Farm Fest 2015: a one day, free entry, gala extravaganza celebrating the farm’s work – a fun day out for all ages. Arts and crafts workshops, bouncy castle, bucking bronco and from 1-4pm, a mini-festival with live music from local bands, performances from Elite Studio Centre Dancers, refreshments from local Edinburgh breweries, plus the farm’s very own barbecue. 
Castle FM will broadcast live from the event. 11am-4pm, Gorgie City Farm, 51 Gorgie Road. Free: donations welcome!
Tiger Tales: stories and craft for children aged 4-8 years. 3-4pm, Fountainbridge Library, 137 Dundee Street. All welcome! The next session will be on 22nd August 2015.
Artist’s Talk: Mexican artist Ariel Guzik will discuss his lifelong project to communicate with dolphins and whales with Nicola Tricsott, director of Arts Catalyst and marine biologist Mark Simmonds OBE. 11.30am, Trinity Apse, Chalmers Close, High Street. Free but booking is required and may be made by emailing rsvp@edinburghartfestival.com. Guzik’s exhibition Holoturian is at Trinity Apse until 30th August 2015 as part of Edinburgh Art Festival.
Artist’s Perfromance: Ariel Guzik – Holoturian. A unique opportunity to hear the Mexican artist perform live in a specially devised set combining electronic music with field recordings of whales and dolphins. 7pm, Trinity Apse, Chalmers Close, High Street. Free but booking is required and may be made via eventbrite here.
Janis MacKay: Wild Song. The award-winning author and storyteller presents her new novel, written while she was living on an island in Finland as a writer in residence. Through live storytelling, Janis will share how 13 year old Niilo overcomes his fears, learns about storytelling and surviving on a desert island, and discovers the ancient Saami custom of joiking – a form of singing to help us remember who we are. For ages 8-14. 2.30pm, Storytelling Court, Scottish Storytelling Centre, 43-45 High Street. Tickets cost £5/£3 and may be purchased in person, by calling the Box Office on 0131 556 9579 or online here.
The Art of Giving: a mixed exhibition of work by local artists, including Tommy Fitchet, Ros Was-O’Donnell, Mary Tully, Anna Smith, Liz McHugh and Jamie Johnson. All art is for sale, and 40% of all sale proceeds will go to International Voluntary Service. 10am-4pm, Undercroft Cafe, St Andrew’s & St George’s West Church, 13 George Street. Ends 31st August 2015. There will be an opening gala, with an opportunity to meet the artists, on 8th August from 3pm to 7pm.
Celtic Summer School: Inventing Scotland. How did Scotland come to be? Who and what made it a geography, a nation and a society? And who are the Scots? A session led by Donald Smith. 11am, Scottish Storytelling Centre, 43-45 High Street. Tickets cost £7/£5 and may be purchased in person, by calling the Box Office on 0131 556 9579 or online here. The Celtic Summer School runs from today until 7th August 2015; you can buy tickets for individual events, or save money with a day or weekly pass – see the Centre’s website for details.
Birlinn – From the Page to the Wall; the art of Birlinn. A mixed exhibition of original illustrated and printed work. 10am-5pm Monday to Friday, 12 noon-5pm Saturdays, Doubtfire Gallery, South East Circus Place. Ends 29th August 2015.
Allan McNally: Festival Exhibition. Contemporary Scottish landscape and seascapes by the Scottish watercolour artist. Opens today, then 9am-10pm daily, Circus Bistro, 8 St Mary’s Street. Ends 31st August 2015.
The Big LGBT Music Jam: a creative and supportive space for making music. Play, sing your own song or just be an appreciative listener; all music tastes welcome. Bring your own instrument, some percussion supplied. 1-4pm (doors open at 1), LGBT Health & Wellbeing, 9 Howe Street. For more information contact biglgbtmusicjamedinburgh@gmail.com. No booking required; just come along!
Marvin Gaye Chetwynd: The King Must Die. Known for her deliberately shambolic and lo-fi performances, Marvin Gaye Chetwynd’s new work The King Must Die explores the Ancient Greek cult of the Mother Goddess; an intense and supremely pagan celebration of femininity and female power. The performance will require some audience participation. For ages 16+. 2pm, Old Royal High School, Regent Road. Free but booking is essential and may be made via eventbrite here. Further performances will take place on various dates throughout August. Part of Edinburgh Art Festival.
Garage Presents Her Wilderness: a film by Frank Mosley. Her Wilderness weaves an elliptical, minimalist narrative of a lost, wandering child in the wake of an affair that may or may not have happened. 2.30pm or 4pm, GARAGE, Northumberland Street North West Lane. Free: part of Edinburgh Art Festival. GARAGE is a unique, DIY, not-for-profit art space. The film will also be shown at the same times on Sunday 2nd August.
Edinburgh Printmakers: Derek Michael Besant. A lecture on the Canadian artist’s concept for his new exhibition In Other Words… and for the public art facade integration at Castle Mill Works, Fountainbridge, along with four other related projects that draw from public collaboration in other cities. A fascinating insight into the artist’s response to the heritage of Castle Mill Works (formerly North British Rubber Co HQ) and how this shaped, informed and inspired the work, which was commissioned by Edinburgh Printmakers. 2-3pm, Edinburgh Printmakers, Union Street. Free, all welcome, but tickets are required and may be obtained via eventbrite here.
Celtic Summer School: Patrick Geddes. Geddes harnessed the idea of evolution to consciousness, culture and community; he is a 21st century inspirer, and the person who sparked Scotland’s modern renaissance. Learn more with Mairi McFadyen. 1pm, Scottish Storytelling Centre, 43-45 High Street. Tickets cost £6/£4 and may be purchased in person, by calling the Box Office on 0131 556 9579 or online here. The Celtic Summer School runs from today until 7th August 2015; you can buy tickets for individual events, or save money with a day or weekly pass – see the Centre’s website for details.
Modern Art and Scotland’s Masterpieces: artist Lynda Frame invites you to explore abstract and modern works (still life, portraiture, sea, land and urban scapes) in the gallery’s vast collection, make your own sketches then create your own special masterpiece in colour. 10am-3pm (bring packed lunch), City Art Centre, 2 Market Street. Tickets cost £4 and must be booked in advance via the Usher Hall Box Office, in person, by calling 0131 228 1155 or online here. Please note that this workshop is intended for children and adults to experience together; children must be accompanied by at least one paying adult, and no child should be booked into a workshop alone.
Back to Basics Jazz Quintet: ‘swing is king’ from this troupe of well-established jazzers; classic/modern/mainstream jazz, plus ‘Back To Where It All Came From’ New Orleans Roots and Dixieland sound. The 5-piece consists of Colin Steele (trumpet), John Burgess (sax), Brian Kellock (piano), Ed Kelly (bass) and Bill Kyle (drums). Swing dancers welcome! 9pm (entry from 8pm), The Jazz Bar, Chambers Street. £5/£4 on the door: please note this venue is cash only.
Lorna Fraser: The Herbarium, An Artist’s View. An exhibition of new ceramic and print work by Edinburgh based artist Lorna Fraser, inspired by the plant specimens from the RGBE Herbarium. 10am-5.45pm, Gateway Gallery, John Hope Gateway, Royal Botanic Garden of Edinburgh, Inverleith Row. Free.
Organic Garden Open Day: Mike & Susan Burns invite you to visit their large, wildlife-friendly garden, which they have tended for 28 years and which includes a mini orchard, pond, kitchen garden, mixed borders, greenhouse, conservatory and secret garden. Refreshments available: teas 20p. 2-5pm, 39 Nantwich Drive, Edinburgh EH7 6RA. Entrance £1/50p: all proceeds will go to Garden Organic, a charity bringing together thousands of people who share a common belief – that organic growing is essential for a healthy and sustainable world. Also at same times on Sunday 2nd August. For further information please call Mike Burns on 0131 669 0335.
Summer Storytime: The Tiger Who Came To Tea. Come and listen to Judith Kerr’s wonderful book, then join in arts and activities related to the story. Waterstones Ocean Terminal, 98/99 Ocean Terminal, Ocean Drive. Please call the store on 0131 554 7732 to check time.
Fabienne Hess: Hits and Misses (from the archive) – Artist’s Talk: the artist will discuss her work with University of Edinburgh Art Collections Curator Neil Lebeter. 6.30pm, Talbot Rice Gallery, Old College, University of Edinburgh, South Bridge. Free but booking is required and may be made via eventbrite here. Hits and Misses (from the archive) is open at Talbot Rice Gallery until 3rd October 2015.
LGBT: Edinburgh Trans Women. Support group aimed at transsexual women at any stage of transition, women who are transgender and live as women full-time or part-time, or for those who are questioning their gender identity. 7.30-9.30pm, LGBT Health & Wellbeing, 9 Howe Street. Please email the group before attending for the first time: info@edinburghtranswomen.org.uk.
100 Small Works for the Art of Music: small artworks inspired by songs, orchestras, venues, festivals, instruments, musicals, musicians, album artwork…. 10.30am-5pm today, 11am-5pm Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, 1-5pm Thursdays, Space Artworks, 410 Morningside Road. Ends 31st August 2015. Space Artworks promotes artwork from adults with long-term health issues, including physical and learning disabilities and mental health challenges, and from carers.
Summer Storytime: Julia Donaldson. Come and listen to books by the wonderful children’s author, and join in arts and activities related to the story. 12 noon, Waterstones West End, 128 Princes Street. Please call 0131 226 2666 for further information.
Celtic Summer School: Gaelic and Scots Song. Dip into the treasure stores of Scottish song with expert guide Patsy Seddon, and listen or sing along as you choose. 2.30pm, Scottish Storytelling Centre, 43-45 High Street. Tickets cost £9/£7 and may be purchased in person, by calling the Box Office on 0131 556 9579 or online here. The Celtic Summer School runs from today until 7th August 2015; you can buy tickets for individual events, or save money with a day or weekly pass – see the Centre’s website for details.
GARAGE Presents City Vegetables: a new solo project by cartoonist Malcy Duff. Using unrecyclable packaging, recordings and voice, sounds are created from reading drawn scores. 3pm, GARAGE, Northumberland Street North West Lane. Free: part of Edinburgh Art Festival. GARAGE is a unique, DIY, not-for-profit art space.
Lunchtime Concert: Ben Kearsley (classical guitar). 1.10pm, St Mary’s Cathedral, Palmerston Place.
Portrait Gallery Thematic Tours: The 1715 Jacobite Rebellion. Susanna Kerr, former Senior Curator, Portrait Gallery, will lead a tour round the Gallery, examining the rebellion that almost ended the reign of George I. 2-2.45pm or 3-3.45pm, Scottish National Portrait Gallery, 1 Queen Street. Free and unticketed.
Sarah Hardie: songs for someone who isn’t there. An evening of ‘lullabies’, performances of song and poetry, through the streets of Edinburgh, featuring artists Ed Atkins, David Austen, Marco Godoy and Sarah Hardie, and poet Crispin Best. These city-wide ‘lullabies’ represent not the idealised togetherness of typical lullabies, but rather the pained isolation of our contemporary age of broken encounters, the lover’s hope, materialised in song, against the stony silence of public space today. 9-9.40pm, meet at corner of Chambers Street and West College Street, Old College, University of Edinburgh. Free but booking is required and may be made via eventbrite here. Part of Edinburgh Art Festival.
Summer Storytime: There Was A Wee Lassie Who Swallowed A Midgie. Come and listen to this tale by Rebecca Colby, and join in arts and activities related to the story. 3pm, Waterstones George Street, 83 George Street.
Spotlight Tours of Scottish Art: People, Places, Ideas. A guided tour of the City Art Centre’s Scottish Art collection. 11am or 3pm, City Art Centre (meet at reception), 2 Market Street. Free: suggested donation £2. Part of Edinburgh Art Festival.
Retrograde: ‘deep cosmic grooves with an old school flavour’. 9pm, Victoria Bar, 265 Leith Walk.
Vegas! Scotland’s award-winning retro club night – an evening of cocktails and cool, showgirls and swing, roulette and romance, with DJs Frankie Sumatra, Bugsy Seagull, Sam Jose and Nuno Endo, plus Nikki Nevada and The Vegas Showgirls, and The Fabulous Scott Brothers croupiers. Ballroom, The Voodoo Rooms, West Register Street. For over 18s only. Tickets cost £6 in advance and may be purchased online here (transaction fee applies), or £7 on the door (sta).
Marion Drummond and Paul Kennedy: a new exhibition. 11am-5pm Tuesday to Saturday, The Leith Gallery, 65 The Shore. Ends 29th August 2015.
