Edinburgh 247 events listings and whats on guide for edinburgh

ADMIRAL COCHRANE, THE REAL MASTER AND COMMANDER - -
Free entry. National Museum of Scotland, Chambers Street, Edinburgh. www.nms.ac.uk/cochrane
Discover the extraordinary life of Scotsman and naval adventurer Admiral Lord Cochrane. The inspiration for the classic books and films of high-seas adventure, Cochrane’s real story is as incredible as anything in fiction.
Cochrane was a brilliant tactician, a hero of the Royal Navy in the age of Nelson, a trouble-making politician, a far-sighted innovator, and a man of action who took risks. His headstrong character made his name a byword for controversy, but no one could argue with the skill that made him a champion of the new nations of Chile, Brazil and Greece.
Explore Cochrane’s life and times through a fascinating collection of personal possessions and dramatic paintings - a hoard of treasures that have never before been seen together. (In partnership with the National Records of Scotland.)

DESIGN & DEMOCRACY: AN EXHIBITION EXPLORING HOW DESIGNERS CAN SHAPE OUR WORLD - -

Opening times: Monday – Saturday (closed Sundays and 23 Dec-3 January inclusive), Scottish Parliament, Main Hall, Cost - free. For more information call 0131 248 5200.
The Scottish Parliament has brought together 16 graduates from Scotland’s four renowned art schools to create an exhibition – called ‘Design & Democracy’ – to showcase how inspired design can be both life enhancing and creative. The exhibition is the first to combine works from all four of Scotland’s art schools: Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art, Dundee; Edinburgh College of Art; Gray’s School of Art, Aberdeen; and The Glasgow School of Art. The exhibition will be housed within the Parliament’s Main Hall from the end of November 2011 to March 2012. Presiding Officer, Tricia Marwick MSP said: “This exhibition demonstrates the vibrancy of Scotland’s creative education sector and there can be nowhere more fitting to showcase their talents than here at our Parliament.
The range of the projects on display will be of immense interest to the Parliament’s visitors and Members alike. “Scotland’s art colleges have a strong international reputation and this can only have been enhanced by the quality of the work on show here. “We are delighted that all four art colleges responded so eagerly to the suggestion to create this exhibition. It comprehensively captures Scottish innovation on a theme that fits perfectly with the ideals at the heart of our Parliament.”
The exhibits range from film and photographic presentations, to model storefronts, innovative graphic design and products designed for specific use. Among these are edible food packaging, a ‘toolkit’ to help people suffering from depression, a study of Nepalese widows, and fashions that reference styles from more than 100 years ago. The exhibition is grouped across a number of themes that include: designing for sustainability; designing for health and well-being; and the impact of good visual communication.
www.scottish.parliament.uk

COMEDY VARIETY SHOW, KEARA MURPHY - -

8:00pm, City Cafe, Tickets £2.00 - £3.00. Over 18s Only / Please Bring Photo ID / Event Ends 10.30pm. This week sees the launch of our brand new COMEDY VARIETY SHOW at The City Cafe, Edinburgh. We have stand up, characters and sketches provided by some of Scotland’s up-and-coming and established acts hosted by Ms Giggles herself. Weekly new material night, hosted by Keara Patricia Murphy, where anything goes (as long as it´s funny). Eight acts perform each time, a mix of fresh faces starting out and established pros road testing new jokes.
Click Here To Buy Your Tickets Online!

COMEDY: FOSTERÂ’S COMEDY LIVE @ HIGHLIGHT - -

9:00 PM (8:30 PM doors), Highlight Edinburgh, Tickets £10.00.Highlight is the home of live comedy, bringing you some of comedy’s biggest names as well as the country’s best up and coming stand up acts. In fact, each year over 1,200 comedians grace our stages in 10 towns and cities across the UK, including London, Edinburgh and Birmingham. Eat, drink, laugh and dance at highlight, the venue for your complete night out. We offer quality food and drink and an after show club. Book your tickets and pre-book your food online now!
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FOOTBALL: HEARTS V CELTIC - - 3:00pm, Tynecastle Stadium, Tickets £21.00 - £31.00
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JAZZ/BLUES: VEGAS! - -

8:30pm, The Voodoo Rooms, Tickets £5.00. Join Frankie Sumatra, Bugsy Seagull, Dino Martini, Sam Jose, Nikki Nevada & The Vegas Showgirls for a fabulous night of swing & sophistication, decadence and debauchery, hedonism & hi-jinks, roulette & romance, cocktails and carousing, finger poppin´ & lindy-hoppin´, showgirls & style! More info at:http://www.vegasscotland.co.uk. From 8.30pm - 1am in The Voodoo Rooms. Advance tickets £5 stbf available from Ripping Records, Tickets Scotland (Glasgow), Tickets Scotland (Edinburgh). Buy online here. Over 18 only.
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DIPLOMA IN CLINICAL HYPNOTHERAPY - - The Hypnosis Centre Hypnotherapy Training - The Diploma Course is the foundation of the work we do at The Hypnosis Centre. No previous experience is required to be accepted on to this course which will give you all the tools required to become a successful clinical hypnosis practitioner.
The course is extremely practical and so there will be plenty of opportunities to work in groups hypnotising each other, being hypnotised and witnessing others being hypnotised. The course is fully supported by course materials including a reading list and access to course review material. See website for full details and booking.

ROCK/POP: THE ORDINARY ALLSTARS, TACO & THE SHARPIES - -

7:00pm, Electric Circus, Tickets £5.00. It’s been a little while in the making, but we’ve finally finished our first EP! ´Showtime´ will be officially launched at Electric Circus on Saturday February 4, where we’ll take to the stage along with some very special guests. Tickets are £5 in advance from Ticket Web, Tickets-Scotland, Avalanche & Ripping Records - and we´d very much love to have you there! The Showtime EP features five tracks; Showtime, No Good (featuring Dan Gillan), This Music, Get Em Up and I Don’t Like Hip Hop. We’re really stoked with the way the EP has turned out. The record is really upbeat – we tried to capture the essence of the way we approach performing, and put across a little of the vibe and energy you get from us on stage, so the title track says it all – it’s showtime! The special artwork for the EP has been done by our good friend and incredibly talented artist, Dylan Lisle – that’s oil on canvas right there… Those are some mad skills.
Click Here To Buy Your Tickets Online!

CLUBS AND DANCE: MUSIKA 5TH BIRTHDAY - -

9:30pm, Liquid Room, Tickets £16.50. Musika 5th Birthday featuring Cassy (Cocoon), Tim Green, Eats Everything. Musika is one of Scotland’s leading club nights running monthly @ The Liquidroom, Edinburgh. Showcasing the cream of the worlds House & Techno artists alongside the latest breaking talent including Luciano, Maceo Plex, 2000 and One, Yousef, Booka Shade, Gary Beck, Edwin Oosterwal, Sasha, Tim Green, Joris Voorn, Radio Slave, Steve Lawler, Maetrik, John Digweed, Danny Howells, Groove Armada, Max Cooper, M.A.N.D.Y. Eric Prydz, Nic Fanciulli, James Zabiela, Dubfire, Catz N Dogz, Smokin Jo, POPOF, Christian Smith, Sebastien Leger, Matt Tolfrey, Heidi etc. To celebrate 5 years of monthly events at The Liquidroom, we are excited to bring the first lady of COCOON, CASSY, to Edinburgh for the first ever time alongside the return of the super talented and good friend of the club, TIM GREEN. Bristol rising star EATS EVERYTHING shall also be joining us, freshly crowned at the recent DJ Mag Awards as Best Breakthrough Producer of the year and a name that you’re likely to hear a lot more of in 2012. And if that wasn´t enough for you all, we shall also be raising a toast to a brand new second room in The Liquidroom open for this event, exciting times ahead!!
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LIVE MUSIC: HOWLIN´ BLUES - - More raw & dirty blues for your Saturday evening! Local mutts Thirsty Dog host another great line-up of live electric blues, delta slide and toe-tapping boogie - with Edinburgh´s Bookers Guitar and headline from Glasgow´s Graeme Scott Blues Band.
Henry’s Cellar Bar, Morrison St, Edinburgh. Doors 7pm, £5 cover
www.thirsty-dog.co.uk

ALTERNATIVE AND INDIE: IMAGINEERS - -

7:00pm, Sneaky Pete´s, Tickets £6.00. "These four know what they want - big choruses, perfect harmonies and tight rhythms - and it´s pretty clear they know how to get it...".. ..-Kirsty Cunningham, thisisfakediy.co.uk.. ....´´The song that stood out is Mariana, it will appeal to the same fans that catapulted Paolo Nutini to fame´´.. ..-The Daily Record.. ....´´Catchy melodies, tight rhythms, and harmonies with a distinctive west of Scotland twang´´´.. ..-The Evening Times.. ...."With edgy latin acoustics and instantly memorable chorus lines, the youthful musings of the Imagineers are melodically infused pop genius. The refreshingly beautiful Mariana echoes The Coral´s sunshine rock.".. ..-Andrea O´Neill, Artrocker..
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HEARTS V ST JOHNSTONE - - 3:00pm, Tynecastle Stadium, Tickets £14.00 - £24.00
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ROCK/POP: NEXT BIG THING - -

7:00pm, HMV Picture House, Tickets £10.00. Next Big Thing featuring Field Music / Dykeenies / Laki Mera / Bwani Junction. Field Music, brothers Peter and David Brewis, hail from Sunderland in the North-East of England. The band´s music draws on influences as wide-ranging as Stravinsky, Stax R&B, Fleetwood Mac, Serge Gainsbourg, Thelonious Monk and Kate Bush. Field Music´s sound is like all of the pop music you´ve ever heard but with a distinctly British - and north-eastern, tinge. They´ve become known for a deconstructionist approach to songwriting, playfully twisting compositions into new and odd shapes, with a refreshing disregard for convention and cliche.
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WORLD: VIEUX FARKA TOURE - -

7:00pm, The Voodoo Rooms, Tickets £20.00. Often referred to as “The Hendrix of the Sahara”, Vieux Farka Toure was born in Niafunké, Mali in 1981. He is the son of legendary Malian guitar player Ali Farka Toure, who died in 2006.  Ali Farka Touré came from a historical tribe of soldiers, and defied his parents in becoming a musician. When Vieux was in his teens, he declared that he also wanted to be a musician. His father dissaproved due to the pressures he had experienced being a musician. Rather, he wanted Vieux to become a soldier. But with help from family friend the kora maestro Toumani Diabaté, Vieux eventually convinced his father to give him his blessing to become a musician shortly before Ali passed. Vieux was initially a drummer / calabash player at Mali’s Institut National des Arts, but secretly began playing guitar in 2001. Ali Farka Touré was weakened with cancer when Vieux announced that he was going to record an album. Ali recorded a couple of tracks with him, and these recordings, which can be heard on Vieux’s debut CD, were amongst his final ones. It has been said that the senior Touré played rough mixes of these songs when people visited him in his final days, at peace with, and proud of, his son’s talent as a musician.
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COMEDY: DANNY BHOY - -

7:30pm, Festival Theatre Edinburgh, Tickets £19.00. Since his first solo show in a modest 60-seater at the Edinburgh Fringe back in 2001, Danny Bhoy’s star has continued to rise. His 8th solo show at the Fringe last year to packed-out houses in one of the biggest venues in town, tells only a small part of the incredible journey this young Scottish comic has taken. After the huge success of his first DVD ‘Live at The Opera House’, Danny has just released his 2nd DVD ‘Live at the Athenaeum’ which features more hilarious yarns from this most gifted of performers. In July 2009, he also recorded a highly prestigious 1-hour Comedy Central Special. The special will be aired in the US early next year. Danny moved to LA in August 2009 in preparation for an extensive tour of the US and Canada to coincide with the release of the Special (which will also be released on DVD.) Danny Bhoy’s worldwide fanbase continues to grow at a staggering pace. 2010 promises to be another busy year for the brilliant young Scot.
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ROCK/POP: KAISER CHIEFS - -

7:00pm, HMV Picture House, Tickets £27.50. The band have spent the summer of 2011 playing at various festivals here and abroad but return to the UK for some more landmark shows which further highlight a truly incredible live career to date. Kaiser Chiefs are a britpop revival band which formed in Leeds, England, United Kingdom in early 2003. The band consists of Ricky Wilson (vocals), Andrew “Whitey” White (guitar), Simon Rix (bass), Nick “Peanut” Baines (keyboards) and Nick Hodgson (drums). The band has released four albums as of 2011 and have released 13 singles, including the hits. Several members of the band are ardent fans of the English football team Leeds United (as the band originates from Leeds). The band are named after the South African Kaizer Chiefs Football Club, the former team of long-serving former Leeds captain Lucas Radebe.
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PAROV STELAR, MAX THE SAX, JERRY DI MONZA, JIGSAW - -

10:00pm, Liquid Room, Tickets £10.00-£12.00. Austrian musician and DJ from Linz, who performs with the Parov Stelar Band, as well as DJing worldwide. Stelar´s debut album was 2001´s ´Shadow Kingdom´. Marcus Füreder a.k.a. Parov Stelar lives and works in Linz, Austria. The freedom of jazz combined with the groove of house and breakbeat describes the character of Parov Stelar. Parov’s productions address the DJ at the club as well as the listener in his easy chair. After DJ-ing in clubs in the 1990’s Marcus started making music in 1998. He used his real name and the pseudonym Plasma. In 2004 he started producing under the name Parov Stelar. He founded his own record label Etage Noir Recordings the same year.
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COLD WAR EXPERIENCE - - The National Museum of Flight´s Cold War Event, Saturday 11 – Sunday 19 February 2012
50 years after the Cuban Missile Crisis, this February half-term, the National Museum of Flight will take you back in time to experience what life was like in the middle of the Cold War.
Sited on the best preserved World War II airfield in the UK, the Museum’s historical significance does not stop there. The airfield played an important role during the Cold War, with the aircraft hangars you can still see today being used as storage for emergency supplies and its runways were also extended with the intention of transforming the site into a U.S. military base.
Join us at the National Museum of Flight this February break (Saturday 11th – Sunday 19th) to discover what East Fortune airfield was like during the 1960s, with guided tours around the site (featuring the Vulcan and Britain’s own attempt at creating a nuclear warhead, Blue Streak); photographs, object-handling and newsreels from the era; family spy trails and craft activities; reconstructed nuclear air raid shelters and 1960s memorabilia. Imagine what it was like living in constant fear of nuclear attack and consider what would have happened to East Lothian, had the U.S. military’s plans for the airfield really come to pass…
Experience the 1960s at the National Museum of Flight this February half-term, and find out about the decade when the world changed forever!
http://www.nms.ac.uk/flight

FOOTBALL: HIBERNIAN FC VS. ABERDEEN FOOTBALL CLUB - - 3:00pm, Easter Road Stadium, Tickets £9.00 - £23.00
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FASCINATING MUMMIES AT THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF SCOTLAND - - Fascinating Mummies is an unmissable exhibition of treasures from the world-famous Egyptology collections of the Rijksmuseum van Oudheden in the Netherlands.
Focussing on the Ancient Egyptians’ belief in the afterlife and their desire to preserve the body, this exhibition will explore new insights into the fascinating civilisation. The only opportunity to see this spectacular exhibition in the UK.
Book tickets now at www.nms.ac.uk/mummies

PROKOFIEV WAR SONATAS - RECITAL TWO - - In the second of a three concert series, Prokofiev´s seventh sonata forms the climax of this evening´s programming. Acclaimed Danish pianist David Christophersen plays Prokofiev’s visionary sonatas 6, 7 and 8 in a unique opportunity to hear these masterpieces in sequence. These beautiful and brilliant works are contrasted with some extraordinary and colourful piano music from across Europe: Debussy’s dazzling Etudes and Martinu’s visceral 1st Sonata as well as some fascinating pieces by Kabalevsky, Chopin, Joaquin Nin, Scarlatti and Poul Ruders. 7.30pm start.
Programme: Debussy: Etudes Book 1. Poul Ruders:Three Letters from the Unknown Soldier. Kabalevsky: Sonatina no 1, op 13/1. Prokofiev: 7th Sonata, op 83. 10th March Concert Three.
Tickets: £16 (£9 Concs) £40 (£27 conc) for all 3 series
Tickets available from the box office tel: 0131 668 2019 and online at www.thequeenshall.net. Tickets also available on the door.

FAMILY FUN DAY AT LAIRD AND DOG INN - - The Laird and Dog Inn near Edinburgh is hosting a free day out for all the family to enjoy.
The fun filled ‘Family Fun Day’ is taking place on Sunday 12 February 2012 in the popular venue where there will be something for everyone to enjoy from learning how to juggle, face painting and enjoying the delicious food on offer. More information here...

ROCK CLUB WINTER 2012 - - The Academy of Music and Sound is launching its Rock Club for Winter 2012, taking place between 13th – 17th February!
Rock Club caters to budding musicians, between the ages of 12 and 18, who would like some specialist tuition on their chosen instrument (Drums, Bass, Vocals, or Guitar) and the chance to play as part of a band.
Timetable:
Day 1 Song choice and instrument specific lesson
Day 2 Instrument Specific Lesson
Day 3 Instrument Specific Lesson / Rehearsal
Day 4 Rehearsal
Day 5 Concert for Friends and Family

The classes will run over 5 days and will consist of two hour classes every day (12pm-2pm), in our purpose built facility in the Grassmarket. Please note that this course is not suitable for total beginners. This 10 hour course costs just £5 per hour. The total cost of the course is £50.
To book your place please contact the centre on 0131 656 0600 or email edinburgh@academyofmusic.ac.uk

CEILIDH FOR CHILDLINE - - Venue: The Counting House, 36 West Nicolson Street, Edinburgh, EH8 9DD. Time: 8pm – midnight. Ticket price: £10. Join us for an evening of traditional Scottish Ceilidh dancing, with music provided by "A Whisky Kiss". Fresh from headlining the T in the Park Ceilidh Tent, A Whisky Kiss have been described as "Scottish music for the 21st Century". On the night there will be a bar, a raffle and all dances will be called.
For further information or to book, please contact the NSPCC Scotland Fundraising Team on 0844 892 0212 or email scotlandevents@nspcc.org.uk. Please note the event is for over 18s only.
For tickets please call 0844 892 0212 or email scotlandevents@nspcc.org.uk
All money raised will go to the NSPCC’s ChildLine service in Scotland. Registered charity numbers 216401 and SC037717.

PROKOFIEV WAR SONATAS - RECITAL THREE - - 7.30pm start. In the final of a three concert series, Prokofiev´s eighth sonata forms the climax of this evening´s programming. Acclaimed Danish pianist David Christophersen plays Prokofiev’s visionary sonatas 6, 7 and 8 in a unique opportunity to hear these masterpieces in sequence. These beautiful and brilliant works are contrasted with some extraordinary and colourful piano music from across Europe: Debussy’s dazzling Etudes and Martinu’s visceral 1st Sonata as well as some fascinating pieces by Kabalevsky, Chopin, Joaquin Nin, Scarlatti and Poul Ruders.
Programme: Scarlatti: 4 Sonatas, Kk 159; 46; 403 & 513. Joaquin Nin: Chaine de Valses. Kabalevsky: 24 Little Pieces, op 39. Prokofiev: 8th Sonata, op 84.
Tickets: £16 (£9 Concs)
Tickets available from the box office tel: 0131 668 2019 and online at www.thequeenshall.net. Tickets also available on the door.

GHOST HUNT AT NIDDRY VAULTS - - JOIN OUR TEAM 24TH MARCH 2012, 12AM TILL 6AM (ANOTHER LONG ONE)
As we investigate what is proclaimed one of Scotlands most haunted locations that is Niddry Street Vaults, in Scotland capital city, Edinburgh.
Join the team on a public investigation as we investigate one of Scotlands most talked about locations.

£35 per person. (£30 if you have purchased our New Affinity Loyalty card)
For more details on how to get £5 off this event and other special money off rates at events through out the year email us at aeuk2012@aol.co.uk).
If you are going to this investigation please contact us at aeuk2012@aol.co.uk we can also forward you a simple email with instructional email to pay direct using any major credit card or Paypal to our account. Please once paid print your invoice as this is proof of purchase and can also be used as entrance ticket.

THE EDINBURGH HIGHLAND REEL AND STRATHSPEY SOCIETY´S 130TH ANNIVERSARY CONCERT - - Compered by Jim McColl (of the Beechgrove Garden). With guest artistes Colette Ruddy (mezzo soprano) and Martin Duncan (piper).Tickets £12 (£8 concessions) from the Queen´s Hall Box Office 0131 668 2019

ABSEIL THE FORTH RAIL BRIDGE IN AID OF THE RNLI! - - This free fall abseil from the Forth Rail Bridge is a once in a lifetime experience and your chance to raise funds to help our volunteer crew save lives at sea. Registration is now open.
Apply for an RNLI place. In return for a guaranteed place we ask you to raise a minimum sponsorship of £95 and the entry fee for the event is £30. Sign up online today rnli.org.uk/events

GHOST HUNT AT BLAIR STREET VAULTS - - Saturday, 28 July 2012 at 00:00 until Sunday, 29 July 2012 at 04:00. Where? Blair Street Vaults, 28 Blair Street, Edinburgh.
Description: In assosiation with Affinity Entertainment .. Paranormal Knights Entertainment UK bring you a first for us. Join us for a deep dark night of terror in the underground at Blair Street Vaults, Edinburgh. Come follow the foot steps of many other investigators most notably Most Haunted and Ghost Adventures. This event is set at £55
Email aeuk2012@aol.co.uk for more info.