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Leith Creative Bruncheon: Leith Creative is a cultural mapping research project, currently being co-delivered by Leith Late and Citizen Curator, looking at cultural resources and creative industries in the Leith area. They are asking local creatives to feed into the research by completing a survey about themselves. Locals and creatives will get a chance to hear more about the Leith Creative project from Morvern Cunningham (Leith Late) and Duncan Bremner (Citizen Curator). There will also be an opportunity to submit information to Leith Creative and to network. Music will be provided by local musicians, curated by William Douglas, and as always the cafe menu will include kippers, scrambled eggs and lots of tasty treats. 11.30am-3pm, Out of the Blue Drill Hall, 36 Dalmeny Street. Free entry.

Nizam al-Mulk & Carole Hillenbrand

Edinburgh Iranian Festival: The Most Famous Persian Vizier – The Career of Nizam al-Mulk. Professor Carole Hillenbrand (University of Edinburgh and University of St Andrews) talks about Nizam al-Mulk (1018-1092) the vizier of the Seljuq empire in Iran. His truly awesome achievement in staying in power for over thirty years was made possible by a combination of subtlety and ruthlessness, extraordinary stamina, personal courage and a formidable intellect. He was a numinous figure whose memory was cherished by many generations. 3-4pm, Lecture Theatre F.21, University of Edinburgh, 7 George Square. Free.

Tiger Tales: stories and craft for chldren aged 4-8 years old and their parents/carers. 3-4pm, Fountainbridge Library, 137 Dundee Street. Free: all welcome!

Nothing But The Poem: Alastair Reid. A poetry reading session with Kate Hendry: please note that Alastair Reid will be present on paper only. No previous knowledge or experience necessary. 11am or 2pm, Scottish Poetry Library, 5 Crichton’s Close. Tickets cost £5/£4 and can be booked via eventbrite.

Nima Youshif - Sutton Gallery for Iranian Festival 2015

The Edinburgh Iranian Festival: Nima Yushij. An evening of poetry, music and visual art in conjunction with an exhibition of Hassan Meshkinfam’s mixed media art works, which interpret Nima’s poetry through arresting, dream-like imagery. Musician Majid Mokhberi will perform songs that take Nima’s verse as their lyrics, and members of the Edinburgh Iranian Festival Committee will read poems in Persian and English. Internationally acclaimed poet Nima Yushij (1896-1960) is often regarded as the founder of modern Persian poetry. 8.30-10pm (to include a Drinks Reception courtesy of the Gallery), The Sutton Gallery, 18a Dundas Street. Free but please book by contacting info@ediranfest.co.uk.

Pancake Weekend at Joseph Pearce’s! Stacks of them every day for three days, with more toppings than you can shake your golden syrup at! Children welcome every day till 5pm, Joseph Pearce’s, 23 Elm Row. For more information and to book a table, call 0131 556 4140.

I’m Game: a playful programme for half-term, all about games. Today there are two drop-in events: (1) Crafty Character Cards: design and make a pixelated Valentine’s, greeting or picture card, inspired by the Game Masters exhibition. 12 noon-4pm, Grand Gallery Level 1 (2) Replay Events: video games. Join in two Gaming Zones run by Replay Events. 11am-4pm, Grand Gallery and Hawthornden Court, Level 1, National Museum of Scotland, Chambers Street. Free. Also at the same times on Sunday 15th February 2015. There is a full programme of games-related events throughout the rest of half term – see the NMS website for details. ‘You’ll never be board this half-term’…..

serenity valentine's poster

Serenity Valentine’s DJ Night: 70s and 80s old school disco with DJ Mario McMuriel and guest DJ Karen Stevenson, and live performance and singalong with the Serenity Singers. 8pm-12 midnight, Serenity Cafe, 8 Jackson’s Entry, The Tun, 111 Holyrood Road. £4 per person. Serenity is Scotland’s first recovery cafe, run by people in recovery for people in recovery, and for public customers who want good value, good quality food in a relaxed space. All events are drink and drugs free.

Portobello Open Door Silent Movie Weekend: tonight One Week and Seven Chances with Buster Keaton. The film will be accompanied by music from The Jane Gardner Trio. 7.30pm, The Wash House Community Centre, 3 Adelphi Grove. £6/£4: tickets are available from Popeye’s Sandwich Bar, 132 Portobello High Street, and advance booking is recommended. You are welcome to bring food and drink, and children can bring bean bags, but please note all under-12s must be accompanied by an adult.

Portobello Open Door Silent Movie Weekend poster

Snowdrop and Early Spring Walk: join a Garden Guide on a walk to discover the Garden’s wonderful collection of specialist snowdrops. You can also see other early flowering plants that herald the onset of spring. For ages 14+. 11am-12.30pm, John Hope Gateway Reception, Royal Botanic Garden of Edinburgh, Inverleith Row. Also at same time on Sunday 15th February. £5 per person, no advance booking required.

Edinburgh Iranian Festival: Edinburgh Persian School. Meet organisers and pupils of the Persian School during an open day, and get a taster of the Persian language. Dr Golnaz Nanbakhsh and teachers from the school will provide a half hour introductory workshop in Persian: Persian language classes are available on Saturday mornings throughout the year for children and adults. The pupils will exhibit their artwork about Iran; this year’s special project is Wotjek, a brown bear born in the mountains of Iran who lived alongside the Polish II Corps as they moved through Iran, Iraq, Syria, Palestine and Egypt; he died in Edinburgh Zoo in 1963. 11am-1pm (language taster class at 11am), Liberton High School, 328 Gilmerton Road. Free admission.

Ruff Cuff Sale

Ruff Cuff Sale: beautiful home-made cushions, jewellery, ruff cuffs to grace your neck and wrists, shopping bags and plenty more. 12 noon-3pm, Serenity Cafe, 8 Jackson’s Entry, The Tun, 11 Holyrood Road. The cafe will be open as usual for delicious food and drinks. Ruff Cuff is a Serenity Cafe Woman Zone By Comas event: Woman Zone is a community of women in recovery.

Raoul De Keyser: Paintings 1967-2012. The first major UK exhibition in over a decade of works spanning the career of the late Belgian painter (1930-2012). De Keyser’s paintings combine aspects of both abstract expressionism and figuration inspired by the natural world. Open preview today 12.30-3pm, then 10am-4.30pm Tuesday to Sunday, Inverleith House, Royal Botanic Garden of Edinburgh, Inverleith Row. Free. Exhibition closes 12th April 2015.

Gin and Piano Evening: celebrate Valentine’s Day with cupcakes, piano and Daffy’s gin. 7pm, Sofi’s Bar, 63 Henderson Street.

Parviz - Iranian film festival

2015 Iranian Film Festival: a season of classic and contemporary films from Iran, including a number of Scottish premieres, shown as part of the Edinburgh Iranian Festival. Today: Parviz (15) 6.10pm, Filmhouse, Lothian Road. Tickets can be booked online here or by calling the box office on 0131 228 2688. Prices vary: there are deals for purchasing multiple tickets for this season. The 2015 Iranian Film Festival is curated by Dr Nacim Pak-Shiraz and sponsored by The Sutton Gallery, Arts & Business Scotland, the School of Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies of the University of Edinburgh, and the Filmhouse.

Scottish Beavers: find out how the re-introduced beavers are adapting to life in Scotland. Meet the Scottish Beaver Trial education team, who will be bringing games and activities, as well as pelts, skulls and video footage. 1-4pm, Real Life Science Studio, John Hope Gateway, Royal Botanic Garden of Edinburgh, Inverleith Row. Free, no booking required. Also at same times on Sunday 15th February 2015.

Tom Watts at Torrance Gallery

Tom Watt: a new exhibition. 11am-6pm Monday to Friday, 10.30am-4pm Saturdays, The Torrance Gallery, 36 Dundas Street. Exhibition ends 7th March 2015.

Think Twice! at Cafe Voltaire

Think Twice! Valentine’s Party, with Lay-Far, Craig Smith and Gary Sbr Ellis. 11pm-3am, Cabaret Voltaire, 36 Blair Street. Tickets £7/£5.

St Bride’s Family Cinema: see your favourite film for free! Juice and choc ices available to buy in the interval at 50p each. This week: Shrek 2 (U). 10.30am-12.30pm (includes interval), St Bride’s Centre, Orwell Place, Dalry. Please note all children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Next week: Lady and the Tramp (U).

Robert Hillenbrand - islamic art

Edinburgh Iranian Festival: The Jewel of Persian Architecture – The Friday Mosque of Isfahan. The Friday Mosque of Isfahan has a continuous history of over a millennium. None of the major ruling dynasties of Iran has failed to leave a mark on it, so it is a museum of structural and decorative techniques, a prism through which to recognise the identifying traits of Islamic architecture in Iran. Professor Robert Hillenbrand FBA (University of St Andrews), former Slade Professor of Art at the University of Cambridge and the author of nine books and numerous articles on Islamic art and architecture, will give an insight into this famous edifice. 4-5pm, Lecture Theatre F.21, University of Edinburgh, 7 George Square. Free.

A Magic Forest with Lucy Roscoe: in this fun, papery workshop you’ll create a forest of trees inspired by the wonderful book tree in the Central Library. All abilities welcome. For children aged 7+. Please note that all children must be accompanied by an adult. 2-3.30pm, Children’s Library (next to Central Library), George IV Bridge. Free but please book via eventbrite here.

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Edinburgh Society of Musicians: The Tunnell Trust Concert. Ishizuka-Lin Duo (piano and violin) play Debussy, Beethoven, Messiaen and Brahms. 7.30pm prompt, Edinburgh Society of Musicians, 3 Belford Road. Free and open to all. The Tunnell Trust is a charity creating opportunities for talented young musicians.

Robert Sarazin at Forest Feb 2015

Robert Sarazin Blake ‘The Beloved and Beardy Troubadour of the Pacific North West’, with guests Billy Liar and Faith Elliot, plus The Lonely Hearts Club Jam and an installation,  All The Lonely People,  by Suky Goodfellow upstairs.  7pm, Forest Cafe, Lauriston Place, Tollcross. Free admission: BYOB.

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