What’s On In Edinburgh this week - The Edinburgh Reporter

MONDAY 22ND DECEMBER 2014

Dog Tales: The Dogs Trust will host this storytelling and crafts session about safety around dogs and responsible dog ownership. For ages 5-10. 2-3pm, Gilmerton Library, 13 Newtoft Street.

Messy Nativity! 4-5.30pm, Saltyard Cafe, 158 Dalry Road. Also at same times on Tuesday 23rd and Wednesday 24th 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 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 Tuesday 23rd December 2014.

Christmas in the City: carols and more. 6pm, St John’s Episcopal Church, Princes Street.

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

Festive Felt: come and make unique felt decorations at the castle, and learn how to personalise them with lots of different craft materials, simple stitches or even natural items foraged from the grounds. An event for all the family: children must be accompanied by at least one adult, and both adult and child will require a ticket. Children under 3 attend free provided they are coming with at least one paying sibling. 10.30am-12.30pm, Lauriston Castle, 2a Cramond Road South. £5 per person: bookings must be made via the Usher Hall website, in person, by phone (0131 228 1155) or online.

December 22: The Experience of Landscape – A Painting Expo. Works by Mairi Clarke, Constanza Dessain, Duncan Fisher, Finlay Graham, Simon Morison, Charles Murray Brown, Sarah Robinson and Rosemary Walker. Opening party tonight, 6.30pm, Dundas Street Gallery, 6 Dundas Street, then until 3rd January 2015 (afternoon only 26th December and 1st & 2nd January, closed 25th December).

Music Among The Trees: Duo Aulos. Maltese flute duo Laura Cioffi and Clara Galea entertain visitors to the Edinburgh Christmas Tree Festival. 12 noon-1pm and 2-3pm, Sanctuary, St Andrew’s and St George’s West Church, 13 George Street. Free: all welcome.

Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols: 7.30pm, St Mary’s Cathedral, Palmerston Place.

St John’s Portobello Open Doors: the church plans to be open and warm all day, with music playing quietly and Advent and Christmas readings on offer, for people to pop in for a time of quiet on the busiest of pre-Christmas days. St John’s RC Church, 35 Brighton Place, Portobello. Also planning to be open on Tuesday 23rd December 2014.

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.

TUESDAY 23RD DECEMBER 2014

Filmhouse Slackers Club: a free-to-join club especially for students offering members the chance to attend very special free monthly screenings. This month: The Woman In Black: Angel of Death (15). 9pm, Cameo Cinema, 38 Home Street. Free: book online or call the Box Office on 0871 902 5723. You must join the Slackers Club before you can book tickets for this screening.

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

Stories Round The Tree: join storyteller Fiona Herbert for a magical afternoon of wintry tales and music around the Centre’s Christmas tree. For anyone aged 4 or older! 1-1.45pm or 3-3.45pm, Storytelling Court, Scottish Storytelling Centre, 43-45 High Street. £5 per adult, £3 per child/concession, family ticket (for 4) £14; book online here or call the Box Office on 0131 556 9579. (Note: sessions on 24th December already sold out).

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.

Santa Baby Cafe! A festive baby cafe with coffee, tea, chat and play, for babies and children 0-4 years and their grown ups. 10.30-11.30am, Stockbridge Library, 11 Hamilton Place.

Cramond Kirk Christmas Club: games, crafts, music, drama, dance and baking! For all children aged 3+. 10am-1pm, Kirk Hall, Cramond Kirk, Cramond Glebe Road. Snacks and refreshments provided. All very welcome: £5 per child. Booking is required: forms are available on the Kirk website here or from the Kirk office, The Manse, 16 Cramond Glebe Road (9am-12 noon).

Messy Nativity! 4-5.30pm, Saltyard Cafe, 158 Dalry Road. Also at same times on Wednesday 24th December 2014.

Christmas Singalong – for all the family. Starts at 10.30am, South Queensferry Library, Shore Road. Everyone welcome!

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 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.

Music Among The Trees: Ross Gubby. Organ scholar Ross entertains visitors to the Edinburgh Christmas Tree Festival on the Wells Kennedy organ. 12 noon-1pm, Sanctuary, St Andrew’s and St George’s West Church, 13 George Street. Free: all welcome.

The Raymond Briggs Trilogy: The Snowman 29 mins (U), Father Christmas 26 mins (U) and The Bear (U) 26 mins. 11am, Filmhouse, Lothian Road. Book online or call the box office on 0131 228 2688. Also at same time on Wednesday 24th December.

Music Among The Trees: James MacNeill explores the range of the Wells Kennedy organ 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.

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.

WEDNESDAY 24TH DECEMBER 2014

Teatime Acoustic: Graeme Mearns. A hat, a suit and a guitar, with a swing jazz acoustic style somewhere between Django Reinhardt and Richard Thompson – ‘familiar songs in a way you’ve never imagined’. 6.30-8.30pm, The Jazz Bar, Chambers Street. Free.

Aki & Dave Guitar Duo: take a break from wrapping presents and get festive! Catch some super music from two of The Jazz Bar’s regularly featured, top-class guitarists, Aka Remally and Dave Wallace. Is this a duo or a duel? Come in and find out – and will Santa drop in for a pint later? 9pm-late, The Jazz Bar, Chambers Street. Free.

Edinburgh Libraries will all close at 5pm today, re-opening on 27th December, then normal hours until 31st December, when they will again all close at 5pm, re-opening on 3rd January 2015.

Christmas Eve Welcome Home: Multi-Language Support invites you to exchange gifts, share food, play games and enjoy a warm Christmas Eve together. Tea, coffee, mulled wine, mulled cider and some snacks provided: please bring a small gift for the lucky dip and some food to share. 7-10pm, 19 Sciennes Road EH9 1NX. £5 per person: please register via eventbrite if you plan to attend. Welcome Home Multi Language Support is an Edinburgh-based organisation of professional counsellors and psychotherapists who come from different countries with different cultural backgrounds, and whose aim is ‘to support overseas residents in the UK who may be encountering difficulties and problems such as culture shock, loneliness, homesickness, depression, anxiety and isolation, and to provide a warm and homely place for people to share experiences’.

A Selection of Church Services for Christmas Eve:

Morning masses:

9am (Polish), 10am, St Mary’s RC Cathedral, York Place.

Lunchtime masses:

12.45pm, St Mary’s RC Cathedral, York Place.

12 noon, St Mary Star of the Sea, 106 Constitution Street, Leith.

Afternoon Services for families and children:

Crib Service: a short telling of the Christmas story with carols and mince pies, suitable for children of all ages. 4pm, St Mary’s Cathedral, Palmerston Place.

Children’s Service: followed by refreshments. 5pm, Christ Church Morningside, 6a Morningside Road.

Christingle Service for All Ages: children of all ages love this candle-lighting service. 5-5.30pm, Sanctuary, St Andrew’s and St George’s West Church, 13 George Street. All welcome.

Messy Nativity! 4-5.30pm, Saltyard Cafe, 158 Dalry Road.

Christingle Service with nativity play: 4.30pm, St John’s Episcopal Church, Princes Street.

Crib Service: 4pm, St Peter’s Church, Lutton Place.

Christmas Eve Crib Service: 5pm, St Vincent’s Episcopal Chapel, St Vincent Street.

Christmas Eve Family Service: 4-4.45pm, Morningside United Church, 15 Chamberlain Road.

Christmas Eve Crib Service: for children and families. 4pm, Old St Paul’s Episcopal Church, 39 Jeffrey Street.

Christmas Eve Service for Babies, Toddlers and Pre-School Children: with songs and stories. 4pm, Portobello and Joppa Parish Church, Brunstane Road North.

Early evening services:

Christingle Family Service: 6.30pm, Polwarth Parish Church, Polwarth Terrace. All welcome.

Christmas Eve Service: 5-6.30pm, Greyfriars Kirk, Greyfriars Place.

Christmas Eve Family Service: 6.30pm, Morningside Parish Church, Cluny Gardens/Braid Road.

Christmas Eve Service: 5pm, German Church, Laudate House, 1 Chalmers Crescent.

Vigil Masses: 6pm and 9pm (Polish Vigil), St Mary’s RC Cathedral, York Place.

Carols & Mass of the Nativity: 7.30pm (carols), 8pm (Mass), St Mary Star of the Sea, 106 Constitution Street, Leith.

Midnight services:

Midnight Mass. Preacher: the Provost, setting: Vierne Messe Solonnelle. 11.30pm, St Mary’s Cathedral, Palmerston Place.

Watchnight Service: readings, prayers and carols to keep watch until Christmas Day. 11.30pm (ends just after midnight), Sanctuary, St Andrew’s and St George’s West Church, 13 George Street. All welcome.

Watchnight Service: 11.30pm, St Cuthbert’s Parish Church, Lothian Road.

Carol Service and Midnight Mass (celebrant: Archbishop Cushley): 11.30pm, St Mary’s RC Cathedral, York Place.

Christmas Songs and Carols followed by Watchnight Service: 11pm (Watchnight Service begins 11.30pm), Portobello and Joppa Parish Church, Brunstane Road North.

Watchnight Service: 11.30pm-12.15am, Canongate Kirk, 153 Canongate.

Carols by Candlelight followed by Watchnight Service: 11pm, Morningside Parish Church, Cluny Gardens/Braid Road.

Midnight Sung Eucharist: 11.30pm, Christ Church Morningside, 6a Morningside Road.

Watchnight Service: 11.30pm, Morningside United Church, 15 Chamberlain Road.

Watchnight Service: 11.15pm, Gorgie Dalry Church, 190 Gorgie Road.

Midnight Mass: 11.30pm, St Vincent’s Episcopal Chapel, St Vincent Street.

Festival of Sacred Music: Traditional Watchnight Service. Carols from 11.15pm, service begins 11.30pm, Mayfield Salisbury Parish Church, 1a Mayfield Road.

Midnight Service: a service of Holy Communion for Christmas. 11.30pm, St Peter’s Church, Lutton Place.

Organ Music and Midnight Mass: 10.45pm (music), 11.15pm mass begins, St John’s Episcopal Church, Princes Street.

Midnight Mass of Christmas (by candlelight): 11.30pm, Old St Paul’s Episcopal Church, 39 Jeffrey Street.

THURSDAY 25TH DECEMBER 2014

Serenity Cafe is open today and every day throughout the holidays for people who need a safe place to be. Today it will provide a Christmas meal for people in recovery who might otherwise spend Christmas alone. Serenity Cafe, 8 Jackson’s Entry, The Tun, 111 Hollywood Road. Serenity is Scotland’s first Recovery Cafe, run by people in recovery for people in recovery, and for public customers who want good value, good quality food in a relaxed space. All events are drink and drugs-free and are family-friendly. For more information re opening hours, etc call the cafe on 0131 556 8765.

Social Bite Merry Christmas: Social Bite will be open today, offering a Christmas meal exclusively to anyone who is homeless. The founders, Josh and Alice, and some of their team will be at their shop in Rose Street, serving up Christmas dinner with all the trimmings. You can donate the cost of a meal by visiting any one of Social Bite’s four shops (Rose St and Shandwick Place in Edinburgh, St Vincent St and Bothwell St in Glasgow). They also ask you to tell anyone you know who is homeless and who has nowhere to go today that they can come along to the Rose Street shop. 12 noon-4pm, Social Bite, 131 Rose Street.

Edinburgh Zoo is open today! Please note: entrance charges apply, some animal houses close 30 minutes before the Zoo closes, Zoo opening may be affected by severe weather (see website for updates), and you will need a timed ticket to see the pandas. Full information re entrance prices, panda tickets, etc on website. 9am-4.30pm, Edinburgh Zoo, 134 Corstorphine Road.

A Selection of Church Services for Christmas Day

Christmas Day Family Service: 10am, Polwarth Parish Church, Polwarth Terrace. All welcome.

Morning Worship: Celebration. Come and celebrate: all very welcome. 11-11.55am, Sanctuary, St Andrew’s and St George’s West Church, 13 George Street.

Christmas Day Service: 10.30-11.30am, Greyfriars Kirk, Greyfriars Place.

Mass of the Nativity: 10.30am, St Mary Star of the Sea, 106 Constitution Street, Leith.

Christmas Day Service: 11am-12 noon, St Cuthbert’s Parish Church, Lothian Road.

Christmas Eucharist and Nativity Tableau (all children are invited to take part). Preacher: the Bishop, setting: Haydn Missa Sancti Nicolai. 10.30am, St Mary’s Cathedral, Palmerston Place.

Christmas Day Masses: 9.30am (celebrant: Archbishop Cushley), 11.30am, 1.15pm (Polish) and 5.45pm (Polish), St Mary’s RC Cathedral, York Place.

Christmas Day Services: Communion: 9.30am, Family Worship Service: 11am, Portobello and Joppa Parish Church, Brunstane Road North.

Christmas Day Service: 10am, Morningside Parish Church, Cluny Gardens/Braid Road.

Sung Eucharist: with carols and baptism. 11am, Christ Church Morningside, 6a Morningside Road.

Christmas Day Eucharist: 10.30am, St Vincent’s Episcopal Chapel, St Vincent Street.

Christmas Family Eucharist: 9.30am, St John’s Episcopal Church, Princes Street.

Service of Lessons and Carols: 11.15am, St John’s Episcopal Church, Princes Street.

Family Service: 10.30am, Morningside United Church, 15 Chamberlain Road.

Christmas Day Family Service: 11-11.45am, Canongate Kirk, 153 Canongate.

High Mass of Christmas Day: 10.30am, Old St Paul’s Episcopal Church, 39 Jeffrey Street.

FRIDAY 26TH DECEMBER 2014

The Royal Yacht Britannia is open today! 10am-3.30pm (last admission), Royal Yacht Britannia, Ocean Terminal, Leith. Entrance charges apply: see website.

Edinburgh’s Christmas: the rides, slides, workshops and skating rinks are open today (subject to weather). Admission charges apply, and advance bookings may be made via website. Remember Edinburgh residents who bring valid proof of an EH postcode address receive a 20% discount on most rides and events (not in the markets) – so don’t forget your bank statement, driver’s licence or bus pass! Edinburgh’s Christmas, various venues in Princes Street and St Andrew’s Square.

The Camera Obscura is open today! An unusual way to see the city and learn about its history. See live moving images of Edinburgh projected onto a viewing table through a giant periscope: pick people up in your hands and squash them to pulp, and even make the traffic climb over paper bridges. 10am-6pm (last presentation begins approx 1 hour before closing), Camera Obscura & World of Illusions, Castlehill, Royal Mile. Admission charges apply: see website.

Scottish Seabird Centre: if you like the sound of a trip out of town, the Seabird Centre is open today. If the weather is fine, you could take a bracing walk along the beach before warming up in the Centre’s cafe and shop. You can also visit all of the Centre’s Discovery Zones, which include cameras focused on islands in the Forth, a Scope Deck, Wildlife Theatre, Flyaway Tunnel and Turtle and Ray Zone, plus a Kids’ Zone where the little ones can go wild, and a Kids’ Corner for quieter playtime. 11am-4pm, Scottish Seabird Centre, North Berwick. Free entry to shop and cafe (which has a viewing deck), charges apply for Discovery Zones – full details on website. North Berwick is about 30 minutes drive from Edinburgh. Please note: no trains will run on the Edinburgh-North Berwick Line today.

The Soul Foundation: authentic Motown funk/soul from vocalist Stevie Braxton and his fresh new six-piece unit, with backing vocals and hot horn section. 9pm (entry from 8pm)-12 midnight, The Jazz Bar, 1a Chambers Street. £5/£4 on the door, cash only.

The Big Boss Jump/Jive Band: blues slide and rock guitarist Dave Dixon brings in his new five-piece band, ‘delivering an intoxicating mix of fifties jump/jive, blues, RnB, rockabilly and ska, plus Funk DJ’. 12 midnight (entry from 11.30pm)-late, The Jazz Bar, 1a Chambers Street. £5/£4 on the door, cash only.

Boxing Day Night Only! Dance party with the DJs from Club Spiegel at The Famous Spiegeltent. 8pm-late, The Counting House Bar, 36 West Nicolson Street. Advance tickets £3 each (subject to booking fee) from Ripping Records (South Bridge) or Tickets Scotland, Rose Street. ‘Life is short, and there will always be dirty dishes, so let’s dance’.

Feast of St Stephen Masses: 10am, 11am (Polish), 12.45pm and 6pm (Polish), St Mary’s RC Cathedral, York Place.

St Stephen’s Day Mass: 12.20pm, Old St Paul’s Episcopal Church, 39 Jeffrey Street.

The National Museum of Scotland is open today! From the age of dinosaurs to the technology of the future, the galleries contain treasures from around the world. 12 noon-5pm, National Museum of Scotland, Chambers Street. Free entry (charges apply for some special exhibitions – see website for information).

The National Galleries, National Library, Edinburgh City Museums & Galleries and all Edinburgh Leisure venues (pools, leisure centres, council golf courses, etc) are closed today.

SATURDAY 27TH DECEMBER 2014

Out of the Blue Flea Market: over 45 stalls full to bursting with clothes, jewellery, small furniture, music, books, bric a brac and more. Coffee, cake and lunch available to purchase from the Drill Hall Arts Cafe. 10am-3pm, Out of the Blue Drill Hall, 36 Dalmeny Street.

Stegasaurus by J Crozier, one of the 2013 winners in the over-21 section

National Museum of Scotland Christmas Art Competition: be inspired by the objects in the museum and get drawing! A popular annual event for all ages and abilities – basic materials and lots of encouragement provided! 10.30am-4.30pm (drop-in), National Museum of Scotland, Chambers Street. Also at same times on Sunday 28th, Monday 29th and Tuesday 30th December 2014.

Afternoon Jazz with the Mellotones Trio: hot swinging jazz from Alan Anderson (piano), Jimmy Taylor (bass/vocals) and Bob Stewart (drums). 3-5.30pm, The Jazz Bar, Chambers Street. Free.

Fergus McCreadie: solo jazz piano from the exceptionally talented, Dollar-based, 16 year old, who has already won the Scottish Young Jazz Musician Under-17s award – twice! 5.45-6.45pm, The Jazz Bar, Chambers Street. Free.

St John’s Day Mass: 5.15pm, Old St Paul’s Episcopal Church, 39 Jeffrey Street.

Edinburgh Leisure facilities are mostly open today, but with special timetables – see the guide here. Note: Dalry, Kirkliston, Meggetland, Queensferry, Saughton and all Sports Pitches remain closed today and right through until 4th January 2015.

SUNDAY 28TH DECEMBER 2014

In Pursuit of Happiness (Dunya or Deen): Imam Muhammad Asim Hussain. A seminar about changes, and restoring a sense of direction, purpose and control in life. 8-10pm, Portobello Islamic and Education Centre, 3 Fishwives Causeway, Portobello. Free.

Filmhouse Junior: Frozen (PG). Special singalong screenings of this magical film. 10.45am and 11am, Filmhouse, Lothian Road. £3.50 per person, big or small; book online or call the box office on 0131 228 2688. (The film will also be screened in the afternoon 28 December 2014 to 4th January 2015 – normal ticket prices will apply to these screenings).

Festival of Sacred Music: Service of Nine Lessons and Carols. 10.45am, Mayfield Salisbury Parish Church, 1a Mayfield Road.

Sofi’s Christmas Present Swap: if you received presents you didn’t need/like or already have, bring them along to Sofi’s and swap with other ungrateful people! Arrive with one present, leave with another one – what could be simpler? (There will be rules…) Sofi’s Awards 2014 will also be announced tonight, and there will be nibbles and bubbly. Arrive on time to get registered! 7pm, Sofi’s Bar, 65 Henderson Street.

St C’s @ SIX: carol singing and a simple meal in the spirit of AGAPE. All welcome. 6pm, St Columba’s-by-the-Castle, 14 Johnston Terrace.