Raising the Relief Fund for Earthquake Victims in Nepal: Charity Dinner. The Everest Nepalese and Indian Restaurant has organised this special event – and their chef, the wife of the proprietor – is ‘probably the best Nepalese chef in Scotland’, so as well as contributing to this very worthwhile cause, you’ll be able to enjoy a great meal. 2-10pm, Everest Restaurant, 52 Home Street. £12.99 per person. Please book asap by calling 0131 229 1348/07830 982471 or emailing info@everestnepal.co.uk.
Horrible Histories from the Archives: a family event looking back at some of the stranger goings-on from the University of Edinburgh’s archive. Expect gruesome stories and unexpected tales about Edinburgh and its residents. 11am-12 noon, Anatomy Lecture Theatre, University of Edinburgh, Doorway 3, Medical School, Teviot Place. Tickets are free and may be booked via eventbrite here. The Anatomy Museum will remain open 12 noon-2pm for those who hold tickets to this event, which forms part of Scotland’s Festival of Museums 2015.
Filmhouse Junior: films for a younger audience. This week: Cinderella (U) (2015), Kenneth Branagh’s live-action retelling of the classic tale. 11am, Filmhouse, Lothian Road. Tickets cost £4 per person, big or small, and may be purchased from the Box Office on 0131 228 2688 or online here.
Bumps in the Night: Edinburgh Blackout Injuries in World War II. What was the impact of the enforced blackout on the Home Front? In this talk, Lothian Health Services Archivist Louise Williams will delve into wartime case notes exploring the injuries caused by these ‘bumps in the night’. 1-2pm, Anatomy Lecture Theatre, University of Edinburgh, Doorway 3, Medical School, Teviot Place. Tickets are free and may be booked via eventbrite here. The Anatomy Museum will remain open 12 noon-2pm for those who hold tickets to this event, which forms part of Scotland’s Festival of Museums 2015.
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.
Cameo Vintage Sundays: classic films back on the big screen. Today: Federico Fellini’s 8 1/2 (15). Fellini’s semi-autobiographical story – about a renowned film director who has lost his inspiration -is still a mesmerising mystery tour that has often been quoted but never duplicated. 1pm, Cameo, Home Street. Tickets may be purchased online here or by calling the Box Office on 0871 902 5723.
Music, Murder and Mayhem: an afternoon of macabre music. Delve into the dark side of music – from instruments made of human remains to songs about murder and crime. Discover what makes music the perfect medium for these murky subjects. The presenters will look at different aspects of music, including grisly musical instruments from the collection and popular murder ballads – there will even be a macabre singalong! 2-4pm, Anatomy Lecture Theatre, University of Edinburgh, Doorway 3, Medical School, Teviot Place. Tickets are free and may be booked via eventbrite here. The Anatomy Museum will be open 12 noon-2pm for those who hold tickets to this event, which forms part of Scotland’s Festival of Museums 2015.
Fascinating Plants: come and celebrate the wonderful diversity of plants with staff from the Botanics. A rare opportunity to see some unusual plants and discover why plants can be so varied in their appearance. 1-4pm, Real Life Science Studion, John Hope Gateway, Royal Botanic Garden, Inverleith Row. Free and suitable for all ages. This event is part of Fascination of Plants Day 2015.
Modroc Mirrors (rescheduled): make a beautifully crafted mirror with modroc, inspired by the shore and the woodland. With Margaret Findlay. These workshops are intended for families working together; at least one paying adult must accompany each child and no child should be booked into a workshop alone. 11am-3pm, Lauriston Castle, 2a Cramond Road. Tickets cost £5 per person and must be booked in advance via the Usher Hall Box Office, in person, by calling 0131 228 1155 or online here.
Hearing Impaired Tour: Scottish Collection Highlights. A free tour of the exhibition with portable loops, led by artist Tessa Asquith-Lamb. 11am-12 noon, Scottish National Gallery (Gardens Entrance), The Mound. To book a place please contact the Information Desk on 0131 624 6560.
Scotland’s Open Gardens: 101 Greenbank Crescent. The front of the house is on a busy road – the back is in the country; a terraced garden, including a water feature, a variety of shrubs and trees, and wandering paths and steps with fine views of nearby hills and the neighbouring Braidburn Valley Park. Refreshments available. 2-5pm, 101 Greenbank Crescent, EH10 5TA (on bus routes). £3 person, of which 40% will go to Macmillan Cancer Support and the net remainder to SG beneficiaries. For further information please contact Mr & Mrs Jerry and Christine Gregson on 0131 447 6492.
IberoDocs: the second Scottish Ibero-American Documentary Film Festival, concludes today. Tickets for all screenings may be purchased from the Filmhouse Box Office on 0131 228 2688 or online. Today’s films are:
(1)  Paradiso (15) (in Spanish with English subtitles). The Duque de Alba is the last remaining adult movie theatre in Madrid, still with a regular clientele. Rafael, the projectionist, works hard to keep the place nice, but now Luisa, the ticket clerk with whom he has worked for over 30 years, is about to retire. 3.45pm, Filmhouse, Lothian Road.
(2)  Cloudy Times/El tiempo nublado (12A) (in Spanish, German and English with English subtitles): Paraguayan director Arami Ullon has lived in Basel for many years, but when her mother’s health deteriorates, she must return to Asuncion in Paraguay to face her past. This screening will be followed by a Q & A session with Arami Ullon. 5.45pm, Filmhouse, Lothian Road.
(3)  Mala Mala (18) (in Spanish and English with English subtitles). A film about the transgender experience and the power of transformation told through the eyes of nine trans-identifying individuals in Puerto Rico. ‘A vibrant and visually striking immersion into the transgender community, Mala Mala celebrates the breadth of experience among a diverse and evolving community, from campaigning for government recognised human rights to working in the sex industry or performing as part of a drag troupe’. Plus short: High Heels Aren’t Compulsory by Annabel Cooper, starring Jo Clifford.  This screening will be preceded by a special performance by Jo Clifford to mark the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia, and will be followed by the festival’s closing party. 8.35pm, Filmhouse, Lothian Road.
Talking Trees Storytelling: let the RBGE’s volunteer storytellers grow your imagination with tall tales from around the world. For ages 5+. 2-2.45pm, John Hope Gateway, Royal Botanic Garden, Inverleith Row. Free.
Blackwell’s Edinburgh Teenage Book Group: if you love to read, or just want to read more, join the club to talk about the latest teenage fiction and your favourite books. This monthly group reads everything from classics to contemporary, dystopian to historical – and anything else you fancy; currently reading Louise O’Neill’s Only Ever Yours. 2-3pm, Blackwell’s, South Bridge. If you would like to join the group (it’s free), please email your details to schools.edinburgh@blackwell.co.uk.
Scotland’s Open Gardens: 61 Fountainhall Road. Large walled town garden in which trees and shrubs form an architectural backdrop to a wide variety of flowering plants. A collection of hellebores and triliums, several alpine beds and three ponds with a lively population of frogs. Refreshments available. 2-5pm, 61 Fountainhall Road, EH9 2LH.  £4 person, of which 40% will go to Froglife and the net remainder to SG beneficiaries. For further information please contact Mrs Annemarie Hammond on 0131 667 6146.
Big Big Sing Day: whether you sing in the shower or regularly with a choir. you’re all invited to belt out some songs with Big Big Sing. Join hundreds of people for a fun-filled afternoon with inspirational choir leaders Stephen Deazley and Jennifer John, singing everything from gospel and folk to pop, roots and world. You don’t need any singing experience or the ability to read music. ‘Lively, uplifting and guaranteed to put a big smile on your face’. 12 noon-5pm, Usher Hall, Lothian Road. £5 per person: tickets may be booked in person, by calling 0131 228 1155 or online here. Big Big Sing is a UK-wide project inspiring thousands of people to get singing, enjoy the health and wellbeing benefits it brings, and have fun.
Scotland’s Open Gardens: Redcroft. A walled garden surrounding an Arts & Crafts villa, providing an unexpected haven off a busy road and planted with form and texture in mind. A fine display of flowering shrubs and tulips. Refreshments available. 2-5pm, 23 Murrayfield Road EH12 6EP (on bus routes).  £4 per person, of which 40% will go to New Caledonian Woodlands and the net remainder to SG beneficiaries. For further information please contact James and Anna Buxton on 0131 337 1747.
Sofi’s Nocturnes: weekly open stage hosted by Matt Norris and Arno Blok. Unplugged and intimate – all acts welcome, including music, spoken word and anything else you’d like to perform. House guitar available. A free drink for all performers! 8-10pm, Sofi’s Bar, Henderson Street.
St Giles’ At Six: Paul Chamberlain (accordion) plays Zolotaiev Sonata No 2, Angelis Romance, Wienawski Scherzo Tarantella, Rachmaninov Vocalise and Weber Konzertstuck in F Minor. 6pm, St Giles’ Cathedral, High Street. Free: retiring collection.
