What’s On In Edinburgh 15th-21st December 2014

MONDAY 15TH DECEMBER 2014

Meet Chris Hadfield: the former Commander of the International Space Station will be signing copies of his stunning planetary photo tour You Are Here: Around the World in 92 Minutes. 12.30pm, Waterstones West End, Princes Street. Please arrive early to avoid disappointment. For more information call 0131 226 2666.

Sparkly bracelets! A free Christmas craft event for ages 4+. 3.30-4.30pm, Stockbridge Library, 11 Hamilton Place.

extending your reach: a sound art workshop. An introduction by Martin Parker to the powerful world of MaxMSP. Open to all gallerists, technicians, students, curators, academics and teachers. As an introductory workshop this session is intended to expose those with an interest in sound, sonic art and live electronic sound to some of the processes behind realising and presenting sound art. Bring a laptop and headphones and install MaxMSP on your system first. 2-4pm, Talbot Rice Gallery, Old College, University of Edinburgh, South Bridge. Free but registration is required via eventbrite. For more information and for a link enabling you to download MaxMSP, see the gap in the air website.

Glamour and the Baybes: high-octane electric six-piece fronted by Alex Munro. Funk-fusion versions of Nirvana, Tower of Power, Massive Attack, Snarky Puppy and more. 11.30pm (entry from 10.30pm)-3am, The Jazz Bar, 1a Chambers Street. £3/£2 on the door, cash only.

LGBT Drop-in: informal weekly gathering for LGBT people. Come in for a cup of tea and a chat, meet others in a friendly, relaxed, welcoming environment, and find out what is happening at the Centre and in the community. 5.30-8pm, LGBT Health & Wellbeing, 9 Howe Street. For more information call the centre on 0131 523 1100 or email admin@lgbthealth.org.uk. NB: there will be no drop-in on 22nd or 29th December.

Blackwell’s Edinburgh Adult Book Group: join the group for lively, friendly chatter – no previous experience necessary! Currently reading John Irving’s The Cider House Rules (next month: Donna Tartt’s The Secret History). 6-8pm, Blackwell’s South Bridge. If you would like to take part, email your details to events.edinburgh@blackwell.co.uk.

North Edinburgh Grows Christmas Tree Lights Switch On. North Edinburgh Arts Artist in Residence Natalie Taylor will be creating a Christmas tree sculpture today and on Tuesday – come along on either or both days to add a piece to the tree, then come back on Friday to see the lights being switched on! 11am-1pm, North Edinburgh Arts, 15a Pennywell Court. (Lights will be switched on at 3.45pm on Friday, when refreshments will also be served). For more information call 0131 315 2151.

Blackwell’s Edinburgh Children’s Book Group: if you are 8 to 11 years old with a love of books and biscuits, join the book group and enjoy a friendly hour of fiction and chat! Currently reading Susan Cooper’s Over Sea Under Stone. 6-8pm, Blackwell’s South Bridge. If you would like to join, email your details to childrens.edinburgh@blackwell.co.uk.

Music Among The Trees: Dovecot Singers. Talented local vocal group Dovecot Singers entertains visitors to the Edinburgh Christmas Tree Festival. 2-3pm, Sanctuary, St Andrew’s and St George’s West Church, 13 George Street. Free: all welcome – come and go as you please.

Coffee Club: tea, coffee, home baking and a warm welcome to all! 10-11am, Session Room, Portobello and Joppa Parish Church, Brunstane Road North. £1.50 per person. The group also arranges four outings a year to places of interest in Scotland.

Leith Central Community Council: 7pm, McDonald Road Library, 2 McDonald Road.

The Teapot Trust presents The Gruffalo’s Child (27 mins):

‘The snow falls fast and the wind blows wild –

The Teapot Trust returns with The Gruffalo’s Child!

A charity screening and some crafty fun,

And a few special prizes for the lucky one.

So if you’re feeling cold and with nowhere to go,

Come and have tea at The Cameo!’

For ages (approx) 1-4. 9.30am, Cameo Cinema, 38 Home Street. £5 (includes a £2 donation to the charity) – free for parents/carers who join the free Toddler Time Club. Book online or call the Box Office on 0871 902 5723. Toddler Time screenings are for pre-school children and their parents/carers only.

TUESDAY 16TH DECEMBER 2014

Recitals for Wrigglers Christmas Concert: a free classical concert for babies, toddlers and their parents and carers. 10.30am, Drumbrae Library Hub, 81 Drumbrae Drive. Please ask a member of library staff to book your place(s), or call the library on 0131 529 5244.

eBook Surgery: get help with downloading free eBooks, emagazines and audiobooks. 2-3.30pm, Central Library, George IV Bridge. No appointment necessary – just drop in.

North Edinburgh Grows Christmas Tree Lights Switch On: North Edinburgh Arts Artist in Residence Natalie Taylor will be creating a Christmas tree sculpture on Monday and Tuesday – come along on either or both days to add a piece to the tree, then come back on Friday to see the lights being switched on! 11am-1pm, North Edinburgh Arts, 15a Pennywell Court. (Lights will be switched on at 3.45pm on Friday, when refreshments will also be served). For more information call 0131 315 2151.

Bookbug: rhymes and songs for very young children. 10.30-11am, Corstorphine Library, 12 Kirk Loan. Free: also at 2.30pm on Saturday 20th December.

Music Among The Trees: Chapter House Ensemble. Shane Brogan on accordion and John Pfaff on piano entertain visitors to the Edinburgh Christmas Tree Festival. 12 noon-1pm, Sanctuary, St Andrew’s and St George’s West Church, 13 George Street. Free: all welcome.

Christmas Bookbug Rhymetime! For children under 3 years. 10.30-11am and 11.30am-12 noon, Morningside Library, 184 Morningside Road. There will be no Bookbug on 23rd or 30th December – back as usual on 6th January 2015.

Baby Cafe: this week The Very Hungry Caterpillar will be brought to life in a theatrical story! For babies and children aged 0-4 and their grown-ups. 11am, Granton Library, Wardieburn Terrace.

Music Among The Trees: Recorder Group. Talented local recorder players bring harmony and variety to entertain visitors to the Edinburgh Christmas Tree Festival. 2-3pm, Sanctuary, St Andrew’s and St George’s West Church, 13 George Street. Free: all welcome.

SICSA Christmas Cyber Security Public Lecture 2014: the Christmas Cyber Security Lectures are a series of lectures across the country, primarily for High School students. With up to 5 talks from leading industry figures, Police Scotland and academics, the sessions provide a fun and varied introduction to the challenges we face as we move towards the internet of things and a light hearted approach to promoting cyber security and highlighting opportunities in this field. For the first time ever, in addition to two school sessions in the morning, Napier is hosting a public lecture in the afternoon. Speakers include James Lyne (Sophos) on The Future of Hacking, Edinburgh Napier on Digital Shadows – the footprint of a real crime, Cybersecuritychallenge on UK: DETONATE! and Police Scotland. This event will be of interest to all, so please come along with your colleagues and/or your children (over 14). 2.30-4.30pm, Riady Lecture Theatre, Edinburgh Napier University, Craiglockhart Campus, Glenlockhart Road. Free tickets should be booked via eventbrite.

Oasis Community Carol Service: all welcome – coffee, tea and mince pies served after the service. 12.45pm, St Cuthbert’s Parish Church, Lothian Road. Organised by Oasis, Business Matters and WPCS. There will be a retiring collection in aid of Fresh Start.

Retro Gaming Night: still trying to crack your top time of Super Mario Bros? A geeky night of retro and console games. 6-11.45pm, The Counting House Bar, 36 West Nicolson Street. Free entry.

Edinburgh Royal Choral Union: Christmas with the Choral. The Choral performs A Ceremony of Carols by Benjamin Britten: conductor Michael Bawtree, organist Morley Whitehead. 7.30pm, St Andrew’s and St George’s West Church, 13 George Street.

Festive Fitness: come and try zumba, belly dancing, hula-hooping and line dancing, followed by festive nibbles. Children welcome – for ages 2-99! 6.30-8.30pm, North Merchiston Club, 48 Watson Crescent. Suggested donation £5, all proceeds to the Club. To book call 0131 622 1757 or email info@northmerchiston.co.uk.

WEDNESDAY 17TH DECEMBER 2014

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=69mUzKGYlDE]

Creative Electric: drama and creative workshops for ages 16+. Creative Electric create contemporary performances based on real experiences; their work has been performed in Scotland and Sweden, in theatres, studios, art galleries, on trains, in fields, in city centre squares and on rooftops. 7-9pm, The Bongo Club, 66 Cowgate. £5 per session, bursaries available. For more information and to book, contact creative_electric@hotmail.com.

Sonic Christmas Cards! A free Christmas craft event for ages 7+. 4-5pm, Stockbridge Library, 11 Hamilton Place.

The Edinburgh Telephone Choir: traditional carol concert with the choir, this year featuring a brass ensemble who will join the organ in several carols and also perform a seasonal number of their own. 7.30pm, Morningside Parish Church, Cluny Gardens/Braid Road. Retiring collection for the Wednesday Club for Disabled Men.

Chris Leslie and Mitch Miller: Red Road Revisited. For over three years, photographer and filmmaker Chris Leslie and illustrator Mitch Miller documented life at Glasgow’s Red Road flats, culminating in the 2012 exhibition Red Road Underground. Leslie’s revealing photographs and slide shows and Miller’s meticulously drawn ‘dialectograms’ shed light on the personal histories of the residents, employees and emigres who lived in the shadow of the great tower blocks. In this special event these award-winning artists discuss the detail of their long collaboration, how they built a rapport with locals, gained access to hidden spaces (such as the derelict underground bar and bingo) and used their very different, but complementary, visual techniques to tell a complex and often surprising story of life amidst a modernist icon. 12.45-1.30pm, Hawthornden Lecture Theatre, Scottish National Gallery, The Mound. Free and unticketed.

Health In Mind Over 65’s Coffee Morning. 10.30am-12 noon, Morningside Library, 184 Morningside Road. Free – just come along!

Rowan Coupland, Gavin Mee and Grant McNeil: one of The Forest’s last gigs this year – folk, old gospel and jazz ballads. Arrive early or risk standing! 7pm, Forest Cafe, 141 Lauriston Place. Free entry: BYOB – corkage 65p for beer, £1.50 for wine.

North Edinburgh Grows Christmas Tree Lights Switch On: North Edinburgh Arts Artist in Residence Natalie Taylor will be creating a Christmas tree sculpture on Monday and Tuesday – come along today and see the lights being switched on! Free mince pies and (non-alcoholic) mulled wine. 3.45pm, North Edinburgh Arts, 15a Pennywell Court. For more information call 0131 315 2151.

Blackwell’s Edinburgh Presents Peter Ranscombe: Hare, A Novel. When William Burke was hanged for mass murder in 1829, his accomplice William Hare was set free after turning King’s evidence and fled Edinburgh to escape the mob.. In Hare: A Novel, he is discovered years later working as labourer in Boston, a city terrified by a new series of murders – but although Hare is arrested, the deaths continue and the police have to release Hare and work with him to find the killer. Set against the background of the American Civil War, Hare: A Novel is Peter Ranscombe’s debut; the author is a freelance journalist who previously worked for The Scotsman, Scotland on Sunday and The Field. 6.30-8pm, Blackwell’s South Bridge. Free tickets are available from the shop’s front desk, by calling 0131 622 8218 or emailing events.edinburgh@blackwell.co.uk.

Morningside Library Craft Group: 6.30-7.45pm, Morningside Library, 184 Morningside Road. No need to book – just come along!

Boda Bar Christmas Quiz: a Christmas special fun-filled evening with a mixture of hilarious questions, true or false rounds and nail-biting games. Teams of 4 should book asap to get a table – contact Boda on 0131 553 5900 or email boda@bodabar.com. 8pm, Boda Bar, 229 Leith Walk.

St Margaret’s House Cinema Nights: Searching for Sugar Man (12A). Though he faded into obscurity in the US, an early 70s musician known as Rodriguez became a huge hit in South Africa and was widely believed to have died. Two obsessed fans set out to learn the man’s true fate. A BAFTA and Academy award-winning Swedish-British documentary by Malik Bendjeloull. ‘Powerful, uplifting and unforgettable’ (Dazed and Confused). 7-10pm, St Margaret’s House, 151 London Road. Free.

Music Among The Trees: Brigitte Harris. The Director of Music at St Andrew’s and St George’s West entertains visitors to the Edinburgh Christmas Tree Festival with a varied programme on the fine Wells Kennedy organ. 12 noon-1pm, Sanctuary, St Andrew’s and St George’s West Church, 13 George Street. Free: all welcome.

Music Among The Trees: Saxophone Quartet. Young players from Napier Music School entertain visitors to the Edinburgh Christmas Tree Festival. 2-3pm, Sanctuary, St Andrew’s and St George’s West Church, 13 George Street. Free: all welcome.

Paris of the North (15): the Nordic Film Festival continues with this ‘subtly deadpan and bleakly comic tale’ set against the hostile yet stunning mountainous landscape of Iceland’s West Fjords. In Icelandic with English subtitles. 6.30pm, Filmhouse, Lothian Road. Book online or call the box office on 0131 228 2688. The Nordic Film Festival is presented by day for night.

THURSDAY 18TH DECEMBER 2014

The Secret Herb Garden Festive Evening: wine, cheese, chocolate and charcuterie in a beautiful setting at the foot of the Pentland Hills. 4-8pm, The Secret Herb Garden, 32a Old Pentland Road, EH10 7EA (for more information re location see the Secret Herb Garden’s website or call 07525 069773).

Pilton Equalities Project Presents: Cinderella – Panto Time! 6-8pm, Granton Baptist Church, Crewe Road Gardens. Tickets 4 (children £1), refreshments provided. Please book in advance to assist in planning of catering: phone Trish on 0131 315 4466.

Bookbug: songs and rhymes for young children and their adults. 10.30-11am, Fountainbridge Library, 137 Dundee Street.

The Rosie Nimmo Duo: Rosie Nimmo (vocals, rhythm, guitar and harmonica) and Stuart Allardyce (guitar) present a programme of swinging tunes to mark the Christmas season. 6-6.30pm, Main Gallery, Scottish National Gallery, The Mound. Free and unticketed.

Under Fives Christmas Storytime: 10.30-11am, Morningside Library, 184 Morningside Road. Free.

Growing Underground: Forest’s Very Open Stage. Sign up for a 15 min+ slot in the cafe, or contact the team via Facebook. Free tea, coffee or corkage up to £1.50 for performers. 7.30pm, Forest Cafe, 141 Lauriston Place. Free entry: BYOB – corkage 70p for beer, £1.50 for wine.

LGBT Learning Disability Project Festive Party. The Project provides a range of opportunities for building confidence and friendship among LGBT people who also identify as having a learning disability/difficulty. 2-4pm, Lifecare Centre, Cheyne Street. For more information call 0131 652 3281 or email george@lgbthealth.org.uk: please bring a carer or supporter if you need help to participate.

Christmas Cracker 2014! Readings and discussions with Angela Jackson, Michael Malone, Lucy Lawrie, Graeme MacRae Burnet, Daniel Gray and Alan McCredie: there will also be festive cheer, mince pies and tipples in abundance! 6pm, Waterstones West End, Princes Street. Free tickets are available from the store: for more information call 0131 226 2666.

Whale Arts Christmas Celebration! Special Christmas Show by resident drama group Whales Without A Cause, handmade crafts for sale from Stitch ‘N Time, South West Sounds groups premier their 2014 songs, smART Craft exhibition, mince pies and mulled wine (or BYOB). 6pm till late, Whale Arts, 30 Westburn Grove. For further information please call 0131 458 3267.

CinemaAttic Fundraising Event: #Mutant Christmas. A screening of Accion Mutante (18) – a cult film from 1993 by award-winning Spanish director Alex de la Iglesia – and Party Xmas Bash with special DJs. Film: 7.30 for 8pm, Red Lecture Theatre, Summerhall, 1 Summerhall (NOTE CHANGE OF VENUE FROM ONE SHOWN ON POSTER); party: 11pm-3am, Wee Red Bar, Lauriston Place. Film £6 + booking fee via eventbrite, party £5 payable on the door – party ticket price includes a raffle for a box of El Olivo Spanish products, Calduero Wines and Goya23. CinemaAttic is a community interest group aiming to offer the best independent cinema from the Iberian peninsula and Latin America.

Music Among The Trees: Drew Crichton. Talented pianist Drew entertains visitors to the Edinburgh Christmas Tree Festival. 12 noon-1pm, Sanctuary, St Andrew’s and St George’s West Church, 13 George Street. Free: all welcome.

Candles and Quietness: the church will be open for quiet reflection and prayer. 5.15pm (come and go as you please), St John’s Episcopal Church, Princes Street.

Hotel (15): the Nordic Film Festival concludes with this ‘brutally honest and at times absurdly humorous exploration of the human psyche’. In Swedish with English subtitles. 6.30pm, Filmhouse, Lothian Road. Book online or call the box office on 0131 228 2688. The Nordic Film Festival is presented by day for night.

FRIDAY 19TH DECEMBER 2014

Greenman’s Grotto at The Secret Herb Garden: instead of Santa asking a child ‘what do you want for Christmas?’, why not allow a child the chance to hear how to respect and care for something really special – a tree? Enter the enchanted lit glasshouse and follow a fairy path to a hidden natural grotto where the Greenman awaits; once here choose a bare root tree from six indigenous species: alder, rowan. silver birch, oak, scots pine or hawthorn. The Greenman will help you to pot up your tree and to choose a stone or shell to keep with it; there will also be advice on how to nurture your gift. Allow the tree to become part of your life, grow together through the changing seasons, and witness the magic unfold. 10am-4pm, The Secret Herb Garden, 32a Old Pentland Road, EH10 7EA (for more information re location see the Secret Herb Garden’s website or call 07525 069773). £5 per child or adult, no booking required. Also at same times on Saturday 20th, Sunday 21st, Monday 22nd and Tuesday 23rd December 2014.

The Guid Crack Hearth: come and gather round the fireside and warm yourself with stories of Christmas past and present, with storyteller Bea Ferguson. Edinburgh’s monthly storytelling night, upstairs at the Waverley Bar. Accompanied young adults welcome. 7.30-9.30pm, Waverley Bar (upstairs), 1 St Mary’s Street. Free: suggested donation £3.

Leith School of Art Christmas Exhibition: this year’s exhibition will include a selection of work from the school’s new full-year courses in Printmaking, Landscape, Art & Spirituality, and Critical & Professional Development, together with work from evening and day classes. 10am-4pm, Leith School of Art, 25 North Junction Street. Also open at same times on Saturday 20th December 2014.

Cookie decorating! A free Christmas craft event for ages 4+. 2.30-3.30pm, Stockbridge Library, 11 Hamilton Place.

Cezanne’s Montagne Sainte-Victoire: Frances Fowle, Senior Curator, Scottish National Gallery, and Lesley Stevens, Senior Paintings Conservator, National Galleries of Scotland, will reveal their new discoveries concerning this painting’s date, technique and viewpoint, the result of recent art historical and conservation research. 12.45-1.30pm, Hawthornden Lecture Theatre, Scottish National Gallery, The Mound. Free and unticketed.

Family Festive Cinema at the Scottish National Gallery: enjoy the popular Disney film Frozen in the comfort of the gallery’s very own cinema. Frozen is a contemporary retelling of the classic Hans Christian Anderson story of The Snow Queen. 2pm, Scottish National Gallery, The Mound. Tickets costs £4.10 (adult), £3.85 (child), £10 (family – up to 2 adults + 2 children or 1 adult + 3 children) and can be booked via eventbrite. Also available at same time on Sunday 21st December 2014.

Your World War One Family History: Drop-in Session. Do you have any diaries, photographs, medals or letters from World War One that you would like to find out more about, or are you trying to discover more about your family’s history in World War One? Come and talk to the experts and get some free one-to-one help. 11am-1pm, Central Library, George IV Bridge. Free but please book via eventbrite so that the library can allocate the time you need: if these times are not convenient for you, please email edwar@edinburgh.ac.uk to make another appointment.

Christmas Crafts for all the family: 2-3pm, Kirkliston Library, Station Road and South Queensferry Library, Shore Road.

Christmas Bookbug Singalong – for all the family! 10.30-11am, Kirkliston Library, Station Road.

Festive crafts for children: 3pm, Piershill Library, 30 Piershill Terrace. All welcome!

Rally & Broad: Never Mind The Full Stops – The R & B Edition. Paula Varjack and Dan Simpson are the masterminds behind this ‘pop-meets-poetry panel show mash up…(in which) brilliant poets and performers play silly games like Poetry Karaoke…and explore the efforts of celebrities writing poems.’ With Michael Pedersen, Chrissy Barnacle and music from Black Diamond Express. 7-10pm, The Bongo Club, 66 Cowgate. Tickets are £5 on the door. ‘Poetry as you’ve never seen it before’.

Carols in the Car Park: 15 minutes of fun carols. 5pm, St Mary Magdalene Church, Bingham Avenue, EH15 3HY. Everyone welcome!

Christmas Workshop for Children: candles, games, music, crafts, storytelling, music and more. For children in P1 to P7. 1.30-5.30pm, Church Hall, St Peter’s Church, Lutton Place. £3 per child. ‘A treat for children, a gift to parents’.

Nitekirk: a sacred space for all; a place of welcome, a space for stillness, a pause on your journey, an open door. This month’s theme is Thread for New Life. 8-11pm (drop-in any time), St Columba’s-by-the-Castle, 14 Johnston Terrace. All welcome. For more information about Nitekirk, see website.

SATURDAY 20TH DECEMBER 2014

Song, by Toad Christmas Party: Garden of Elks, Plastic Animals, plus short sets and cabaret from other acts on the Song, By Toad label and followed by DJ Sets from Irregular Owl Movements and Mrs Toad. 7-11pm, Henry’s Cellar Bar, 16a Morrison Street. Tickets £8/£5 on the door or from Brown Paper Tickets (plus booking fee). Strictly over-18s only.

Music Among The Trees: Leaning Together Band. The band – a mix of brass, strings and occasionally accordion – perform a varied programme of music to entertain visitors to the Edinburgh Christmas Tree Festival. 12 noon-1pm, Sanctuary, St Andrew’s and St George’s West Church, 13 George Street. Free: all welcome, come and go as you please.

LGBT: T time Edinburgh: Festive Film and Party. A party theme and a festive film, together with treats and refreshments. T time is an informal monthly social gathering open to all transgender people and supporters. 1-4pm (party 2-4pm), LGBT Health & Wellbeing, 9 Howe Street. For more information call the centre on 0131 523 1100 or email jules@lgbthealth.org.uk.

Cockburn Street Cinema: in partnership with LUX Scotland, Stills presents two works by Rob Kennedy A dyselxic man walks into a bra and Happy the believers for this year’s Cockburn Street Cinema. Kennedy’s works will be presented for viewing through Stills’ windows in the dark evenings of the Christmas and New Year season. The films will be screened 12 noon-12 midnight every day until 4th January 2015, Stills Gallery, 23 Cockburn Street. (Note: the gallery is closed 22nd December 2014 to 5th January 2015 – these films are to watch from the street.) Glasgow-based Kennedy makes videos, sounds and objects, tending to focus on the unreliability of language and the difficulties of succinct communication. He has exhibited at the Venice Biennale, Tate Britain, BBC Scotland and the British Council.

Santa at Linlithgow! Santa will be in residence at Linlithgow Canal Basin; each child will receive an age-appropriate gift followed by a free boat trip for all the family. Non-alcoholic hot punch, mince pies and cakes will be available to purchase in the cafe – come and enjoy the log fire! 2-4pm, Linlithgow Canal Basin, Manse Road. £5 per child’s gift. For more information call 01506 671215. Also at same times on Sunday 21st December.

Pyjama Drama: Rudolph the Blue-Nosed Reindeer. A fun festive session for children aged 2-5 years, with drama, music, movement and play. 10.10am or 11.10am, North Merchiston Club, Watson Crescent. Tickets cost £5/£4 and booking is essential. For more information or to book please call 0131 516 3099, email louisek@pyjamadrama.com or book online.

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, Belford Road. Free and unticketed.

Bookbug: rhymes and songs for very young children. 10.30-11am, Corstorphine Library, 12 Kirk Loan. Free.

Morningside Farmers’ Christmas Market: fresh, local, seasonal goods direct from the producers. 9.30am-3.30pm, rear car park of The Merlin, 168 Morningside Road. For more information call 0131 447 4329.

Christmas Tours of the National Gallery: a Christmas-themed tour of the National Gallery’s main collection. 2-2.45pm or 3-3.45pm, Scottish National Gallery (meet at Main Entrance), The Mound. Free and unticketed.

Music Among The Trees: Brigitte Harris. The Director of Music at St Andrew’s and St George’s West entertains visitors to the Edinburgh Christmas Tree Festival with a varied programme on the fine Wells Kennedy organ. 11am-12 noon, Sanctuary, St Andrew’s and St George’s West Church, 13 George Street. Free: all welcome.

Portrait Gallery Architecture Tour: monthly tour of the magnificent Arts and Crafts Building, designed by Sir Robert Rowand Anderson. 2-2.45pm, Scottish National Portrait Gallery, 1 Queen Street. Free but booking is essential as places are limited: call 0131 624 6560.

BP Portrait Award: Next Generation Winter School. For 14-19 year olds: working with two artists, including a past BP Portrait Award winner, you will creatively explore painting techniques with a life model. All materials will be provided, and if you live outside Edinburgh and the Lothians you may be eligible for a travel bursary. 11am-4pm today and tomorrow (ie you need to attend on both days), Scottish National Portrait Gallery, 1 Queen Street. Free but booking is essential: email lconacher@nationalgalleries.org.

Greenman’s Grotto at The Secret Herb Garden: instead of Santa asking a child ‘what do you want for Christmas?’, why not allow a child the chance to hear how to respect and care for something really special – a tree? Enter the enchanted lit glasshouse and follow a fairy path to a hidden natural grotto where the Greenman awaits; once here choose a bare root tree from six indigenous species: alder, rowan. silver birch, oak, scots pine or hawthorn. The Greenman will help you to pot up your tree and to choose a stone or shell to keep with it; there will also be advice on how to nurture your gift. Allow the tree to become part of your life, grow together through the changing seasons, and witness the magic unfold. 10am-4pm, The Secret Herb Garden, 32a Old Pentland Road, EH10 7EA (for more information re location see the Secret Herb Garden’s website or call 07525 069773). £5 per child or adult, no booking required. Also at same times on Sunday 21st, Monday 22nd and Tuesday 23rd December 2014.

Daniel Smith: Blues Piano/Vocals. From downhome blues, barrelhouse boogie and New Orleans honky tonk to the jazz/soul sounds of Herby Hancock and Ramsey Lewis. 5.45-6.45pm, The Jazz Bar, 1a Chambers Street. Free.

Winter Guided Walk: join a Garden Guide for a leisurely afternoon walk around the garden. Discover stunning seasonal highlights and learn about the history of the garden and its plants. For ages 14+. 2pm, John Hope Gateway, Royal Botanic Garden, Inverleith Walk. £5 per person: no advance booking required. Also at same time on Sunday 21st December.

Organ Recital for Christmas by Jeremy Cull. 4.30pm, St Cuthbert’s Parish Church, Lothian Road. Seasonal refreshments available afterwards! Free admission: retiring collection.

Boda Bar Christmas Party! Christmas merriment, songs and cheer, plus cider and home-made mulled wine. 7pm-1am, Boda Bar, 229 Leith Walk.

Music Among The Trees: Triplicity. The musical trio of Colin Dundas (piano), Frances Cooper (soprano) and Anne Lewis (mezzo soprano) return to entertain visitors to the Edinburgh Christmas Tree Festival. 2-3pm, Sanctuary, St Andrew’s and St George’s West Church, 13 George Street. Free: all welcome.

SUNDAY 21ST DECEMBER 2014

Carols By Candlelight: in aid of Bethany Christian Trust, supporting homeless and vulnerable people across Scotland. 6.30pm, Central, Central Halls, Tolcross. For more information call 0131 561 8925.

Rock & Roll Ping Pong with DJ Ding and DJ Dong: a free, monthly Sunday night social. Fine beers, fine company, free-play, silly ping pong games and music from every genre to play along to – plus an optional and strictly amateur tournament (entry £1, winner takes all). 7-11pm, The Bongo Club, 66 Cowgate. Free entry.

Bags of Art: cool and creative fun for ages 4-12 with artists Tessa Asquith-Lamb and Louise Fraser. 2-4pm, Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art ONE, Belford Road. Free: no booking required. Supported by the Friends of the National Galleries of Scotland.

Filmhouse Christmas Arts and Crafts: families of all ages are welcome to drop in to this event, themed around the film Arthur Christmas, which will be screened at 11am (see below). 9.30-11am, Filmhouse, Lothian Road. (Workshop free, film tickets £3.50).

Filmhouse Junior: Arthur Christmas (U). A family film from the team at Aardman: Santa Claus is nearing retirement, with his super-efficient but joyless son Steven ready to take over – but the future of the position of Head of Christmas looks less certain when a child is left without a present, and the only person prepared to put things right is Steven’s hapless brother, Arthur. 11am, Filmhouse, Lothian Road. £3.50 per person, big or small; book online or call the box office on 0131 228 2688.

Organ Music for Advent and Christmas: a recital by Morley Whitehead. Come and go as you please during the recital. 5.30-6.15pm (you are welcome to stay for the service at 6.30pm should you wish to do so), Morningside Parish Church, Cluny Gardens/Braid Road. Free.

Talking Trees: let the RBGE’s volunteer storytellers nurture your imagination with tall tales from all around the world. For ages 5+. 2-2.45pm, John Hope Gateway, Royal Botanic Garden, Inverleith Walk. Free: no booking required.

Christmas for Kids at Boda: children’s party with hot chocolate, snacks and a ‘good old Christmas movie’. 1-3pm, Boda Bar, 229 Leith Walk. Children and adults of all ages welcome!

Lessons and Carols for Advent and Christmas: St Giles’ Cathedral Choir. 6pm, St Giles’ Cathedral, 2-4 High Street.

Service of Lessons and Carols: 7-8.30pm, St Cuthbert’s Parish Church, Lothian Road.

Carol Service: with choir and congregational carols, followed by refreshments. 6pm, Christ Church Morningside, 6a Morningside Road.

Nativity Service: 11am, Gorgie Dalry Church, 190 Gorgie Road.

Candlelight service of readings and carols: 6.30pm, St Peter’s Church, Lutton Place.

Service of Lessons and Carols: 6pm, St Vincent’s Episcopal Chapel, St Vincent Street.

Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols: 6pm, St John’s Episcopal Church, Princes Street.

Service of Lessons and Carols: 10am, Cramond Kirk, Cramond Glebe Road.

The Christmas Truce: A Service of Readings and Carols for Christmas: 6.30pm, Old St Paul’s Episcopal Church, 39 Jeffrey Street.