Activities and Events at Corstorphine Community Centre
Tomorrow: Seated Exercise Class 10.30 – 11.30am
Tuesday evening: Girl Zone from 6 – 7.30pm
LATER THIS MONTH: Meet the Author
Making Science Sociable
Edinburgh Science Festival isn’t just for kids! We’ve rounded up the best events in this year’s programme that would make for a fun day or night out with friends and leave you enlightened and entertained.
Whether you’re into coding, comedy or cocktails, we’ve got something for everyone this April …
Saturday 4 April
7:30pm | 3 hours
£12/£10
Ages 14+
Stratosphere, Dynamic Earth
Prepare for jaw-dropping beauty and stellar entertainment under the shadow of Gaia by Luke Jerram. This scale version of our home planet offers a unique opportunity to view Earth as it’s seen from space while you enjoy explosive science demonstrations that showcase the incredible power of the elements – earth, air, fire and water. Experience Dynamic Earth after dark and celebrate with a special themed cocktail, elementary face painting and preview fun, interactive activities before anyone else.
Sunday 5, Saturday 11, Sunday 12, Monday 13, Friday 17 and Sunday 19 April
6pm | Durations vary
Prices vary
Ages 8+
ShowDome, Dynamic Earth
Marvel each night at an unforgettable selection of films in Dynamic Earth’s newly upgraded 6K 360° dome cinema. Screenings include awe-inspiring solar system visuals in Gustav Holst’s Planets 360, films inspired by the music of Pink Floyd and a selection of shows from Dynamic Earth’s daytime collection. Take the chance to view Luke Jerram’s stunning Planet Earth art installation, Gaia, before or after an evening of movie magic.
Friday 10 April
7pm | 2 hours
£30
Ages 18+
Join us for a dram or two of Scotland’s most iconic drink as we tell you the story of one of the country’s most famous animals. Hear Edinburgh Zoo’s wildcat expert discuss the history of wildcats in Scotland and reveal the exciting next chapter in the battle to save our last native cat species. This night out with a twist is full of feline fun that you won’t want to miss. Over 18s only.
Stranger Than Fiction: Panel Game
Monday 13 April
7.30pm | 1 hour
£9/£7/#SCIFIVE £5
Ages 12+
Upper Hall, Pleasance
A panel game with a difference – the panel vs you! The Festival’s most popular lie-busting show is back with an elementary theme as a motley team of non-fiction writers will try to pull the wool over your eyes by sneaking some surprising facts hidden amongst ridiculous fiction and persistent science myth. Each round has a different flavour ranging from short themed talks to quickfire truth-or-fiction. Get ready to make some noise.
Monday 13 — Sunday 19 April
Times vary, see individual listings
Prices vary, see individual listings
All Ages
Salisbury Building, Pleasance
Discovering the digital world has never been so cool. We’re introducing our very first, immersive Cyber Zone packed with events covering technology, computing, programming and artificial intelligence (AI) for children and adults
Cyber Zone events include Hack Your Own Self-Driving Car, Enter the Multiverse: Crafting Immersive Stories in VR, App Factory For Grown Ups, Artificial Intelligence For Grown Ups, Interactive Digital Storytelling For Grown Ups, Create A Virtual Reality WorldFor Grown Ups and Coding For Grown Ups
Islands of Love: The Science of Reality Romance
Tuesday 14 April
8pm | 90 mins
£9/£7/#SCIFIVE £5
Ages 14+
Pleasance Theatre, Pleasance
Don’t be muggy, come along and dissect an absolute bev of a brain and uncover the personalities that are most likely to couple up – especially if it’s all seen on TV. Dr Raj Persaud explores the scientific theory behind our favourite summer lovefest. What kind of personality type is best for you and do they ever end up on a TV programme like Love Island? How can you improve your ability to spot different personality types? Come along and take part in our fun science experiment where you judge each character and we’ll tell you if you were right.
Wednesday 15 April
7.30pm | 1 hour
£9/£7/#SCIFIVE £5
Ages 12+
Pentland Room, Pleasance
Find your inner poet and discover how you can help raise awareness of the biggest global environmental challenges. Join Prof Patrick Corbett from Heriot-Watt University and Scottish poet Dr Colin Will for a discussion on the use of poetry in science communication with a focus on the Earth sciences. You’ll have the opportunity to test your poetic skills through writing your own poem which geological specimens, from the British Geological Society, will provide inspiration for.
Jukebox Bingo: Science Up Your Life!
Wednesday 15 April
8pm | 90mins
£9/£7/#SCIFIVE £5
Ages 12+
Pleasance Theatre, Pleasance
Lay down your labcoats, dust off your party threads and take a firm hold of your dobbers as the Festival gets glittery with a special science-flavoured edition of Edinburgh’s musical quiz sensation. Jukebox Bingo is a 2020 twist on the beloved pastime of the nannas of the nation, testing your recall of scientifically-inspired chart classics from across the decades. Match the tracks on the decks to the artists on your bingo card to win some truly questionable prizes. Featuring sideshow shenanigans aplenty, this is a night out not to be missed.
Ugly Animal Preservation Society
Thursday 16 April
6pm | 1 hour
£9/£7/#SCIFIVE £5
Ages 12+
Cabaret Bar, Pleasance
Stand-up comedy with a conservation twist. Enjoy an evening dedicated to raising the profile of some of Mother Nature’s more aesthetically challenged children. The panda gets too much attention and the ugly blobfish was made famous by the internet, so now the Ugly Animal Preservation Society move their attention to EDGE (Evolutionary Distinct Globally Endangered). Sit back and laugh as comedians Simon Watt and Rachel Wheeley join science communicator Hana Ayoob to take you through the world’s weirdest and most wonderful critters.
Thursday 16 April
6pm | 1 hour
£9/£7/#SCIFIVE £5
Ages 12+
Pleasance Theatre, Pleasance
Why do we laugh and when do people laugh the most? Pioneering researcher into the science of laughter, professor of Cognitive Neuroscience at UCL and regular contributor to BBC Radio 4, Prof Sophie Scott, will take you on a journey to discover all of this and more. A scientist studying laughter – it’s funnier than you might think!
Thursday 16 April
7pm | 3 hours
£15/£12
Ages 18+
Stratosphere, Dynamic Earth
To honour the 30th anniversary of the now iconic pale blue dot image, join us for an evening packed with science talks, live music, poetry, and hands-on activities, all in the shadow of the incredible Gaia at Dynamic Earth. View our beautiful blue marble as it’s seen from space and delight in the evening’s entertainment. The evening’s lineup includes satellite expert Dr Murray Collins, Glasgow-based musician Nicolette Macleod, mythologist Dr Christine Plastow, geologist Dr Roger Musson, poets Hannah Lavery and Leyla Josephine, in association with the Scottish Poetry Library, and will be hosted by comedian Susan Morrison.
Thursday 16 April
8pm | 90 mins
£12/£10/#SCIFIVE £5
Ages 12+
Cabaret Bar, Pleasance
Are you ready to have your geek-card challenged? Join comedians Simon Watt and Rachel Wheeley, along with some special guests, for an anarchic comedy gameshow turned pub quiz that lets you embrace your inner nerd. Win points in wacky rounds, to give your team the advantage in a fiendish final challenge for chance to become the Challenged Champions and go home with a niche prize. Turn up with a team or join in with some random punters you meet on the night.
European Stone Stacking Championships
Friday 17 — Sunday 19 April
11am—4pm | Drop-in
£10 to participate/Free to watch
All Ages
Dunbar Beach, Eye Cave Beach
Rounding off the Science Festival’s contribution to Scotland’s Year of Coasts and Waters, the European Stone Stacking Championships returns for the fourth Year.
Stone stacking takes materials found in nature and works with Earth’s gravity to create sculptural towers, archways and other awe-inspiring structures from rocks and stones. Transient in nature – at the mercy of the elements, tides and time – these wonderful land-art creations merge artistic skill and the laws of physics to amazing effect.
With competitions, demonstrations and workshops across the weekend, be amazed by what the professionals can create and try it for yourself!
Friday 17 April
6pm and 8.30pm | 90 mins
£15 Includes samples
Ages 12+
Quaker Studio, Pleasance
Cheeseology returns! Exploring the science behind cheesemaking and ripening, dairy technologist Paul Thomas and journalist and cheese expert Patrick McGuigan are ready to take you on a cheesy journey through some of Europe’s finest exports. Cheeseology combines a tutored tasting with an exploration of cheesemaker practices and physicochemical parameters which influence texture and flavour development.
Saturday 18 April
6pm | 1 hour
£9/£7/#SCIFIVE £5
Ages 12+
Cabaret Bar, Pleasance
What do penguins, lizards, sheep and humans all have in common? They all engage in homosexual behaviour. A bisexual woman armed with a biochemistry degree and committed to investigating the science behind her identity, comedian Florence Schechter takes us on a hilarious and thought-provoking tour of LGBTQ+ behaviour in animals and the evolutionary benefits of being queer. Expect laughs, single innuendos and a whole load of fun, sexy, science facts. Please note this event includes some graphic descriptions of a sexual nature.
Saturday 18 April
8pm | 90 mins
£20/£18 includes drinks
Ages 18+
Quaker Studio, Pleasance
Scotland has over 10,000 miles of coastline and a huge population that lives and works beside it. It’s time to celebrate our bodies of water with an evening of entertainment featuring poet Janette Ayachi and Neu Reekie’s Michael Pedersen, in association with the Scottish Poetry Library, with songs and stories from host Nicolette Macleod. Close out the final Saturday of the 2020 Science Festival in style with a couple of complimentary sea-themed cocktails to make you feel less like a fish out of water!
Sunday 19 April
8pm | 1 hour
£9/£7/#SCIFIVE £5
Ages 12+
Cabaret Bar, Pleasance
Good or bad, our decisions make us who we are. American comedian Robyn Perkins brings her Sydney Fringe Comedy award-winning show to the Edinburgh Science Festival! 10,000 Decisions uses a series of hilarious personal anecdotes, family stories and neuroscience to come up with a well thought out decision for one anonymous audience member. It’s quirky, thought-provoking and fun, laced with intriguing science.
Sunday 19 April
8pm | 90 mins
£20/£18 includes samples
Ages 18+
Quaker Studio, Pleasance
It is one of the world’s most loved spirits, with a history stretching back as far as we can remember, but what makes Scottish whisky so great might surprise you. Our expert panel will guide you through the symbiotic relationship between Scotland’s most famous drink and the environment in which it is made.
Join us for a tipple provided by Isle of Arran Distillers and find out why the whisky industry just might be as important to Scottish water as Scottish water is to whisky. Snacks and samples are provided.
#EdSciFest
Our young people’s Transition to Confidence Workshop for this month is on Monday 24th February.
Topic: Young People’s confidence boosters
Venue: West Pilton Neighbourhood Centre
Time: 5-6pm
Free and fun packed full activities For Ages 9 and above. Spaces available!
Our choir group also resumes for the year on Monday 24th February.
Our singing club offers refreshing music, dance and food in a relaxed atmosphere.
Come and join us at West Pilton Neighbourhood Centre from 6 – 7pm tomorrow and every last Monday of the month.
See you there!
Hello,
Please find attached a poster and link to our online plea for past Hermitage Park Pupils to share stories with us.
As you know, this is part of our ‘110 – Hermie Now and Then: an intergenerational story told in film, podcast and print’ project with author Dan Gray.
The completed ‘110- Hermie now and then” short film will be screened at our community ceildhi event on 24th April.
Should you require further information, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Warm regards,
Lisa Black
Lisa Black | Depute Head Teacher (PEF)
Hermitage Park Primary School | Hermitage Park, EH6 8HD | 0131 554 2952
Bonnie Bairn, Scotland’s premier Pregnancy & Family Fair is set to take place on Sunday 1st March.
Following the huge success of the 2019 fair, which saw over 1,000 local visitors flood through the doors, the organisers have confirmed that the 2020 event will take place at Edinburgh Corn Exchange and will welcome over 80 exhibitors, making it the largest pregnancy & family fair in Scotland.
Setting it apart from other fairs, Bonnie Bairn focuses on supporting local businesses, crafters and retailers. They aim to keep the event affordable for stallholders and ensure the event not only benefits the local community, but also gives a welcoming atmosphere for expecting parents and local families from Edinburgh and beyond.
Bonnie Bairn will also offer a series of taster sessions from participating businesses, which will allow visitors to take part in half hour condensed versions of the brand experience; these will include talks and workshops scheduled throughout the day, where services providers can explain what they offer or provide free advice.
Deby Rainnie, Founder of Bonnie Bairn said: “Pregnancy is such a wonderful time and should be celebrated.
“The early years of parenthood can often be overwhelming and with so many amazing classes and support groups available it can be a little daunting to know which ones to go with.
“Our fairs are designed to be an excellent opportunity for visitors to meet the people behind the businesses, trial the classes and engage in a wide range of informative talks.”
Bonnie Bairns is all about bringing together the best local experts, activity providers and businesses supporting families from pregnancy to preschool. Their mission is to educate and inform parents and parents-to-be about all of the great local and online businesses that are available to them.
Deby continued: “We want to support parents and parents-to-be, across Scotland, sharing everything that is wonderful about raising a family here.
“Many of our retailers are local businesses, selling beautiful products that are often only available online, so this is also a wonderful chance for them to showcase their products.”
2020 stall holders confirmed include Baby Sensory, Diana Baker Photography, Edinburgh Baby Co, A-Fotografy, Bumblebee Sports, Mum Me, Sweaty Mama, Water Babies, John Lewis, Positive Birth Scotland, Sleep Safe Scotland, Playroom by Little Lunches and Yummikeys.
For a full list of companies participating visit https://www.bonnie-bairn.co.uk/visit
Advanced tickets for the event can be purchased online for £6.00 per person. Under 16’s can attend for free and do not require a ticket.
Every ticket purchased will also count as one entry into the Epic Prize Draw, which will be drawn on the day of the event.
For more information visit https://www.bonnie-bairn.co.uk/
Follow Bonnie Bairn on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
A free premium goody bag will be given to the first 250 families who arrive on the day. These are packed full or goodies, samples and local discounts.
Police Scotland, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, Edinburgh Council Trading Standards and Scottish SPCA Officers will be holding public drop in events on Monday 9th of December 2019 at the following locations in Leith: Continue reading Safer Leith at Christmas event
Events taking place across Scotland will be part of a global Fair Saturday festival involving more than 110 cities across the world on 30 November Continue reading Tomorrow is Fair Saturday Scotland
| Giant Lanterns are back at Edinburgh Zoo |
| Returning for a third year in a brand new trail, light up your winter at Giant Lanterns: Lost Worlds. With a prehistoric theme featuring “roar-some” dinosaurs and much more, you’ll be transported back to a time where weird and wonderful creatures roamed the Earth and will discover over 570 million years of wildlife.
This huge scale event will have over 600 lanterns on show with an extended route this year, so there’s more to explore this winter at Edinburgh Zoo! |
| The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland welcomed over 3,000 people through the doors of Edinburgh Zoo last week when Giant Lanterns Lost Worlds opened to the public.
Having spent two months installing hundreds of lanterns inspired by prehistoric creatures, the wildlife conservation charity launched the 47-night extravaganza on Friday 15 November. Lyndy Donaldson, events and experiences manager at Edinburgh Zoo, said “We are thrilled to bring Giant Lanterns back to the zoo this winter and delighted to see our visitors are just as excited about our new Lost Worlds theme as we are. “This year we have brought 570 million years of incredible wildlife to light, revealing some of the amazing creatures that once lived on our planet and raising awareness of the very real threat of extinction faced today by endangered species around the world. “Highlights include a tyrannosaurus rex, a 32-foot-tall volcano, a gigantic 65-foot-long snake and new interactive elements along the trail. As Scotland’s only Chinese lantern festival, it’s a fantastic experience for all the family.” Tickets for Giant Lanterns Lost Worlds start at £8.50 for children and £17 for adults and are available at www.edinburghzoo.org.uk/lanterns. Visitors are encouraged to book online in advance to secure their preferred date and time. The Giant Lanterns of China run in partnership with the VYA Creative Lantern Company and DDM Entertainment and Events Inc., and is sponsored by The Confucius Institute for Scotland. |
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Planning a wedding can be stressful, not least because of the amount of choices presented to couples, from the colour scheme and dress to the food, drinks and those little touches.
However, the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (RBGE) has its own wedding event design to ensure help is on hand to navigate through the options and create the perfect day. Continue reading The Botanics wedding experts unveil top 10 trends for the big day in 2020
Scottish Book Trust has launched Book Week Scotland’s 2019 programme with comic book artist Frank Quitely of DC Comics All Star Superman and Batman and Robin fame.
Book Week Scotland, the country’s biggest celebration of reading and writing, returns for its eight year with hundreds of events taking place all over Scotland from intimate community gatherings to flagship events with well-loved authors. Continue reading Book Week Scotland programme launched