Comic Art Workshop with Kev F Sutherland: find out how easy it is to write and draw comics and manga! A free comic art masterclass for ages 8-12, with Kev F Sutherland, whose work appears in The Beano, Marvel comics, Dr Who Adventures and lots more. At the end of the masterclass you will get a comic containing a strip from everyone, and your own comic caricature drawn by Kev! 2-4pm, Central Children’s Library, George IV Bridge. Free but booking is essential and may be made via eventbrite here. To help the library manage bookings, please only order a ticket for your child – do not book an extra one for any accompanying adult.
Riots, Headscarves and Mistresses. For two centuries or more, most French people and many foreigners considered French politics to be at the vanguard of history, but in the past two decades this image has been shattered. In this talk Dr Emile Chabal will focus on the revival of French republicanism since the 1980s, offering new perspectives on the transformation of France into a European country like any other. 1-2pm, Anatomy Lecture Theatre, Doorway 3, Medical School, University of Edinburgh, Teviot Place. Free and open to all, but please register via eventbrite here. This talk is part of a series of public lectures which aim to challenge popular beliefs and reassess intriguing events. For more information click here.
Sand Castle Day at NEA! Everyone is welcome at this free event in NEA’s garden. 10am-12 noon, North Edinburgh Arts, Pennywell Court, Muirhouse. Please contact NEA on 0131 315 2151 for more information.
Getting Started at the National Library of Scotland: learn how to get a library card, find your way around the Library and request materials from the collections. The workshop will include a tour of the reading rooms. If you wish to register for a library card, please bring evidence of identity with you – details of what is acceptable can be found on the NLS website. 2.30pm, National Library of Scotland, George IV Bridge. Booking is essential and may be made by calling 0131 623 3734 or online here.
Beyond The Veil: Eid Celebration Event. This month’s storytelling session will be about the Prophet Ibrahim, and will include a boat trip to Inchcolm Island for all the family. Meet promptly at 12.15pm, Hawes Pier, South Queensferry EH30 9TB. £10 (adult), £5 (child), children aged 4 or under go free. Booking is essential: please email the names of all people attending, the ages of children and a mobile contact number to beyondtheveil@hotmail.co.uk. Beyond The Veil is a Muslim women’s group based in Edinburgh; it aims to promote a better understanding of Islam on a basic level, and believes it is through integration and partnership that understanding on a reciprocal basis can be achieved. For more information see the group’s Facebook page here.
Record Breakers: Creative Storytelling with The Dogs Trust. For ages 5-10. 2.30pm, Oxgangs Library, Oxgangs Road North.
Edinburgh Art Festival – Spotlight Tours of Scottish Art: People, Places, Ideas. Guided tours of the City Art Centre’s Scottish Art collection, focusing on people, places and ideas. 11am or 3pm, (meet at reception) City Art Centre, 2 Market Street. No booking required, free – suggested donation £2. Also at same times on 15th August 2015.
Blackwell’s Edinburgh Presents Writers at the Fringe: every Thursday throughout the Fringe, Blackwell’s invites a selection of Scottish performers to give a taste of their work. New and unpublished works of literary art stand alongside established novelists, with any and all genres free to be expressed, from poetry to cutting-edge drama, folk music, contemporary fiction and all that is found between. Tonight’s line-up is Ian Garbutt, Jane Alexander, Alwyn James, Sue Lawrence and Doug Johnstone. 5.45pm for 6pm, Blackwell’s, South Bridge. Free tickets may be obtained from the shop’s front desk, by calling 0131 622 8229, emailing events.edinburgh@blackwell.co.uk, via eventbrite here or from the Fringe Box Office here.
Annabelle Gurwitch: the author, playwright and actress discusses her work and her latest book, New York Times Bestseller I See You Made An Effort. Gurwitch, whose previous publications include You Say Tomato, I Say Shut Up, previously hosted Dinner and A Movie on TBS. She is now shortlisted for the 2014-15 James Thurber Prize for American Humour Writing. 5.30pm, Word Power Books, West Nicolson Street. All welcome, free: donations also very welcome!
Edinburgh Art Festival Explorers Free Summer Art Workshops: for children in the age group P1-P4. 10.30am-4.30pm, Central Library, George IV Bridge. Booking is required and may be made by emailing alchemyarts@gmail.com or calling 07853 872 073. Also at same times on Friday 14th August 2015.
Museum Outreach – Street Games: a session with Edinburgh Museums and Galleries Outreach and Access workers. 2.30pm, Currie Library, 210 Lanark Road West. Free.
Gallery 37: a showcase event celebrating the work of young people aged 14-19, inspired by the Museum’s collections and created with professional artists in Impact Art workshops. Art forms include fashion, digital, visual art, performance, music, animation and design. 10am-5pm, Event Space and Auditorium, National Museum of Scotland, Chambers Street. Free: all welcome.
Portrait Gallery Curator’s Talk: Head to Head. A chance to chat to gallery curators about the current exhibitions; this month Imogen Gibbon, Deputy Director of the Portrait Gallery, talks about Head to Head. 5.30-6pm, Scottish National Portrait Gallery, 1 Queen Street. Free and unticketed.
The Drawing Room August 2015: informal artist-led drawing sessions, each developed by a contemporary artist and reflecting concerns in that artist’s work. All materials supplied: no experience necessary. 5.30-6.45pm, Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art TWO, Belford Road. To book please contact the Education Department on 0131 624 6410 or email education@nationalgalleries.org.
LGBT Learning Difficulties: a group for LGBT people who also identify as having a learning difficulty or disability. The group can offer social activities, volunteering opportunities, and capacity building with statutory or voluntary sector organisations. Today’s activity is a trip to the seaside at Portobello – visit a cafe with sea views and stroll along the prom with friends. Meet at LGBT Health & Wellbeing, 9 Howe Street by 1pm or at the South St David’s Street bus stop by 1.15pm. Return will be around 4.30pm. Please bring money to buy your refreshments in the cafe. Booking is essential and must be made by contacting George Burrows on 0131 652 3281 or emailing george@lgbthealth.org.uk by Monday 10th August. For more information about the group or to make an appointment, please also contact George.
Phill Jupitus Sketch Comic in Conversation: each Thursday evening during the festivals, Phill Jupitus will be in conversation with a special guest – a passionate, personal and irreverent look at art, a chat about what Phill has seen in the galleries this week, and possibly some sketching! The guests’ identities will be announced nearer the time. 7-8pm, Hawthornden Lecture Theatre, Scottish National Gallery, The Mound. Free and unticketed.
The Dew On Her Plaid: the history and myths behind a selection of traditional songs. A performance of six traditional Scots songs which link in various ways to women in Scottish history. Performed and presented by Dr Nicola Cowmeadow and Syd House. For adults. 2pm, Museum of Edinburgh, Huntly House, 142 Canongate. Tickets cost £5/£3.50 and must be booked in advance via the Usher Hall Box Office, in person, by calling 0131 228 1155 or online here.
Making Faces! Making for Grown-Ups. A special evening opening of the children’s Making Faces! activities for ages 16+ to 80+. Unleash your childlike, creative side with hands-on art making activities; drop into the studio this summer and get inspired by an amazing variety of portraits from across the National Galleries’ exhibitions and collections. 5-7pm, Clore 1, Scottish National Gallery, The Mound. Free and unticketed.
The Adventures of Prince Achmed (1926) (U) – with live score by Sink. Widely considered to be the first full-length animated feature in the history of cinema, The Adventures of Prince Achmed is a superlative piece of storytelling with some experimental and semi-abstract sequences thrown in. Based loosely on the Arabian Nights, the film is an exciting and fast-paced tale of sword fights, chases, genies and adventure. Continuing a four year collaboration with Filmhouse, acoustic trio Sink bring their sounds to this very special animated feature, this time reaching beyond their more usual instrumentation to include mizmar, tuned percussion and vocal elements in a score that is ‘in part composed, in part conjured, like painting bright colours onto black and white film and setting the quiet air into magical vibration’. 9pm, Filmhouse, Lothian Road. Tickets may be obtained from the Box Office in person, by calling 0131 228 6382 or online: prices vary.
Edinburgh Festival Voluntary Guides Association: Edinburgh and the Act of Union 1707. Eric Melvin will tell the story of Edinburgh at the start of the 18th century, the events which led up to the Act of Union, and how the Act was received in Scotland and in England. 7pm for 7.30pm, City Chambers, 253 High Street. Free; all welcome.
Nothing Ever Happens Here: Stanley Odd. The alternative Scottish hip-hop band released their third album A Thing Brand New in late 2014. ‘Scottish hip-hop standard bearers…delivery deadly, rhymes sublime’ (Scotland on Sunday). 8.30pm, Dissection Room, Summerhall, 1 Summerhall. Tickets cost £10 and may be purchased by calling the Box Office on 0131 560 1580 or online here.
