Please remember to check with the venue before setting out to any event: details may have changed since the event was listed.
MONDAY 13TH APRIL 2015
In Focus: Robert Delaunay’s The Cardiff Team in context. Art historian Jonathan Blackwood takes a close look at Delaunay’s The Cardiff Team (1913) in the context of aesthetic developments at the time. Themes such as the development of Cubism and Orphism, relations between Delaunay, his wife Sonia Terc Delaunay, and Frantisek Kupka, and the straining towards abstraction in painting, will all be outlined in detail. The links between high modernism and popular entertainment are also considered in a talk that will open out a familiar painting to new scrutiny. 12.45-1.30pm, Hawthornden Lecture Theatre, Scottish National Gallery, The Mound. Free and unticketed.
Happy Easter at Magdalene Community Centre: today Magdalene Minis – Egg Painting and Choosing. 1.30pm, Magdalene Community Centre, 106b Magdalene Drive.
Sofi’s Cult Movie Nights: see popular classics on the silver screen in the cosy, darkened back room. Free popcorn! This week: Who Framed Roger Rabbit? (PG). 8pm, Sofi’s, 63-65 Henderson Street.
Make a Bunny Mask: for ages 4-11 years. 2-3pm, Sighthill Library, 55 Sighthill Road. Free.
Lunchtime Concert: SINK. Daniil Doumnov (accordion), Tim Vincent-Smith (violin) and Matt Wright (soprano sax) are an Edinburgh-based trio who explore the tactile air by means of vibrations influenced by (among others) Beethoven, Cage, Zorn and Matt’s dog Daisy. 12.15pm, St Giles Cathedral, High Street. Free.
Easter Holidays @ Gilmerton Library: Board Games Tournament – Scrabble and Battleships. For children of all ages. 2.30pm, Gilmerton Library, 13 Newtoft Street. Free.
Toddler Time: short screenings exclusively for pre-school children and their parents and carers. Today: Q Pootle 5 Programme 3 – join the stars of the hit CBeeBies show (created by best-selling children’s author and illustrator Nick Butterworth) as they tackle everyday problems of the final frontier; with friendship at the heart of the series, Q Pootle 5 and his friends find fun and adventure wherever they go. 11am, Cameo, Home Street. Tickets cost £3 for members of the Toddler Time Club: membership is free, please ask at the Box Office. Tickets may be purchased online here or by calling the Box Office on 0871 902 5723. Adults accompanying club members are admitted free; no adult will be admitted unaccompanied by a pre-school child.
Make a Butterfly Mobile: for ages 4-11 years. 2-3pm, Ratho Library, 6 School Wynd. Free.
Joseph Pearce’s Book Club: an informal gathering with coffee and cakes, beer and books – new members very welcome. Currently reading The Master and Margarita by Mikhail Bulgakov and Larissa Volokhonsky. 6.30pm, Joseph Pearce’s, 23 Elm Row. For more information please call 0131 556 4140.
Tiny Tales: Hare, There and Everywhere: it’s spring – but where, oh where, is Hare? Join storyteller Renita Boyle, Wiggly Woo and friends at the bottom of the garden for a seek-and-find parachute play adventure for toddlers aged 1-3 years. 10am or 11.30am (40 minute sessions), Storytelling Bothy, Scottish Storytelling Centre, 43-45 High Street. Tickets cost £5 per child and may be booked online here or by calling the Box Office on 0131 556 9579.
Make a Spring Garland: for ages 5-11 years. 2-3pm, Wester Hailes Library, 1 Westside Plaza. Free.
.My Fountain: Fountainbridge Residents’ Group. Get involved in local issues and have your say. 6.15-7.45pm, Fountainbridge Library, 137 Dundee Street. All welcome.
Easter Fun & Games @ Oxgangs Library: Easter X-box Challenge. For ages 7-12. 11am, Oxgangs Library, Oxgangs Road North.
Martin Scorsese Presents Masterpieces of Polish Cinema: a season of films curated by Scorsese, all screened in pristine digital restorations. Today: Ashes and Diamonds (Popiol i dimant) (12A). (In Polish with English subtitles). Andrzej Wajda’s superb film vividly captures the turbulence and confusion immediately following the Second World War, as a former resistance hero turns anti-Communist assassin. 6.15pm, Filmhouse, Lothian Road. Tickets may be obtained online here or by calling the Box Office on 0131 228 2688. The film will be introduced by Dr Pasquale Iannone (University of Edinburgh). It will be shown again at 8.45pm on Wednesday 29th April 2015.
Puppet Animation Festival: Clydebuilt Puppet Theatre Presents 3 Bears. The shiny metal world of Goldilocks meets the lovely natural wooden world of the three bears – the result, a very sticky adventure all round. For ages 3+. 10.30am, WHALE Arts, 30 Westburn Grove. To book please contact WHALE on 0131 458 3267.
Garden Buddies: help work commence on the Big Lottery Awards for All funded library garden. 2.30-3.30pm, Granton Library, Wardieburn Terrace. Free.
Blackwell’s Edinburgh Presents The Monthly Book Quiz: if you know your Waugh from your Peace and your Meyer from your Heyer, try the monthly quiz – you’ll be tested on everything from classics to current bestsellers. Teams of up to 5 people welcome. 6-7.15pm, Caffe Nero, Blackwell’s, South Bridge. Free and unticketed, but please arrive early as space is limited.
Plant pot painting: for ages 5-12 years. 3-4pm, Muirhouse Library, 15 Pennywell Court. Free.
Puppet Animation Festival: Lens On Legs – A Clay Animation Adventure. Help to uncover extraterrestrial life on Mars as you explore storytelling, model making and camera-handling techniques to make your own stop-motion film in this two day workshop. Use claymation to build original characters while learning about life on Mars. For ages 10+. 11am-3.30pm today and Tuesday 14th April, North Edinburgh Arts, Pennywell Court. £2/£1/50p. To book please contact NEA on 0131 315 2151 or email admin@northedinburgharts.co.uk.
For Crying Out Loud: regular screenings for carers and their babies under 12 months (no more than 2 adults per infant). Baby changing, bottle-warming and buggy parking facilities are available. Today’s film is Still Life (12A): a hit at Edinburgh International Film Festival, Still Life is a poignant drama about a lonely, sweetly idealistic man who finds fulfilment in helping everyone but himself. 11am, Filmhouse, Lothian Road. Tickets cost £4.50/£3.50 and may be obtained by calling the Box Office on 0131 228 2688.
Superhero Masks: 3-4pm, Balerno Library, 1 Main Street. The library is also running a storybook competition during the holidays; collect a blank storybook from the library and complete it – there will be a prize for the best one returned.
Pear Tree Quiz: if you know your physics from your psychics – or maybe you are still mourning the loss of 15-to-1? – try the Pear Tree’s weekly quiz. Cash prizes. 9-11pm, Pear Tree House, West Nicolson Street. £1 per team: tables fill up fast, so please arrive early.
Gilmerton Community Garden Graffiti Art Workshops: help brighten up the garden space with Bridgend Growing Communities and Gilmerton Community Centre. Today there will be a Design Session – come along and help plan some ideas, then on Wednesday 15th April come back for the Graffiti Day – a full day session with a professional artist, using your ideas from today to create some artwork for the Community Garden. 12 noon-2pm today, then 10am-3pm on Wednesday 15th, Gilmerton Community Centre, 4 Drum Street. Both sessions are free but booking is essential; please contact the Centre on 0131 664 2335 or email cld-gilmerton@ea.edin.sch.uk. Free – you just need to bring your lunch on Wednesday.
Architectural Heritage Society of Scotland: who’s looking out for our historic buildings? A round-table debate with representatives from different disciplines on the challenges to be faced under new planning legislation. There will be an opportunity to contribute and to ask questions. 6.30-8.30pm, Sanctuary, St Andrew’s & St George’s West Church, 13 George Street. £5/£2.50 (students). Non-members warmly welcomed.
Making Friendship Bracelets: for ages 12+. 6-7pm, Moredun Library, 92 Moredun Park Road. Free.
Picturehouse Docs: Kurt Cobain: Montage of Heck (15). Noted documentarian Brett Morgen turns his attention to perhaps the most influential rock star of the 90s, Nirvana’s Kurt Cobain; the film includes interviews with Courtney Love, bassist Krist Novoselic and (in archive footage) drummer Dave Grohl. ‘A veritable feast for fans’. 6.20pm, Cameo, Home Street. Tickets may be obtained online here or by calling the Box Office on 0871 902 5723. Also showing on Tuesday 14th, Wednesday 15th and Thursday 16th April 2015: times vary – see website for details.
LGBT Spiritual Space: Maxwell Reay, NHS Mental Health Community Chaplain, offers a supportive space for people to discuss and develop ideas of spirituality and identity. For people of all faiths and none. Today: opportunities for individual conversations and information regarding spiritual needs. 6.30-7.30pm, (within weekly Drop-In, which runs 5.30-8pm), LGBT Health and Wellbeing, 9 Howe Street. For more information please contact Alison Wren on 0131 652 3283 or email alison@lgbthealth.org.uk.
LGBT Police Surgery: seek advice, raise concerns around safety issues, report incidents or discuss policing in your area with an officer from Police Scotland. No appointment needed for this informal setting. 6.30-7.30pm, LGBT Health and Wellbeing, 9 Howe Street. For support around safety issues or to meet with the police outwith the police surgery, please contact George Burrows on 0131 652 3281 or by emailing george@lgbthealth.org.uk.
Spring Break Activities at Craigmillar Library: today 1.30-2.30pm Craft with Sooz, 4-5pm Minecraft with Joe C, 6-7pm Games Tournament. All children welcome; any child under 8 years must be supervised by a family member over 12 years. Craigmillar Library, 101 Niddrie Mains Road. Free.
Cameo Culture Shock: the best in cult and genre films. Today: Solaris (PG): this original 1973 Tarkovsky version of the film is a meditation on the nature of desire and memory, and the self-imposed walls that keep us from realising our greatest wishes. 8.30pm, Cameo, Home Street. Tickets may be obtained online here or by calling the Box Office on 0871 902 5723.
Tricolour: a monthly night showcasing three different poetry and spoken word talents. Three different voices, three different styles, three different takes on life. This month: Rachel McCrum, Marianne Macrae and Jenny Lindsay. 6.30pm, National Library of Scotland, George IV Bridge. Free places may be booked online here or by calling 0131 623 3734.
TUESDAY 14TH APRIL 2015
Jigs with Pigs: Ceilidhkids are back! Outdoor family dancing workshop. 3-3.45pm, Gorgie City Farm, 51 Gorgie Road. Free but donations appreciated. Please note that this event is weather dependent – if in doubt, please call the farm first.
Forth Canoe Club Children’s Try-Out Session. This well-established volunteer-run club offers a range of kayaking opportunities; its summer term starts today with a try-out session, when the children will be assessed and split into groups according to ability. All sessions are led by UKCC Level 2 coaches. 6pm, Forth Canoe Club Boathouse, Harrison Road, Polwarth. For further details or to book a place, please call Kate James on 07939 504610 or email kate.james@virginmedia.com.
Cameo Silver Screen: if you are aged over 60, join the Silver Screen Club for free, and enjoy discounted tickets and a free tea or coffee + biscuits at these special weekly screenings. Ask at the Box Office for membership details. Today’s films: Force Majeure (15) (showing at 12.45pm and 3.20pm); Kurt Cobain: Montage of Heck (15) (showing at 3.30pm); Blade Runner: The Final Cut (15) (showing at 1.15pm) and While We’re Young (15) (showing at 1pm and 4pm), Cameo, Home Street. Tickets may be obtained online or by calling the Box Office on 0871 902 5723.
Creative Edinburgh: Glug- ‘Risky Biz’. Bringing together creatives and techies for an evening of inspiration and informal networking, Glug is based around a series of talks by practitioners and entrepreneurs from different creative disciplines. This month’s theme is ‘Failure‘ and the idea that to succeed and follow your passion, you must accept the ups and downs and bumps in the road. Speakers: Jakub Michalski (co-founder of Future Positive), Rachel McCrum (Rally & Broad), James Jefferson (Creative Director and co-founder of Equator) and Iain Morrison (Enterprise Manager at The Fruitmarket Gallery). Janine Matheson (Director, Creative Edinburgh) will introduce the speakers, and there will be a break for networking. 6-9pm, The Bongo Club, 66 Cowgate. Tickets cost £10 (full-paying Creative Edinburgh members free) and include refreshments; they may be obtained via eventbrite here, or on the door (STA). Glug is an eclectic group of people from all creative walks of life, from advertising and graphic design through to fashion and architecture.
Easter Fun & Games @ Oxgangs Library: Egg Meets Pinata. For ages 5-11. 11am, Oxgangs Library, Oxgangs Road North. This activity will continue at the same time on Wednesday 15th April.
A Calendar of Memories: a new monthly session of stories, songs, laughter and reminiscence in the relaxed setting of the Storytelling Court, hosted by the Life Stories project, who specialise in sharing stories with older people to help rekindle imagination, trigger memories and increase communication. 2-3pm, Scottish Storytelling Centre, 43-45 High Street. Tickets cost £3 and may be booked online here or by calling the Box Office on 0131 556 9579.
Edinburgh International Science Festival: Junior Scientist Training School. If you’ve ever wondered what it would be like to be a scientist, come and learn about the science of farming with real scientists! Complete three challenges – an experiment, a game and a craft – to gain your Junior Scientist certificate. For ages 5+. 11am-4pm (drop-in), Real Life Science Studio, John Hope Gateway, Royal Botanic Garden of Edinburgh, Inverleith Row. No booking required. With Scotland’s Rural College.
The Speakeasy: the ever-popular Speakeasy returns with a cross-section of exciting perfomers – an evening of insightful humour and storytelling mixed with theatre, music, song and poetry guarantees an enjoyable night out. This month’s performers are comedian Andrew Learmonth, spoken word artist and Loud poet Agnes Torok, comedian Keiron Nicholson and dance artist Janine Melanie Wyse, plus Mark Jeary performing Momentum by Rob Drummond and a special performance by Paco et Jacques. Guest host: Loud poet and European Slam Champion 2015 Miko Berry. For ages 16+. 8pm, Netherbow Theatre, Scottish Storytelling Centre, 43-45 High Street. Tickets cost £7 and may be booked online here or by calling the Box Office on 0131 556 9579
Happy Easter at Magdalene Community Centre: today The Inbetweeners – Youth Club, 7-9pm, Magdalene Community Centre, 106b Magdalene Drive.
In Focus: Citizens of the Twenty-First Century – Taryn Simon’s A Living Man Declared Dead and Other Chapters. Dr Benjamin Greenman (Glasgow School of Art/Open University) will discuss the work of the American photographer Taryn Simon., known for her large-scale projects that investigate the unexpected and often overlooked aspects of contemporary society. Her work A Living Man Declared Dead and Other Chapters, of which one ‘chapter’ has recently been acquired by the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art ONE, charts the lives of individuals and their bloodlines from across the globe. 12.45-1.30pm, Hawthornden Lecture Theatre, Scottish National Gallery, The Mound. Free and unticketed.
Easter Storytime: 10.30-11.30am, Balerno Library, 1 Main Street.
Leith Folk Club: Ben Miller Band with support Jack Badcock. Ben Miller is a player of Scottish Smallpipes, Border Pipes and Highland Pipes, whose repertoire and style draw mainly on the Gaelic traditions of Western Scotland and the Canadian Maritimes, blended with a healthy dash of Irish tunes for good measure. 7.30pm (doors open), Victoria Park House Hotel, 221 Ferry Road. Tickets cost £7 and may be purchased in advance via the Club’s website here or by texting 07502 024 852.
The Edinburgh Science Festival Busking Bike! An opportunity for children to get involved in some mind-boggling science, experiments and dazzling demonstrations. 11am-3pm, McDonald Rd Library, 2 McDonald Road.
The Jazz bar: 101st Airborne. Soaring guitar and driving funk rhythms from brilliantly creative guitarist Aki Remally and his 4-piece Funk/Soul groove band (named after Jimi Hendrix’s army unit). 12 midnight (entry from 11.30pm)-3am, The Jazz Bar, 1a Chambers Street. £3/£2 on the door: please note this venue is CASH ONLY.
French Cinema: Camille Redouble (15). After an evening of heavy drinking, Camille (Noemie Lvovsky, who also directs) wakes up 25 years younger. When her parents pick her up from the hospital, she realises she’s just been granted a second chance to rebuild her life, especially the love part of it, with Eric, her future ex-husband. In French with English subtitles. 6-8pm, Institut francais d’Ecosse, 13 Randolph Crescent. Free. Also showing at 1pm on Wednesday 15th April.
Making Easter Baskets: for ages 4-11 years. 2-3pm, Sighthill Library, 55 Sighthill Road. Free.
Make Easter Chick Masks: for ages 5-11 years. 2-3pm, Wester Hailes Library, 1 Westside Plaza. Free.
Making Handprint Lillies: for ages 4-11 years. 2-3pm, Ratho Library, 6 School Wynd. Free.
Sweet Easter Baskets: for all ages. 2.30-3.30pm, Stockbridge Library, Hamilton Place.
Easter Badge Making – plus, throughout the holiday, a Where’s Wally Edinburgh landmarks quiz. 3-4.30pm, Colinton Library, Thorburn Road.
Garden Buddies: help work commence on the Big Lottery Awards for All funded library garden. 3-4pm, Granton Library, Wardieburn Terrace. Free.
Spring Break Activities at Craigmillar Library: today 1.30-2.30pm Reading Club, 4-5pm Art Club with Helen and Mark, 6-7pm Teen Tuesday. All children welcome; any child under 8 years must be supervised by a family member over 12 years. Craigmillar Library, 101 Niddrie Mains Road. Free.
Easter Holidays @ Gilmerton Library: Springtime Frieze. For children of all ages. 2.30pm, Gilmerton Library, 13 Newtoft Street. Free.
Easter Holidays @ Leith Library: (1) 2.30-4pm, Water of Leith Frieze – for under-12s; (2) 6.30-7.30pm, Kinect Gaming – for under-16s. Leith Library, 28-30 Ferry Road. Free.
Puppet Animation Festival: Faux Theatre – Celeste’s Circus. A first trip for little ones into the magic of the big top. Thrills and spills, oohs and aahs as Celeste invites you to applaud an hilarious high-wire hippo and a crafty cat, and to fall in love with an endearing seal. ‘A real joy to watch, with a delightfully retro feel’. For ages 0-5 years. 10.30-11.05am, Out of the Blue Drill Hall, 36 Dalmeny Street. Tickets cost £6/£4 and may be purchased via eventbrite here. Online sales close 24 hours before the event; any remaining tickets will be sold on the door, cash only.
Puppet Animation Festival: Mousetale Puppets Present Oscar and the Highland Castle: Answering a call for help, Oscar the mouse leaves his attic home and heads for Loch Ness, where he finds Incy Wincy Spider among the ruins of an old castle. Mysteriously swept back in time, Oscar joins Incy’s campaign to free the castle from English rule and restore Scotland’s independence! ‘A truly memorable and inspirational performance’. For ages 4+ and families. 2pm, Out of the Blue Drill Hall, 36 Dalmeny Street. Tickets cost £6/£4 and may be purchased via eventbrite here. Online sales close 24 hours before the event; any remaining tickets will be sold on the door, cash only.
WEDNESDAY 15TH APRIL 2015
Rhymetime: songs and tunes for young children and their parents and carers. 11-11.30am or 2-2.30pm today and every Wednesday, Newington Library, Fountainhall Road.
Visually impaired tour and workshop – Ponte City: Mikhael Subotzky and Patrick Waterhouse. A free descriptive tour and practical workshop for the visually impaired. 10am-3.30pm, Scottish National Portrait Gallery, 1 Queen Street. To book a place please call 0131 624 6560. Ponte City continues at the Portrait Gallery until 26th April 2015.
Happy Easter at Magdalene Community Centre: today Magdalene Minis – A Trip to the Park. 1.30pm, Magdalene Community Centre, 106b Magdalene Drive.
Lunchtime Concert: Piano Speak with Will Pickvance. 12.15pm, St Giles Cathedral, High Street. Free.
Puppet Animation Festival: Storybox Theatre Presents 3 Pigs. The Three Little Pigs, Susannah the Fanciful Sow and The Old Woman and her Pig are all brought to life with the amazing ingenuity and formidable storytelling skills of Rod Burnett. For ages 4+. 2pm, Netherbow Theatre, Scottish Storytelling Centre, 43-45 High Street. Tickets cost £8.50/£6.50 and may be booked online here or by calling the Box Office on 0131 556 9579
French Cinema: Camille Redouble (15). After an evening of heavy drinking, Camille (Noemie Lvovsky, who also directs) wakes up 25 years younger. When her parents pick her up from the hospital, she realises she’s just been granted a second chance to rebuild her life, especially the love part of it, with Eric, her future ex-husband. In French with English subtitles. 1-3pm, Institut francais d’Ecosse, 13 Randolph Crescent. Free.
Happy Easter at Magdalene Community Centre: today The Juniors (activity to be confirmed), 6-8pm, Magdalene Community Centre, 106b Magdalene Drive.
Boda Pub Quiz: Teams of four people are required. 8pm, Boda Bar, 229 Leith Walk. Please book at the bar or by calling 0131 553 5900 or emailing bod@bodabar.com
Puppet Animation Festival: Clydebuilt Puppet Theatre Presents 3 Bears. The shiny metal world of Goldilocks meets the lovely natural wooden world of the three bears – the result, a very sticky adventure all round. For ages 3+. 11am or 2pm, Real Life Science Studio, John Hope Gateway, Royal Botanic Garden of Edinburgh, Inverleith Row. Tickets cost £5 and may be booked via the Edinburgh International Science Festival website here or by calling 0844 557 2686. All ticket holders will be able to tuck into a bowl of tasty fresh porridge while they watch the show, courtesy of Edinburgh-based manufacturer Stoats. Also at same times on Thursday 16th April.
LGBT: Bi & Beyond Edinburgh. A fortnightly social gathering for those who identify as bisexual and non-monosexual. With organised social activities and refreshments provided, whatever your label or lack of label we welcome you. 7-9pm, LGBT Health and Wellbeing, 9 Howe Street. Group contact: biandbeyondedinburgh@gmail.com.
Mightier: A Political Poetry Night. An open mic (sign ups can be before the event) with a featured guest performer. ‘Because the personal is political, spoken word pieces featuring issues such as (but not limited to) social justice, LGBTQIA rights, inequality, class, the state, refugees, disability and mental illness, public services, and money are invited. Compere: Suky Goodfellow. 7pm for a 7.30pm start, Area C Coffee House, 239-241 Leith Walk. All welcome. Please note venue is BYOB (corkage applies) and cash only. This is a Common Weal Edinburgh North & Leith event.
Build an Igloo: for ages 5-11 years. 2-3pm, Wester Hailes Library, 1 Westside Plaza. Free.
Edinburgh Women’s Interfaith Group: a guided tour, talk on Buddhism and Q & A session with Ani Rinchen. 2-4pm, Kagyu Samye Dzong Tibetan Buddhist Meditation Centre, 4 Walker Street (off Shandwick Place). All welcome: no booking required, but please arrive punctually.
Edinburgh Folk Club: Artisan 2015 Reunion Tour. Hilary Spencer, Jacey Bedford and Brian Bedford ‘ a velvety tenderness that no other harmony group comes near’ (Taplas). 8pm, The Pleasance Cabaret Bar, 60 Pleasance. Tickets cost £10/£9/£7 (members).
Spring Break Activities at Craigmillar Library: today 1.30-2.30pm Craft with Sooz, 4-5pm Minecraft with Joe C, 6-7pm Games Tournament. All children welcome; any child under 8 years must be supervised by a family member over 12 years. Craigmillar Library, 101 Niddrie Mains Road. Free.
The Jazz Bar: Hans Luchs Trio. Chicago based trio playing interactive, exciting modern jazz. ‘Blistering tones keep the momentum from slacking’ (Chicago Jazz). 9pm (entry from 8pm), The Jazz Bar, 1a Chambers Street. £7/£5 on the door: please note this venue is CASH ONLY.
Easter Holidays @ Gilmerton Library: ‘April Showers’ Umbrella Craft. For children of all ages. 2.30pm, Gilmerton Library, 13 Newtoft Street. Free.
Live @ The Loft: relaxed fortnightly songwriters’ showcase for musicians and music lovers in the loft of The Outhouse. PA and house guitar provided, feel free to bring your own instruments. 9pm, The Outhouse, 12a Broughton Street Lane. Free entry.
Make a Bunny Plate: for ages 4-11 years. 2-3pm, Sighthill Library, 55 Sighthill Road. Free.
Superhero Mask Making: 2-3pm, Currie Library, 210 Lanark Road. The library is also running a storybook competition during the holidays; collect a blank storybook from the library and complete it – there will be a prize for the best one returned.
Wiff Waff Wednesday: a monthly ping pong night for all ages, with music, drink and great food available to buy from the Drill Hall Arts Cafe. ‘Friendship first, competition second!’ 6-10.30pm, Out of the Blue Drill Hall, 36 Dalmeny Street. Free entry: all welcome.
Mary Seacole: Forgotten Hero. The story of a very independent-minded 19th century Jamaican woman who refused to be defeated by prejudice and adversity. 3pm, Blackhall Library, 56 Hillhouse Road. An outreach talk by the Surgeons’ Hall Museum.
THURSDAY 16TH APRIL 2015
Flat Six @ Electric Circus. A fun night celebrating upcoming Scottish talent, with young bands and musicians (Flat Six, Colour Trap, Menage a Trois, The Hecklers and Calum Campbell) to raise funds for Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy, a charity in Scotland providing music therapy for vulnerable children, young people and adults across the country. 6.45pm, Electric Circus, 36-39 Market Street. Tickets cost £5 (+ transaction fee) and may be purchased online here. All proceeds and donations will go to Nordoff-Robbins.
Languages of Leith Storytelling: for ages 5-12 years. 3pm, McDonald Rd Library, 2 McDonald Road.
Piershill Library Easter Holidays Crafts: 3-4pm, Piershill Library, Piershill Terrace. Free. Also at same times on Friday 17th April.
Spring Break Activities at Craigmillar Library: today 1.30-2.30pm Joe’s Tricks. All children welcome; any child under 8 years must be supervised by a family member over 12 years. Craigmillar Library, 101 Niddrie Mains Road. Free.
Easter Fun & Games @ Oxgangs Library: Badge Making. For ages 5-11. 11am, Oxgangs Library, Oxgangs Road North.
Live Music Now: Jemma Brown and Maryam Sherhan. Mezzo soprano Jemma Brown, accompanied on piano by Maryam Sherhan, explores David Robert’s career and travels in the Middle East, performing music by Mozart, Ravel, Bizet and Ireland. 6-6.30pm, Scottish National Gallery, The Mound. Free and unticketed.
Museum Outdoor Games: for under-12s. 11.30am-12.30pm, Moredun Library, 92 Moredun Park Road. Free.
Edinburgh International Science Festival: Ex Machina (15). Alex Garland’s science fiction thriller: computer programmer Caleb Smith wins a competition to visit the private estate of his company’s reclusive CEO Nathan Bateman, only to find that he has been chosen to evaluate the capabilities and consciousness of Nathan’s latest experiment in artificial intelligence. The experiment is Ava, a female AI, who proves more sophisticated – and more deceptive – than Nathan or Caleb could have imagined. 6pm, Filmhouse, Lothian Road. Tickets cost £10/£8 and may be obtained online here or by calling the Box Office on 0131 228 2688. This screening will be hosted by Dr Adam Rutherford, science writer, geneticist and presenter of Radio 4’s Inside Science, who will be joined by Professor of Cognitive and Computational Neuroscience, and co-founder of the Sackler Centre for Consciousness Science, Anil Seth for an in-depth Q & A on artificial intelligence, neuroscience and some futurecasting on the possibilities and dangers of man-made consciousness.
Decorating Eggs: for ages 5-11 years. 2-3pm, Wester Hailes Library, 1 Westside Plaza. Free.
Poetry and Coffee: Sally Evans, Richie McCaffrey and Finola Scott will read selections from their poetry. 10.30-11.30am, Henderson’s Cafe, 94 Hanover Street. Free, no booking required – just drop in.
Easter Chick Paper Craft: for ages 4-11 years. 2-3pm, Ratho Library, 6 School Wynd. Free.
Waterstones Edinburgh Presents Stuart David: In The All-Night Cafe. The author discusses his memoir of Belle and Sebastian’s formative years with BBC Radio Scotland presenter Vic Galloway. 6pm, Waterstones West End, 128 Princes Street. Tickets cost £5 (£3 for Waterstones loyalty card holders) and may be obtained from the shop’s front desk.
Upcycling Musical Instruments: for ages 5-12 years. 3-4pm, Muirhouse Library, 15 Pennywell Court. Free.
Puppet Animation Festival: Clydebuilt Puppet Theatre Presents 3 Bears. The shiny metal world of Goldilocks meets the lovely natural wooden world of the three bears – the result, a very sticky adventure all round. For ages 3+. 11am or 2pm, Real Life Science Studio, John Hope Gateway, Royal Botanic Garden of Edinburgh, Inverleith Row. Tickets cost £5 and may be booked via the Edinburgh International Science Festival website here or by calling 0844 557 2686. All ticket holders will be able to tuck into a bowl of tasty fresh porridge while they watch the show, courtesy of Edinburgh-based manufacturer Stoats.
Edinburgh North & Leith General Election Hustings: 7.30-9pm, Brougton St Mary’s Parish Church, Bellevue Crescent. All welcome!
Puppet Animation Festival: Puppet Stew Presents Puppets! Puppets! Puppets! A puppet-making workshop – make your own rod puppet to take home. For all ages – children under 8 must be accompanied. 10am, Craigmillar Community Arts, 58 Newcraighall Road and 2pm, WHALE Arts, 30 Westburn Grove. To book please contact Craigmillar Community Arts on 0131 669 8432 or WHALE on 0131 458 3267.
LGBT Age: Music Memories – an evening of socialising and music appreciation. Choose a favourite song or piece from any genre, and the organisers will add it to the playlist. 6-8pm, LGBT Health and Wellbeing, 9 Howe Street. Booking preferred: please contact lynda@lgbthealth.org.uk
Jill Todd Photographic Award: Call for Entries. Stills will host the JTPA in November of this year. You are eligible to enter for this award if you will graduate from a Scottish or Irish degree programme in Photography or Fine Art this year, or have done so in the past three years. This evening Robin Gillanders, former Reader in Photography at Edinburgh Napier University and one of the award team selectors, will talk about the award and what the selectors will be looking for from entrants; he will also discuss previous winners’ work. If you are thinking of entering this year – or even if you are not – come along to discuss the JTPA and entering photographic awards generally. 6.30pm, Stills, Cockburn Street. All welcome: no booking required. For more information about the JTPA click here.
Mayfield Salisbury Parish Church Thursday Club: Hamish Coghill will give a talk on A Walk Along the Water of Leith. 2-4pm, Upper Hall, Mayfield Salisbury Parish Church, 18 West Mayfield. All welcome: annual membership costs £3, but you don’t have to be a member to come along. Tea 50p. For more information please contact Florence Smith on 0131 663 1234.
Pom Pom Chicks Crafts: 3.30-4.30pm, Currie Library, 210 Lanark Road. The library is also running a storybook competition during the holidays; collect a blank storybook from the library and complete it – there will be a prize for the best one returned.
Edinburgh University Press and Blackwell’s Present Northern Neighbours – Scotland and Norway since 1800. How did the development of two small countries at the north of Europe, whose histories were joined from about 795 AD – including a 300 year alliance – nevertheless diverge sharply in the modern era? This edited collection of essays is a topical, comparative study of the economic, social and political development of Scotland and Norway since 1800, covering topics such as land ownership, politics, agriculture, industry, money & banking, local government, education, religion, access and the outdoor life. Join two of the editors Lesley Riddoch and John Bryden to celebrate the publication of this new monograph. 6.30-8pm, Blackwell’s, South Bridge. Free tickets are available via eventbrite here, or in person from the store’s front desk, by emailing events.edinburgh@blackwell.co.uk or calling 0131 622 8218.
Big Scream: screenings exclusively for parents and carers and their babies under 12 months. (No adult will be admitted without a baby). Today: Home 2D (PG) – Gratuity ‘Tip’ Tucci is a canny teenager who managed to avoid capture when the world was conquered by an alien race known as the Boov. She accidentally befriends Oh, a rascally young Boov outcast who has annoyed many of his Boov peers. Having become firm friends, the pair set out on a fun, action-packed road trip which might well help to make the Boov-run planet a far better place. 10.30am, Cameo, Home Street. Membership of the Big Scream club costs £5 and lasts until your baby’s first birthday; it enables you to buy tickets at Picturehouse members’ rates (babies admitted free); please ask at the Box Office. Tickets may be purchased online here or by calling the Box Office on 0871 902 5723.
Criticism Playpen: a new fun event for all poets and readers who want to learn more about poetry reviewing and criticism. You don’t need a degree in literature to attend, just an interest in poetry and in how we as individuals and as a community respond publicly to published poetry. Before the session you will be asked to write your own review of a book provided by the organiser, the Scottish Poetry Library, and email it to Jennifer Williams; the reviews will be shared between participants at the session. Jennifer and poet and reviewer Dave Coates will run both workshops. 6.30-8.30pm, Golden Hare Books, 68 St Stephen Street. Tickets cost £5/£4 and may be booked via eventbrite here. Please book early as places will be very limited. For more information please email jennifer.williams@spl.org.uk
Looking Glass Books Presents Kirstin Innes: Fishnet. The award-winning freelance journalist, writer and arts PR launches her debut novel. Rona Leonard walks out of her sister Fiona’s flat and disappears. Six years on, Fiona’s mundane existence is blown apart by the revelation that, before she disappeared, Rona had been working as a prostitute…..Fiona embarks on an obsessive quest to investigate the sex industry that claimed her sister. ‘A clear-eyed, meticulously researched and controversial look at the sex industry and the lives of sex workers, questioning our perception of contemporary femininity’. 6.30pm, Looking Glass Books, Quartermile, Simpson’s Loan. Free but please RSVP to info@freightbooks.co.uk.
The Jazz Bar: Billie Holiday’s 100th Birthday Party*! Award-winning jazz singer Alison Affleck has Scotland’s largest repertoire of both rare and well known Billie Holiday tunes; she appears with an all-star 5-piece band featuring Chris Grieve (trombone) and Dick Lee (saxes). 9pm (entry from 8pm), The Jazz Bar, 1a Chambers Street. £5/£4 on the door: please note this venue is CASH ONLY. (*Holiday’s actual birthday was 7th April).
FRIDAY 17TH APRIL 2015
Martin Scorsese Presents Masterpieces of Polish Cinema: a season of films curated by Scorsese, all screened in pristine digital restorations. Today: Night Train (Pociag) (12A) (In Polish and English with subtitles). A sleeper train rockets through the night, among its passengers might be a murderer. Leon Niemczyk and the director’s wife, Lucyna Winnicka, are strangers sharing a compartment while studiously hiding personal secrets. 6.15pm, Filmhouse, Lothian Road. Tickets may be obtained online here or by calling the Box Office on 0131 228 2688. This film will be shown again at 6.15pm on Friday 8th May 2015
Bookbug: for pre-school children and their parents and carers. 10.30am, McDonald Rd Library, 2 McDonald Road.
Spotlight On: Serious Games. Join Pam Kato, Professor of Serious Games (Coventry University) to explore how the adoption of game technology in business, healthcare and the arts is changing our lives for the better. Pam is an internationally recognised expert on serious games for health. For ages 14+. 2-3pm, Auditorium, Level One, National Museum of Scotland, Chambers Street. Free but ticketed: to book please call 0300 123 6789, call in to the Museum’s reception or book online here.
Piershill Library Easter Holidays Crafts: 3-4pm, Piershill Library, Piershill Terrace. Free.
Lunchtime Concert: Strandvik Blandakor, Fusa, Bergen, Norway. 12.15pm, St Giles Cathedral, High Street. Free.
Puppet Animation Festival: Puppet Stew Presents Puppets! Puppets! Puppets! A puppet-making workshop – make your own rod puppet to take home. For all ages – children under 8 must be accompanied. 10.30am, Out of the Blue Drill Hall, 36 Dalmeny Street. Tickets cost £6/£4 and may be purchased via eventbrite here. Online sales close 24 hours before the event; any remaining tickets will be sold on the door, cash only.
From Heart to Hearth: an evening of heart-warming stories to make you laugh, cry, wonder and dream. Join this new and exciting company of Scottish storytellers around the warming hearth of stories – be transported into history and the supernatural, into fairy worlds and Celtic worlds as students share the fruits of their journey from the storytelling course Stories: Heart to Hearth. Hosted by David Campbell and Janis MacKay. 7.30pm, Netherbow Theatre, Scottish Storytelling Centre, 43-45 High Street. Tickets cost £8/£6 and may be booked online here or by calling the Box Office on 0131 556 9579.
Spring Break Activities at Craigmillar Library: today 1.30-2.30pm Trivia Challenge. All children welcome; any child under 8 years must be supervised by a family member over 12 years. Craigmillar Library, 101 Niddrie Mains Road. Free.
Spring Edible Gardening Festival: join the Edible Gardening Project as the team get started in the vegetable patch for another year. From growing chillies on the windowsill to creating a vegetable garden with habitat for pollinators, there will be information and hands-on activities for all the family. 1-4pm, Real Life Science Studio and Demonstration Garden, Royal Botanic Garden of Edinburgh, Inverleith Row. No booking required. Also at same times on Saturday 18th and Sunday 19th April.
Easter Holidays @ Gilmerton Library: Flower Fingers Craft. For children of all ages. 2.30pm, Gilmerton Library, 13 Newtoft Street. Free.
Easter Holidays @ Leith Library: Water of Leith Birds Craft. For under-12s. 2.30-3.30pm, Leith Library, 28-30 Ferry Road. Free.
Easter Fun & Games @ Oxgangs Library: Crafty Friday. 2.30pm, Oxgangs Library, Oxgangs Road North.
Collective Gallery Open Days: as the designs for the City Observatory complex go to planning, come along to the City Dome to talk to the staff and view the plans for this exciting project. 12 noon-4pm, Collective Gallery, City Observatory and City Dome, Calton Hill. Also at same times on Saturday 18th April.
Happy Easter at Magdalene Community Centre: today The Juniors – Youth Club 6-8pm and The Seniors – Youth Club, 8-10pm, Magdalene Community Centre, 106b Magdalene Drive.
Serena Korda: The Hosts – Ectoplasmic Variations. A month long project by the artist. An army of ceramic warriors lies in wait, wounded, amputated and punctured, an itinerant group of mercenaries or a rabble of dissidents. These warriors are waiting to be activated by Serena Korda and the Rhubaba Choir: over the course of the exhibition there will be a call to arms combining voice and percussion, drawing on a rich history of jugs used as musical instruments, from country blues jug bands to the psychedelic rock of the 13th Floor Elevators. The Hosts: Ectoplasmic Variations will unfold as a sound experiment fusing sculpture and voice at Rhubaba. Exploring the materiality of object and sound, Korda will work with the choir during Saturday rehearsals to develop a musical score that will be performed on Saturday 2nd May 2015. Preview tonight. 6-9pm, Rhubaba, 25 Arthur Street, then 12 noon-5pm Friday to Sunday until 10th May 2015. (If you would like to join the choir, see Saturday’s listings for information).
Bookbug: for young children and their parents and carers. 10.30-11am, Oxgangs Library, Oxgangs Road North.
Birds of the Water of Leith Craft Session: for ages 5-12 years. 3pm, McDonald Rd Library, 2 McDonald Road.
The Big Photo Quiz Night: a pub quiz style event to raise funds for Stills’ engagement programme, which provides access to free activities for community groups, families and young people. An evening full of fun and photography – pitch your photo knowledge against others to see who really does know their Colin Prior from their Hobbit Shire (photographic knowledge will help but is not necessary to have a good time!) Teams will be of up to 8 people. 6.30pm, Stills, Cockburn Street. Tickets cost £10 and may be booked online here.
Monochrome: an exhibition celebrating the photographic history of Scotland and the rich natural beauty of the country; a collection of black and white Scottish work set in the context of work from further afield. Participating photographers: Mike Jackson, Katie Cooke, Rob Hudson, Andrew Sanderson, Carl Radford, Douglas Thompson, Jim Mortram and Rafael Biernicki. 9.30am-6.30pm Monday to Friday, 10am-1pm Saturdays, Institut francais d’Ecosse, 13 Randolph Crescent. Ends 15th May 2015.
Help with the Library Igloo: for ages 5-11 years. 2-3pm, Wester Hailes Library, 1 Westside Plaza. Free.
Health In Mind Social Group: a new drop-in group for everyone aged 65+ in the Colinton Area. Come along for tea, chat and a different topic each fortnight, meet new people and enjoy a fun activity – today this will be on the theme of reminiscence. 10am-12.45pm, Colinton Library, Thorburn Road. For more information ask the library staff or call Natasha on 0131 225 8508 or email cc@health-in-mind.org
Make a Sheep: for ages 4-11 years. 2-3pm, Ratho Library, 6 School Wynd. Free.
Easter Chick Paper Craft: for ages 4-11 years. 2-3pm, Sighthill Library, 55 Sighthill Road. Free.
Rally & Broad: Can’t Buy Me Love. A cabaret evening of spoken word and live music talking all things love and money, with Bella Hardy (BBC Radio 2 Folk Singer of the Year 2014), William Letford, Emma Jane Unsworth, Freddie Alexander and Faith Elliott, hosted by Jenny Lindsay and Rachel McCrum. 7-10pm, The Bongo Club, 66 Cowgate. Tickets cost £5 on the door.
Celebrate Vaisakhi – the Spring Festival! Colourful stories and crafts for ages 5-12 years. 2.30-3.30pm, Stockbridge Library, Hamilton Place.
Superhero Mask Making: plus, throughout the holiday, a Where’s Wally Edinburgh landmarks quiz. 3-4.30pm, Colinton Library, Thorburn Road.
Looking Glass Books Presents John Niven in conversation with Jenni Fagan. The author of Cold Hands, Straight White Male and The Second Coming will read from his work and discuss it with the Edinburgh University Writer in Residence. 6-7pm, Looking Glass Books, Quartermile, Simpson’s Loan. Free.
Caesura #30: third birthday. Featuring Glasgow-based poet Calum Rodger, new writer Katy Hastie, Scottish actor and writer Jamie Scott Gordon and Edinburgh native writer and curator GS Smith, who return to their old haunt to celebrate three years of exploring the recesses of language and sound. 7.30pm, Artisan Bar, 35-36 London Road. £5 on the door. For more information contact goodnightpress@gmail.com.
The Jazz Bar: King Louis and the Primas! Jump/jive fun with a 6-piece of top players, including Dave Batchelor (trombone/vocals), Fat Sam’s band leader Hamish McGregor (sax/clarinet), top trumpeter Colin Steele, and the bluesy, driving guitar of Ross Milligan. 9pm (entry from 8pm), The Jazz Bar, 1a Chambers Street. £5/£4 on the door: please note this venue is CASH ONLY.
Marmion Prophylactic Groove EP Launch. Alternative rock band Marmion launch their new 6-track EP with support from The Hecklers, Dog On A Swing and The Micro Band. For over-18s only: ID will be required. 7-10.30pm, The Banshee Labyrinth, 29-35 Niddry Street. Free entry: all profits and donations will go to Drake Music Scotland, a charity helping people with disabilities to learn, compose and perform music.
Nitekirk: a creative drop-in experience of church. ‘A place of welcome, a space for stillness, a pause on your journey, an open door’. This month’s theme is Surprise. 8-10pm, Greyfriars Kirk, Greyfriars Place. All welcome.
SATURDAY 18TH APRIL 2015
Edinburgh Steiner School Bike Sale: second-hand adult and child bikes, trikes, scooters, bike seats, tag-a-longs, cycling accessories, etc. Come along to buy or sell: sellers can drop bikes off from 9-10am on the day. 80% profits to the sellers, 20% to fundraising for the school. 10am-12 noon, Steiner School of Edinburgh, 60 Spylaw Road.
CODA Music: Record Store Day. Live music from King Eider (on stage 1.30pm) and Malinky (on stage 2.30pm). Shop opens 8.30am. Coda, 12 Bank Street, The Mound.
Underground Solu’shn: Record Store Day. Live music from 2pm, with James Yorkston and Randolf’s Leap, vinyl DJ sets from Finitribe, Vic Galloway, Linkwood, and more. 8am-7pm, Underground Solu’shn, 9 Cockburn Street.
McAlister Matheson Music: Record Store Day. A reception with former Scottish Chamber Orchestra Principal Cello, David Watkin, who will illustrate a 30-minute talk about Bach with extracts from his new recording of the Cello Suites. Refreshments will be served. 5pm, McAlister Matheson Music, 1 Grindlay Street.
Historic Scotland: Celebrating World Heritage Day. A chance to find out about the five World Heritage Sites in Scotland in a fun family afternoon. Children will be able to try out lots of activities; dress up as an 18th century mill worker, make a Roman (cardboard!) sword, listen to magical stories and handle replica prehistoric artefacts, whilst for grown-ups there will be presentations on the recent laser scanning work by the Scottish Ten team (a ground-breaking international 3D scanning project) and the chance to talk to the coordinators for each of the sites. 12 noon-4pm, Storytelling Court, Scottish Storytelling Centre, 43-45 High Street. Free. For more information please contact the World Heritage Team on 0131 668 8763.
Linlithgow Union Canal Society: LUCS 40th Birthday Party! Join the festivities at the Canal Centre – free boat rides, folk music, steam boats, canal quiz trips, a school painting competition, and tea, coffee and cakes in the Tea Room. All those who bring proof of having been born in 1975 will receive a free family ticket for the Aquaduct Trip. NB: there is no Aquaduct Trip today. 1-4pm, Linlithgow Canal Centre, Manse Road Basin.
Muster: an open, free and informal engagement for artists of all disciplines – from drama to music, photography to board game design, or for anyone just looking for general inspiration for a new project; come along, meet potential collaborators, and work on whatever you like in the Centre’s halls and meeting rooms. 9.30am-4.30pm, Eric Liddell Centre, 15 Morningside Road. Please contact Helen Cloete at cloeteh@ericliddell.org to share plans you have for the day or for more information.
Morningside Farmers’ Market: a wide variety of quality goods – meat, fish, vegetables, fruits, baking, preserves, deli products, drinks, crafts, gifts and gourmet dog treats, with refreshments available throughout the market and from The Merlin Pub & Kitchen. 9.30am-3.30pm, The Merlin (rear car park), Morningside Road.
Rhymetime: songs and tunes for young children and their parents and carers. 11-11.30am today and every Saturday, Newington Library, Fountainhall Road.
Easter Fun & Games @ Oxgangs Library: Tiger Tales. For children aged 4-8 years. 2.30pm today and every second Saturday, Oxgangs Library, Oxgangs Road North.
Edinburgh International Science Festival: Game City – Modern Playing. An afternoon of ideas, music, video and debate, with a chance to play the latest demos of innovative games from Scottish developers. For ages 14+. 3-4.30pm, Auditorium, Level One, National Museum of Scotland, Chambers Street. Tickets cost £8/£6 (concessions/members): to book please call 0300 123 6789, call in to the Museum’s reception, or book online here (transaction fee applies).
Hatching Bird Craft: for ages 5-11 years. 2-3pm, Wester Hailes Library, 1 Westside Plaza. Free.
Spring Break Activities at Craigmillar Library: today 1.30-2.30pm Crafts with Billie. All children welcome; any child under 8 years must be supervised by a family member over 12 years. Craigmillar Library, 101 Niddrie Mains Road. Free.
Lunchtime Concert: NK Osterdalen, Norway. 12.15pm, St Giles Cathedral, High Street. Free.
Spring Edible Gardening Festival: join the Edible Gardening Project as the team get started in the vegetable patch for another year. From growing chillies on the windowsill to creating a vegetable garden with habitat for pollinators, there will be information and hands-on activities for all the family. 1-4pm, Real Life Science Studio and Demonstration Garden, Royal Botanic Garden of Edinburgh, Inverleith Row. No booking required. Also at same times on Sunday 19th April.
Serena Korda: Singing Workshop for The Hosts – Ectoplasmic Variations, a month long project by the artist. An army of ceramic warriors lies in wait, wounded, amputated and punctured, an itinerant group of mercenaries or a rabble of dissidents. These warriors are waiting to be activated by Serena Korda and the Rhubaba Choir: over the course of the exhibition there will be a call to arms combining voice and percussion, drawing on a rich history of jugs used as musical instruments, from country blues jug bands to the psychedelic rock of the 13th Floor Elevators. The Hosts: Ectoplasmic Variations will unfold as a sound experiment fusing sculpture and voice at Rhubaba. Exploring the materiality of object and sound, Korda will work with the choir during Saturday rehearsals to develop a musical score that will be performed on Saturday 2nd May 2015. The Rhubaba Choir is open to new members; if you enjoy singing and would like to be a part of this project and/or join the choir, come along to a workshop with Serena Korda today; this will form the starting point for the project. 11am-3pm, Rhubaba, 25 Arthur Street. Suggested donation £5 (includes lunch and refreshments): booking essential, please email info@rhubaba.org.
Easter Basket: for ages 4-11 years. 2-3pm, Sighthill Library, 55 Sighthill Road. Free.
Bookbug: for young children and their parents and carers. 10.30-11am, Oxgangs Library, Oxgangs Road North.
Nothing But The Poem – Rosemary Tonks: two reading sessions to read and discuss the poems of Rosemary Tonks. (1) With poet Kate Hendry at 11am and (2) with writer Jessica Johannesson Gaitan at 2.30pm, The Saltire Society, 9 Fountain Close. Tickets to either session cost £5/£4 and may be booked via eventbrite here. Please note Rosemary Tonks will be present on paper only.
St Bride’s Family Cinema: see your favourite films for free! Juice and choc ices available during the interval for 50p. Please note that all children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Today: The Aristocats (U). 10.30am-12.30pm, St Bride’s Centre, Orwell Terrace, Dalry. All welcome!
Pretty Peacocks: for ages 4-11 years. 2-3pm, Ratho Library, 6 School Wynd. Free.
Martin Scorsese Presents Masterpieces of Polish Cinema: a season of films curated by Scorsese, all screened in pristine digital restorations. Today: Innocent Sorcerers (Niewinni czarodzieje) (12A). (In Polish and English with subtitles). Newly qualified doctor and jazz fanatic Bazyli has so little time for emotional engagement that when he actually falls in love he doesn’t know how to handle it. 6.15pm, Filmhouse, Lothian Road. Tickets may be obtained online here or by calling the Box Office on 0131 228 2688. This film will be shown again at 8.45pm on Monday 27th April 2015
LGBT – T Time in Edinburgh: an informal social gathering open to all transgender people and supporters. Come along for tea/coffee and a chat in a friendly, relaxed environment. An optional event runs alongside each T Time involving a range of interests, information and activities: this time a Write to Recovery taster session – an opportunity to take part in a session involving meeting with others to explore how writing can help with mental wellbeing. Find out how to get the best out of the Write To Recovery tool; there will be no pressure to read anything out, nor any marking or critique of anyone’s writing. 1-4pm (optional Write to Recovery session 2-3.30pm), LGBT Health and Wellbeing, 9 Howe Street. For more information please contact Jules Stapleton Barnes on 0131 523 1104 or at jules@lgbthealth.org.uk.
Boda’s Absolutely 80s Night! A fun night dedicated to the 80s, with pina coladas and 80s-style cocktails. From 8pm, Boda Bar, 229 Leith Walk. To book a table call 0131 553 5900.
Brass for St John’s: featuring Edinburgh Brass Band and guests from North London Brass Network, and celebrating the recent twinning of the two organisations – the first twinning of two brass bands in Scotland! Expect musical magic, sonorous solos, a number of old favourites and new pieces in a night of music and entertainment from two respected ensembles. 7.30-9pm, St John’s Church, Princes Street. Tickets cost £8/£6 from eventbrite here (transaction fee applies) or on the door. All proceeds will go to the St John’s Development Project.
The Jazz Bar: ‘World Premiere’ Quintet. Every Saturday a hand-picked 5-piece of excellent jazz players is brought together for the first time. With a different selection of musicians each week, it’s always a surprise line-up – even for the players. Tonight: New York based star sax player Tim Armacost and locals Colin Steele (trumpet), Steve Hamilton (piano), Ed Kelly (bass) and Bill Kyle (drums). 9pm (entry from 8pm), The Jazz Bar, 1a Chambers Street. £5/£4 on the door: please note this venue is CASH ONLY.
Puppet Animation Festival: Puppet Stew Presents Puppets! Puppets! Puppets! A puppet-making workshop – make your own rod puppet to take home. For ages 4+ – children under 8 must be accompanied. 10.30am, North Edinburgh Arts, Pennywell Court. £1/50p. To book please contact NEA on 0131 315 2151 or email admin@northedinburgharts.co.uk
Guided Walk: Rhododendrons in the East. Join a garden guide and hear of rhododendrons that grow in the less favourable climate of this east coast garden. Enjoy the colours and scents of this genus and hear about the lives of the collectors and their journeys that resulted in the collections held by the Botanics today. For ages 14+. Meet at the John Hope Gateway reception, Royal Botanic Garden of Edinburgh, Inverleith Row. £5 per person: tickets may be purchased at the John Hope Gateway reception desk or by calling 0131 248 2944.
An Evening of Leider and Arias: Roxana Nite (soprano) and Ancuta Nite (piano) perform Schumann Dichterliebe, JM Geddes Lasses Love and Life, and a selection of famous arias. 7.30pm, St Andrew’s & St George’s West Church, 13 George Street. Tickets cost £10/£8 on the door.
The People Are In The Streets: Scottish premiere of Joel Venet’s feature documentary on the Yes Campaign over the length of the Scottish Referendum year, as experienced by activists from the Radical Independence Campaign, young first-time voters, and anti-austerity groups. With reflection and inspiration from Lesley Riddoch, Gerry Hassan, Alex Bell, Tariq Ali, Cat Boyd, James Foley and Adam Jones, and music from Franz Ferdinand, Mogwai and a host of Yes artists at the Night for Scotland concert at the Usher Hall. Produced in close partnership with the Edinburgh Radical Indpendence Campaign, and providing a unique insight into a Referendum year of growing political action in Scotland. 6.30-9.30pm, Out of the Blue Drill Hall, 36 Dalmeny Street. Tickets cost £2.50 and may be purchased via eventbrite here (transaction fee applies).
SUNDAY 19TH APRIL 2015
Filmhouse Junior: films for a younger audience. This week: Paddington (PG): a young Peruvian bear travels to the city in search of a home…when he meets the kindly Brown family, it looks as though his luck has changed – until this rarest of bears catches the eye of a museum taxidermist. 11am, Filmhouse, Lothian Road. Tickets cost £4 per person, big or small, and may be obtained online here or by calling the Box Office on 0131 228 2688.
Modroc Mirrors with Margaret Findlay. Inspired by the shore and woodland, make a beautiful crafted mirror with Modroc. For families. 11am-3pm, Lauriston Castle, 2a Cramond Road South. £5 per person: places must be booked in advance via the Usher Hall Box Office, Lothian Road, in person, by calling 0131 228 1155 or online here. Please note that at least one paying adult must accompany each child: children must not be booked into workshops alone.
Happy Easter at Magdalene Community Centre: today The Juniors and The Seniors (activities to be arranged) 7-9pm, Magdalene Community Centre, 106b Magdalene Drive.
Spring Edible Gardening Festival: join the Edible Gardening Project as the team get started in the vegetable patch for another year. From growing chillies on the windowsill to creating a vegetable garden with habitat for pollinators, there will be information and hands-on activities for all the family. 1-4pm, Real Life Science Studio and Demonstration Garden, Royal Botanic Garden of Edinburgh, Inverleith Row. No booking required.
Talking Trees Storytelling: let the Botanics’ volunteers grow your imagination with tall tales from around the world. For ages 5+. 2-2.45pm, John Hope Gateway, Royal Botanic Garden of Edinburgh, Inverleith Row. No booking required.
Martin Scorsese Presents Masterpieces of Polish Cinema: a season of films curated by Scorsese, all screened in pristine digital restorations. Today: Knights of the Black Cross (Krzyzacy) (PG). (In Polish with subtitles). One of Poland’s biggest hits, this lavish widescreen epic was based on Henryk Sienkiewicz’s much-loved novel, The Teutonic Knights. Set at the turn of the 15th century, it depicts the tension between the Poles and Lithuanians and their Teutonic neighbours, culminating in a thrilling reconstruction of the 1410 Battle of Grunwald. 7.45pm, Filmhouse, Lothian Road. Tickets may be obtained online here or by calling the Box Office on 0131 228 2688. This screening will be introduced by Dr Malgorzata Bugaj (University of Edinburgh and University of Stirling); the film will be shown again at 2pm on Saturday 9th May 2015.
Scotland’s Open Gardens: Redcroft. A walled garden surrounding an Arts & Crafts villa, providing an unexpected haven off a busy road. Daffodils, fritillaries and other early spring bulbs, blossom and rhododendrons. 2-5pm, Redcroft, 23 Murrayfield Road. Entry £4 of which 40% will go to Fresh Start (Edinburgh) and the net remaining to Scottish Gardens beneficiaries.
Edinburgh International Science Festival: Mini Maker Faire. Back for its third year at Summerhall, the Faire highlights the diversity of human creativity by bringing together makers from all sorts of unexpected areas under one big roof. Gadgets, hardware, software, knitwear and food – a chance for the whole family to come out and interact with robotic puppets, 3D printers, model boats, motorised skateboards, science experiments and even virtual Minecraft worlds. Discover the hidden creative gems that are worked away at constantly by enthusiasts, artists and geeks throughout Scotland and further afield. A special programme of in-depth workshops will bring an extra element to the weekend – learn the secrets of taxidermy, try your hand at welding, and get busy with some electronic kits. 10am-5pm, Summerhall, 1 Summerhall. Tickets cost £5 (under-3s free) and may be purchased online here or by calling the Festival Box Office on 0844 557 2686.
Bags of Art: cool and creative fun with artists Tessa Asquith-Lamb and Louise Fraser. For ages 4-12 years. 2-4pm, Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art ONE, Belford Road. Free and unticketed: supported by the Friends of NGS.
Scotland’s Open Gardens: Winton House. Enjoy an informative tour of this historic house, and walk around the estate to work off a delicious lunch and home baking. Entry to garden £4, tours of house £5/£3, children under 10 free. 40% of the proceeds will go to Bethany Christian Trust and the net remaining to Scottish Gardens beneficiaries. 12 noon-4.30pm, Sir Francis Ogilvy Winton Trust, Winton House, Pencaitland.
Whisky Galore! (U) A special screening of the original 1949 classic in association with the National Theatre of Scotland, to introduce their new Gaelic adaptation of Whisky Galore/Uisge-Beatha Gu Leor. Adapted from Compton Mackenzie’s famous comic novel, Whisky Galore tells the story of the attempts of the fictional islanders of Todday to salvage and hold onto 50,000 cases of whisky from a shipwreck. 3.10pm, Filmhouse, Lothian Road. Tickets may be obtained online here or by calling the Box Office on 0131 228 2688: prices vary. The screening will be followed by a discussion chaired by NTS Artistic Director, Laurie Sansom, in conversation with Hannah McGill, jounalist and former Artistic Director of EIFF, and a member of the new play’s cast. The new Gaelic stage version will be performed at St Columba’s Hall at 7.30pm on Monday 20th April (tickets available from The Hub). Discounts are available for purchasing tickets for the film and the play together.
Serenity Cafe Trivia Quiz: general knowledge and pop questions – with prizes! Come on your own or bring a team. 2-5pm, Serenity Cafe, 8 Jackson’s Entry, The Tun, 111 Holyrood Road. Entry £4, includes refreshments on arrival. The Serenity Cafe is Scotland’s first recovery cafe, run by people in recovery for people in recovery, and for public customers who want good value, good quality food in a relaxed space. All events are family-friendly and drink and drugs-free.
Hearing impaired tour – Ponte City: Mikhael Subotzky and Patrick Waterhouse. A free tour of the exhibition with portable loops. led by Tessa Asquith-Lamb. 11am-12 noon, Scottish National Portrait Gallery, 1 Queen Street. To book a place please call 0131 624 6560. Ponte City continues at the Portrait Gallery until 26th April 2015.
Cameo Vintage Sundays: ‘classic films back on the big screen where they belong’. This week: Harold and Maude (15). A young man with a death wish and a 79-year-old high on life find love in Hal Ashby’s black comedy. 1pm, Cameo, Home Street. Tickets may be purchased online here or by calling the Box Office on 0871 902 5723.
Latin American Social Movements: in Latin America some of the poorest people on the planet have taken back land and resources from the rich – the Zapatistas in Mexico and the Landless Movement in Brazil are but two examples. Clif Ross, co-editor of Until The Rulers Obey, will give a presentation and lead a discussion. 6-9pm, Autonomous Centre of Edinburgh, 17 West Montgomery Place. The Autonomous Centre of Edinburgh is a self-managed social resource centre. This event has been organised by Edinburgh Chiapas Solidarity Group.
St Giles At Six: Leader Ensemble. Brahms Sextet No 1, Op 18. 6pm, St Giles Cathedral, High Street. Free: retiring collection.
