Whats On in Edinburgh – June

Discover some of the brilliant events happening in Edinburgh this month…

THEATRE. Love from a Stranger, King’s Theatre

Now – Saturday 9, June

A suspenseful tale by crime writer Agatha Christie which is rediscovered in this new production by Lucy Bailey. Capital Theatres offer the following show summary: “A whirlwind romance with a handsome and charming stranger sweeps Cecily Harrington off her feet and she recklessly abandons her old life to settle in the remote and blissful surroundings of a country cottage. However, her newfound love is not all that it seems…”

The show is described as ‘a taut, slick psychological thriller’ by The Stage and The Times says it is ‘gripping entertainment’. Tickets are £18-£32 before fees. Visit: http://www.capitaltheatres.com/lovestranger.

Helen Bradbury and Sam Frenchum portray a devouring sensuality tinged with brutality in Love from a Stranger. Image source.

THEATRE. Wicked, Edinburgh Playhouse

Now – Saturday 9, June

Wicked, tells the story, written by Stephen Schwartz and Winnie Holzman, of an unlikely but profound friendship between two young women who first meet as sorcery students.

Directed by Joe Mantello, the musical acts as a prequel to The Wizard of Oz, and transports the audience to a re-imagined world of Oz.

The Bristol Post said of their show this year at the Bristol Hippodrome: “You could be in a Broadway theatre! Wicked is one of the best touring productions ever to come to the city.”

Tickets are £22.50 -£88.50 plus transaction fees, visit: http://www.atgtickets.com/shows/wicked/edinburgh-playhouse/.

Wicked. Image source.

EXHIBITION. Tim Peake’s Spacecraft, National Museum of Scotland

Now – Saturday, August 4

Astronaut Tim Peake’s Soyuz spacecraft will be free to explore at The National Museum of Scotland's Hawthorden Court.

The capsule will be displayed alongside a virtual reality adventure called ‘Space Descent VR’ which places visitors at the heart of Time Peake’s journey back to Earth. It is available for ages 13+ for £5. All visits must be booked in advance and the spacecraft is free of charge.

See their website for details: https://www.nms.ac.uk/about-us/schools-programme/workshops/workshops-for-p2-p7-pupils/tim-peake-s-spacecraft/.

Tim Peake and the spacecraft. Image source.

EXHIBITION. ‘Gig! Performance Photography’, Leith Depot

Wednesday 6 – Saturday 17, June

As part of the Leith Festival event an exhibition by Deborah Mullen ‘Gig! Performance Photography’ will be shown at Leith Depot.

The American photographer relocated to Leith in 2011 and has documented images of Edinburgh’s music scene to highlight the importance of live music. She has captured shots of performances in venues that are endangered, including Leith Depot, and of venues that have already disappeared.

For details visit: https://www.facebook.com/pg/leithdepot/events/.

'Gig! Performance Photography' by Deborah Mullen. Image source.

FESTIVAL. Edinburgh Festival of Cycling, various venues

Thursday 7 to Sunday 24, June

A festival celebrates of all aspects of cycling in Edinburgh.

These include cycling tours, talks from well-known cyclists and family bike rides. It also features a related film and art programme.

To view their event calendar visit: https://edfoc.org.uk/event-calendar/.

King of Kaimes Hill Climb - Edinburgh Festival of Cycling, June 2016. Image credit: Andy Catlin. Image source.

MARKET. Pitt Street Food Market, 125 Pitt Street, Leith

Saturday 9, 16, 23 and 30, June

This weekly street food market offers a vibrant array of food and live music.

Drinks such as craft beer, wine and cocktails are available too.

The event lasts from noon until 10pm. Entry costs £2 and is free for children who are welcome until 8pm. Dogs are also allowed.

On June 9, is their ‘World Gin Day’ where they have gin provided by Juniper Events. There will also be cocktails from the Cocktail Kitchen and wine from Smith and Gertrude as well as Barney’s Beer. The following Saturday is their ‘Prosecco and Shellfish special’ event.

For more information visit: https://www.facebook.com/pittstmarket/.

Pitt Street food market. Photo credit: Sarah Colston, Edinburgh & Us. 

EXHIBITION. Reuse Showhome, Quay Community Improvements, Admiral House

Friday 8 and Sunday 10, June

View a new build showhome kitted out entirely with reused and repaired furniture, furnishings and homeware.

The event, by Zero Waste Leith, aims to demonstrate that beautiful home interiors can be achieved on a small budget and in small spaces with a minimal environmental impact.

The exhibition will share the stories of the lives of the reused and repaired items, and some of the furnishings will also be available to purchase. There will be upcycling and DIY workshops and demonstrations to inspire visitors to reuse and repair items at home.

The free event takes place at Quay Community Improvements off of Hawkhill Avenue on Lochend Butterfly Way (EH7 6BA). Tickets are available on Eventbrite https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/reuse-showhome-tickets-44794861637 or at https://www.facebook.com/pg/ZeroWasteLeith/events/.

Some of those who helped with the home include: Quay Community Improvements, The Edinburgh Remakery, The Edinburgh Tool Library, Bethany Christian Trust, Up-it upcycled furniture at Inspiring Leith, Edinburgh Furniture Initiative/ Four Square, Upcycled World and Fresh Start.

Promotional advert. Image source.

FESTIVAL. Leith Festival, Various venues in Leith

Saturday 9 – Sunday 17, June

Engagement in the arts is what this annual programme of events aims to provide. The vibrant Leith community show off their festival skills with a selection of exhibitions, concerts, walks, talks and films.

The event listings are listed here: https://www.facebook.com/pg/leithfestival/events/ or on their website: http://leithfestival.com/.

Taylor’s Fun Fair will be at Leith Links park from Wednesday 6 – Sunday 10. The event’s Gala Day and Pageant will take place on Saturday 9 from 11am to 6pm. There will be stalls at Leith Links, live music and dancing. The Pageant (parade) leaves from Balfour Street at midday and lasts one hour ending at Leith Links. The Leith Festival Tattoo will take place on Sunday 17 from 7pm to 8.15pm with music and dance, including pipes and drums at Malmaison, Tower Place.

Leith Festival. Image source.

THEATRE. The Last Ship, Festival Theatre

Tuesday 12 – Saturday 16, June

A musical production featuring songs by Sting and inspired by his own childhood experiences. It is a tale about childhood sweethearts who grow up in a community defying the demise of the shipbuilding industry.

The show, by director Lorne Campbell, is described by The Guardian as ‘stirring’ and by the Sunday Mirror as ‘poignant and powerful’.

It’s cast include Richard Fleeshman, Charlie Hardwick, Joe McGann and Frances McNamee who demonstrate the story of love and hope.

Tickets are £22-£42 before charges. Visit: http://www.capitaltheatres.com/thelastship.

Matt Corner as young Gideon and Parisa Shahmir as young Meg in The Last Ship. Image source.

SPORT. World Cup, pubs in Edinburgh

Thursday 14, June – Sunday 15, July

The World Cup only comes around every four years so it’s important you choose a pub you like to enjoy the games.

Here are a few central bars that are showing the games: Belushi’s, Frankenstein’s, McSorleys, Pilgrims, Doctors and The Refinery St Andrew Square.

The Persevere (Easter Road) is also hosting the World Cup and is great for large groups. As is The Three Sisters which has a huge screen in their beer garden as well as food and drink stalls for the event. The Pear Tree (W Nicolson Street) is also showing the games on a projector in their outdoor bar.

Football at The Three Sisters. Image source.

FESTIVAL. Summerhall Beer FestivALE, Summerhall

Friday 15 and Saturday 16, June

All types of beer from around the world are packed into Summerhall for an ale-filled weekend.

There will also be beer from their in-house brewery Barney’s as well as Pickering’s Gin – also made on site!

The festival includes music, pub quizzes and a personal crisp pairing service so that visitors know which beer suits their favourite crisps.

The event, held in the courtyard, lasts from 5.30pm – 12am on both nights and costs £10 per session.

For tickets and information visit: https://www.summerhall.co.uk/event/festivale-2018/. Other events at Summerhall include a Courtyard Ceilidh (Sunday 17, June).

Summerhall Beer FestivALE advert. Image source.

FILM. Film Fest in the City, St Andrew Square Garden

Friday 15 – Sunday 17, June

Films will be screened outside at St Andrew Square Garden over three days – including Wonder Woman, Casablanca and Top Gun on the first day.

The outdoor cinema experiences are being brought by Essential Edinburgh (EdinEvents) in partnership with the Edinburgh International Film Festival and Mackays.

They are free to attend, and no ticket is required. For information visit: http://www.edinevents.com/film-fest-in-the-city/.

At a previous Film In The City event, screening of Mean Girls. Image source.

DRINK. The Edinburgh Whisky Festival, The Assembly Rooms

Saturday 16, June

Sample whiskies from Scotland and around the globe at this event.

Keen to offer visitors a dram and offer their expertise are exhibitors from distillers in Taiwan, India, Japan and the USA.

For information go to: https://thewhiskylounge.com/edinburgh-whisky-festival-2018/. Tickets cost £40 for a full session – from either 12pm – 4pm or 5pm – 9pm or £20 for the taster session from 2pm – 4pm.

Edinburgh Whisky Festival. Image source.

FILM. Edinburgh International Film Festival (EIFF), Edinburgh cinemas

Wednesday 20, June – Sunday, July 1

An annual fortnight of cinema screenings and related events at Edinburgh Filmhouse, Cineworld, Edinburgh Festival Theatre and Odeon Cinemas.

On its opening night there will be an International Premiere screening of the film Puzzle. It was directed by Marc Turtletaub who produced Little Miss Sunshine (2006). It is about a woman called Agnes (played by Kelly Macdonald) who makes changes to her life and learns to concentrate on herself after a lifetime of looking after others.

As part of their ‘Special Events Strand’ the festival will present Jaws at The Festival Theatre with a live musical score (The Royal Scottish National Orchestra). The EIFF give a summary of the film’s plot: “A local sheriff teams up with a crusty seafarer to hunt down a great white shark munching on holidaymakers at a beach resort.”

During their closing night gala, they will screen the UK premiere of the British comedy Swimming with Men. It is about a man called Eric (Rob Brydon) who joins a male synchronized swimming team to impress his wife who he believes is having an affair.

For the full programme, visit: http://www.edfilmfest.org.uk/whats-on.

Swimming With Men film. Image source.

FESTIVAL. Royal Highland Show, Royal Highland Centre, Ingliston

Thursday 21 – Sunday 24, June

A day out that offers visitors the opportunity to get up close to the country’s livestock, take part in activities and eat and drink at exhibitor tents.

To find out more visit their website: https://www.royalhighlandshow.org/.

Royal Highland Show 2017. Image source.

DANCE. Kevin and Karen Dance Tour, Usher Hall (Selling out Fast)

Saturday 30, June

Strictly sweethearts Kevin and Karen Clifton perform ballroom dances including the Waltz, Cha Cha, Fox Trot, Tango and Salsa.

Their routines are backed by a cast of dancers and a live 12-piece show band.

The show starts at 7.30pm and tickets prices vary (£23-£50). Visit: http://www.usherhall.co.uk/whats-on/kevin-and-karen-dance-live-tour.

Kevin and Karen Clifton. Image source.

FILM. Film releases, cinemas across Edinburgh

Throughout June

Still showing: Solo: A Star Wars Story. Deadpool 2. Avengers: Infinity War. I Feel Pretty. On Chesil Beach. Sherlock Gnomes. Show Dogs. Life of the Party. Edie. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. A Quiet Place. Breaking In. Finding Your Feet. McQueen. Peter Rabbit. Lady Bird. The Bread Winner. The Double Lover. Rampage. Duck Duck Goose. My Friend Dahmer. The Greatest Showman.

Alden Ehrenreich and Joonas Suotamo in Solo: A Star Wars Story.  Image source.

New releases: 

Friday 1:

Book Club - Director: Bill Holderman. Starring: Diane Keaton, Jane Fonda, Candice Bergen, Mary Steenburgen, Don Johnson, Andy Garcia, Craig T. Nelson, Richard Dreyfuss, Wallace Shawn and Ed Begley Jr.

Wednesday 6:

Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom - Director: J.A. Bayona. Starring: Chris Pratt, Bryce Dallas Howard, Toby Jones, Ted Levine, Rafe Spall, BD Wong and Jeff Goldblum

Friday 15:

Hereditary - Director: Ari Aster. Starring: Toni Collette, Milly Shapiro, Gabriel Byrne, Alex Wolff, Ann Dowd.

Toni Collette in Hereditary. Image source.

Monday 18:

Ocean’s 8 - Director: Gary Ross. Starring: Sandra Bullock. Cate Blanchett. Anne Hathaway. Mindy Kaling. Sarah Paulson. Awkwafina. Rihanna. Helena Bonham Carter.

Friday 25:

Adrift - Director: Baltasar Kormakur. Starring: Shailene Woodley, Sam Claflin.

Leave No Trace - Director: Debra Granik. Starring: Ben Foster, Thomasin Harcourt McKenzie, Jeff Kober, Dale Dickey.

Ben Foster and Thomasin McKenzie in Leave No Trace. Image source.

Sicario 2: Soldado - Director: Stefano Sollima. Starring: Josh Brolin, Isabela Moner, Benicio Del Toro.

Tag - Director: Jeff Tomsic. Starring: Ed Helms, Jake Johnson, Annabelle Wallis, Hannibal Buress, Isla Fisher, Rashida Jones, Leslie Bibb, Jon Hamm, Jeremy Renner.

The Book Shop - Director: Isabel Coixet. Starring: Emily Mortimer, Bill Nighy.

Did we miss an event? Please get in touch so that we can include it in our listings.

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