Half term again already? Don’t panic – we have ideas to entertain your children, from football camps to films and walks on Arthur’s Seat to Project Wild Thing at The Skylark. The Travelling Gallery is out and about in Edinburgh – and don’t miss more: fun, a fabulous book festival for children, now in its second year. There’ s plenty for grown ups too of course – so start planning your week now – but please remember to check all details with event organisers before setting out.

MONDAY 23rd MAY 2016

play2learn logoPlay2 Learn Sports Coaching Football Camp: outdoors on grass at Harrison Park East (home of North Merchiston FC) but there is an indoor hall – so for cage footy and rubbish weather please bring indoor footwear too! Preschool: AM ONLY 9.30am-12.30pm, cost £10; P1-7 FULL DAY 9.30am-3pm, cost £15 or AM only 9.30am-12.30pm, cost £10 or PM only 12.30-3pm, cost £10. Early drop off from 8.30am costs £2 extra. For more information and to book please visit Play2Learn’s website here.

red damselflyLarge Red Damselfly Survey: as part of Edinburgh Biodiversity Week, help CEC Natural Heritage Service with a survey for large red damselflies (often the first damselfly you will see in spring) at Torphin Quarry. Bring sturdy footwear and waterproofs! 1.30-3.30pm, meet at Torduff Road outside Tiphereth. For over 16s only. Booking is essential – please contact Pentlands Regional Park Service on 0131 529 2401 or email pentlandshills@edinburgh.gov.uk.

ivan's childhoodFor Crying Out Loud: special screenings exclusively for parents, carers and their babies under the age of 12 months, with a maximum of two adults per baby. Baby-changing, bottle-warming and buggy parking facilities are available. Today’s film is Ivan’s Childhood (PG) (in Russian and German with English subtitles): in Andrei Tarkovsky’s first feature, Ivan is a teenage Soviet spy on the German front in World War II who undertakes dangerous missions behind enemy lines, until the inevitable mission from which there is no return… 11am, Filmhouse, Lothian Road. Tickets cost £4.50/£3.50 per adult.

hey duggeePicturehouses Toddler Time: exclusive short screenings for pre-school children and their parents and carers. Today: Hey Duggee – May 2016 (U),  a show based around a children’s playgroup called The Squirrel Club run by a big dog called Dugee. The Squirrel Club is a place where children have adventures and earn badges for their accomplishments. 11am, Cameo, Home Street. Tickets cost £3 per child, accompanying adult free.

Lake Thun and the Stockhorn Mountains, Ferdinand Hodler, 1910 at NGSSymbolism, Expression and the Alpine: Ferdinand Hodler’s Lake Thun and the Stockhorn Mountains 1910 in context: Ferdinand Hodler was an important innovator in the era of European Symbolism. He was also a profoundly spiritual artist who brought a deep sensitivity to the rhythms of life, love and death to his art. In this lecture Dr Debbie Lewer (University of Glasgow) takes a close look at his majestic painting of the mountains of Lake Thun in Switzerland and considers its wider cultural context. 12.45-1.30pm, Hawthornden Lecture Theatre, Scottish National Gallery, The Mound. Free and unticketed.

malawi rice event at one world shopOne World Shop: Meet the Producers – Kilombero Rice Farmers. Come and meet two rice farmers from Malawi who are also the current and former Chairs of the Farmers’ Association in Karonga, Malawi. Howard and Kenneth will be giving a talk and answering questions – and there will also be some free samples of the delicious Kilombero Rice, which directly supports the rice farmers’ children so they can attend school. 5:30-8:30pm, One World Shop, 25 Nicolson Square. Free, all welcome – please let the shop know if you’re planning to come along by clicking ‘GOING’ on the event’s Facebook page here, calling 0131 667 8323 or emailing info@oneworldshop.co.uk.

artrage at fruitmarketArtrage! The Story of the BritArt Revolution. Art historian and former Reuters foreign correspondent Elizabeth Fullerton will be launching her new book, for which she interviewed 30 artists including Tracey Emin, Damien Hirst and Christine Borland, and many gallerists, museum directors and critics from the period, to create a discussion that is interspersed with anecdotes and over 200 images, some never seen before. Elizabeth’s talk will be followed by questions and a book signing. 6.30-8pm, The Fruitmarket Gallery, Market Street. Free but please register via eventbrite here.

peter mullan in HectorGrassmarket Community Cinema: Hector (15): a portrait of an invisible man and an authentic account of homelessness within contemporary Britain, Hec McAdam is at once a powerful character study and an insight into the lives of those on the margins.  Hec has been living around the motorways with transient friends for years. After so long on the move, he hopes to have left his past far behind. Our story follows his annual pilgrimage, on the roads and in the cities, from Scotland to a shelter in London to be with his temporary Christmas family – but his clock is ticking and he is compelled to try to reconnect with the real family he last saw 15 years ago. 7pm, Grassmarket Community Project, 86 Candlemaker Row.hector 2 All welcome, free admission: donations very welcome! The Grassmarket Community Project is a charity providing mentoring, training and education to participants, many of whom are amongst the most vulnerable of Edinburgh’s citizens, in a nurturing environment. It operates a community cafe, woodwork and tartan social enterprises, and a range of social integration and educational activities for members, aimed at enhancing life skills and developing confidence. To read about The Edinburgh Reporter’s afternoon at the Project, click here.

cabaret voltaireLive at the Café: Stefan Peterson. DJ + photographer, pacman booths, craft beers, cocktails & pizza. Bar open from 5pm, DJ 10pm-3am, Café Voltaire, Cabaret Voltaire, Blair Street/Cowgate. Call 0131 247 4704 for more details.

mccullin 2Photography on Film: a new collaboration between Stills and the Filmhouse. Opening today, this season will demonstrate the exciting power and reach of photography, offering insight into the fascinating people and stories from the medium’s recent history and showing how filmmakers have depicted them. It will illustrate how the camera can empower those who use it and how the photographic image remains compelling, provocative and sometimes controversial. Today’s opening film is McCullin (15): To many, Don McCullin is the greatest living war photographer, often cited as an inspiration for today’s photojournalists. From 1969 to 1984 he was the star photographer at The Sunday Times, where he covered stories from the civil war in Cyprus to the war in Vietnam, from the man-made famine in Biafra to the plight of the homeless in the London of the swinging sixties. mccullinFor the first time, McCullin speaks candidly about his three-decade career covering wars and humanitarian disasters on virtually every continent, and the photographs that often defined historic moments. Exploring not only McCullin’s life and work, but how the ethos of journalism has changed throughout his career, the film is a commentary on the history of photojournalism told through the lens of one of its most acclaimed photographers. Introduced by Anne Lyden, International Photography Curator, National Galleries of Scotland. 6.10pm, Filmhouse, Lothian Road. Tickets may be purchased from the Box Office in person, by calling 0131 228 2688 or online. Ticket deals are available for this season.

IMG_UE_version2-b4814Café histoire: l’UE, mode d’emploi.United in diversity’ – the European Union motto seems to match perfectly with its recent history: a construction made up of agreements and disagreements among its members. At a time when the EU has to face a series of crises, European citizens are questioning themselves about its utility and future. Patick Landri gives this talk in French. 5.30-7pm, Institut Français d’Ecosse, 13 Randolph Crescent. Tickets £8 (members £5); please book in advance by calling 0131 225 5366 or emailing info@ifecosse.org.uk.

Just Festival Conscious Film Screening: Pawel Pawlikowski’s IDA (12). The story of Polish/Jewish orphan Anna, who lives in a Catholic convent unaware of her family history. Before taking the vows she has to see her only living relative, Wanda, who reveals their tragic family story to Anna. Both women start to question their religions and identities as they continue their journey to discover their family’s past. 5.45pm, Screening Room, 50 George Square, University of Edinburgh. Free but please book via eventbrite here. The screening is hosted in partnership with the European Parliament Information Office in Edinburgh and the LUX Prize; the screening will be followed by a Q&A session.

ida

TUESDAY 24TH MAY 2016

morefun festival postermore!fun Children’s Book Festival 2016 starts today! more!fun is a touring festival within Edinburgh, a celebration of words with the aim of inspiring children to enjoy the pleasures of reading, writing and other creative activities. In 2015, the year of its inception, 600 children attended an exciting four-day programme of twenty events. This year the festival takes place in the East Neighbourhood, with events – storytelling, films, digital toybox, author events, writing and illustration workshops, talks, poetry, Rhymetime, Bookbug, the PlayTalkRead Bus and lots more – in Portobello Library (25th May), Craigmillar Library (24th and 27th May) and Piershill Library (26th May). To see the full programme click here or ask in the libraries. All events are free and you can book places (where necessary) via eventbrite.

Picturehouses Silver Screen: if you are over 60, join the Silver Screen Club (it’s free) for discounted tickets at these special weekly screenings, plus a free tea or coffee before the show. This week’s films are A Hologram for the King (12A) (2pm and 4pm), Everybody Wants Some!! (12A) (3.25pm), Our Kind of Traitor (15) (1.35pm), The Jungle Book (PG) (1pm) and Sing Street (12A) (4.15pm). Non-members are welcome at these screenings but pay standard prices. Cameo, Home Street.

arthur's seatArthur’s Secrets: as part of Edinburgh Biodiversity Week, come along on a guided walk to learn more about Arthur’s Seat’s turbulent past, created by fire and ice! Find out about the people who lived and worked in the Park from 7000 years ago to the present day and learn more about the rare wildlife that makes the Park so special. For ages 8+. 1-3pm, Holyrood Park. Booking is essential and may be made calling 0131 652 8150 or emailing rangers@hes.scot

let's sing posterLet’s Sing: a weekly dementia-friendly event – come and sing familiar songs and simple harmonies. For people living with a diagnosis of dementia, or worried about their memory; family, friends and supporters also welcome. 11am-12.30pm (you will be met in the foyer), The Brunton, Ladywell Way, Musselburgh. For more information please contact Penny Stone at lets.sing.brunton@gmail.com or Jan Killeen on 0131 669 2888.old chain pier quiz logo

Old Chain Pier Quiz Night: 9pm, The Old Chain Pier, Trinity Crescent. For more information call 0131 552 4960.

Architects’ Conversations: a series of talks bringing together a number of Scotland’s architects with international architects to discuss shared themes, interests, and influences on how we shape the places around us. Today Clare Kemsley, Thomas Bernatzky and Nick van Jonker of Hoskins Architects (Glasgow/Berlin) will be in conversation with Neil Porter (Gustafson Porter, London) discussing the theme ‘INSIDE OUTSIDE – How do we create a Gesamtkunstwerk’? Gesamtkunstwerk can be translated to mean an artwork produced by a synthesis of various art forms; both buildings and landscapes can be designed to stand alone, but the best are often the result of a conversation with each other and the place in which they are located. Their spaces can collectively engage and be experienced as a gesamtkunstwerk if each is given status and responds meaningfully to context. How is the balance achieved? What makes a good collaboration? How do architects and landscapers interact with each other and the bigger urban or rural landscape contexts in which their projects are placed? The speakers will explore these relationships through their past projects, collaborations and projects they admire. For ages 14+. 6.45pm (drinks reception from 6pm), Auditorium, National Museum of Scotland, Chambers Street. £6/£5: book online here or call 0300 123 6789.

the big short at cameodad's army filmOdeon Silver Cinema: a series of film screenings for anyone aged 55+. Tickets cost £3 (standard seats) and include tea, coffee and biscuits before the film. Today: The Big Short (15) (11am) and Dad’s Army (PG) (2pm). Odeon, 118 Lothian Road.

Picturehouses Discover Tuesdays: cult classics, art-house gems and riveting documentaries – there’s always a chance to see something different and brilliant in the Cameo’s weekly slot. Today’s film is Arabian Nights: Volume Three – The Enchanted One (15) (in Portugese with English subtitles). arabian nights posterThe final instalment of Portuguese auteur Miguel Gomes’s hugely ambitious trilogy based on the legendary Arabian Nights tales finds the narrator and heroine Scheherazade (Christa Alfaiate) resigned to spending her remaining days sequestered in the evil king’s boudoir, reflecting on her life and especially on the life that might have been. Relatively bereft of the acerbic, often absurdist metaphors that typified the tales she told in the previous two episodes, the film is dominated by The Inebriated Chorus of the Chaffinches, a charming faux documentary about a songbird competition. arabian nights vol oneUltimately, however, this proves to be a meditation on Portugal’s – and perhaps Gomes’s – failure to value the past and those who inhabited it. As with its two richly presented predecessors, this is a celebration of life itself. 6pm, Cameo, Home Street. Tickets may be purchased from the Box Office in person, by calling 0871 902 5723 or online.

the tannahill weaversLeith Folk Club: Tannahill Weavers. The Tannahill Weavers are one of Scotland’s premier traditional bands; their diverse repertoire spans the centuries with fire-driven instrumentals, topical songs, and original ballads. ‘These versatile musicians have received worldwide accolades consistently over the years for their exuberant performances, and we can’t wait to see them again!’ With support: Ella Munro & Catriona Hawksworth. 7.30pm, Victoria Park House Hotel, 221 Ferry Road. Tickets cost £10 and may be reserved by completing the online form here or texting the club’s dedicated booking line on 07502 024 852. Reserved tickets must be collected by 7.30pm on the night.

everlasting moments at filmhousePhotography on Film: a new collaboration between Stills and the Filmhouse. Today’s film is Everlasting Moments/Maria Larssons eviga ogonblick (15) (in Swedish and Finnish with English subtitles): Married at a young age to the boorish Sigfrid in the southern Swedish city of Malmo in the early 1900s, Maria faces a bleak future as a housewife, mother and domestic drudge. Happening upon a camera she won in a lottery but never used, Maria tries to pawn it when the dockworkers (including Sigfrid) go on strike, but instead is shown how to use it by solicitous storeowner Sebastian Pedersen. everlasting moments 2Slowly, and with no consciousness of ‘art’, Maria discovers her natural bent for taking insightful, haunting pictures, helped along by lessons in the darkroom from Sebastian, who, due to reticence and perhaps their notable age difference, refrains from acting on his growing feelings for his protegée. A beautifully evocative period drama from Swedish veteran Jan Troell. 5.50pm, Filmhouse, Lothian Road. Tickets may be purchased from the Box Office in person, by calling 0131 228 2688 or online. Ticket deals are available for this season.

poetry graphicSPL Poetry Workshop: Jennifer Williams, poet and SPL programme manager, facilitates this writing workshop suitable for writers at any stage in their career. Read, discuss, write and workshop poems: all levels of experience welcome – please bring paper and a pen or pencil or laptop/tablet of choice. 6-8pm, The Space, Scottish Poetry Library, Crichton’s Close. £5/£4: book via eventbrite here. For more information please contact Jennifer Williams on 0131 557 2876 or email jennifer.williams@spl.org.uk.

banyan art saleBanyan Art Sale: Multi-Cultural Family Base (MCFB) is holding an art sale to promote the work of its Banyan Project, which works with young Black and Minority Ethnic people who have been affected by past or present domestic abuse. The sale will include a blind auction of donated postcard size work by participating artists, plus works by Scottish based artists on the theme of Relationships. Exhibiting artists include Alan Lennon, Benedetta Margoni, Blanca Peters, Bryan Angus, Carol Le Lievre, Charly Murray, Deb Ball, Elizabeth Stewart, Fadzai Hamburgh, Janice Gammie and Rosie Megginson (joint project), Javier Ternero, Kate MacKay, Kittie Jones, Laura Gressani, Lisa Pettersson, Neil Johnstone, Neil Pettie, Newton Ross, Ritchie Collins, Sarah Rennie, Silvia Quinn, Sue Du Porto and Vivienne Edgar. All items will be priced at maximum £300. Opening and auction tonight 6-10pm, then 10am-5pm Wednesday 25th May & Thursday 26th May, 10am-4pm Friday 27th May, Out of the Blue, Dalmeny Street.

writing on the road at blackwellsBlackwell’s Edinburgh Presents Sue Reid Sexton: Writing on the Road – Campervan Love and the Joy of Solitude. Sue Reid Sexton needed to escape from her hectic household to create some space to write novels. As the mother of two and a step-mum of four, Sue realised her only real option was to get into her campervan and have it function as a mobile office. Whether she camped by a beach overlooking the Atlantic in the Kintyre peninsula with buzzards, golden eagles, deer, seals, surfers, other campervanners and dead fish for company, or in the hills around Glasgow, or on Skye, Morvern, the Cowal peninsula or even in southern France, her main aim was to switch off her phone, get out her laptop and write. This book will inspire anyone looking for encouragement in the expressive arts to get creative – and persuade any would-be campervanners to get out there and enjoy the campervan life. 6.30-8pm, Blackwell’s, South Bridge. Free tickets are available from the shop’s ground floor desk, by calling 0131 622 8222, emailing events.edinburgh@blackwell.co.uk or via eventbrite here.

GLOW Pass OutGLOW Festival: Pass Out. A new kind of showcase for Edinburgh College’s final year HND Acting and Performance students. The group will devise three new twenty minute pieces, to be led and directed by three of Scotland’s leading practitioners in the field of creating new work. Multi Award-winning directors Ben Harrison (Gridiron), Fiona Miller (Tricky Hat) and Gordon Dougall (Limelight) will bring their vast experience to help students showcase their abilities in Scotland’s home of new writing – the Traverse Theatre. For ages 14+. 7.30pm, Traverse Theatre, 10 Cambridge Street. Tickets cost £12.50/£8.50 GLOW Logos_Redand may be purchased by calling the Traverse Theatre Box Office on 0131 228 1404 or online here. Also at same time on Wednesday 25th May. Part of Edinburgh College’s GLOW Festival, which gives Edinburgh the chance to enjoy performances and exhibitions from the College’s creative industries students, covering everything from music, theatre and dance to photography, sculpture, illustration, computing and much more. For more information about GLOW, click here.

QMU - community forum eventQueen Margaret University Community Forum: come and get an insight into the work of Queen Margaret University (QMU) at this community event – ask questions about the University and how it is working with the community. The QMU Community Forum brings together university staff, local residents, businesses, organisations, schools and council representatives twice a year to discuss university and local community issues. Tonight Catriona Liddle, Lecturer in Food and Drink, will host a tour of Queen Margaret University’s Scottish Centre for Food Development and Innovation. QMU is open to the local community throughout the year, providing a range of public facilities, including learning resources, gym and sports centre, café, restaurant and grounds for leisure activities and dog-walking. 6.30-7.45pm, Queen Margaret University Learning Resource Centre, QMU logoQueen Margaret Drive, Musselburgh. For more information and to register for the QMU Community Forum, contact Jane Purves, Marketing & Communications Office, QMU, on 0131 474 0000 or email jpurves@qmu.ac.uk.

project wild thingProject Wild Thing At The Skylark: Project Wild Thing is a film led movement to get kids (and their folks) outdoors living nature-rich lives. Filmmaker David Bond is a worried man. His kids’ waking hours are dominated by a cacophony of marketing, and a screen dependence threatening to turn them into glassy-eyed zombies. Like city kids everywhere, they spend way too much time indoors – not like it was back in his day. He decides it’s time to get back to nature – literally. In an attempt to compete with the brands, which take up a third of his daughter’s life, Bond appoints himself Marketing Director for nature. Like any self-respecting salesman, project wild thing 2he sets about developing a campaign and a logo, and with the help of a number of bemused professionals, he is soon selling nature to British families. His humorous journey unearths some painful truths about modern family life. His product is free, plentiful and has proven benefits – but is nature past its sell-by date? This film is suitable for young people aged 8 and up – an inspirational call to action for parents, teachers and community leaders! 7.15pm, The Skylark, 241 High Street, Portobello. A small donation of £3 per person or £10 for a family would be much appreciated to cover the screening costs.

Don’t Look Back (15): Bob Dylan’s Birthday. In 1965, DA Pennebaker documented Bob Dylan’s British tour; the result is one of the most acclaimed music films of all time. Shot with a handheld camera in black-and-white, the film follows Dylan from limo to hotel room as he relaxes with friends, antagonises the press and deals with managers. Introduced by Dr Pasquale Iannone (Short Courses, University of Edinburgh). 8.45pm, Filmhouse, Lothian Road. Tickets may be purchased from the Box Office in person, by calling 0131 228 2688 or online.

don't look back

WEDNESDAY 25TH MAY 2016

garvald grange - SG ScotScotland's Gardens 2016 handbookland’s Gardens: Traprain Circle. Three gardens: Garvald Grange, Haddington, which has been transformed over the last 24 years from a bare landscape into a haven for wildlife, with  beehives, ponds, and orchard and walled garden, Granary House, Kippielaw, a small but well stocked cottage style garden with extensive views westward to the Pentlands and beyond and northwards to Fife, and Stevenson Steading Walled Garden, Haddington, a two acre walled garden with early summer herbaceous borders, espaliered roses and climbers, over sixty different hostas and a woodland walk along the Tyne. 11am-6pm – for directions and contact details click here. Stevenson garden SGAdmission £15 for unlimited access to all three gardens over the three days (the other two opening days this summer are 15th and 29th June) or £5 per garden for a single visit, of which 40% goes to Trellis Scotland (a charity supporting therapeutic gardening through a range of easy to access services) and the net remainder to SG beneficiaries.. Tickets will be available at all open gardens.

plague rat - nls exhibitionPlague! Exhibition Tour for the Visually Impaired: a described tour, led by Beverley Casebow, Learning and Outreach Officer, for visitors who are blind or partially sighted. Plague! explores the contagious diseases afflicting people in Scotland over the past 700 years, along with society’s reactions to contagion. 2-2.30pm, National Library of Scotland (please meet at the reception desk in the main Library building), George IV Bridge. Free but booking is essential and numbers are limited to 8 people per tour; please call 0131 623 3734 or reserve your place via eventbrite here.

artcasting - re cultural heritage event at 50 George Sq on 23rd May 2016 - Artcasting at the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art, Photo © @andycatlincom

Cultural Heritage, Digital Engagement and Visitor Experience: a free day of engaging talks and discussions – hosted by ARTIST ROOMS, National Galleries of Scotland, and the University of Edinburgh – in which you will be challenged to think differently about the use of digital interactions and methods in museum and gallery spaces. Whether you already have a digital engagement strategy and are looking for fresh perspectives, or you are at the early stages of thinking about on-site digital engagement, this seminar is an opportunity to network and learn from those working and researching in the area of digital cultural heritage. Speakers include Claire Bailey-Ross (Durham University) on radical trust and digital visitor engagement, Silvia Filippini-Fantoni (Indianapolis Museum of Art) on her digital engagement and interpretation work (via live link) and Jeremy Knox, Jen Ross and Chris Speed artist rooms(ARTIST ROOMS Research Partnership, University of Edinburgh) on their ARTIST ROOMS Artcasting project,artcasting and using mobile methods to reimagine the boundaries of an exhibition. 10.30am-4pm, 50 George Square, University of Edinburgh. Free but please book via eventbrite here. Refreshments will be available.

The Travelling GalleryThe Travelling Gallery: Here Comes Everybody by Kennardphillipps and Scott Lang. This highly collaborative project uses a combination of mediums and materials such as photomontage, digital print, collage and stencils to address important social concerns, from local to global. With a direct and immediate approach, Here Comes Everybody includes contrasting billboard imagery of London’s slick financial landscape in Canary Wharf against the rough medium of spray paint and stencils reflecting street art and gang tag practice, highlighting the ever increasing gap between average wages and top executives. Demonstrating the importance of collaboration, the concept of Here Comes Everybody hinges around strong participation by local audiences from the artist led War on War Room workshops, here comes everybody - Shove It (KennardPhillips) - travelling galleryheld throughout Scotland in conjunction with the Travelling Gallery’s tour. Using the same creative processes as kennardphillipps and Scott Lang, participants will have the opportunity to produce artwork which will subsequently be incorporated into the Here Comes Everybody exhibition as the tour progresses. 11am-5pm, Portobello High Street (near Portobello Town Hall, 147-149 Portobello High Street). Free.

Westburn CAN poster copyWHALE – Westburn Can: a new project to develop a regular programme of creative activities to help reduce carbon and improve the local environment.  A key aim will be to transform the neglected greenspace around WHALE into a focal point for community food growing, gardening and skills development – a Horticultural Hub. Come along between 10.30am and 2.30pm today to learn more and find out how you can get involved. WHALE Arts, 30 Westburn Grove. For more information see WHALE’s website here, call 0131 458 3267 or email westburncan@whalearts.co.uk.

white house kitchen tea dance posterTea Dance and Singalong: put on your dancing shoes, come along and have a great time singing and dancing to songs you love. Hosted in The White House’s Red Room, you will be provided with one of the Chef’s specialist sandwiches, a freshly made scone and a cup of tea. Finish the afternoon off with some ‘Classic Dancing’. 12.30-3pm, The White House Kitchen, 70 Niddrie Mains Road. £3 per person. The White House Kitchen is a community café and venue run by the Community Alliance Trust for the benefit of the Greater Craigmillar Neighbourhoods. All of the café’s food is prepared and cooked by chefs on the premises and using, where possible, locally sourced produce supplemented by herbs and vegetables from the garden. For more information please call The White House on 0131 468 1934.

how to knock statues off theri pedestals - artlinkArtlink: How to Knock Statues Off Their Pedestals. In the first of Artlink’s PSP GreenSpace | ArtSpace  series of conversations, Robin Baillie, Senior Outreach Officer of the National Galleries, will look at how we understand the monumental portrait statues which dominate the streets, parks and squares of Edinburgh. Robin will discuss how their meaning and form has changed over the decades, while also questioning the significant omission of women and the working classes from public statuary. 5.30pm – 6.30pm, Jordanburn Lecture Theatre, Kennedy Tower, Royal Edinburgh Hospital, Morningside Terrace. Free but booking is required: please contact Vanessa at info@artlinkedinburgh.co.uk or call 0131 229 3555. For more information see the event’s Facebook page here. Supported by Artlink, NHS Lothian and Creative Scotland.

sofi's clothes swap may 2016Sofi’s Clothes Swap: swap until you drop – swap as many items as you bring. With the fine weather just around the corner, dig deep in your wardrobe and get ready for summer! 7pm, Sofi’s Bar, 65 Henderson Street. Free entry.

gay men's book group logoEdinburgh 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 email info@gaybookgroup.co.uk

Edinbal Dance Workshops: italian folk dance frescoA Dance Tour of Europe. From social and energetic dances from Brittany or joyful group dances from the Basque country, to warm, exuberant Southern Italian dances or smooth couplings from France, this series will take you on a folk dance tour of Europe! All workshops are independent from each other and are suitable for complete beginners, with a mixture of taught dances, social dancing and live music. Tonight: Northern Italian dances. 7pm, Storytelling Court, Scottish Storytelling Centre, 43 High Street. Tickets £5/£3 from the Box Office in person, by calling 0131 556 9579 or online here.

edinburgh quartet 4Edinburgh Quartet: New Horizons. New Horizons represents composers at points of departure, or venturing into new territory. Mozart’s ‘Dissonance’ quartet can surprise even 21st century ears, whilst MacMillan’s third quartet demonstrates an astonishing range of expression. Dvorák’s ‘American’ string quintet illustrates how new surroundings can influence and inspire. 7.30pm, The Queen’s Hall, Clerk Street. Tickets £15/£12/£5 – accompanied children admitted free – from the Box Office on 0131 668 2019 or online here.

the gold diggers at filmhouseFilmhouse Special Event: The Gold Diggers (U): the first feature film from English film/theatre director, screenwriter, actor and musician Sally Potter, with an all-female crew and score by avant-garde musician/composer Lindsay Cooper. Feminist, political but without a pedagogical goal, this experimental narrative film and its language have many affinities with the ‘avant-garde’ of prog rock. With a title alluding to Busby Berkeley musical comedies from the 1930s and the well-worn expression used to describe actresses and dancers pursuing relationships with wealthy men in the 19th/20th Century, the film is about two women gold diggers 2(Julie Christie and Colette Laffont) trying to make their lives in a world made and directed by men. The screening will be introduced by composer/sociologist François Ribac, (University of Bourgogne-Franche-Comté). It is part of the 2nd International Conference of the Project Network for the Study of Progressive Rock, organised by the University of Edinburgh (see Thursday’s listings). 8.30pm, Filmhouse, Lothian Road. Tickets may be purchased from the Box Office in person, by calling 0131 228 2688 or online.

summerhall singers logoSummerhall Singers Spring Sing: join the Summerhall Singers community choir for its annual mid-year concert. Suitable for all the family, and all musical tastes, the performance will be an exciting mix of choral music. The Summerhall Singers was founded in September 2013 and meets weekly (on Wednesdays) in Summerhall. If you are interested in joining the choir, or for more information, please email summerhallsingers@gmail.com.  New members are always welcome – no auditions and open to all ages and abilities. 7.30pm, Library Café, Summerhall, 1 Summerhall. Tickets £4 + booking fee from the Box Office on 0131 560 1580 or online here.

espen eriksen trio at jazz barEspen Eriksen Trio: on a short UK tour with dates in London, Manchester and elsewhere, Norwegian pianist Espen Eriksen is with Lars Tormod Jenset (bass) and Andreas Bye (drums). ‘Superb musicians at the top of their game’ (BBC), the Trio plays highly melodic and lyrical instrumentals with elements from Scandinavian folk and melancholia, and shades of the deep woods. It’s definitely jazz, but their ‘less is more’ approach has structures almost like pop songs and with a strong focus on melodies and short solos. 9pm (entry from 8pm), The Jazz Bar, Chambers Street. £8/£6 on the door: please note this venue is strictly cash only.

Espen Eriksen Trio at jazz bar 2

THURSDAY 26TH MAY 2016

sing street at cameoPicturehouses Big Scream: screenings exclusively for parents and carers with their babies under 12 months. Today’s film is Sing Street (12A). Director John Carney (Once, Begin Again) takes us to ’80s Dublin, where an economic recession forces Conor out of his private school and into an inner-city state school. Conor decides to win the heart of the mysterious and cool Raphina, inviting her to star in his band’s music video. All he needs now is a band…. Carney’s warmly humorous drama comes from the heart, and from knowing just what it’s like to have nothing in your pocket but music in your soul. 10.30am, Cameo, Home Street. Tickets may be purchased from the Box Office in person, by calling 0871 902 5723 or online.

here comes everybody - Shove It (KennardPhillips) - travelling galleryThe Travelling Gallery: Here Comes Everybody by Kennardphillipps and Scott Lang. (See Wednesday’s listing for details of this exhibition). 11am-5pm, The Grassmarket (opposite Thomson Court). Free.

Gaelic Bookbug: for children aged 0-4 and their parents and carers. 10.30-11am, Leith Library, 28-30 Ferry Road. All welcome – contact the library on 0131 529 5517 for more information.

A Battle for the Soul: Hidden Voices from India’s Past. How easy is it to reject all that you’re taught to believe in? A Battle for the Soul presents narrative snapshots of the lives of young Indian men and women, drawn from recently uncovered autobiography and written testimony. Battle for the Soul_Annie George_resizedSet against the turbulent times of colonial rule in the sub-continent, stories of personal dilemmas of faith, family conflict and uncertain futures emerge in this rehearsed reading with projections. Bringing together theatre artist Annie George and recent research at the University of Edinburgh, A Battle for the Soul breathes life into these previously hidden voices. The reading will be followed by a discussion exploring some of the issues raised, along with refreshments. 8pm, Storytelling Court, Scottish Storytelling Centre, 43 High Street. Tickets £5/£4 from the Box Office in person, by calling 0131 556 9579 or online here. Image: www.lunaria.co.uk.

dad's army filmthe big short 2Odeon Silver Cinema: a series of film screenings for anyone aged 55+. Tickets cost £3 (standard seats) and include tea, coffee and biscuits before the film. Today: Dad’s Army (PG) (11am) and The Big Short (15) (2pm). Odeon, 118 Lothian Road.

Scotland’s Gardens: Humbie Dean. A two acre ornamental and woodland garden at 600 feet under single-handed renovation and major extension since 2008. The aim is to provide interest throughout a long season. humbie dean SGA limited palette of plants with Hosta, primula, meconopsis and spring bulbs; herbaceous and shrubaceous planting; bluebell meadow; mature and recent azalea and rhododendron planting.  A short woodland walk has been created. 2-6pm, Humbie Dean, Humbie, East Lothian EH36 5PW. scotland's gardens handbook 2016 - 2(For directions and contact details click here). Admission £5, of which 40% goes to Trellis Scotland (a charity supporting therapeutic gardening through a range of easy to access services) and the net remainder to SG beneficiaries. The next opening will be on Thursday 9th June 2016.

lgbt language cafe 3LGBT Language Café: a safe, sociable and supportive space for LGBT people whose first language is not English. Improve your spoken English and your confidence and socialise with other LGBT people at these fun and inclusive sessions. Facilitators Sophie and Clare will provide fun and inclusive ways to practice speaking English, build your vocabulary and help you to find out more about the LGBT community in Edinburgh. 6.30-8.30pm, LGBT Health & Wellbeing, 9 Howe Street. For more information please contact Jules Stapleton Barnes on 0131 523 1104 or email jules@lgbthealth.org.uk.

architectural heritage societyof scotlandcanalThe Architectural Heritage Society of Scotland:  A Walking Tour of Union Canal. This tour, led by Architectural Historian and Forth & Borders Cases Panel Convenor, Tom Parnell will explore the developments around Caledonian Railway’s terminus at Princes Street station and westwards to the Union Canal and the former Scottish & Newcastle Brewery. This area has changed rapidly in recent decades, with changes still to come. The walk will begin at 6pm outside 15 Rutland Square and end at Viewforth. £8 per person; please contact Caroline McFarlane to book your place: caroline.mcfarlane@gmail.com. Non-members are very welcome.


beyond borders at wp booksBeyond Borders: Polish Literary Reportage
. Word Power Books and Interactive Writing Salon in Scotland (Interaktywny Salon Piszacych w Szkocji) invite you to Beyond Borders, a panel discussion about Polish literary reportage. Panellists Aleksandra Lojek, Anna Wroblewska and Kasia Kokowska will try to define what Polish literary reportage is and beyond borders salon logowhy it’s different from non-fiction and travel writing published in other countries; they will also discuss some of the most contemporary reportage books published in Poland. This event will be in English only. 6.30pm, Word Power Books, West Nicolson Street. Free, all welcome: donations also very welcome!

gordon ferries at sn portrait galleryGordon Ferries. Inspired by the exhibition exploring the life and family of John Hay, 1st Marquess of Tweeddale, Scottish lutenist, guitarist and composer Gordon Ferries performs lute music and arrangements of popular ballad tunes from 17th-century Scotland alongside baroque music from Charles II’s court in Restoration London. 6-6.30pm, Scottish National Portrait Gallery, 1 Queen Street. No booking required: free and unticketed.

the progectThe Progect: after the success of the first initiative in Dijon in 2014, The Progect is organizing its second international conference in Edinburgh. This will be another opportunity to cover different aspects of progressive rock and promote awareness of current research around the world. There will be keynote presentations by Chris Atton (Napier University) and John Covach (University of Rochester), as well as a discussion between Georgina Born (Oxford University) and Simon Frith (University of Edinburgh). Alison House, 12 Nicolson Square. Free but registration is required and may be made via eventbrite here.

funk music image - jazz barEdinburgh College Music Course Funk Showcase: EC Music Students bring in a funk 6-piece led by Manuel Brazuna, playing modern and old school funk & soul, from bands like Dirty Loops, Stevie Wonder and Ole Borud. 7-8.30pm, The Jazz Bar, Chambers Street. Free.

a handbook of scotland's history at blackwell'sBlackwell’s Edinburgh Presents Michael Kerrigan: A Handbook of Scotland’s History. Scotland has more history than you can shake a spurtle (or a shinty stick, or a sporran) at – one of the many reasons for the nation’s new-found pride in its own glorious past. This handbook offers an inspirational resource for those who want to discover more about this land of Roman and Viking raids, the scene for epic battles, the historic home of the Enlightenment. From geological origins to the momentous Independence Referendum, this is the essential accessible guide to exploring Scotland’s history. 6.30-8pm, Blackwell’s, South Bridge. Free tickets are available from the shop’s ground floor desk, by calling 0131 622 8222, emailing events.edinburgh@blackwell.co.uk or via eventbrite here.

Xu Xing at Confucius Institute filmsChinese Documentary Film Screening: Xu Xing: History, Memory & Legacy: Tracing Vestiges Of The Chinese Cultural Revolution. 50 years ago the Cultural Revolution started as a political movement; with its violence, political radicalism and utopianism it brought tremendous changes to China’s society. Its contested legacy makes it probably still the least understood period of modern China. In the second programme of Chinese Independent Documentaries organised by the Confucius Institute for Scotland, award winning novelist and documentary film maker Xu Xing visits Edinburgh this week and shows two of his documentaries on the Cultural Revolution. Today’s film is My Chronicle of the Cultural Revolution. The screening will be followed by a drinks reception and Q & A session. 5.30pm-7pm, LG11, David Hume Tower, George Square, University of Edinburgh.  Confucious_Institute_Logo-HIGH-QUALITYAs seat numbers are restricted, it would be very helpful if you could email info@confuciusinstitute.ac.uk if you are planning to attend. For more information please see http://www.confuciusinstitute.ac.uk/announcements/chinese-independent-documentary-films-ii-xu-xing-26-27-ma. Xu Xing’s second film, Criminal Records, will screen tomorrow (Friday), 5-7.30pm.

elusive tree ensembleElusive Tree (Jazz Sextet): after successful Glasgow Jazz Festival appearances, this great 6-piece brings a heady, rewarding kaleidoscope of improv, modern Jazz, Drum’n’Bass, Folk, Latin and Middle Eastern sounds. A strong line-up of top-class players with Philip Cardwell (trumpet, as with Hidden Orchestra), Andrew Baker (tenor sax), Adam Jackson (alto sax), Ben MacDonald (guitar, compositions), Peter Johnstone (organ – and playing left-hand bass lines!), and Doug Hough (drums). 9pm (entry from 8pm), The Jazz Bar, Chambers Street. £5/£4 on the door: please note this venue is strictly cash only.

secret histories at nlsSecret histories in Edinburgh and Shrivenham: Soviet military studies and the Cold War. Russian military historian Dr Steven Main reveals some hidden gems in two complementary Russian military collections. The National Library’s Erickson Collection was generously donated by Professor John Erickson, a former defence specialist and expert on the Red and Soviet Armies. Cranfield University’s Barrington Library has launched online the Russian Military Studies Archive, which it manages on behalf of the Defence Academy of the United Kingdom. A partnership event with the Scotland-Russia Forum. 6pm, National Library of Scotland, George IV Bridge. Free but booking is required and may be made by calling 0131 623 3734 or via eventbrite here.

richard michael - jazzGreyfriars at 12: The Art of Improvisation with Richard Michael (piano). Richard Michael BEM, Honorary Professor of Jazz Piano (University of St Andrews), takes you on a guided tour of improvisation from Baroque to Brubeck. 12 noon, Greyfriars Kirk, Greyfriars Place. Free.

Photography on Film: a new collaboration between Stills and the Filmhouse. Today’s film is Born into Brothels (15) (in English and Bengali with English subtitles), The most stigmatised people in Calcutta’s red light district are not the prostitutes but their children. In the face of abject poverty, abuse and despair, children have little hope of escaping their mothers’ fate to create another kind of life. Drawn into their world, filmmaker Zana Briski finds herself teaching the children how to take photographs. Her lessons unleash vital insights into their souls. But where will they go from here? 8.30pm, Filmhouse, Lothian Road. Tickets may be purchased from the Box Office in person, by calling 0131 228 2688 or online. Ticket deals are available for this season.

born into brothels at film house

FRIDAY 27TH MAY 2016

glow posterGLOW: Edinburgh College Contemporary Art Practice Graduate Exhibition. Come and see the spectacular and creative designs created by the College’s passionate students, from painting and sculpture to photography and moving imagery. The students have developed their skills from an interdisciplinary approach encompassing painting, sculpture, performance, photography and moving imagery; this exhibition is the culmination of two years intense and rigorous personal artistic investigation. GLOW exhibitionHND Contemporary Art Practice students successfully progress directly into level 2 and 3 of degree programmes at leading UK Art Schools, including Glasgow School of Art, Duncan of Jordanstone, Edinburgh College of Art, Grays, University of Cumbria and University of the Arts London. 10am-5pm, Edinburgh Sculpture Workshop, 21 Hawthornvale. Free. Also at same times on Saturday 28th and Sunday 29th May. Part of Edinburgh College’s GLOW Festival, which gives Edinburgh the chance to enjoy performances and exhibitions from the College’s creative industries students, covering everything from music, theatre and dance to photography, sculpture, illustration, computing and much more. For more information about GLOW click here.

TER St GilesLunchtime Concert: St. Joseph Music Makers and Bay Chorale, Bradenton, Florida. 12.15pm, St Giles’ Cathedral, High Street. Free.

gallery social may 2016 - Sarah Biffin, Mrs E.M. Wright, 1784 - 1850. Artist (Self-portrait), Sarah Biffin, Mrs E.M. Wright, 1830Gallery Social – Portrait Miniatures: a relaxed and informal guided tour with refreshments for anyone affected by dementia, and their relatives, friends and supporters. 10.30am-12 noon, Scottish National Portrait Gallery (meet at the Information Desk), 1 Queen Street. To book a place please contact the Information Desk on 0131 624 6560.

spca bannerSSPCA Drop-in Session. The Scottish SPCA is Scotland’s animal welfare charity, rescuing animals in danger, finding pets new homes, investigating abuse and preventing cruelty through a free education programme for Scottish schools. Please drop in this afternoon to find out more about the organisation, how you can help them or how they can help you. 1-3pm, Central Library, George IV Bridge.

fresh start sponsored walk 2016Fresh Start Sponsored Walk:  Anyone who would like to take part in this scenic 8-mile walk is warmly welcomed. The walk will begin at 10am from Jubilee Gardens in Stockbridge, and the route goes along the Water of Leith, round Colinton Dell and on to the Union Canal towpath. The Fresh Start Food Station at Harrison Place, Polwarth is the finishing point, where a well-deserved lunch will be waiting. There is no registration fee, but Fresh Start does request that all entrants raise a minimum of £25. You can walk as part of a team, or with a companion, or on your own – it’s up to you. ‘It’s a fun day, a great walk, a fantastic route, all with a brilliant bunch of people – what more could you ask for?’  fresh start logoIf you can’t take part but still want to be involved, you can sponsor the Fresh Start staff team – they need your support, please help! 10am, Jubilee Gardens, Stockbridge. For more information call 0131 476 7741 or e-mail admin@freshstartweb.org.uk for a registration form. Fresh Start is an Edinburgh based charity helping people who have been homeless establish themselves in their new homes. It works with volunteers and organisations from a broad section of the community to deliver a range of services, providing the practical and social support people need to resettle successfully.

The Travelling Gallery

The Travelling Gallery: Here Comes Everybody by Kennardphillipps and Scott Lang. (See Wednesday’s listing for details of this exhibition). 11am-5pm, Parliament Square (beside St Giles’ Cathedral). Free.

gavin wallace event at nlsGavin Wallace Memorial Event. Angus Peter Campbell – the Library’s current Gavin Wallace Fellow – hosts a celebration of the late Gavin Wallace, a former head of literature at Creative Scotland. On what would have been Wallace’s birthday, enjoy an hour of great music and readings from the works of some of Wallace’s favourite writers, including Norman MacCaig, Iain Crichton Smith and Jackie Kay. 2pm, National Library of Scotland, George IV Bridge. Free but booking is required and may be made by calling 0131 623 3734 or via eventbrite here.

writing woman 2Collective Hush: if you keep meaning to put sometime aside for reading and writing poetry each week, bring your lunch (if you like) and join this silent, drop-in group reading/ writing/ making time every Friday in The Space. Sharing the silence, everyone can work together to achieve their artistic and poetic goals. 12 noon-2pm, Scottish Poetry Library, Crichton’s Close. Free, drop-in, donations welcome.

africa in motion logoFilmhouse Special Event: Colours of the Alphabet (tbc): Colours of the Alphabet tells the story of three Zambian children and their families over two school terms, and asks the question: does the future have to be in English? A lyrical, inspiring and beautifully-filmed documentary which spends 9 months in a Zambian village grade one class – from the rains of January till the cold of August – as the children, and their parents, come to terms with the often bemusing reality of education in their country. colours of the alphabet 4A country where, although there are 72 ethnic languages spoken, you are told that to get ahead means understanding the world in the country’s only official language – English, despite less than 2% of Zambians using the language in their daily lives. This screening will be followed by a Q&A with director Alastair Cole. Co-hosted with Africa in Motion Film Festival. 6.15pm, Filmhouse, Lothian Road. Tickets may be purchased from the Box Office in person, by calling 0131 228 2688 or online. On Wednesday 1 June, there will be a special screening co-hosted with the Scottish Graduate School for Arts and Humanities, in collaboration with the colours of the alphabet 3University of the West of Scotland, Edinburgh Napier University, and the University of Edinburgh. The screening will be followed by a panel discussion with the filmmakers and scholars, looking at the research project surrounding the film and lens-based research in academia.

xu xing at confucius institute 2Chinese Documentary Film Screening: Xu Xing: History, Memory & Legacy: Tracing Vestiges Of The Chinese Cultural Revolution. 50 years ago the Cultural Revolution started as a political movement; with its violence, political radicalism and utopianism it brought tremendous changes to China’s society. Its contested legacy makes it probably still the least understood period of modern China. In the second programme of Chinese Independent Documentaries organised by the Confucius Institute for Scotland, award winning novelist and documentary film maker Xu Xing visits Edinburgh this week and shows two of his documentaries on the Cultural Revolution. Today’s film is Criminal Records. The screening will be followed by a drinks reception and Q & A session. 5pm-7.30pm, LG11, David Hume Tower, George Square, University of Edinburgh.  Confucious_Institute_Logo-HIGH-QUALITYAs seat numbers are restricted, it would be very helpful if you could email info@confuciusinstitute.ac.uk if you are planning to attend. For more information please see http://www.confuciusinstitute.ac.uk/announcements/chinese-independent-documentary-films-ii-xu-xing-26-27-ma.

john connor and guests may 2016The White House Presents John Connor & Guests in Concert. A nostalgic and relaxing blend of rock, soft rock, blues and folk in the laid back atmosphere of the White House. 6.30pm, The White House Kitchen, 70 Niddrie Mains Road. £5 per person. The White House Kitchen is a community café and venue run by the Community Alliance Trust for the benefit of the Greater Craigmillar Neighbourhoods.

billy kayScots Around the World & the Story of the Claret with Billy Kay: multi-linguist Billy Kay shares the stories of the Scottish diaspora emanating from his travels. Discover the impression Scots have on the people they meet and the extraordinary influence they have had over the course of history in other cultures around the world. knee deep in claretBilly also unravels the fascinating history of the Scots involvement with claret and its link to our city of Edinburgh – try some claret and have a look at his books The Scottish World and Knee Deep in Claret. 7pm, Netherbow Theatre, Scottish Storytelling Centre, 43 High Street. Tickets £5 from the Box Office in person, by calling 0131 556 9579 or online here.

alan lennon at gayfieldAlan Lennon: substance – an exhibition of contemporary figure painting and sculpture. Graphic designer and artist Alan Lennon paints primarily in oils; since starting to explore sculpture, clay forms and stone carving have become an increasing part of his creative output.alan lennon sanctuary mother at gayfield ‘My quiet figures occupy barren landscapes, still monuments that focus on unspoken communication, the subtlety and complexity of a moment, the simple gesture loaded with meaning’. Open preview tonight 6.30-9pm, then 11am-6pm 28th-31st May, Gayfield Creative Spaces, Gayfield Square.

friday night at the races - musselburghFriday Night at the Races: a thrilling night of racing and an exciting after-racing party hosted by Forth One’s Boogie and Arlene. Transport to and from Musselburgh Racecourse is available on special buses to and from Edinburgh City Centre (tickets must be purchased in advance – details here). Doors open 4.30pm, first race 6.30pm, Musselburgh Racecourse, Linkfield Road. Tickets may be purchased online here or by calling 0131 665 2859. Sponsored by Belmont Group.

cinemaattic-May16-SQUARECROPCinemaAttic: We Are Family. A powerful curated selection of short films, all with English subtitles, plus networking breaks for the enjoyment of both the Ibero-American community and cinema lovers alike. We do not choose the family into which we are born, yet they have a big influence in our lives; the family circle is a key element when developing our own identity. CinemaAttic has gathered five award-winning short films exploring the influence of family relationships. Social and political concerns, death, mental health and LGBT issues… cinemaattic logoDifferent perspectives of a topic that will help us understand why the love of our family can be so unique. For ages 15+. 8pm, Red Lecture Theatre, Summerhall, 1 Summerhall. Tickets £5 from the Box Office on 0131 560 1580 or online here. CinemaAttic is the platform for Spanish, Iberian and Latin-American cinema in Scotland.

the torrie collection at talbot riceRediscover: The Torrie Collection. Now in its second year, Rediscover gives History of Art postgraduate students the opportunity to put their original research and knowledge into practice to produce thought-provoking displays. Stemming from a constellation of resources and opportunities, the project is innovative in connecting the University Art Collection with postgraduate teaching in History of Art and the contemporary curatorial practice of Talbot Rice Gallery. The Torrie Collection is a group of 86 artworks bequeathed to the University of Edinburgh in 1837.  Amassed by the Scottish collector Sir James Erskine (1772-1825), the 3rd Baronet of Torrie, it represents the Scottish ‘Grand Tour’ collecting of that period. Introducing new insights into the collection is vital to understanding how the works are located both within historic and contemporary debates. torrie collection 2In the hands of this year’s students The Torrie Collection has become the basis for three innovative displays designed to encourage revelation. They provide a fresh analysis of how attributions can affect our perception of a work of art; an opportunity to think critically about gender within the Renaissance and the Dutch ‘Golden Age’, and a consideration of how pictures tell stories, centred around the theme of Venus and Adonis. Preview tonight 7-9pm, Talbot Rice Gallery, University of Edinburgh, Old College, South Bridge; please contact Gallery for subsequent opening times. Ends 5th June 2016.

Untitled guestroom (c) Daniel Cook - interim at Talbot RiceInterim: an exhibition featuring work by first year students from the MFA/MA Contemporary Art Practice course at Edinburgh College of Art. Realised through a dialogue between students and gallery curators, it provides an overview of postgraduate studio practice as it is being developed. . Preview tonight 7-9pm, Talbot Rice Gallery, University of Edinburgh, Old College, South Bridge; please contact Gallery for subsequent opening times. Ends 5th June 2016. Image: Untitled Guestroom © Daniel Cook.

edinburgh college music studentsEdinburgh College Talent Showcase: as part of their HND project, students of Edinburgh College’s Music Box are hosting a Talent Showcase to raise funds for Macmillan Cancer Support. An evening of musical theatre, acoustic sets, bands and more to raise money for an incredible cause! 6.30pm, macmillan cancer support bannerThe Music Box, Edinburgh College Sighthill Campus, Bankhead Avenue. Tickets £8/£6 (+ booking fee) from eventbrite here.

Nina-Whiteman-photo-300x200Old Town/New Music. In the second in the Old Town/New Music series, Nina Whiteman of the Royal Northern Conservatoire of Music will sing a programme including recent and classic solo vocal works: Fabrice Fitch Antistrophes, John Hails Pied Beauty (WP), Nina Whiteman DNA, Luciano Berio Sequenza III, Georges Aperghis Recitations (8 & 9) and György Kurtág Attila József Fragments (selection). 8pm, St Giles’ Cathedral, High Street. Free.

adderley brothers jazz bar image for tributeMercy, Mercy, Mercy! Adderley Bros Tribute: a Quintet of Scotland’s foremost jazz musicians pays joyous tribute to the Soul-Jazz music of legends Cannonball (sax) and Nat (trumpet) Adderley,  including their hit, composed by Weather Report keys man Josef Zawinul,Mercy, Mercy, Mercy!’, and many other classic pieces. The All-Star lineup is Colin Steele (trumpet), Martin Kershaw (alto sax), Steve Hamilton (piano – now touring with US drums legend Billy Cobham), top bassist Brian Shiels and outstanding drummer Alyn Cosker. 9pm (entry from 8pm), The Jazz Bar, Chambers Street. £5/£4 on the door: please note this venue is strictly cash only.

guid crack may 2016Guid Crack: Into the Forest We Go. An evening exploring new paths, mysteries, magic and the great unknown! Join guest storyteller Ken Shapley at Edinburgh’s monthly storytelling night. 7.30pm, Circus Café, 8 St. Mary’s Street. Free entry with a suggested donation of £5/£4 per person. Image © Ken Shapley.

Want to get away this weekend? – yes, summer has arrived (apparently), so here are a couple of ideas;

knockengorroch poster 2016knockengorroch viewKnockengorroch World Ceilidh: ‘Music to the Hills, People to the Land!’ is this festival’s motto. Knockengorroch was born from a love of roots music, and created with the express aims of bringing great music to the hills of Galloway and supporting rural regeneration in the Uplands of Scotland. Music from all continents is booked alongside the best in Scottish and European talent, to showcase Celtic and World music in both traditional and contemporary fields. Line-up includes Skerryvore, Black Uhuru, Krafty Kuts, Freestylers, Edinburgh’s Watch Thieves and plenty more, plus workshops, children’s activities, dance dens, saunas, yoga, spinning…. knockengorroch bullGates open 10am Thursday 26th May and the festival ends on the evening of Sunday 29th May. For full information, including exact location, tickets, camping and transport (including the special Knock Bus from Edinburgh) see Knockengorroch’s website here.

orkney folk festival bannerOrkney Folk Festival: you’ll have to set off early for this one. Whilst the festival (which began in 1982/3) has become a sought-after stage amongst artists worldwide – and has been a four-day home for many, over the years – it is equally, if not more so, the local Orcadian performers that make the festival what it is and keep the crowds coming. This year’s acts include Julie Fowlis, Session A9, The Unthanks, Vishtèn, Maggie Adamson and Brian Nicholson, Rob Heron & The Tea Pad Orchestra, The Glencraig Scottish Dance Band, Gnoss, Orkney Strathspey & Reel Society, Saltfishforty and many more. orkney folk festival fiddle gatheringThere are also ceilidhs, family FunBox concerts and lots of pub sessions. First concerts 7.30pm Thursday 26th May, last one 7pm Sunday 29th May – but check the website carefully as some events are already sold out (though many more still have tickets available). For more information see the festival website here, contact the Festival Office at info@orkneyfolkfestival.com or call 01856 851 331 – but do remember that the festival is run entirely by hard-working volunteers!

session A9 at orkney folk festival

 

 

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