Out of the Blue Flea Market: rummage for treasures at over 45 stalls bursting with clothes, jewellery, small furniture, music, books, bric a brac and much more. Delicious coffee and cake and light lunches available to purchase from the Drill Hall Arts Cafe. 10am-3pm, Out of the Blue Drill Hall, 36 Dalmeny Street.
Chasing Ice: a film showing the impact of climate change, followed by a discussion with Heather Anderson, owner of Whitmuir Farm, about organic production and carbon reduction. A light lunch will then be available. 12 noon-3pm, St James’ Church, 11a John’s Place. Leith. All welcome. For details and booking email harriet@himalyancentre.org or call 07949 740030. Free.
Queensferry Fair Trade Group One World Coffee Morning: delicious food and drink, gorgeous accessories, beautiful baby clothes and more. Coffee, tea and chocolate tastings. 10am-12 noon, Queensferry Parish Church Centre, The Loan, South Queensferry. Admission £2, accompanied children free.
Beyond The Veil – Stories of the Prophets: The Prophet Idrees. Storytelling, activities and snacks for ages 5-10 years. 2-4pm, Munro Centre, 6 Park Grove Street. £2 per child. Advance registration is required, and as places fill very quickly it is advisable to book as soon as possible: please email beyondtheveil@hotmail.co.uk with your name, your child’s name and age, your contact number and email address, and details of any allergies your child may have. Beyond The Veil is a Muslim women’s group based in Edinburgh, aiming to promote a better understanding of Islam through participating in community events and projects and working with partner organisations. For more information see the group’s Facebook page here.
Edinburgh Studio Opera: The Magic Flute. Mozart’s ever popular magical tale, set in Persia is ‘a vibrant and colourful re-imagining of a classic’. The two-act opera follows Prince Tamino and bird catcher Papageno as they attempt to rescue the beautiful Princess Pamina; along the way Tamino and Papageno have many adventures, and discover that not all is what it seems ‘A light-hearted but profound examination of man’s search for love and his struggle to attain wisdom and virtue’. 7.30pm, Lauriston Hall, 28 Lauriston Street, Tollcross. Tickets cost £10/£6 and can be obtained via We Got Tickets here. For further information and ticketing enquiries, please contact esoproducer@gmail.com or call 07946 149968. Edinburgh Studio Opera was founded as Edinburgh University Opera Club in 1968. For some time it has been very successfully run by students, with professional directors and musical directors whenever possible: this production is directed by Lloyd Llewellyn Jones, Senior Lecturer in Ancient History at the University of Edinburgh, with musical direction by renowned conductor and cellist William Conway (Chamber Orchestra of Scotland) ‘an artistic director with an eye for intelligent programming and…a flair for the unpredictable’ (Financial Times), assisted by Peter Keenan.
Family Saturdays: Carnaval. Introduce your children to a popular piece of French culture at this all-in-French Saturday session: this morning they will explore the French tradition of ‘carnaval’ through tales, crafts and songs in French – plus crepes and gauffres to taste! For ages 3-10 years: all children are asked to come in costume. 12 noon-2pm, Institut francais d’Ecosse, 13 Randolph Crescent. Tickets cost £5 (members £3) per child, accompanying adults must stay with their children and are admitted free. To book email accueil@ifecosse.org.uk.
Spotlight On: Game Masters. Take a historical journey with Professor Gregor White (University of Abertay) from the original Arcade Heroes to Scotland’s current international success, tracking the development of video games and a look at what the future might hold. For ages 14+. 2-3.30pm (doors open 1.45pm), Auditorium Level One, National Museum of Scotland, Chambers Street. Free but ticketed: booking may be made via the NMS Information Desk or online here.
100th Pentland Scout Group Jumble Sale and Afternoon Tea: including books, bric a brac, CDs/games, toys (mostly under £1), clothes and baby equipment. 2.30-4.30pm, Barclay Viewforth Church, (Barclay Terrace Door), Bruntsfield. Admission £1/50p. Donations may be dropped off between 6pm and 9pm on Friday at the church.
Bookbug: songs and rhymes for young children and their parents/carers. 10.30am today and every Saturday and Tuesday, Corstorphine Library, 12 Kirk Loan. Free: all very welcome!
National Gallery Highlight Tours: an introduction to and tour of the National Gallery’s permanent collection, focusing on key paintings. 2-2.45pm or 3-3.45pm, Scottish National Gallery, The Mound. Free and unticketed.
One Touch Theatre: Love 2.0. Gary is a catch – on Facebook at least; he’s virtually a virtual dream man – smart, funny, profound, a certified Lad. He even likes all the same things as Susie..but when the pair try to move their whirlwind virtual romance into the real world, things don’t go quite according to plan. Love 2.0 is an outrageous new comedy about dating in the age of social media, where Facebook profiles are brought vividly to life on stage, and nothing is quite what it seems. Written and directed by Andy McGregor. For ages 16+. 7.30pm, Netherbow Theatre, Scottish Storytelling Centre, 43-45 High Street. Tickets cost £10/£8 and may be booked online here or by calling the Centre on 0131 556 9579.
St Bride’s Family Cinema: see your favourite films for free! Juice and choc ices available in the interval for 50p each. Children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Today’s film: Despicable Me (U) next week: Yogi Bear (U). 10.30am-12.30pm (includes interval), St Bride’s Centre, 10 Orwell Terrace, Dalry.
Edinburgh Fair Trade Fortnight Festival: fair trade stalls, speakers from Craft Aid Mauritius, children’s activities, storytelling and Edinburgh Contemporary Choir, plus free fair trade refreshments from Nutmeg Bakehouse. 10.30am-2.30pm, Summerhall, 1 Summerhall. Free admission.
Police Scotland Crime Prevention Stall: free advice on home and personal security. 1-3pm, Morningside Library, 184 Morningside Road. Free, no appointment needed – just come along.
Canongate Kirk Concert: University of Manchester Medical Orchestra and Choir with a mixture of old and new choral pieces and chamber music. 6pm, Canongate Kirk, 153 Canongate.
Our Tribe: LGBTQI Rights Are Human Rights. A panel discussion with speakers including Tim Hopkins (Director of the Equality Network), Matthew Waites (Senior Lecturer at the University of Glasgow) and Catherine Somerville (Policy Officer at Stonewall Scotland). Each speaker will talk about the lives of LGBTQI folk and their human rights in different countries. There will be a Q & A session followed by a wee sample of food from each country, symbolising solidarity and companionship. This event hopes to raise awareness, activism and solidarity with the worldwide LGBTQI community. 7pm (doors open 6.30pm), Augustine United Church, George IV Bridge. Our Tribe is the name of the Augustine United Church’s LGBT ministry.
Cramond Corner Cafe: a weekly youth cafe where children, teens, parents and grandparents can meet, with teas, coffees, biscuits and tuck shop, plus games and activities. This week: Easter Egg Hunt. 2-4pm, Cramond Kirk Hall, Cramond Glebe Road. For more information see the Cafe’s Facebook page.
Edinburgh Society of Musicians: pianist Mark Spalding plays music by Alkan, Chopin, Beethoven, Bartok and Skryabin. 7.30pm prompt, Edinburgh Society of Musicians, 3 Belford Road. Free admission: all welcome. The Edinburgh Society of Musicians is an organisation which has promoted practical music making in Edinburgh since 1887.
Scots Music Group Ceilidh with The Thunderdog Ceilidh Band. Licensed bar (no BYOB), free water available. 7.30pm, with dancing from 8pm to 12 midnight, St Bride’s Centre, 10 Orwell Terrace, Dalry. Tickets cost £8/£6 in advance or £10/£8 on the door, and are available from the Scots Music Group online here or by calling 0131 555 7668, or from St Bride’s.
LGBT Trans Swap & Shop: a relaxed and fun opportunity to browse, try on and buy a range of clothes – and/or to donate clothes and other useful items to trans people. In a safe and supportive space you can explore your gender expression and build your confidence with the chance to socialise and meet new people. 11am-3pm, venue TBC. Booking is preferred – please contact Jules Stapleton Barnes on 0131 523 1104 or email jules@lgbthealth.org.uk.
Gasland Part Two: a Documentary about Fracking. ‘the barely believable truth in beyond shocking detail’, ‘everyone should see it’. 7pm (screening will start at 7) , ACE (Autonomous Centre of Edinburgh), 17 West Montgomery Place.
St John’s Book Exchange and Bake Sale: bring your friends, bring a book in good condition and exchange it for another. Tea & cake provided. Books and home baking will also be on sale. Organised by the St John’s Tuesday Evening Book Group in aid of the St John’s Development Fund. 2-5pm, St John’s Episcopal Church, Princes Street. Free admission, with donations welcomed for the Development Fund.
Liquid State/The Canary Trap/Murder of Crows/Living in Lies: 7pm, Cabaret Voltaire, Blair Street. £5, tickets available from Liquid State band members. Please note: this event is strictly for ages 14+ only and ID will be required.
Vegas! Scotland’s award-winning retro club night; an evening of cocktails and cool, showgirls and swing, roulette and romance, with DJs Frankie Sumatra, Bugsy Seagull, Sam Jose and Nuno Endo, plus Nikki Nevada and The Vegas Showgirls, and The Fabulous Scott Brothers. For over-18s only. 8.30pm-1am, The Ballroom, The Voodoo Rooms, 19a West Register Street. Tickets cost £6 (+ transaction fee) in advance here, or £7 on the door.
