Wednesday in Edinburgh – What’s On Today

Greyfriars Bobby’s Headstone Service and Reception: following the sound of the 1 o’clock gun, local schoolchildren will lay flowers on  the Skye Terrier’s grave. Also in attendance will be Laurie Aitken of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, who will say a few words about the fire that destroyed Old Greyfriars 170 years ago. 12.50pm, Greyfriars Kirk, Greyfriars Place. .

Undressing Beauty: Women, Dress and the Early Modern: dress historian Elisabeth Gernerd probes the function of dress and adornment on the painted canvas. Drawing on works in the NGS collection, she will discuss how the display of the dressed and undressed female body became cultural currency in the mediation of social status, reputation and the construction of femininity in the early modern period.  12.45-1.15pm, Scottish National Gallery, The Mound. Free and unticketed.

Bookbug: rhymes and songs for young children and their parents/carers. 10.30-11am, Oxgangs Library, Oxgangs Road North. Free.

LGBT: Just for Men. A relaxed social opportunity for men to meet other GBT men in one of Edinburgh’s newest LGBT-friendly bars. For ages 18+. 6.30-8.30pm, Woodland Creatures, 260-262 Leith Walk. For more information contact admin@lgbthealth.org.uk.

Wiff Waff Wednesday: a monthly ping pong night for all ages, with music, plus food and drink available from the Drill Hall Arts Cafe. ‘Friendship first, competition second’. 6-10.30pm, Out of the Blue Drill Hall, 35 Dalmeny Street. Free entry: all very welcome. See event’s Facebook page for more information.

 

Open Eye Gallery – New Exhibitions: Coastline: fourteen exhibitors, including Richard Demarco, Henry Kondracki and Frances Walker, celebrate the diverse range of British coastal scenery that acts as a source of inspiration for many artists; Shetland, an exhibition of new paintings by Ruth Brownlee exploring the visual drama and rugged environment of the islands that have been home to Ruth since 1998; Works on Paper, a showcase of intimate and personal drawings by Aberdeen-born Alberto Morrocco OBE (1917-1998), inspired by his personal life and surroundings. Morrocco spent  most of his professional life as Head of Painting at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art in Dundee, where he maintained a strong belief in conventional teaching methods, quality of line and meticulous draftsmanship. 10am-6pm Monday to Friday, 10am-4pm Saturdays until 11th February 2015 (Ruth Brownlee exhibition ends 9th February 2015), Open Eye Gallery, 34 Abercromby Place.

Let’s Talk About…Understanding Disease: Obesity – How Do Our Genes Contribute? The Queen’s Medical Research Institute Public Lecture Series looks at how genes and the environment contribute to obesity and how current research in Edinburgh on natural resistance to obesity hopes to lead to medicines that can prevent and treat it. Speakers: Dr Mandy Drake and Dr Nik Morton, University of Edinburgh/BHF Centre for Cardiovascular Science. 5.30-6.45pm (doors open 4.45pm), QMRI, Little France Crescent. Free tickets can be booked via eventbrite. This lecture series is sponsored by the Medical Research Council.

Common Crafts: come and discover common threads, common stitches and common stories in an evening that explores how crafts can quietly yet colourfully get a message across. For those with lots of experience, some experience or just curiosity – please bring any examples of things you’ve done or come across. 7-9.30pm, Area C Coffeehouse, 239-241 Leith Walk.

Lauriston Jesuit Centre Environmental Series 2015: Adrian Shaw, Climate Change Officer, Eco Congregation Scotland, will talk about Fracking. 7.30-9pm, Lauriston Jesuit Centre, 28 Lauriston Street. Contact the centre for more information – call 0131 477 5788 or email centre@lauriston.org.uk. All welcome: free.

Scottish Urban Myths and Ancient Legends: Grace Banks and Sheena Blackhall celebrate their new book with an evening of song and story. All welcome to attend, and even to contribute in some way – with music, song, story or poetry. 6-8pm, Scottish Storytelling Centre, 43-45 High Street. Free and unticketed.

Gaelic Workshop: a very informal language class/workshop for total beginners. 2.30-3.30pm, Forest Cafe, 141 Lauriston Place. Free: all welcome.

Lunchtime Concert: Will Pickvance Piano Speak – piano improvisations and repartee. 12.15pm, St Giles’ Cathedral, High Street. Free.

WEA and Citadel Arts Group present When The War Came Home: a new play about World War One and its impact on Edinburgh.When The War Came Home gives voice to the part played by local people caught up in Zeppelin raids, working in munitions, and fighting on the Front. Historical figures include Edinburgh doctor Elsie Inglis, Sir George McRae who led the Hearts players into battle, Wilfred Owen teaching at Tynecastle High, and Chrystal Macmillan, who courageously opposed the war. 7-9pm, St Bride’s Centre, Orwell Terrace. Tickets cost £8/£6 and can be obtained from Fiona Tennick: call 01875 340717 or email ftennick@hotmail.com. Also at Tynecastle High School, 2 McLeod Street at same time on Friday 16th January 2015.

The Old Edinburgh Club Resurrecting a Lost Landscape: A Tour of Rothiemay’s Edinburgh in 1647. Speaker: Dr Aaron Allen. 7pm Augustine United Church, George IV Bridge. All welcome: free for members, £5 for non-members (membership £20 pa). Disabled access and induction loop available.

Zoo Arts Pop Up Session: Plastic Fantastic – Experimenting with Design. For ages 9-14 years. 4-5.30pm, Muirhouse Community Shop, Pennywell Road. Free. (Regular sessions at North Edinburgh Arts will resume on 21st January 2015).