Stitch ‘n’ Time: award-winning sewing and crafting class led by a professional textile craftswoman. The group focuses on projects that help the community while learning new skills and sharing a cuppa! All levels and abilities welcome. 1-3pm today and every Tuesday until 31st March 2015, WHALE Arts, 30 Westburn Grove. Contact WHALE for more information: call 0131 458 3267 or email info@whalearts.co.uk.
eBook Surgery: get help with downloading free eBooks, audiobooks and emagazines. 2-3.30pm, Central Library, George IV Bridge. Free: no appointment necessary.
Dramarama: teen drama group. If you’re interested in acting, theatre or drama, if you want to build up your confidence, try new things or simply make new friends, this workshop’s for you! Try some fun drama games, explore the basics of drama, including mime, improvisation and working with scripts. For ages 12-16. 5.30-6.30pm today and every Tuesday, Corstorphine Library, 12 Kirk Loan. Free, but please book your space by calling the library on 0131 529 5506 – or drop into the library and speak to the staff.
Bookbug: rhymes and songs for young children and their parents/carers. 10.30-11am today and every Tuesday, Corstorphine Library, 12 Kirk Loan. Free. Also at same time on Saturdays.
Women for Independence: coffee, tea and chat with Jeane Freeman and Elaine C Smith. 7-9.30pm, Area C Coffeehouse, 239-241 Leith Walk.
The Speakeasy: guest host Fiona Herbert presents an evening of comedy, storytelling, spoken word and music, featuring some Speakeasy favourites and several new faces, including Alan Bissett, Wil Hodgson, Lach, Eva O’Connor, Loud Poets and Scott Gibson. For ages 16+. 8-10pm, Scottish Storytelling Centre, 43-45 High Street. Tickets cost £7 and can be booked via the Centre’s website here or by calling the Box Office on 0131 556 9579.
Retro Gaming Night: still trying to crack your top time on Super Mario Bros? Still think the ZX Spectrum is the greatest computer ever? A geeky night of retro computer and console games! 6-11.45pm, The Counting House Bar, 36 West Nicolson Street. Free entry.
Old Chain Pier Pub Quiz: with prizes! 8pm, Old Chain Pier, 32 Trinity Cresent. £5 entry fee per team.
Edinburgh Vegan Book Group: monthly session organised by Edinburgh Vegan Meetup Group and Imogen Michel. 6pm, Henderson’s, 94 Hanover Street. For more information see the Edinburgh Vegan Meetup page here.
Morningside Heritage Association: Col Robert Watson speaks on The Role of the Royal Scots in World War One. 6.45 for 7.15pm, Morningside Parish Church Hall, Cluny Gardens/Braid Road. £3 for non-members; this will be deducted from the annual membership fee of £12 if you choose to join at the end of the meeting.
Emerging Artists Series: String Sound. Discover some new talent from a range of great young professional musicians at the start of their careers. String Sound are Marisa Manuel (violin), David Munn (cello) and Stewart Wilson (double bass). They combine their expertise and creativity to devise concerts that will excite, delight and ignite the imagination of listeners, young and old, with music from a wide range of genres, from Mozart to Madonna and Faure to Frank Sinatra. There will be an opportunity to meet the artists in the cafe bar at 11.45am, after the concert. 11am, Usher Hall, Lothian Road. Tickets £3/free to students and schools: book via Usher Hall Box Office, in person, by phone or online. The Emerging Artists Series is presented by the Usher Hall in partnership with Live Music Now! Scotland, a unique scheme founded in 1997 by Yehudi Menuhin to bring joy and the inspiration of live music to those who have limited access to it, and to support the professional development of musicians at the outset of their careers. Next week: Emma Versteeg (soprano) and Maryam Sherhan (piano).
Silver Screen Club: if you are 60+, join Picturehouse’s Silver Screen Club and enjoy weekly shows for just £5, which includes tea/coffee and biscuits. Membership is free – just ask for a Silver Screen membership card at the Box Office. Today – 1pm: Big Eyes, 12 noon and 3.30pm: Birdman, 12.15pm and 2.45pm: Foxcatcher, 3.30pm The Imitation Game. Cameo Cinema, Home Street. Book via website or call the Box Office on 0871 902 5723. (Under 60s are welcome to attend these screenings, but normal ticket prices will apply for them).
