Davy Macdonald: Gothic Edinburgh – a figurative narrative set against some of Edinburgh’s most renowned Gothic architecture. The collection features historic landmarks and revered monuments such as Holyrood Abbey, St Giles’ Cathedral, the Old Town closes and some stunning Gothic Revival architecture. Davy Macdonald is a figurative artist based in Edinburgh. 10am-6pm Dundas Street Gallery, 6 Dundas Street. Ends 28th March 2015.
Balerno Branch Railway Weekend: Colinton Local History Society, Colinton Village Events and The Water of Leith Conservation Trust host a model railway exhibition of Colinton Station and the surrounding area (including the adjacent Scott’s Porage Oats mill), created by enthusiast Alistair Dickson, along with other displays of maps and photographs of the Balerno Branch Line. During the heyday of the Caledonian Railway’s Balerno Branch up to 21 passenger trains ran daily, carrying over 250,000 passengers a year. The line closed in 1943. Alistair will give a talk about the creation of the model at 2pm today and again at 11.30am on Sunday, and there will be a guided Railway Ramble at 1pm on Sunday (see Sunday’s What’s On for details). 10am-4pm, Water of Leith Conservation Trust Visitor Centre, 24 Lanark Road. Also open at same times on Sunday 22nd March. The exhibition is free to visit, but donations would be much appreciated.
Metaphrog Comic Workshop: Metaphrog are John Chalmers and Sandra Marrs, creators of the multiple-award nominated and acclaimed Louis graphic novels. Metaphrog’s workshops are fun and interactive, showing the process involved in making graphic novels and revealing some of the secrets of character design and story development. There will also be a chance to create your own comic book character. For P7-S3 age group. 2.30-3.30pm, George Washington Browne Room , Central Library, George IV Bridge. Free but booking is required and can be made via eventbrite here.
Light Lab: join artist Kenny Bean in a hands-on workshop to explore light through building a simple portable camera obscura. (Materials required are included in the price). For all ages. 11am-4pm (drop-in – please note the workshop will be closed for lunch 1-2pm), Real Life Science Studio, John Hope Gateway, Royal Botanic Garden of Edinburgh, 20a Inverleith Row. £3 per person, no booking required.
Morningside Farmers’ Market: buy fresh food from local makers and reduce food miles too. Refreshments available throughout the market and from The Merlin. 9.30-3.30pm, The Merlin, 168 Morningside Road.
Linlithgow Green Film Festival: inspiring films and documentaries highlighting issues on the environment, climate change and sustainability. Today: The Economics of Happiness, a film describing a world moving simultaneously in two opposing directions. As governments and big business continue to press for ‘growth’ in the form of increased global trade, we see an increase in climate chaos, senseless war, fundamentalism, financial volatility, income inequality and the consolidation of corporate power. At the same time, people around the world are resisting these policies, demanding a re-regulation of trade and finance, and coming together to build more human-scale, ecological economies based on a new paradigm – an ‘economics of localisation’. 7pm, Adam Room, Cross House, Linlithgow. Admission by suggested donation of £5. Soft drinks and locally made cakes will be available. Transition Linlithgow is a community-led charity that aims to make Linlithgow a more caring, sharing and resilient place to live, with a focus on finding a beneficial pathway towards a low-carbon future.
St Brides Family Cinema: see your favourite films for free! Juice and choc ices available during the interval for 50p each. Please note: all children aged under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. This week: Ice Age 2: The Meltdown (U). 10.30am-12.30pm (includes interval), St Brides Centre, Orwell Terrace, Dalry.
Gallery Ten: new exhibitions. Prints by Cat Outram, paintings by Kirstie Cohen, jewellery by Becky Crow and ceramics by Emma Williams. 10.30am-5.30pm today then Tuesday to Saturday (closed Sundays & Mondays), Gallery Ten, 10 Stafford Street. Ends 2nd May 2015.
Samba into Spring! come and join the Edinburgh Samba School for a ‘funkin’ fundraising event’ in aid of Nordoff-Robbins, a charity providing music therapy for vulnerable children, young people and adults. A variety of Brazilian beats and musical treats, plus a chance to win prizes, including a free place on the Samba School’s next beginners’ course. 7.30-10.30pm, Summerhall, 1 Summerhall. Tickets cost £5 and can be booked via eventbrite here (booking fee applies).
Watching: Plants and Sleep. What makes you sleepy? Come and find out about the historical uses of plants to aid sleep, investigate the mysterious Venice Mallow or ‘Goodnight at noon’, learn why some violets were known as ‘heart’s-ease’ and discover why your doctor might have told you to sniff melons but to steer clear of garlic late at night! 1-4pm, Palm House, Royal Botanic Garden of Edinburgh, 20a Inverleith Row.
Harp Music Morning: Janet Annand will play in aid of Marie Curie Hospice Great Daffodil Appeal. 10.30am-12 noon, Morningside Library, 184 Morningside Road.
The Green Door: rock ‘n’ roll, rhythm ‘n’ blues, doo wop, surf, soul and garage – with free cake!. 10.30pm-3am, Studio 24, 24-26 Calton Road. £5/£4 (£2 before 11pm).
Ross MacKenzie: The Nowhere Emporium. The Scottish Children’s Book Award winner signs copies of his new book. When the mysterious Nowhere Emporium arrives in Glasgow, orphan Daniel Holmes stumbles upon it quite by accident. Before long ‘the shop from nowhere’ – and its owner Mr Silver – draw Daniel into a breathtaking world of magic and enchantment. ‘Ross MacKenzie unleashes a riot of imagination, colour and fantasy in this astonishing adventure’. 2-4pm (drop-in), Children’s Department, Blackwell’s, South Bridge.
Mighty Mexican Night: Mexican street food, Luchador masks, music, tequilas, margaritas and locally brewed beer. 6-10pm, The Skylark, 243 Portobello High Street. To reserve a table call 0131 629 3037.
Sofi’s Lego Party: Lego building, cupcakes, competitions and prizes! ‘Release your inner child’. 7.30pm, Sofi’s Bar, Henderson Street.
Watching: a new opera for children about sleep. Ada can’t sleep – will the two apothecaries Dewberry and Frostbait have the remedy for her sleeplessness? A promenade performance through the gardens and glasshouses of the Royal Botanic Garden, performed by Music in the Community at Edinburgh College of Art, and children from Leith Walk Primary School. Please note that this is event is partially outdoors: dress warmly. 7pm (entry from 6.45pm), North Gate, Royal Botanic Garden of Edinburgh, Inverleith Place. Tickets cost £10/£5 and must be purchased in advance only from Brown Paper Tickets here (transaction fee applies). Funded by The Wellcome Trust.
Spring Celebration: Communities for Conservation – Be the Change! ELREC (Edinburgh and Lothians Regional Equality Council’s) special family-friendly event is centered on the environment, food growing and energy efficiency and aims to bring diverse communities together. The special guest will be renowned TED Talks speaker John-Paul Flintoff, who will conduct an inspirational workshop on how to change the world we live in. (TED is a non-profit organisation dedicated to spreading ideas on the internet via short, powerful talks). Other activities include film screening, Zumba class, raffle, make your own natural skin care product, children’s activities, bouncy castle, face painting, live performances, cooking workshop, free refreshments, free organic lunch, and more. 1-5pm, Out of the Blue Drill Hall, 36 Dalmeny Street. All welcome! The first 150 places at this event are free, thereafter £5 per person (children under 12 years free); places are limited and booking is required via eventbrite here. The contributions of individuals, families and organisations from the Polish, South Asian, Chinese and African communities are especially appreciated.
The Gondoliers: let Portobello & Joppa Parish Church Drama Group take you away from the Scottish weather to sunny Italy with their production of the Gilbert & Sullivan favourite! 7.30pm, Church Hall, Portobello & Joppa Parish Church, 1 Brunstane Road North. Tickets cost £10/£5 and may be purchased by emailing office@portyjoppachurch.org.
Edinburgh University Chamber Choir Spring Concert: Pizzetti Messa di Requiem, Bach Der Geist hilft unsrer Schwachheit auf, Howells Take Him Earth, for Cherishing and Tallis Lamentations of Jeremiah I. 7.30pm, Canongate Kirk, 153 Canongate. Tickets cost £10/£5.
LGBT: T Time in Edinburgh. An informal monthly social gathering open to all transgender people and their supporters. Come along for tea/coffee and a chat in a relaxed environment. An optional event runs alongside each T Time involving a range of interests, information and activities. Please note: the first meeting of each quarter is family friendly. 1-4pm, LGBT Health & Wellbeing, 9 Howe Street. For more information email admin@lgbthealth.org.uk.
Dark Matters Gallery Discussion: curator David Faithfull will lead a discussion with artists Alastair Clark and Mike Inglis about their new commissions sited in the galleries at Edinburgh Printmakers. Dark Matters is a partnership project between Edinburgh Printmakers, the UK ATC and Edinburgh University, bringing together artists, astronomers and space engineers to work in collaboration to explore the subject of deep space. 2-3pm, Edinburgh Printmakers, Union Street. This event if free but ticketed: tickets may be obtained via eventbrite here.
