What’s On in Edinburgh this week

 

MONDAY 20TH OCTOBER 2014

Metals and Marble: an exhibition of contemporary metal and marble sculpture by Chris Muirhead and Simon Burns-Cox, displayed in the gallery with its 17th century Renaissance hand-painted ceiling. 9am-6pm today and everyday until 25th October 2014, Gladstone’s Land, 477B Lawnmarket. The exhibition is free to enter.

Leith Links: Moira Russell exhibits paintings, collages and artist’s books inspired by the local area, including the docks and the allotments. 10am-1am, Roseleaf Bar Cafe, 23/24 Sandport Place, Leith. Ends 5th November 2014.

Quiz Night: prizes for the winning teams! 6.30-8pm, Kirkliston Library, 16 Station Road. For adults only: call 0131 529 5510 or email kirkliston.library@edinburgh.gov.uk to register your team.

My Fountain: if you live in the Fountainbridge area and want to have your say and get involved in local activities, come along to this Residents’ Group meeting. 6.15-7.45pm, Fountainbridge Library, 137 Dundee Street. All welcome.

Blackwell’s Edinburgh Children’s Book Group: if you are 8 to 11 years old with a love of book and biscuits, join this group and enjoy a friendly hour of fiction and chat! Currently reading Michael Ende’s Never-Ending Story ‘a dazzling magical adventure.’ 6-7pm, Blackwell’s, South Bridge. To join please email childrens.edinburgh@blackwell.co.uk.

LGBT Spiritual Space: Maxwell Reay, NHS Mental Health Community Chaplain, offers a monthly supportive space for people to discuss and develop ideas of spirituality and identity. Suitable for people of all faiths or none. This week: Prayer – explorations of what prayer means to different people. Next month (24th November) Forgiveness. 6.30-7.30pm (within weekly Drop-In), LGBT Health & Wellbeing, 9 Howe Street. Contact centre for more information.

Duke of Edinburgh Award Group information session: if you would like to work for the Duke of Edinburgh Award but don’t have a school group, come along to Morningside United Church to find out more about theirs, which will start soon. For ages 14+. 5.30-6.30pm, Morningside United Church, 15 Chamberlain Road. For more information call Lisa Clark on 0131 447 3152.

New Life: Paintings by Sam Sharma. Today until 13th December 2014, Leith School of Art, 25 North Junction Street.

Oil and Conflict in the Middle East: a seminar on how the current state of the Middle East has been shaped by Western imperialism since the Sykes Picot agreement in 1916. All welcome: lots of time for questions and discussion. 7.30-9pm, Quaker Meeting House, 7 Victoria Street. Hosted by Edinburgh Stop The War Coalition. Part of Edinburgh World Justice Festival.

For Crying Out Loud: screenings for carers and their babies under 12 months old. Babychanging, bottle-warming and buggy parking facilities available. Maximum two adults per baby. This week: What We Did On Our Holiday, next week Le jour se leve. 11am, Filmhouse, Lothian Road. £4.50/£3.50 per adult.

The Cherry Pickers: acoustic duo playing covers of ‘songs you love to sing along to’. 10pm, Finnegan’s Wake, 9b Victoria Street. Free.

Joyeux Noel: a French film about the World War One Christmas truce of December 1914, depicted through the eyes of French, Scottish and German soldiers. Subtitled: certificate 12. 6.30-8.30pm, St Brides Centre, Orwell Place. Free. (Shown as part of Gorgie War Memorial Hall’s World War One Commemoration Events.)

 

TUESDAY 21ST OCTOBER 2014

North Edinburgh Grows Drop-In Sessions: for ages 16+. Learn valuable gardening skills to grow vegetables, fruit and herbs. 1-5pm today and every Tuesday, North Edinburgh Arts, 15a Pennywell Court. Free. Keep up to date with with NEA’s latest gardening news at www.northedinburghgrows.wordpress.com

Light Against Darkness: an Exhibition of Art by Syrian Children Refugees. Official opening and launch of this exhibition, which has been organised by Edinburgh Peace and Justice Centre, the Children’s War Museum and relief agency Nadja Now, supported by the Church of Scotland, just Festival, World Mission Council and Edinburgh Churches Together.  The 166 exhibits were created by Syrian refugee children at the Shatila Camp in Lebanon. The launch will include background information, a short programme of Middle Eastern, Spanish and classical music by Syrian guitarist Ayman Jarjour, and refreshments. 6.30-7.15pm (exhibition open until 8pm), City of Edinburgh Methodist Church, 25 Nicolson Square. To RSVP and for more details, email contact@peaceandjustice.org.uk or click here. The exhibition will run until 12th November 2014 (some pieces will be shown at Edinburgh University Chaplaincy and St John’s, Princes Street.) For opening hours see Edinburgh Peace & Justice Centre website. ‘The joy of light in the face of darkness.’

Lunchtime concert: Clea Friend (tenor violin) and Alex Taylor (piano) play JS Bach Sonata for viola da gamba and harpsichord no.3 in G minor BWV 1029, Schubert Arpeggione Sonata and Shiori Usui new work. 1.1opm, Reid Concert Hall, Bristo Square, University of Edinburgh. Free.

Science on Television and in the Museum: how did museums respond to the arrival of television, the mass medium par excellence? Drawing on five years’ research investigation into the development of science on TV and the history of the Science Museum in London, this presentation by Dr Tim Boon seeks to illuminate this question. 3pm, Seminar Room, Learning Centre Level 4, National Museum of Scotland, Chambers Street. Free but booking required: contact Maureen Kerr on 0131 247 4274 or m.kerr@nms.ac.uk.

Over My Dead Body: organ donation is an issue that affects us all. What would you do if doctors asked you to give away your daughter’s heart? And what if doing so would expose a terrible secret that might destroy your family? Hazel McHaffie has published eight novels which bring the quandaries of modern medicine alive; she will encourage you to confront your own ethical uncertainties. 6pm, National Library of Scotland, George IV Bridge. Free but please book online or by calling 0131 623 3734.

Edinburgh East Save Our Services Open Discussion: come along to talk about the Edinburgh City Council planned budget cuts and the implications of the cooperative council approach which local authorities across Scotland are adopting. 6.30-8pm, Northfield Community Centre, Northfield Road. Organised by Edinburgh East Save Our Services.

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).  6pm, Scottish Poetry Library, 5 Crichton’s Close, Canongate. Tickets £5/£4 bookable via eventbrite. Event also available at 11am on Saturday 25th October 2014.

Play Poland 2014 Film Festival: ‘Wajda School’ special screenings. Four short films (in Polish): Joanna, Psubrat, Games and When I’m a Bird. 6pm, Screen Academy, 2a Merchiston Avenue. Free. For more information see festival website.

Tuesday Tour and Tea: Stills is a centre for photography providing exhibitions, courses and open-access photography facilities all year round. Join staff for a relaxed, informal tour of the gallery, its creative facilities and the current exhibition The King’s Peace: Realism and War, The tour will be followed by conversation, tea and cake in the library area, with the chance to learn more about Stills and how to get involved. 11am-12 noon, Stills, 23 Cockburn Street. Call 0131 622 6200 for more information. In partnership with Luminate: Scotland’s Creative Ageing Festival.

La Vie Domestique: Juliette wasn’t sure about coming to live in the residential suburbs of Paris: she doesn’t want to become another middle-aged woman with a predictable life. She is waiting to hear whether she has been picked for an important job in a publishing house, a job that will change her life. ‘An immersive quasi-satire featuring a brilliant female cast and fascinating characters.’ This film, based on Rachel Cusk’s novel Arlington Park, will be shown in French with English subtitles. 6-7.30pm, French Institute, 13 Randolph Crescent. Free. Also showing at 1pm on Wednesday 22nd October 2014.

 

WEDNESDAY 22ND OCTOBER 2014

Edinburgh Independent Radical Book Fair starts today at 6pm! See The Edinburgh Reporter’s article for more details; for full programme visit Word Power Books‘ or Out of 

the Blue’s websites. Tonight: journalist and author Owen Jones on The Establishment:and How They Get Away With It. 7pm, Out of the Blue Drill Hall, 35 Dalmeny Street. All events free: donations very welcome.

Free the Technics Two: vinyl session. ‘Not only do we demand a revolution we can dance to, we want to dance to our own tunes.’ 4-7pm, Forest Cafe, Lauriston Place.

Muslim Women’s Association of Edinburgh Toddler Group: free for Mums and under-5s. Story and song time, art activities, educational toys and much more, all in an Islamic environment. Great for meeting new people – even if you don’t have a toddler! 10am-12 noon today and every Wednesday, Function Hall, Edinburgh Central Mosque, 50 Potterow.

Play Poland 2014 Film Festival: Krakow Film Foundation Special Screenings. The Krakow Film Foundation manages and develops the Krakow Film Festival and helps filmmakers and producers make their first appearances at international festivals. Tonight’s short films are Left Side of the Face, Seven Men at Different Ages, Darling, Baths, Toto and Mother. Red Lecture Theatre, Summerhall, 1 Summerhall. Tickets £4.50/£3.50 bookable via Summerhall box office or on website

Dyslexia-Friendly Services for Adults: an informal guide to the accessible services available from Edinburgh City Libraries, with input from the local Dyslexia Scotland group. The meeting will look at online services, including eBooks, as well as more traditional materials, and will discuss what else might be offered. 6.30-8pm, Central Library, George IV Bridge. Free but booking required via eventbrite. 

Music and Poetry Evening: poetry and haiku performances, and announcement of the poetry and haiku competition winners. Performance by local folk group Home Groan (Ferry Blend.) For all ages, refreshments served. 6-8pm, South Queensferry Library, 9 Shore Road.

Quiz Night: prizes for the winning teams! 6.30-7.45pm, Drumbrae Library Hub, 81 Drumbrae Drive. For adults only: call 0131 529 5244 or email drumbrae.library@edinburgh.gov.uk to register your team.

Regi Claire at Corstorphine Library: local crime writer Regi Claire discusses her novel The Waiting. 6.45-7.45pm, Corstorphine Library, 12 Kirk Loan. To book your place call 0131 529 5506 or email corstorphine.library@edinburgh.gov.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 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 creatinwelcomingg new plants from cuttings, bulbs and other plant parts. 6-8pm, 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.

The Welcoming: Scots Language Workshop: learn about the language, dialects and literature of Scotland, with an opportunity to practice speaking and writing Scots. 2.15-4.15pm, St John’s Church Hall, Princes Street. The Welcoming Association brings together refugees, asylum seekers and people from Scottish and local ethnic minority communities. It aims to welcome newcomers, learn together, and improve English language and literacy skills. Those wishing to participate should complete the online registration form and/or come along to any of the classes and groups listed on the website, where help will be available to complete the form. All classes and groups are free and drop-in (subject to availability), no booking required.

Picturing Jewellery in Renaissance Scotland: Portrait Gallery Senior Curator Kate Anderson will discuss the development and significance of 16th and 17th century jewellery in Scotland by examining portraits from the NGS collection. 12.45-1.30pm, Hawthornden Lecture Theatre, National Gallery of Scotland, The Mound. Free and unticketed.

Annual SSHoP Lecture: Paul Seawright, Professor of Photography and Head of Belfast School of Art at the University of Ulster, will deliver this year’s SSHoP lecture. Professor Seawright has exhibited and published frequently and internationally and his work is held in major collections worldwide. In 2002 he was commissioned by the Imperial War Museum to undertake a war art commission in Afghanistan and his images of battle sites and minefields have since been exhibited worldwide. Tonight Professor Seagrave will talk about his career. 6-7.30pm, Hawthornden Lecture Theatre, National Gallery of Scotland, The Mound. Free and unticketed.

Exhibition Tour for people with a visual impairment: an audio-described tour of the Behind The Lines exhibition. 2-3.30pm, National Library of Scotland, George IV Bridge. Free but booking is essential, either online or by calling 0131 623 3734.

La Vie Domestique: Juliette wasn’t sure about coming to live in the residential suburbs of Paris: she doesn’t want to become another middle-aged woman with a predictable life. She is waiting to hear whether she has been picked for an important job in a publishing house, a job that will change her life. ‘An immersive quasi-satire featuring a brilliant female cast and fascinating characters.’ In French with English subtitles. 1-2.30pm, French Institute, 13 Randolph Crescent. Free.

Free Cooking with Canny Families: Edinburgh Community Food and Changeworks offer free six-week affordable cooking courses for all families with a child under 16 – improve your cooking skills with quick and easy recipes to take away each week, learn about nutrition and healthy eating, and reduce your food waste. 9.30-11.30am, Viewforth Early Years Centre, 18/22 Viewforth Terrace. For more information and to register contact Stephanie at Edinburgh Community Food on 0131 467 7326 or email sscott@edinburghcommunityfood.org.uk. A new course will also start at Valley Park Community Centre on Friday 24th October 2014.

Lantern Making at Beecraigs Country Park: get crafty and make paper lanterns for Halloween. For families and children 8 +. All materials provided. 2-3.30pm, Sutherland Building/Visitor Centre, Beecraigs Country Park, near Linlithgow, EH49 6PL. £4.65 per lantern: prior booking essential, email mail@beecraigs.com or call 01506 844516 between 10am and 4pm.

Morningside Justice and Peace Group: Graham Carnie, the Representative for Romania at Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce, speaks on Romania and Scotland – recent history and current priorities; the talk will be followed by questions and discussion. 10.30-11.30am,  Open Door, 420 Morningside Road. All welcome. Contribution of £1 per person requested to cover costs.

 

THURSDAY 23RD OCTOBER 2014

Wunderfuk 2! Delighted Peoples (vocals, guitar – hip hop, punk), Small Feet Little Toes (vocals – folk) and Felt Tip Pen (‘electro-coloured twisted folk’). Hosted by Chris Willatt. 7pm, Forest Cafe, Lauriston Place. Free entry, BYOB (corkage charge.)

Lunchtime Concert: Canadian National Arts Centre String Trio and Horn Quintet. 12.15pm, St Giles’ Cathedral, High Street. Free.

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

Edinburgh Independent Radical Book Fair continues with book launches, discussions and school workshops. 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.

Ecumenical Friends of St Cuthbert’s: Murdoch Mackenzie will talk on The Other Side of Lesslie Newbigin. Bring your own sandwiches, tea and coffee provided, all very welcome. 12.30-2pm, St Cuthbert’s Church, Lothian Road. £1.50 per person. Organised by Edinburgh City Churches Together.

Medical Detectives – ‘The Sign of Three: Progress Report on an Investigation into the Epidemic of Itch, Sneeze and Wheeze.’ Professor Aziz Sheikh, Professor of Primary Care Research and Development at the University of Edinburgh, will deliver this public lecture. 6-7pm (doors open 5.40pm), Anatomy Lecture Theatre, Medical School (Doorway 3), University of Edinburgh, Teviot Place. Free tickets should be booked via eventbrite.

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

Easel Sketching in the Gallery: session led by artist Damian Callan. A different subject each month, sometimes with a model. All materials supplied. 2-4pm, Main Gallery, National Gallery of Scotland, The Mound. Free; no booking required. Also available at same times on Friday 24th October 2014.

Artist Talk: Martin Boyce. Martin Boyce will discuss his 2002 installation Our Love is Like the Flowers, the Rain, the Sea and the Hours, which has been recreated for GENERATION. 6pm, Royal Scottish Academy, The Mound. Free and unticketed. Part of Generation By Night.

Zaffar Kunial and John Glenday: Zaffar Kunial is Wordsworth Trust Poet-in-Residence and one of the Faber New Poets for 2014; John Glenday is ‘a poet who combines the everyday and the transcendent’ – his collections Undark and Grain were Poetry Book Society Recommendations. 6.30pm, Scottish Poetry Library, 5 Crichton’s Close, Canongate. In partnership with The Wordsworth Trust. Tickets £5/£4: book via eventbrite.

What Italian? Eugenio Montale famously stated that there is no Italian for poets to rely on – every would-be poet must start all over again. Expanding on this extreme statement and focusing on his own experience as a writer and teacher of literature at Oxford (he is a fellow of Keble College and Professor of Italian and Comparative Literature), Professor Nicola Gardini will talk about the beauties and challenges of Italian as a national and international language for writers today. 6pm, Italian Cultural Institute, 82 Nicolson Street. Free but please book via Institute website.

Writing Dementia: A New Narrative? Despite current media portrayals, there are many people with dementia living well. This guided workshop will allow participants to write about their experiences whether as carers or as people living with dementia. 10am-12 noon, Hanna Cherrie’s Teashop, 35 Hamilton Place, £5 including coffee/tea and cake. Call 0131 315 3634 for more information. Part of Luminate: Scotland’s Creative Ageing Festival.

Utsavam ‘Celebration’: Indian dance workshop for older people and their carers. Come and try an Indian dance workshop and enjoy a performance by Scotland’s Indian dance company, Dance Ihayami. This event is open to day care groups, older people, their carers and their families, and is accessible to people of all abilities. The workshop will bring together Indian rhythms with shared stories and music. 11am-12.30pm and 1.30-3pm, Stockbridge House, 2 Cheyne Street. Presented by Dance Ihayami in partnership with Lifecare Ltd.  Part of Luminate: Scotland’s Creative Ageing Festival.

Abbotsford to Holywood: Sir Walter Scott’s film career. Two hundred years on from its first publication Waverley is one of the few Scott novels to remain unfilmed, but other features have succeeded – and failed – spectacularly. Andrew Martin, NLS Curator of Literature and the Arts, will discuss Scott’s name above the title, and revisit the celluloid Ivanhoes and Lochinvars of another era. 6pm, National Library of Scotland, George IV Bridge. Free but please book online or by calling 0131 623 3734.

 

FRIDAY 24TH OCTOBER 2014

The Cancer Research UK Ceilidh Experiment! Dancing (with caller), fairground games, films, theatre, poetry and the chance to try some hands on science. Brew up a hoolie with Edinburgh-based Cancer Research scientists and find out more about their advances against cancer whilst ceilidh-ing the night away in an event packed full of your favourite dances. Three bars, a crepe stall, sweeties, hook-a-duck; try dancing the ‘DNA Replication’ with glowstick armbands! 7pm, Summerhall, 1 Summerhall. Tickets £7 in advance via eventbrite £10 on the night. In aid of Cancer Research UK.

Africa In Motion: Scottish African Film Festival. ‘A diverse array of inspiring, innovative and challenging stories from across the African continent’ – this year’s theme is Looking back, reaching forward, and the festival will focus especially on 20 years of democracy in South Africa and the 20th anniversary of the Rwandan genocide. Contemporary and classic films (including some ‘lost’ films rarely seen anywhere in the world), documentaries, animations and shorts; art exhibitions, township cafe, storytelling, live performances, workshops, school screenings and more. Opens today with the UK Premiere of Soleils ‘a funny and thrilling philosophical road movie…a love story between a wise old griot and a young girl that opens up an Africa rarely seen before.’ 8.45pm, Filmhouse, Lothian Road. Prices vary, see Filmhouse website. For full programme with details of all events, venues, times and ticket prices (some events are free) see Festival website. Ends 9th November 2014.

Sounds Like Friday: FREE music classes for children in P5-7. Singing, guitar, chanter and pipe drums. From 1.20pm, Friday afternoons at Craigroyston High School,  67 Pennywell Road; come along today at 1pm to sign up for the new term. For more information contact Frances Rive on 0131 469 3155 or email frances.rive@edinburgh.gov.uk.

Gallery Social: Remembering the Great War. Join artists for relaxed guided tours for anyone affected by dementia, their friends, relatives and supporters. These very informal tours will explore highlights from the permanent collection or special exhibitions and will begin with refreshments in the learning centre. 10.30am-12 noon, Scottish National Portrait Gallery (meet inside main entrance), 1 Queen Street, Free: please call 0131 624 6560 to book places.

Tales of a Grandfather: Donald Smith, Director of the Scottish Storytelling Centre, introduces Sir Walter Scott’s Tales of a Grandfather. Scott wrote this history of Scotland for his six year old grandson; he believed children disliked being ‘talked down to’ and preferred a challenge to their understanding and curiosity. This event is for adults. 2.30-3.30pm, Central Library, George IV Bridge. Free but booking required via eventbrite.

Family Fun Day: crafts, cake decorating and much more! Find out what’s going on in Kirkliston for families. 2-4pm, Kirkliston Library, 16 Station Road. No booking required.

A Life Shared: an exhibition spanning the life of James PW Syme (1928-2011), who was educated at Broughton and Edinburgh College of Art, and who exhibited at the Royal Scottish Academy for more than 30 years. 11am-6pm, Dundas Street Gallery, 6 Dundas Street. Ends 2nd November 2014.

Carnival Masks: craft session for under-12s. 2-3pm, South Queensferry Library, 9 Shore Road. Call 0131 529 5576 or email southqueensferry.library@edinburgh.gov.uk to book your place.

Blackwell’s Edinburgh and The Surgeons’ Hall Museum Present Anthony Horowitz: Moriarty. Anthony will chat about his new novel Moriarty, his second venture into the world of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle: days after Holmes and his arch-enemy Moriarty fall to their doom at the Reichenbach Falls, Pinkerton agent Frederick Chase arrives in Europe from New York. Moriarty’s death has created a vacuum which has been swiftly filled by a fiendish new criminal mastermind, a man determined to engulf London in a tide of murder and menace. Chase must forge a path through the darkest corners of the capital to shine a light on this shadowy figure.7-8pm, The Surgeons’ Hall, Nicolson Street. Free tickets are available from Blackwell’s front desk or by calling 0131 622 8218; they can also be booked via eventbrite.

Balancing Robots: for under-12s. 2.30-3.30pm,  Corstorphine Library, 12 Kirk Loan. To book your place call 0131 529 5506 or email corstorphine.library@edinburgh.gov.uk.

Monster Costumes: prepare for Halloween at this fun craft session. 2.30-3.30pm, Newington Library, Fountainhall Road.

Crafty Friday: fun arts and crafts event for ages 4+.  2pm, Blackhall Library, 56 Hillhouse Road. Free, no booking required.

Once Upon a Place: The 2014 Scottish International Storytelling Festival opens today! The Festival will focus on the living environment around us, looking into the past in town and country and gazing into the future through the dreams, imaginings and visions of the poets and bards. Talks, tours, live performances, children’s events, ceilidhs – and storytelling at its best. The Festival will also celebrate Edinburgh’s 10th Anniversary as a UNESCO City of Literature and the 200th anniversary of Sir Walter Scott’s first novel Waverley. Open Hearth sessions in the evenings will offer relaxed traditional storytelling and music round the hearth ‘as the darkness closes in and the embers glow with pictures in the fire.’ Events begin today at 2.30pm when Director of the Scottish Storytelling Centre Donald Smith talks on Tales of  a Grandfather – Unrolling Walter Scott’s Magic Carpet – at the Central Library. For full programme with details of all events , venues and tickets, see the Festival website: the paper version is also widely available in libraries, bookshops and other venues, or from the Scottish Storytelling Centre, High Street. Festival ends 2nd November 2014.

Lean On Me: North Edinburgh Timebank Singers. If you can breath, you can sing! North Edinburgh Timebank Singers showcase the transforming power of communal singing in their performance of various rock, folk, pop and world music songs. 7-8pm, North Edinburgh Arts, 15a Pennywell Court. Free but booking required: contact Julie Smith on 0131 315 2151 or email admin@northedinburgharts.co.uk. Part of Scottish Mental Health Arts & Film Festival 2014.

Edinburgh Independent Radical Book Fair continues with book launches, discussions, a film and school’s workshop. 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 today and Saturday, Sanctuary, St Andrew’s and St George’s West Church, 13 George Street.

Lunchtime Concert: David Gerrard (organ) plays JS Bach Sonata in A minor BWV 967, Frescobaldi Toccata Sesta ‘sopra i pedali per l’organo, e senza’, Froberger Toccata VI ‘Da sonarsi alla Levatione’, Kerll Toccata VI ‘Per li Pedali’ Capriccio Cucu and Buttstett Fugue in E Minor. 1.1opm, Reid Concert Hall, Bristo Square, University of Edinburgh. Free.

Friday Lecture Series: an inspiring series of talks by some of today’s most influential artists and thinkers. This week: Carol Mavor and Megan Powell ‘Mouthing Gold, Spitting Gold Mush’ or ‘Eating Sadistically’.  11.30am-1pm, Main Lecture Theatre, Edinburgh College of Art, Lauriston Place. Contact ECA or see Stills website for more information. Free and open to all: no booking required.

Eco Kidz: an exciting creative project for 8-12 year olds. Make a range of original mini artworks using recycled materials, with the chance to retail your products. 1.45-3.15pm today and every Friday, North Edinburgh Arts, 15a Pennywell Court. More information on 0131 315 2151. Free.

Easel Sketching in the Gallery: session led by artist Damian Callan. A different subject each month, sometimes with a model. All materials supplied. 2-4pm, Main Gallery, National Gallery of Scotland, The Mound. Free; no booking required.

Triptych by Bernardo Daddi: art historian Ailsa Turner discusses this exquisite painting, an excellent example of a portable tabernacle produced as a devotional aid for a private patron in fourteenth century Florence. 12.45-1.30pm, Hawthornden Lecture Theatre, National Gallery of Scotland, The Mound. Free and unticketed.

Exhibition Tour for people with a hearing impairment: a portable hearing loop will be available for this tour of the Behind The Lines exhibition. 2-3pm, National Library of Scotland, George IV Bridge. Free but booking is essential, either online or by calling 0131 623 3734.

Free Cooking with Canny Families: Edinburgh Community Food and Changeworks offer free six week affordable cooking courses for all families with a child under 16 – improve your cooking skills with quick and easy recipes to take away each week, learn about nutrition and healthy eating, and reduce your food waste. 9.30-11.30am, Valley Park Community Centre,37 Southhouse Road. For more information and to register contact Stephanie at Edinburgh Community Food on 0131 467 7326 or email sscott@edinburghcommunityfood.org.uk.

U3A Greetings Cards Exhibition: an exhibition of handmade greetings cards by the Edinburgh U3A Craft Group following a workshop with residents of the Castle Rock Edinvar Housing Association. 2-4pm, Castle Rock Edinvar Housing Association, 17 Lauriston Park, Tollcross. Part of Luminate: Scotland’s Creative Ageing Festival.

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. Also at same times on Saturday 25th October 2014.

 

SATURDAY 25TH OCTOBER 2014

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.

 

 

SUNDAY 26TH OCTOBER 2014

Down at the Farm in Gorgie: Storyteller Rosie Mappleback shares some animal tales amidst the cows, sheep, pigs and ducks. Suitable for all ages. 11.30am-12 noon or 1.30-2pm, Gorgie City Farm, 51 Gorgie Road. Free – donations welcome! Part of the Scottish International Storytelling Festival 2014.

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.

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.

Storytelling for a Greener World: experience natural stories of all kinds in the beautiful setting of the Royal Botanic Gardens. Stories will emerge gently in different locations, while story walks meander between the story encampment and the outer reaches. Also includes introduction to Hawthorn Press’s Storytelling for a Greener World. Tented Village: 20 minute storytelling sessions for ages 4+ and 6+; Story Journeys: leaving from the Tented Village every 15 mins 1-4pm (for all ages); The Dell & John Hope Gateway: short informal sessions for all ages, on the hour and half hour between 1-4pm; Where Curlews Call: specially commissioned performance for adults and older children of stories crafted from the landscape of the North Pennines 3-4pm, Real Life Science Studio, John Hope Gateway. All events at Royal Botanic Garden, Inverleith Row/Arboretum Place. Free. Part of the Scottish International Storytelling Festival 2014

Art In Nature: an exhibition by local artists Jill Ashforth, David Bain and Wendy Baillie. Open preview today 3-6pm; contact gallery for opening hours thereafter. Patriothall Gallery, 1D Patriothall, off Hamilton Place, Stockbridge.

Edinburgh Independent Radical Book Fair concludes today with more book launches and discussions . 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.

Broom Making at Beecraigs Country Park: collect and make your own Harry Potter style broom to be proud of – perfect timing for Halloween. For all ages. 2-3.30pm, Beecraigs Country Park, near Linlithgow, EH49 6PL. Prior booking essential, email mail@beecraigs.com or call 01506 844516 between 10am and 4pm.

Storytelling – Macastory: A Soldier’s Tale. In 1914 young Scottish soldier Archie is away from home for the first time, in the trenches of the Western Front. A few hundred yards away is Rudi, a young German soldier. Featuring shadow puppets, song and rhyme, hear the story of their meeting during the 1914 Christmas truce. For ages 7+. 2-2.45pm or 3-3.45pm, Scottish National Portrait Gallery, 1 Queen Street. Free, unticketed: part of the Scottish International Storytelling Festival.

Whighams Jazz Club: weekly jazz jam and open mic session. This week: Maria Speight. 7.30-11.30pm, Whighams Cellar Bar, 13 Hope Street. See website for more information.

Africa in Motion Children’s Day: fantastically exciting animal stories from across Africa. Join in this interactive and engaging storytelling session with Mara the storyteller: let your imagination run wild, practice your roars and meet other cheeky monkeys! 11.15am, Filmhouse, Lothian Road. Free but booking required via Filmhouse box office. Part of the Scotland African Film Festival.

St Giles’ At Six: Nenthorn Ensemble. Lis Dooner (flute). Mozart Flute Concerto No.1 in G, Haydn Symphony No.51 in B flat. 6pm, St Giles’ Cathedral, High Street. Free: retiring collection.