Refugee Festival 2015 Art Exhibition: an exhibition of visual art by multiple artists, around the themes of refugees, displacement, diaspora and acceptance. Launch tonight (with a free glass of wine!) at 7pm then 10am-11pm, Forest Cafe. 141 Lauriston Place. Ends 30th June 2015. Refugee Festival Scotland runs 3rd-21st June 2015. It is centered in Glasgow but includes events throughout the country; please see daily listings for other events in Edinburgh this week.
Filmhouse: For Crying Out Loud. Special screenings for parents/carers and their babies under the age of 12 months, accompanied by no more than two adults. Babychanging, bottle-warming and buggy parking facilities are available. Today’s film is Far from the Madding Crowd (12A): Carey Mulligan stars as Bathesheba in Thomas Vinterberg’s new adaptation of Thomas Hardy’s famous novel. 11am, Filmhouse, Lothian Road. Tickets for Crying Out Loud screenings cost £4.50/£3.50 per adult and may be purchased by calling the Box Office on 0131 228 2688.
Elspeth J McKenzie: a new exhibition by the Leith based artist. Jeremiah’s Tap Room, 7-8 Elm Row. Please contact venue for opening hours.
Golden Hare Book Group: Nan Shepherd The Living Mountain. This month the group discusses Shepherd’s masterpiece, in which she describes her journeys into the Cairngorms; the book was composed during the Second World War but lay untouched until its publication over thirty years later. ‘A classic meditation on the magnificence of mountains and on our imaginative relationship with the wild world around us’; ‘A beautiful and quietly profound book’. 6.30pm, Golden Hare Books, St Stephen Street, Stockbridge. All welcome: for more information please call the shop on 0131 629 1396.
LGBT: Police Surgery. Seek advice, raise concerns around safety issues, report incidents or discuss policing in your area with an officer from Police Scotland. No appointment needed for this informal session. 6.30-7.30pm (within weekly Drop-In, which runs 5.30-8pm), LGBT Health & Wellbeing, 9 Howe Street. For more information, or if you would like support around safety issues or to meet with the police outwith these times, please contact George Burrows on 0131 652 3281 or email george@lgbthealth.org.uk.
Grassmarket Picture House – see movies for free at the Grassmarket Community Project! Tonight’s film is the critically acclaimed and award-winning Birdman (15): a former cinema superhero (Michael Keaton) attempts an ambitious Broadway show that he hopes will breathe new life into his stagnant career. 7pm. Grassmarket Community Project, 86 Candlemaker Row. The Grassmarket Community Project creates community and provides sanctuary to some of the city’s most vulnerable citizens, including the homeless and people with mental/physical health issues and learning support needs. It operates an excellent community cafe, woodwork and tartan social enterprises and a range of social integration and educational activities for members, aimed at enhancing life skills and developing confidence. Although the films are shown for free, any donations you can offer will be much appreciated.
Hidden Gardens of the Royal Mile: Unexpected Green Gems in Edinburgh’s Old Town. A talk by the author, Jean Bareham. 6.30pm, Newington Library, Fountainhall Road. Free but please call 0131 529 5536 to reserve your place.
Blackwell’s Edinburgh Presents The Monthly Book Quiz: if you know your Waugh from your Peace and your Meyer from your Heyer, try this quiz, with questions on anything from classics to bestsellers, Booker Prize winners to celebrity biographies. Teams of up to five people welcome. 6-7.15pm, Caffe Nero, Blackwell’s, South Bridge. Free but please arrive early as space is limited.
Cameo Culture Shock: The Dark Crystal (U). ‘Jim Henson’s animatronic cult fantasy movie is visually stunning and a triumph of the imagination’. 9pm, Cameo, Home Street. Tickets may be purchased by calling the Box Office on 0871 902 5723 or online here.
Pentland Hills Regional Park Breeding Birds Survey: help survey for breeding birds on the heather moorland – a great survey for those who enjoy the early morning! Please bring sturdy footwear and waterproofs. 6.30-8.30am, Bonaly Country Park. Free. For more information please contact Pentland Hills Regional Park Service on 0131 529 2401 or email pentlandhills@edinburgh.gov.uk.
Stephanie Green: Flout. The poet and writer introduces her new pamphlet of poems (following a sell-out launch at StAnza Poetry Festival), inspired by Shetland landscape, folklore and culture. 6.30-8.30pm, Looking Glass Books, 36 Simpson Loan, Quartermile. Free tickets may be obtained via eventbrite here.
Tinderbox Orchestra Open Rehearsal: watch and listen in as this massive 20-piece electric/acoustic youth ensemble gets its music together. 4-6.30pm, The Jazz Bar, Chambers Street. Free.
Sofi’s Cult Movie Nights: popular classics on the silver screen in Sofi’s cosy, darkened back room – free popcorn too! 8pm, Sofi’s Bar, Henderson Street. Free.
