Dr Book at the Urban Garden: storytimes and reading prescriptions from Dr Book all this week at the new George Street ‘parklet’. Come and see the new book benches! Storytime: 11am or 12 noon today, Thursday and Friday, Dr Book: 11am, Tuesday and Wednesday, George Street Urban Garden (near the Assembly Rooms). Read The Edinburgh Reporter’s article about the launch of the new book benches here.
Grassmarket Free Cinema: Dirty Pretty Things (15). An illuminating and nuanced film about the exploitation of illegal immigrants, Dirty Pretty Things tells the story of Okwe, a kind-hearted Nigerian doctor, and Senay, a Turkish chambermaid, who both work at the same London hotel. A thriller steeped in social commentary with powerful, evocative performances that picked up multiple awards. 7pm, Grassmarket Community Project, 86 Candlemaker Row. All welcome; free – donations to the Project also very welcome. The cafe will be open – please use it!
Caroline Dunford: Playing For Love. The acclaimed author launches her new warm-hearted novel, set against the backdrop of the Edinburgh Festival. 6.30-8pm, Portobello Library, Rosefield Avenue. Free but please book via eventbrite here.
Record Breakers Nature Hunt. Make your own journal, then go outside to see how many birds, bugs and plants everyone can spot. For ages 5+. 2.30pm, Corstorphine Library, Kirk Loan.
For Crying Out Loud: screenings for carers and their babies under the age of 12 months (maximum of 2 adults per baby). Babychanging, bottle warming and buggy parking facilities are available. This week’s film is The Salt of the Earth (12A) (In French, Portugese and English with English subtitles). Photographer Sebastiao Salgardoa embarks on the discovery of pristine territories, of world fauna and flora and of grandiose landscapes, as part of a huge photographic project in tribute to the planet’s beauty. 11am, Filmhouse, Lothian Road. Tickets cost £4.50/£3.50 per adult and may be purchased from the Box Office in person or by calling 0131 228 2688.
Bailey On… Warhol: a screening of the 1973 documentary, introduced by Dr Glyn Davis (University of Edinburgh). David Bailey, self-taught photographer and one of the prime architects of the Swinging Sixties, broadened his horizons in the late 1960s and early 70s, making three high-profile documentaries for Lew Grade’s ATV channel. Bailey was given unprecedented access to his subjects, including Andy Warhol. The documentary was infamously banned on the grounds that it was offensive and indecent, the verdict later overturned and the programme finally transmitted. 6-7.30pm, Hawthornden Lecture Theatre, Scottish National Gallery, The Mound. Free and unticketed.
Picturehouses Culture Shock: the best in cult and genre films. This week: The Terminator (18) – from the wasteland of 2029 Earth, two survivors are sent back in time to 1984 Los Angeles to influence the outcome of a conflict that has yet to take place. 9pm, Cameo, Home Street. Tickets may be purchased in person, by calling the Box Office on 0871 902 5723 or online here: prices vary.
Arctic Convoys: Men and Ice. In November 2014 St Mary’s Cathedral hosted the award ceremony of the Ushakov medals, presented by the Russian government to local British sailors and marines who had served on the Russian Convoys in World War II; thirty five veterans came from Edinburgh and the Lothians to receive their medals from the Russian Consul General. This festival exhibition aims to show how war totally changes people’s lives, taking them out of familiar surroundings and leading them to endure the most appalling hardships and dangers in unknown and hostile situations; it will consist of tapestries by weaver Katie Russell, interviews with and photographic portraits of sixteen veterans by Sandra Marwick and Colin Dickson, and fourteen beautifully embroidered banners linked to the veterans’ backgrounds, loaned by the Trades Maiden Hospital. 9am-1pm and 2-5pm Monday to Saturday, 12 noon-3pm Sundays (except Wednesday 19th August: 9am-12.15pm only), St Mary’s Cathedral, Palmerston Place. Free: collection for Legion Scotland (formerly Royal British Legion Scotland) throughout the exhibition. Closes 31st August 2015.
Consider the Flowers of the Field: an exhibition of paintings by Janet Dyer, botanical artist and priest. 9am-1pm and 2-5pm Monday to Saturday, 12 noon-3pm Sundays (except Wednesday 19th August: 9am-12.15pm only), Resurrection Chapel, St Mary’s Cathedral, Palmerston Place. Free.
