Festival Around Town
Find out why whacking a ball with a stick whilst wearing Argyle socks is so very important to Scotland’s culture, history and economy. Skin Deep: The Restoration of Form and Function Until Fri 3 Sep (not Sat/Sun), 10am–4pm. Included in admission: £5 (£3). Surgeons’ Hall Museum, Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, Nicolson Street, 527 1649. An exhibition investigating plastic surgery relating to war, punishment, psychology, congenital defects and cosmetic reasons. FREE From Another Kingdom: The Amazing World of Fungi Until Sun 21 Nov, Royal Botanic Garden, 20a Inverleith Row, 552 7171. The UK’s first major multi-media exhibition to focus on the fascinating world of fungi. FREE Persian Art and Rug Exhibition Until Mon 30 Aug, 10am–noon & 2–4pm. Persian Rug Village, 34 Morningside Road, 446 7071. Step into a land far away inside a traditional nomadic tent and discover rugs, ceramics, cushions and fine art from Persia, meet craftsmen and enjoy films and live music from the region. Fairs Antiques & Collectors Fair Sat 7 & Sun 8 Aug, Sat 10am–4.30pm; Sun 10am–4pm. £2.50. Royal Highland Centre, Ingliston, 335 6200. Up to 300 exhibitors offering ceramics, glass, Treen, pictures, furniture, jewellery, vintage and retro clothing and much more. FREE Morningside Makers Market Sat 7 Aug, 10.30am–4.30pm. Columcille Centre, 2 Newbattle Terrace, 447 7404. A monthly boutique craft and design market with artists, crafters and designers offering ceramics, jewellery, glassware, photography, textiles and art.
Food & Drink FREE The Village Store Sat 7 Aug, 10am–2pm. Out of the Blue Drill Hall, 30–36 Dalmeny Street, Leith, 555 7100. A weekly local shop for Leithers in search of quality ethical goods including food, drink and household items.
✽✽ World Kitchen in Leith Thu 5 Aug, 7.30–10.30pm. Three courses
£15; two courses £12. Out of the Blue Drill Hall, 30–36 Dalmeny Street, Leith, 556 4646. A three-course experience of total foodie fusion: starters from Scotland, Ireland and India, main courses from India, Africa and the Middle East, and cakes and fruits from all over for pud. Advance booking essential: email leithopenspace@btconnect.com or phone. See Hitlist. FREE Glenmorangie Whisky Sampling Fri 6 Aug, 10am–5pm. Scotch Whisky Experience, 354 Castlehill, The Royal Mile, 220 0441. Try samples of Glenmorangie’s Single Malt and Bailie Nicol Jarvie blend. FREE Morrison Bowmore Whisky Sampling Sat 7 Aug, 10am–5pm. Scotch Whisky Experience, 354 Castlehill, The Royal Mile, 220 0441. Three varieties from three different areas of Scotland – Auchentoshan in the Lowlands, Glen Garioch in the Highlands and Bowmore on the Isle of Islay.
Kids Children’s Activities Until Mon 30 Aug, 10am–6pm. Included in admission: £5.50 (£4.50; family ticket £10-£15). Georgian House, 7 Charlotte Square, 0844 493 2117. Take the kids to see history come alive this summer.
✽✽ Hi Fives for Diversity Thu 5, Fri 6, Wed 11 & Thu 12 Aug,
11.30am–3.30pm. Included in admission: £9.45 (£8.10; children £6.30). Our Dynamic Earth, Holyrood Road, 550 7800. Celebrate the International Year of Biodiversity. See picture, above. FREE Messy Play and Arts Drop-In Thu 5 Aug & Thu 12 Aug, 10am–noon. North Edinburgh Arts Centre, 15a Pennywell Court, 315 2151. Crafty, arty fun for wee ones aged 0–5. FREE In the Impressionist Garden: 86 THE LIST 5–12 Aug 2010
Hi Fives for Diversity It’s the kids’ last chance to take part in Our Dynamic Earth’s International Year of Biodiversity celebrations this week, with activities all over the centre. High five the Community Tree, learn about how Arctic animals have adapted to their harsh environment, find out which bug is your bug, or just follow a treasure trail around the exhibits. Entrance to events included in admission. ■ Thu 5, Fri 6, Wed 11 & Thu 12 Aug, 11.30am–3.30pm, Our Dynamic Earth, Holyrood Road, 550 7800, www.dynamicearth.co.uk
Fun Things to Make and Do Until Sun 29 Aug, 2–4.30pm. National Gallery of Scotland: Clore Education Centre, The Mound, 624 6200. Make flying birds, jumping fish and sprouting flowers to bring the Impressionist Garden alive. Children must be accompanied. Summer Holiday Cookery Workshops Until Sun 15 Aug, 10am–4pm. £25. Cookingmania, 1 North West Circus Place, 0131 220 2040. A chance for budding chefs to get their fingers sticky, and learn something too. Ages and times vary. Behind the Ropes – Family Tour of the Palace Sun 8 Aug, Sun 11am, noon, 1pm & 2pm. Included in admission: £10.25 (£9.30; under 17s £6.20; under 5s free; family ticket £27). Palace of Holyroodhouse, Royal Mile, 556 5100. See the State Apartments at the Palace under the guidance of an expert from the education team. Suitable for families with children aged 5+. Really Rotten Day Sat 7 Aug, 10.30am–3.30pm. Included in admission. Edinburgh Zoo, Corstorphine Road, 334 9171. Smelly fun including interactive workshops and lots of activities so you can find out why farts smell and which animals eat their own sick. FREE Real Life Science: Glow in the Dark Fungi Sun 8 Aug, 1–4pm. Royal Botanic Garden, 20a Inverleith Row, 552 7171. Patrick Hickley introduces some amazing bioluminescent fungi, which produce light for reasons nobody knows. My Favourite Animals Kitbags and Pencil Cases Mon 9 Aug, 10.30am–12.30pm & 1.30–3.30pm. £4. Lauriston Castle, 2a Cramond Road South, 529 3963. Decorate your own bag and pencil case for going back to school using stencils, crayons and pictures. Booking essential. River Dipping Tue 10 Aug, 2–3.30pm. Children £3.50 (accompanying adults free). Water of Leith Visitor Centre, 24 Lanark Road, 455 7367. Splash around in the river and find out about some of its more unusual inhabitants. Booking essential. Mosaic Mirror Workshop Wed 11 Aug, 10.30am–12.30pm. £12. Kiss the Fish Studios, 9 Dean Park Street, Stockbridge, 332 8912. Bring along broken shells, crockery or tiles, or just use what’s there to make a beautiful
shiny mosaic. Price includes drink and snack. Water Force Thu 12 Aug, 2–3.30pm. Children £3.50 (accompanying adults free). Water of Leith Visitor Centre, 24 Lanark Road, 455 7367. Harness the tremendous power of water! Booking essential. Aimed at ages 5–12.
✽✽ Children’s Storytelling Tours Wed 11 Aug, 11am–1pm. Children £5 (accompanying adults free). Meet at City Art Centre Reception, 2 Market Street, 529 3993. Marion Kenny leads a tour of two of this summer’s major exhibitions – Edward Weston at the City Art Centre and Martin Creed at the Fruitmarket – with art, stories and music. Ages 4+. Booking essential. See Hitlist. FREE Behind the Scenes at the Botanics Wed 11 Aug, 2–3pm. Royal Botanic Garden, 20a Inverleith Row, 552 7171. Find out what goes on behind closed doors at the Botanics. Ages 8+.
LGBT Badminton Drop-in Sun 8 Aug, 2–4pm. £3. Crags Sports Centre, 10 Bowmont Place, 523 1100. A fun and easy sport to pick up (and plenty of punning opportunities to boot) these sessions are for all abilities. FREE LGBT Glee Club Tue 10 Aug, 8–10pm. LGBT Centre for Health & Wellbeing, 9 Howe Street, 523 1100. Learn some songs and recreate the magic of the TV phenomenon. Email intern@lgbthealth.org.uk for more information. See Hitlist FREE ShuttleScots Badminton Tue 10 Aug, 7–9pm. Crags Sports Centre, 10 Bowmont Place, 523 1100. Social badminton group meeting. Contact james@lgbthealth.org.uk for further information. FREE Different Strokes Thu 12 Aug, 4–6pm. Glenogle Swim Centre, Glenogle Road, Stockbridge, 523 1100. Transgender people can enjoy the sole use of a swimming pool, steam room and sauna at this new fortnightly event. Email emma@lgbthealth.org.uk or telephone the LGBT Centre for Health and Wellbeing for info and to sign up.
Sport ✽✽ The Prisoner of Azkaslam Sat 7 Aug, 2pm. £7 advance; £8 on the door. Meadowbank Sports Centre, 139 London Road, 661 5351. The Auld
www.list.co.uk/aroundtown
Reekie Roller Girls take on the London Rockin Rollers All Stars in a special festival roller derby bout. See Hitlist. Talks FREE Exhibition Opening and Keynote Talk Thu 5 Aug, 6pm. Surgeons’ Hall Museum, Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, Nicolson Street, 527 1649. Dr Emily Mayhew, author of The Reconstruction of Warriors, gives a talk to open the museum’s new exhibition, Skin Deep: The Restoration of Form and Function. Booking essential. FREE Denmark in the time of Christen Købke Fri 6 Aug, 12.45–1.30pm. National Gallery of Scotland: Hawthornden Lecture Theatre, The Mound, 624 6200. Neil Kent examines the historical and cultural context of the Danish painter’s work. FREE Impressionist Garden Tours at RBGE Sun 8 Aug, 2pm. Royal Botanic Garden, 20a Inverleith Row, 624 6560. An art historian from the National Galleries leads a tour around the Royal Botanic Garden. Booking essential. FREE Where is Public Art Today? Sun 8 Aug, 6–7.30pm. Portobello Public Art House, 56 Kings Road, Portobello, email roccagutteridge@yahoo.co.uk for tickets. Guest speaker Kenny Hunter and representatives from Big Things on the Beach discuss the state and concept of public art today. FREE A Palpable Flesh: Realism in Contemporary Figurative Sculpture Mon 9 Aug, 12.45–1.30pm. Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art, 75 Belford Road, 624 6200. A talk by Stephen Feeke on artists renowned for hyper-realistic sculpture and the techniques and materials they use. Why Did Edinburgh Transform Itself into Athens? Tue 10 Aug, 10.30am. £8. Lauriston Castle, 2a Cramond Road South, 529 3963. Professor Charles McKean explores possible answers. Includes refreshments and a tour of the castle. Booking essential. FREE The Gallery of Modern Art at 50 Tue 10 Aug, 12.45–1.30pm. National Gallery of Scotland: Hawthornden Lecture Theatre, The Mound, 624 6200. A behind- the-scenes look at the gallery with Chief Curator Keith Hartley.
Workshops FREE Sketching in the Park Fri 6 Aug, 10.30am–3pm. West Princes Street Gardens, 624 6200. Sketch the beautiful views from Princes Street Gardens, with artists on hand for tips and advice. All materials supplied. Magical Felt Slippers Sat 7 Aug, 10.30am–3.30pm. £15. Lauriston Castle, 2a Cramond Road South, 529 3963. Create a pair of quirky colourful felt slippers from handmade felt. Ages 16+. Booking essential. Life Drawing Classes Sun 8 Aug, 2–5pm. Two hours £7; three hours £10. Out of the Blue Drill Hall, 30–36 Dalmeny Street, Leith, 555 7100. Drop-in life drawing classes. For further information please contact Leigh Chorlton on leigh.cho@hotmail.com. Please note: The Drill Hall Café is closed on Sundays: entry via 36 Dalmeny St (buzzer 040). Painting Fungi Tue 10–Thu 12 Aug, 10am–4pm. £100 (members £90). Royal Botanic Garden, 20a Inverleith Row, 248 2937. A course on depicting fungi in pencil and watercolour, taught by Claire Dalby. Price includes lunch. Booking essential. FREE Discovering Family History at NLS Wed 11 Aug, 2pm. National Library of Scotland, George IV Bridge, 623 3918. Practical workshop on genealogical research techniques. Includes a short tour of the library. Booking essential. FREE The Drawing Room Thu 12 Aug, 5.30–6.45pm. Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art, 75 Belford Road, 624 6410. Monthly experimental drawing session inspired by works in the collection. All materials provided. Please book in advance.