Around Town
making programme headed by Scottish bhangra outfit Tigerstyle. FREE GoMA Bites: Adult Workshop Mon 30 Aug, 1–3pm. Gallery of Modern Art, Royal Exchange Square, 287 3050. Discover how to combine words and images in art, inspired by the Unsettled Objects exhibition. All materials are provided. Please book in advance. Ceramics Hand Building Wed 1 & 8 Sep, 6–8pm. £90 (£81). Glasgow Sculpture Studios, 145 Kelvinhaugh Street, 204 1740. Learn some basic skills them put them into practice making kitchenware, tiles or even abstract sculptural pieces. First sessions in a six- week course. FREE Impasto Presto Fri 3 Sep, 11am–5pm. Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum, Argyle Street, 276 9509. An adult workshop on how to use really thick paint for a strongly textured artwork. Booking essential. Mould Making Sat 4 Sep, 10am–noon. £125 (£95). Glasgow Sculpture Studios, 145 Kelvinhaugh Street, 204 1740. Six- week beginners’ course in mould making using rubber, wax and plaster. Ages 16+. Booking essential. Plaster Carving Sat 4 Sep, noon–4pm. £125 (£95). Glasgow Sculpture Studios, 145 Kelvinhaugh Street, 204 1740. Three- week course where you’ll learn about carving techniques for making your own sculptures in this popular and versatile medium. Ages 16+. Booking essential. Laugh ‘n’ De-Stress Mon 6 Sep, 7.30pm. £10 (£8). Scottish Youth Theatre, The Old Sheriff Court, 105 Brunswick Street, 07842 414765. Joyworks laughter workshop including laughter yoga, games and relaxation. Paper Clay Tue 7 Sep, 6–8pm. £90 (£81). Glasgow Sculpture Studios, 145 Kelvinhaugh Street, 204 1740. Learn some basic techniques of paper clay sculpting, then use them to make a functional item, abstract objet d’art or piece of jewellery. Ages 16+. Booking essential. FREE Adult Art Workshop: Inspiration for Eid Wed 8 Sep, 10am–noon. Burrell Collection, 2060 Pollokshaws Road, 287 2564. A creative textile and embroidery workshop celebrating the Muslim holiday Eid. Limited places – please book. Edinburgh Activities & Events FREE Edinburgh Interactive Thu 26–Mon 30 Aug, 10am–10pm. Festival Square, Lothian Road, www.edinburghinteractivefestival.co.uk. A chance to try out some brand new gaming titles free of charge before they even hit the shelves. The event is linked to the industry conference happening on Wed 25 and Thu 26 Aug and also includes free public screenings at Filmhouse (Wed 25 Aug 6pm–9pm and Thu 26 Aug 7pm–9pm). Sir William Kircaldy Captain of the Castle Thu 26 Aug & 2 Sep, 11am, 11.30am, noon, 12.30pm, 1.30pm, 2pm, 2.30pm & 3pm. Included in admission. Edinburgh Castle, Royal Mile, 225 9846. Living history performance telling the story of Sir William Kircaldy, governor of Edinburgh Castle during the ‘Lang Siege’ of 1571–1573. Mary, Queen of Scots and the Birth of James IV Fri 27 Aug & 3 Sep, 11am, 11.30am, noon, 12.30pm, 1.30pm, 2pm, 2.30pm & 3pm. Included in admission. Edinburgh Castle, Royal Mile, 668 8858. Hear about the birth of James, the first King of a United Kingdom of England, Ireland and Scotland. The Edinburgh Military Tattoo Until Sat 28 Aug, Thu–Fri 9pm; Sat 7.30pm & 10.30pm. £16–£50 (Saturday 10.30pm shows £19–£53). Castle Esplanade, Edinburgh Castle, Royal Mile, 225 1188. A unique blend of music, ceremony, entertainment and theatre featuring bands from across the globe, set against the magnificent backdrop of Edinburgh
74 THE LIST 26 Aug–9 Sep 2010
Castle. Saturday 10.30pm performances are followed by a fireworks display. Booking essential. Ensign Ewart Sun 29 Aug, 11am, 11.30am, noon, 12.30pm, 1.30pm, 2pm, 2.30pm & 3pm. Included in admission. Edinburgh Castle, Royal Mile, 225 9846. Ensign Charles Ewart is buried at Edinburgh Castle; find out why and hear the remarkable story of his capture of a regimental eagle and the Battle of Waterloo at this living history event. Hidden Gardens of the Royal Mile Until Mon 30 Aug, weekdays 10.30am–noon; Sun 2.30–4pm. £7–£8. Outside John Knox House, 45 High Street, 444 1725. See a little-known side of Edinburgh’s Old Town: tucked away behind the historic buildings of the Royal Mile there are plenty of green nooks and crannies with a story to tell. Life in a Medieval Castle Mon 30 Aug, 11am, 11.30am, noon, 12.30pm, 1.30pm, 2pm, 2.30pm & 3pm. Included in admission. Edinburgh Castle, Royal Mile, 225 9846. Learn about the life of a young girl in Medieval Scottish society. Prisoner of the Crown Tue 31 Aug, 11am, 11.30am, noon, 12.30pm, 1.30pm, 2pm, 2.30pm & 3pm. Included in admission: £14 (£11.20; children £7.50; under 5s free). Edinburgh Castle, Royal Mile, 225 9846. Meet an American prisoner held within the mighty walls of Edinburgh Castle during the War of Independence. FREE RBGE Show and Tell: Exploring the Past with Lichens Wed 1 Sep, 1.30–3.30pm. John Hope Gateway Centre, Royal Botanic Gardens Edinburgh, Arboretum Place, 552 7171. Rebecca Yahr demonstrates how lichens preserved on the timbers of old buildings can help us uncover how humans have altered the environment. FREE Improbables Improvisation Workshop Wed 1 Sep, 7.30pm. University of Edinburgh Graduates Association, 24 Buccleuch Place,
hello@egtg.co.uk. Come along to the first workshop of term to get involved with the improv comedy lot. New members always welcome.
✽✽ How to Save Orangutans Thu 2 Sep, 7.30–9pm. £6. Edinburgh Zoo, Corstorphine Road, 314 0350. Director of the Orangutan Foundation, Ashley Lieman, discusses conservation of the species. Half the proceeds go to the charity. FREE RBGE Show and Tell: Plants of Afghanistan Wed 8 Sep, 1.30–3pm. Royal Botanic Garden, 20a Inverleith Row, 552 7171. Jane Corrie discusses the work of RBGE staff on the plants of Afghanistan. FREE Peroni Nastro Azzurro Wrap Party Wed 8 Sep, 7pm. The HMV Picture House, 31 Lothian Road, 0844 847 1740. Experience all the fun and hedonism of a wrap party, as well as catching a few examples of Italian cinema.
Books FREE Rich Fulcher Thu 26 Aug, 5.30pm. Waterstone’s West End, 128 Princes Street, 226 2666. Author and comedian Rich Fulcher (aka The Mighty Boosh’s Bob Fossil) signs and reads from his 2009 book Tiny Acts of Rebellion: 97 Almost-Legal Ways to Stick it to the Man, a bible for those for whom all-out revolution/doing time is just a smidge too far. FREE Loose Tongues Fri 27 Aug, 4–5pm. Forest Café, 3 Bristo Place, 220 4538. Poets Patricia Ace, Stephanie Green, Mandy Haggith and Janie McKie are joined by a capella group, Just Voices. FREE The Greatest Game Thu 2 Sep, 5pm. National Library of Scotland, George IV Bridge, 623 3918. 5pm. One for golf-lovers. Professor David Purdie’s new book is a humorous look at our knowledge of the game, illustrated by Hugh Dodd. Get your copy signed by the pair and by Colin Montgomerie, who has
contributed a foreword.
✽✽ Meet James Robertson Thu 2 Sep, 6.30pm. £2 (redeemable against purchase of the book). Waterstone’s West End, 128 Princes Street, 226 2666. The Scottish author of The Testament of Gideon Mack visits Waterstone’s for a chat about his latest novel, And the Land Lay Still.
Exhibitions FREE World Press Photo Exhibition 2010 Until Sat 28 Aug, Thu–Fri 10am–5.30pm; Sat 11am–5.30pm. The Scottish Parliament, Holyrood Road, 473 2000. The shortlist for the World Press Photo Award. Part of the Festival of Politics 2010. FREE Mark Edwards: The Hard Rain Picture Show Until Fri 24 Sep (not Sat/Sun), 10am–4pm. George Square Gardens, University of Edinburgh, 311 6512. Exhibition designed to inspire debate about climate change, poverty, habitat loss and human rights.
Fairs FREE Craft Fair Sat 28 Aug, 12.30–5pm. The Phoenix, 46–48a Broughton Street, 558 8001. Indian jewellery, bags, preserves and handmade, unique works of art. FREE Morningside Makers Market Sat 4 Sep, 10.30am–4.30pm. Columcille Centre, 2 Newbattle Terrace, 447 7404. Monthly boutique craft and design market held on the first Saturday of every month with artists, crafters and designers offering ceramics, jewellery, glassware, photography, textiles and art.
Food & Drink FREE The Village Store & Tinker Tailor Sat 28 Aug & 4 Sep, 10am–2pm. Out of the Blue Drill Hall, 30–36 Dalmeny Street, Leith, 555 7100. The return of the Drill Hall’s popular Village Store – a weekly local shop for Leithers
Will Self: ‘The Last Refuge of Greatness’ As part of the Edinburgh Art Festival, everyone’s favourite funny-looking writer, satirist, aesthete and
husband of Deborah Orr discusses his lifelong fascination with scale, and investigates the way in which changes in scale influence artistic practice. Long words will doubtless be used, beautifully. ■ Edinburgh, National Galleries of Scotland: Hawthornden Lecture Theatre, The Mound. Fri 27 Aug, 6–7pm. £8 (£6).