www.list.co.uk/aroundtown
go into the gallery to produce new work, whether it’s a self-published catalogue, a written text or a fanzine. The Scare Witch Trials Until Sat 31 Oct, Wed–Tue 10am–5pm; Sat 10am–8pm. Included in admission: £15 (£14; children £11). Edinburgh Dungeon, 31 Market Street, 240 1001. Outrun the Scare Witch and meet the Witch-finder General before exploring all the dungeon’s horrific sites and rides. See feature, page 26. Amnesty International Fundraising Party Thu 22 Oct, 6.30pm. £15. Marchmont St Giles’ Church, 1a Kilgraston Road. Drinks, a live jazz band, and a raffle all in aid of Amnesty. FREE Riots Not Diets Thu 22 Oct, 7pm. Forest Café, 3 Bristo Place, 220 4538. Riot grrrl night with music (Sellotape, Deborah & the Silent Theory Orchestra), poetry and projections. Supernatural History Tours Fri 23 Oct–Sun 1 Nov, 6–9pm. £10.50 (£9.50; children £6). The Real Mary King’s Close, 2 Warriston’s Close, High Street, 0845 070 6244. Visit one of Scotland’s allegedly most haunted locations and join the costumed guides as they take you deep below the Royal Mile. Tours run every 20 minutes. It’s Funtime Fri 23 Oct, 7–9pm. £5 per player. The Bongo Club, Moray House, 37 Holyrood Road, 558 7604. Another round of the razzmatazz game show / pub quiz hybrid. Register at www.its- funtime.com. Ceilidh for Marie Curie Fri 23 Oct, 7.30pm. £8 (£5). St Bride’s Centre, 10 Orwell Terrace, 346 1405. Dance your socks off with the Will Marshall Ceilidh Band and raise money for Marie Curie Edinburgh Hospice. FREE Meet the Maker Sun 25 Oct, 1–4pm. Royal Botanic Garden, 20a Inverleith Row, 552 7171. Meet one of the makers who contributed to the Wych Elm Project exhibition, see a demonstration of their work and hear more about the project. FREE Craft Guerrilla DIY Craft Evening Wed 28 Oct, 7pm. Boda Bar, 229 Leith Walk. Craft evening with starter packs, help on hand and alcohol for inspiration. Email lareylou@yahoo.co.uk for more info. FREE Book Club Storytelling Wed 28 Oct, 7.30pm. The Bowery, 2 Roxburgh Place, www.thebowery.org.uk. Brand new creative offerings from Edinburgh writers. FREE Edinburgh College of Art Open Day Fri 30 Oct, 9am. Edinburgh College of Art, 74 Lauriston Place, 221 6000. ECA opens its doors to prospective students. See what’s on offer with tours, talks and presentations. FREE Institut Français Quiz Fri 30 Oct, 5.15pm. Institut Français d’Ecosse, 13 Randolph Crescent, 225 5366. Get together a team for two or more people and pit your wits against other Francophiles. Hallowe’en Costume Party Sat 31 Oct, 8.30pm–1am. £5. GHQ, 4 Picardy Place, 0845 166 6024. Get your best fancy dress on for a good cause – Motor Neurone Disease Scotland – with a night of dancing, spooky cocktails and an auction. Tickets from apmckenna@hotmail.com FREE Jann Pechan Show Sun 1 Nov, 12.45pm & 1.45pm. National Museum of Scotland, Chambers Street, 225 7534. Exciting music and dance from members of Sikh Sanjog girls’ group. Sherwood Film Club Tue 3 Nov, 7pm. £5. The Voodoo Rooms, 19a West Register Street, 556 7060. A social networking event with an arty bent. See live art from graffiti artist Elph as well as live music and film showings from film director David Lumsden.
✽✽ Meadowbank Fireworks Display Thu 5 Nov, 6.30pm. £4.50. Meadowbank Sports Centre, 139 London Road, 661 5351. Come on, who doesn’t love the cheap thrill of banging sparkly things? The pyrotechnics start at 7.30pm, with pre-show entertainment from 6.30pm featuring Big Al.
Around Town
Diwali at the Square Never mind the dubious sectarianism of Bonfire Night. Come early November, George Square is going to be submerged in light for much more joyful reasons,
with a fire, light and dance spectacular in celebration of Diwali, the Hindu Festival of Light. Listen out for authentic Indian tunes, watch out for the fire breathers, and make time to give money to world charity Sightsavers while you’re there. ■ George Square, Glasgow, Sun 1 Nov.
Homage to Hamish Thu 5 Nov, 7.30pm. £8 (£6). Scottish Storytelling Centre, 43–45 High Street, 556 9579. Nancy Nicolson hosts a night dedicated to the influence of Scottish folky, Hamish Henderson. Part of the Carrying Steam Festival.
Fairs FREE MarcheMarche Sat 24 Oct, noon. The Bowery, 2 Roxburgh Place, www.thebowery.org.uk. A new craft day experience with acoustic performances and DJ Toad to add the soundtrack to your shopping. FREE Edinburgh Independent Radical Book Fair Wed 28 Oct–Sun 1 Nov, times vary. Out of the Blue Drill Hall, 30–36 Dalmeny Street, Leith, 555 7101. Returning for its 13th year, the Radical Book Fair features exhibitions, talks and film screenings. FREE NCT Edinburgh Bump & Baby Fair Sun 1 Nov, 11am–4pm. Marriott Dalmahoy Hotel & Country Club, Kirknewton, 333 1845. Information and free taster sessions from local exhibitors for parents and parents-to-be. Festivals Scottish International Storytelling Festival Fri 23 Oct–Sun 1 Nov, times vary. Prices vary. Various venues, Scotland-Wide, 556 9579. See Glasgow, and preview, page 33. Samhuinn Sat 31 Oct, 9pm. Donations. West Parliament Square, West Parliament Square, in front of St Giles’ Cathedral, 558 8110. On the night when the veil between the worlds thins, join Beltane Fire Society for summer’s last dance down the Royal Mile (from Lawn Market to West Parliament Square). See feature, page 26.
Food & Drink FREE Transition Edinburgh – Sustainable Food Sat 24 & Sun 25 Oct, 1–4pm. Royal Botanic Garden, 20a Inverleith Row, 552 7171. Get some top tips on how to source food in an environmentally friendly way. Whitmuir Organics Bistro Night Sun 1 Nov, 7pm. £20. Lazy Lohan’s Bistro, 158 Canongate, 556 8999. A three-course meal designed to showcase a range of organic meats, with special guest Heather
Anderson of Whitmuir Farm, West Linton. Drinking with Style Series Tue 3 Nov, 7.30pm. £35 (£135 for four sessions). The Scotch Malt Whisky Society Restaurant, 28 Queen Street, 01334 870731. Wine tasting course with sessions in Fine French Classics, Best of Spain and Italy, Best of New World and Champagne. Talks FREE Portrait of a Couple by Pieter Nason Fri 23 Oct, 12.45–1.15pm. National Gallery Complex, The Mound, 624 6200. Senior Curator, Dr Tico Seifert, discusses the costumes and sitters in this double portrait. FREE Boyle Family Films: Sebastian Boyle Tue 27 Oct, 12.45–1.45pm. National Gallery of Scotland: Hawthornden Lecture Theatre, The Mound, 624 6200. Sebastian Boyle talks about these pioneers of British projection. FREE Engaging Faith Lectures Sun 1 Nov, 7pm. Mayfield Salisbury Parish Church, 1a Mayfield Road, 667 1522. A series of talks about contemporary issues. This month Jennifer McGee, Principle of St Margaret’s School and Children 1st, asks ‘how happy are children?’ Tickets from youthandchildrensministry @mayfieldsalisbury.org Murder and Morality in Victorian Britain: The Story of Madeleine Smith Wed 4 Nov, 10.30am. £8. Lauriston Castle, 2a Cramond Road South, 529 3963. Eleanor Gordon provides a glimpse into the life of a scandalous and fascinating figure. Book in advance. FREE Sex Kills: Vaccines Save Wed 4 Nov, 5.30–6.45pm. The Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, Queen’s Medical Research Institute, Little France, Old Dalkeith Road, 536 1000. Hear the real story about cervical cancer in the Centre for Reproductive Biology series of public talks. Booking essential. FREE Theology After Darwin Thu 5 Nov, 4pm. University of Edinburgh, Martin Hall, New College, Mound Place, 650 8900. Launch of a new book by theologians and scientists, with two lectures and a discussion. Book at
tinyurl.com/yztyuts The Edinburgh Lectures 2009-10: ‘Making Scotland’ – Eric Booth Thu 5 Nov, 6.30pm. £3 non-refundable admin fee. Royal Society of Edinburgh, 22–26 George Street, 473 2000. A talk on the relationship between 21st century skills and culture. The Royal Scottish Geographical Society: Cordillera Crossing Thu 5 Nov, 7.30pm. £6 (free). Appleton Tower (Lecture Theatre 5), University Of Edinburgh, Crichton Street, 650 8445. See Glasgow. Workshops FREE Feed the Birds Day at the Botanics Sat 24 Oct, 10am–4pm. John Hope Gateway Centre, Royal Botanic Gardens Edinburgh, Arboretum Place, 552 7171. All you need to know about helping the birds in your garden or local park this winter. Singing4Fun Sat 31 Oct, 2–5pm. £24 (£12). Gillis Centre, 100 Strathearn Road, 229 2005. A relaxed singing workshop with Wendy Carle Taylor, designed to be uplifting. No experience necessary. Registration starts 15 minutes before the workshop.
Outside the cities Festivals Biggar Little Festival Until Sun 25 Oct, times vary. Prices vary. Various venues, Biggar, 07990 901663. A celebration of arts in and around Biggar that includes theatre, literature, exhibitions, arts workshops, family events and a Biggar Day Out. Peebles Food Festival 2009 Fri 23 & Sat 24 Oct, times vary. Prices vary. Various venues, Peebleshire, 0870 608 0404. The event is back for a third year with a range of activities and exhibits run by local chefs and producers.
Check out the GreatOffers on page 6
22 Oct–5 Nov 2009 THE LIST 35