What's On and Things To Do Around Edinburgh

Fitandhappy are delighted to be running a new fun boot camp for women in Ravelston Park. These outdoor fitness sessions are suitable for women of all ages and levels of fitness. You will be supported and encouraged at all times. Please get in touch if you would like to find out more.

A vibrant, evocative full-length drama about the controversial sinking of the SS Arandora Star on July 2nd, 1940, in which some 700 ’enemy aliens’, many of them Scottish-Italians, lost their lives while being transported to Canada by the British Government.

From social and energetic dances from Brittany or joyful group dances from the Basque country, to warm, exuberant Southern Italian dances or smooth couple dances from France, this series will take you on a folkdance tour of Europe!

with Cav. Mary Contini After her highly successful Dear Francesca, Mary Contini writes to her other daughter, Olivia, to tell the story of her great-grandparents, the Italian shepherds who emigrated to Edinburgh and then helped to transform Britain’s food culture.

Comedy and satire come to the fore as we celebrate the sonnets of Roma’s Giuseppe Belli in their original Romanesco; and as owersett into Scots by Auld Reekie’s Robert Garioch. With Raymond Ross & Giacomo Giuggioli.

Renowned translator and commentator, Professor Joespeh Farrell (University of Strathclyde) explores the rich contribution made by Italian-Scots to Scotland’s twentieth century cultural renaissance, in literature, music and the visual arts.

Strongminded tales of those who didn’t take no for an answer, who believed and loved so much to risk everything for their ideal. Edinburgh’s monthly storytelling night returns to its spiritual home at The Waverley Bar. With guest storyteller, Italian Scot, Diana Bertoldi.

Creative events and social gatherings, not least in traditional arts, need skilful compering. The host crafts the atmosphere and flow that will make the evening sing with pizazz or flag. What are the skills involved? Can we improve them, and how can we prepare ourselves to be receptive and encouraging hosts?

Author of Language of My Choosing, poet and life writer, Anne Pia, explores gender, identity and language in the context of Scots-Italian families and the wider community.

Hundreds of Land Rovers and Club Displays, Jam Packed main arena action, fun and games and evening entertainment will ensure there’s something for all the family. New products and services will be on display from the biggest names in 4x4 as exhibitors from all over the UK bring their products to your doorstep.

Content from Though This Be Madness will be shared in a daytime performance in the Storytelling Court, specifically for parents with babes in arms. How can we nurture our collective sanity?

A new series where performers interpret the material of great songwriters. Not a tribute act, but a loving celebration of wonderful songs. Beginning with one of the greatest of all, Bob Dylan, who has inspired musicians and poets for over half a century.

Pupils from Bun sgoil Taobh na Pàirce and James Gillespie’s High School perform William Hershaw’s play about about the tragic sinking off the coast of Stornoway on New Year’s Day, 1919.

To be alive is to be in perpetual change: growing, healing, learning, aging. For this exhibition, award-winning writer and doctor Gavin Francis will consider in words and iconic images some of the changes that occur across the arc of human life: from the dynamism of biochemistry that sustains life to the...

A workshop for storytellers, musicians and singers who want to interweave music and the spoken word in performance. Experienced harper and storyteller, Heather Yule takes you into this fertile territory with examples, discussion and the opportunity to reflect on your own approach, as well as try some new ideas.

The award-winning musical improv comedy troupe are joined by new and established improvisers and sketch comedians as they present two hours of off-the-cuff scenes and original sketch comedy.

A relaxed, social session of stories, songs, memories and laughter in the Storytelling Court with some of our loveliest storytellers. Come to join in, or just to listen, with friends old and new. Tea, coffee and biscuits included. Hosted by the ElderWise group.

James Gillespie’s High School S1s perform an adaptation of ‘Little Red Riding Hood’. This play, performed in Gaelic, encourages audience participation of all their favourite Gaelic nursery songs from Cròileagan and Sgoil Àraich. Parents and carers are encouraged to sing along too! Guaranteed fun event for all ages!

Hollywood comes to Holyrood on Saturday 9th June 2018 for The MoonWalk Scotland! The famous night time fundraising challenge is back with added sparkle and glamour for its 13th year. Sign up now!

Inspired by ancient Slavic celebrations and based on traditional songs from Eastern Europe, Rites of Summer is about passage and human relationship with nature. At midsummer, when their ancestors lit bonfires at water banks, Davno brews a cocktail of laughter and sorrow, fun and fear - an essence of summer.

Information Lecture: Help and Healing on the Spiritual Path through the teaching of Bruno Groening A lecture about spiritual healing and help through the teaching of Bruno Groening.

Stories for fingers and stories for toes! Tales that tickle and land on your nose! Come along and enjoy some old favourites and some new. Lots of joining-in, props and toys to squish and rattle. With Ailie Finlay.

A night uncovering our favourite folk and faery scoundrels. They are vilified, feared, and hunted, but do wolves and witches deserve such a wretched reputation? Join Dougie Mackay in an enchanted evening of lesser known tales, tuned to the moon and murmuring with musings from the forest shadows.

Can you kill an idea? Breaking the silence built around the patriarch of her family, Sònia Gardés starts a journey inside the anarchist movement of the Spanish Civil War.

Jean Edmiston leads a workshop about choosing stories and identity to work creatively with in times of change. Which stories do you tell, and where do you find them? Are the stories you choose suitable or appropriate for these ever changing times and for the audience you’re telling to?

Join friends from the Scots Music Group for an afternoon session of traditional songs, music, poems and stories. Held in the relaxed setting of the Storytelling Court. All welcome to listen or bring a tune for a turn!

Written by Sam Siggs Directed by Adam Rosa In the woods outside the nowhere town of Midvale stands an abandoned house with scorched rooms and boarded windows. Long ago something terrible happened there, or so the stories go. But is there really any truth to the myths?

Written by Natalie MacKinnon Directed by Ellen Shand Lucy is used to feeling alone. She’s got hardly any friends. Even her big sister ignores her. But Lucy has made some new friends.

Written by Tim Primrose Directed by Catherine Ward-Stoddart Colossal CAVERNS! Dastardly DUNGEONS!! Terrible TROGLODYTES!!! Giant MUTANT spiders!!!! Also, some HUMMUS!!!!! Can our INTREPID HEROES escape the fantastical UNDERGROUND CITY of TROGLODOPOLIS… alive???

The annual Scottish Storytelling Forum Development Day will focus on the role of storytelling within education and youth development. The magic of stories and storytelling have the power to bring a curriculum to life, enabling vivid and embodied learning and understanding across multiple subject areas.

Run, jog or walk. Raise £200 or £10. THIS IS BEATING CANCER. Sign up for Race for Life RIGHT NOW. Race for Life brings millions of women together to support Cancer Research UK’s life-saving research. Just by signing up you’ll make a difference and whether you raise £10 or £200, every penny matters.

The second in our ’Reconstructed’ series celebrates the work of Yusaf Islam, commonly known by his former stage-name, Cat Stevens. Father and Son, How Can I Tell You, The Wind and more.

Dowally’s brand new album Somewhere tells a tale of music from wild, rolling places. Tonight sees the album being officially launched and audience members can anticipate an exciting, energetic performance from a trio whose expression and style has been described as ’something special – one of the big surprises...

The role of the storyteller in the culture of Chuck Warren’s ancestors in the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians was an important one. The storyteller was a wanderer, they would carry news, and provide a means for personal communication between relatives.

Pediatrics 2018 includes international attendee workshops, lectures and symposia, including a designated registration area, a refreshment break and gala lunch.

Pamela is the hard won queen of a buzzing beauty salon but behind the glamour, there are secrets that threaten to bring the walls of her suburban Palace crumbling down.

An interactive children’s comedy making its Edinburgh Fringe debut. Signor Baffo has been appearing around the UK since 2015, lauded by children everywhere in a show that can ‘blow your head off’ (Kai, aged 7). A treat for children of 3+ and their families that will keep the giggles coming long after it’s over.

Booking now for Edinburgh Fringe 2018: the 5-star comedy that promises love, honour and disarray as well as a 3-course meal. Tickets and gift vouchers are on sale now, with an Earlybird discount running until 7 January.

This globetrotting hit is returning for its 11th Edinburgh Fringe with a massive 49 lunch and dinner performances. But be warned: it’s bound to sell out once again, so early booking is essential. Tickets and gift vouchers are on sale now, with an Earlybird discount running until 7 January.

Uncork the champagne! Dress to kill! Party like there’s no tomorrow! Celebrating 20 diamante decorated years, The Lady Boys of Bangkok ‘Wonder Women’ Tour will take the UK’s number one cabaret show to a new level.

Can Princess Pumpalot (The Farting Princess) and her best friend, Guffy, find the purple super-farting bean and save Wiffyville from Prince Nastavia and the low-flying gnomes? Aided by bizarre clues from a werewolf, a mummy and a prisoner, Princess Pumpalot and Guffy embark on a mind-boggling adventure.

Truckfest is the must see show for enthusiasts, families and the road haulage industry. Proud of its heritage in presenting trucks from all over the world, Truckfest is Europe’s Premier trucking event, showcasing a huge variety of trucks from giant American to jaw dropping customised vehicles.

Take part in Scotland’s largest antiques event. Quality vintage clothing and accessories, jewellery, ceramics, collectables, Art Deco items, pens, walking sticks and much more awaits. ATM machine on the showground, on site catering in the hall and free car parking.

S.c.a.r. Scottish Child Abuse Rally Get Up Stand Up is a collective of orginizations and individuals raising awareness of serious child abuse. Join Us for a action packed afternoon of speakers and much much more.

Run, jog or walk. Raise £200 or £10. THIS IS BEATING CANCER. Sign up for Race for Life RIGHT NOW. Race for Life brings millions of women together to support Cancer Research UK’s life-saving research. Just by signing up you’ll make a difference and whether you raise £10 or £200, every penny matters.

The Edinburgh Blues ’N’ Rock Festival returns this year on Saturday 22 September at The Corn Exchange. This year the festival will be promoted and programmed by the Edinburgh Blues Club who have shaped a fantastic contemporary lineup for 2018.

The hugely popular live band performance, returns to rock the UK with the ‘Queen Extravaganza Tour’ ‘Queen Extravaganza’ – described by the legendary Roger Taylor himself as ‘A rock celebration in the Royal tradition’ and designed to enable new fans and old to celebrate the music of Queen - will play 17 shows

Take part in Scotland’s largest antiques event. Quality vintage clothing and accessories, jewellery, ceramics, collectables, Art Deco items, pens, walking sticks and much more awaits. ATM machine on the showground, on site catering in the hall and free car parking.