Featured Events in Edinburgh in April, 2025 (March Updated)

The Emo Festival is coming to Edinburgh! 💀🖤 The greatest tribute night to the music that was never just a phase… 🖤 TEENAGE NOSTALGIA featuring all your biggest emo songs in existence with A LIVE BAND & LIVE DJs spinning all the angst your teenage dirtbag heart desires all night long! LIVE Performers, confetti & much more! Put on your eyeliner, lace up your high-tops and get ready to rock to all your favourite nostalgic emo anthems! This event is 18+ - Please note this is a standing event! Disclaimer: The Emo Festival and its events are not affiliated with the artists listed. All trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Please note that in-line with normal consumer standards for ticket purchases, tickets for The Emo Festival are non-refundable, unless we move the event or cancel it - any issues please don't hesitate to contact our support team! Information Source: The Emo Fest | eventbrite

EDINBURGH MUSICAL THEATRE RAVE LAUNCH Get ready to dance and sing your heart out at the most electrifying event in town! Join us on Sat April 19th, 2025 at 9C Victoria Street, Edinburgh, EH1 2HE for the Edinburgh Musical Theatre Rave Launch. It's time to let loose and celebrate the magic of musical theatre like never before! Immerse yourself in an unforgettable experience where the worlds of musicals and raves collide. This event promises an incredible night filled with pulsating beats, dazzling lights, and the best tunes from your favorite musicals. From Broadway classics to West End hits, we've got it all covered! Grab your friends, put on your dancing shoes, and get ready to unleash your inner performer. Whether you're a musical theater enthusiast or just looking for a night of non-stop fun, this event is for you! Sing along to your favorite show tunes, show off your dance moves, and revel in the infectious energy of the crowd. Our venue, located in the heart of Edinburgh, provides the perfect setting for this one-of-a-kind event. Join us at 9C Victoria Street and let the music transport you to a world of pure joy and entertainment. The address is EH1 2HE. Don't miss out on this epic night of music, dancing, and theatrical bliss. Mark your calendars, gather your squad, and be part of the Edinburgh Musical Theatre Rave Launch! It's going to be a night to remember! Information Source: Willy | eventbrite

The centenary of celebrated Scottish artist Ian Hamilton Finlay (1925-2006) will be marked by a new, free display of his work at Modern Two. Sculptor, poet, printmaker, gardener and provocateur, he achieved international renown from the 1970s.Rarely leaving his home in the Pentland Hills, he created a garden of sculptures that attracts visitors from all over the world. Occupying the ground floor rooms of Modern Two, the display includes sculptures, prints and a room-size installation as well as extensive archival material.

The centenary of celebrated Scottish artist Ian Hamilton Finlay (1925-2006) will be marked by a new, free display of his work at Modern Two. Sculptor, poet, printmaker, gardener and provocateur, he achieved international renown from the 1970s.Rarely leaving his home in the Pentland Hills, he created a garden of sculptures that attracts visitors from all over the world. Occupying the ground floor rooms of Modern Two, the display includes sculptures, prints and a room-size installation as well as extensive archival material.

Explore the creation and use of maps during the Second World War. Discover their use through personal stories, photography, and memorabilia. Between 1939 and 1945 over 3 billion maps were produced for the Allied, Soviet and German forces. Used to navigate the jungles of south-east Asia or for devising an escape plan, the maps on display are now mementoes. Maps kept alongside medals and photographs to say ‘I was there.’ You'll find aerial photography, war diaries, and even a fashionable dress made from escape and evasion maps. The exhibition introduces us to a Prisoner of War, an RAF pilot, a Brigadier and an army chaplain through the maps they kept as a memory of their war service.

Welcome to The 53 Stations of the Tōkaidō by Utagawa Hiroshige Preview event at Edinburgh Central Library (Mezzanine level). Join us on Tuesday April 1st 2025 between 5:00 and 7.00 PM for a special preview of this stunning exhibition. Immerse yourself in the beauty of Hiroshige's iconic prints depicting the historic Tōkaidō road. Get a sneak peek before the official opening and be among the first to experience this unique showcase. Don't miss out on this exclusive opportunity to witness the artistry of one of Japan's most celebrated artists. See you there! A glass of wine will be provided(non alcohol also) Information Source: The Victor Murphy Trust | eventbrite

Belong: Photography Exhibition Please join us for a one-off exhibition, to celebrate the students and staff who entered the Belong Photography Competition! Participants were asked to capture a moment that signifies their connection to the University. It could be a daily stroll across campus, a quiet moment over coffee, or a lively event that brought a smile.   This exhibition will showcase all of the entries, and celebrate the winners in a fabulous community event. Information Source: eventbrite

On the first anniversary of the Orwellian Scottish Hate Crime law, we host the Scottish Hate Crime Comedy Special. We guarantee a night of rip-roaring laughter at the expense of uptight and the easily offended. Leo Kearse Award-winning Scottish comedian and regular on GB News satirical news review show Headliners. Prolific satirist and comic commentator on the madness that surrounds us . Here’s a video of Leo at the London club Elaine Miller Frank, factual, feminist, funny, Fellow, fanny physio. Fringe World comedy award 2020 More comedians to be added to the bill soon. Bruce Devlin - Compere A man of delightfully acerbic wit and the sharpest of lines. ‘A tongue so sharp he could peel a king Edward’ **** the Scotsman Bruce will be familiar to those who enjoy free speech nation and Headliners onGB News. A popular host up and down the U.K. at the glee clubs and the stand comedy clubs. You’ll find him in the TV studio warming up for many a famous face and prime time show. He’s to be seen to be believed. DetailsDoors and bar open from 6.30pm. Show starts 7.30pm and finishes at 10pm. Bar open until 11.00. Artists on the bill may change. Ticket buyers will be added to the Comedy Unleashed email newsletter. You're free to unsubscribe at any time. We reserve the right to bar entry to anyone that we think might cause trouble. Information Source: Comedy Unleashed | eventbrite

'Inspiration' directed by Michael Lloyd , follows artist Charles Nasmyth as he takes a fresh look at one of Scotland's literary and musical giants, Hamish Henderson. He asks what motivated this complex and sometimes underestimated character. Hamish was driven by his experiences in WW2, in which he fought in the desert campaign and later with the Italian partisans. He was respected by officers and troops alike. He was the only British solder fluent enough in Italian to take Italy's surrender from the head of the Fascist army, General Rodolfo Graziani. He absorbed the work of socialist intellectuals, such as Antonio Gramsci, whose prison letters he translated. From this he learned to value the culture of ordinary people. Not only the 'travellers' of Scotland, as is well known, but also the squaddies he served with, who inspired many of his songs. He was a freedom-fighting internationalist, penning the song, Rivonia, an anthem of the anti-apartheid movement. Often associated with his work in recording and preserving Scotland's traditional culture in song, poetry and tales, Hamish was also a poet in his own right. His wartime experiences provided the basis for his Somerset Maugham prize-winning collection, Elegies for the dead in Cyrenaica. Charles was inspired to paint a portrait of Hamish after meeting his widow, Katzel, and former friends and colleagues. Later he was connected to film-maker Michael Lloyd, by Edinburgh Arts guru, Richard Demarco. The resulting film includes unique footage of the Libyan battlefields and interviews with key figures in Hamish's life. Charles's interest in Hamish is shared with Perthshire poet, Jim Mackintosh, traditional music professor, Fred Freeman, the editor of Lallans magazine, Willie Hershaw, and Hamish's former colleague and folklore expert Margaret Bennett. The film ranges widely from Hamish's Perthshire birthplace and Spital o'Glenshee home to his Edinburgh haunts, including the iconic Sandy Bell's bar. Michael Lloyd is a former BBC documentary producer, whose work has received awards and been commended at the New York Radio Festival, Prix Europa in Berlin and the UK's Sony Radio Awards. He now runs flytingfilms, which makes documentaries about artistic and cultural figures, such as sculptor and poet Ian Hamilton Finlay, and Traverse Theatre co-founder, Jim Haynes. He is currently working on a film which asks why, and how, the Edinburgh Festival Fringe has spawned nearly 200 other Fringes, world-wide. Information Source: Scottish Poetry Library | eventbrite

Solo Sessions Live Come join us for an intimate evening of live music at George Watson's College in their Music School Auditorium. Our talented performers will be showcasing their skills in solos and duets, allowing you to truly appreciate their artistry up close. Get ready to be captivated by performances that will leave you wanting more. Don't miss out on this unique opportunity to experience raw talent in a cozy setting. See you there! Information Source: Solo Sessions Global Ltd | eventbrite

Launched in 1989 as the world's first science festival, the Edinburgh Science Festival is still the UK's largest science festival, offering a fantastic range of experiences for all ages, including exhibitions, events, workshops, performances, screenings and discussions between the world's leading scientific minds. The annual festival takes place across the city in galleries, museums, public spaces and more. These events are accompanied by a host of fun, engaging activities and serious and illuminating scientific debates on everything from quantum physics to environmental ethics! Children and adults alike will love the interactive exhibitions and workshops, where they can get hands-on with the science behind spacecraft, weather, dinosaurs, the human body and more. Trained science educators will open their eyes to just how amazing the world is with demonstrations. Meanwhile, adults can enjoy a range of entertaining evening events, including discussions, debates, performances, food and drink and hands-on experiences, with plenty of audience participation.

The exceptional musicians of the Piccadilly Sinfonietta perform Vivaldi's masterpiece The Four Seasons and other magnificent works in the beautiful candlelit setting o St Mary's Cathedral, Palmerston Place, Edinburgh A hugely appealing programme designed to help you celebrate the weekend in style! 'Stunning' - Classic FM Featuring The Piccadilly Sinfonietta and guest soloists Programme Vivaldi - Violin concerto in G minor RV317 Vivaldi -Violin concerto in E minor (La Stravaganza) RV 279 Vivaldi - Double Violin Concerto Op. 3, No. 8 in A Minor, RV 522 INTERVAL Vivaldi - Four Seasons Since its formation in 2017, the Piccadilly Sinfonietta has become a regular feature on the UK concert scene, giving up to 100 performances a year in some of the country’s most beautiful and prestigious venues. The ensemble comprises some of the most prodigious musical talent and performs exclusively with leading virtuoso soloists. The group performs under the artistic direction of its founder, concert pianist Warren Mailley-Smith and focuses on the virtuoso concerto repertoire of the baroque, classical and early romantic periods. Information Source: CityMusic Promotions Ltd | eventbrite

Join artist Andrew J Brooks as he discusses TOLL, his large-scale artwork marking the first year of Covid-19 deaths in the UK. Created in solitude through 52 performances, TOLL consists of 145,652 hand-drawn marks—one for each life lost. Brooks will share insights into the work’s creation, its evolution over five years, and its significance today. This talk is part of the TOLL – Five Years On exhibition, where the piece will be displayed fully unrolled for the first time. The exhibiton is open 10am-5pm, 5th & 6th April 2025 Information Source: eventbrite

Invited students and experts from the University of Edinburgh engage in a conversation on mental health and well-being tools for artists and their careers Monica Duarte (MSc in Digital Media Design at the University of Edinburgh) joins us to discuss mental health and well-being in music practice. Her digital tools for musical artists alleviate the stresses posed by the modern music industry and facilitate their artistic production with a community-based focus. . There will be more speakers to be added from Edinburgh charities concerned with cognitive health, music and the creative process. The Shape of Sound is a collaborative project between St. Cecilia’s Hall and students on the MScR Collections and Curating Practices postgraduate course at the University of Edinburgh. Information Source: St Cecilia's Hall, The University of Edinburgh | eventbrite

Join our Boozy Brushes Sip and Paint, Floral Art Party! Have a Couple of Drinks, Meet Some New Friends and Experiment with Delicate Colours and Brush Strokes to Create a Floral Masterpiece! Painting is a fantastic way to unwind, explore your creative potential and socialise with your friends or someone new. We want to show people that art is not restricted to a particular type of individual and learning new painting skills can be light-hearted, fun and therapeutic. All of our classes are beginner friendly and are taught by a drag queen who will guide you through the painting process. You can also chose to show off your own skills and paint something entirely different should you choose to. All of the supplies will be provided, including: Canvas Easel Brushes Paint Aprons Food and drink available to purchase Alongside potentially winning one of our exciting prizes, guests can also take home their own masterpiece. Please arrive 10 minutes before the class with your ticket to hand. Our tickets are non-refundable once purchased. If you would like to reschedule your class please provide us with at least 24 hours notice and you should be able to join a future event. Look forward to getting creative with you all :) Information Source: Boozy Brushes | eventbrite

Explore accurate Hearts v Dundee United sporting information for 6th April, as well as links for Football news, tickets and more with Fixture Calendar. Hearts Football Club, or simply known as Hearts, is a Scottish professional football team based in Edinburgh. Founded in 1874, they are one of the oldest and most historic football clubs in Scotland. Currently playing in the Scottish Premiership, Hearts have won the league title on four occasions and have been runners-up 15 times. They have also won the Scottish Cup eight times, making them the third most successful team in the history of the competition. The club's home ground, Tynecastle Park, has a capacity of over 20,000 and has been the team's fortress since 1886. Some notable players who have played for Hearts include John Robertson, Gary Mackay, and current captain Steven Naismith. With a strong history and successful track record, Hearts continue to be a formidable team in Scottish football. Dundee United Football Club, founded in 1909, is a professional football team based in the city of Dundee, Scotland. The team competes in the Scottish Professional Football League and has a rich history of success, having won the Scottish League Cup and Scottish Premier League titles. The club also holds the distinction of being the first Scottish team to reach the finals of the UEFA Cup in 1987. Their home ground is the 14,223-seater Tannadice Park, known for its passionate and vocal atmosphere. Over the years, the team has produced some notable players such as Maurice Malpas, Hamish McAlpine, and Duncan Ferguson, who have gone on to represent Scotland at the international level. With a dedicated fan base and a talented squad, Dundee United continues to make its mark in the world of football. Information Source: fixturecalendar.com

Sammy Obeid: Edgy in Edinburgh! 🎤✨ Join Sammy Obeid for a night of laughter at the vibrant and historic Assembly Roxy as he brings his unique perspective and infectious energy to the stage. Don’t miss this evening filled with sharp wit and unforgettable stories about life, math, and everything in between! Doors 7:00pm | Show 8:00pm Lebanese-Palestinian American, born in Oakland California, Sammy Obeid, double majored in Business and Mathematics at UC Berkeley and then turned down a job at Google to be a comedian. Now the host of 100 Humans on Netflix, he’s also appeared on NBC's Last Comic Standing and America's Got Talent, as well as TBS’s Conan, and is best known for his world record of performing comedy 1,001 nights in a row, a story featured in both Time Magazine and The New York Times. Information Source: Sammy Obeid | eventbrite

Don you heavy woolen cloaks, light your lanterns and join us for an evening of hauntingly historic debuts. We're delighted to be joined by Danielle Giles, Mere, and Gabrielle Griffiths, Greater Sins, on Tuesday 8th April, at 7pm, as we celebrate the publication of their extraordinarily striking and mysteriously unsettling works of historical fiction. Danielle Giles, Mere Norfolk, 990 AD. Deep in the Fens, isolated by a vast and treacherous mere, an order of holy sisters make their home. Under the steely guidance of Abbess Sigeburg they follow God’s path, looking to their infirmarian, Hilda, to provide what comfort and cures she can. But when the mere takes a young servant boy, Sigeburg’s grip falters and Hilda quickly realizes this place holds secrets darker and more unholy than she can fathom. Then proud Sister Wulfrun, a recent arrival to the convent, has a vision: a curse is upon them and change must be brought. Is she saint or serpent? To Hilda, Wulfrun is a signal bolder and brighter than any fire set – one she cannot help but follow . . . Gabrielle Griffiths, Greater Sins 1915, the Cabrach, Aberdeenshire. An isolated Scottish community is disturbed by a strange discovery: a body in a peat bog, perfectly preserved. Two people haul the body from the ground: Lizzie, the wife of a wealthy local landowner, and Johnny, a nomadic singer and farm hand. At hearthside and inn, people whisper: what have we unearthed? One unveiling brings others. For Lizzie, tenacious but trapped, the discovery reveals unanswered questions about her past while for Johnny, it threatens to uncover a history he’s trying to outrun. As their stories entwine, a series of unsettling events befalls the isolated community: ruinous weather, a damaged soldier, strange occurrences that cannot be explained. Against the echoes of distant war, and with the boundaries blurring between right and wrong, everyone is looking for someone to blame… - Doors: 6.30pm, event starts: 7pm, please arrive early to secure a good seat. Tickets are £3and there are Ticket & Book options which includes a signed copies of Mere or Greater Sins. The bookshop has level access, events are seated and speakers use microphones. If you have any concerns about accessibility, please do get in touch and we will do our best to accommodate your needs. Refunds are reviewed on a case-by-case basis, we are unable to offer a refund after the event. For more information or if you would like a signed copy because you can't make it to the event, please contact the Blackwell's events team on 0131 622 8222 or matthew.land@blackwell.co.uk Information Source: Blackwell's Edinburgh South Bridge | eventbrite

Playful and relaxed Drawing Tour of Edinburgh's beautiful Portrait Gallery. We'll be playing drawing games, taking inspiration from the characters around us, and learning how to get started on designing our own characters. This is designed for multiple age groups to work together- adults and teens and kids 12+. It's so important to me that my tours are a place to chuck out perfectionism and seek out play together. All materials provided - but do bring your own sketchbooks too if you have character drawings you'd like to show me! I'd be delighted to see. Information Source: Hannah Kelly | eventbrite

Like to turn everything into a game? Like to practice the art of drawing from your imagination? Come and explore Edinburgh's National Gallery of Modern Art for a Like to turn everything into a game? Like to practice the art of drawing from your imagination? Come along! We'll be playing drawing games, taking inspiration from the artworks around us, and learning how to use them as a springboard to design our own games. Think Game Environments, gameplay structure and rules, game characters. This is for kids, teens and their adults too - it's so important to me that my tours are a place to chuck out perfectionism and seek out play together. All materials provided - but do bring your own sketchbooks too if you have anything you'd like to show me! I'd be delighted to see. 16+ can attend by themselves if they wish (but it's fun to bring your adult!) 12+ tickets require an adult ticket to be purchased too. Information Source: Hannah Kelly | eventbrite

Easter Golf - Junior Coaching (Beginners) Come join us for a fun-filled day of learning and playing golf at Glencorse Golf Club! Our junior coaching session is perfect for beginners looking to improve their skills and have a great time on the course. Our experienced instructors will guide you through the basics of golf, from proper grip and stance to swinging techniques. Don't miss out on this fantastic opportunity to kickstart your golfing journey this Easter! The sessions will take place over 4 days: 8th April 11th April 15th April 17th April Sessions will start at 11am Information Source: Glencorse Golf Club | eventbrite

Explore accurate Hibernian v Dundee sporting information for 12th April, as well as links for Football news, tickets and more with Fixture Calendar. Hibernian, also known as Hibs, is a professional football team based in Edinburgh, Scotland. Founded in 1875, Hibernian has a rich history in the Scottish football scene and is one of the oldest teams in the country. The team competes in the Scottish Premiership, the top tier of Scottish football, and has won the league on four occasions. Hibs' most recent achievement was winning the Scottish Cup in 2016, ending a 114-year drought. The team's home ground is the famous Easter Road Stadium, which has a capacity of over 20,000 and is known for its vibrant atmosphere on matchdays. Hibernian boasts a talented squad of players, including current captain David Gray and prolific striker Christian Doidge. With a dedicated fan base and a strong track record, Hibernian is a well-respected and competitive team in Scottish football. Dundee Football Club, commonly known as The Dark Blues, is a professional football team based in the city of Dundee, Scotland. Founded in 1893, the club is one of the oldest in Scotland and currently competes in the Scottish Championship, the second tier of Scottish professional football. In their long and illustrious history, Dundee has won the Scottish League title once, the Scottish Cup once, and the Scottish League Cup three times. The team has also made numerous appearances in European competitions, including the UEFA Cup and the European Cup Winners' Cup. The star players of the current squad include experienced midfielder Charlie Adam and talented striker Osman Sow. Dundee plays their home matches at the state-of-the-art Kilmac Stadium at Dens Park, which has a capacity of over 11,000 fans. With a dedicated fan base and a rich history, Dundee Football Club is a true powerhouse in Scottish football. Information Source: fixturecalendar.com

Stabat Mater (Rossini) Join the Linton Singers and Conductor Murray Campbe.. for a mesmerizing performance of Rossini's Stabat Mater at Canongate Kirk. Experience the emotional depth and beauty of this masterpiece in person. Murray Campbell will lead an invited orchestra and soloists Caroline Gold (soprano), Hannah Haynes (mezzo soprano), Mathew Todd (tenor), Tembu Rongong (Baritone). Information Source: Sophie Pilgrim | eventbrite

Join our Boozy Brushes Sip and Paint Cityscape Art Party! Capture the Energy of the City Lights, Skyscrapers and Iconic Landmarks while listening to some Urban Electronic Music. Painting is a fantastic way to unwind, explore your creative potential and socialise with your friends or someone new. We want to show people that art is not restricted to a particular type of individual and learning new painting skills can be lighthearted, fun and therapeutic. All of our classes are beginner friendly and are taught by a drag queen who will guide you through the painting process. You can also chose to show off your own skills and paint something entirely different should you choose to. All of the supplies will be provided, including: CanvasEaselBrushesPaintApronsFood and drink available to purchaseAlongside potentially winning one of our exciting prizes, guests can also take home their own masterpiece. Please arrive 10 minutes before the class with your ticket to hand.Our tickets are non-refundable once purchased.If you would like to reschedule your class please provide us with at least 24 hours notice and you should be able to join a future event.Look forward to getting creative with you all :) Information Source: Boozy Brushes | eventbrite

Join Barney Campbell on Tuesday 15th April, 7pm as he discusses his heartbreaking portrayal of friendship forged in the trenches, The Fires of Gallipoli. Edward Salter is a shy, reserved lawyer whose life is transformed by the outbreak of war in 1914. On his way to fight in the Gallipoli campaign, he befriends the charming and quietly courageous Theodore Thorne. Together they face the carnage and slaughter, stripped bare to their souls by the hellscape and only sustained by each other and the moments of quiet they catch together. Thorne becomes the crutch whom Edward relies on throughout the fighting. When their precious leave from the frontline coincides, Theo invites Edward to his parents’ idyllic estate in Northamptonshire. Here Edward meets Thorne’s sister Miranda and becomes entranced by her. Edward escapes the broiling, fetid charnel-house of Gallipoli to work on the staff of Lord Kitchener, then on to the Western Front and post-war espionage in Constantinople. An odd coolness has descended between Edward and Theo. Can their friendship survive at the end of the war when everything around them is corrupted and destroyed? The Fires of Gallipoli is a heartbreaking, sweeping portrayal of friendship and its fragility at the very limits of humanity. For fans of Birdsong by Sebastian Faulks,All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony - Doors: 6.30pm, event starts: 7pm, please arrive early to secure a good seat. Tickets are £3and there is a Ticket & Book option which includes a signed copy of The Fires of Gallipoli. The bookshop has level access, events are seated and speakers use microphones. If you have any concerns about accessibility, please do get in touch and we will do our best to accommodate your needs. Refunds are reviewed on a case-by-case basis, we are unable to offer a refund after the event. For more information or if you would like a signed copy because you can't make it to the event, please contact the Blackwell's events team on 0131 622 8222 or matthew.land@blackwell.co.uk Information Source: Blackwell's Edinburgh South Bridge | eventbrite

Celebrate the launch of two compelling poetry collections! Donald S Murray, acclaimed author of The Salt and the Flame, presents Tales of a Cosmic Crofter, a vibrant collection inspired by Gaelic songs and his Lewis upbringing. Alongside, Mark Vernon Thomas unveils For All the Ghosts that Live in Me, his deeply personal exploration of inner landscapes. Also supporting are Allan Gaw and Jen Dunn. A night of rich poetry and storytelling! Donald S Murray is from Ness in the Isle of Lewis. Now living in Shetland, his work includes non-fiction, short stories, drama, poetry – the latter including ‘Achanalt’ which in collaboration with the artist Hugh Bryden won the Callum MacDonald award - and novels such as ‘As the Women Lay Dreaming’ (Saraband) which won the Paul Torday Award and was shortlisted for other national prizes. His latest novel, linked to various musical events, including one at Celtic Connections is ‘The Salt and the Flame’ which was published in January 2024. His play ‘Sequamur’ has also been chosen as one of the main texts for Higher English by the SQA. The poems in ‘Tales of a Cosmic Crofter’ were partly inspired by the Gaelic songs of Donnie Dotaman (Donnie Macleod) who wrote a number on the subject of tractors – which were loved by my children, Angus and Eileen when they were youngsters – and also my own upbringing in Ness where a number of tractors were regularly seen. Together with Noel Eadie and his sister Margaret Macleod, he was also a member of the Na h-Òganaich, one of the most important Gaelic bands in my teenage years. Mark Vernon Thomas is a New Zealander living deep in the Machars, SW Scotland. He has been a Classical /improv musician, a singer of Georgian polyphony, a Gestalt psychotherapist and now a poet. Mark has been published in Takahe magazine (NZ), Northwords Now, Poet’s Republic, Amsterdam Quarterly, among others, and online with the Scottish Poetry Library. His first collection Dances with Shadows and Stones is published by Drunk Muse Press 2023. His second collection, Tales of Fenris Wolf is published by Paekakariki Press 2023, with artwork by Helen Moss. His third collection, For All the Ghosts that Live in Me is published by Seahorse Publications, 2025. Information Source: Scottish Poetry Library | eventbrite

You are invited to the Scottish Poetry Library on Thursday April 17th at 7pm for the launch of two Handsel Press poetry booklets - Jenny Campbell's Casting Off: Poems from the Slipstream and Jock Stein's Old and Bold: Poems of Love and Age. The event will finish by 8pm and include clarsach performance by the Edinburgh harpist Douglas Kerr. Ticket price allows participants to get two free booklets! As Jenny Campbell’s first collection slips like a boat into the river of contemporary poetry, it bears an offering of fresh poems on sea and seasons, birds and bards, wind and windows, with two poems exploring her Ulster roots, ‘between the orange and the green’. Painting and poetry have always been part of Jenny’s creative life. Her cover painting is called ‘Where Life had Been’, and suggests the skeletal structure of a fish seen from underneath, with light on the water. Sometimes she even scribbles verses into the paint! You think the words are all yours, your reasoning a savage knife, but my words are the words that cradle life. (from ‘The River Speaks’) Jock Stein is a preacher, piper and poet from Haddington. He and his wife Margaret, also a minister, have been married for well over 50 years. Some of his other books can be found on www.handselpress.org.uk “when evening comes, there’s something more” There’s much here that echoes on inside long after the reading of the lines is done, and the best is kept till last. Kenneth Steven Writer Old, bold, skilful and sensual – the love poems from the evening of life are a sheer delight; pulsing with affection, attraction, intimacy, faith, fun and devotion. If the love poetry beguiles the most, there is more here - on ageing, nature, friendship, suffering and hope. Shot through it all, in the final words of the collection, ‘the call of heaven’. Treat yourself to this new set of poems from Jock Stein. Doug Gay Glasgow University Information Source: Scottish Poetry Library | eventbrite

Join the Art Collections Curator for a free lunchtime tour of the current exhibition for a deeper insight into the themes and artworks on display. The tour will begin in the entrance area of the gallery promptly at 1pm. About the exhibition Taking the University’s 350-year-old Art Collection as its focus, Rooting: Ecology, Extraction & Environmental Emergencies in the University’s Art Collection features historic and contemporary artworks that consider environment, ecology, as well as the entangled relationship between economic and colonial legacies and the climate crisis. The display showcases a range of artforms by 30 different artists acquired by the University and currently used to support and enhance research and learning. As part of the institution’s cultural heritage, the artworks displayed in the exhibition will highlight University’s histories in relation to these topics, as well as offering reflections on the urgency for individual and collective action. Rooting is being delivered in collaboration with the University’s Department for Social Responsibility and Sustainability (SRS) and will highlight ongoing activity across the University to create a more sustainable future through research, teaching, operations and people. Image: Installation view of Valentina Lobos Muñoz, Speculative Flag, (2021). Digital drawing and textile digital printing on silk. Photo by Ian Georgeson. Information Source: Library and University Collections | eventbrite

Following their ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ and sold-out show at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Matthew Shiel has ‘composed’ a most enchanting concert (⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Edinburgh Guide) A ripping good yarn. Sim and Shiel both are masters of their crafts. (⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Binge Fringe) Shiel and Sim can pride themselves on creating an atmosphere which is all too often missed in our digital world (⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Corr Blimey) Matthew Shiel shone (⭐⭐⭐⭐Three Weeks) Moonlight Concerts return to Edinburgh with an Easter concert designed for the young and inspired by Prokofiev's Symphonic Tale for Children: Peter and the Wolf, Hans Christian Anderson's fairytale The Ugly Duckling, favourite sing-along children's songs by the piano and a chocotastic Easter egg hunt! This afternoon's musical programme is accompanied by projected illustrations digitally painted by acclaimed Chinese artist and Disney illustrator Emma Yitong Shen – to create an immersive musical experience designed to introduce young people to music making and fun for all the family. Suitable for all ages. Perfect Easter family event! Under 18s - £5 (early bird price, ends 01.04.25; must be accompanied by an adult) PROGRAMME Symphonic Tale for Children: Peter and the Wolf - Prokofiev (narrator: Alastair Sim) Hans Christian Anderson's The Ugly Duckling (narrator: Alastair Sim) Children's Songs: Sing a Song of Sixpence, Humpty Dumpty, Hey Diddle Diddle and more... Easter Egg Hunt Matthew Shiel 'Matthew Shiel shone' (Three Weeks) and 'Matthew Shiel 'composed' a most enchanting concert. 5 stars!' (Edinburgh Guide) - reviewers are applauding Matthew for his unique, creative and fresh approach to music performance which push the boundaries of what a piano recital can be. Matthew Shiel is an award-winning concert pianist, Usher Hall and Live Music Now Scotland emerging artist who has performed at Usher Hall, The National Portrait Gallery of Scotland, St Gile's Cathedral (Edinburgh), The Glasshouse International Centre for Music (Newcastle) and Glasgow City Halls. Matthew is a graduate of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and has collaborated with festivals including the Åben Festival (Copenhagen), Music at Paxton (Berwick) and a sold-out show at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Narrator: Alastair Sim Alastair Sim is an author, performer and history guide. Along with short stories and play scripts he has had two novels published. Rosslyn Blood is a comedy thriller set around the mysteries of Rosslyn Chapel. The Unbelievers is a Victorian detective novel-of-ideas set in Edinburgh and the Highlands. Emma Yitong Shen Emma Shen is a Chinese visual artist currently resident in Edinburgh, Scotland. She has collaborated with Disney, BBDO, FCB, Ogilvy and her illustrations, installations and paintings are exhibited internationally. Emma aims to capture the essence of emotions and imagination on canvases. Utilizing both traditional and digital tools, she uses luminescent colors, creative composition to unveil unique perspectives on the ordinary. Emma's illustrations, installations, and paintings are regularly showcased in exhibitions and commercial events internationally. Her work is a testament to the boundless possibilities of imagination and the ability to transform the mundane into captivating visual narratives. Moonlight Moonlight is a performing arts company that creates immersive classical music experiences, concerts, shows and exhibitions. It celebrates interdisciplinary collaboration with writers and storytellers, visual artists, dancers and filmmakers (and beyond) to push the boundaries of what a classical concert can be and create the 'performance of the future.' Our aim is to make classical music appealing to the demands and expectations of a 21st Century audience and make classical music accessible for all. moonlightconcerts.co.uk Information Source: Moonlight | eventbrite

Join our Boozy Brushes Sip and Paint Landscape Art Party! Immerse Yourself in a Relaxing, Atmospheric Painting Experience Creating Your Own Landscape Painting! Painting is a fantastic way to unwind, explore your creative potential and socialise with your friends or someone new. We want to show people that art is not restricted to a particular type of individual and learning new painting skills can be lighthearted, fun and therapeutic. All of our classes are beginner friendly and are taught by a drag queen who will guide you through the painting process. You can also chose to show off your own skills and paint something entirely different should you choose to. All of the supplies will be provided, including: Canvas Easel Brushes Paint Aprons Food and drink available to purchase Alongside potentially winning one of our exciting prizes, guests can also take home their own masterpiece. Please arrive 10 minutes before the class with your ticket to hand. Our tickets are non-refundable once purchased. If you would like to reschedule your class please provide us with at least 24 hours notice and you should be able to join a future event. Look forward to getting creative with you all :) Information Source: Boozy Brushes | eventbrite