www.list.co.uk/aroundtown
initiative with Dr Bike on hand for bike MOTs. See preview, page 31. St Columba’s Hospice Wits Dinner Thu 22 Apr, 7pm. £75. Prestonfield, The Stables, Priestfield Road, 551 1381. Three of the best things in life – food, comedy and charity – combine in this black tie dinner for St Columba’s Hospice. On the 30th anniversary of the event MC Kaye Adams is joined by Rod McCowan, Jim Robertson and Eric Davidson. Highland Wildlife Park Tour Sat 24 Apr, 8.30am–6.30pm. £32 (members £23). Edinburgh Zoo, Corstorphine Road, 314 0350. Meet at Edinburgh Zoo for a bus trip to Aviemore’s Highland Wildlife Park, with a guide, to see red pandas, Arctic foxes, Scottish wildcats and the polar bear in its new home. Booking essential. FREE Remembered Remedies Sat 24 Apr, 10am–noon. John Hope Gateway Centre, Royal Botanic Gardens Edinburgh, Arboretum Place, 552 7171. We all know doc leaves take the nip out of a nettle sting, but how else do we use plants as remedies? Ethnomedica want to know how you use plants for their archive. FREE John Muir Award at the Botanics Sat 24 & Sun 25 Apr, 10am–4pm. John Hope Gateway Centre, Royal Botanic Gardens Edinburgh, Arboretum Place, 552 7171. The John Muir Award encourages people to connect, enjoy and care for wild places. Follow in John Muir’s footsteps and create your own mini-John Muir Wood experience in the Botanics.
✽✽ FREE World Tai Chi Day Sat 24 Apr, 10am. Cluny Church Centre, 1
Cluny Drive, Morningside, 01968 674316. Take part in the global appreciation of Tai Chi and Qigong with the Edinburgh leg of an event that will roll across all the time zones of the world, beginning in New Zealand. James Connachan conducts a free taster session and all money collected goes to Alzheimer’s Scotland. Wildflowers of the Dells Walk Sun 25 Apr, 2pm. £3.50 (members £1). Water of Leith Visitor Centre, 24 Lanark Road, 455 7367. Wildlife walk for adults. Booking essential. FREE Healing Sound Bath at the Botanics Sun 25 Apr, 3.30–4pm. John Hope Gateway Centre, Royal Botanic Gardens Edinburgh, Arboretum Place, 552 7171. Sound therapist Suzanne Harris presents a calming session with Himalayan and Quartz Singing Bowls, vocal harmonics and world instruments. Mats provided, please bring a blanket and cushion. FREE Epic Rock Quiz Sun 25 Apr, 10pm. Opium, 71 Cowgate, 225 8382. Rock knowledge quiz on the last Sunday of the month. 100% Cuban Somos Cubanos Wed 28 Apr, 7pm–1am. £10. The Voodoo Rooms, 19a West Register Street, 556 7060. Salsa classes followed by performances by professional dancers from Cuba and the chance to show off your new groove to tunes by DJ Marcelo. Beginners to improvers at 7pm; intermediate to advanced at 8pm.
Fairs FREE Frugal Cool’s Spring Eco Crafts Market Fri 23 & Sat 24 Apr, 10am–5pm. Loretto Gallery, 3 High Street, Musselburgh, 653 4432. Marketplace for remade design and ethical crafts. FREE Festival of Life Fri 23 Apr, Royal Highland Centre, Ingliston, 335 6200. Christian festival. Talks A Question of Chemistry? Mon 19 Apr, 6pm. £8. Royal Society of Edinburgh, 22–26 George Street, 240 5000. The Royal Society of Edinburgh and Scottish Opera examine the role of composer and librettist in the creation of an opera. With critic Andrew Clark, composer Stuart MacRae, librettist Louise Welsh and Scottish Opera Director Alex
Reedijk. Informal drinks reception afterwards. Curtain Raisers: The Cherry Orchard Tue 20 Apr, 6pm. £5 (£3; under 18s free). Royal Lyceum Theatre, Grindlay Street, 248 4848. John Byrne converses with BBC Radio Café’s Janice Forsyth about his new adaptation of The Cherry Orchard. In the Land of Prester John: A Birding Trip to Ethiopia Tue 20 Apr, 7.30pm. £2. Edinburgh Napier University, Craiglockhart Campus, 466 7163. Mike Betts gives an account of his recent bird watching trip to Ethiopia at this RSPB Edinburgh event. Honouring the Ancestors Wed 21 Apr, 7–8pm. £5 (£4; members free). National Museum of Scotland, Chambers Street, 225 7534. A talk from the Curator of African Collections on objects used to connect with or remember the past. Booking essential. Birds of Ethiopia Wed 21 Apr, 7.30pm. £2. Edinburgh Napier University, Craiglockhart Campus, 466 7163. An illustrated talk by Mike Betts on the birds of Ethiopia. FREE Edinburgh AGM & Lecture: 2010 – The International Year of Biodiversity by Professor Mary Thu 22 Apr, 7.30pm. John Hope Gateway Centre, Royal Botanic Gardens Edinburgh, Arboretum Place, 552 7171. Professor Gibby is the Director of Science at RBGE and will talk about the contributions that the Division makes. The AGM precedes this talk and is only open to members. Curator’s Choice: Minerals in Ultraviolet Light Fri 23 Apr, 2–3pm. £5 (£4; members free). National Museum of Scotland, Chambers Street, 225 7534. An exciting and colourfully illustrated talk from Brian Jackson on the effects
produced by minerals when illuminated by ultraviolet light. FREE National Gallery Highlights Tour Sat 24 Apr, 2–2.45pm & 3–3.45pm. National Gallery Complex, The Mound, 624 6200. An introduction and tour of the key paintings in the National Galleries’ permanent collection. Meet at the main entrance. FREE In Conversation Thu 22 Apr, 5.30–6.30pm. Collective Gallery, 22–28 Cockburn Street, 220 1260. Current artist Tessa Lynch discusses her practice and residency at Edinburgh International Climbing Arena. Workshops Beginning with Celtic Fairy and Folktales Sat 17 Apr, 10am. £17.50 (£15). Scottish Storytelling Centre, 43–45 High Street, 228 1155. Workshop with storyteller David Campbell on harnessing the power of the Celtic fairy folk tale. Part of Ceilidh Culture. Writing and Illustrating for Children Sat 17 Apr, 10.30am–12.30pm. £10 (£8). National Gallery Complex, The Mound, 624 6560. Learn the art of writing and illustrating children’s books with Catherine Rayner, winner of the CILIP Kate Greenaway Medal 2009. Booking required. Introduction to Chekhov Sat 17 Apr, 10.30am–1pm. £7 (£5). Royal Lyceum Theatre, Grindlay Street, 248 4848. Two workshops approaching the staging of Chekhov’s plays. No experience necessary. Lyceum Theatre Classes Wed 21 Apr, 10.30am–noon. £5. Royal Lyceum Theatre, Grindlay Street, 248 4848. Owen Dudley Edwards leads theatre classes based on the Lyceum’s current show. Jenny Littlejohn’s Drawing Class Wed 21 Apr, 6–8pm. £5. Royal Botanic Garden, 20a Inverleith Row, 552 7171. A
Around Town life drawing class with a difference. Each class is based on a theme from the current exhibition and you bring whichever materials you wish to draw with. Suitable for all levels of experience. Email lyoung@rbge.ac.uk to book. An Introduction to Organic Gardening Sat 24 Apr, 9am–4pm. £40 (£20). Bridgend Allotments, 41 Old Dalkeith Road, 664 9559. Learn all you need to know to grow tasty food. Booking essential; bring waterproofs, boots, gardening clothes, lunch. Adult Drawing Workshop Sat 24 Apr, 10am–1pm. £25 (£15). Filmhouse, 88 Lothian Road, 228 2688. An exploratory drawing workshop, encompassing all the senses, to create unique images and new ideas. Using music and other non- traditional approaches, cartoonist Malcy Duff guides participants on a journey to cut up the definition of drawing, and tape it back together again. Cobweb Felt Sat 24 Apr, 10am–4pm. £45 (members £40.50). John Hope Gateway Centre, Royal Botanic Gardens Edinburgh, Arboretum Place, 552 7171. One-day workshop teaching you how to make delicate cobweb felts, suitable for scarves or wraps. Suitable for all levels of ability. Taught by Jenny Mackay. Masterclass: Life Stories and Reminiscence Sat 24 Apr, 10am. £17.50 (£15). Scottish Storytelling Centre, 43–45 High Street, 556 9579. Jean Edmiston shows how to evoke reminiscences through stories. Writing and Illustrating for Children Sat 24 Apr, 10.30am–12.30pm. £10 (£8). National Gallery of Scotland: Clore Education Centre, The Mound, 624 6200. Learn the art of writing and illustrating children’s books with James Mayhew, author of the highly popular Katie books.
No, that really is the title of this dance workshop festival, part of the Northern Streams strand of Ceilidh Culture, which aims to educate you, the public, on the Hoots Man Alive! matter of traditional male dance from Scandinavia and Scotland. Each two-hour standalone class includes a talk from an expert (including Norwegian 2009 Eurovision winner and Halling dance expert Anders Aasberg, pictured, left), a demonstration performance and then a chance to try what you’ve seen for yourself. And although these are traditionally male dances, it’s the 21st century, and ladies are very welcome too. ■ Dance Base, Edinburgh, Sat 18 Apr, various times throughout the day.