Friday in Edinburgh – What’s On Today

Flickering Seasons: a monologue about real life, recovery and hope, written and performed by Frances McCann, directed by Adam Tomkins. The performance will last about 30 minutes and will be followed by a talk. 6.45pm, St John’s Church Hall, Princes Street. Tickets cost £7/£5 (unwaged) and will be available on the door. Supported by the Scottish Recovery Consortium.

Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival starts today! Over 150 concerts in venues all over the city, plus jam sessions, a jazz summer school, Mardi Gras in the Grassmarket and the Festival Carnival in Princes Street. Tickets may be purchased online here, by calling 0131 473 2000 or from Hub Tickets, the Festival Theatre and The Queen’s Hall.

Biggest Bubble Blowing Bonanza: will there be a record breaker? Come along and find out! For ages 5-12 years. 2.30-3.30pm, Granton Library, Wardieburn Terrace. All welcome.

In Focus: Quentin Massy’s Portrait of a Man c 1510-1520. Art historian Ola Wojtkiewicz considers one of the Scottish National Gallery highlights, which shows Massy’s meticulous style in one of his best ‘head and shoulders’ portraits set against a landscape background. The painting’s enigmatic symbolism and its fascinating conservation history will be the main focus of this informative and entertaining lecture. 12.45-1.30pm, Hawthornden Lecture Theatre, Scottish National Gallery, The Mound. Free and unticketed.

Summer Yoga: 10.30am-12 noon today and every Friday until 14th August, Eric Liddell Centre, 15 Morningside Road. £6/£5 (mats provided). For more information please contact fiona@ericliddell.org or call 0131 446 3321.

Beyond Google: an Introduction to Credo Reference and Oxford Reference Online. Learn how to access hundreds of quality reference books online – a basic introduction to the key features of two major resources. 11am, National Library of Scotland, George IV Bridge. Free but booking is required and may be made by calling 0131 623 3734 or online here. For more information please email enquiries@nls.uk.

Anita Wardell and her Trio: the world-renowned singer with one of the most attractive voice in jazz, sings ballads, scat and swingers. For over 14s only. 6-7.30pm, The Jazz Bar, Chambers Street. This event forms part of Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival: tickets cost £10 (transaction fee applies) and may be purchased from Hub Tickets, Castle Hill in person, by calling 0131 473 2000 or online here. Tickets are also available from the Festival Theatre and The Queen’s Hall Box Offices.

ButeFest 2015: if you’re still looking for an excuse to escape this weekend, another island is ready to welcome you to its shores. Bute is, however, a tad closer to home than the Outer Hebrides; you can take the train or bus there from Glasgow (short ferry trip included), and they’re even laying on a shuttle bus to get you to the campsite. Line-up includes Peatbog Faeries, Treacherous Orchestra, Skerryvore, Stanley Odd, We Banjo 3 and lots more, plus children’s entertainment – Professor Pumpernickel, storytelling, a wandering troubadour and activities throughout the site – locally produced foods, including Henshelwoods and Food From Argyll, breadmaking, coffee tasting, herb growing, preserve making and spice tasting workshops, craft beers and ciders. Starts today, The Meadows, Rothesay, Isle of Bute; ends Sunday 19th July. For more information, including accommodation (free camping is included in the ticket price, but you can also hire a luxury pre-erected bell tent, furnished or unfurnished!) and transport options, see the ButeFest website here.

Get Into Art: if you’re looking to explore a variety of new art techniques, start here with a simple introduction to artworks from the city’s varied and colourful collection with artist Erik Petrie.  2.30-4pm, City Art Centre, 2 Market Street. £4 per person: advance booking is essential and must be made via the Usher Hall Box Office, Lothian Road, in person, by calling 0131 228 1155 or online here. Please note that these workshops are for families working together: all children must be accompanied by at least one paying adult, and children must not be booked into workshops alone.