Edinburgh Printmakers Open Day 2014: an opportunity to visit the oldest open access printmaking studio in the UK. Hands-on activities, with printmaking workshops for adults and children, printmaking demonstrations and studio tours. The brand new exhibition No Fixed Abode will be on display in the upstairs gallery (see Friday’s listings for more details), and there will be snacks and drinks available. For all ages. 11am-5pm, Edinburgh Printmakers, 23 Union Street.
The Story of the Woodland By Night: imagine the Lauriston Castle woodlands by night, and make a little framed picture of mysterious night-time woodland scenes, with fairy lights and secret animals. Event for families: children must be accompanied by at least one adult and tickets are needed for adults and children. Children under 3 can attend free if accompanying at least one paying sibling. 10.30am-12.30pm, Lauriston Castle, 2a Cramond Road. £5 per person: bookings must be made via the Usher Hall box office, online, by phone or in person.
Play Poland 2014 Film Festival: Polish School of Posters – Family Cinema Posters exhibition. Today until 22nd November 2014 during normal opening hours, Corridor Gallery, The Filmhouse, Lothian Road. Free.
Scout Coffee Morning: 28th Braid Scout Group warmly invites you to its annual coffee morning. Bring your friends and enjoy home-made scones and jam, shortbread, coffee, tea or juice. 10-11.30am, Mayfield Salisbury Church Hall, 18 West Mayfield.
The Torrance Gallery: Gillian Goodheir – new exhibition of landscapes and still life by the Glasgow School of Art-educated and Argyll-based artist. 11am-6pm Monday to Friday, 10.30am-4pm Saturdays, The Torrance Gallery, 36 Dundas Street.
Jodi Picoult: Leaving Time. Meet internationally bestselling author Jodi Picoult, who will be signing copies of her compulsive new novel. 12.30pm, Waterstones West End, Princes Street. For more information call 0131 226 2666.
Bookbug: rhymes, songs and stories for babies and pre-school children. 10.30-11am, Fountainbridge Library, 137 Dundee Street. Free: no booking necessary.
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. No booking required.
Family Cinema: see your favourite films for free! Choc ices and juice available at 50p each during the interval. Best for children up to 10 years: all children must be accompanied by an adult. This week: Meet The Robinsons (2007), next week: Monsters University (2013). 10.30am-12.30pm, St Bride’s Centre, 10 Orwell Terrace, Dalry. Free.
LGBT Rainbow Families: National Museum of Scotland. All LGBT parents are welcome, along with their families, to meet other families and socialise in a friendly setting. Come along for an adventure-filled time at the museum, with a fact-finding treasure hunt, group picnic and craft session. 11am-2pm, National Museum of Scotland (meet at main entrance), Chambers Street. Free entry (bring your own picnic lunch) but booking is essential: contact Jules via jules@lgbthealth.org.uk or on 0131 523 1104.
Life Through A Lens: using a mixture of microscopes, experiments and art, join a voyage of discovery – see what the pioneers of microscopy saw and find out how microscopes are helping scientists today. 12.30-3.30pm, Real Life Science Studio, Gateway, Royal Botanic Garden, Inverleith Row. Free. With The Wellcome Trust Centre for Cell Biology. Also available at same times on Sunday 9th November.
Scottish Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP): Annual Fundraising Day. Palestinian foods and crafts, Arabic coffee, home baking, plants and books. At 12 noon Professor Graham Watt (a MAP board member) will give an update on the situation in Gaza; this will be followed by a reading by Liz Lochhead and Ablah Oudeh from the poetry collection A Bird is Not a Stone (see The Edinburgh Reporter’s article about the launch of this book here). 10am-2pm, Christ Church Hall, Morningside Road (Holy Corner).
Picturing Conflict: Art of the First World War. The Great War was a life-changing event for millions of people, a conflict that elicited responses in literature, music and the visual arts; artists were at the forefront of this movement, both officially and unofficially. This new exhibition presents a small selection of pictures, photographs, drawings and prints, produced during the war, in its immediate aftermath and in later years, when the conflict could be seen through the lenses of hindsight and memory. Today and every day (see website for hours) until 18th January 2015, City Art Centre, 2 Market Street. Free.
Hamish Henderson Memorial Lecture: Dolina Maclennan speaks on Hamish Ma Big Pal, with musical contributions from Alison McMorland and Geordie McIntyre. 12.30pm, City Chambers, 253 High Street. Free. Part of the Carrying Stream Festival 2014.
Jack Gillon and Fraser Parkinson: Leith Through Time. Meet the authors of Leith Through Time, who will be signing copies of their fascinating history of Leith. 2pm, Waterstones Ocean Terminal, Ocean Drive. For more information call 0131 554 7732.
LGBT Learning Disability Project: National Museum of Scotland. Take time to look around the main museum; areas include natural world, science and technology, world cultures, art and design. Bring money if you would like to buy anything in the shop or cafe. Meet at the Centre in Howe Street at 2pm to catch the bus to the museum, or arrange to meet the group later next to the Brasserie Cafe in the main entrance, National Museum of Scotland, Chambers Street. Free entry but booking is essential no later than Thursday 6th November: contact George via george@lgbthealth.org.uk or on 0131 652 3281. The Learning Disability Project provides a range of opportunities for building confidence and friendship among LGBT people who also identify as having a learning disability or difficulty. Please bring a carer or supporter if you need help to take part.
John Muir – Nature’s Apostle: Will Collin, of Dunbar’s John Muir’s Birthplace, will explore the development of Muir’s influence as a preservationist, from his childhood in Dunbar to his death in 1914, and his legacy as ‘Father of America’s National Parks’ and ‘patron saint’ of modern environmental consciousness. 2.30-3.30pm, Ground Floor Exhibition Space, John Hope Gateway, Royal Botanic Garden, Inverleith Row. Free and unticketed.
Bruncheon aka The Sound of Muesli. Brunch and live music event at the Drill Hall Arts Cafe: local music talent and DJs create a chilled-out atmosphere. Headlined this month by Kitchen Stools, a four-piece mixing acoustic guitars, synth, vocal harmonies and storytelling lyrics, plus William Douglas and other special guest performers. The cafe kitchen will complement the music with a delicious menu: kippers, morning rolls and sweet treats a-plenty! 11.30am-3pm, Out of the Blue Drill Hall, 36 Dalmeny Street. Free entry.
Dr No’s Ska Club: the best 60’s ska, rocksteady and early reggae: original vinyl only. 11pm-3am, Henry’s Bar, Morrision Street. £4 before 12, £5 after 12.
They Are We: free screening of this documentary from Sierra Leone, about an Afro-Cuban group from Perico, Cuba and how they have kept alive songs and dances that their ancestors brought aboard the slave ship from Africa. ‘A story of survival against the odds and how shared humanity can ultimately triumph over years of separation.’ Cert: 15. 7pm, St John’s Church Hall, Princes Street: free and unticketed. Part of Africa in Motion: Scotland African Film Festival 2014. For more information contact Justine@africa-in-motion.org.uk.
