Balerno Music Festival: the eighth Balerno Music Festival starts today, with a packed programme of concerts, films, cabaret, workshops, children’s events, folk music sessions, the Festival Busk and a jazz party. Tonight’s opening event is a Dinner Discussion with Paul Stubbings, Musical Director of St Mary’s Music School; a renowned organist and music master, Paul took up his post at St Mary’s in 2012 and on his appointment was described as ‘a first rate performer at St Martin-in-the-Fields …….. having an absolute passion for education’. Come along and hear about Paul’s career highlights and what drives his passion for teaching excellence in music. The evening will include a delicious two course meal provided by MacKenzies (of Colinton) with complimentary wine or soft drinks. A friendly and warm welcome is guaranteed. 7.30pm, St Joseph’s Hall, Balerno. Tickets cost £17 and may be purchased from Balerno Parish Church Office (9am-12 noon, Monday to Friday), Balerno Farmers’ Market, by post or online; for full booking information click here. The festival ends on 11th October 2015.
World’s Biggest Coffee Morning: with cake! 11am, Drumbrae Library Hub, Drumbrae Drive. All welcome. In aid of Macmillan Cancer Support. Donations of baking much appreciated – these may be taken into the library on Tuesday 22nd or early today.
Black Cube Collective Annual Show 2015. The Edinburgh arts organisation brings together more than fifty emerging artists from around the world for its third Annual Show, with contemporary art ranging from installation and film to painting and ceramics. Exhibitors include Rory Laycock, who was recently selected for entry into the 9th International Arte Laguna Prize; other artists from Pakistan, Hong Kong, the United States, Austria, Russia and many other countries will join graduates of Edinburgh College of Art and Glasgow School of Art. The work shown will cover topics as diverse as hyperplasia, gender reassignment and the use of online technology. A public live performance event by artist Jean-François Krebs will take place on Saturday 26th September at 2pm. 10am-5pm, Gayfield Creative Spaces, 11 Gayfield Square. Ends 30th September 2015.
Nothing Ever Happens Here Presents Joanna Gruesome: ‘These sublime pop noiseniks provide a masterclass in controlled aggression. Edgy and intense…they pound and pout through violently melodic two-minute songs about satanic rites and psychotic episodes’ (The Guardian). For over 18s only. 8pm-late, The Dissection Room, Summerhall, 1 Summerhall. Tickets cost £10 and may be booked by calling the Box Office on 0131 560 1580 or online here.
Meet Graham Hancock: the Edinburgh-born author, who specialises in unconventional theories about ancient civilisations, will be signing copies of Magicians of the Gods, the long-awaited sequel to his seminal work Fingerprints of the Gods. 12.30pm, Waterstones West End, 128 Princes Street. For more information please call 0131 226 2666.
Jandy Nelson: the San Francisco-based YA author will discuss her new book, I’ll Give You the Sun, ‘a radiant novel that will leave you laughing and crying all at once’. 6pm, Waterstones West End, 128 Princes Street. Free tickets are available from the shop. For more information please call 0131 226 2666.
LGBT Gay Men’s Book Group: an inclusive group where you can meet new people and read and discuss interesting books. 7-9pm, LGBT Health & Wellbeing, 9 Howe Street. For more information please contact info@gaybookgroup.co.uk.
LGBT Bi Visibility Icebreakers: celebrate this year’s Bi Visibility Day at Icebreakers, with an opportunity to find out about local bisexual related resources, groups and meet ups. Most of all, come along for some celebratory fun, whatever your sexuality. 
If you want to meet new people, are just coming out or maybe don’t feel confident going out on the ‘scene’, Icebreakers is an informal, fun and friendly social group for LGBT people and anyone questioning their sexuality or gender identity. Suitable for those aged 18 and over. 7.30-9.30pm, Regent Bar, 2 Montrose Terrace. For more information please contact Alison Wren on 0131 652 3283 or email alison@lgbthealth.org.uk.
Take One Action! Film Festival: ‘connecting people, world-class cinema and creative action for a better world’. Twelve days of screenings and discussions, in Edinburgh and Glasgow, on issues as diverse as environmental activism, LGBT rights in African countries, cycling, the value (or not) of university degrees, the Arab Spring, literacy, the global financial system, food chains and much more. Today’s film is Casablanca Calling (12A) (in Arabic with English subtitles): in Morocco, a country where over 60% of women have never been to school, a new generation of women have started work as official Muslim leaders. They are called Morchidat or spiritual guides. The profound story of a quiet social revolution in Morocco, Casablanca Calling follows three Morchidat – Hannane, Bouchra and Karima – as they set out to change their country, starting at street level. Their mission is to teach an Islam based on compassion, tolerance and equality, and to separate its original teachings from prejudice, misinterpretation and misunderstanding. Their work takes them into mosques, schools, homes, orphanages, prisons and out in the countryside; they support the education of women and girls, campaign against early marriage and encourage young people to build a better Morocco rather than dreaming of life in the West. An intimate portrait of three female leaders, a society in transition, and a mission to educate a nation. Plus short: Give. 6pm, Filmhouse, Lothian Road. Tickets may be purchased from the Filmhouse box office in person, by calling 0131 228 2688 or online; prices vary. The screenings will be followed by conversations with Dr Ebithal Mahadeen, Jordanian feminist and Chancellor’s Fellow, University of Edinburgh, and Dr Kathy Galloway, practical theologian, campaigner, writer and head of Christian Aid Scotland.
Sofi’s Clothes Swap: it’s green and it’s fun! Clear out your wardrobe and get some new clothes for free. 7pm onwards, Sofi’s, 65 Henderson Street.
Ben MacDonald Quartet: fronted by one of Scotland’s foremost guitarists, this 4-piece brings intricate, gripping and melodic original compositions influenced by modern jazz while incorporating concepts from folk and rock. Featuring some highly accomplished musicians, all of whom have performed at international level, Ben is with Adam Jackson (sax), Pete Johnstone (organ), and Doug Hough (drums). 9pm (entry from 8pm), The Jazz Bar, Chambers Street. £5/£4 on the door: please note this venue is cash only.
