The Football Cronicas: Jethro Soutar (who co-edited the book with Tim Girven and is a founder of Ragpicker Press) and translator Rachael McGill discuss all things literary, Latin American and football, plus translation and the setting up of a small business. A prison team in Argentina, a transvestite team in Columbia, Quechua women playing in bowler hats in the Peruvian Andes…The Football Cronicas showcases fifteen pieces of short-form writing that take football as a starting point on a a journey to the heart of Latin American society. This book is not-for-profit (proceeds will be donated to The Bottletop Foundation) and its publication was financed via crowdfunding. 6.30pm, Word Power Books, West Nicolson Street. Free, all welcome: donations also welcome!
The Golden Rule Quiz Night: one of Edinburgh’s most popular pub quizes. 6 rounds, ranging from general knowledge to sport, pictures, music, anagrams and much more. Lots of prizes! 8.30pm (arrive early to nab a comfy seat) tonight and every Tuesday, The Golden Rule, 30 Yeaman Place, Polwarth.
Kirkliston Kiddy Walks: a weekly walk through the village followed by crafts and a story at Kirkliston Library. 10-11.30am today and every Tuesday, usually starting at Allison Park but please check the group’s Facebook page for weekly details. For ages approximately 0-4 but if you have older children too they are also welcome.
The BJP and the Evolution of Indian Foreign Policy: Chris Ogden (St Andrew’s University) launches his new book, the first ever analysis of the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)’s security policy. With their victory in the 2014 elections, understanding the foreign (and domestic) policies of the BJP has never been so critical. 5-6.30pm, Conference Room, David Hume Tower, University of Edinburgh. Organised by the university’s Centre for South Asian Studies.
Bookbug: rhymes and songs for pre-school children. 10.30-11am, Corstorphine Library, 12 Kirk Loan.
Salvation Army Shop Christmas Extravanganza! The shop has spent months selecting and saving special items to give you this opportunity to buy your Christmas presents and help a worthwhile cause. Stock is limited so come early! Doors open 9.30am, Salvation Army shop, Forrest Road.
Being Human Festival: the first UK-wide festival of the humanities. The National Museum of Scotland is holding a day of events as part of the festival: I am Breathing is a film about a 30 year old man with motor neurone disease. The film we be shown at 12.45pm and will be followed by a Q & A session with director Emma Davie. The Edge of Dreaming is a film about dreams and neuroscience. It will be shown at 3pm and will be followed by a Q & A session with director Amy Hardie. At 6pm both directors join producer Sonja Henrici for Visualising Voices, a panel discussion to look at the ways in which documentary film can help people with serious, often terminal, illnesses to find and articulate their own voices, making those voices heard in new ways. A drinks reception will follow the event. The films will be shown on a drop-in basis but tickets (free) are required for Visualising Voices; these can be booked via eventbrite. From 12.45pm, Auditorium, Level One, National Museum of Scotland (Lothian Street entrance). All events suitable for ages 18+.
Lunchtime Concert: Rohan de Saram (cello) and Tanya Ekanayaka (piano) perform Tovey Elegiac Variations Op 5, John Mayer Prabhanda and the world premiere of Tanya Ekanayaka’s Nim-Him and Haar (a duet for solo piano and semi-improvised solo cello). 1.10pm, Reid Concert Hall, University of Edinburgh, Bristo Square. Free and unticketed.
Watt Wonderful Women: an illustrated talk by Ann Jones. Did you know that Heriot-Watt University was a pioneer of equal opportunities? Thanks to Mary Burton, women were welcomed as early as 1869: come and hear some inspiring stories of Heriot-Watt’s trailblazing women. 12.20-1.20pm, Heriot-Watt University, Riccarton, Currie EH14 4AS. Free tickets should be booked via eventbrite, and visitors should report to the university’s main reception for directions to the talk. Part of Previously…Scotland’s History Festival.
The Russian Word in Edinburgh: an evening with Diana Arbenina. At this literary event, prominent Russian singer, guitarist, songwriter and leader of The Night Snipers Diana Arbenina will present her new book The Sprinter, a collection of poetry and prose. There will also be music and discussion. Please note that this event will be in Russian. 6-7.30pm, Lecture Theatre G.03, University of Edinburgh, 50 George Square. Book online here. Organised by the Princess Dashkova Centre and Academia Rossica.
Nothing But The Poem: Thomas Lux. Read and discuss a selection of poems from this month’s poet (please note that the poet will be present on paper only). Thomas Lux is one of America’s leading poets, known for his highly entertaining and provocative poetry. 6pm, Scottish Poetry Library, 5 Crichton’s Close. Tickets £5/£4: book via eventbrite. This event is repeated at 11am on Saturday 22nd November.
Bookbug: songs, rhymes and stories for babies, toddlers, pre-school children and their families. 10.30-11.15am, Leith Library, 28-30 Ferry Road.
Cramond Community Choir: anyone who enjoys singing is welcome to come along to this choir, which sings everything from unaccompanied Scottish song to 4-part ABBA harmonies and songs from the shows! ‘Most of all we have fun’. 7.30-.9.30pm tonight and every Tuesday, Kirk Hall, Cramond Kirk, Cramond Glebe Road. Contact eleanor@loganpm.co.uk for more information. £1 per week.
Blackwell’s Edinburgh Presents Michael Meighan. Edinburgh resident and local historian Michael Meighan will talk about his two books, The Forth Bridges Through Time and Edinburgh Waverley Station Through Time. 6.30-7.30pm, Blackwell’s, South Bridge. Free tickets available from Blackwell’s front desk or by calling 0131 622 8218 or emailing events.edinburgh@blackwell.co.uk. Part of Previously….Scotland’s History Festival.
University of Edinburgh Guest Writer Series: Tony O’Neill. New York musician and writer Tony O’Neill will be in conversation with author, poet and University Writer-in-Residence Jenni Fagan. O’Neill’s first novel Digging the Vein became a cult hit in North America, where he was hailed as the ‘new Off-Beat Generation’. He has since written three more novels, including the latest, Black Neon, and has gradually gained recognition in Europe as ‘a brilliant writer who avoids the cliches of the mainstream thriller’. ‘A pitch-black classic slice of neo-noir’ (Irvine Walsh). 6pm, Looking Glass Books, 36 Simpson Loan, Quartermile. Free and unticketed.
Golden Hare Books Presents Victoria Hendry: A Capital Union. Set in Edinburgh during the Second World War, A Capital Union is Victoria Hendry’s first novel, already nominated for the Historical Writers’ Association Debut Crown Award 2014. An historical story with a very contemporary resonance, A Capital Union deals with the schism over conscription that threatened to tear apart the SNP. The novel takes the reader back to wartime Edinburgh while raising profound questions about the nature of union, both political and personal, that are still as relevant today. 6.30pm, Golden Hare Books, St Stephen Street, Stockbridge. Free but booking recommended via eventbrite.
Projections, Constructions, Corruptions: The Work of Stan Douglas. A panel discussion with Dr Maeve Connolly (IADT Dublin), Professor Simon Kirby (University of Edinburgh) and Isla Leaver-Yap (LUX Scotland/Walker Art Centre, Minneapolis), exploring different aspects of Stan Douglas’s practice. Chaired by Dr Sarah Cooke (Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design, Dundee). 6.30-8pm (refreshments from 6pm), Fruitmarket Gallery, Market Street. Tickets £6/£5 available from eventbrite. Read The Edinburgh Reporter’s review of the Fruitmarket’s current Stan Douglas exhibition here.
McNaughtan’s Christmas Exhibition: works (mainly smaller pieces, suitable for gifts) from Alison Burt, Lizzie Findlay, Rachel McKean, Laura Magliveras, Filly Nicol, Susie Reade, Luci Sim, Elizabeth Strong, Hazel Vellacott, Rosemary Walker and Jack Wiberley. McNaughtan’s Bookshop and Gallery, 3a and 4a Haddington Place: contact gallery for times.
In The Company of Nurses: Yvonne McEwan talks about her new book, the authorised history of the British Nursing Service in the Great War, which tells the much-neglected story of Queen Alexandra’s Imperial Military Nursing Service (QAIMNS). Yvonne’s ground-breaking original research moves away from the long-held, uncritical and overly-romanticised views of First World War nursing and addresses the professional, personal and political consequences that arose for nurses in the pivotal years 1914-18. 2.30-3.30pm, Central Library, George IV Bridge. Free tickets should be booked via eventbrite.
Bookbug: songs and rhymes for children under 3 and their families: 10.30-11am or 11.30am-12 noon, Morningside Library, 184 Morningside Road.
Jo Caulfield Presents …The Speakeasy: a cross-section of performers, hosted by Jo Caulfield. An evening of insightful humour and storytelling, mixed with theatre, music, song and poetry, ‘a truly enjoyable night out’. For ages 16+. 8-10pm, Scottish Storytelling Centre, 43-45 High Street. Tickets £6.
