Re-Union Canal Boats History Cruise: find out more about the history of the Union Canal. How, why and when was it built, what was it used for and who was using it? An informative and enlightening 2 hour cruise which will include the history of the landmarks along the canal to Slateford Aquaduct, and the many changes that the canalside communities have seen. 3-5pm – begins at Edinburgh Quay; walk through to the canal from the junction of Fountainbridge and Gardner’s Crescent. The Lochrin Belle is the purple narrowboat – you can’t miss it! The cruise costs £10 per person: you can book through Re-Union’s website here or by calling them on 0131 261 8529. Read The Edinburgh Reporter’s article about Re-Union and the many roles of the Lochrin Belle here.
Toddler Time: short screenings exclusively for pre-school children and their parents and carers. Membership of Toddler Time is free – please ask at the Box Office. Today: The Hive, Programme 3 (U) – join Buzzbee and friends in their fun-packed adventures in The Hive, where every day brings something new for the little bee as he explores the world around him with his best friends Barnabee, Debee, Jaspar the wasp and his sister Rubee. 11am, Cameo, Home Street. Tickets cost £3 per child for Toddler Time members (accompanying adults free) and may be purchased online here or by calling the Box Office on 0871 902 5723. No adult unaccompanied by a toddler will be admitted.
Edinburgh Inter-Faith Association (EIFA): Grand Opening of New Premises! EIFA has moved from St John’s Church to the City of Edinburgh Methodist Church and will open its new premises today. 6pm – opening ceremony with entertainment, 7.15pm – light refreshments, City of Edinburgh Methodist Church, 15 Nicolson Square. All welcome!
The Play Talk Read Bus is in Edinburgh this week: enjoyable learning and fun for pre-school children and their parents and carers. There are games and activities downstairs and a Bookbug session upstairs, all facilitated by friendly Play Leaders. Today the bus will be at Oxgangs Library, Oxgangs Road North from 10am to 12.15pm and Craigmillar Library, Niddrie Mains Road, from 1.45pm to 4pm. It’s free and all are welcome.
Lunchtime Concert: Alexander Thomson plays the Centre’s Bechstein Grand Piano. 12.30pm (concert will begin at 12.40pm), Robertson Suite, Eric Liddell Centre, 15 Morningside Road. Admission costs £6 per person and includes a light lunch. For more information contact the Centre on 0131 447 4520.
For Crying Out Loud: screenings for carers and their babies under 12 months (maximum of two adults per baby). Baby-changing, bottle-warming and buggy-parking facilities are available. Today’s film is A Pigeon Sat on a Branch….(12A): ‘an absurdist, surrealistic and shocking pitch-black comedy’. In Swedish and English with English subtitles. 11am, Filmhouse, Lothian Road. Tickets cost £4.50/£3.50 (babies free).
The Life and Songs of Bob Bertram: author Norma Allan, who has just published The Complete Works of Bob Bertram, talks about the life and works of the well-known Edinburgh folk singer and character, who performed at various venues around the Old Town, particularly at the Edinburgh Folk Club. Norma will also recite some of Bob’s poems, and folk singer Morag Dunbar will sing some of his songs. 6.30-7.30pm, George Washington Browne Room, Central Library, George IV Bridge. Free but booking is required via eventbrite here.
Concert: Nabillah Jabal (piano). Please check time with venue: St Giles’ Cathedral, High Street. Free.
Folk Film Gathering: the world’s first folk film festival. The inaugural programme explores the use of folk tale and storytelling in film, rhapsodic mixes of cinema and song and a particular focus on women’s stories and perspectives. Each feature will be preceded by a related short by a contemporary Scottish filmmaker. Today’s film is Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors (Tini zabutykh) (12) (in Ukrainian with English subtitles): ‘..a dizzying portrayal of the ancient people’s culture of the Carpathian mountains. The story of star-crossed lovers accounts for only half of the film….Costume, dance, song and gossip orality combine with some of 
the most spectacular imagery ever caught on camera’. Plus short The Fisherman’s Daughter by Tom Chick. 5.45pm, Filmhouse, Lothian Road. Tickets may be purchased online here or by calling the Box Office on 0131 228 2688.
Tricolour: monthly event showcasing three different poetry and spoken word talents. Three different voices, three different styles, three different takes on life. This month: Patricia McCaw, Alec Beattie and Katie Ailes. 6.30pm, National Library of Scotland, George IV Bridge. Free but please book via the NLS website here or by calling 0131 623 3734.
A Flute and Saxophone Recital: Laura Cioffi and Anna Wright play works by Godard, Creston, Daugherty, Debussy, Glazunov and Ibert. 7.30pm, Canongate Kirk, 153 Canongate. Free.
The Trad Affair: an evening of fantastic energy, musicianship and smiles from young musicians from all over Scotland, Ireland, America and England who are now studying at the Royal Conservatoire in Glasgow. ‘A vibrant, contemporary and unique blend of traditional Scottish, Irish and original music, featuring piano, accordion, bagpipes, whistle, flute, fiddle, percussion, voice and clarsach….musical performances full of fun, personality and spirit’. Over 18s only. 7pm, Speakeasy, The Voodoo Rooms, 19a West Register Street. Tickets cost £8/£6 in advance from eventbrite here (transaction fee applies).
