www.list.co.uk/aroundtown
seeks to remove the stigma and secrecy from menstruation with a series of workshops, exhibitions, spoken word and gigs. See edinburghanarchafeminist.blogspot.com Youth Music Theatre UK Auditions 2010 Sun 14 Feb, 10am–noon. £25. Dance Base, 14–16 Grassmarket, 0844 415 4858. See Glasgow. FREE The Golden Hour Wed 17 Feb, 8pm. Forest Café, 3 Bristo Place, 220 4538. A special literary cabaret for the Edinburgh City of Literature One Book / One City campaign, which this year is ‘Carry a Poem’. Readings come from Claire Askew, Ewan Morrison and Tom Pow, with Gary Stewart, Diddley Squat and Robin Grey Band providing the music.
Exhibitions ✽✽ FREE Curtain Up – 40 Years of Scottish Theatre Until Mon 3
May, 10am–5pm; Sun 2–5pm. National Library of Scotland, George IV Bridge, 623 3845. See Hitlist. FREE Sensorium – Pictures from Nature’s Laboratory Until Wed 17 Feb, 9.30am–6pm. Royal Botanic Garden, 20a Inverleith Row, 552 7171. An exhibition of works by Alexander Hamilton, which provide new responses to plants and the effects of climate change using picture-forming methods, and are inspired by cherry trees from the RBGE phenology monitoring programme. FREE Meet Your Maker Until Sun 14 Mar, 10am–5pm. National Museum of Scotland, Chambers Street, 225 7534. Meet new and established faces from the many facets of Scotland’s contemporary crafts scene, from jewellery making to glass blowing to textiles. You’ll have the chance to ask questions and discuss techniques with the artists, as well as to buy some of the pieces on display. FREE Peacemakers of Israel/Palestine Sat 6–Thu 18 Feb (not Sun), 10am–6pm. Scottish Storytelling Centre, 43–45 High Street, 556 9579. Exhibition of cross- community peacemaking in Israel/Palestine by photojournalist Angela Catlin and journalist Billy Briggs.
Fairs FREE Caledonian Breeds Dog Show Sat 6 Feb, 9am–6pm. Royal Highland Centre, Ingliston, 335 6200. All the best looking woofers come together to parade around and win prizes. FREE Morningside Makers Market Sat 6 Feb, 10.30am–4.30pm. Columcille Centre, 2 Newbattle Terrace, 447 7404. A new 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. Antiques Fair Sat 13 & Sun 14 Feb, Sat 10am–4pm; Sun 10am–3.30pm. £2.50. Royal Highland Centre, Ingliston, 335 6200. An antiques fair with pictures, jewellery, glassware and more.
Food & Drink FREE Edinburgh Farmers’ Market Sat 6 & 13 Feb, 9am–2pm. Castle Terrace, 652 5940. Hunt down your five- a-day and more at this long-running, quality market. Sport RBS Scotland v France Sun 7 Feb, 3pm. £30–£70 (£15–£35). Murrayfield Stadium, Roseburn Street, Murrayfield, 346 5000. Six Nations rugby international. Jailhouse Block Sun 14 Feb, 2pm. £7 (£5; accompanied under 14s free). Meadowbank Sports Centre, 139 London Road, 661 5351. It’s Auld Reekie Roller Girls versus Leeds Roller Dolls in this roller derby Valentine’s Day massacre. Ticket includes entry to the 50s Hawaiian-themed after party at Cabaret Voltaire. Tickets from www.arrg.co.uk or on the door.
Around Town
Chemistry lessons It’s adults-only evening Social Science at the Glasgow Science Centre again, and appropriately for the date, this month the focus is all on the science of attraction: what attracts certain people to each other, why particular dance moves have certain, ah, effects, and a chance to take part in lots of hands-on (crikey!) experiments. There’s also food, wine, play and a great chance to meet new science-minded types: the last Social Science event attracted over 1200 visitors in one night. So if you’re looking for a little something this V-Day, why not ditch the speed dating and the shag-tag and get physical? ■ Glasgow Science Centre, Fri 12 Feb, 6pm.
Talks FREE Jacopo Bassano’s Adoration of the Kings Fri 5 Feb, 12.45–1.30pm. National Gallery of Scotland: Hawthornden Lecture Theatre, The Mound, 624 6200. Professor Peter Humphrey of the University of St Andrews looks at one of the gallery’s most outstanding Venetian masterpieces, and explores its history and its style and composition. FREE The Artist as Subject Mon 8 Feb, 12.45–1.15pm. Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art, 75 Belford Road, 624 6200. Alice Strange explores the notion of artist as subject, as opposed to the self portrait, with reference to works by Joseph Beuys, Cindy Sherman, Andy Warhol and Francesca Woodman. FREE Is Atheism a Science Stopper? Mon 8 Feb, 6.30pm. Heriot Watt University, James Watt Centre 1, 451 4508. Prof Steve Fuller from Warwick University argues that atheism and scepticism (as traced from David Hume’s philosophy) cast more doubts over science than religion does.
✽✽ An Evening with Mark Kermode Mon 8 Feb, 7.30pm.
£10. Cameo, 38 Home Street, 0871 704 2052. See picture, page 32. Gravitational-wave Astronomy: Opening a New Window on the Universe Mon 8 Feb, 7.30pm. £3 (£1.50). Royal Observatory Visitor Centre, Blackford Hill, 668 8404. Martin Hendry talks about ‘ripples in space-time’. FREE Panel Event: The Birth of the National Theatre of Scotland Tue 9 Feb, 6pm. National Library of Scotland, George IV Bridge, 623 3918. See preview, page 31. FREE Scottish Customs from the Cradle to the Grave Thu 11 Feb,
6pm. National Library of Scotland, George IV Bridge, 623 3918. Dr Margaret Bennett, former member of the School of Scottish Studies, distinguished scholar, singer and author, delivers a talk about Scottish customs. Primate Talk Thu 11 Feb, 7.30pm. £6 (members £4). Edinburgh Zoo, Corstorphine Road, 314 0350. Geladas, bush-babies, drills, baboons and lemurs all make an appearance at the zoo – find out what’s been going on behind the scenes. Booking essential. The Royal Scottish Geographical Society: The World’s Edge Wed 17 Feb, 2.15pm. £6 (children, students & members free). Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, 20a Inverleith Row, 01738 455050. A talk by Thomas Joshua Cooper, a landscape artist and photographer who has explored some of the most remote locations in the world in his quest for unique images. Hear about his travels at this talk. Workshops FREE Biodiversity Festival – Alexander Hamilton Sat 6 & Sun 7 Feb, 1–4pm. Royal Botanic Garden, 20a Inverleith Row, 552 7171. A unique art/science collaboration between award- winning artist Alexander Hamilton and the RBGE phenology team recording the coming of spring. Dr Sketchy’s Anti-Art School Sat 6 Feb, 1pm. £7 (£6). The Jazz Bar, 1 Chambers Street, 220 4298. Where cabaret meets life drawing – the models are burlesque divas, strapping hunks of manhood and circus freaks. Win alcohol and fancy art supply prizes at this antidote to solemn, lifeless classes. FREE Mini Paper Sculptures Sun 7 Feb, noon & 4pm. National Museum of Scotland, Chambers Street, 225 7534. Drop in and try your hand at making
mini 3D paper sculptures with artist Libby Day. All materials are provided. FREE Exploring Ceramics Tue 9 Feb, Sun 14 Feb & Wed 17 Feb, 1pm. National Museum of Scotland, Chambers Street, 225 7534. Practical sessions exploring pattern and ornament and creating mini-collections with Fran Priest. Please book in advance. Arts & Craft Workshop Wed 10 Feb, 7–9.30pm. £12. Kiss the Fish Studios, 9 Dean Park Street, Stockbridge, 332 8912. Make a hanging mosaic heart using glass, tiles and shells in a workshop suitable for beginners. FREE Valentine Treasures Sat 13 & Sun 14 Feb, noon–4pm. National Museum of Scotland, Chambers Street, 225 7534. Make a personal Valentine’s gift with the help of artist and jeweller Dorothy Hogg, and make a beautiful embossed card or treasure. All materials are provided. FREE Sketches and Ceramics Mon 15 Feb, noon–4pm. National Museum of Scotland, Chambers Street, 225 7534. A drop-in workshop exploring Fran’s beautiful ceramic collection through sight, touch and sketching. FREE Story-craft Tue 16–Thu 18 Feb, noon–4pm. National Museum of Scotland, Chambers Street, 225 7534. Pauline Edie’s jewellery work is inspired by childhood stories and illustrations. Come and try some simple designs. Words on Canvas II: Creative Writing Thu 18 Feb, 5.30–7.30pm. £12 (£10). National Gallery of Scotland: Clore Education Centre, The Mound, 624 6200. A two-part class led by an artist or writer. The first session involves looking at and discussing art, and in the second you will share what you have written. (Price is for both sessions; session two takes place on Thu 4 Mar). 4–18 Feb 2010 THE LIST 33