What’s on in Edinburgh this week - The Edinburgh Reporter

MONDAY 9TH MARCH 2015

Image courtesy of Live Music Now Scotland

Time for Traditional Tunes: a new Live Music Now Scotland initiative for older people, including those with dementia. Audiences from care homes and community groups are invited to join Scots singers Robyn Stapleton (BBC Young Scottish Traditional Musician of the Year 2014) and Claire Hastings for a concert of traditional singing with a chance to join in, in the beautiful surroundings of the Great Hall. 2-3pm, Scottish National Portrait Gallery, 1 Queen Street. Free: to book please call the Information Desk on 0131 624 6560. Supported by the Friends of NGS.

Benji the PlayTalkRead bus will be at West Pilton Neighbourhood Centre today! Songs, stories and play sessions for young children and their parents and carers. 10am-1pm and 2-4pm, West Pilton Neighbourhood Centre, 19 West Pilton Grove. Free.

Visual Awareness Day at St Bride’s: if you or someone you know is living with sight loss, or you would just like to learn more, come and meet Guide Dog users Dennis and Pat and their extremely clever and life-changing dog Todd. Royal National Institute for the Blind representatives will be in attendance, offering basic eye tests and advice on how to look after your eyes, and there will be information available on other visual impairment services. 10am-2pm, St Bride’s Centre, Orwell Terrace, Dalry.

Multifaith Public Conversation 2015: Radical Compassion and Violent Extremism. Edinburgh University Chaplaincy joins The Forgiveness Project for the Annual Multifaith Public Conversation. Yasmin Yar Mulbocus, Jo Berry and Bjorn Magnus Jacobsen Ihler discuss whether radical compassion can win the war on violent extremism. 5.30pm (doors open 5pm)-7pm, Chaplaincy Auditorium, University of Edinburgh, 1 Bristo Square. Free and open to all: please book via eventbrite here.

La Bataille de Waterloo: Clement-Auguste Andrieux

Cafe Histoire: La Vol de l’Aigle. Patrick Landri, Chief Librarian, Alliance Francaise de Glasgow, looks at the ‘Cent-Jours’ (1er mars-22 juin 1817) between Napoleon I’s return to France and victorious entry to Paris, and his defeat three months later. Please note this talk will be in French only. 5.30-7pm, Institut francais d’Ecosse, 13 Randolph Crescent. Admission £8 (members £5).

Morningside Parish Church Baby and Toddler Group: for children up to about 3 years. A friendly and informal way for parents to meet and children to have fun with the large selection of toys. All welcome, no pre-registration needed – just turn up. 10-11.30am today and every Monday and Wednesday, Morningside Parish Church, Braid Road/Cluny Gardens. £1.50 donation per session.

Fountainbridge Library is 75! A library has stood on the Dundee Street site since 1897 – the first neighbourhood library was funded from the estate of philanthropist Thomas Nelson, but by the 1930s the building needed to be replaced. JAW Grant was appointed to be architect of the new library, with sculptor Charles D’Orville Pilkington Jackson commissioned to provide the carving to surmount the main doorway; Jackson’s original plans included ornate carvings of a fountain and a bridge, so he was understandably dismayed when he learned of a planned change of name to ‘Dundee Street Library’ – luckily the plan was dropped, and despite delays caused by the war, the new library was opened in 1940. To celebrate this anniversary, the library has arranged a week of events, starting today with a Book Cafe – Annie Bell, Edinburgh Libraries’ Resident Book Expert, will be coming along to offer book recommendations, so drop in for a chat and a coffee. 2-4pm, Fountainbridge Library, 137 Dundee Street. There will also be a Children’s Storytelling on Tuesday 10th, an Anniversary Celebration Day on Wednesday 11th and a Birthday Bookbug on Thursday 12th March, plus an exhibition of photos and memories of the last 75 years.

Lunchtime Concert: Gulf Coast Masterworks Chorus, Texas, USA. 12.15pm, St Giles’ Cathedral, High Street. Free.

Skill Share Bike Puncture Repair Sessions: the Bike Station’s aim in running these sessions is to pass on the knowledge to help re-use and repair rather than replace. Puncture repair is a simple but almost lost skill; all materials will be provided and there are no age restrictions – families are encouraged to bring their children along to find out how easy this is! 2pm today and every day until 13th March 2015, The Bike Station, 250 Causewayside, Newington. No booking required, just come along. These free sessions are part of Pass It On Week 2015, which runs from 7th to 15th March.

Blind Poetics – March: Russell Jones. Russell is an Edinburgh-based writer who has published three poetry collections, with a fourth due out later this year. He is also the editor of Where Rockets Burn Through: Science Fiction Poetry from the UK and Interdisciplinary Science Reviews: Poetries and Sciences in the 21st Century. There will also be the usual open mic session: if you would like to book a 5 minute slot click here to find out how it works. 8-11pm, The Blind Poet, West Nicolson Street. Free admission.

International Women’s Day in Leith: an all day programme of events, including a Health Fair with a talk on alternative therapies, a book reading and signing by Annie Harrower-Gray, author of Harlots and Heroines, tai chi demonstrations, an art exhibition Remembering Her Story by Carol Watson , Highland, Irish, Egyptian and tap dancers, a photography exhibition The Diversity of Leith Women by Kathryn McNerney, information on adult education courses, a Community Council stall and lots more. 10.30am-4.30pm, South Leith Parish Church, Kirkgate. Tickets £5/£3 on the door, £4/£3 in advance (call 07837 596376).

Blackwell’s Children’s Book Group: if you are 8-11 years old with a love of books and biscuits, join this free group to enjoy a friendly hour of fiction – come and discover more books to treasure. Currently reading I,Coriander by Sally Gardner. 6-7pm, Blackwell’s, South Bridge. To join just email your details to childrens.edinburgh@blackwell.co.uk.

Image: James Lindsey - Ecology of Commanster — Image: James Lindsey – Ecology of Commanster

Living with Bees: the decline in honeybees has attracted much media attention, but around two-thirds of vital pollination in crops and wild plants is carried out by wild bee species and other insects. Discover the world of wild bees in an illustrated talk by Dr Bernard Vaissiere, who will explore the important role wild bees play in the lives of plants and people. The talk will be followed by a panel discussion with experts from the Scottish Wildlife Trust, the Urban Pollinators Project (University of Edinburgh), City of Edinburgh Council and Buglife. For ages 14+. 11am-12.30pm, Lecture Theatre, Royal Botanic Garden of Edinburgh, Inverleith Row. Free but please book in advance via eventbrite here. This event has been programmed to coincide with the RBGE’s Urban Bees exhibition.

Sofi’s Cult Movie Nights: popular classics on the silver screen in the cosy, darkened back room. This week: Jurassic Park (PG) – shown in anticipation of the release of Jurassic World this summer. ‘Relive the thrills of 90s CGI!’ Free popcorn! 8pm, Sofi’s Bar, 65 Henderson Street.

New Town and Broughton Community Council: local residents are very welcome to attend. 7.30pm, Drummond Room, Broughton St Mary’s Church, Bellevue Crescent.

Pochemu? A photographic exploration of the Ukrainian conflict by Monika Holkova. Edinburgh College BA in Professional Photography graduate Holkova spent a period of time documenting the conflict in Ukraine; based in Donetsk, she worked with NGOs photographing the impact of the conflict on the people of the region. (Pochemu? means ‘why?’). 9am-5.30pm Monday to Thursday, 9am-4.30pm Fridays, with an open private view 6.30-8.30pm on Friday 13th March, Creative Exchange, 29 Constitution Street. Ends 27th March 2015. Free admission.

Frances @ Sneaky Pete’s: British singer/songwriter Sophie Cooke aka Frances writes and co-produces her own music and is influenced by artists ranging from Aqualung, Sia and Coldplay to Alanis Morisette and Carole King. ‘Her unique ethereal tones and keen ear for an infectious melody, supported by her emotive piano playing and 3 piece band, make her one to watch for the future’. Over 18s only. 7pm, Sneaky Pete’s, 73 Cowgate. Tickets cost £5 and can be booked here (transaction fee applies).

TUESDAY 10TH MARCH 2015

International Women’s Day at Craigmillar Community Arts: exhibition and talk about women’s role in medicine from Emma Black of the Surgeons’ Hall, display showcasing the wide range of talent among CCA Women’s Group, art workshops, mini facials and manicures and a healthy lunch. 10.30am-2pm, Craigmillar Community Arts, 58 Newcraighall Road. Free: all welcome.

Fountainbridge Library is 75! A library has stood on the Dundee Street site since 1897 – the first neighbourhood library was funded from the estate of philanthropist Thomas Nelson, but by the 1930s the building needed to be replaced. JAW Grant was appointed to be architect of the new library, with sculptor Charles D’Orville Pilkington Jackson commissioned to provide the carving to surmount the main doorway; Jackson’s original plans included ornate carvings of a fountain and a bridge, so he was understandably dismayed when he learned of a planned change of name to ‘Dundee Street Library’ – luckily the plan was dropped, and despite delays caused by the war, the new library was opened in 1940. To celebrate this anniversary, the library has arranged a week of events; today it’s an After School Children’s Storytelling with Children’s Librarian Simon Radcliffe – and there will be cake! Children can bring along their grown-ups too. 3.30pm, Fountainbridge Library, 137 Dundee Street. There will also be an Anniversary Celebration Day on Wednesday 11th and a Birthday Bookbug on Thursday 12th March, plus an exhibition of photos and memories of the last 75 years.

Tiny Tales: A Wiggle and a Jiggle and a Woo Hoo Hoo! Do you ever just want to dance around, swing in the trees, crouch down low and shout Woo Hoo Hoo? An action-packed session with Maria Menzies, full of wonderfully wiggly songs and stories. 10am or 11.30am (40 minute sessions), Scottish Storytelling Centre, 43-45 High Street. Tickets cost £5 per child and can be booked online here or by calling the Box Office on 0131 556 9579. Please remember to book a free adult ticket for yourself too.

Lunchtime Concert: Mendelssohn in England and Scotland. Roberto Prosseda (piano) will play Four Songs Without Words, Trois Fantaisies ou Caprices op.16, Variations Serieuses op.54 and Fantaisie op. 28 ‘Scottish Sonata’. 1.10pm, Reid Concert Hall, University of Edinburgh, Bristo Square. Free: no booking required. Supported by the Italian Cultural Institute in Edinburgh.

The Speakeasy…with guest host Fiona Herbert. Stand-up, songs and stories, with a dash of the unexpected. Uncover true stories from the haunting to the hilarious live on stage, giving some insights into different worlds. This month’s line up: Dave Hook (aka Solareye from Stanley Odd), comedian Bruce Devlin, award-winning actor, performer and presenter Juliette Burton, comedian Phil O’Shea, writer and musician Paul Docherty, writer Angela Hughes, and a performance by Adam Tomkins of his monologue from I Have Been Looking For You My Whole Life. For ages 16+. 8pm, Netherbow Theatre, Scottish Storytelling Centre, 43-45 High Street. Tickets cost £7 and can be booked online here or by calling the Box Office on 0131 556 9579. Advance booking is advised.

Benji the PlayTalkRead bus will be at Muirhouse Library today! Songs, stories and play sessions for young children and their parents and carers. 10am-1pm and 2-4pm, Muirhouse Library, Pennywell Court. Free.

The Church of All Saints, Selsley, designed by George Frederick Bodley. Image: W Lloyd MacKenzie.

The Holiness of Beauty: George Frederick Bodley and the Aesthetic Movement. This seminar in the Edinburgh College of Art Architectural History/Theory series will be led by Bodley specialist Dr Michael Hall. 5.15-6.30pm, Common Room, Minto House, 20-22 Chambers Street. Free and open to all.

EU Shakespeare Company Merchant of Venice — Photography by Philippa Oliver

Edinburgh University Shakespeare Company Presents The Merchant of Venice: it is the summer of 1939 and Britain is travelling headlong towards one of the most devastating and transformative periods of its history. Oblivious to the oncoming storm, the London elite sit smoking their cigars and enjoying the fruits of their inheritance. 7.30pm today-Saturday 14th March (with 2.30pm matinee on Saturday 14th), Assembly Roxy, 2 Roxburgh Place. Tickets cost £10/£8/£6 and can be purchased online here.

Blackwell’s Edinburgh Presents Jenni Daiches: Forgive (Luath Press). Jenni Daiches’ latest novel is about Ruth and those who come to lodge with her at Netherburn, her home in the remote moors of Scotland, as they all try to live their lives and move on – but the question that always looms for Ruth is, what does it mean to forgive? Jenni Daiches was born in Chicago but has lived in Scotland since 1971. Having worked for some years for the National Museums of Scotland, she is now a freelance writer and lecturer, with special interests in Scottish literature, Scottish emigration, and questions of identity. 6.30-7.45pm, Blackwell’s, South Bridge. Free tickets are available from the shop’s front desk, or by calling 0131 622 8218 or emailing events.edinburgh@blackwell.co.uk. Tickets can also be obtained from eventbrite here.

Sequamur: a multi-media Gaelic language play by DS Murray, reflecting on the life of Lewis educationalist William Gibson. The play is based on factual material and integrates a new music and soundscape commission with experimental film projections evoking First World War battle scenes and the reflections of the soldiers as their stories are brought back to Gibson, the teacher who inspired them to leave the classroom and go to war in 1914. A localised World War One commemorative roll of honour with the names of the fallen soldiers from each region the play visits will be screened following the performance. Sequamur is performed in Gaelic with live simultaneous translation into English via headphones. For ages 12+. 1-2.40pm or 7-8.40pm, Summerhall, 1 Summerhall. Tickets cost £10/£7 and can be purchased online here or by calling the Box Office on 0131 560 1581.

Memories of Sighthill Industrial Estate: the theme of this year’s Local History Week is food and drink, and the library is looking for old photos or memories of the three big food manufacturers who were based in the area – Milanda the bakers, Golden Wonder Crisps and Burton’s Biscuits. The library is planning a photographic display for the week, so if you have any photos or stories about working on the industrial estate, please phone them 0131 529 5566 or email sighthill.library@edinburgh.gov.uk – and come along to the library’s special reminiscence day today, at which you can share your tales of the factories whilst enjoying some tea and biscuits. The library will also be posting snippets about the industrial estate on its Facebook page. 10.30am-4.30pm, Sighthill Library, Sighthill Road.

LGBT: Getting to Grips with Relationships. A four-week course exploring the barriers and unhelpful patterns of behaviour that may present in relationships, and discovering ways of overcoming these with a range of creative techniques designed to offer alternate ways of relating to the people in our lives. An ideal course for people with an interest in self-government who wish to make new discoveries in a group setting. 6.30-8.30pm, LGBT Health & Wellbeing, 9 Howe Street. Booking is essential: please contact Alison Wren on 0131 652 3283 or alison@lgbthealth.org.uk.

Pennywell New Housing Phase 2 Community Information Event: find out more about the new housing planned for Pennywell – timescales, outline design and plans. 4.30-7.30pm, Muirhouse Library, Pennywell Court. (Also at Craigroyston Community High School on Thursday 12th March 1.30-4.30pm).

Leith Folk Club: Christine Sparks with support Tomfoolery. 8pm (doors open 7.30pm), Victoria Park House Hotel, 221 Ferry Road. Tickets cost £7 and can be bought on the door or in advance via the ticket booking line: 07502 024852. ‘Bringing worldwide folk, traditional, blues, bluegrass, Scottish and Celtic music to a local audience.’

WEDNESDAY 11TH MARCH 2015

Haiti Street Art: an exhibition to commemorate the 5th anniversary of the 2010 Haiti earthquake. Come and buy to support the country five years on. 9-5pm Wednesday to Sunday (closed Mondays and Tuesdays) until 19th March 2015, Bon Papillon, 15 Howe Street.

Fountainbridge Library is 75! A library has stood on the Dundee Street site since 1897 – the first neighbourhood library was funded from the estate of philanthropist Thomas Nelson, but by the 1930s the building needed to be replaced. JAW Grant was appointed to be architect of the new library, with sculptor Charles D’Orville Pilkington Jackson commissioned to provide the carving to surmount the main doorway; Jackson’s original plans included ornate carvings of a fountain and a bridge, so he was understandably dismayed when he learned of a planned change of name to ‘Dundee Street Library’ – luckily the plan was dropped, and despite delays caused by the war, the new library was opened in 1940. To celebrate this anniversary, the library has arranged a week of events; today it’s an Anniversary Celebration Day, with coffee, cake and a chance to see the library in days gone by. Drop in and help the staff celebrate whilst adding your favourite memory to the birthday tree. 2pm, Fountainbridge Library, 137 Dundee Street. There will also be a Birthday Bookbug on Thursday 12th March, plus an exhibition of photos and memories of the last 75 years.

Painted Ladies: Renaissance Beauty and Cosmetic Practices. Farah Karim-Cooper (Head of Research, Globe Theatre, London) will explore the idea of beauty in early modern Europe and England, and examine some of the era’s ‘social media’ (texts, theatre and images) that created these ideals. She will also uncover some of the cosmetic recipes and beautifying practices of early modern women. 12.45-1.30pm, Hawthornden Lecture Theatre, Scottish National Gallery, The Mound. Free and unticketed.

Bookbug Rhymetime: for young children and their parents and carers. 2pm today and every Wednesday, Piershill Library, Piershill Terrace.

Botanic Cottage Updates and Stories: an informal talk to find out more about the Botanic Cottage as it is re-built stone by stone. For ages 10+. 1-1.30pm, Blue Shed, Demonstration Garden, Royal Botanic Garden of Edinburgh, Inverleith Row. Free: no booking required.

Morningside Coffee Morning: 10-11.30am today and every Wednesday, Church Halls, Morningside Parish Church, Braid Road/Cluny Gardens. All welcome!

Benji the PlayTalkRead bus will be at Gate 55 today! Songs, stories and play sessions for young children and their parents and carers. 10am-1pm and 2-4pm, Gate 55, Sighthill Road. Free.

Flatland: Jean-Philippe Dordolo and Kadie Salmon. An exhibition of new work produced by the artists during their recent micro-residencies. Preview 5.30-8pm tonight, then 11am-5pm Thursday to Saturday (or by appointment), Edinburgh Sculpture Workshop, 21 Hawthornvale.

Terry Alderton: All Crazy Now. Come and be part of the audience for a brand new Radio 4 show, due for broadcast this summer. Terry Alderton, multi-award-winning comedian and star of Eastenders, will perform stand-up, stories, characters and sketches, and the show will also feature the mercurial comedian Boothby Graffoe on nose flute and vibes. 8pm, Netherbow Theatre, Scottish Storytelling Centre, 43-45 High Street. Tickets are free and can be booked online here or by calling the Box Office on 0131 556 9579.

Lunchtime Concert: Magee Secondary School – chamber choir and string orchestra. 12.15pm, St Giles’ Cathedral, High Street. Free.

Let Sunshine Into Your Heart: a University of Edinburgh Let’s talk about….understanding disease lecture. Exciting new research has shown that sunshine can lower blood pressure. Good news for those who suffer from high blood pressure associated with cardiovascular disease – but what about medical warnings regarding sun exposure? Speakers: Dr Richard Weller (MRC Centre for Inflammation Research, University of Edinburgh) and Dr Darren Shaw (Royal Vet School, University of Edinburgh & The Roslin Institute). 4.45pm, Queen’s Medical Research Institute, Little France Crescent, EH16 4TJ. Free and open to all; please book via eventbrite here.

Bookbug: for children aged 0-4 and their parents and carers. 10.15 or 11.15am today and every Wednesday, Portobello Library, 14 Rosefield Avenue. These sessions are very popular, please arrive early. There is also a session at 11.30am every Saturday.

One Health: intergenerational design strategies for engaging children with nature in cities. Professor Robin Moore and Dr Nilda Cosco (NC State University), international authorities on the design of children’s play and learning environments, will propose that a crisis of culture can only be addressed by engaging children with nature from birth, in the places they and their families use in everyday life. How this may be accomplished will be illustrated through the work of the Natural Learning Initiative and recent case studies. 6pm, Hunter Building Lecture Theatre, Edinburgh College of Art , Lauriston Place. This is a free public lecture: booking is required and may be made via eventbrite here. For more information contact the organiser, Professor Catharine Ward Thomson, via the eventbrite booking page.

Wiff Waff Wednesday: a monthly ping pong night for all ages with music, plus great food and drink available to purchase from the Drill Hall Arts Cafe. ‘Friendship first, competition second.’ 6-10pm, Out of the Blue Drill Hall, 36 Dalmeny Street, Leith. Free admission.

Morningside Parish Church Baby and Toddler Group: for children up to about 3 years. A friendly and informal way for parents to meet and children to have fun with the large selection of toys. All welcome, no pre-registration needed – just turn up. 10-11.30am today and every Wednesday and Monday, Morningside Parish Church, Braid Road/Cluny Gardens. £1.50 donation per session.

Morningside Justice and Peace Group: Why is there a conspiracy to silence charities? Chief Executive, Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations Martin Sime addresses this question, followed by a Q & A session. 10.30-11.30am, The Open Door, 420 Morningside Road. £1 per person. For more information contact Barbara Darcy on 0131 228 1807 or b.darcy20@gmail.com.

Nalini Paul: image - Scottish Poetry Library — Nalini Paul: image – Scottish Poetry Library

Poetry Association of Scotland: Mary Johnston & Nalini Paul Reading. A Doric poet, winner of the Callum MacDonald Memorial Award 2014 for her pamphlet The Angel and the Aipple, teams up with an Indian poet who has just had her illustrated poem Hrafn Floki purchased by the National Gallery of Modern Art. 7.30pm, The Saltire Society, 9 Fountain Close. Admission £5/£4 (free for members of the Association): no advance booking needed. For further information please contact Mario Relich: dmr.lit@fsmail.net.

LGBT: Just for Men. A relaxed social opportunity for men who want to meet other gay, bisexual or transgender men in one of Edinburgh’s newest LGBT-friendly bars. For over-18s only. 6.30-8.30pm, Woodland Creatures, 260-262 Leith Walk.

The Old Edinburgh Club: Professor Stana Nenadic – Artisans, Design Education and the Scottish Luxury Trades 1780-1914. 7pm, Augustine United Church, George IV Bridge. Admission £5 (members free). The Old Edinburgh Club was founded in 1908 with the aim of recording the vanishing evidence of Edinburgh’s history, its buildings and its past inhabitants from prehistoric times onwards.

Common Weal Edinburgh North & Leith: Poetry & Spoken Word Open Mic. A celebration of local spoken word hosted by local poet Jenny Lindsay (Rally & Broad): 5 minute open mic slots available for spoken word of any kind. To sign up for a spot email commonwealenl@gmail.com or note your interest on the event’s Facebook page. 7-9.30pm, Area C Coffee House, 239-241 Leith Walk.

Jammin at Voodoo: monthly jam session with some of Scotland’s leading musicians playing lounge grooves from many genres. Blues, soul, funk, ska, rock, reggae, jazz and country; musicians play by invitation to set a good standard. For over 18s only. 9-11pm, The Ballroom, The Voodoo Rooms, 19a West Register Street. Free admission.

THURSDAY 12TH MARCH 2015

Maggie’s Edinburgh Book Launch: following the success of Lights in the Constellation of the Crab, Angus Ogilvy will launch his new book of poems for Maggie’s House Clearing by Moonlight with readings and a signing session. ‘Angus has been prolific and highly generous with his poetry. His remarkable gift for words evokes deep emotions and gives space for calm reflection…The sales of his first book have generated over £3,000 for Maggie’s, and we are so grateful for his ongoing support…’ (Andrew Anderson, Centre Head, Maggie’s Edinburgh). 6-7.30pm (gathering from 5.30pm), Maggie’s Edinburgh, Western General Hospital, Crewe Road South. Please let Maggie’s know if you plan to attend: email amy.robertson@maggiescentres.org or call 0131 537 3131 9am-5pm Monday to Friday.

Easel Sketching in the Gallery: March. Led by artist Damian Callan; a different subject every month, sometimes with a model. All materials supplied. 2-4pm, Main Gallery Floor, Scottish National Gallery, The Mound. Free: no booking required. Also at same times on Friday 13th March.

Blackwell’s Edinburgh Presents John Lister-Kaye: one of Britain’s best known naturalists and conservationists launches his new book Gods of the Morning: A Bird’s Eye View of a Highland Year. Sir John Lister-Kaye runs the world famous Aigas Field Centre in the Scottish Highlands; his new book follows a year through the turning of the seasons at Aigas, exploring the habits of the Highland animals – and in particular the birds, his ‘gods of the morning’ – for whom he has nourished a lifelong passion. 6.30-8pm, Blackwell’s, South Bridge. Free tickets are available from the shop’s front desk, or by calling 0131 622 8218 or emailing events.edinburgh@blackwell.co.uk. Tickets can also be obtained from eventbrite here.

Benji the PlayTalkRead bus will be at Pennywell Shops, Pennywell Road today! Songs, stories and play sessions for young children and their parents and carers. 10am-1pm and 2-4pm, Pennywell Shops, Pennywell Road. Free.

Mayfield Salisbury Thursday Club: Honeysuckle Swing, with Diana Saunderson and Gus Carmichael. 2-4pm, Upper Hall, Mayfield Salisbury Parish Church, 18 West Mayfield. Visitors of any age very welcome: tea 50p, annual membership £3. For more information please contact Florence Smith on 0131 663 1234.

Fountainbridge Library is 75! A library has stood on the Dundee Street site since 1897 – the first neighbourhood library was funded from the estate of philanthropist Thomas Nelson, but by the 1930s the building needed to be replaced. JAW Grant was appointed to be architect of the new library, with sculptor Charles D’Orville Pilkington Jackson commissioned to provide the carving to surmount the main doorway; Jackson’s original plans included ornate carvings of a fountain and a bridge, so he was understandably dismayed when he learned of a planned change of name to ‘Dundee Street Library’ – luckily the plan was dropped, and despite delays caused by the war, the new library was opened in 1940. To celebrate this anniversary, the library has arranged a week of events; today it’s a Birthday Bookbug – so come along in your party outfits, and have your best singing voices ready! 10.30am, Fountainbridge Library, 137 Dundee Street. There will also be an exhibition of photos and memories of the last 75 years.

Crops In Pots: in time for spring, come along for an interactive evening of planting and discussion. All ages welcome to come and talk about growing food in an urban environment. 7pm, Area C Coffee House, 239-241 Leith Walk.

Storytime: for 3-5 year olds. 10.30-11am today and every Thursday, Central Children’s Library, George IV Bridge.

Cafe Voices: Sheroes. Who is your ‘shero’? Join storyteller Ruth Kirkpatrick – whose ‘sheros’ include Billie Jean King, Mo Mowlem, Grace Darling…and her Great Granny – for an evening celebrating great heroines. This is the Centre’s monthly storytelling session, with an open-floor section where you can ‘tip your hat’ to your own heroine by telling a story about her. Stories, songs, music, poems – and even a wee dance – are all welcome. 7pm, Storytelling Court, Scottish Storytelling Centre, 43-45 High Street. Tickets cost £5 and can be booked online here or by calling the Box Office on 0131 556 9579

John Byrne and His Guitars by Mark Mulholland, copyright Mark Mulholland.

Portrait Gallery Curator’s Talk: BP Portrait Award 2014. A chance to chat to the Portrait Gallery curators about current exhibitions: this month Chief Curator Julie Lawson will talk about the BP Portrait Award. 5.30-6pm, Scottish National Portrait Gallery, 1 Queen Street. Free: no booking required.

Pennywell New Housing Phase 2 Community Information Event: find out more about the new housing planned for Pennywell – timescales, outline design and plans. 1.30- 4.30pm, Craigroyston Community High School , Pennywell Road.

The Drawing Room: an informal, artist-led drawing session, developed by a contemporary artist and reflecting concerns in that artist’s work. All materials supplied, no experience necessary. 5.30-6.45pm, Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art TWO, Belford Road. Please note venue: this session takes place in the Two Roberts exhibition. Free but please book by contacting the Education Department on 0131 624 6410 or emailing education@nationalgalleries.org.

Edinburgh College of Art Thursday Research Seminar Series: Dyeing, Bleaching, Printing – Morris and Abundance. This seminar will be chaired by Professor Caroline Arscott (Courtauld Institute) and followed by a drinks reception. Lecture Room 1, Minto House, 20-22 Chambers Street. Free and open to all: no booking required.

Caesura #29 and the Scottish Poetry Library: ‘experimental poetry wonder night….the home for sound poetry, found poetry, text-based performance art and all manner of linguistic innovation’. This month’s performers are poet Sarah Kelly, writer Maria Fusco, poet and editor Anthony Autumn and poetry and prose writer Jim Ferguson. 7-10pm (doors open 6.30pm), The Saltire Society, 9 Fountain Close. Tickets cost £5/£4 and can be booked via eventbrite here. For further information please contact jennifer.williams@spl.org.uk.

Spark Lunchtime Concerts: Music by Ravel and Poulenc played by students from the Reid School of Music, University of Edinburgh. 12 noon-12.45pm, Greyfriars Kirk, Greyfriars Place. Free, no booking required.

Stills Film Screening: Looking for Light. Stills presents a moving portrait of the late photographer Jane Bown and the many iconic photographs that span her 6 decade career, including portraits of Samuel Beckett, Mick Jagger, HRH Queen Elizabeth II and Bjork and interviews with Rankin, Edna O’Brien and Don McCullin. Directed by Luke Dodd and Michael Whyte. 6.30-8.30pm, Stills, 23 Cockburn Street. Booking is required but tickets are free, and can be obtained via eventbrite here.

Ecumenical Friends at St John’s: John Munro – Lent Meditation. 1pm, St John’s Church, Princes Street (please note different time and venue). All warmly welcome: bring your own packed lunch, tea and coffee are provided. £1.50 per person, These events are organised by Edinburgh City Centre Churches TOGETHER.

FRIDAY 13TH MARCH 2015

After the War….. an exhibition featuring the work of Garvald artists on paper, glass and clay, inspired by post-war popular culture. Open preview tonight 6-8pm, then 11am-5pm Tuesday to Saturday, The Gallery on the Corner, Northumberland Street. Ends 28th March 2015. Garvald Edinburgh is a Scottish charity offering creative opportunities and support for people with learning difficulties. It is inspired by the ideas of Rudolph Steiner, and has been operating in Edinburgh since 1969. The Gallery on the Corner is a commercial gallery and studio providing a platform to exhibit and sell artwork produced by artists who have a physical or mental health condition; it was the first social firm developed by Autism Ventures Scotland.

Comic Relief Bake Sale: cakes, chocolate, biscuits, tea and coffee on sale to help to raise funds for Comic Relief: 10.30am, South Neighbourhood Office and Library, 40 Captain’s Road. All welcome!

Potential Energy: The Politics of Energy in Scotland. Launch of the latest publication by The Post Collective, which looks at issues including fracking, renewables, climate change, fuel poverty and the media. ‘There are few issues so urgent as the future of energy production, and few that divide opinion even among progressives. Potential Energy looks to address these issues head-on’. The launch will feature lively debate and discussion about the future of Scottish energy, an exhibition by photographer Keith Brame, and the first chance to buy a copy of the book. 7-10pm, Area C Coffee House, 239-241 Leith Walk. All welcome: BYOB.

Storytime: come along and help roll out the Magic Story Rug. 10.30am today and every Friday, Piershill Library, Piershill Terrace.

St Giles’ Son et Lumiere: two hours of sound and silence, light and darkness. Space and time to sit, to wander, to think, to be. 6-8pm, St Giles’ Cathedral, High Street. £3 on the door.

The Travelling Gallery: Design In Motion. The Travelling Gallery’s spring 2015 tour is a collaboration with the new V & A Dundee, taking exhibits, designers and the V & A Dundee team across the country, connecting communities with Scotland’s design heritage and raising awareness of the talent in Scotland’s present-day design industries, inspiring creativity along the way. The exhibition concept, brought to life by DJCAD-trained Gabrielle Underwood, will showcase seven innovative designers currently working with digital technology to push the boundaries of their discipline within games, product, jewellery, fashion, textiles and built heritage. 10am-5pm, Edinburgh College, West Granton Road ; please note access may be restricted at certain times owing to visiting groups. For more information please contact The Travelling Gallery via City Art Centre, 2 Market Street, EH1 1DE, 0131 529 3930 or travellinggallery@edinburgh.gov.uk.

Edinburgh College of Art Friday Lecture Series: Egill Saebjornsson. 11.30am – please contact ECA to check time and for details of venue.

Benji the PlayTalkRead bus will be at Oxgangs Library today! Songs, stories and play sessions for young children and their parents and carers. 10am-1pm and 2-4pm, Oxgangs Library, 343 Oxgangs Road North. Free.

Comic Relief Crafts with Buzz Lightyear and Upsy Daisy! A special crafts session. 2pm, South Neighbourhood Office and Library, 40 Captain’s Road.

Lunchtime Concert: Simon Coverdale and Margaret Wakeford (piano duet) play Hindemith Sonata (1938), Debussy Petite Suite and Schubert Theme and 8 Variations on Herold’s ‘Marie’. 1.10pm, Reid Concert Hall, University of Edinburgh, Bristo Square. Free: no booking required.

Edinburgh University Shakespeare Company Presents The Merchant of Venice: it is the summer of 1939 and Britain is travelling headlong towards one of the most devastating and transformative periods of its history. Oblivious to the oncoming storm, the London elite sit smoking their cigars and enjoying the fruits of their inheritance. 7.30pm today and Saturday 14th March (with 2.30pm matinee on Saturday 14th), Assembly Roxy, 2 Roxburgh Place. Tickets cost £10/£8/£6 and can be purchased online here.

Balerno Village Screen: Marvellous (12): Neil Baldwin (Toby Jones), born just after the war, is considered to have learning difficulties but has an appetite for life. Encouraged by his mother Mary, he joins a circus, moves to Keele University, gets to manage its unofficial football team, and talks his way into becoming the kit man and mascot of Stoke City. For Neil there are no boundaries: his interest in religion leads to him becoming a lay preacher, whilst he presents himself at the House of Commons for tea with his MP Tony Benn, and at Cambridge, where he strikes up a friendship with Prince Andrew. With his indomitable attitude overcoming early set-backs and the death of his beloved mother, life for Neil is – marvellous. 7.30-9pm, St Joseph’s Hall, Main Street, Balerno, Advance booking is preferred to enable BVS to manage numbers: tickets are available from Balerno Post Office and The Mill Cafe in the St Joseph’s Centre, or via eventbrite here. Balerno Village Screen is a community cinema funded by donations. Tickets for all films are free.

Rhythm & Shoes: Edinburgh-based Irish dance group Absolutely Legless present their show Rhythm and Shoes to celebrate St Patrick’s Day. ‘An evening full of traditional music, song and dance which guarantees to get your toes tapping and your hands clapping’. 7.30pm, Netherbow Theatre, Scottish Storytelling Centre, 43-45 High Street. Tickets cost £10/£8 and can be booked online here or by calling the Box Office on 0131 556 9579.

Pochemu? A photographic exploration of the Ukrainian conflict by Monika Holkova. Edinburgh College BA in Professional Photography graduate Holkova spent a period of time documenting the conflict in Ukraine; based in Donetsk, she worked with NGOs photographing the impact of the conflict on the people of the region. (Pochemu? means ‘why?’). Open private view tonight, 6.30-8.30pm, otherwise 9am-5.30pm Monday to Thursday, 9am-4.30pm Fridays, Creative Exchange, 29 Constitution Street. Ends 27th March 2015. Free admission.

The Portobello Comedy Night: live stand up comedy with Michael Redmond, Paul McDaniel and Iain Poliock, hosted by Steven Davidson. 8.30pm, Dalriada, 77 Promenade, Portobello. Tickets cost £10 and can be purchased from the Dalriada, via Brown Paper tickets here (booking fee applies) or on the door, subject to availability.

SATURDAY 14TH MARCH 2015

Big Ears, Little Ears Family Concerts with the Scottish Chamber Orchestra: two very special family concerts with a small ensemble from the SCO, for parents and their young babies or toddlers in a ‘tut-free, child-friendly zone’ where you can ‘relax and share the enjoyment and pleasure of a fabulous live music experience’. 10.30am (for babies up to 12 months) or 11.45am (for ages 1-4 years), Scottish National Portrait Gallery, 1 Queen Street. Free but booking is required via the SCO website here. A maximum of two adults is allowed per child: if you have a baby and a toddler, you are advised to opt for the 11.45am concert.

Excelsior Per Cantum: The Great British Folk Song. The chamber choir of Heriot-Watt University perform an evening of songs from all the corners of Britain in the unique, candlelit setting of the Rosslyn Chapel. 7.30pm (doors open 7pm), Rosslyn Chapel, Chapel Loan, Roslin. The concert will last about one hour and will be followed by drinks. Tickets cost £10/£8/£7 and can be booked via the Rosslyn Chapel website here. All proceeds are being donated by the choir to the Rosslyn Chapel Trust education programme.

The Story Kist: Inclusive Storytelling. Stories of the wild woods – who will we meet if we go down to the woods today? Come and enjoy some multi-sensory stories, songs and adventures with storytelllers Allie Finlay and Marie Louise Cochrane. Intriguing props and puppets! Lots of fun for everyone, but particularly for children with additional needs, their families, friends and carers. 11am, Storytelling Bothy, Scottish Storytelling Centre, 43-45 High Street. Tickets cost £5 per child and can be booked online here or by calling the Box Office on 0131 556 9579; don’t forget to book a free ticket for yourself too.

St John’s Art Exhibition: local artists combine their talents. Opening party tonight with refreshments and raffle (the prize is this painting, raffle to be drawn on Sunday), 6.30-9pm, St John’s Church, Princes Street.

Holy Corner Community Playgroup Fundraising Family Ceilidh: live music, home baking, cafe, photo booth, lucky dip, face painting, raffle and lots more! 2-4pm, Polwarth Parish Church, 36 Polwarth Terrace. Tickets cost £5 on the door, under-2s free. For further information contact anna@momedia.co.uk.

Edinburgh University Shakespeare Company Presents The Merchant of Venice: it is the summer of 1939 and Britain is travelling headlong towards one of the most devastating and transformative periods of its history. Oblivious to the oncoming storm, the London elite sit smoking their cigars and enjoying the fruits of their inheritance. 2.30pm and 7.30pm, Assembly Roxy, 2 Roxburgh Place. Tickets cost £10/£8/£6 and can be purchased online here.

LGBT Women’s Group: Sugar and Spice. An inclusive group that offers the chance to meet other LGBT women in a relaxed environment; chat, information and activities promoting health and wellbeing. The group is open to all LGBT women, and welcomes transgender people who identify primarily as women. Today: meet at Out of the Blue for an opportunity to buy brunch and listen to local music performers. (Optional weather-dependent walk to the Water of Leith 2-2.30pm). 11.30am-2pm Out of the Blue, Dalmeny Street. For more information and to add your name to the group’s mailing list, contact Alison Wren at alison@lgbthealth.org.uk or call 0131 652 3283.

St Bride’s Family Cinema: see your favourite films for free! Adventure, excitement, fun and laughs – it’s all here. Choc ices and juice available during the interval for 50p each. This week: The Iron Giant (U), next week: Ice Age 2: The Meltdown (U). All children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. 10.30am-12.30pm (including interval), St Bride’s Centre, Orwell Terrace, Dalry.

Lunchtime Concert: Miskelly Chorale, Comber, County Down. 12.15pm, St Giles’ Cathedral, High Street. Free.

Drumbrae Library Hub CoderDojo: with a special guest mentor, Yann Seznec of BAFTA award-winning Luckyframe Software. Yann will inspire attendees with his out-of-the-box thinking to create wild game ides that’ll blow your mind. Yann will be joining the Dojo for a number of sessions so you will be able to develop your concepts into fully interactive experiences. For ages 10-16. 2-4pm today then fortnightly, Drumbrae Library Hub, 81 Drumbrae Drive.

Fischy Music: a fun-filled sing-along concert of old and new songs. Children must be accompanied by an adult. 2-3pm, Cluny Centre, 1 Cluny Drive. £5 per child, accompanying adults free. This event is hosted by Morningside and Greenbank Parish Churches. For more information or to book, call 0131 447 9969 or visit greenbankchurch.org.

Balerno Tattie Day (rescheduled): a huge variety of seed potatoes, onions and peas for sale, activities for children (seed planting, arts & crafts) and a visit from Fresh Revolution, who will cook up some delicious tattie recipes in their van outside the halls. Advice for beginners, top tips from experienced growers – and if you haven’t got a garden, they’ll show you how to grow potatoes in a sack! The Mill Cafe will serve hot drinks and home baking, and the Balerno Farmers’ Market will run alongside in Main Street. Tattie Day is part of Balerno Village Trust’s Sustain Balerno project and is supported by the Scottish Government’s Community Food Fund to promote local food and drink. 9.30am-1pm, Balerno Parish Church Halls, 2 Main Street.

Nothing But The Poem: WB Yeats. A poetry reading and discussion session with poet Kate Hendry. No previous knowledge or experience necessary! 11am or 2pm (both sessions will feature the same material), The Saltire Society, 9 Fountain Close. Tickets cost £5/£4 and can be booked via eventbrite here. For further information contact jennifer.williams@spl.org.uk.

Hearing Dogs for Deaf People Fundraising Ceilidh with the Robert Fish Band: 8pm (doors open 7.30pm)-12 midnight, St Bride’s Centre, Orwell Terrace, Dalry. Tickets cost £10 and are available from St Bride’s on 0131 555 7668 or cld-stbrides@ea.edin.sch.uk.

Edinburgh Yarn Festival 2015: a festival of all things wooly and related to yarn, knitting, weaving, crochet, spinning and felting. A market place with 100+ vendors (including some who have never been seen in Scotland before), plus 32 classes and workshops from some of the finest teachers the international knitting industry and designer scene has to offer – and a host of other attractions – even a Yarn Cafe! 10am-5.30pm today and 10am-5pm tomorrow, Edinburgh Corn Exchange, New Market Road. Tickets cost £8 per day or £12 for the weekend. Workshops are not included and must be booked and paid for separately. There is also a special evening party tonight from 6.30pm; separate tickets are required for this: see website for all ticket details and to book in advance; it will be possible to buy tickets on the door, but with cash only.

Bookbug: for children aged 0-4 and their parents and carers. 11.30am today and every Saturday, Portobello Library, 14 Rosefield Avenue. These sessions are very popular, please arrive early. There are also sessions at 10.15am and 11.15am every Wednesday.

The Torrance Gallery: Spring Exhibition. Over 60 gallery artists, with jewellery by Sheana Stephen. 11am-6pm Monday to Friday, 10.30am-4pm Saturdays, The Torrance Gallery, 36 Dundas Street. Sheana Stephen will be in attendance at the Gallery 6-8pm on Friday 4th April and 11am-1pm on Saturday 5th April.

Bruncheon – Featuring The Sound of Muesli: local musical talent and DJs create a chilled-out atmosphere, whilst the Drill Hall Arts Cafe offers delicious home-made food – kippers, morning rolls and sweet treats aplenty! 11.30am-3pm, Out of the Blue Drill Hall, 36 Dalmeny Street, Leith. Free admission.

Where Language Ends: Ross Birrell and David Harding. An exhibition celebrating the importance of symbolic labour and the possibility of transcending a purely material reality; spectacular coloured window installations, sculptural objects, prints and multi-media works in which music emerges as a redemptive force; a force never far from brutality and violence.. In many works the virtuosity of a musical performance is captured, whilst allusions to the musicians’ backgrounds highlight dangerous social and political circumstances, with poignant references to those in exile, poets and musicians writing from the margins to generate new worlds and modes of being. Ross Birrell and David Harding are artists based in Glasgow. Preview 12.30pm today, then 10am-5pm Monday to Friday, 12 noon-5pm Saturdays, Talbot Rice Gallery, University of Edinburgh, Old College. The preview will be preceded at 11am by a talk by Ross Birrell and David Harding; free tickets can be booked via eventbrite here. Exhibition ends 2nd May 2015: admission is free.

Singer locomotive, courtesy of Patti Lomax

Spotlight on Eric Lomax, Railway Man of War and Peace. President of the Stephenson Locomotive Society Dr Michael Bailey tells the story of Eric Lomax, whose photographs form a remarkable archive of pre-war Scottish railways. Eric’s autobiography, The Railway Man, now a feature film, tells the story of his incarceration during the Second World War and subsequent bouts of combat stress. For ages 14+. 2-3.30pm (doors open 1.45pm), Auditorium, Level One, National Museum of Scotland, Chambers Street. Free but booking is required and may be made online here or by calling in to NMS’s reception desk.

St John’s Lent Lectures – discussing practical Christianity. Today: Christian Ethics with The Rt Rev Dr Alan Wilson (Bishop of Buckingham). The lecture will be followed by discussion and refreshments. 10am-12 noon, St John’s Church Hall, Princes Street. To register please email stephen.holmes@stjohns-edinburgh.org.uk.

Palestine Double Bill @ Area C: Edinburgh-based singing group San Ghanny visited the West Bank in 2012 to sing in solidarity with people in Palestine. Since returning to Scotland, San Ghanny has shared through songs and stories the accounts and experiences heard and seen during the visit. Followed by a screening of Over the Wall, the true story of the journey of a team of young footballers who are transformed by the events they witness in the Middle East. 7pm (San Ghanny), 8.15pm (Over the Wall), Area C Coffee House, 239-241 Leith Walk. All welcome.

Portobello Open Door: What We Did On Our Holiday (12A). 7pm, The Wash House Community Centre, 3 Adelphi Grove. Tickets cost £5/£3 and can be purchased from Popeye’s Sandwich Bar, 132 Portobello High Steet. Please note under 12s must be accompanied by an adult. Bring your own bean bag, food and drink.

Saturday Sessions featuring The Whole Shebang: 8-piece bluegrass collective performing a wide range of material, from the 1930s to the 2000s. 2pm, Sofi’s Bar, 65 Henderson Street.

Balerno Village Screen: Pride (15). Summer 1984: Margaret Thatcher is in power and the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) is on strike. At the Gay Pride march in London, a group of gay and lesbian activists decides to raise money to support the families of striking miners – but at first some members of the Union seems embarrassed to accept this support. Read The Edinburgh Reporter’s Top 5 films of 2014 – of which Pride was No. 3 – here. 7.30-9.30pm, St Joseph’s Hall, Main Street, Balerno. Advance booking is preferred to enable BVS to manage numbers: tickets are available from Balerno Post Office and The Mill Cafe in the St Joseph’s Centre, or via eventbrite here. Balerno Village Screen is a community cinema funded by donations. Tickets for all films are free.

SUNDAY 15TH MARCH 2015

Bags of Art: cool and creative fun with artists Tessa Asquith Lamb and Louise Fraser. For ages 4-12. 2-4pm, Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art ONE, Belford Road. Free, no booking required. Supported by the Friends of NGS.

St Patrick’s Portobello & Craigmillar Promenade Pageant: a family day out to celebrate Scottish and Irish culture. Music, dancing, children’s activities and local community groups. Begins 2pm from the Dalriada, 77 Promenade, Portobello.

Edinburgh Yarn Festival 2015: a festival of all things wooly and related to yarn, knitting, weaving, crochet, spinning and felting. A market place with 100+ vendors (including some who have never been seen in Scotland before), plus 32 classes and workshops from some of the finest teachers the international knitting industry and designer scene has to offer – and a host of other attractions – even a Yarn Cafe! 10am-5pm, Edinburgh Corn Exchange, New Market Road. Tickets cost £8 per day or £12 for the weekend. Workshops are not included and must be booked and paid for separately. See website for all ticket details and to book in advance; it will be possible to buy tickets on the door, but with cash only.

Italian Film Festival: curated by Allan Hunter and Richard Mowe, the 22nd Festival continues today. ‘An exciting and diverse line-up of contemporary and classic Italian cinema, including hilarious comedies, insightful dramas, seat-edge thrillers and classics from award-winning directors’. All films are subtitled in English, Today: Illustrious Corpses (15) ‘In a country rocked by political unrest, a district attorney is murdered in Palermo, and dogged inspector Rogas is assigned to the case. As two judges are subsequently murdered, he tries to make sense of a killing spree that appeares to be linked to official corruption and miscarriages of justice, but grows increasingly uneasy about the cynicism of the state and the true price of dissent. A film that remains strikingly relevant, Illustrious Corpses remains one of the finest in Francesco Rosi’s long career’. This screening will be introduced by Dr Pasquale Iannone (University of Edinburgh). 8.30pm, Filmhouse, Lothian Road. Tickets can be booked online via the website or by calling the Box Office on 0131 228 2688.

NGS Hearing Impaired Tour: BP Portrait Award 2014. A free tour of the exhibition with portable loops, led by artist Tessa Asquith-Lamb. 11am-12 noon, Scottish National Portrait Gallery, 1 Queen Street. To book a place please contact the Information Desk on 0131 624 6560.

Sunday Crafts at the Library: 2pm today and every Sunday, Portobello Library, 14 Rosefield Avenue. Please note that all children under 8 years must be accompanied by someone over the age of 12.

Filmhouse Junior: screenings for a younger audience. This week: Into The Woods (PG). 11am, Filmhouse, Lothian Road. Tickets cost £4 per person, big or small.

The Poozies: ‘a powerful combination of rhythmic, punching acoustic guitar, Camac electric harp, dextrous fiddle and accordion, and spine-tingling songs in four-part harmony’. Over 18s only. 7.30pm, The Voodoo Rooms, 19a West Register Street. Tickets cost £10 and can be booked online here (transaction fee applies) or by calling 0131 556 7060.

St Giles’ At Six: Hector Scott (violin and viola) and Anna Mavromatidi (piano) play Beethoven Kreutzer Sonata and Brahms Sonata for Viola in E flat. 6pm, St Giles’ Cathedral, High Street. Free: retiring collection.