South Africa at 20: The Freedom Tour. 2014 marked the 20th anniversary of democracy and freedom in South Africa. To commemorate this landmark date, South Africa at 20: The Freedom Tour, a season of South African cinema, is taking place from October 2014 to April 2015 at venues across the UK, bringing the diversity, creative innovation and technical brilliance of South African cinemas to British audiences. Today’s film: Soft Vengeance: Albie Sachs and the New South Africa (15) – a touching portrait of the lawyer, writer, art lover and freedom fighter, set against the dramatic events leading to the overthrow of the apartheid regime. The screening will be introduced by Lizelle Bisschoff, director of South Africa at 20: The Freedom Tour. 6.15pm, Filmhouse, Lothian Road. Tickets may be purchased online here or by calling the Box Office on 0131 228 2688: discounts may be available if you buy tickets for several films in this season – ask at the Box Office. South Africa at 20: The Freedom Tour continues at the Filmhouse on Tuesday 31st March and Wednesday 1st April 2015: see listings.
Grandmother Divided By Monkey Equals Outer Space: American born, Edinburgh-based writer Nora Chassler launches her new novel. set in New York City in 1982. The Martians – Carrie, Eli, their mother Viv and her teenage boyfriend Arni – live in a one-bedroom apartment on the Upper West Side. Around the corner the psychic Miss Rosa’s neon rose glows above the street. Keener on recounting the past than predicting the future, Miss Rosa befriends the Martians one by one, and shares a part of her story with each of them – a story that resonates disturbingly with their own lives. But the Martians have other things to worry about…. 6.30pm, Word Power Books, West Nicolson Street. Free: all welcome – donations also very welcome!
Autism Edinburgh: BoardMaker Lab. A practical information session for parents and carers whose children have autism spectrum disorders, with staff from ASL Services, Edinburgh City Council. Find out how boardmaker software works and how it can support your family life. The software contains thousands of Picture Communication Symbols, which can be used with anyone who may need additional support with communication, especially children and adults with autism spectrum disorders. 1.30pm, Wester Hailes Library, 1 Westside Plaza. To book a place please email Melissa.hollingshead@edinburgh.gov.uk or call the library on 0131 529 5667.
For Crying Out Loud: screenings for parents/carers and their babies under 12 months, with a maximum of 2 adults per baby. Babychanging, bottle warming and buggy parking facilities available. This week: Still Alice (12A): when she receives a diagnosis of early-onset Alzheimer’s disease, linguistics professor Alice Howland (Julianne Moore) and her family find their bonds thoroughly tested. 11am, Filmhouse, Lothian Road. Tickets cost £4.50/£3.50 per adult.
Lunchtime Concert: Highland Park Orchestra, USA. 12.15pm, St Giles’ Cathedral, High Street. Free.
Seamus Killick: Jwoy. New paintings and other works by the recent Edinburgh College of Art graduate and St Margaret’s House resident. Opens tonight at 7pm, then usual opening hours, Forest Cafe, 141 Lauriston Place.
Celtic Growing: an exhibition of woodcarvings by Mike Appleby. Mike has always been fascinated by wood, and originally made furniture and toys, from there developing an interest in Celtic crosses. One of the traditions of knotwork is to have a ribbon running unbroken through the pattern, and that has parallels to the use of labyrinths in other religious traditions. From the crosses Mike moved on to other Celtic design, much of which involves bas-relief and figurative carving, including animals; he then started high relief and three-dimensional work. Mike has a particular fondness for wood that has been used before, as it has its own stories to tell; the life of the tree, the life of its previous uses and users, and the life of the sculpture it becomes. Resurrection Chapel, St Mary’s Cathedral, Palmerston Place. Ends 5th April 2015.
Cameo Culture Shock: 2001: A Space Odyssey (U). Culture Shock brings you the best in cult and genre films. 2001 is an epic science fiction film produced and directed in 1968 by Stanley Kubrick; in 2014 the British Film Institute re-released the film as part of its blockbuster Science Fiction project. Critic Robert Ebert described Kubrick’s masterpiece as ‘a stand alone monument, a great visionary leap, unsurpassed in its vision of man and the universe’. 8.30pm, Cameo, Home Street. Tickets may be booked online here or by calling the Box Office on 0871 902 5723.
Resonate 2015: From Studio to Stage. Over 200 pupils from ten Edinburgh schools showcase their dance, drama and music projects, filling The Queen’s Hall stage with creativity, energy and excitement. 6.30pm, The Queen’s Hall, 85-89 Clerk Street. Tickets cost £4/£2 and can be purchased from the Box office in person, online here or by calling 0131 668 2019. Transaction fees apply to online and telephone bookings. Resonate is a collaboration between The Queen’s Hall and the City of Edinburgh Council’s Children and Families Arts & Creative Learning Service, taking place at The Queen’s Hall 9-30th March 2015. It is made possible by support from the Inches Carr Trust.
Your Neighbourhood: City Centre and Leith – find out more about care and support services in your area. 10am-4pm, Drumbrae Library Hub, 81 Drumbrae Drive. Also at same times at the Central Library, George IV Bridge, on Wednesday 1st April.
Visions of Edinburgh: an exhibition of contemporary landscapes of Edinburgh by David Grigor. 10% of all sales will go to support The Royal Blind School. 8am-10pm Monday to Saturday, Henderson’s Restaurant, Hanover Street. Free entry: ends September 2015.
Edinburgh City Archives: if you are interested in finding out more about your family history, local history or a local business – or perhaps you have records that you don’t know what to do with – come along today to find out more about the City Archives and chat to one of the City Archivists. 10.30am-12.30pm, Central Library, George IV Bridge.
