Danny MacAskill The Ridge - image
Danny MacAskill: The Ridge

Balerno Village Screen: 2.30-4pm, Mr Peabody and Sherman (U), and 7.30-9pm,What We Did On Our Holiday (12A)St Joseph’s Centre, Johnsburn Road, Balerno. This month’s screenings will all be preceded by Danny MacAskill’s brilliant new video The Ridge, in which – for the first time in one of his films – Danny climbs aboard a mountain bike and returns to Skye, his native home, to take on a death-defying ride along the notorious Cuillin Ridgeline. Come along and enjoy it on the big screen in all its glory – much better than watching it online! Please register your intention to attend either via BVS’s online booking page (no fees) or by picking up a ticket in Balerno Post Office or the Mill Cafe. Balerno Village Screen is a community cinema offering free admission: it is funded by donations.

Lunchtime Organ Recital: Andrew Caskie (Palmerston Place Church) plays Mendelssohn Overture to St Paul, Hollins Concert Toccata and works by Durufle, Griveau and John Gardner. 12.20-1.15pm, St Cuthbert’s Parish Church, 5 Lothian Road. Free: retiring collection.

dugs in pubs 2015

Sofi’s Dugs in Pubs: the first canine event for 2015! Bring your dug to meet with his pals and have a tail wag. 12 noon, Sofi’s Bar, 63 Henderson Street.

girls rock school poster

Girls Rock School Launch Party with The Twistettes, MiaouMix, The Megaphone Choir and Rhubaba. Think bands are just for boys? WRONG! Ever thought about taking up an instrument and starting a band? What’s stopping you – think you can’t sing or play? We don’t care – wanting to try something new and having a positive rock attitude is more important than perfect pitch, and instruments can be learned! From 16th February Girls Rock will be running six free/by donation weekly workshops, led by experienced musicians, in vocals, electric guitar, bass and drums for women (trans inclusive) for over 18s. The workshops will take place on Monday evenings at St Margaret’s House, 152 London Road; the launch party is tonight, 7-10pm, Wee Red Bar, Edinburgh College of Art – enter via Lady Lawson Street. £5/£3 per person. To reserve your place in the workshops, email girlsrockschool@gmail.com or go to www.girlsrockschool.wordpress.com. See Facebook event page for more information.

Perception

Edinburgh Iranian Festival: Perception Opening Night. The Perception multi-artform exhibition showcases the work of forty Iranian and non-Iranian artists from all over the world, inspired by Iran, who responded to an open call for submissions. Disciplines included photography, video, installation, multi-media, painting and sculpture, and over 200 submissions were received, of which those on show were selected by a judging panel. Tonight singer and songwriter Azadeh will give a musical performance, accompanied by Nourbakhsh (percussion), Nicole Robson (cello) and Chris Jerome (keyboard). This will be followed by a prize giving ceremony, drinks reception and a preview of the exhibition. 8.30-10pm, Summerhall, 1 Summerhall. Free admission. Perception continues at Summerhall until 16th February 2015.

National Libraries Day: Art with Susan Dalgliesh. Come and meet the artist, who will spend the day in the Fine Art Library making art and explaining her techniques. Join in with a project if you wish! There will also be an exhibition of art by children attending Susan’s art club. 10am-5pm, Fine Art Library (Central Library), George IV Bridge.

National Libraries Day: Treasures of the Library. A rare chance to see some of the rare jewels in the Library’s historic collections. 1.30-2.30pm, Boardroom, Central Library, George IV Bridge.

Portrait Gallery Thematic Tours: A Few of My Favourite Things. Monthly thematic tours of the Portrait Gallery’s collection, Not ‘raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens’ but Susanna Kerr’s personal collection of some of the most mysterious, moving, quirky or enchanting works in the collection! 2-2.45pm or 3-3.45pm, Scottish National Portrait Gallery, 1 Queen Street. Free and unticketed.

Edinburgh Celebrity City Guide book cover

National Libraries Day: Edinburgh: Celebrity City Guide. Writer Joanna Soroka talks about her book, which connects Edinburgh’s most notable people to its streets. Edinburgh: Celebrity City Guide details the lives of one hundred of the city’s most famous people, along with illustrations and maps of the places where they lived, worked or dallied. 2-3pm, Stockbridge Library, 11 Hamilton Place. To book call 0131 529 5665 or email stockbridge.library@edinburgh.gov.uk.

National Libraries Day Monster Workshop! Let your imagination go wild as you design and draw monsters with illustrator Cate James. For ages 6-8. 10.30-11.30am, Children’s Library (next to Central Library), George IV Bridge. Free but please book via eventbrite here.

St Mark's Portobello FebFest coffee morning poster

FebFest Coffee Morning and Sale: home baking, bacon rolls, cards, children’s activities, raffle, books and gifts. 11am-1pm, St Mark’s Church, 287 Portobello High Street.

National Libraries Day: Help Make A Book Tree. Help make the library’s Book Tree with leaves made from your reader recommendations; tell us about your favourite books and maybe pick up someone else’s favourite. 10am-2pm, Colinton Library, 14 Thorburn Road.

Darkness Visible: a series of feature films selected to accompany Christopher Orr’s exhibition The Beguiled Eye at the University of Edinburgh’s Talbot Rice Gallery. Each film reflects different elements in Orr’s work, from the enchantment and terror of the Ozark mountains in Winter’s Bone to the barren, ominous desolation of Tarkovsky’s ‘Zone’ in Stalker, and the unearthly mystery and sense of adventure in Super 8. Each film will be introduced by an assistant curator from Talbot Rice. Today: Super 8 (12A). 3.40pm, Filmhouse, Lothian Road. Tickets can be booked online or by calling the Box Office on 0131 228 2688: prices vary. Series continues on Sunday 8th and Monday 9th February 2015. Read The Edinburgh Reporter’s review of The Beguiled Eye here.

Guess How Much I Love You cover

Guess How Much I Love You Activity Weekend: balloons, activities and prizes to celebrate the 20th anniversary of this much-loved picture book – and while you’re in the store, you can make a Valentine’s Day card for the person you love ‘to the moon and back’. 10am-2pm, Waterstones West End, 128 Princes Street. For more information call 0131 226 2666.

 Hassan Mekinfam exhibition image

The Art of Hassan Meshkinfam: the first exhibition in Scotland of this renowned Iranian artist. A chance to see a wide selection of Hassan Meshkinfam’s work, from figurative paintings and watercolour landscapes to a new series of collages produced around the work of the Persian poet Nima Yushij, (whose life and work will be celebrated at the gallery on 14th February). Open preview 5-7pm tonight, then 11am-5pm Tuesday to Saturday, The Sutton Gallery, 18a Dundas Street. Exhibition closes 28th February 2015.

National Libraries Day: Tiger Tales. A special book-themed Tiger Tales for children. 10am, Colinton Library, 14 Thorburn Road. Please call library on 0131 529 5603 to check times.

Drawing From Nature: design and print greetings cards with a springtime theme, using handmade paper and plant-based inks. For all ages. 1-4pm, Real Life Science Studio, John Hope Gateway, Royal Botanic Garden of Edinburgh, Inverleith Row. Free, no booking required. Also at same times on Sunday 8th February 2015.

Drumbrae Library Mini Video Games Fest poster

National Libraries Day Mini Video Games Fest: join in the competitive fun with a big-screen FIFA tournament, take a trip through gaming history with some retro game machines, plus Minecraft and fun multiplayer action. For ages 8+. 1.30-4.30pm, Drumbrae Library Hub, 81 Drum Brae Drive.

Tours for National Libraries Day: take this opportunity to learn more about the National Library, the collections, services, exhibitions and events, and see behind the scenes. 10am or 12 noon (11am tour already full), National Library of Scotland, George IV Bridge. Places are limited so booking is essential, either online here or by calling 0131 623 3734.

Azadeh at NMS for Iranian Festival

Edinburgh Iranian Festival at the National Museum: a day of music, fashion and debate inspired by Iran. Events will include a Persian Chic Fashion Show and panel discussion on contemporary Iranian fashion, a performance by Persian folk singer and songwriter Azadeh, and a curator-led viewing of a display of ancient Iranian garments. 1-4pm, National Museum of Scotland, Chambers Street. Free. For details of times and locations within the museum, please see the NMS website.

National Libraries Day: Music with the Clarsach Society. Members of the Edinburgh branch of the Clarsach Society perform solos, songs, duets and ensembles. 2-2.20pm and 2.35-2.55pm, Central Library, George IV Bridge.

Emma Mogridge: Liquid Sun
Emma Mogridge: Liquid Sun

Gallery Ten: new exhibitions. Robert Powell: artist in print, Liam Flynn: vessels in wood, Stephen Nolan: paintings, and Emma Mogridge: jewellery collection. Preview today 2-4.30pm, then 10.30am-5.30pm Tuesday to Saturday, Gallery Ten, 10 Stafford Street. Exhibitions end 14th March 2015.

The Fall of the Wall, Berlin, by Barbara Klemm
The Fall of the Wall, Berlin, by Barbara Klemm

Leap In Time: an exhibition of work by two German photographers, Erich Salomon (1886-1944) and Barbara Klemm (born 1939). Working primarily as photojournalists, both have produced unique documentary images of their time, including photographs of many of the most important people, places and moments of the 20th century and early 21st century history in Germany and elsewhere. 11am-6pm daily, Stills, 23 Cockburn Street until 5th April 2015. An exhibition of the Institute for Cultural Relations, Germany in cooperation with the Goethe Institute, Glasgow.

Madagascar Escape 2 Africa second image

St Bride’s Family Cinema: see your favourite film for free! Juice and choc ices available to buy in the interval at 50p each. This week: Madagascar Escape 2 Africa (PG). 10.30am-12.30pm (includes interval), St Bride’s Centre, Orwell Place, Dalry. Please note all children under 16 must be accompanied by an adultNext week: Shrek 2 (U).

National Libraries Day: Mystery Book Lucky Dip. Don’t know which book to start, or looking for something a little bit different? Try Balerno Library’s Mystery Book Challenge, with books handpicked by library staff. Balerno Library, 1 Main Street. Contact library for more details.

National Libraries Day: Redesign Your Library! Let your imagination run wild with the library’s Art Club and show us what you would have in your ideal library. For ages 5-12. 2-3pm, Muirhouse Library, 15a Pennywell Road. #strongernorth

The Big LGBT Music Jam: a creative and supportive space for making music. Play, sing your own song or just be an appreciative listener, all music tastes welcome. Bring your own instruments, some percussion supplied. 1-4pm, LGBT Health & Wellbeing, 9 Howe Street. For more information contact biglgbtmusicjamedinburgh@gmail.com.

National Libraries Day: Read and Remember World War I. Sing along to the songs of World War I, browse a selection of books and have a cuppa. 10.30-11.30am, Central Library, George IV Bridge.

lgbt_entrance

Edinburgh Trans Women: support group aimed at transsexual women at any stage of transition – women who are transgender and live as women full or part-time, and those who are questioning their gender identity.  We will look forward to meeting you and prefer you to email us the first time you want to visit. 7.30-9.30pm, LGBT Health & Wellbeing, 9 Howe Street. Contact: info@edinburghtranswomen.org.uk.

National Libraries Day: Bags of Love. Decorate a bag to carry your library books in. 10.30-11.30am, Sighthill Library, 55 Sighthill Road.

Pruning Day photo at Leith Links - Greener Leith

Greener Leith Annual Pruning Workshop Day: learn how to prune fruit trees at this free workshop run by Ben Dell from the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. Soup and sandwiches provided! To keep warm the group will also be carrying out general maintenance and a litter pick. 11am-2pm, Children’s Orchard, Leith Links. Booking required: contact charlotte@greenerleith.org. Please note that places are limited to 15 and priority will be given to people from Leith. Please dress appropriately for the cold weather and bring a pair of sharp secateurs if you have them. Children are welcome but must be supervised by an adult at all times.

National Libraries Day Bake Sale: come along and celebrate with a cake and a coffee. Corstorphine Library, 12 Kirk Loan: contact library for times.

National Libraries Day: Murakami Bingo. Currie Library, 210 Lanark Road. Please contact the library for details.

bookbug 3

National Libraries Day: Polish Bookbug. A new Polish Bookbug session with songs, rhymes and fun – and today with tea and biscuits for the whole community, to celebrate National Libraries Day. 10.30-11.30am, Granton Library, Wardieburn Terrace. All welcome!

+ posts