Dream Walking with Hares: an exhibition of gilded works on wood by Sally Bruce Richards (The Bruce Gallery, Isle of Mull). Open preview tonight 6-8pm, then 11am-5pm Tuesday to Saturday, The Gallery on the Corner, Northumberland Street. Ends 31st January 2015. The Gallery on the Corner is a commercial art studio providing a platform to exhibit and sell work by artists who have a physical or mental health condition or a disadvantaged background. It was the first social firm developed by Autism Ventures Scotland.
Crisis Carol Service: 6pm, Canongate Kirk, Canongate. All welcome: no tickets required. For more information contact eilidhmcivor@crisis.org.uk. Crisis is the national charity for single homeless people, dedicated to ending homelessness by delivering life-changing services and campaigning for change: its Edinburgh centre is at Crichton House, 4 Crichton’s Close, tel 0131 209 7700.
Tiny Tales: Seals and Secret Shores. Did you know a seal pup is born in winter? Come and hear stories of the wee seal, plus tales and tunes of winter by the sea. With storyteller and author Janis Mackay. For ages 1-3 years. 10am or 11.30am (40 minute sessions), Scottish Storytelling Centre, 43-45 High Street. Tickets cost £5 per child and can be booked online here or by calling the box office on 0131 556 9579. Please remember to select a free adult ticket as well as a ticket for your child.
eBook Surgery: get help with downloading free eBooks, audiobooks and emagazines. 2-3.30pm, Central Library, George IV Bridge. No appointment necessary.
Music Among The Trees: Dalry Primary School returns to the Edinburgh Christmas Tree Festival with a festive medley of songs from around the world. Take a break from the Christmas rush – all welcome, come and enjoy! 12 noon-12.30pm, The Sanctuary, St Andrew’s and St George’s West Church, 13 George Street.
Dyce and Dante: The Fortunes of ‘Francesca’. William Dyce’s Francesca da Rimini portrays a moment in the doomed affair between Francesca and brother-in-law Paolo, as narrated in Canto 5 of Dante’s Inferno, and reflects 19th century fascination with the adulterous lovers and their ‘fall’ – but the painting’s own history is a strange one. When first exhibited at the Royal Scottish Academy show in 1837 it included more of the story than we now see, but until recently there seemed to be no visual evidence of the section that was later removed. Professor Nick Havely (University of York) traces the traditions within which Dyce was working, documents the misfortunes of his Francesca, and presents new evidence from an Italian collection to show how the painting might have appeared to its original Victorian viewers. 12.45-1.30pm, Hawthornden Lecture Theatre, Scottish National Gallery, The Mound. Free and unticketed.
Edinburgh University Singers: a concert of seasonal choral and organ music for Advent and Christmas. Conductor and solo organ: John Kitchen. 1.10pm, Usher Hall, Lothian Road. Tickets £4 on the door. Part of the Usher Hall Get Organised series.
Morningside Heritage Association: AGM followed by a talk by Sandra Dixon on The Open Door, of which she is the manager. 7.15pm (refreshments available from 6.45pm), Morningside Parish Church Hall (corner of Cluny Gardens and Braid Road), EH10 6DN. Visitors welcome – £3 per session. Membership £12 per annum.
Kirkliston Quiz Night: enter a team to win prizes. For adults. Contact Kirkliston Library for more details: call 0131 529 5510 or email kirkliston.library@edinburgh.gov.uk.
Collective Conscious: Crisis Members’ Show – a multi-media exhibition of works by Crisis Skylight members. 11am-5pm Tuesday to Saturday, The Gallery on the Corner, Northumberland Street. Open preview evening 5-7pm, 12th December 2014. Ends 31st January 2015. The Gallery on the Corner is a commercial art studio providing a platform to exhibit and sell work by artists who have a physical or mental health condition or a disadvantaged background. It was the first social firm developed by Autism Ventures Scotland. Crisis Skylight uses holistic services to tackle the root causes of homelessness.
ESOL Chatabout Reading Group (intermediate level): free, informal and relaxed monthly sessions for adults learning English as a second language – practise your English and share ideas about this month’s book. 10-11am, Fountainbridge Library, 137 Dundee Street. For more information contact Mo Boussaboun on 0131 529 5617 or email fountainbridge.library@edinburgh.gov.uk.
The People’s Referendum: Peter Geoghegan launches his new book, ‘an eye-opening journey through the remarkable people and far-flung places along Scotland’s road to the referendum and beyond…the story of Scotland’s historic vote, not as recorded by pollsters and politicians, but as experienced by some of the ordinary – and extraordinary – people involved.’ Peter is an Irish journalist and writer living in Glasgow. 6.30pm, Word Power Books, Nicolson Street. Admission free, all welcome – donations also welcome!
Bookbug Rhymetime: songs and rhymes for under 3s. 10.30-11am and 11.30am-12 noon, Morningside Library, 184 Morningside Road.
Photography Lecture Series: Justin Leighton. Justin Leighton has been in the business of taking photographs for 25 years, having first started a magazine with a few friends when he was 18. Although the magazine folded within 6 months, Justin emerged from the experience knowing that he could take pictures for a living, and he went on to work for some of the most prestigious publications in the world, covering the Balkan conflict, the first Gulf War and the Northern Irish Troubles. He joined Network Photographers, a collective of some of the UK’s best 20th century photojournalists, and won Nikon’s Press Photographer of the Year in 1997. In 2005 Justin took a break from the news and turned to the automobile; he has now been working for Top Gear for four years, taking photos for the TV show, the brand and the magazine. 5.30pm , Lecture Theatre B, Merchiston Campus, Edinburgh Napier University, 10 Colinton Road. All welcome: free.
A Manifesto For The Built Environment: an evening to explore the relationship between people, housing culture, places, industries and economies, with Edinburgh-based architect and Common Weal board member Malcolm Fraser and Glaswegian research and design collective Lateral North. 7-9.30pm, Area C Coffee House, 239-241 Leith Walk. Organised by The Common Weal Edinburgh North and Leith. Free.
Bon_Tot and Hedgerow Florist Launch: an evening of cool design-led kids-wear, toys and foraged foliage from two new local brands, with exclusive offers, mulled wine, gingerbread biscuits, brownies and mince pies. Hedgerow will also be taking orders for Christmas wreaths. 7-9pm, Lovecrumbs, 155 West Port.
