list.co.uk/aroundtown 50th anniversary of her death. FREE History of Edinburgh Old Town and the Royal Mile, in Pictures Mon 4 Feb, 10.30am. Museum of Edinburgh, Huntly House, 142 Canongate, 529 3963. A talk from Peter Stubbs, a member of the Edinburgh Photography Society since 1963, exploring amateur and professional photography in Edinburgh since 1839. Booking essential. FREE Bio-Dilemmas: Staying Human in a Biotech Age Mon 4 Feb, 6.30–8pm. Heriot-Watt University, Riccarton, 451 4508. A talk discussing the ethical issues that emerge as technology advances, looking in particular at the progression of biomedical technology (basically, how will we cope when everyone’s a cyborg?). Email m.boulogne@hw.ac.uk to register in advance. Booking essential. FREE Winter Lecture Series: The Forth Replacement Crossing Mon 4 Feb, 7–8pm. The Royal Scots Club, 29–31 Abercromby Place, 556 4270. Andrew Caskie, consultant Engineer with Jacobs supporting Transport Scotland, gives an overview of the new Forth Bridge currently under construction. Email events@royalscotsclub.com to reserve places. Hollywood Meets Science Mon 4 Feb, 7.30–8.30pm. £3 (£1.50). Royal Observatory Visitor Centre, Blackford Hill, 668 8404. Talk detailing exactly what’s involved in providing scientific advice to a Hollywood blockbuster, with film clips showing which movies have got scientific content right, and which have got it embarrassingly wrong. Wait, so Jurassic Park wasn’t real? FREE Arts and Humanities: National Essentials Wed 6 Feb, 6pm. Edinburgh College of Art, 74 Lauriston Place, 221 6000. Professors Jonathan Mills (Director, Edinburgh International Festival) and Christopher Breward (ECA Principal) debate the importance of the
arts and humanities. Register online in advance. Booking essential. FREE Edinburgh Ragged University: Bilingualism and Psychology Thu 7 Feb, 7–10pm. Laughing Horse @ The Counting House, 38 West Nicolson Street, 667 7533. Two talks from Professor Antonella Sorace and Professor Ray Miller, discussing bilingualism and the benefits of psychology respectively. Galaxies: A Historical Perspective, from Demographics to Modern Sociology Mon 11 Feb, 7.30–8.30pm. £3 (£1.50). Royal Observatory Visitor Centre, Blackford Hill, 668 8404. Dr Denija Crnojevic gives a talk on the history of specific galaxies, looking in detail at the way they’re made, using the latest telescope technology. A Brief Expansion History of the Universe Mon 18 Feb, 7.30–8.30pm. £3 (£1.50). Royal Observatory Visitor Centre, Blackford Hill, 668 8404. The universe has been expanding for approximately 14 billion years, which puts our ever-growing waistlines into perspective. Chris Duncan talks about defining moments in the universe’s history. FREE Let’s Talk About: Public Lectures at Little France Wed 20 Feb, 5.30pm. Queen’s Medical Research Institute, Little France, Old Dalkeith Road, 242 9100. Lecture on ‘Unravelling the legend of Prometheus: how can we help livers regenerate?’ Hope they find the answer before we’ve finished this round. Edinburgh Skeptics and Andy Lewis: What Every Parent Needs to Know About Steiner Schools Thu 21 Feb, 7.30–10pm. £3 donation requested. The Banshee Labyrinth, 29–35 Niddry Street, 558 8209. Those meddlesome Edinburgh Skeptics are at it again: this time they’re exploring the inner secrets of Anthroposophy in their quest to defeat quackery. Workshops Crochet Thu 24 Jan & 31 Jan, 6.30–9.30pm. £30 per class. Edinburgh Contemporary Crafts, 59 Home Street, 07816 640298. Learn how to crochet like a pro and make your own yarn (!) from fabric and old clothes. Stork’s Beak: Historical Fencing Thursdays 7.30–9.30pm. £7 per class; £25 (£15) per month of classes. Kirk O’Field Parish Church, Brown Street Pleasance, 332 2758. Join the school to practise techniques based on historical combat manuals from the 15th to early 20th centuries. The first class for new prospective members is free. FREE Still Life with Windows Sat 26 Jan, 10.30am–3.30pm. City Art Centre, 2 Market Street, 529 3963. Collage and painting workshop inspired by the work of John Piper. Booking essential. FREE Shapes In Nature Sat 26 Jan, 10.30am–1pm. City Art Centre, 2 Market Street, 529 3993. Collage workshop, using patches of colour to represent objects. Teach Me How To . . . Sat 26 Jan, 2–8pm. £2 (children free). LifeCare, 2 Cheyne Street, 07528 410237. Embrace a new hobby at this day of workshops from various purveyors in Edinburgh, with the chance to try out everything from baking to karate (with yoga, musical instruments, dance and art in between). Dressmaking Wed 30 Jan, 6 Feb, 13 Feb & 20 Feb, 6.30–9.30pm. £58 per class. Edinburgh Contemporary Crafts, 59 Home Street, 07816 640298. If you’ve always wanted to make your own dresses, this course will give you the chance to learn the necessary sewing techniques. FREE Dance With Plants Sat 2 & Sun 3 Feb, 1–4pm. Royal Botanic Garden, Arboretum Place, 248 2909. A workshop in which you can explore the world of plants through movement. Features a screening of Charan Pradhan’s
Events | AROUND TOWN
Dancing with Climate Change and a live performance. FREE My Favourite Space Sat 9 Feb, 10.30am–1pm. City Art Centre, 2 Market Street, 529 3993. Collage workshop for all ages: cut pictures out of newspapers and magazines and decorate them with oil pastels to make a favourite space of your own. FREE Edible Gardening: Seasonal Advice Sat 9 & Sun 10 Feb, 1–4pm. Royal Botanic Garden, Arboretum Place, 248 2909. A drop-in session on the seasonal aspects of edible gardening, with activities, produce tasters and a chance to get advice from the team. Funky Monkey – Jive/Swing Dance Event Mon 11 Feb, 7–11pm. £8. The Merlin, 168-172 Morningside Road, Southside, 447 4329. A fun evening for budding dancers of all levels to throw some shapes with jive, swing, Latin and blues.
OUTSIDE THE CITIES
Activities & Events FREE Drop In and Play Sun 10 Feb, 3pm. Dundee Contemporary Arts, 152 Nethergate, Dundee, 01382 909900. The DCA and NEoN Digital Arts Festival celebrate the release of Wreck-It Ralph with a big gaming party, with new games on offer from local games designers. Snowdrops by Starlight Wed 13 Feb– Sun 17 Feb, 5–9.15pm. £10 (£8; under 16s £5; under 5s free). Cambo Estate, Cambo House, Kingsbarns, St Andrews, 01334 475000. Natural art installation with lighting and sound effects. Talks An Evening with Tony Robinson Sat 2 Feb, 7.30pm. £18.50. Pitlochry Festival Theatre, Port–na Craig, Pitlochry, 01796 484626. Television veteran Robinson discusses his love of archaeology. Part of Winter Words Festival.
“ A legacy to the arts is a small gesture that makes a very big difference” Alexander McCall Smith, Author and Art Lover
You could get your Will professionally written or amended free this February if you leave a legacy to a Love the arts, Leave to the arts charity. To find out more please visit www.aandbscotland.org.uk/legacies
24 Jan–21 Feb 2013 THE LIST 41