There’s plenty to keep you busy this weekend – art, films, theatre and music in abundance of course (this is Edinburgh…) – plus open gardens to visit, a fascinating herb walk – and on Sunday Dads Rock’s special day at the Botanics. If you want to get wet(ter) you can enter the raft race at the Canal Festival – and we even have something for those of you who want to dance in your wellies. So no sitting around moaning about the weather! Get the waterproofs on and sally forth – you know you want to… Â And as always, please check details of all events with the organisers before setting out.
SATURDAY 18th JUNE 2016
Edinburgh Canal Festival & 10th Annual Raft Race: a full day of canal festivities and raft racing, with music, stalls, water-based and land-based activities, art and kids’ stuff. There will be free boat trips, an international rescue display, canoe taster sessions, 
Levenhall Radio Yacht Club, market stalls, birds of prey, pianodrome, Forge workshops, a vintage fire engine, the Power of Food Festival, free taster screenprint and drypoint sessions with Edinburgh Printmakers, a garden party at Polwarth Church, pony rides and lots, lots more. 
For the full programme see the event’s Facebook page here. If you would like to enter the raft race, full details can be found on the Festival’s website here. Starts 12 noon, Edinburgh Quay (behind Akva and Tesco), Fountainbridge. Organised by Re-Union Canal Boats, a social enterprise based on and around Edinburgh’s Union Canal and working with a wide range of community groups and local businesses. Re-Union offer training and support to volunteers in crewing (RYA) first aid, hospitality, health and hygiene and a variety of other courses that are identified and driven by the volunteers’ needs and requests. The festival is sponsored this year by City of Edinburgh Council, Scottish Canals and EDI.
Storytime with Nick Sharratt: come and meet the acclaimed children’s author and illustrator at this special event – join in with yelling ‘Shark In The Park’ really loudly with Nick! 10am, The Edinburgh Bookshop, 219 Brunstfield Place.
Craigmillar Library Breakfast Club: meeting fortnightly to provide children with a free healthy breakfast and an audio book. Parents welcome too! 11am today, Craigmillar Library, 101 Niddrie Mains Road.
Welly Ceilidh for Gorgie Farm: a family ceilidh hosted by Ceilidh Kids to raise money for Gorgie City Farm. Come in your wellies and bring your favourite cuddly animal. Entry by donation – all money raised goes to the farm. 10.30am, St Martin of Tours Episcopal Church, 232 Dalry Road.
Cats Protection League Rehoming Day: come along and meet the cats and kittens looking for a new home. There will be a Cat Café, tombola and stalls and West Lothian CPL would appreciate your support.
1-3pm, 
Newyearfield Farm Community Centre, Hawk Brae, Livingston. Free parking in the car park off Fulmar Brae with The Cooperative on the corner. For more information please contact West Lothian Cats Protection League here.
Charles Jamieson, Rory McLauchlan and Tom Watt: a new exhibition. Doubtfire Gallery welcomes back Charles Jamieson following his superb solo exhibition in 2014. He is joined by Rory McLauchlan and Tom Watt, both new to the gallery. All three are craftsmen of light, colour and form in their chosen styles and command a deserved following and reputation throughout the UK and beyond. Opens 12 noon-5pm today, then 10am-5pm Monday to Friday, 12 noon-5pm Saturdays, Doubtfire Gallery, South East Circus Place. Ends 23rd July 2016. Image: Olargues by Charles Jamieson © the artist.
Food, Fun, Poetry! A workshop with Emma Speedy for ages 7-11 (approx.) Consider the crazy possibilities of giant burgers..mountains of ice cream sundaes..and milkshakes to be sailed across!….no rhymes, just imagination and lots of fun (best for ages 7-11 years ). 10.30-11.15am, Granton Library, Wardieburn Terrace. To book just contact the library on 0131 529 5630. Part of the Power of Food Festival 2016.
Sharing Secrets Arts Festival, Dalry: Animal Sculpture from Recycled Materials. Which animal would you like to make? A fish? A dog? Come along to this free session and learn how, with artist Damian Callan. For ages 7-14 approx – adults also welcome to have a go! 10am-4pm, WASPS Artists’ Studios, West Park Place, Dalry. No booking required, just drop in.
The Scottish Parliament Art Tour: Discover the Art of Parliament. The collection on display throughout the award-winning Parliament building includes artworks from over 40 Scottish contemporary artists, showcasing a variety of types of work and media – from oil paintings to sculptures, photography, textiles and installations. For ages 14+. 12 noon, Scottish Parliament, Holyrood. Free but booking is essential and may be made by calling 0131 3485200 or emailing Visitor Services at visit@scottish.parliament.uk.
LifeCare 75th Anniversary Street Party: games, fun, refreshments, music, costume competition – all proceeds will go to LifeCare, a thriving charity and community hub welcoming around 1,000 people through its doors each week, whether for Pilates, yoga and dance classes, children’s activities or the community café. From its busy headquarters LifeCare also provides a variety of invaluable support and outreach services and social activities for older people across the Capital. 12 noon-4pm, Courtyard, Bedford Court, Stockbridge. Please book your free tickets here.
Lunchtime Concert: New World Sacred Chorale, New Jersey, USA. 12.15pm, St Giles’ Cathedral, High Street. Free.
Re:CAP: an end of year show by HNC Contemporary Art Practice students studying at West Lothian College. The HNC in Contemporary Art supports students to develop their own artistic skills, both practically and intellectually; this exhibition is the culmination of 2D, 3D and digital practices that highlight a broad-ranging exploration of personal developments and investigations. As a result, every student on the course has an offer to progress on to art school, with many students receiving multiple offers for places at Glasgow School of Art, Edinburgh College of Art, Gray’s School of Art in Aberdeen and Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design, Dundee. 10am-6pm daily, Gayfield Creative Spaces, 11 Gayfield Square. Ends 21st June 2016. For more information, please contact course tutor Alex Harvey: aharvey@west-lothian.ac.uk.
Polwarth Parish Church Gardens Canal Festival Fun! Come and see the beautiful church gardens – plus music, free refreshments and children’s activities. 2-4pm, Polwarth Parish Church, Polwarth Terrace.
Balerno Village Screen: Snoopy & Charlie Brown – The Peanuts Movie (U). Snoopy embarks upon his greatest mission as he and his team take to the skies to pursue their arch-nemesis, while his best pal Charlie Brown begins his own epic quest back home to win the love of his life. 2.30pm, St Joseph’s Hall, Balerno. Free tickets may be obtained from The Mill Café in the St Joseph’s Centre or via Eventbrite here. Balerno Village Screen is a community cinema offering free admission; it is funded by donations.
SatellArt: a fortnightly craft group combining science and art, for children between 8 and 14. This week: Theatre & Costume Design Workshop. 2-4pm, Oxgangs Library, 343 Oxgangs Road North. No need to book, just come along.
Studio Ghibli: When Marnie Was There (U). In its 30-year history Japan’s Studio Ghibli has produced a stream of masterpieces. From Spirited Away and Princess Mononoke to Howl’s Moving Castle, its hand-drawn animations have delighted audiences of all ages across the globe. If industry rumours are to be believed, the Oscar-nominated When Marnie Was There might be the studio’s last ever feature film. 
Based on the 1967 novel by British author Joan G Robinson, this haunting tale of friendship follows Anna, a lonely 12-year-old who moves to the seaside to live with her aunt and uncle. There she stumbles upon an old mansion surrounded by marshes, and encounters a mysterious young girl, Marnie, who appears at the window of the strange house. This film is enchanting, timeless, bursting with joy and tenderness, and exquisitely drawn. 3pm (English language version), 5.20pm and 7.40pm (subtitled version), Cameo, Home Street. Tickets may be purchased from the Box Office in person, by calling 0871 902 5723 or online. Further screenings 19th-23rd June – please see Cameo website for times, and please make sure you select the version you wish to see (subtitled or English language).
Tempus Physical Theatre Scotland: join Tempus for a range of physical and visual storytelling from some of Scotland’s freshest emerging talent. Following work with Theatre du Soleil (Paris), at the Edinburgh Science Festival and with Oceanallover, the company presents a series of vignettes for your entertainment. With performers from 11 different countries there’s a good chance someone will speak your language. ‘What shines through, is a belief in the body’s own physicality as a vehicle for expressing the inner-most states of heart and mind that don’t always translate into words’ (Mary Brennan, The Herald). For ages 12+. 2pm or 7pm, Old Lab, Summerhall, 1 Summerhall. Tickets cost £5/£3 and may be purchased from the Box Office in person, by calling 0131 560 1580 or online here.
The Scottish Parliament Architecture Tour: Democracy by Design. A special tour launched as part of The Year of Innovation, Architecture and Design 2016; discover more about the inspiration behind the architectural design which led to the creation of the accessible and award-winning Parliament building. 3.30pm, Scottish Parliament, Holyrood. Free but booking is essential and may be made by calling 0131 348 5200 or emailing Visitor Services at visit@scottish.parliament.uk. This tour will be repeated on 9th, 16th and 30th July: times vary, please contact Visitor Services for details.
Flop Culture: a group show inspired by an ongoing public obsession with celebrity culture and social media. ‘Celebrity is just obscurity biding its time’ (Carrie Fisher). Expect celebrity scandals, politics, tragedy, drama, iconic TV moments, viral sensations, embarrassing crushes and more. Many of the selected artists – Devin Wallace, Poster Girls, Paul Kindersley, Peter James Field, Scott Baxter, Tiina Lilja, Ellen Wilson, Rachael Rebus, Colin Herd, Luke Edwards, Mark Vice, Mary Watson, Matt Horan, Jackson Gillespie, Slybacon, Dan Gladden and Sam Ballet – have been connected through networking on social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. The artists will be interpreting the title of Flop Culture in whatever way they like. 10am-6pm daily, Gayfield Creative Spaces, 11 Gayfield Square. Ends 21st June 2016.
A Midsummer’s Herb Walk: join Medical Herbalist Joseph Nolan for a midsummer meander, discussing medicinal and edible plants to be found in Princes Street Gardens. Talk about trees, ornamentals, familiar cooking herbs, wild wonders, and ghastly garden weeds: medicinal uses, kitchen applications, and a generous pinch of folklore. Ask questions; share knowledge, memories, and ideas. Herb walks are great fun! 11am, Princes Street Gardens – meet at the gate near the National Gallery on the Princes Street side of the gardens. £10 per person. Advance booking is essential and may be made here. For more information please contact Joseph on 07596 22 1428 or email Joseph@HerbalMedicineMan.com.
National Galleries of Scotland Have A Go Drop-In Session – June: come and have a go with artist Rosie Lesso. Taking inspiration from a different artwork each session, Rosie will demonstrate, encourage and help. 2-4pm, Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art ONE (please ask at reception for exact location), Belford Road. Free, no booking required but please note that capacity is limited.
Open Garden: 35 Inverleith Row. Visit this lovely walled garden on the boundary of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. A mature garden with areas of rockeries, herbaceous borders, shrubs and a vegetable garden. There will also be a plant stall and tea and coffee. 10.30am-12 noon, Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, Inverleith Row. £5 per person (includes tea/coffee): no booking required. Organised by the Friends of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh.
Strange Town Theatre: Monster Force! Engage! Something is lurking under the bed. Mum and Dad are asleep. Who will battle the things that go bump in the night? Monster Force! Engage! Strange Town’s 8-10s group perform Tim Primrose’s new play. Suitable for all ages. 3pm, Scottish Storytelling Centre, 45 High Street. Tickets cost £8.50/£5.50 and are available from the Box Office in person, by calling 0131 556 9579 or online here. Also at 11.30am on Sunday 19th June.
Saturday Sessions with Ross Arthur. Intimate acoustic sets with singer songwriters; this Saturday it’s the brilliant Ross Arthur, an energetic and crowd-pleasing singer/songwriter and guitarist from Edinburgh, whose influences include Frank Turner and Biffy Clyro. 3-5.30pm, Sofi’s Bar, Henderson Street.
Leith School of Art Contemporary Art Practice Summer Exhibition. Contemporary Art Practice is a studio based fine art course with an emphasis on enquiry and experimentation. Engagement with ideas, materials and processes will lead students to consider what it means to be making art in the 21st century. The aim of the course is to provide new possibilities of expression, with students learning how to develop, then refine, ideas through the making of art, acquiring an understanding of how the choice of media, technique and form communicate meaning. Exhibition open 10am-4pm daily excluding Mondays and Tuesdays, Patriothall Gallery, Patriothall, off Hamilton Place, Stockbridge. Ends 26th June. Leith School of Art’s other summer exhibitions will take place at the School’s Leith campuses later in June: for details click here.
How to Survive on Land and Sea: Daniella Watson. ‘The particles swarm her and they buzz just as much as bees if there are enough of them, louder than bees really because they hum directly into ears, wasting no energy on visibility’. Daniella Watson has been working with Rhubaba as a writer-in-residence over the past year. The resulting text How to Survive on Land and Sea consists of a collection of stories and ephemera relating to a little known artist collective called The Trajectorians. Through this collection of stories, ephemera and fragments the collective is presented not as the definitive article but an ongoing research project, which is likely to become more biographical in time. Opening event with staged reading at 4pm today, then 12 noon-6pm Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, plus additional evening opening for LeithLate 6-10pm, Thursday 23 June, Rhubaba, Arthur Street. Ends 26th June 2016.
T Time Edinburgh: an informal monthly social gathering open to all transgender people, their friends, families and supporters. Come along for tea/coffee and a chat in a friendly, relaxed environment. An optional event runs alongside each T time, starting usually at 2pm, involving a range of interests, information and activities – this month  ‘Pride Crafts’; relax and enjoy another fun craft session where we prepare affirming placards for Pride Edinburgh and Glasgow Pride. 1-4pm, LGBT Health & Wellbeing, 9 Howe Street. For more information please contact Jules Stapleton Barnes on 0131 523 1104 or by emailing jules@lgbthealth.org.uk.
Strange Town Theatre: Multiverse – The Voices and The Rise of Alvin. Rory desperately wants to win the school ‘Battle of the Bands’. The only thing standing in his way is the fact his band is massively rubbish…in this Universe. Strange Town Theatre’s 11-14s groups perform Sam Siggs’ new plays. The two plays are linked; the first ten minutes are the same, then change as the characters tumble in to a new universe. Why not see both and find out what can happen in the multiverse . . .? 7pm (The Voices), 9pm (The Rise of Alvin), Netherbow Theatre, Scottish Storytelling Centre, 45 High Street. Tickets cost £8.50/£5.50 for each play and are available from the Box Office in person, by calling 0131 556 9579 or online.
Meadows Chamber Orchestra: the final concert of the orchestra’s season is a Hungarian/Czech programme which begins and ends with dance. Bartók’s virtuoso masterpiece for string orchestra and Dvorák’s wonderfully exuberant Czech Suite are both inspired by folk music. There is more virtuosity in Liszt’s extraordinary cyclic First Piano Concerto and utterly beautiful lyricism in Dvorák’s F minor Romance. The soloists in the latter pieces are distinguished Edinburgh musicians and residents: New Zealand pianist Richard Beauchamp and German violinist Uli Evans. Conductor: Peter Evans. 7.45pm, The Queen’s Hall, 85-89 Clerk Street. Tickets £11/£9/£5/£1 from the Box Office on 0131 668 2019 or online here.
Twisted Fox Presents….Follow the Yellow Brick Road to… Hayley G Devils in Skirts, The Abattoir Blue, Victor Pope, Sapphire Blood, Elizafield, Brothers of Justice, Jim Kelly, Hoban & Scott, Decade and DJ Divine – plus face painting with Luna Saloo. 7pm-3am, Henry’s Cellar Bar, Morrison Street. £5 on the door, £3.50 before 10pm.
Blue Velvet at Lauriston Castle: an evening of live jazz music, with delicious canapés and refreshment. If it is a lovely evening, the music will be in the courtyard. 7pm, Lauriston Castle, 2a Cramond Road South. Tickets cost £30 – limited special offer at £20 – and must be booked in advance via the Usher Hall Box Office, Lothian Road, in person, by calling 0131 228 1155 or online here.
Tales from The Hanging Captain. Following on from the hugely successful production of Persevere, part of Out of the Blue’s Gretna 100 Project, Tales from The Hanging Captain sees Active Inquiry and Strange Town join forces again to explore the history of Leith Docks. Set in the fictional Leith pub, ‘The Hanging Captain’, the audience will be taken on a voyage through time, as stories of the Dockers’ involvement in the whaling industry, the ‘Darrien Scheme’, and the strikes of 1913 unfold. 7.30pm, Out of the Blue, 36 Dalmeny Street. Tickets £6/£4 from Eventbrite here. Tales from the Hanging Captain is part of Leith Moves, an Out of the Blue Heritage Lottery Fund supported project examining the history of Leith Docks. To get involved or for more information, contact lisa.arnott@outoftheblue.org.uk.
Picturehouses After Dark: The Burbs (12A). Â An overstressed suburbanite and two of his neighbours struggle to prove their paranoid theory that the new family on the block are part of a murderous cult. 10pm, Cameo, Home Street. Tickets may be purchased from the Box Office in person, by calling 0871 902 5723 or online.
The Union (8-piece Funk/Soul Outfit): James Brown, Tower of Power and more – Funk/Soul classics from brilliant vocals-fronted eight-piece unit with punchy sax, trumpet & trombone horn section. Plus DJ Southern Tenant. 12-3am (Entry from 11.30pm), The Jazz Bar, 1a Chambers Street. £5/£4. Please note that this venue is strictly cash only.
The Glass Child in Edinburgh: Charlotte Eriksson returns with an intimate acoustic show, featuring songs from her new album Under Northern Skies. Support Alex Maxwell and Sophie Burt. 7pm, Sketchy Beats Café, 208 Great Junction Street. Free. BYOB – £3 for unlimited corkage.
SUNDAY 19th JUNE 2016
Father’s Day Family Takeover with Dads Rock & Friends: Dads Rock’s 3rd FREE Father’s Day Family Takeover at the Royal Botanic Garden. Get hands-on with lots of exciting activities and take the chance to explore the gardens. 2016 is The Year of the Dad, so it’s a great opportunity to come together and have fun. Enjoy creative activities, dancing, play, storytelling, songs, theatre, yoga and much more. WHALE Arts will be offering a free arts and crafts session in the Botanic Cottage – drop in and say hello! For all ages. 11am-4pm, Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, Inverleith Row. All welcome – no booking required.
NGS Hearing Impaired Tour: Surreal Encounters. A free tour of the exhibition with portable hearing loops, led by Tessa Asquith-Lamb. 11am-12 noon, Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art ONE, Belford Road. Free: to book a place contact the Information Desk on 0131 624 6560.
Mindful Peace Walk. This silent walking meditation is an open event, led by the lay members of the Edinburgh Sangha of the Community of Interbeing, who follow the practice and teachings of Zen Buddhist Master, Thich Nhat Hanh. The walk starts at the front of Lauriston Castle; before the walk begins there will be a brief introduction to mindful walking as meditation practice. This is not a protest or a campaigning event, so please do not use any banners. Children are welcome when accompanied by adults. Please remember to wrap up warmly. ‘We walk just for walking. We walk with freedom and solidity, no longer in a hurry. Let us enjoy every step we make’ (Thich Nhat Hanh). 12 noon (meet in front of the Castle), Lauriston Castle, 2a Cramond Road South. No need to book; just come along on the day. For further information contact Neill Walker on 0131 331 4469 or email mesp2016@hotmail.com. Jointly organised by the Edinburgh International Centre for Spirituality and Peace, and the Edinburgh Sangha of the Community of Interbeing.

RNLI Queensferry Lifeboat Open Day: spectacular air/sea rescue helicopter display, stalls. attractions, information, refreshments, lots to see and do! 12 noon-4pm, Hawes Esplanade, South Queensferry.
Picturehouses Vintage Sundays: classic films back on the big screen. Today: The Lion King (U). Disney’s cherished animation roars back! After being tricked by his dastardly uncle Scar into thinking he was responsible for the death of his father, our hero Simba flees the Savannah. He begins a new life, with a meerkat and a wart hog as his unlikely allies, until a chance encounter forces him to face his past and his true destiny. 1pm, Cameo, Home Street. Tickets may be purchased from the Box Office in person, by calling 0871 902 5723 or online.
Scotland’s Gardens: Inveresk Village. A collection of six walled gardens, including Shepherd House and also allotments, in an historic village. Each has its own individual character displaying a wide variety of interesting and unusual trees, shrubs and plants. Plus lawn croquet, children’s entertainment and live folk music later (5-6pm). 2-5pm, South side of Musselburgh, Inveresk Village Road – A6124, East Lothian (for information and directions click here). Admission £7, of which 40% will go to Horatio’s Garden and the net remainder to SG charities. Image: Shepherd House Garden.
Bags of Art – June: cool and creative fun with artists Tessa Asquith-Lamb and Louise Fraser. For ages 4-12. 2-4pm, Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art ONE, Belford Road. Free, no booking required. Supported by the Friends of NGS. Image © Alicia Bruce.
Blackwell’s Edinburgh Teenage Book Group: if you love to read, or just want to read more, join the teen book group to talk about the latest teenage fiction and your favourite books. The group meets on the second Sunday of each month, and reads anything from classics to contemporary, dystopian to historical – in short, anything you fancy! Currently reading James Clammer’s Why I Went Back. 2pm, Blackwell’s, South Bridge. To join just email your details to schools.edinburgh@blackwell.co.uk.
Fathers’ Day at Lauriston Castle: a special tour and afternoon tea for families. Come along to the castle and spend Fathers’ Day as a family; enjoy a special tour and have fun in the historic kitchen making some cakes with the historical cook – with afternoon tea afterwards. 3pm, Lauriston Castle, 2a Cramond Road South. Tickets cost £5 per person  – but Dads and Granddads get in free! Advance booking is essential and may be made via the Usher Hall Box Office, Lothian Road, in person, by calling 0131 228 1155 or online here.
Re-Union Canal Boats Tea and Cake Cruise: join a voyage of discovery on the Lochrin Belle as she cruises to Slateford Aquaduct and back. Enjoy a selection of homemade cakes and tea as you watch the canalside world go by. 2pm, Edinburgh Quayside, Fountainbridge. Tickets cost £18 and may be booked online here. Re-Union Canal Boats is a social enterprise working with a wide range of community groups and local businesses and offering training and support to volunteers in crewing (RYA) first aid, hospitality, health and hygiene and a variety of other courses that are identified and driven by the volunteers’ needs and requests.
Edinburgh School of Music Showcase: ESM Director Kira Emslie presents some of her top music students in an extended stupendous end-of-term showcase of their burgeoning vocal and instrumental talent. 2-6pm, The Jazz Bar, 1a Chambers Street. Entry £3. Please note that this venue is strictly cash only.
St Giles’ at Six: St Salvator’s Chapel Choir (University of St Andrews) directed by Tom Wilkinson, will perform movements from Neukomm Requiem and arrangements of Scots Songs. 6pm, St Giles’ Cathedral, High Street. Free; retiring collection.
Big Harry Potter Book Quiz No 4: another night of Hazza P madness heading your way! Get ready to enter the triwizard tournament of Harry Potter quizzes…not for faint hearted film watchers. All hard core geeks welcome! 7.30pm, Boda Bar, 229 Leith Walk. To book call Boda on 0131 553 5900 or email boda@bodabar.com.
A Midsummer’s Marriage: a promenade comedy play in the enchanting Lauriston Castle gardens with a summer picnic. You are invited to attend the preparations for a midsummer’s wedding; all the arrangements have been made and the future in-laws are on their way. What could possibly go wrong, and who is that mysterious man at the garden gate? 7pm, Lauriston Castle, 2a Cramond Road South. Tickets cost £20 including refreshments, and must be booked in advance via the Usher Hall Box Office, Lothian Road, in person, by calling 0131 228 1155 or online here. This is a promenade performance and, regrettably, not suitable for anyone with mobility problems.
Stormy Sunday Blues Showcase: monthly Blues event with resident band Piranha Blues, plus this month’s guest band MP & The Expenses featuring blues/swing legends ‘Stretch’ McFadyen and Mike Parker. 9pm (entry from 8pm), The Jazz Bar, 1a Chambers Street. £5/£4 (£3 EBC Members); please note that this venue is strictly cash only.
