The Centipede Project: an informal free lunch to chat about ideas for the use of brownfield sites (eg the land near Pennywell Gardens and Muirhouse Avenue) in Muirhouse before they are redeveloped for housing. In partnership with Edinburgh City Council, Centipede is looking for ideas for temporary activities that will brighten up the community – such as community gardens. 12 noon, North Edinburgh Arts, Pennywell Court. All welcome; if you can’t attend the lunch, you can still contact Centipede at centipedeproject@outlook.com, call Joanne on 0131 315 2151 or just drop into NEA, where the project is based.
Scottish Poetry Library Workshop: poet and SPL programme manager Jennifer Williams facilitates this writing workshop, in which poems are read, discussed and written. Please bring paper and pen/pencil or the electronic device you use for writing. 6.30-8.30pm, Golden Hare Books, St Stephen Street, Stockbridge (please note change of venue owing to building works at SPL). Tickets cost £5/£4 and may be purchased via eventbrite here. For further information please contact jennifer.williams@spl.org.uk.
Awesome Folk Primary Art Classes: for ages 5-11 years. Learn how to use different materials and creative techniques; each workshop will look at a different artist, and each participant will then make their own work of art. Snack provided. 4-5pm today and every Tuesday, Third Floor, St Margaret’s House, 151 London Road. £5 per week: booking is essential and may be made by contacting kate@awesomefolk.com.
Wordy Scribblers: a creative writing group for ages 10-12. Activities to fire your imagination! Come and learn about the nuts and bolts of writing stories and poems. 4-5pm today and every Tuesday until 23rd June 2015, Morningside Library, 184 Morningside Road. To book your free place please call the library on 0131 529 5654 or email morningside.library@edinburgh.gov.uk.
David Roberts ‘A kindly, canny Scot, well-to-do and amazingly clever’. David Roberts came from a humble background and became a very successful artist; he had a remarkable eye for picturesque subjects, which he gathered in numerous sketchbooks on his many intrepid travels. Roberts’ pictures had wide appeal to buyers and he became one of a few internationally known British artists; copies of his pictures are still sold at Spanish tourist booths and used to advertise travel to Egypt and the Holy Land. In this talk, Roberts specialist Krystyna Matyjaszkiewicz will draw on the artist’s journals and correspondence to explore Roberts’ rise to success and his wide range of interests and networks in London, Edinburgh and abroad, from art and theatre to travel, politics and preservation of historic architecture. 12.45-1.30pm, Hawthornden Lecture Theatre, Scottish National Gallery, The Mound. Free and unticketed.
Gillian Mather: an exhibition by the innovative figurative artist. Private view tonight 6-9pm, then 10am-5pm Monday to Saturday, 1-5pm Sundays, Arusha Gallery, 13a Dundas Street. Ends 8th May 2015.
Leith Folk Club: Kirsty Law Band. The Borders-born singer grew up learning traditional songs, mainly in the Scots dialect. She returns to the club accompanied by Rona Wilkie and Marit Falt. With support Brandy McBrand. 7.30pm, Victoria Park House Hotel, 221 Ferry Road. Tickets cost £7 and may be reserved online here or by texting 07502 024 852. Tickets must be collected by 7.30pm on the night.
