. This session will journey through multiple artists’ works to examine varying approaches to creating a sense of place and map a journey that can act as a basis for a fictional text. Materials will be supplied to create a ‘mood board’ map in the style of Lucy McKenzie’s Quodlibets. 5.30-6.45pm, Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art ONE, Belford Road. Free but places must be booked by calling 0131 624 6410 or emailing education@nationalgalleries.org. Part of GENERATION By Night.
Graham Fagen: Artist’s Talk. Fagen discusses the inspiration behind his 1998 installation Peek-a-Jobby, now re-staged in the gallery as part of GENERATION. 5.30pm, Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art ONE, Belford Road. Free and unticketed.
Bobby Niven: Artist’s Talk. Niven discusses the aims of The Bothy Project before exploring the design and construction of the most recent bothy, on-site at Modern ONE until 31st October 2014. 6.30pm, Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art ONE, Belford Road. Free and unticketed.
Let’s Dance! Relaxed, informal social dancing sessions with tuition from an expert. This term the group will continue to learn ceilidh dancing: come and enjoy the Scottish whirls! 7-8.30pm today and every Thursday until 11th December 2014, WHALE Arts, 30 Westburn Grove. £2 per session.
Portrait Gallery Insights: Citizens of the World. Senior Curator Linda Lax takes a detailed look at the Citizens of the World display, which explores the worlds of Enlightenment men David Hume and Allan Ramsay. 5.30-6pm, Scottish National Portrait Gallery, 1 Queen Street. Free but places are limited and must be booked by calling 0131 624 6560.
The Drawing Room: an informal artist-led drawing session. Each session is developed by a contemporary artist and is inspired by the GENERATION exhibition; concerns in the artist’s own work are also reflected. All materials supplied: no experience necessary. 5.30-6.45pm, Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art ONE, Belford Road. Free and unticketed. Part of GENERATION By Night.
Aidan Moffat: The Lavender Blue Dress. The former Arab Strap singer/songwriter signs copies of his new novel – the story, told in rhyme, of Mabel, a little girl who wants nothing more than a beautiful dress to wear to the Christmas ball. 12.30pm, Waterstones West End, Princes Street.
University of Edinburgh Careers Fair: More Than Profit. The third day of the Careers Fair will offer the chance to meet with an alternative range of organisations. Students and graduates of any university are welcome to come and meet charities, not-for-profit organisations, social enterprises, social service organisations, international development and environmental organisations, who can tell you about paid and voluntary work and give tips on how to get into both. 1-4pm, Adam House, Chambers Street. Free: no pre-registration necessary.
Stigma Free Arts Cafe…Inspiring Tales of Life: Bring your lunch to an inspiring and safe cafe space and enjoy poets, musicians, dancers, speakers and visual artists. All welcome. 12 noon-2pm, Augustine United Church, George IV Bridge. Also open on 16th, 23rd and 30th October 2014. Part of Scottish Mental Health Arts & Film Festival.
The Intimate City: Violence, Gender and Ordinary Life in Delhi Slums. Ayona Datta, University of Leeds, uses the stories of the intimate lives of three slum women to argue for the expansion of the horizons of urban geography through the lens of intimacy. 4-6pm, Sydney Smith Lecture Theatre, University of Edinburgh Medical School, Teviot Place (Doorway One, Room 2.520.) More information from the Centre for South Asian Studies.
33 Artists in 3 Acts: Sarah Thornton launches her latest book, a follow-up to Seven Days in the Art World, a fly-on-the-wall account of art creation, curating, trading and collecting by the non-fiction writer and sociologist of art. 33 Artists in 3 Acts attempts to explore what it means to be an artist, and includes conversations with Ai Weiwei, Jeff Koons, Yayoi Kusama, Cindy Sherman, Andrea Fraser, Laurie Simmons and Caroll Dunham, and their daughters Lena and Grace. The launch will include an interview with Thornton by Professor Simon Frith, Tovey Professor at Reid School of Music. 6-8pm, Main Building, Edinburgh College of Art, Lauriston Place. Free but booking essential via eventbrite.
Free Tai Chi: 10 minute sessions of this slow and gentle form of exercise with many health benefits. Starts today, 12.30-12.40pm, East Neighbourhood Centre and Craigmillar Library, 101 Niddrie Mains Road. Free.
A Day in the Life: an exciting visual exhibition of artworks made by people who attend groups and workshops with the Contact Point day service. 2-4pm, Contact Point, 101 High Riggs, Tollcross. Also open at same times on 16th and 23rd October 2014. Free, donations welcome. More information from Angie on 0845 140 7777. Part of Scottish Mental Health Arts & Film Festival.
Moving Minds: Community-Led Dialogue. Gypsy/Travellers lead interactive awareness-raising workshops to dispel myths, promote dialogue, discuss new ways of ‘talking about mental health’ and reflect on the impact prejudice can have on mental health and wellbeing. 10am-1pm and 2-5pm, Conference Centre, Norton Park, 57 Albion Road. Free but booking required: contact emma-jane@mecopp.org.uk Part of Scottish Mental Health Arts & Film Festival.
Connections: an exhibition of jewellery and pottery by young people from across West Lothian who have accessed mental health services. Working with jeweller Kirsty Muir, they have created artwork based around themes of power and empowerment. 2-4pm, Art Space, 2 The Howden Park Centre, Livingston. Free. Part of Scottish Mental Health Arts & Film Festival.
What Adult Education Means to Me Workshops: these workshops will allow you to speak with the artists involved in the What Adult Education Means to Me exhibition currently showing at the St Bride’s Community Centre. You will be able to try out some of the techniques and approaches used in the creation of the exhibition work and will be encouraged to think about ways of expressing your own experiences and ideas about adult education. The project will be co-led by Outlook Project students and tutors. 3-4.30pm today, 16th October and 23rd October, St Bride’s Centre, Orwell Road. Free places can be booked by calling 0131 337 6215 and the workshops are open to both individuals and groups.
Big Scream: film screenings exclusively for parents and carers with a baby under one year old. A great way to meet other parents, and no need to worry about your baby causing a disturbance. Low lights are left on in the auditorium and baby changing facilities are available. Membership of Big Scream Club (free) is essential – ask at Box Office. This week The Boxtrolls. 10.30am, Cameo Cinema, 38 Home Street, Tollcross. Tickets are at Picturehouse members’ rate, no charge for babies, no-one admitted without a baby.
Caesura @ SPL: Experimental poetry wonder-night Caesura comes to the SPL. Heralded as ‘one of the most vital avant garde readings in Great Britain’ by poet SJ Fowler, Caesura is the live home for sound poetry, found poetry, text-based performance art and all manner of linguistic innovation. 6.30pm, Scottish Poetry Library, 5 Crichton’s Close, Canongate. Tickets £5/£4 bookable via eventbrite.
FRIDAY 10TH OCTOBER 2014
The Art of Golf Course Design: golf course designer Scott Macpherson discusses how landscapes are adapted to create the best possible golf course whilst retaining a site’s natural beauty. 12.45-1.30pm, Hawthornden Lecture Theatre, Scottish National Gallery, The Mound. Free and unticketed.
Flamenco Ad Libitum Flashmob: a community project involving artists and members of the Edinburgh Flamenco Community and five participants with physical disabilities and their carers. A six week period of improvisation, workshops and rehearsals will culminate in this flashmob live music and dance performance. 1pm onwards, National Museum of Scotland, Chambers Street. Part of Hispanic Festival 2014.
Lunchtime Concert: Pistons and Pipes. Pistons and Pipes are Tom Poulson (trumpet) and Calum Robertson (organ.) They will perform Christopher Gough Preamble (first performance), Handel Suite in D, Jean-Michel Damase Trois Prieres Sans Parole, William Mathias Processional, Lubos Fiser Dialog, Oskar Lindberg Andante and Naji Hakim Sonata. 1.10pm, McEwan Hall, Bristo Square, University of Edinburgh. Free admission.
The School of Art Friday Lecture Series: Bob and Roberta Smith (see Tuesday 7th October). Edinburgh College of Art, Lauriston Place. Free and open to all: contact ECA for times.
Be Arty Be Healthy photographic exhibition: created by Outlook Adult Education project students and local residents in the Craigmillar area. 10am-5pm today, then 10am-8pm Monday-Wednesday and 10am-5pm Thursday-Saturday until 17th October 2014. East Neighbourhood Centre and Craigmillar Library, 101 Niddrie Mains Road. Free. More information from margaret@outlookproject.co.uk
Am Mod Naiseanta Rioghail 2014: The Royal National Mod 2014. Want to get out of Edinburgh this weekend? The Mod is Scotland’s premier festival celebrating its Gaelic linguistic and cultural heritage, showcasing emerging and professional artists and musical talent and offering opportunities for people of all ages to perform across a range of competitive disciplines in music, song, highland dancing, drama, sport and literature. Today until 18th October 2014, Inverness: see website for full details.
My Electric Love Affair: an acoustic set upstairs in the cafe from this 4-piece Edinburgh band, who have been playing together for 13 years. 7.30pm, Forest Cafe, 141 Lauriston Place.
Guatemala Past and Present: Screening and Director Q & A. A gripping film depicting Guatemala’s long-running civil war and recent activities to move on. Followed by a discussion led by those close to the situation in connection with human rights today, looking at how we can respond to the needs of the country. 7.15-10pm, Augustine United Church, George IV Bridge. Presented by Amnesty International. All welcome. Part of Edinburgh World Justice Festival 2014.
SATURDAY 11TH OCTOBER 2014
Tiger Tales: stories and craft for ages 4-8. 3-4pm, Fountainbridge Library, 137 Dundee Street. Free.
Bruncheon, featuring The Sound of Muesli: brunch and live music at the Drill Hall Arts Cafe. Local musical talent and DJs creating a chilled-out atmosphere; delicious food available from the cafe. 11.30am-3pm, Out of The Blue Drill Hall, 36 Dalmeny Street. Free entry.
Free Family Cinema: adventure, excitement, fun and laughs – it’s all here and it’s all free! Juice and choc ices available in the interval for 50p each. Best for children up to 10 years old; all children must be accompanied by an adult. This week: The Iron Giant. Next week: Turbo. Subtitles are available for each film on request. 10.30am-12.30pm, St Bride’s Centre, Orwell Road.
Craftivism: Creative Activism. Find or restore your inspiration, consider new ways to campaign, share your ideas, make things! A two day gathering to share skills and ideas for using crafts in activism, as part of Edinburgh World Justice Festival. All welcome, all materials provided – but please bring your own needles if you can – no experience needed, free. 10am-2pm today and 18th October, to allow for finishing a piece over two sessions – but if you can only come to one session, you are still welcome. Forest Centre Plus, Argyle House, 38 Castle Terrace. Enter from Castle Terrace, by the roundabout at the bottom of Johnston Terrace. Note: this is not the Forest Cafe, although you are welcome to continue crafting there afterwards.
Octob-aargh! Museum Treasure Maps: create your own pirate treasure map featuring some of your favourite objects in the museum. 12 noon-4pm (drop-in), Grand Gallery Level One, National Museum of Scotland, Chambers Street. Also available at same times on Sunday 12th October 2014.
Magic C-aaargh-pet! Pirate and treasure themed story activity sessions on the museum’s magic carpet. For under-5s and their parents/carers. 11-11.25am, National Museum of Scotland, Chambers Street. Limited places: sign up ten minutes before at the Lighthouse Lens in the Grand Gallery, Level One. Also available at same times on Sunday 12th October 2014.
Roofless at Referral: A unique exhibition of images and ideas based on true life accounts of people who have experienced homelessness, this is an exploration of the challenges faced and isolation felt by those who are homeless and who wish to tell their story and share their journey. 11am-6pm today until 17th October 2014, Old Animal Hospital, Summerhall, 1 Summerhall Place. Free. Part of Scottish Mental Health Arts & Film Festival.
Edinburgh World Justice Festival 2014 Book Fair: a large number of new and second-hand books on the themes of the EWJF and of broader interest. Come along, have a tea or coffee, chat and browse. Videos drawing on the Festival theme will be showing throughout the day. 1-5pm, St John’s Hall, Princes Street. Part of Edinburgh World Justice Festival 2014.
Meet the Gordon Highlanders of World War One: meet re-enactors from the renowned Gordon Highlanders 1914-18 and find out what it was like in World War One. Explore the uniforms, weapons and equipment of the time, and learn about daily life on the Front Line. Suitable for ages 7+. 2-4pm, Scottish National Portrait Gallery, 1 Queen Street. Free, no booking required.
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.
Fungus Fun: discover the amazing world of fungi with Plant Life Scotland. Fungi are neither plants nor animals, but these often strange looking things play a vital role in keeping plants healthy and recycling nutrients. 1-4pm, Real Life Science Studio, Royal Botanic Garden, Inverleith Row. Free and unticketed. Also available at same times on Sunday 12th October 2014.
Print Room and Library Open Weekend: an opportunity to learn more about the collections held in the Print Room, Library and Archive at the Scottish National Portrait Gallery. Ticketed talks at 11am, 2pm and 3.30pm – for details see NGS website. 11am-4pm, Scottish National Portrait Gallery, 1 Queen Street. Free but tickets (for the open day and for the talks) must be obtained from the Information Desk or by calling 0131 624 6560. Also available at same times on Sunday 12th October 2014.
Chen Xiwo: Chen, ‘one of China’s most outspoken voices on freedom for writers’ (Asia Sentinel), will be in conversation with Julian Ward, Senior Lecturer in Chinese at the University of Edinburgh. They will discuss Chen’s PEN Award winning English language debut The Book of Sins ‘an unforgettable journey to the dark side of the human psyche.’ Chen’s writing has been banned in China owing to its graphic depiction of sex and violence. 12 noon, Word Power Books, West Nicolson Street. All welcome: free – donations also welcome! Please read website notes before attending.
Open Mike Afternoons: come to the Music Library and entertain everyone by playing the digital piano without headphones! Music Library, George IV Bridge. Drop in during the afternoon or book by emailing central.music.library@edinburgh.gov.uk
Active Inquiry Theatre Company Presents Resilience: over the past year, Drill Hall based theatre company Active Inquiry has been working with community organisations in Edinburgh on a Legislative Theatre Project. They have considered how community groups can become more resilient and thrive in difficult economic times, and how they can be supported to take more control of their own assets and of the decisions that affect them. This event will see the culmination of their work in the form of a piece of Legislative Theatre! There will also be food from World Kitchen and performances from local artists and choirs. 4-9pm, Out of The Blue Drill Hall, 36 Dalmeny Street. Free but pre-registration required via eventbrite.
Little Artists with Kate McClelland: illustrator Kate will read a story and lead an illustration workshop for children aged 3-7. All art materials supplied and parents are invited to have a coffee and browse the books – or get involved in the arty fun! 11am, Golden Hare Books, 68 St Stephen Street, Stockbridge. Free but advanced booking advised as places are limited – call into the shop or book via eventbrite.
A Requiem for Edward Snowden: this large-scale, live audio-visual performance focuses on a number of themes: media, invasion of privacy and personal sacrifice. Emma Lloyd (violin), Justyna Jablonska (cello), Peter Furniss (clarinet), Jules Rawlinson (visuals and electronics) and Matthew Collings (electronics and composer.) 8pm, Reid Concert Hall, Bristo Square. Free but booking essential via eventbrite.
Her Sacred Spirit Soars: a unique ‘surround sound’ choral concert in aid of Marie Curie Cancer Care. Ex-King’s Singer and artistic director of Tenebrae Nigel Short conducts Vox Coelestis, a group of singers from top chamber choirs across the UK who give their time free to raise funds for charities. In this ‘very special concert for a very special cause’, the spaces of the cathedral will be used to create stunning audio effects. 7pm, St Giles Cathedral, Royal Mile. Tickets £5 + optional donation, from www.voxcoelestis.co.uk or on the door.
Sky Diving For Beginners: poet Jo McFarlane launches her memoir of madness and recovery. Described by Richard Holloway as ‘a brave and beautiful book‘, it tells ‘the remarkable story of a remarkable woman‘ (Dr Allan Beveridge) ‘with a humbling sense of optimism and love‘ (Liz Lochhead) 7-10pm, Summerhall Cafe, 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.
Cool Creatures – Animal Handling: a chance to get up close and personal with various animals, possibly including a hedgehog and a baby skunk. Far From The Madding Crowd, 20 High Street, Linlithgow. Contact shop for more information, times and tickets: 01506 845509.
Stories and Songs From Around the World: Linlithgow’s own Ewan MacVicar will tell stories and songs from Scotland and beyond. Far From The Madding Crowd, 20 High Street, Linlithgow. Contact shop for times and tickets: 01506 845509.
Celebrating Ceramics – Bridge Pottery Collective exhibition: Scottish Lustre: Keeping the Flame Alive. There will be three concurrent exhibitions: Margery Clinton 1932-2005: A Retrospective, Chasing Rainbows – the Story of Lustre, featuring work by contemporary lustre potters, and Scottish Studio Pottery, celebrating the diversity of work by potters and ceramic artists working in south-east Scotland. 11am-6pm today and then 11am-6pm weekends, 2-6pm Monday to Friday, until 2nd November 2014, Edinburgh Palette, St Margaret’s House, 151 London Road.
SUNDAY 12TH OCTOBER 2014
This is Supermarionation Weekender: a programme of Gerry and Sylvia Anderson’s classic TV shows to coincide with the release of the new documentary Filmed in Supermarionation. Includes Thunderbirds, Stingray and Captain Scarlet. 12 noon (4 hour programme), Cameo Cinema, 38 Home Street, Tollcross. For tickets see cinema website.
GENERATION Tours at the Academy Building: free, discussion-led tours of the exhibition, focusing on key themes and artists. 11-11.45am or 1-1.45pm, Royal Scottish Academy, The Mound. Free and unticketed.
Portrait Detectives! Collect your kit, follow clues and solve a mystery from history! For ages 4-12. 2-4pm, Scottish National Portrait Gallery, 1 Queen Street. Free, no booking required. Supported by the Friends of NGS.
Lego Swap Shop 7: come and swap your minifigures – it’s going to be awesome! 3pm, Waterstones Cameron Toll, Lady Road. More information on 0131 666 1866.
Octob-aargh! Museum Treasure Maps: create your own pirate treasure map featuring some of your favourite objects in the museum. 12 noon-4pm (drop-in), Grand Gallery Level One, National Museum of Scotland, Chambers Street.
Magic C-aaargh-pet! Pirate and treasure themed story activity sessions on the museum’s magic carpet. For under-5s and their parents/carers. 11-11.25am, National Museum of Scotland, Chambers Street. Limited places: sign up ten minutes before at the Lighthouse Lens in the Grand Gallery, Level One.
Seed Gathering Sunday: if you enjoyed the seed swap run by Gorgie City Farm and Edinburgh Garden Partners in February, why not go along today for some more seed gathering? 1-4pm, Gorgie City Farm, Gorgie Road.
St Giles at Six: Huw Morgan (trumpet) and Simon Smith (piano) play Vivaldi/Bach Concerto in D Major (BWV 972), Georges Enescu Legende (1906), Thorvold Hansen Sonata for Trumpet and Piano in E-flat Major Op 18, Valentin Silvestrov Classical Sonata (1963, rev 1974) – piano solo, and FJ Haydn Trumpet Concerto in E-flat Major (Hob Vlle:1) 6pm, St Giles Cathedral, Royal Mile. Free: retiring collection.
A Spiritual Banquet: an open worship service led by a variety of speakers who use different spiritual practices to enrich their own mental health. Come and hear about the power of mindfulness, mandala, prayer, artwork and creative writing to empower and improve wellbeing. 11am-12 noon, Augustine United Church, George IV Bridge. Part of Scottish Mental Health Arts & Film Festival.
