Afternoon events, Talks & lectures

Composer Tod Machover, conductor Peter Oundjian and the Royal Scottish National Orchestra take us through the creation of a new piece of music celebrating the City of Edinburgh and its Festival and co-created by members of the public.

Music since recording is a new art form, which bears only as much resemblance to traditional, performed music as cinema does to theatre. What are the special characteristics of this new art? How did it evolve? Where might it be going? Brian Eno shares his thoughts.

A series of discussions examining various aspects of cinema.

Curators from the Nam June Paik Art Center, Tate and Talbot Rice Gallery discuss the work and legacy of Nam June Paik.

Dr Alastair Ross, whose figurative sculpture is featured alongside the Forth Valley Open Studios Showcase, gives a talk on his work and provides an introduction to sculpture.

Rock, indie and electro festival with headliners Basement Jaxx, Primal Scream and The Charlatans, plus Public Enemy, I Am Kloot, Mystery Jets, Lightning Seeds, Seasick Steve, British Sea Power, Johnny Marr and many more. The festival also features The Academy in association with the University of Cumbria – a series of…

While the Suffragettes have a huge place in history, there are also other women who made waves in the social and political realms. This event commemorates the radical work and lives of Elizabeth Pease Nichol, Priscilla Bright McLaren, Eliza Wigham and Jane Smeal – four Edinburgh Quaker women who fought against slavery in…

Dr Michael Ward's maps of Everest speak to the modern history of exploration of the mighty tall mountain. Curator Paula Williams takes a look at them on the 60th anniversary of the Everest conquest of Hillary and Norgay.

A series of free lunchtime talks accompanying the Hunterian's exhibition of its earliest catalogue. Attendance at the talks qualifies you for free entry to the exhibition.

The RBGE Research Associate looks at the work of Henry Bradbury and other nature printers in this illustrated talk. Booking is essential.

Gain some insight into a topic that affects everyone, with Dr Shona Hilton of the MRC Social and Public Health Sciences Unit.

Professor of Epistemics Jon Oberlander, Professor of Composition and Electroacoustic Composition Peter Nelson, and Chris Speed of the Edinburgh College of Art discuss historical, conceptual and philosophical relationships between the performing arts and technology. Chaired by theatre specialist Olga Taxidou.

Derval Tubridy, Goldsmiths, University of London, explores the vibrant interplay between Samuel Beckett’s work and contemporary art with a particular focus on bodies and technology. Chaired by Octavian Saiu.

Producer of the Beckett on Film project, Michael Colgan discusses the challenges in creating this extraordinary film collection.

Ever thought about keeping bees? Come along and meet members of the Borders Beekeepers Association and discover why so many people are taking up this ancient and rewarding activity.

Ever thought about keeping bees? Come along and meet members of the Borders Beekeepers Association and discover why so many people are taking up this ancient and rewarding activity.

A neuroscientist and a designer describe the many ways that bees inspire them in their work and everyday lives. Richard Clarke is director of Beautiful Mind at Lottolab, a hybrid Neuroscience/design studio. Clarke has developed a model system for visual processing. He has published work on how brains create meaning…

The phenomenon of urban beekeeping is hooking city dwellers from London to New York and Melbourne. Alison Benjamin and Brian McCallum's book Bees in the City - The Urban Beekepeers' Handbook introduces us to this new breed of apiarists, the places they keep bees and their motivations for having hives. Get handy tips…

The 2009 Beer Writer of the Year shares his vast knowledge of the golden stuff, looking back to the time of the George Inn in South London – otherwise known as the choice pub of the Bard himself – as illuminated in Brown's latest book, Shakespeare's Local. Ticket price includes a ha' pint of some specially brewed Bookworm…

Kate Rawles talks about her 4500 mile cycle along the spine of the Rocky Mountains to explore North American responses to climate change.

Learn more about creepy crawlies on this bug spotting bonanza for National Insect Week.

Choreographer and solo performer Gerhart Bonher on the making of Im (Goldenen) Schnitt I.