list.co.uk/aroundtown An Introduction to Modern Art: Looking Mon 25 Feb, 10.30am– 12.30pm. £12 (£10). Scottish National Gallery, The Mound, 624 6200. Art historian Ola Wojtkiewicz leads monthly sessions designed to help you develop an understanding and appreciation of modern art. Booking essential. Café Histoire: Gilbert du Motier, Marquis De Lafayette Mon 25 Feb, 5.30pm. £8 (£5). Institut Français d’Ecosse, 13 Randolph Crescent, 225 5366. Talk in French focusing on the career of the Marquis De Lafayette, culminating with his role in the American War of Independence. The Night Sky In March Mon 25 Feb, 7.30–8.30pm. £3 (£1.50). Royal Observatory Visitor Centre, Blackford Hill, 668 8404. Russell Eberst considers the March skies, including the possibility of comets and the visibility of Earth’s satellites. FREE Karol Felix: Artist’s Talk Sat 2 Mar, 3–4pm. Edinburgh Printmakers, 23 Union Street, 557 2479. Slovakian printmaker Karol Felix talks about his work. Booking essential. FREE Igor Benca: Monoprint Demonstration Sat 2 Mar, 4–5pm. Edinburgh Printmakers, 23 Union Street, 557 2479. Slovakian artist Igor Benca gives a demonstration of his mono-print methods. Booking essential. FREE From Castle to Palace: Artists and the Royal Mile Mon 4 Mar, 10.30am. Museum of Edinburgh, Huntly House, 142 Canongate, 529 3963. Collections Manager David Patterson takes a journey down the famous Mile through the eyes of artists from Walter Geikie to John Kay. Booking essential. FREE Propaganda in the Films of the Third Reich Mon 4 Mar, 7–8pm. The Royal Scots Club, 29–31 Abercromby Place, 556 4270. A talk about Nazi propaganda films. Email the Royal Scots Club to reserve places. Dark Matter Too Unreal To Be Real? Mon 4 Mar, 7.30–8.30pm. £3 (£1.50). Royal Observatory Visitor Centre, Blackford Hill, 668 8404. Dr Eric Tittley discusses the nature of dark matter, and how we got to the point of being sure something exists while knowing almost nothing about it. FREE Edinburgh Women in World War One: The Roles They Played Tue 5 Mar, 6pm. National Library of Scotland, George IV Bridge, 623 3918. This talk by Yvonne McEwen, from the Centre of Modern Conflict at the University of Edinburgh, puts particular emphasis on women in medicine, nursing and philanthropy. FREE International Women’s Day Talk: No Job for a Woman? Thu 7 Mar, 6pm. National Library of Scotland, George IV Bridge, 623 3918. Women make up the significant majority of forensic science workers. Sue Black, Professor of Anatomy and Forensic Anthropology at the University of Dundee, ponders why this might be.
100 Years Through the Eyes of a Zoo Tree Thu 7 Mar, 7–9pm. £7 (members £5). Edinburgh Zoo, Corstorphine Road, 334 9171. Head Gardener Simon Jones gives a talk looking at how the zoo’s gardens have changed over the past 100 years. FREE BBC Radio Scotland: Brian Taylor’s Big Debate Fri 8 Mar, 11am– 1pm. Assembly Rooms, 54 George Street, 422 7776. BBC Scotland’s Political Editor brings his debate to town. To book a seat or contribute a question, email brian@bbc.co.uk. Booking essential. The Big Observatories Mon 11 Mar, 7.30–8.30pm. £3 (£1.50). Royal Observatory Visitor Centre, Blackford Hill, 668 8404. A talk about some of the world’s biggest observatories and observing Space from Earth. FREE Lifting the Lid: A Life at Kinloch Lodge, Skye Thu 14 Mar, 6pm. National Library of Scotland, George IV Bridge, 623 3918. Claire Macdonald talks about running the Michelin-starred Kinloch Lodge on Skye. FREE The History of Being a Lady Mon 18 Mar, 6pm. National Library of Scotland, George IV Bridge, 623 3918. Novelist Sara Sheridan delves into history to chart the huge changes in social and class structure that surround how women were – and are – valued by society. A Stargazing Tour of the Southern Hemisphere Mon 18 Mar, 7.30– 8.30pm. £3 (£1.50). Royal Observatory Visitor Centre, Blackford Hill, 668 8404. Tania Johnston takes you on a tour of the stars of the Southern Hemisphere. FREE Very Private Papers: Scottish Women’s Lives in the NLS Tue 19 Mar, 6pm. National Library of Scotland, George IV Bridge, 623 3918. Lynn Abrams, Jane Rendall and Sian Reynolds discuss The Biographical Dictionary of Scottish Women. FREE Let’s Talk About: Public Lectures at Little France Wed 20 Mar, 5.30pm. Queen’s Medical Research Institute, Little France, Old Dalkeith Road, 242 9100. A lecture looking at ‘Sick placentae and soaring blood pressure: the medical conundrum of pre- eclampsia’.
VINTAGE WEDDING SHOW Getting hitched but tired of looking at the same ol’ wedding stuff in the conventional shops? Head to this vintage show, set up by Mel Jarroon of Edinburgh’s well-known retro maker’s market Funk Fair. A sure fire hit with those on the lookout for something more bespoke for their big day, with everything from planners and photographers to dresses, cakes and accessories covered. Visit vintageweddingshow.co.uk for more information. ■ Mansfield Traquair, Edinburgh, Sun 17 Mar.
Events | AROUND TOWN
FREE Petticoats and Pinnacles: An Illustrated Talk Thu 21 Mar, 6pm. National Library of Scotland, George IV Bridge, 623 3918. NLS Curator Paula Williams delves into the National Library’s collections to recount tales of inspirational Scottish women. Workshops FREE Easel Sketching in the Gallery Thu 21 & Fri 22 Feb, 2–4pm. Scottish National Gallery, The Mound, 624 6200. Try your hand at a bit of sketching with artist Damian Callan. There’s a different subject each month, and sometimes a live model. Capoeira Cordão de Ouro Scotland Thursdays, 7–9pm; Mondays and Tuesdays, 7–8.30pm. £6 (£5). North Merchiston Club, 48 Watson Crescent, 622 1757. Train your body and mind in the context of a friendly, welcoming group. FREE Ink and Poetry Sat 23 Feb, 10.30am–3.30pm. City Art Centre, 2 Market Street, 529 3993. Drawing workshop inspired by the work of Ceri Richards, incorporating images from the natural world and lines of poetry. Led by Tessa Asquith-Lamb. FREE Desert Ferns Sat 23 & Sun 24 Feb, 1–4pm. Royal Botanic Garden, Arboretum Place, 248 2909. A close-up look at the Garden’s collection of desert ferns. Learn how these plants have adapted themselves for desert conditions. The 2013 Middle East Festival Forum on Spirituality, Equality and Community Sat 23 Feb, 6.30–9pm. £5 (£3). Sanctuary, Augustine United Church, 41–43 George IV Bridge, 331 4469. Dr Lesley Orr presents a forum on marriage as a social institution. Examining its historical and theological evolution from biblical times, she explores the positive developments in Scotland from patriarchy towards equality. Part of Edinburgh International Middle Eastern Spirituality and Peace Festival 2013. Bookbinding Class – Venetian Style Journals Tue 5 Mar, 6.30–8pm. £15. Owl & Lion, 66 West Port, 221 0818. Learn a decorative stitch to sew onto pieces of leather and create your own beautiful hand-bound journal in this beginners’ taster session. St Andrew (Edinburgh) Speakers Forum Tue 5 & 19 Mar, 7.30–10pm. Boroughmuir Rugby Club, Meggetland, Colinton Road, 01786 462363. Fortnightly meetings of this friendly forum for learning and practising public speaking. Funky Monkey: Jive/Swing Dance Event Mon 11 Mar, 7–11pm. £8. The Merlin, 168-172 Morningside Road, Southside, 447 4329. A fun evening for budding dancers of all levels. Edinburgh Yarn Festival Sat 16 Mar, 10am–5pm. Prices vary for classes and workshops. Out of the Blue Drill Hall, 30–36 Dalmeny Street, Leith, edinyarnfest.com. A one-day woolly bonanza catering for all those who knit, crochet, embroider, spin, haberdash or just appreciate a darn good yarn.
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