Storytelling: Scottish Superheroes. The Portrait Gallery is home to heroes and heroines – the original Scottish Superheroes. Come and enjoy some superhuman adventures with the Ancient Avengers in this participative family storytelling event with Ron and Fergus of Macastory. 2pm or 3pm (45 minute sessions), Scottish National Portrait Gallery, 1 Queen Street. Free and unticketed.
Fanfare: a city-wide event harnessing the enormous forces of Scotland’s community of brass bands by working with the Scottish Brass Band Association to present a day of free performances for everyone to enjoy. The brass band – the first of which was formed in Scotland in the early 1800s – was, and still is, an art form that is from, of and for local communities. Throughout the day audiences across the city will be able to share the joy and passion of a live brass band – everyone will be listening to the same piece of music at the same time in at least twelve different locations. 12 noon, 3pm and 5pm, Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art ONE, Belford Road; Graham’s Garden, Bridge Road; Balerno, Currie Kirk, Kirkgate; Spylaw Public Park, Bridge Road; Union Canal – by  Re-Union Barge (note: no access to barge); Saughton Park Rose Garden, Balgreen Road; Water of Leith Visitor Centre, Lanark Road; Roseburn Park, Riversdale Crescent, St Bernard’s Well, (between Deanhaugh St and the Dean Bridge) Stockbridge, Royal Botanic Garden (outside Inverleith House, Arboretum Road), The Shore, Leith (outside Malmaison) and St Mark’s Park, Warriston Road. Free and unticketed.
Celebrity Organ Recitals: Donald Hunt, Assistant Director of Music, St Mary’s Cathedral. 4.45pm, St Mary’s Cathedral, Palmerston Place. Free: retiring collection.
Edinburgh Book Fringe: daily events – all of them free (donations appreciated) – for two weeks at Word Power Books, Edinburgh’s independent radical bookshop. Today: Richard Gunn, Penny Cole and others discuss How Assemblies Can Inspire Real Democracy. Assemblies for Democracy are taking shape across the UK; Richard Gunn, RC Smith and Adrian Wilding have recently published Assemblies for Democracy: A Theoretical Framework, whilst Penny Cole is involved in facilitating the development of Assemblies. Discussion will be about the theory and practice of moving democracy on. 1pm, Word Power Books, West Nicolson Street. All welcome! No booking required, but arrive promptly as space is limited.
Picturehouse Vintage Sundays: classic films back on the big screen. Today: Casablanca (U), in which Humphrey Bogart plays Rick Blaine, a cynical but good-hearted American whose cafe is the gathering place for everyone from the French police to black marketeers and the Nazis. When his long lost love Isla (Ingrid Bergman) appears with her Resistance leader husband, Rick is pulled into a love triangle and a web of political intrigue. 1pm, Cameo, Home Street. Tickets may be purchased from the Box Office in person, by calling 0871 902 5723 or online.
Filmhouse Junior: screenings for a younger audience. Today’s film is The Secret of Kells (PG): in a remote medieval outpost of Ireland, young Brendan embarks on a new life of adventure when a celebrated master illuminator arrives from foreign lands carrying a book brimming with secret wisdom and powers….  Directed by Tomm Moore, whose new film is Song of the Sea. 11am, Filmhouse, Lothian Road. Tickets cost £4 per person, big or small, and may be obtained from the Box Office in person, by calling 0131 228 6382 or online.
Garden Sculpture Tours: join Alexander ‘Twig’ Champion for a meditative tour around the Garden’s outdoor sculptures, including the works of John Chamberlain. The tour explores both Chamberlain’s outdoor works, installed as part of the summer exhibition in Inverleith House, and the Garden’s collection of outdoor sculptures, including major works by Ian Hamilton Finlay, Andy Goldsworthy, Barbara Hepworth and Alan Johnston. 2-3pm, meet at Inverleith House reception, Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, Inverleith Row. Free, all welcome, no booking required. Also at same time on 6th & 20th September.
The Greg Proops Film Club: a new podcast covering old and new movies. Comedian Greg Proops invites listeners to sit down and watch some of his favourite films with him. At these screenings, Greg will give 30 minute live introductions, which will be recorded for the podcast; after the film join him in the foyer, where he will be signing copies of his new publication, Smartest Book in the World. Today’s film is Bullitt (15) starring Steve McQueen, Robert Vaughn and Jacqueline Bissett. 8pm, Filmhouse, Lothian Road. Tickets may be obtained from the Box Office in person, by calling 0131 228 6382 or online: prices vary. The other film in this series will be Young Frankenstein, showing on 28th August 2015.
Edinburgh College of Art Masters Show Closing Concert: a concert of freshly made audiovisual performances by Masters students in Sound Design and Digital Composition and Performance. Daniel McGurty, Dara Etefaghi, Juan Jose Ripalda, Gaby Yanez, Simon Young, Jack Walker and Anne-Sophie Mongeau will perform their work. 7pm, Wee Red Bar, Edinburgh College of Art, Lauriston Place. Free and open to all.
St John’s Festival Pulpits: Scottish political leaders come to St John’s to explain what motivates them. The five main parties in Scotland will be represented, each one speaking after St John’s Festival Evensong on Sundays throughout August. Tonight’s speaker is Sarah Boyack MSP, Shadow Cabinet Minister for Rural Affairs, Food and Environment, Scottish Labour Party. 7pm (approx – after evensong service, which begins at 6pm), St John’s Episcopal Church, Princes Street. All welcome, free. Next Sunday’s speaker will be Alison Johnstone MSP, Scottish Green Party.
Andrea Carlson: a night of romantic, witty, speakeasy jazz. 9pm, The Old Chain Pier, Trinity Crescent.
St Giles’ At Six: The Scottish Vocal Ensemble: Ego sum: I am.  Music by Arvo Part, Phillipe Rogier and Ivo Antognini. 6pm, St Giles’ Cathedral, High Street. Free; retiring collection.
