What’s On

Lyceum Youth Theatre: Discover
Wednesdays, 3.30-5pm
26 September – 28 November
Ages 10-14
FREE
Explore your dramatic skills with theatre professionals from the Lyceum Theatre.

Starcatchers: Expecting Something
Thursdays, 10.30-12.30pm
13 September – 21 December
Ages 0-2
FREE
For parents aged 25 and under with babies up to 2 years old. Come along and meet other mums, babies and bumps, and try some fun artist-led creative activities with Starcatchers. Free lunch provided.

Inspire Dance
Tuesdays, 3.45-4.45
17, 18, 19 October
Ages 8-16
Join us for Indian dance, choreography, set design, costumes and more, working towards our show at the Festival Theatre in the October holidays.

Creative Adventures
Thursdays, 4-6pm
30 August – 6 December
Families
FREE
Multi–arts project for primary-aged young people with Additional Support Needs and their families. Featuring dance, music, art, drama and more! Please get in touch for more information.

Street Arts
Thursdays, 4.45-7pm
2 August – 13 December
Ages 7-16
FREE
Come and find the Street Arts team out on the streets.  Art, music, drama, dance, photography and more. Like our Street Arts WHALE Facebook page to find out more.
Find us at:  Playparks at Westburn 4.45-5.15pm, Harvesters 5.25-5.55pm, Dumbeg 5.55-6.25pm, Barn Park 6.30-7pm

smARTies
Fridays, 2.15-4pm
31 August – 7 December
Ages 6-12
FREE
Come along & get creative at art club every Friday! Drop in session but you need to register to take part.

smART CRAFT
Mondays, 1-3pm
20 August – 3 December
£2 per session
A weekly visual arts and crafts group for adults with complex or additional support needs. The group explores creativity and expression with varied art materials, and is run by a professional artist and support worker.
*Please call or email to register for this group. New participants welcome.

Stitch ‘n’ Time
Tuesdays, 1-3pm
20 August – 3 December
FREE
This sociable sewing and crafting class focuses on learning new skills and projects which help the local community. Come and share a cuppa!

Poetry Group
Wednesdays fortnightly from 29 August – 28 November, 11.30-1pm
FREE
For 2018 the Scottish Poetry Library and Open Book are running a residency in Wester Hailes. Write and share poetry and prose as part of a friendly and sociable group.

Scottish Chamber Orchestra: Music and Visuals
6 & 7 August, 10am-4.30pm; then weekly Wednesday 15 August – 12 September, 9.30-11.30am
FREE
Join us for a new creative project exploring Wester Hailes through weekly workshops from August to September for local adults age 18+. Whether you have always lived here or are new to the area, join us to create your own audio visual explorations of Wester Hailes. Work with experienced workshop leaders and SCO musicians to create a new installation at WHALE Arts. No previous experience or musical equipment is required and refreshments are provided. Register for the project here.

Friday Mums
Fridays, 2.15-4.15pm
17 August – 21 December
FREE
An art, craft and social group, for mums who are interested in setting up their own businesses. We try a range of traditional and modern crafts; explore aspects of setting up and developing a business, with workshops from industry experts. Children under 3 are welcome to come too and we provide snacks, toys and simple activities.

Room For Art
Thursdays, 12.30-2.30pm
9 August-20 December
FREE
Free visual art workshops for health and well-being.  No previous experience of art necessary! These sessions are by referral only, please contact Iona at Art in Healthcare on 0131 555 7638 or outreachmanager@artinhealthcare.org.uk.

Drama @ WHALE
Thursdays, 3-5pm
9 August – 6 September
FREE
The drama group is working towards performances of an original piece of community theatre about mental health called HELP on 30 August.

Let’s Dance!
Thursdays, 6.30-8pm
30 August – 1 November
£4 per session
Relaxed and fun ceilidh dancing with expert tuition for adults. No previous experience required!

NuStart
Fridays, 10.30am-1.30pm
17 August – 14 December
£4 per session, tea/coffee and biscuits 50p
NuStart are an enthusiastic group of amateur artists who meet to enjoy each other’s company, create works of art,  and critique paintings.

Arty Party
The Arty Party was established as a registered charity in 1997 to promote and raise appreciation of all art forms for the benefit of the adult population of  Wester Hailes and the surrounding districts, in particular for older people and those who are traditionally excluded from the arts through the barriers of income or physical inaccessibility.

Tasting Change Wester Hailes
Tasting Change is a multi agency partnership set up to tackle food insecurity and promote positive food and health opportunities in Wester Hailes. WHALE Arts will be working with CHAI, The Health Agency and SCOREscotland to deliver a range of workshops and events centred around creativity and food through the Create programme. Follow Tasting Change on Facebook.

Let’s CrEATe
Tuesdays, 10 – 12.30pm
14 August – 14 December
Come and enjoy creative activities using food as a tool to create art. Enjoy art-themed lunch alongside making and creating.

Foodness Community Meal
Fridays, 1-2pm
24 August – 14 December
Suitable for all ages (children must be accompanied by a guardian)
FREE
Join us for a delicious meal using fresh produce grown, harvested and cooked by the local community.

Digital Sentinel
The Digital Sentinel is the community news site for Wester Hailes. Their content is created by staff and local residents who report news, opinion and events which is relevant to people living here. Any resident is able to submit and comment on content. If you would like to share a story or find out more about IT support services contact the Community Reporter on digitalsentinel@whalearts.co.uk or 0131 458 3267.

Digital Sentinel Job Search and Online Benefit Applications Drop-In
Wednesdays, 1-3pm
5 September – 19 December
FREE
Drop-in sessions offering support for job search websites and online benefit applications at Clovenstone Community Centre on Mondays (12-2pm) and at WHALE Arts on Wednesdays (1-3pm). Please note these drop-ins are not welfare advice sessions.

Digital Sentinel IT Hubs
Every second Thursday, 10.30am-12.30pm
6 September – 20 December
FREE
Free IT drop-in sessions alternating between WHALE Arts Centre and Clovenstone Community Centre, starting at WHALE on 11 January. Learn basic IT skills and support your local news website, www.digitalsentinel.net.

WHALE Community Cinema was established in April 2016 as part of the Grow Your Own Cinema project. It is managed by Meghan Bidwell and run by volunteers. Screenings are free or low cost, and we always offer free refreshments to attendees. The cinema is a proud member of Film Hub Scotland. For full updates follow us on Facebook and if you would like to join our team of volunteers (ages 18+) get in touch on info@whalearts.co.uk

Coco (PG) + Tasting Change Meal
Thursday 8 November, 6 – 8pm
FREE
Join us for an inclusive screening of animated film Coco (2017). Entry to the screening is free and a tasty meal will be provided. All ages are welcome. Children must be accompanied by a guardian.

Cool Runnings (PG) + Tasting Change Meal
Thursday 13 December, 6 – 8pm
FREE
Join us for an inclusive screening of comedy Cool Runnings (1993). Entry to the screening is free and a tasty meal will be provided. All ages are welcome. Children must be accompanied by a guardian.

My Neighbor Totoro (U) + Tasting Change Meal
Thursday 10 January, 6 – 8pm
FREE
Join us for an inclusive screening of Studio Ghibli film My Neighbor Totoro (1988). Entry to the screening is free and a tasty meal will be provided. All ages are welcome. Children must be accompanied by a guardian.

Cinema Paradiso (PG) + Tasting Change Meal
Thursday 14 February, 6 – 8pm
FREE
Join us for an inclusive screening of Cinema Paradiso (1988). Entry to the screening is free and a tasty meal will be provided. All ages are welcome. Children must be accompanied by a guardian.