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Maggie’s Edinburgh Book Launch: following the success of Lights in the Constellation of the Crab, Angus Ogilvy will launch his new book of poems for Maggie’s House Clearing by Moonlight with readings and a signing session. ‘Angus has been prolific and highly generous with his poetry. His remarkable gift for words evokes deep emotions and gives space for calm reflection…The sales of his first book have generated over £3,000 for Maggie’s, and we are so grateful for his ongoing support…’ (Andrew Anderson, Centre Head, Maggie’s Edinburgh). 6-7.30pm (gathering from 5.30pm), Maggie’s Edinburgh, Western General Hospital, Crewe Road South. Please let Maggie’s know if you plan to attend: email amy.robertson@maggiescentres.org or call 0131 537 3131 9am-5pm Monday to Friday.

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Easel Sketching in the Gallery: March. Led by artist Damian Callan; a different subject every month, sometimes with a model. All materials supplied. 2-4pm, Main Gallery Floor, Scottish National Gallery, The Mound. Free: no booking required. Also at same times on Friday 13th March.

gods of the morning

Blackwell’s Edinburgh Presents John Lister-Kaye: one of Britain’s best known naturalists and conservationists launches his new book Gods of the Morning: A Bird’s Eye View of a Highland Year. Sir John Lister-Kaye runs the world famous Aigas Field Centre in the Scottish Highlands; his new book follows a year through the turning of the seasons at Aigas, exploring the habits of the Highland animals – and in particular the birds, his ‘gods of the morning’ – for whom he has nourished a lifelong passion. 6.30-8pm, Blackwell’s, South Bridge. Free tickets are available from the shop’s front desk, or by calling 0131 622 8218 or emailing events.edinburgh@blackwell.co.uk. Tickets can also be obtained from eventbrite here.

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Benji the PlayTalkRead bus will be at  Pennywell Shops, Pennywell Road today! Songs, stories and play sessions for young children and their parents and carers. 10am-1pm and 2-4pm, Pennywell Shops, Pennywell Road. Free.

Image: www.geograph.co.uk
Image: www.geograph.co.uk

Mayfield Salisbury Thursday Club: Honeysuckle Swing, with Diana Saunderson and Gus Carmichael. 2-4pm, Upper Hall, Mayfield Salisbury Parish Church, 18 West Mayfield. Visitors of any age very welcome: tea 50p, annual membership £3. For more information please contact Florence Smith on 0131 663 1234.

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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; today it’s a Birthday Bookbug – so come along in your party outfits, and have your best singing voices ready! 10.30am, Fountainbridge Library, 137 Dundee Street. There will also be an exhibition of photos and memories of the last 75 years.

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Crops In Pots: in time for spring, come along for an interactive evening of planting and discussion. All ages welcome to come and talk about growing food in an urban environment. 7pm, Area C Coffee House, 239-241 Leith Walk.

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Storytime: for 3-5 year olds. 10.30-11am today and every Thursday, Central Children’s Library, George IV Bridge.

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Cafe Voices: Sheroes. Who is your ‘shero’? Join storyteller Ruth Kirkpatrick – whose ‘sheros’ include Billie Jean King, Mo Mowlem, Grace Darling…and her Great Granny – for an evening celebrating great heroines. This is the Centre’s monthly storytelling session, with an open-floor section where you can ‘tip your hat’ to your own heroine by telling a story about her. Stories, songs, music, poems – and even a wee dance – are all welcome. 7pm, Storytelling Court, Scottish Storytelling Centre, 43-45 High Street. Tickets cost £5 and can be booked online here or by calling the Box Office on 0131 556 9579

John Byrne and His Guitars by Mark Mulholland, copyright Mark Mulholland.
John Byrne and His Guitars by Mark Mulholland, copyright Mark Mulholland.

Portrait Gallery Curator’s Talk: BP Portrait Award 2014. A chance to chat to the Portrait Gallery curators about current exhibitions: this month Chief Curator Julie Lawson will talk about the BP Portrait Award. 5.30-6pm, Scottish National Portrait Gallery, 1 Queen Street. Free: no booking required.

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Pennywell New Housing Phase 2 Community Information Event: find out more about the new housing planned for Pennywell – timescales, outline design and plans. 1.30- 4.30pm, Craigroyston Community High School , Pennywell Road.

China is Near

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: China is Near (15) ‘Marco Bellocchio’s lovingly-restored black comedy anticipates the upheavals of May 1968 and remains a splendidly caustic excursion into class conflict and sexual politics’. 8.45pm, Filmhouse, Lothian Road. Tickets can be booked online via the website or by calling the Box Office on 0131 228 2688.

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The Drawing Room: an informal, artist-led drawing session, developed by a contemporary artist and reflecting concerns in that artist’s work. All materials supplied, no experience necessary. 5.30-6.45pm, Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art TWO, Belford Road. Please note venue: this session takes place in the Two Roberts exhibition. Free but please book by contacting the Education Department on 0131 624 6410 or emailing education@nationalgalleries.org.

Photography by Philippa Oliver
Photography by Philippa Oliver

Edinburgh University Shakespeare Company Presents The Merchant of Venice: it is the summer of 1939 and Britain is travelling headlong towards one of the most devastating and transformative periods of its history. Oblivious to the oncoming storm, the London elite sit smoking their cigars and enjoying the fruits of their inheritance. 7.30pm today-Saturday 14th March (with 2.30pm matinee on Saturday 14th), Assembly Roxy, 2 Roxburgh Place. Tickets cost £10/£8/£6 and can be purchased online here.

minto house

Edinburgh College of Art Thursday Research Seminar Series: Dyeing, Bleaching, Printing – Morris and Abundance.  This seminar will be chaired by Professor Caroline Arscott (Courtauld Institute) and followed by a drinks reception. Lecture Room 1, Minto House, 20-22 Chambers Street. Free and open to all: no booking required.

saltire society
Saltire Society

Caesura #29 and the Scottish Poetry Library: ‘experimental poetry wonder night….the home for sound poetry, found poetry, text-based performance art and all manner of linguistic innovation’. This month’s performers are poet Sarah Kelly, writer Maria Fusco, poet and editor Anthony Autumn and poetry and prose writer Jim Ferguson. 7-10pm (doors open 6.30pm), The Saltire Society, 9 Fountain Close. Tickets cost £5/£4 and can be booked via eventbrite here. For further information please contact jennifer.williams@spl.org.uk.

TER Greyfriars Kirk

Spark Lunchtime Concerts: Music by Ravel and Poulenc played by students from the Reid School of Music, University of Edinburgh. 12 noon-12.45pm, Greyfriars Kirk, Greyfriars Place. Free, no booking required.

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Stills Film Screening: Looking for Light. Stills presents a moving portrait of the late photographer Jane Bown and the many iconic photographs that span her 6 decade career, including portraits of Samuel Beckett, Mick Jagger, HRH Queen Elizabeth II and Bjork and interviews with Rankin, Edna O’Brien and Don McCullin. Directed by Luke Dodd and Michael Whyte. 6.30-8.30pm, Stills, 23 Cockburn Street. Booking is required but tickets are free, and can be obtained via eventbrite here.

St John's Church Blue Sky

Ecumenical Friends at St John’s: John Munro – Lent Meditation. 1pm, St John’s Church, Princes Street (please note different time and venue). All warmly welcome: bring your own packed lunch, tea and coffee are provided. £1.50 per person, These events are organised by Edinburgh City Centre Churches TOGETHER.

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