Time for Traditional Tunes: a new Live Music Now Scotland initiative for older people, including those with dementia. Audiences from care homes and community groups are invited to join Scots singers Robyn Stapleton (BBC Young Scottish Traditional Musician of the Year 2014) and Claire Hastings for a concert of traditional singing with a chance to join in, in the beautiful surroundings of the Great Hall. 2-3pm, Scottish National Portrait Gallery, 1 Queen Street. Free: to book please call the Information Desk on 0131 624 6560. Supported by the Friends of NGS.
Benji the PlayTalkRead bus will be at West Pilton Neighbourhood Centre today! Songs, stories and play sessions for young children and their parents and carers. 10am-1pm and 2-4pm, West Pilton Neighbourhood Centre, 19 West Pilton Grove. Free.
Visual Awareness Day at St Bride’s: if you or someone you know is living with sight loss, or you would just like to learn more, come and meet Guide Dog users Dennis and Pat and their extremely clever and life-changing dog Todd. Royal National Institute for the Blind representatives will be in attendance, offering basic eye tests and advice on how to look after your eyes, and there will be information available on other visual impairment services. 10am-2pm, St Bride’s Centre, Orwell Terrace, Dalry.
Italian Film Festival: curated by Allan Hunter and Richard Mowe, the 22nd Festival continues today. ‘An exciting and diverse line-up of contemporary and classic Italian cinema, including hilarious comedies, insightful dramas, seat-edge thrillers and classics from award-winning directors’. All films are subtitled in English, Today: Good for Nothing (15) ‘a jaunty, melancholic Roman comedy’. 6.10pm, Filmhouse, Lothian Road. Tickets can be booked online via the website or by calling the Box Office on 0131 228 2688
Multifaith Public Conversation 2015: Radical Compassion and Violent Extremism. Edinburgh University Chaplaincy joins The Forgiveness Project for the Annual Multifaith Public Conversation. Yasmin Yar Mulbocus, Jo Berry and Bjorn Magnus Jacobsen Ihler discuss whether radical compassion can win the war on violent extremism. 5.30pm (doors open 5pm)-7pm, Chaplaincy Auditorium, University of Edinburgh, 1 Bristo Square. Free and open to all: please book via eventbrite here.
Cafe Histoire: La Vol de l’Aigle. Patrick Landri, Chief Librarian, Alliance Francaise de Glasgow, looks at the ‘Cent-Jours’ (1er mars-22 juin 1817) between Napoleon I’s return to France and victorious entry to Paris, and his defeat three months later. Please note this talk will be in French only. 5.30-7pm, Institut francais d’Ecosse, 13 Randolph Crescent. Admission £8 (members £5).
Morningside Parish Church Baby and Toddler Group: for children up to about 3 years. A friendly and informal way for parents to meet and children to have fun with the large selection of toys. All welcome, no pre-registration needed – just turn up. 10-11.30am today and every Monday and Wednesday, Morningside Parish Church, Braid Road/Cluny Gardens. £1.50 donation per session.
Fountainbridge Library is 75! A library has stood on the Dundee Street site since 1897 – the first neighbourhood library was funded from the estate of philanthropist Thomas Nelson, but by the 1930s the building needed to be replaced. JAW Grant was appointed to be architect of the new library, with sculptor Charles D’Orville Pilkington Jackson commissioned to provide the carving to surmount the main doorway; Jackson’s original plans included ornate carvings of a fountain and a bridge, so he was understandably dismayed when he learned of a planned change of name to ‘Dundee Street Library’ – luckily the plan was dropped, and despite delays caused by the war, the new library was opened in 1940. To celebrate this anniversary, the library has arranged a week of events, starting today with a Book Cafe – Annie Bell, Edinburgh Libraries’ Resident Book Expert, will be coming along to offer book recommendations, so drop in for a chat and a coffee. 2-4pm, Fountainbridge Library, 137 Dundee Street. There will also be a Children’s Storytelling on Tuesday 10th, an Anniversary Celebration Day on Wednesday 11th and a Birthday Bookbug on Thursday 12th March, plus an exhibition of photos and memories of the last 75 years.
Lunchtime Concert: Gulf Coast Masterworks Chorus, Texas, USA. 12.15pm, St Giles’ Cathedral, High Street. Free.
Skill Share Bike Puncture Repair Sessions: the Bike Station’s aim in running these sessions is to pass on the knowledge to help re-use and repair rather than replace. Puncture repair is a simple but almost lost skill; all materials will be provided and there are no age restrictions – families are encouraged to bring their children along to find out how easy this is! 2pm today and every day until 13th March 2015, The Bike Station, 250 Causewayside, Newington. No booking required, just come along. These free sessions are part of Pass It On Week 2015, which runs from 7th to 15th March.
Blind Poetics – March: Russell Jones. Russell is an Edinburgh-based writer who has published three poetry collections, with a fourth due out later this year. He is also the editor of Where Rockets Burn Through: Science Fiction Poetry from the UK and Interdisciplinary Science Reviews: Poetries and Sciences in the 21st Century. There will also be the usual open mic session: if you would like to book a 5 minute slot click here to find out how it works. 8-11pm, The Blind Poet, West Nicolson Street. Free admission.
International Women’s Day in Leith: an all day programme of events, including a Health Fair with a talk on alternative therapies, a book reading and signing by Annie Harrower-Gray, author of Harlots and Heroines, tai chi demonstrations, an art exhibition Remembering Her Story by Carol Watson , Highland, Irish, Egyptian and tap dancers, a photography exhibition The Diversity of Leith Women by Kathryn McNerney, information on adult education courses, a Community Council stall and lots more. 10.30am-4.30pm, South Leith Parish Church, Kirkgate. Tickets £5/£3 on the door, £4/£3 in advance (call 07837 596376).
Blackwell’s Children’s Book Group: if you are 8-11 years old with a love of books and biscuits, join this free group to enjoy a friendly hour of fiction – come and discover more books to treasure. Currently reading I,Coriander by Sally Gardner.  6-7pm, Blackwell’s, South Bridge. To join just email your details to childrens.edinburgh@blackwell.co.uk.
Living with Bees: the decline in honeybees has attracted much media attention, but around two-thirds of vital pollination in crops and wild plants is carried out by wild bee species and other insects. Discover the world of wild bees in an illustrated talk by Dr Bernard Vaissiere, who will explore the important role wild bees play in the lives of plants and people. The talk will be followed by a panel discussion with experts from the Scottish Wildlife Trust, the Urban Pollinators Project (University of Edinburgh), City of Edinburgh Council and Buglife. For ages 14+. 11am-12.30pm, Lecture Theatre, Royal Botanic Garden of Edinburgh, Inverleith Row. Free but please book in advance via eventbrite here. This event has been programmed to coincide with the RBGE’s Urban Bees exhibition.
Sofi’s Cult Movie Nights: popular classics on the silver screen in the cosy, darkened back room. This week: Jurassic Park (PG) – shown in anticipation of the release of Jurassic World this summer. ‘Relive the thrills of 90s CGI!’ Free popcorn! 8pm, Sofi’s Bar, 65 Henderson Street.
New Town and Broughton Community Council: local residents are very welcome to attend. 7.30pm, Drummond Room, Broughton St Mary’s Church, Bellevue Crescent.
Pochemu?  A photographic exploration of the Ukrainian conflict by Monika Holkova. Edinburgh College BA in Professional Photography graduate Holkova spent a period of time documenting the conflict in Ukraine; based in Donetsk, she worked with NGOs photographing the impact of the conflict on the people of the region. (Pochemu? means ‘why?’). 9am-5.30pm Monday to Thursday, 9am-4.30pm Fridays, with an open private view 6.30-8.30pm on Friday 13th March, Creative Exchange, 29 Constitution Street. Ends 27th March 2015. Free admission.
Frances @ Sneaky Pete’s: British singer/songwriter Sophie Cooke aka Frances writes and co-produces her own music and is influenced by artists ranging from Aqualung, Sia and Coldplay to Alanis Morisette and Carole King. ‘Her unique ethereal tones and keen ear for an infectious melody, supported by her emotive piano playing and 3 piece band, make her one to watch for the future’. Over 18s only. 7pm, Sneaky Pete’s, 73 Cowgate. Tickets cost £5 and can be booked here (transaction fee applies).
