Arcadia Scotland

Art and Culture

Mark Dion: 200 Years, 200 Objects: Throughout the End of January, Talbot Rice Gallery

Work by US artist with a long-standing interest in ecological themes.

RSA Architecture Open 2013: Throughout the End of January, Royal Scottish Academy

The RSA takes the temperature of recent Scottish architecture and design work, in this show with exhibits submitted by practices all over the country.

Long Day's Journey Into Night: From 17 January, Royal Lyceum Theatre, Various Times

Eugene O'Neill's 1957 Pulitzer Prize-winning play, a semi-autobiographical work about addiction and family dysfunction.

Burnsfest: Throughout the End of January, Scottish Storytelling Centre

A programme of events based around the works of Oor Rabbie, including storytelling, theater, exhibitions and a ceilidh.

Tickling Jocks: Comedy Greats from Sir Harry Lauder to Billy Connolly: Throughout the End of January, Scottish National Portrait Gallery

A major exhibition of portraits of Scotland's funny men and women. The subjects are a long and illustrious list, with music hall stars and TV comedy heroes from Sir Stanley Baxter, Rikki Fulton and Una Mclean to Ivor Cutler, Ronnie Corbett and the Big Yin himself. There are 'On Air' booths for you to listen to clips of them at work, and you can even record your own comedy performance, if you're not scared of potentially soul-crushing embarrassment.

Philip Braham: Keeping Time: Throughout the End of January, The Scottish Gallery

New works from the artist and photographer.

Andrew Carnegie: The Legacy that Changed the World: Throughout the End of January, The Scottish Parliament

Learn about the extraordinary legacy of Andrew Carnegie, the steel tycoon and philanthropist.

Broad Horizons: Dovecot Polymaths: Beginning 24 January, Dovecot Studios

Works produced by artists who have collaborated with Dovecot but who have also distinguished themselves in other fields, such as Alasdair Gray, John Byrne, Patrick Caulfield, David Poston and Alexander McCall Smith.

The Lanterns of Terracotta Warriors: Beginning 29 January, Old College, 4-9pm

Outdoor installation of Xia Nan's installation of 80 illuminated, colorful statues, taking inspiration from the Terracotta Warriors but featuring family groups rather than soldiers. Presented by the University of Edinburgh in celebration of Chinese New Year.

Music, Comedy and Dance

Academy of St Martin in the Field: 20 January, Usher Hall, 7.30pm

The Academy of St Martin in the Fields was founded in 1961 by Sir Neville Marriner, with the aim of bringing the best classical music to as wide a variety of audiences as possible. It gives regular worldwide tours to venues of all sizes, and its list of guest conductors includes Iona Brown and Murray Perahia.

Burns Night: 23 January, Edinburgh Folk Club, 8pm

An informal celebration of the national bard's birthday.

Burns Night Ceilidh: 25 January, Lauriston Hall, 8pm

The Flaming Heather ceilidh band and caller Ken Gourlay set off Burns Night right, with a few folk dancers and a piper in tow.

Andrew Lawrence: There is No Escape: 26 January, The Stand, 8.30pm

New material from the wildly inventive misanthrope.

Evita: 27-31 January, The Edinburgh Playhouse

The Lloyd Webber musical is loaded with sing-along songs including 'Oh What a Circus', 'You Must Love Me' and 'Don't Cry for Me Argentina'.

Edinburgh Quartet: 28 January, Reid Concert Hall, 1.10pm

Scotland's premier string quartet was founded in 1960 and maintains close relationships with composers all over the UK, as well as playing dozens of concerts a year in venues all over the country.

Bowhill Players: The Joe Corrie Project: 29 January, Edinburgh Folk Club, 7.30pm

The poems of playwright Joe Corrie set to traditional and contemporary folk.

University of Edinburgh Lunchtime Concert: 31 January, Reid Concert Hall, 1pm

Medea: Greece meets West. Christina Dunwoodie (soprano), Jean Johnson (bass clarinet) and Derek Williams (piano) perform music by Kostas Rekleitis and Derek Williams.

Lectures, Sports and Local Festivals

Annette Carruthers: The Arts and Crafts Movement in Scotland: 16 January, Central Library, 7pm

Art historian Carruthers discusses her critically acclaimed book, which delves into the history of the Arts and Crafts movement in Scotland.

Burns Night with a Twist: 23 January, The Scottish Cafe and Restaurant, 6.30pm

Burns supper celebration with local and seasonal produce and journalist Alex Renton. Booking is essential.