Lichtenstein Easter Art Explosion! Drop in and join in a range of activities exploring the work of American Pop artist Roy Lichtenstein. Make an artwork out of musical notes and hear your crazy composition performed. Have fun designing a comic strip and create your own personal ‘Wall Explosion‘ – the perfect adornment for any home! 2-4pm, Scottish Gallery of Modern Art ONE, Belford Road. Free: no booking required.
Craigmillar Library Spring Break Activities: Treasure Hunt with Sooz. 1.30-2.30pm, Craigmillar Library, 101 Niddrie Mains Road. Any child under 8 years must be supervised by a family member over the age of 12.
Puppet Animation Festival: The Puppet State Theatre Company Presents The Man Who Planted Trees. This multi-sensory theatrical adaptation of Jean Giono’s environmental classic tells the inspiring story of a shepherd who plants a forest, acorn by acorn, transforming a barren wasteland. As much a touching tale as it is an hilarious puppet show, this beautiful, award-winning production shows us the difference one man and his dog can make to the world. ‘Perfect for children and adults’ (The Guardian). For ages 7+. 2pm, Netherbow Theatre, Scottish Storytelling Centre, 43-45 High Street. Tickets cost £8.50/£6.50 and may be booked in person, online here or by calling the Box Office on 0131 556 9579; a transaction fee applies to online and phone bookings.
Puppet Animation Festival: The Man Who Planted Trees. A special screening of the classic Oscar-winning animated film about the shepherd Elzeard Bouffier, who over 35 years quietly cultivated a magnificent forest in a desolate area of France. 4.30-5pm, Netherbow Theatre, Scottish Storytelling Centre, 43-45 High Street. Tickets cost £5 and may be booked in person, online here or by calling the Box Office on 0131 556 9579; a transaction fee applies to online and phone bookings.
Gallery of Modern Art Highlight Tours: monthly tours of the Gallery’s collection, focusing on key works. 2-2.45pm or 3-3.45pm, meet at Main Entrance, Scottish Gallery of Modern Art ONE, Belford Road. Free: no booking required.
Edinburgh Comic Con 2015: an extensive selection of talent and traders, numerous special guests, lots of events and (on Sunday) a cosplay competition. 10am-5pm today and Sunday 12th April, Potterow, Bristo Square. Tickets may be purchased for one or both days: prices vary, children under 10 years free but must be accompanied by a paying adult. To book see website here, or pay on the door (cash only).
Spring Into Leith: Easter Crown Making. For children aged 5-12 years. 3pm, McDonald Road Library, 2 McDonald Road. Free.
Edinburgh College of Art Illustration: an exhibition by 4th year students, staff and alumni. 12 noon-5pm today, then 10am-5pm Monday to Friday, 12 noon-5pm Saturdays, Doubtfire Gallery, 3 South East Circus Place. Ends 2nd May 2015,
Edinburgh International Science Festival: Dr Bunhead’s Exploding Easter Egg Show! Witness the world’s biggest Easter Egg explosion, rainbow foam fountains, the Easter Bunny bazooka and loads more Easter science shenanigans with the world’s favourite TV stunt scientist. Dr Bunhead ‘turns the science curriculum into a burning, bubbling, exploding ball of fun’ (Sunday Times). For ages 7+. 11am-12 noon, George Square Lecture Theatre, University of Edinburgh, George Square. Tickets cost £6 and can be booked online here or by calling 0844 557 2686.
Possibilities of the Object: Amplified Tour. A special tour of this new exhibition, with portable FM loops for the hard of hearing. 2-3pm, Fruitmarket Gallery, Market Street. Free but please book by calling 0131 225 2383 or emailing info@fruitmarket.co.uk.
Puppet Animation Festival 2015: Eco Drama Presents The Worm: An Underground Adventure. Underneath your feet in the muddy brown soil squirms the world’s best kept secret…a wonderful, magical creature called The Worm. Join two nature lovers, Wilma and William, on a journey underground as they discover a family of friendly musical worms and their colourful miniature world. With laugh out loud songs, including one about worm poo, The Worm is a fun-filled musical tale guaranteed to make everyone giggle, wiggle and love the squirmy wonders beneath our feet. After the performance the audience is invited to see some real worms in a specially designed wormery. For ages 3-7 years: please note that all children must be accompanied by an adult. 11am-12 noon, North Edinburgh Arts, 15a Pennywell Court. Tickets cost £4/£3/£2 and can be booked by calling North Edinburgh Arts on 0131 315 2151, emailing admin@northedinburgharts.co.uk or in person. The performance will be followed by a free garden workshop, to which everyone is welcome. Come and learn about composting, and enjoy some free soup!
Raoul De Keyser’s Early Works: a talk by Professor Stephen Jacobs (Ghent University). Professor Jacobs, author of Raoul De Keyser: Retour 1964-2006 will focus on De Keyser’s early works featured in the current exhibition in the context of the artist’s oeuvre, demonstrating the way in which certain themes and motifs, which were developed early on, remained important throughout his career. 2pm, Inverleith House, Royal Botanic Garden of Edinburgh, Arboretum Place. Free but booking is required as places are limited: tickets may be obtained from Inverleith House or via eventbrite here.
Edinburgh International Science Festival: The Incredible Power of Light – Lasers and the Search for Alien Worlds. Over the last decade astronomers have identified hundreds of planets outside our solar system – however planets that could support life are relatively small, so finding them is a massive challenge. This talk will look at how research which began in laser laboratories is making an impact on planet hunting! For ages 15+. 2-3pm, The Scottish Parliament, Holyrood. Free: to book a place please call 0131 348 5200 or email spbookings@scottish.parliament.uk.
Organ Recital: Hannah Gibson (Birmingham Conservatoire) plays Nicholas Bruhns Praeludium ‘The Great’ in E Minor, Robert Schumann Four Sketches for Pedal Piano Op 58, Olivier Messaien L’Ascension (complete), Gabriel Faure Pavane Op 50 and Louis James Alfred Lefebure-Wely March in F Major. 7.30pm, Palmerston Place Church, Palmerston Place. Free.
Puppet Animation Festival 2015: Faux Theatre Presents Celeste’s Circus. Come and join the circus! A first trip for little ones to experience and enjoy the magic of the big top. Thrills and spills, ooohs and aaahs, for ages 0-5 years. 2pm, Craigmillar Community Arts, 58 Newcraighall Road. Please contact CCA on 0131 669 8432 for tickets.
Bruncheon! featuring The Sound of Muesli: local musical talent and DJs creating a chilled out atmosphere, alongside delicious home-made cafe food in the open space of the Drill Hall. Kippers, morning rolls and sweet treats a-plenty! 11.30am-3pm, Out of the Blue Drill Hall, 36 Dalmeny Street. Free entry.
Holyrood Art Club Annual Exhibition: the Holyrood Art Club is one of the oldest – and certainly the largest – art clubs in Edinburgh. It was founded in 1957 and currently has over 100 members. Submissions for its exhibition are selected by an independent professional artist, with approximately 200 being hung. 11am (official opening)-5.45pm today, 10.30am-5.45pm Monday 13th, Tuesday 14th, Thursday 16th and Friday 17th April, 10.30am-4.45pm Wednesday 15th and Saturday 18th April, and 2pm-5.45pm Sunday 12th April, Greyfriars Kirk, Greyfriars Place. Ends 18th April 2015.
CoderDojo: a programmers’ coding club for ages 10-16 years – learn all about programming in a fun and sociable environment. 2-4pm today and fortnightly, Drumbrae Library Hub, 81 Drumbrae Drive. Free: for more information, please contact the library on 0131 529 5244.
Buzz Around the Botanics: join the hunt for bees and other minibeasts. Take your ID guide and recording sheet into the Garden, then record your results on the big map. All young scientists will receive a pack to take away. For ages 5+. 11am-4pm, Real Life Science Studio, John Hope Gateway, Royal Botanic Garden of Edinburgh, Inverleith Row. Free: no booking required. With the Bumblebee Conservation Trust and Open Air Laboratory.
Spring Fling 2015! If you are 50+ and looking for inspiration, a new hobby or interest, a volunteering opportunity, ways to get involved in your local neighbourhood – or something else – the Spring Fling is for you. Over 45 stalls (including Scottish Ramblers, Edinburgh Quilters, Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home, MECOPP, Police Scotland, Edinburgh Leisure and LGBT Health & Wellbeing) plus giveaways, tasters and music. Refreshments available in the cafe. 11am-4pm, Eric Liddell Centre, Holy Corner, Morningside Road. Admission free.
Edinburgh & Lothians Rock Garden Club Spring Flower Show. Displays of bulbs, alpine and rock garden plants, stalls from six leading nurseries, seeds, sundries and refreshments. 10.30am (show hall opens 12 noon)-4pm, Fairmilehead Parish Church, Frogston Road West. Admission £1. All very welcome!
CANCELLED: Pentland Scout Group Ceilidh with The Robert Fish Band. 8pm-12 midnight (doors open 7.30pm), St Brides Centre, Orwell Terrace, Dalry. Tickets cost £8/£6 in advance from the Centre on 0131 346 1405 or £10/£8 on the door (STA).
Portobello Open Door Film Night: The Imitation Game (12A). Based on the real life story of legendary cryptanalyst Alan Turing (Benedict Cumberbatch), the film portrays the nail-biting race against time by Turing and his brilliant band of codebreakers at Bletchley Park during the darkest days of World War II. 7pm, The Wash House Community Centre, Adelphi Grove. Tickets cost £6/£4 and are available from Popeye’s Sandwich Shop, 132 Portobello High Street, or on the door (STA).
Edinburgh International Harp Festival: Tom Pow and Wendy Stewart. Writer Tom Pow and harper Wendy Stewart will talk and play with music and words. These two art forms can express the same emotion in so many different ways yet influence each other dramatically. How can we marry the two without one detracting from the other? Come, listen and reflect. 11am, Merchiston Castle School, 294 Colinton Road. Tickets cost £8 and may be booked online, by phone or in person: see the Edinburgh International Harp Festival’s website here for full details.
