Identity: an exciting new exhibition based on a collaboration between Art in Healthcare’s Outreach Programme and the NHS Lothian’s Parkinson’s Service. A wide range of artworks will be showcased, all created by service users of different healthcare settings in and around Edinburgh. 10am-5pm, St Mary’s Cathedral, Palmerston Place. Ends 22nd April 2015.
Craigmillar Library Spring Break Activities: Easter Penalties with Joe T. 1.30-2.30pm, Craigmillar Library, 101 Niddrie Mains Road. Any child under 8 years must be supervised by a family member over the age of 12.
Puppet Animation Festival 2015: Yugen Puppet Company Presents Little Princess Goldtree. A wicked stepmother, a beautiful princess and an all knowing, all seeing, magical trout – just the ingredients needed for a fairy tale! For ages 4+ years. 2pm, Craigmillar Community Arts, 58 Newcraighall Road. Please contact CCA on 0131 669 8432 for tickets.
The Edinburgh Science Festival Busking Bike! A great opportunity for children to get involved in some mind-boggling science experiments and dazzling demonstrations as the Edinburgh International Science Festival zooms into the library. 10am-4pm, Stockbridge Library, 11 Hamilton Place.
Puppet Animation Festival: Shoe Kangaroo and the Big Bad Boot. ‘A strapping tale, filled with shoes, which promises to be a load of old cobblers’. Garlic Theatre takes you on a fantastical journey to the island of lost shoes, with clowning, mime and beautifully crafted puppets. For ages 4+. 2pm, Netherbow Theatre, Scottish Storytelling Centre, 43-45 High Street. Tickets cost £8.50/£6.50 and may be booked in person, online here or by calling the Box Office on 0131 556 9579; a transaction fee applies to online and phone bookings.
Lichtenstein Easter Art Explosion! Drop in and join in a range of activities exploring the work of American Pop artist Roy Lichtenstein. Make an artwork out of musical notes and hear your crazy composition performed. Have fun designing a comic strip and create your own personal ‘Wall Explosion‘ – the perfect adornment for any home! 2-4pm, Scottish Gallery of Modern Art ONE, Belford Road. Free: no booking required. Also at same times on Saturday 11th April.
Spring Into Leith – Bookbug: for children aged 0-5 and their parents and carers. 10.30am, McDonald Road Library, 2 McDonald Road. Free.
Projection: David McDiarmid. David McDiarmid’s studio practice seeks to examine the concept of megalomania in architecture and the means by which the built environment is often designed, constructed and used as a tool for both power and propaganda. In this exhibition the Glasgow-based artist presents a body of work as a culmination of the last three years of research, featuring a new ambitious site-specific installation involving the large-scale projection of miniature scale models. Preview tonight 6-8pm, then 2-7pm Wednesday to Friday, 11am-2pm Saturdays, Interview Room 11, 38 Castle Terrace. Note your intention to attend the preview here. Ends 25th April 2015.
Puppet Animation Festival 2015: Vision Mechanics Present Twitawoo Puppet Show. A host of fabulous Scottish woodland creatures are brought to life – come and share their fun and mischievous adventures and help them look after their home. For ages 4-8 years and their parents/carers. 10.30am, WHALE Arts, 30 Westburn Grove. Please call WHALE on 0131 458 3267 for tickets.
Eighties Autism Bash! A fun night in aid of No 6 One Stop Shop – Autism Initiatives Scotland. Performances from Kieron Colville, Xena Gabriellefan Jenny Emma Bruce and Mitchell Noble, a Disco Quiz and a chance to dress up in true 80s style. 7pm-12.30am, Shandon Snooker & Pool, 99 Slateford Road. Tickets cost £5 and are available from The Cafe on the Corner, 24a Hill Street or on the door STA. For more information please contact Autism Initiatives’ Community Fundraiser and PR Officer: Holly.Child@aiscotland.org.uk.
Spring Into Leith – Creating Leith: 3D Mapcraft. For children aged 5-12. 3pm, McDonald Road Library, 2 McDonald Road. Free.
Family Treats: Animated Short Films. Enjoy an eclectic mix of beautiful visual styles and intriguing animation techniques in this collection of short films, all created within the last 18 months. See some musical seals singing for their supper, a delicate friendship between a rabbit and a deer, a cat and dog who fight in a very unusual way, and a workaholic whose dream holiday is interrupted by some very ancient animals! 4.30pm, Netherbow Theatre, Scottish Storytelling Centre, 43-45 High Street. Tickets cost £5 and may be booked in person, online here or by calling the Box Office on 0131 556 9579; a transaction fee applies to online and phone bookings. This screening is part of the Puppet Animation Festival 2015.
Bookbug: for pre-school children and their parents and carers. 10.30am, Muirhouse Library, 15 Pennywell Court.
Easter at Leith Library: help to make a 3-D map of Leith. For under 12s. 2.30-3.30pm, Leith Library, 28-30 Ferry Road.
Wolfblood: live DJ set. 9pm, Victoria Bar, 265 Leith Walk.
Puppet Animations Festival 2015: Lens On Legs – Life On Mars Animation Workshop. Uncover extraterrestrial life in this two-day event – explore storytelling, model making (claymation) and camera handling techniques to build your own stop-motion film. For ages 10+. 11am-3.30pm, Craigmillar Community Arts, 58 Newcraighall Road. Please contact CCA on 0131 669 8432 for tickets. Booking is essential as there are just 10 places. Part Two is at the same times on Saturday 11th April.
Easter Holidays @ Gilmerton: Badge Making For all ages. 2.30pm, Gilmerton Library, 13 Newtoft Street.
Edinburgh International Science Festival: Dr Bunhead’s Exploding Easter Egg Show! Witness the world’s biggest Easter Egg explosion, rainbow foam fountains, the Easter Bunny bazooka and loads more Easter science shenanigans with the world’s favourite TV stunt scientist. Dr Bunhead ‘turns the science curriculum into a burning, bubbling, exploding ball of fun’ (Sunday Times). For ages 7+. 2-3pm, George Square Lecture Theatre, University of Edinburgh, George Square. Tickets cost £6 and can be booked online here or by calling 0844 557 2686. Also 11am-12 noon on Saturday 11th April.
Easter Holidays @ Gilmerton: Bookbug. For ages 0-4 years. 10.30am, Gilmerton Library, 13 Newtoft Street.
Whose Birthday Is It Anyway? A night of fantastic free folk and falafels! With Grant McNeil, Chris Van Tastic, Jordan Moncrieff, Pete Nicholson, Simon Patchett, The Victor Pope Band and The Mean Reds. 5.25-10pm, Area C Coffee House, 239-241 Leith Walk. Please note venue is cash only. BYOB (corkage applies).
Astronomical Society of Edinburgh: Dr Giles Hammond (University of Glasgow) will speak on The International Year of Light 2015. 8pm, Church Centre, Augustine United Church, George IV Bridge. Non-members welcome: admission free.
Hive Story: Bee-keeping has been enjoying a revival of interest: a new generation of beekeepers is taking advantage of the fact that our cities can provide good foraging for bees. Join members of the Edinburgh & Midlothian Beekeepers’ Association to find out more about bees and what they do for us. For ages 5+. 11am-4pm, Real Life Science Studio, John Hope Gateway, Royal Botanic Garden of Edinburgh, Inverleith Row. Free: no booking required.
Fully Fashioned: The Pringle of Scotland Story. Scotland is the birthplace of the knitwear; it was in Hawick in the Scottish Borders that Pringle of Scotland became one of the first luxury knitwear manufacturers in the world. Marking the company’s 200th anniversary, this exhibition traces Pringle’s history from a small hosiery firm making undergarments to an international fashion brand known for its outerwear. 10am-5pm today and daily, Exhibition Gallery 2, Level 3, National Museum of Scotland, Chambers Street. Free. Ends 16th August 2015.
Edinburgh International Harp Festival starts today! Courses, workshops, concerts, open platforms, therapeutic massage, late night sessions, children’s events and an exhibition all feature in this 34th festival, which covers everything from traditional playing to the role of the harp in healing, and the greater prominence of the jazz and pedal harps. The Festival begins tonight with its Opening Gathering, 7-10pm, Memorial Hall, Merchiston Castle School, 294 Colinton Road. The Gathering is free but numbers are limited: tickets will be distributed on a first come, first served basis at the door (open from 6.45pm). Most of the Festival events will take place at Merchiston, with some at the Scottish Storytelling Centre; ticket prices vary (concessions and discounts are available), see website or brochure for details. Bookings can be made online here, by calling 0131 473 2000 or in person at The Hub, Castlehill. Transaction fees apply. Once the Festival has started, tickets will be available to buy (STA) from the Festival Box Office at Merchiston.
