MONDAY 16 JUNE 2014
Alpha Arts Summer Exhibition – mixed exhibition of work by Peter Howson OBE, Lawrie Williamson, Jack Frame, Frank McFadden and many others. Continues until 4th August at 52 Hamilton Place. See website for opening times.
Want You Dead: number one bestselling crime and thriller writer Peter James discusses Want You Dead, the tenth book to feature the definitive Brighton detective Roy Grace. 6.30pm Waterstones West End. £3 or £2 with Loyalty Card. Tickets from the shop or call 0131 226 2666.
Mixing the Colours – women speaking about sectarianism. Rachel Thain-Gray and Morag Smith from Glasgow Women’s Library read stories and poems written as part of a project at GWL on the theme of sectarianism and how it affects women in Scotland, their families and communities. 1-3pm, Boardroom, Central Library, George IV Bridge. Booking essential via eventbrite.
Hazel McHaffie discusses her new novel Over My Dead Body, the next in a series set in the world of medical ethics. 6.30-7.30pm, Fountainbridge Library, Dundee Street. To book call the library on 0131 529 5616 or email fountainbridge.library@edinburgh.gov.uk
Continuing: Harpies, Fechters & Quines 2014: Scottish Women in Art & Literature. A series of events and exhibitions at Edinburgh Central Library in partnership with Glasgow Women’s Library. Exhibitions include ‘21 Revolutions‘, ‘My Journey with Women’s Aid‘ and ‘Textile Central.’ Ends Saturday 21st June 2014.
Monday Mechanics: start the week at Cyclone: Gypsy Brae Workshop. Fix, tune or just play with your bike. Get free hands-on expert advice and use of tools – learn how to fix a puncture, strip a hub or just drink coffee and eat cake while talking mechanics. 6-8.30pm, Cyclone: Gypsy Brae, West Shore Road EH5 1QH. Free, but charges apply for any parts purchased. Sponsored by My Adventure. Part of Edinburgh Festival of Cycling.
Continuing: Textiles Migration: exhibition exploring the impact immigration has had on Scotland’s contemporary textile identity and visual culture. The exhibition will be supported by a series of talks and workshops. 10am-5pm, Kalopsia Gallery, Ocean Terminal, Leith. Free, donations welcome. Closes 29th June 2014.
Alan Davie Memorial Lecture: Alan Davie, who passed away in March, was one of the giants of postwar painting. Patrick Elliott (Gallery of Modern Art) discusses the life and work of this major Scottish artist. 12.45-1.30pm, Hawthornden Lecture Theatre, Scottish National Gallery, The Mound. Free and unticketed.
Blackwell’s Edinburgh Book Group: friendly monthly meeting to discuss a wide range of books. Currently reading Monica Ali’s Brick Lane. To join email your name and address to events.edinburgh@blackwell.co.uk 6-8pm, Blackwell’s, South Bridge.
Blackwell’s Edinburgh Children’s Book Group – for those 8-11 years old with a love of books and biscuits. Currently reading Katherine Rundell’s Rooftoppers. To join email your details to childrens.edinburgh@blackwell.co.uk. 6-7pm, Blackwell’s South Bridge.
Edible Gardening – Seasonal Advice: drop in to learn how to grow your own food, and take a look around the productive garden with the Edible Garden Project Team. 1-3pm, Royal Botanic Garden. All ages, free, no booking required.
The Constitutional Future of an Independent Scotland: Nicola Sturgeon MSP, Deputy First Minister of Scotland. 12-1.30pm, Playfair Library, Old College, University of Edinburgh, South Bridge. Free, all welcome. For contact details click here.
TUESDAY 17 JUNE 2014
The Runner: powerful documentary film about Sahrawi athletic champion and freedom fighter Salah Ameidan. 7pm Summerhall. Free. Presented by Scotland African Film Festival ‘Africa in Motion’ as part of Refugee Week 2014.
Scottish Women Poets of the 17th & 18th centuries: a talk by Dr Sarah Dunnigan. 6pm, Conference Room, Central Library, George IV Bridge. Booking via eventbrite.
You’ve had a cycling accident – what next? – 19,000 cyclists are injured in UK reported road accidents annually. Many don’t claim compensation. Legal expert Julie Harris of Allan McDougall Solicitors will give you the low down on how to make a legal claim, and why it may be bad for other cyclists if you don’t. Free entry. 12-1pm, Allan McDougall Solicitors, 3 Coates Crescent. Part of Edinburgh Festival of Cycling. (Also available on Thursday 19th, same time.)
Crystallography Matters! Dr Stephen Moggach talks about Pressure, Pores and Pockets: X-ray diffraction of ‘nearly’ empty space. 6.30-7.30pm (doors open 6pm) Cairns Lecture Theatre, Summerhall, 1 Summerhall. Free tickets can be booked via eventbrite. Part of the 2014 International Year of Crystallography.
Edible Gardening – Seasonal Advice: drop in to learn how to grow your own food, and take a look around the productive garden with the Edible Garden Project Team. 1-3pm, Royal Botanic Garden. All ages, free, no booking required.
WEDNESDAY 18 JUNE 2014
Spokes’ Bike Breakfast: start the day early with a free breakfast for all those who arrive by bike. Free entry, but NB food & drink may run out, so get their asap! Bike servicing by Edinburgh Bicycle Co-op. Free bike marking by Police Scotland. 7.45-9.45am, Edinburgh City Chambers, EH1 1YJ. Part of Edinburgh Festival of Cycling.
Bike Station Dr Bike Safety Check: most minor problems can be fixed on the spot, with more major problems diagnosed and a bike ‘MOT’ provided. Chat to staff about cycle routes and travelling around the city by bike. 3pm, Fiveways Junction (see website for details and map.) Part of Edinburgh Festival of Cycling.
Visually impaired tour and workshop: a descriptive tour of the sculpture park and a practical workshop for the visually impaired. 10am-3.30pm, Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art TWO, Belford Road. To book call information desk on 0131 624 6560. Free.
Titian in Ten: ten minute pop-up talk delivered by Gallery staff. Gain an exclusive insight as staff from across the galleries offer different perspectives onTitian’s masterpieces. 2pm, National Gallery of Scotland, The Mound. Free and unticketed.
A Man of Vision: John Ritchie Findlay of Aberlour, Founder of the Scottish National Portrait Gallery, by Sir George Reid 1899. Former curator Susan Kerr will examine the life of Findlay, proprietor of The Scotsman, whose highly developed sense of civic duty led to the fulfilment of his dream of a national portrait gallery for Scotland. 12.45-1.15pm, National Portrait Gallery, 1 Queen Street. Free and unticketed.
A People’s History of Scotland: Chris Bambery, writer, broadcaster, producer and founding member of the Internationalist Socialist Group in Scotland discusses his latest book ‘the first socialist history of Scotland in over fifty years’ ‘ a corrective to the usual history of kings and queens, victorious battles and bloody defeats.’ 6.30pm, Word Power Books, West Nicolson Street. Free and unticketed, donations welcome.
Blossom: What Scotland Needs to Flourish – award-winning jounalist, commentator and broadcaster Lesley Riddoch talks about her new book ‘ a plain speaking but incisive call to restore control to local communities and let Scotland flourish.’ 6pm, Waterstones West End. Free tickets available from the shop or call 0131 226 2666.
THURSDAY 19 JUNE 2014
Curator’s Tour: in partnership with Refugee Week Scotland, curators Mother Tongue will host a guided tour of the international works in the exhibition A Thousand of Him, Scattered: Relative Newcomers in the Diaspora. 6.30pm, Stills Gallery, 23 Cockburn Street. Free but must be booked via eventbrite.
Love in a Library: a pop-up opera in association with Edinburgh International Festival, featuring beautiful songs by Wagner, Schubert, Gerswhin, Schumann and Quilter. 2-3pm, Fountainbridge Library, Dundee Street. No booking required.
Leith At War: Citadel Arts Group presents a play based on living memories. By Laura C Paterson and directed by Liz Hare. 7.30pm Leith Hub, 1-3 Leith Walk. Tickets £7/£5 from leithatwar@gmail.com or call 07412 064 992.
You’ve had a cycling accident – what next? – 19,000 cyclists are injured in UK reported road accidents annually. Many don’t claim compensation. Legal expert Julie Harris of Allan McDougall Solicitors will give you the low down on how to make a legal claim, and why it may be bad for other cyclists if you don’t. Free entry. 12-1pm, Allan McDougall Solicitors, 3 Coates Crescent. Part of Edinburgh Festival of Cycling.
Stranger Than Fiction: a non-fiction writers’ group for those who are serious about their writing. Wine Bar upstairs at Doric Bar, Market Street. See website for details and contact.
Easel Sketching in the Gallery: monthly drop-in sketching session in the gallery led by artist Damian Callan. A different subject every month and sometimes with a live model. 2-4pm, Scottish National Gallery, The Mound. Free and unticketed.
The Teenage Guide to Stress: Nicola Morgan launches her new book which looks at what stress is and how teenage stress is different. The book deals with a number of issues that affect teenagers, from anger, depression and sexual relationships to cyber-bullying, exams and eating disorders, and offers guidance and advice. 6-7.30pm, Blackwell’s South Bridge. Free tickets available from the shop’s front desk or by calling 0131 622 8218.
FRIDAY 20 JUNE 2014
Love in a Library: a pop-up opera in association with Edinburgh International Festival, featuring beautiful songs by Wagner, Schubert, Gerswhin, Schumann and Quilter. 11am, Oxgangs Library, Oxgangs Road North. Free, no booking required.
Leith At War: Citadel Arts Group presents a play based on living memories. By Laura C Paterson and directed by Liz Hare. 7.30pm Leith Hub, 1-3 Leith Walk. Tickets £7/£5 from leithatwar@gmail.com or call 07412 064 992.
Call for submissions! This is the last day for submission of art work to the 2014 Edinburgh Macmillan Art Exhibition, which will be held 14-17th August 2014 at Bonhams on Queen Street. Artists receive a minimum of 50% from sales, and profits go to help people in Scotland affected by cancer. For details & an application form visit www.macmillanartshow.org
Crags All Ability Bikes. An all ability bike ride along the Innocent Railway Cycle Path, targeted for ‘people with disabilities of all persuasions.’ A variety of adapted bikes will be available, supplied by Beyond Boundaries East Lothian. Supported by Castle Rock Edinvar. 12 noon, starting from Crags Sports Centre, 10 Bowmont Place (accessible toilets at the centre.) Part of Edinburgh Festival of Cycling.
Annuale 2014: an annual festival of independent and grassroots activity co-ordinated by Embassy Gallery 10b Broughton Street Lane. Until 29th July 2014.
Easel Sketching in the Gallery: monthly drop-in sketching session in the gallery led by artist Damian Callan. A different subject every month and sometimes with a live model. 2-4pm, Scottish National Gallery, The Mound. Free and unticketed.
SATURDAY 21 JUNE 2014
Edinburgh Canal Festival: raft race, free boat trips, canoe taster sessions, stalls, canoe polo, music, dance, wee boat flotilla, face painting, water walkers, bouncy castle, model boats, classic cars & lots more. 12-4.30pm, Edinburgh Quay, Fountainbridge. For more information, including how to enter a raft in the race, see website. A non-profit community event co-ordinated by Re-Union Canal Boats.
Canal Festival Garden Party: stalls, refreshments, teddy bear exhibition and quiz, home baking, activities. 2-4pm, Polwarth Parish Church (in the garden if dry, in the hall if wet). £3 entry. Bring your own teddy bear. Call 0131 347 2711 for information.
Grove Community Garden: as part of the Canal Festival activities, Grove 2 will be open to allow the public to see what can be done when a community comes together. Music from Singstream and other activities. 10am-4pm, Grove 2, Grove Community Garden, Gilmore Park, off Fountainbridge, close to the Lift Bridge on the canal (see website for map and bus routes.)
Leith Late 2014 starts today and continues on Sunday. Lots of art, music, animation, film and more in various Leith venues, 5-10pm, see website for full details.
Gayfield Creative Spaces: Natasha Russell, Kalopsia and Broughton Designs – part of Leith Late 2014. 5-10pm, 11 Gayfield Square
Leith Late 2014 Afterparty with Holy Mountain, Adam Stafford and Numbers Are Futile. 9pm-1am, Thomas Morton Hall, Leith. Tickets on door (£7) or in advance from wegottickets (£6 + 60p booking fee)
Town Planner: imagine you were able to design a new town for Edinburgh. What would you add? Workshop for families looking at architectural designs to inspire you to create your own new town plan. 1.30-3.30pm, City Art Centre, Market Street. Free drop-in session, no booking required.
Jenny Geddes: Unplugged. Jenny Geddes was a market trader who is alleged to have thrown her stool at the head of the minister in St Giles Cathedral in objection to the use of the Anglican Book of Common Prayer. This led to a riot and much more. David Stevenson, Emeritus Professor of Scottish History at the University of St Andrews, talks about the tumultuous 17th century. 2pm, City Art Centre, 2 Market Street. Free – book by emailing margaret.findlay@edinburgh.gov.uk or call 0131 529 3963. In association with Previously……
Mixing the Colours: women writing about sectarianism. Writer Magi Gibson facilitates a free workshop for women with the aim of producing writing about women’s experience of sectarianism. Glasgow Women’s Library aims to uncover women’s thoughts, voices and experiences and produce a publication featuring workshop writing. 1-3pm, Board Room, Central Library, George IV Bridge. Booking via eventbrite.
Leith At War: Citadel Arts Group presents a play based on living memories. By Laura C Paterson and directed by Liz Hare. 2.00pm Leith Hub, 1-3 Leith Walk. Tickets £7/£5 from leithatwar@gmail.com or call 07412 064 992. NOTE: this is an afternoon performance.
Fete de la Musique: join the Institut Francais Ecosse to celebrate the longest day of the year. This free party will showcase some seriously talented musicians, including Prairie Rose & the Wildwoods, Sea Bass Kid, Rosie Nimmo and Les Bof. 5-11pm, Institut Francais Ecosse, 13 Randolph Crescent. No tickets required.
Bike Station Dr Bike Safety Check: most minor problems can be fixed on the spot, with more major problems diagnosed and a bike ‘MOT’ provided. Chat to staff about cycle routes and travelling around the city by bike. 3pm, Fiveways Junction (see website for details and map.) Part of Edinburgh Festival of Cycling.
Polish-Scottish Heritage Festival: a range of events over the weekend, some drop-in and some ticketed. Drop-ins include arts & crafts fair, pop-up library, Polish-Scottish heritage exhibition, a talk about the Scots in Poland, a folk music concert and music and crafts workshops. Summerhall, 1 Summerhall. For times and further details of all events see website.
The Officer’s Wife: a deeply moving documentary film portrayal of the Katyn Massacre and its aftermath. 2.30-4.30pm. Summerhall, 1 Summerhall. Free tickets from eventbrite. Suitable for over 18s only. Part of the Scottish-Polish Heritage Festival.
The Polish-Scottish Relationship: stories and reflections of love and loss, with Martin Stepek, author of ‘There is Hope’ and Jenny Robertson, author of ‘From the Volga to the Clyde.’ Summerhall, 1-2.15pm. Free tickets from eventbrite. Suitable for 12 years and over. Part of the Scottish-Polish Heritage Festival.
Giving Nature a Home: a range of family-focused weekend wildlife activities with RSPB Scotland staff. 11am-4pm Royal Botanic Garden (check at reception for meeting place.) All ages, free, no booking required.
Royal Botanic Garden Midsummer Late Opening: enjoy the gardens in the evening, join an attempt to break the world record for tree-hugging. Live music, performances, Scottish Poetry Library, free entry to glasshouses until 9pm, cafes open for refreshments. Full programme on website. 6-10.30pm, Royal Botanic Garden. All ages, free and unticketed.
Corroboree at the Royal Botanic Garden. (1) traditional Maori weaving using natural fibres drawn from the New Zealand flora, demonstrated by Veranoa Hetet, Maori artist and tradition-bearer. 10am-4pm Glasshouse Lawn. (2) Australian performance artists Ariel Killick and Jillibula will be animating the garden with a special performance on stilts, highlighting the importance of shared cultures. 6-8pm in the garden. Both events free, unticketed and suitable for all ages. The events are timed to coincide with the Queen’s Baton Relay, and are part of the RBGE’s celebration of our place in the heart of the Commonwealth.
Jamie King ‘Mind Matters’, Rosemary Taylor ‘Nothing is Ever Black and White’ and Sheila Masson ‘Milk and Honey‘ – three new exhibitions. 10am-6pm, St Margaret’s House 151 London Road.
SUNDAY 22 JUNE 2014
Leith Late 2014 continues today. Art, music, film and more in various Leith venues 12-5pm – see website for details.
Gayfield Creative Spaces: Natasha Russell, Kalopsia and Broughton Designs – part of Leith Late 2014. 12-5pm, 11 Gayfield Square
16mm Sound Workshop with Luigi Allemano: an opportunity to engage with a unique and idiosyncratic method of making sound through pictures on film, a technique made most famous by acclaimed animator Norman McLaren. Suitable for ages 16+. Free but booking essential via eventbrite. 2-5pm, Stills Gallery, 23 Cockburn Street.
Scotland’s Gardens: Merchiston Cottage, 16 Colinton Road EH10 5EL (near Holy Corner) is open today. Small, walled, organic, wildlife-friendly, beekeeper’s garden. 2-5pm. Homemade cakes and teas, plant stall, disabled access. £4 (all proceeds to charities.)
WHALE Arts Market Fair: an afternoon of stalls, crafts, afternoon teas and fun! Free entry. If you are local and want to book a stall (£10) to sell your own items, call 0131 458 3267. 1.30-4.30pm, WHALE Arts Centre, 30 Westburn Grove.
Polish-Scottish Heritage Festival: a range of events over the weekend, some drop-in and some ticketed. Drop-ins include arts & crafts fair, pop-up library, Polish-Scottish heritage exhibition, a talk about the Scots in Poland, a folk music concert and music and crafts workshops. Summerhall, 1 Summerhall. For times and further details of all events see website.
Polish-Scottish Art Connections: free art-based workshops with art historian Ola Wojtkiekywicz for children aged 7+ . Learn some exciting facts about Polish-Scottish History and make your own masterpiece to take home. 3-4pm, Summerhall, 1 Summerhall. Free tickets can be booked via eventbrite.
Meet the Ancestors – Macastory do the Commonwealth Games – celebrate Scotland’s great year of sport with Macastory. Hear all about Donald Dinnie, one of Scotland’s greatest champions and keep fit with sporting challenges, singing, dancing and more! For ages 7+. 2pm and 3pm (45 minute sessions), National Portrait Gallery, 1 Queen Street. Free and unticketed. Supported by the Friends of the National Galleries.
Love in a Gallery: a pop-up opera in association with Edinburgh International Festival, featuring beautiful art songs and Leider by Wagner, Schubert, Gerswhin, Schumann and Quilter celebrating the beauty of courage and love. 2.30pm, Scottish National Gallery, The Mound. Free, no booking required.
Giving Nature a Home: a range of family-focused weekend wildlife activities with RSPB Scotland staff. 11am-4pm Royal Botanic Garden (check at reception for meeting place.) All ages, free, no booking required.
