21st January 2011
James Robertson – Friday 21 January at 13:00 – This event is in Brussels (not Edinburgh…..) A part of The Scottish Writers Series – and we just feel you should know about it! The Scottish Government and the Edinburgh International Book Festival present the third Scottish Writers Series at Scotland House, Schuman in Brussels. This series brings together seven of the very best writers working in Scotland today. Seven writers at the peak of their game, major names in the UK, shortlisted for and recipients of major prizes, who encapsulate the spirit of contemporary Scottish literature.
You may think it a bit of a waste of our time telling you about something that is already fully booked…..but you might be interested to know that there are aerial dance classes at The Out of the Blue Drill Hall. The session from 14th January to 18 February is fully booked but you can make enquiries about future classes by contacting Jennifer at info@aerialdance.co.uk / 07989 978 598
1:10 PM Lunchtime concert: John Kitchen (Organ). Admission free, Reid Concert Hall
Curator’s Choice: Looking Through the Past on Friday 21 January 2011 in the Dunfermline Room at 14:00 (1hr) Entry is £5/£4/Members and Patrons free. Book on 0300 123 6789
How easy were the first microscopes to use? What can we learn from replica scientific instruments? Klaus Staubermann and Tacye Phillipson from the Museum’s Science and Technology department invite you to explore these questions using replicas from Galileo’s telescope to a magic lantern, commissioned thanks to the Royal Society’s 350th anniversary programme.
The Singing Kettle is back at The Festival Theatre – Friday 21 – Sunday 23 January The excited Singing Kettle team Cilla, Artie, Gary and Kevin have been left in charge of the “Toy Making Machine” at the Fun Factory and will need the help of the audience to make sure every toy is made properly and on time.
Even with all the work to do, there’s still time for lots of “Kettle Openings” bursting with surprises. Join in with heaps of non-stop sing-a-long favourites like “Jelly Belly”, “10 Green Bottles”, and “The Nonsense Song” as well as some brilliant brand new songs.
Jock and Jeremy, the hilarious singing chefs, will be on hand for their own dynamic brand of crazy cooking routines ……… that normally ends in mayhem, while Bonzo the Dog is never far away when there’s fun to be had!
The Singing Kettle will be at their brilliant best with Cilla, Artie, Gary and Kevin in their wacky working costumes, ready to delight and mesmerise all ages with superb audience participation. Some lucky children will end up on stage to join in the excitement.
The Fun Factory is a fantastic treat for the whole family that will have you rocking with laughter and singing all the way home.
Remember to dress up in a funny hat!
22nd January 2011
Flea Market at The Out of The Blue Drill Hall.
10am – 2pm Free entry
Lots of stalls! Clothes, furniture, bric-a-brac, music, and so much more. Stop in for coffee and scrummy cake at the Drill Hall Cafe. Pitches available – £10 no table, £15 with table. For more information or to book a stall please call Steph – 0131 555 7100.
Rhubaba, 25 Arthur Street open a new exhibition today called pots purr, the first solo show in Scotland by artist Hannah James. The new works exhibited in the Rhubaba Project Space constitute the first half of a two-part project.
To celebrate and mark Rabbie’s storytelling skills, the love of his nation and his knack for entertaining the masses with wit and charm, The Scottish Storytelling Centre is heralding an action-packed programme for 2011 with four braw events honouring Scotland’s great bard. From a Burns supper with traditional song and stories to family activities of Scots rhymes, tales and games, the Burnsfest programme confirms that Burns offers something for everyone.
Various shows on but today at 3.00pm and 7.00pm there is Burns: Rough Cut
Meet the Bard in the raw – real and edgy. He’s in crisis and contradiction but at full creative stretch. Rough Cut mixes live theatre and film to bring you an unfamiliar Burns for the 21st Century. This intimate portrait of Burns starring Gavin Paul was premiered on the 2010 Fringe to critical acclaim. Based on Donald Smith’s controversial novel ‘Between Ourselves’ it focuses on the pivotal crisis of Burns life and career – his stay in Edinburgh. “a portrait of the heaven-taught ploughman that’s raw, punchy and a universe away from shortbread tins.” **** The List | Age 8+
At 2.00pm there is Tam O’Shanter and The Goddess of War
Hear how award-winning children’s author Lari Don dared to retell the well known and loved Tam O’Shanter. Also hear how Lari went back 5000 years to research the almost unknown myth of Inanna, the Sumerian Goddess of War. With readings, chase scenes, battles, spooky stories, and a large helping of witches and weapons interspersed with festive Burns music. This event is co-promoted with the Barrington Stoke story series for enthusing readers, including those with dyslexia challenges. Age 8+
At The Scottish Poetry Library A Friendly and encouraging ‘absolute beginners’ course on reading poetry for pleasure * Explore rhyme and form * go beyond the printed page * discover new poetry with expert advice * develop your reading strengths * pick up a ‘toolkit’ of technical terms * get a personal plan of what to read next
Led by Lilias Fraser, Reader Development Officer, and Julie Johnstone, Librarian, from the Scottish Poetry Library. On Saturdays 22 January, 29 January, 5 February, 12 February at The Scottish Poetry Library, 5 Crichton’s Close Cost for the course is £65 (£50 concessions and Friends of the SPL), includes coffee/croissants
Woodland Tracks & Trails Saturday 22nd January 2011, 10am – 1pm, Corstorphine Hill
Learn and practice the skills of a naturalist, including wildlife tracking. Aimed at families. Booking required For further information or to book a place, please email Ruth Wyatt at ruth@elgt.org.uk or call 0131 445 4025
The Scottish Chamber Orchestra at The Queen’s Hall playing a programme of
Stravinsky: Jeu de Cartes
Haydn: Symphony No 83 ‘La Poule’
Tchaikovsky: Scenes from ‘The Nutcracker’
Robin Ticciati, conductor
Brilliant, witty, playful, surprising and suave: words that well describe both Haydn and Stravinsky who are paired in three concerts this spring. A sparkling joie de vivre pervades all three, but expect more: Ticciati has already demonstrated his power to mine deep below the surface and draw his audience into the passion and complexity that lies at the music’s heart. Adding a seasonal icing to the cake, some of Ticciati’s own favourite dances from Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker round off the evening.
Pre-Concert Talk: 6.30pm (Free to ticket holders). Ashley Page, Artistic Director of Scottish Ballet, in conversation with Svend Brown about Stravinsky and ballet. More details and booking here.
JCI Edinburgh are holding a Burns Supper on 22nd January 2011 at The Roxburgh Hotel when Robin Harper is delivering The Immortal Memory. You may still be able to get tickets here.
23rd January 2011
The Scotsman Hotel Screening Room is showing American Beauty tonight at 20.00. You can book on the Screening Room website If you want dinner included then you have to book by the preceding Friday.
7 Hill Challenge – meet outside Teviot 9:30 am
A great challenge for those interested in hiking! A total distance is 14 miles and the route include Arthur’s Seat, Castle Rock, Calton Hill, Corstorphine Hill, Braid Hills, Blackford Hill and Craiglockhart Hill. Don’t forget about warm clothes and comfortable shoes!
Concorde’s 35th Anniversary Saturday 22 & Sunday 23 January 2011 at the National Museum of Flight from 10:00 – 16:00 Celebrate the 35th anniversary of the first flight to Bahrain by the Concorde G-BOAA
Board Concorde like royalty with our black tie hosts, take part in the Concorde quiz, supersonic science shows and make and take workshops. See artefacts from the 1970s and let everyone know what you were doing in 1976! And if you were born in 1976… enjoy free entry!
Wee Stories Theatre presents: Oor Rabbie on Sunday 23rd January 2011 at Hawthornden Court. Shows at 12:30, 14:30 (1hr) Entry is Free
Join acclaimed folk musician Wendy Weatherby and storyteller Andy Cannon for an original theatrical performance celebrating the life of Robert Burns. Discover the history of the famous bard through his best-known works in this fun family show.
Land Girls and Lumber Jills is the year long exhibition at the National War Museum at Edinburgh Castle. Price included in Edinburgh Castle admission. This exhibition finishes in February 2011. This exhibition tells the important story of the Women’s Land Army (WLA) and Women’s Timber Corps (WTC) in Scotland. From roots in the First World War, these Land Girls and Lumber Jills played a vital role in feeding the nation and providing timber. Objects include a formal uniform from the 1940s right up to the 2008 medal awarded to all surviving members of both the WLA and WTC.
‘Land girls’ took on all types of agricultural work from sowing to harvesting, calving to shearing, whilst the Women’s Timber Corps supplied the wood. Some volunteered but others were conscripted as by 1941 all women under the age of 60, without children under 14, could be called up for essential war work. Public recognition of the vital hard work and commitment from these women arrived in 2008 when they were issued with a medal which incorporated the designs from both the Land Army badge and that of the Timber Corps, along with a certificate of thanks from the Prime Minister.
At 16.00 the Cameo is showing live from the Bolshoi a Class Concert and the romantic ballet, Giselle. Booking details here. And a flavour of what you might see here
