After 5pm, Talks & lectures

During Independent Booksellers Week (29 June - 6 July) leading figures from book publishing, the media and politics come together to discuss the issues facing bookshops. Contributors include the writers Kate Mosse, James Runcie (Head of Literature at Southbank Centre), Lindsay Mackie, Gordon Wise and Anne Sebba, (Chair…

Painter Peter Doig discusses his work with Keith Hartley, chief curator of the Gallery of Modern Art.

Christopher Hampson and Jane Pritchard discuss this seminal work.

Celebrate the Poetry Library's 60th birthday in an evening of eclectic and unique poetry voices. Join us as the library's diverse collection comes to life. Some of the biggest names in poetry read alongside poets in translation, performance poets and poets renowned for pushing language in surprising directions.

Closer looks at current exhibitions in the Gallery. Booking is essential.

Learn about the power of love.

Crime writer Jardin, the man behind the Bob Skinner detective novels, is joined by Bloody Scotland co-founders Anderson and Gray to talk about what makes Scotland's crime fiction unique.

Mary Brennan, Dance Critic of The Herald, chairs a discussion with Scottish Ballet Artistic Director Christopher Hampson, Scottish Dance Theatre Artistic Director Fleur Darkin and Dance Base Artistic Director Morag Deyes.

Panel discussion exploring the notion of community. Booking is essential.

The Rite of Spring Talk with choreographer Christopher Hampson.

The opening notes of Beethoven's Symphony No 5, often written out as dah-dah-dah-daaahhh, are among the most famous in musical history; but did you know that in Morse code they spell the letter V – which happens to be the Roman numeral for 'five'? This is just one of the many pieces of pointless trivia that renowned…

Presenter Paul Rissmann introduces Ralph Vaughan Williams' Symphony No 5, telling how it came to be written. Rumon Gamba conducts.

Improve your Russian conversation in a small group with an experienced tutor.

Author Sara Sheridan talks about her 'cosy noir' detective Mirabelle Bevan and her adventures.

Find out about how Scotland shaped the growth of world football at this informal talk, with Richard McBrearty, Curator of Scottish Football Museum.

A half-hour with Scottish Ballet's Artistic team, where they answer audience questions about the making of Hansel & Gretel and its choreography.

A half-hour with Scottish Ballet's Artistic team, where they answer audience questions about the making of Hansel & Gretel and its music.

Don Giovanni is an enigma; if it's a comedy, why does the hero get dragged off to hell? If it's a tragedy, how come it ends happily? If it's a morality tale, why doesn't the hero repent? And if it isn't, why is he expected to? Hear highlights from the show, meet the principal characters and find out more about the…

Hear highlights from Don Pasquale, meet the principal characters and find out more about the production in this Unwrapped session. Booking is essential.

A free, hour-long introduction to Puccini's tale of doomed love. Hear highlights from the show, meet the principal characters and find out more about the production in this Unwrapped session.