March’s sky. FREE Léger and Beckmann: Aestheticising the Trauma of War Tue 23 Feb, 12.45–1.30pm. National Gallery of Scotland: Hawthornden Lecture Theatre, The Mound, 624 6200. Dr Jonathan Blackwood compares the work of Fernand Léger and Max Beckmann, who both produced powerful paintings and drawings in response to the First World War. Edinburgh Lectures: Prof Sergio Della Sala Tue 23 Feb, 6pm. £3 admin fee. Playfair Library (University of Edinburgh), Old College, South Bridge, 473 2000. Talk entitled ‘Neuroscience in Education: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly’ from the Professor of Human Cognitive Neuroscience and Honorary Consultant in Neurology. What Next for Georgia – and Does it Matter? Fri 26 Feb, 6pm. £5 (SRF members £2). University Of Edinburgh, Old College, 668 3635. A talk from Donald MacLaren. Part of the Edinburgh International Festival of Middle Eastern Spirituality and Peace 2010. Conservation Talk Thu 4 Mar, 7.30pm. £6 (members £4). Edinburgh Zoo, Corstorphine Road, 314 0350. A talk about the impact of humans on nature and how it affects baboons, elephants, beavers and wolves. Booking essential. The Royal Scottish Geographical Society: Everest Needs You, Mr
Irvine Thu 4 Mar, 7.30pm. £6 (free). Appleton Tower (Lecture Theatre 5), University Of Edinburgh, Crichton Street, 01738 455050. See Glasgow. Workshops Printed Gestures: An Exploration of Body Language Sat 20 Feb, 10.30am–4pm. £40 (£35). National Gallery of Scotland: Clore Education Centre, The Mound, 624 6200. Explore the use of physical gestures in painting to create narrative by cutting linoleum figures and printing mixed-media scrolls. 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). Symbolism in Chinese and Western Art Fri 19 & 26 Feb, 10.30am–4pm. £40 (£35). National Gallery of Scotland: Clore Education Centre, The Mound, 624 6200. Suzanne Chong leads a course comparing the symbolic language in Chinese and Western art followed by a brush painting workshop based on important Chinese symbols to celebrate the Chinese New Year.
Around Town FREE Biodiversity Festival – Phylogeny Sat 20 & Sun 21 Feb, 1–4pm. Royal Botanic Garden, 20a Inverleith Row, 552 7171. Learn about the ‘Tree of Life’, a powerful visualisation of the important scientific idea that all living things have a common ancestor. Ages 5+. Lyceum Theatre Classes Wed 24 Feb, 10.30am–noon. £5. Royal Lyceum Theatre, Grindlay Street, 248 4848. Owen Dudley Edwards leads theatre classes based on the Lyceum’s current show. Creative Writing Course Wed 24 Feb & 3 Mar, 1.30–4.30pm. £60 (£55). National Gallery of Scotland: Clore Education Centre, The Mound, 624 6200. Helen Boden leads this five-week course beginning with discussion-led tours of the Galleries’ collections to get the creative juices flowing. Women as Peace Makers: The Bridge of Peace Ceremony, a Bridge for Friendship Sat 27 Feb, 2–5pm. £3 donation. St Mary’s Cathedral, 23 Palmerston Place, 331 1433. Meet people from all over the world in the Bridge of Peace ceremony of reconciliation. Part of the Edinburgh International Festival of Middle Eastern Spirituality and Peace 2010. FREE Mini Paper Sculptures Sun 28 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.
www.list.co.uk/aroundtown
conservation charity. Part of the International Year of Biodiversity. FREE Intent: Exploring the Core of Being Human Sat 27 Feb, 7.30pm. Augustine’s, 41 George IV Bridge, 07814 859599. Talk about intent and aspirations. Part of the Edinburgh International Festival of Middle Eastern Spirituality and Peace 2010.
✽✽ Lantern Festival Sat 27 & Sun 28 Feb, times vary. Included in
admission: £14 (£12; children £9.50; under 3s free). Edinburgh Zoo, Corstorphine Road, 334 9171. Activities themed around the Chinese Year of the Tiger: singing, dance performances, lantern making, calligraphy workshops and more. Heralds of Spring Sun 28 Feb, 2–3.30pm. £4. Royal Botanic Garden, 20a Inverleith Row, 248 2937. An early spring walk through the gardens to see the flowering bulbs, shrubs and herbaceous plants. FREE Thursday Health Walks Thu 4 Mar, 10.15am. Royal Botanic Garden, 20a Inverleith Row, 552 7171. Enjoy fresh air and meet new people on a health-boosting garden walk at the RBGE. Under 16s must be accompanied. Part of the Paths for all Partnership.
Fairs Red for Heart Fashion Show Wed 24 Feb, 7pm. £15. The Jam House, 5 Queen Street, 555 5891. A fashion show featuring clothing created by Heriot Watt Textile and Design students from items donated to British Heart Foundation Scotland shops. Ticket price includes a drink and a goodie bag. Scottish Quilt Fair Championships Fri 26–Sun 28 Feb, 10am–4.30pm. £6.50 (£5.50; children 2.50). Royal Highland Centre, Ingliston, 335 6200. Workshops, demonstrations and exhibitors selling a wide range of fabrics and accessories.
✽✽ FREE Tollcross Green Fair Sat 27 Feb, 10.30am–3pm. Barclay
Church, 1a–1b Barclay Place, Tollcross, 07967 021708. Ethical shopping from local, green-minded businesses. Food & Drink FREE Edinburgh Farmers’ Market Sat 20 Feb & Sat 27 Feb, 9am–2pm. Castle Terrace, 652 5940. More local, quality, ethical produce than you could shake a stick at. Servas Peace Meal Thu 25 Feb, 7pm. £15 (£10). Double Dutch Bistro, 27–29 Marshall Street, 228 2186. Meal of Middle Eastern food with invited speakers. Part of the Edinburgh International Festival of Middle Eastern Spirituality and Peace 2010.
Talks Gardens Talk Thu 18 Feb, 7.30pm. £6 (members £4). Edinburgh Zoo, Corstorphine Road, 314 0350. Learn about Living Plant Collection. Booking essential. FREE ‘Quiet Sentiment and Mysterious Magnitude’: William McTaggart Fri 19 Feb, 12.45–1.30pm. National Gallery of Scotland: Hawthornden Lecture Theatre, The Mound, 624 6200. Art historian Ailsa Turner marks the 100th anniversary of Scottish painter McTaggart’s death with a discussion of his works. Pecha Kucha Edinburgh V7-for Haiti Sat 20 Feb, 7.30pm. Donations. Inspace, 1 Crichton Street, 650 2750. The Japanese term ‘Pecha Kucha’ roughly translates as ‘chit-chat’. In this event a succession of invited guests show 20 slides for 20 seconds each. In a special reach out to Haiti, each of the 276 cities that host Pecha Kucha events are taking part in a global presentation starting in Tokyo and travelling eastward, all streamed online, see www.pecha- kucha.org The Night Sky in March Mon 22 Feb, 7.30pm. £3 (£1.50). Royal Observatory Visitor Centre, Blackford Hill, 668 8404. Russell Eberst gives you the heads up on exciting sights in
The Fair Trade Experience 2010 Following the success of its Fringe Fair in August and Christmas Fair last December, the Fair Trade Experience returns
to Glasgow for the eighth time this month, complete with a tightly packed programme of music, theatre, comedy and workshops. Hind Hashem El Arabi of the Palestinian Fair Trade Association joins the line-up of producers from India and Chile for a programme which includes stalls with free tastings and products to buy, live music, a VJ fashion show, theatre from Hopscotch, comedy from Tony Vino and children’s craft activities from Woodcraft Folk. ■ Royal Concert Hall, Glasgow, Sat 27–Sun 28 Feb.
18 Feb–4 Mar 2010 THE LIST 33