Today there will be two showings of films designed to have you on the edge of your seat in awe rather than fear. Get along to the Festival Theatre to be thrilled by the two and a half hour long film showcase of from the Banff Mountain Film Festival. In fact you could go to both the afternoon and the evening shows as they will feature different films!
Among this year’s films the Tour features some of the UK’s most talented adventurers, athletes and film makers, such as the star of ‘The Ridge’ Danny MacAskill (from Scotland), and Yorkshireman Rob Jarman in ‘All my own stunts’. ‘Into the empty corner’ follows the amazing journey of British adventurers Alastair Humphreys and Leon McCarron, and the inspirational story of ‘Tashi and the monk’ is brought to the big screen by film makers Andrew Hinton and Johnny Burke.
Victoria Bar Singles Night! 8pm,Victoria, 265 Leith Walk
Polish Rhymetime: 11am today and every second Saturday, Piershill Library, 30 Piersfield Terrace. All very welcome to come and join in the fun.
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. Free: no booking required.
Tiger Tales: stories and crafts for children aged 4-8 years. 3-4pm, Fountainbridge Library, 137 Dundee Street. Free.
Edinburgh League of Comics Manga Workshops: learn how to create your own characters, script a story and take home your very own comic book! For ages 10+. 2-4pm, Kirkliston Library, 16 Station Road. To book your place drop into the library and speak to Nicola, or call her on 0131 529 5510/email kirkliston.library@edinburgh.gov.uk. If you can’t make it today, there will be another workshop on 31st January 2015.
ABJAD: an exhibition by four artists, Jane Bustin, Kevin Harman, Paul Keir and Jeff McMillan ‘who, in their sometimes sideways approach to abstraction, balance conceptual concerns with an intuitive touch’. 10am-6pm Monday to Saturday until 21st March 2015, Ingelby Gallery, 15 Calton Road.
Macastory: The Two Rabbies. A fun-filled show with not one but two Rabbie Burns, each claiming to be the real McCoy! The audience must decide who is telling the truth as the Rabbies tell outrageous tall tales of their amazing adventures, and perform songs and verses from the Bard himself. 12 noon, 2pm or 3pm (40 minute sessions), Hawthornden Court, Level 1, National Museum of Scotland, Chambers Street. Free: just drop in. Also at same times on Sunday 25th January 2015.
Edinburgh Society of Musicians: Dream Team concert. Kirsteen Davidson Kelly plays new piano compositions by Vroni Holzmann, inspired by the landscape of the Alps, Swedish forests and seascapes. 7.30pm, Edinburgh Society of Musicians, 3 Belford Road. Admission free.
Balerno Village Screen: Les Miserables (12). Set against the backdrop of 19th century France, Les Miserables tells an enthralling story of broken dreams and unrequited love, passion, sacrifice and redemption – a timeless testament to the survival of the human spirit. This screening will be a #pitchfever fundraiser for a 2G pitch at Balerno School, and coincides with the production of Les Miserables that Balerno High School pupils are currently preparing: some of them will be along to perform before the screening. 12.30-3pm (doors open at 12 noon), St Joseph’s Hall, Balerno, EH14 7TZ. Tickets are free, and can be booked via eventbrite or collected from The Mill Cafe or Balerno Post Office. If you can’t get a ticket, you are welcome to turn up and will be given a seat if there are no-shows: if you have a ticket and can’t make it, please cancel so that someone else can come along. Balerno Village Screen is a community cinema funded by donations.
Works On Paper 2015: a selection of prints, drawings and watercolours from the storerooms of The Fine Art Society Edinburgh and London. Artists include Gerald Brockhurst, Sir David Wilkie, Robert Austin, Walter Geikie, James McBey, Mabel Royds and Charles Tunnicliffe. 11am-4pm (closes today), Dundas Street Gallery, 6a Dundas Street.
It’s In The Bag: rhymes, drama, creative games and puppets, with lots of well-loved Scottish songs throughout. (1) Sam & Rosie’s Tartan Tea Party – for ages 0-2 years, 2.15pm (10am show already sold out), (2) Sam & Rosie’s Highland Adventure: The Mystery of the Lost Haggis – for ages 3-6 years, 11.15am or 1pm, Storytelling Court, Scottish Storytelling Centre, 43-45 High Street. Tickets cost £6 per child and can be purchased online here or by calling 0131 556 9579. Please remember to book a free adult ticket too.
Burns for Beginners: Robert Burns’ keys poems and songs are performed to a cracking live music accompaniment, along with discussion, context and English subtitles. A sell-out at TradFest Edinburgh 2014 and Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2014 ‘this is the show about Burns that Burns would want to see!’ For ages 12+. 7.30pm, Netherbow Centre, Scottish Storytelling Centre, 43-45 High Street. Tickets cost £8/£4 and can be booked online here or by calling SSC on 0131 556 9579.
St Bride’s Family Cinema – see your favourite film for free! Adventure, excitement, fun and laughs – they’re all here. All welcome: children under 16 years must be accompanied by an adult. Juice and choc ices available in the interval for 50p each. This week: The Lego Movie (U), next week: Dumbo (U). 10.30am-12.30pm (includes interval), St Bride’s Centre, Orwell Terrace.
Family Saturdays at the French Institute: La Galette des Rois. The first event in a new series of ‘rendez-vous’ in French; an opportunity for children aged 3 to 10 years to discover a popular piece of French culture. This time, the tales, songs and crafts are all about ‘la Galette des Rois’ – and is there anything better than finishing this event with a delicious Galette tasting? 12 noon-2pm, Institut francais d’Ecosse, 13 Randolph Crescent. Price per child £5/members £3. No booking required. Please note: parents must stay with their children.
Winter Guided Walk: join a Garden Guide for a leisurely afternoon walk round the Garden. Discover stunning seasonal highlights and learn about the history of the Garden and its plants. For ages 14+. 2pm, John Hope Gateway Reception, Royal Botanic Garden of Edinburgh, Inverleith Row. £5 per person: no advance booking necessary. Also at same time on Sunday 25th January 2015.
Traditional Scottish Music at Morningside Library: following a successful performance last year, Derek, John and Lindsay return for a morning of traditional Scottish music. 11.30am-12.30pm, Morningside Library, 184 Morningside Road. No need to book – just turn up.
Scottish Society of Architect Artists: Art4X. An exhibition and sale of art works organised jointly by the SSAA and the University of Edinburgh, in support of the University’s Patrick Wild Centre. The Centre’s mission is to understand the neuronal basis of, and test new therapies for, autism, fragile X syndrome and intellectual disabilities by fostering collaborations between world class basic science and clinical research at the University of Edinburgh. A selection of guest artists and Ligne et Couleur (Ligne et Couleur is the name of the SSAA’s counterpoint associations in other European countries) colleagues from France, Germany, Italy and Poland who have exhibited with SSAA over the last three decades have been invited to contribute works for the exhibition and auction as part of Art4X. 10am-12 noon, Sculpture Hall, Edinburgh College of Art, Lauriston Place.
Israel-Palestine Prayer Vigil: Polwarth will hold this month’s prayer vigil for peace between Israel and Palestine. Vigils have been held all over the country since troubles flared in Gaza last summer; they are organised jointly by the Church of Scotland’s World Mission Council, Christian Aid and other supporting agencies. The morning will include an overview of Church of Scotland’s and Christian Aid’s work in the area and a talk about the work of the YWCA Women and the Wall. 10am-12 noon, Polwarth Parish Church, Polwarth Terrace. All welcome.
