An Indian summer in Edinburgh? Who’d have thought it. Well if a Scottish summer isn’t good enough then it’s time to go east. Staying within the city bounds here’s this months tips for the summer/autumn shoulder…

 
Use your illusion

Delving into a fantasy world where black art illusion comes to life award winning Vox Motus flex their theatrical muscles for new production Bright Black. Dealing with love, loss and the demons of the underworld Bright Black pushes the boundaries of technical theatre to create a moving masterpiece.

Bright Black, 8pm Tuesday 15 – Saturday 19th September, Traverse Theatre, Tickets Wednesday – Thursday £13 (£8 concessions/£5 Schools), Friday – Saturday £16 (£12 concessions). Call 0131 228 1404 or at www.traverse.co.uk  

 
Take action and sit down

The Take One Action Festival is spread across Edinburgh and Glasgow screening 20 films old and new illuminating critical global issues. From Madonna in Malawi to Chaplin’s Modern Times these are films to see, speak about and take action on some very different screen dreams.

Take One Action! Film Festival, Thursday17th to Saturday 26th September, Filmhouse Edinburgh. Various times and prices. www.takeoneaction.org.uk  

 
The Reign in Spain

Passion is contagious and there’s none more passionate (in the public eye) about Spanish art than art critic and presenter Andrew Graham Dixon. Speaking on the behind scenes research and work that went into the acclaimed Art of Spain series on BBC Four Andrew’s television talk is the perfect tapas taster for National Galleries Discovery of Spain Exhibition.

Andrew Graham Dixon on the Art of Spain, 6pm, Friday 18th September, Hawthornden Theatre, National Galleries Complex. Tickets £6 (£5). Call 0131 324 6560 or visit www.nationalgalleries.org

 
Red Letter Day

The National Library of Scotland are celebrating a brand new visitor centre to help us properly explore the treasures within. To mark the occasion the last letter written by Mary Queen of Scots goes on display to the public. Written six hours before death on 8th February 1587 we now have to chance read her final thoughts: “Could you please feed the cat? Don’t forget to cancel the milk…" are unlikely to be in there.

Mary’s Last Letter, 9.30am – 8.30pm (1pm Sat) Tuesday 15th to Monday 21st September National Library of Scotland GeorgeIV Bridge. www.nls.uk

 
Here’s a Wee Story for you

The Sun, The Moon and a Boy Called River might sound like the opening lines to a celebrity autobiography but by contrast it is a story worth hearing from the fabulous Wee Stories theatre company. Bringing to life an Eastern European fairytale this children’s show is a mix of monarchy, greed, desire and an arranged marriage in a refreshingly paparazzi free zone.

The Sun, The Moon and a Boy Called River, 7pm Wednesday 23rd, 10.30 am & 7pm Thursday 24th, 7pm Friday 25th and 2.30 & 7pm on Saturday 26th September. Traverse Theatre. Single ticket £7.50, Family Group of 2 £15, Family Group of 3 £19, Family Group of 4 £23. Call 0131 228 1404 or at www.traverse.co.uk

 
Wildlife Conservation

So our top gig tip for this month? Think The Guillemots, Foals, Artic Monkeys. Yup, you’ve guessed it - Wild Beasts at Cabaret Voltaire. More coming than up and coming this is a chance to catch the darlings of Domino Records up close. Falsetto, feeling, hooting and howling these boys have got it going on.

Wild Beasts: Blue Roses plus guests, 7pm, Wednesday 30th September Cabaret Voltaire. Tickets £8.50. Buy online at http://www.tickets-scotland.com/

Until next month’s meanderings,

Stay sunny

Owen & Claudia

We've reviewed the Locals' Guide to Edinburgh here.

Owen Leary is the co-author of the Locals' Guide to Edinburgh and our Edinburgh Editor for Wandering Educators .