writer in the storm

Poetry and music at CatStrand this Wednesday - The Wood and the Water

2011-07-16T18:05:00.003-01:00

Make the most of a summer evening of poetry and music as artists find creative ways to respond to aspects of rivers, seas and forests.

Come along to The CatStrand to hear hugely talented D&G based poets Vivien Jones and Jackie Galley alongside musicians Michael Hendry, Richard Jones and Rebecca Hendry. Music is woven around the spoken word to create a really special performance. Not to be missed.

Wednesday 20 July, at 7.30pm, tickets £8/£6 from CatStrand 01644 420374, or on the door.

The Shard Box selected by Scottish Libraries Summer Reads

2011-05-30T09:37:00.004-01:00

More good news to chalk up on Dumfries and Galloway's literary record! Liz Niven's latest poetry collection, 'The Shard Box', has been selected as one of the books in the 2011 Scottish Libraries Summer Reads promotion, so the book should be available from all Scottish libraries. The promotion will be launched on Reading Agency's National Readers' Day on 25th June, and will finish in September, so take this opportunity to discover a most rewarding book.

Our warmest congratulations Liz!

Heads up for 15 June - save the day for laughter

2011-05-26T07:30:00.007-01:00

'A Penny Spitfire' will be presented at Gracefield Arts Centre Cafe on Wednesday 15 June at 7pm by well known and much awarded writer Brindley Hallam Dennis, aka Mike Smith. I think we can safely say this will be a most entertaining author event: Brindley Hallam Dennis has a well-deserved reputation as a raconteur, whose dry wit and laconic delivery already has a following in D&G.

'A Penny Spitfire' is set in October 1947, in a town inspired by his childhood memories of Burton Upon Trent. To a background of industrial steam engines, hauling their trains between the dark brick walls of brewery buildings, the characters struggle with the changes that war and history have forced upon them and their town.

Brindley Hallam Dennis writes poetry, prose and drama. His work has appeared in numerous magazines and his comic monologues, That’s What Ya Get! Kowalski’s Assertions, were published recently by Unbound Press. Mike teaches Creative Writing at Cumbria University, runs fiction writing workshops, and blogs regularly at http://bhdandme.wordpress.com/

JoAnne McKay runner up in Callum Macdonald

2011-05-23T11:22:00.005-01:00

Our heartiest congrats to Penpont poet JoAnne McKay, who was announced runner up in the Callum Macdonald Memorial Awards for pamphlet poetry last Thursday, at a rather glam ceremony in the NLS in Edinburgh. JoAnne's beautiful pamphlet 'Venti' was pipped at the post only by the winner Anna Crowe, with 'Figure in a Landscape' from Mariscat Press. Well done JoAnne, and all our warmest!

A Visual Poetry Workshop at the Crichton

2011-05-16T11:42:00.004-01:00

Sign up for a free Visual Poetry Workshop with Lisa Otty on Friday 3 June, 2pm to 4pm at the Rutherford McCowan Building, Crichton Campus, Dumfries.

Poetry Beyond Text is a hands-on workshop explores Visual Poetry, an experimental genre that uses not just words, but also properties such as space, colour, line, and typography. Championed by two of Scotland’s most celebrated poets, Ian Hamilton Finlay and Edwin Morgan, Visual Poetry challenges us to ask what poetry is and how different styles of textual presentation change our readings.

Exploring the aims and ambitions of poets and investigate how individual works are constructed and read, you will experiment with creating your own visual poems. The workshop draws on the new Archive of Reading, housed at the Scottish Poetry Library. This holds eye-tracking recordings and other documents showing how people engage with different layouts and visual strategies, so we can judge how these affect interpretation.

Lisa Otty is a research fellow at Dundee University working on the Poetry beyond Text: Vision, Text and Cognition project, funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council. Her interests focus on experimental literature, print history and modern art, and she regularly publishes and teaches in these areas. She is based in Edinburgh, and is working on the Archive of Reading at the Scottish Poetry Library.

If you're interested, please email Carolyn Yates, Literature Development Officer at dgArts on carolyn@dgarts.co.uk

This is Like Attracts Like, by Emmett Williams. Just to get you going.

Jules Horne's new radio play - this Thursday 2.15pm

2011-05-16T07:26:00.002-01:00

The life and crimes of Dumfriesshire bicycle inventor Kirkpatrick Macmillan will be revealed in a new BBC radio play by former dgArts writer in residence Jules Horne on Thursday 19^th May.

Many of us in D&G remember Jules with affection and gratitude (she certainly helped my writing along) - so will be listening out on Thursday when her new radio play is broadcast, 2.15 on Radio 4, with all the usual helpful options for catching it later...

MACMILLAN’S MARVELLOUS MOTION MACHINE is based on the story of Kirkpatrick ‘Daft Pate’ Macmillan, the Dumfriesshire blacksmith who invented the pedal bicycle, rode from Penpont to Glasgow and committed the world’s first cycle crime in 1842. It includes a cast of thousands played by six Scottish actors, including John Kazek (Spooks, Batman Begins), Isabella Jarrett (Faust, Barry) and Gabriel Quigley (Festival, Rab C Nesbitt), and is directed by Rosie Kellagher of Newcastle’s Theatre Live.

Macmillan worked in the smiddy at Drumlanrig Castle, and Jules was inspired by seeing a velocipede at the Vintage Cycle Museum there. To find out what it was like to build and ride the first bicycle, she worked closely with the museum’s velocipede expert Tony Dymott, and carried out research at Dumfries Museum and the Ewart Library. She also visited Cousland Smiddy and spoke to resident blacksmith James Fleming to find out about the life of a Scottish blacksmith in the 1800s.

She says: ‘Macmillan’s design was way ahead of its time, but he didn’t get proper recognition. It was a fascinating period in history, with so much social and industrial change, and it’s wonderful to think a rural blacksmith was in on the start of such an important invention. It’s been great fun to bring his story to life. ’

Betty Tindal launches new work

2011-04-27T07:34:00.003-01:00

We're delighted to show you Betty Tindal launching her poetry pamphlet Journey at Solstice at A’ the Airts in Sanqhuar last night. The pamphlet is a Norse narrative illustrated beautifully by Hugh Bryden. Doug Curran and Betty then read a few poem snapshots from her collection in progress, ‘Family Album’.

PEN pic - Liu Xiaobo in Castle Douglas

2011-04-20T07:52:00.004-01:00

Here is a picture from the South West Scotland PEN reading in the King's Arms in Castle Douglas, for Liu Xiaobo. The King's Arms kindly donated the room free of charge.

Excellent recordings can be found on America Pen of Liu Xiaobo's poetry read by writers including Edward Albee and Paul Auster. As well as the postcard poem 'A Small Rat in Prison', poems for his wife were read, including 'Longing to Escape' and the powerful, 'You Wait for Me With Dust'.

A Bakehouse Welcome on Sat 30 April

2011-04-18T08:03:00.003-01:00

We absolutely recommend an evening at The Bakehouse in the company of Liz Niven and John Burns on Saturday 30 April. The theme is Exploring China, be there 7pm for 7.30pm.

Chrys, Richard and John tell us they're delighted to be opening their new season with Liz and John who will be bringing their perspectives on China.

Liz Niven reads from her latest poetry collection ‘The Shard Box’ which takes its title from Chinese boxes constructed from wood and inset with smashed porcelain. In English, and in Scots, Liz recounts experiences of travelling in Asia as well as closer, domestic concerns. Other poetry collections include Burning Whins, Stravaigin and Cree Lines. Liz’s writing and editing in support of Scots Language in education has been twice awarded the TESS/Saltire Awards and her poetry, the McCash/Herald prize.

'Alternately tinkling and refracting like fragments of fine porcelain and clattering percussively like Olympics construction works, The Shard Box is a vivid portrait of modern China', The Skinny (Feb 2011)

Poet and fiction writer John Burns reads from his Scots version of "Monkey", the Chinese classic that was a huge cult hit on television in the early 1980s. John writes in both English and in Scots. Books include "Celebration of the Light, Neil Gunn and Zen Buddhism", "Series of Dreams: the Vision Songs of Bob Dylan", and "Open Sky" - a collection of poems.

‘Monkey is a story for our times, and the vigour of the Scots language brings it vividly to life…it’s a Buddhist parable wisdom text but above all celebrates the irresistible nature of the central character Monkey, the wee ned who wins through to wisdom’

Tickets £8.00 (£7.00 concessions) includes a glass of wine

Ring 01557 814175 or email chrys@chryssalt.com

or bookings@thebakehouse.info

A few places left on free workshops at Homage to Wordsworth TODAY

2011-04-13T08:25:00.000-01:00

There are a few spaces left on this FREE workshop, talk and reading, today at Gracefield Arts Centre! Ring up now! 01387 262084

2.30-4pm Poetry Workshop – ‘At home: living in the poem.’

With Helen Mort

What makes a landscape ‘home’? And how best to write about places we know well? Helen Mort, Poet in Residence with the Wordsworth Trust at Dove Cottage (Wordsworth’s home when he wrote much of his greatest work) will look at how to make familiar landscapes strange and how writers from Wordsworth to Philip Larkin and Ian McMillan have explored and reinvented the idea of ‘home’ in poetry.

6.30-7pm William Wordsworth: Selected Poems

Helen Mort and Andrew Forster, Poet in Residence and Literature Officer with the Wordsworth Trust, will read and talk about some of their favourite poems by Wordsworth along with new poems inspired by living and working in Wordsworth’s home.

7.15-8.15pm An illustrated artist talk by Charlie Poulsen

Charlie introduces the work in his exhibition and further afield. Find out how plants and landscapes have inspired some of his recent living installations.

Strong D&G Showing in National Poetry Award

2011-04-12T12:07:00.006-01:00

We have to tell you or we'll burst. Shortlisted for the Callum Macdonald Memorial Award 2011 for an outstanding example of pamphlet poetry are:

JoAnne McKay for 'Venti', published by the skill and hard labour of her talented hands, and
Jean Atkin for 'Lost At Sea' published by Roncadora Press, meaning Hugh Bryden, of course.

"I am just delighted to see the considerable talents of our poets and publishers rise to the top for this prestigious prize" says Carolyn Yates, Literature Development Officer for D&G. "It's a real indicator of our strengths in the literature sector."

The shortlisted publishers and poets are invited to attend an awards ceremony at the National Library of Scotland in Edinburgh on 19 May, when the winner will be announced.

Established in 2001 in memory of Callum Macdonald MBE, Scottish literary publisher and founder of Macdonald Publishers and Printers, this award was created to encourage, recognise and reward the publication of poetry in pamphlet form.

The Callum Macdonald Memorial Award is supported by the Michael Marks Charitable Trust. The award is administered by the National Library of Scotland.

Call for Creative Business Advocates in D&G deadline 20 April

2011-04-07T11:48:00.005-01:00

A message here from Lesley Rogers, newly appointed Creative Arts Business Development Officer at Gracefield Arts Centre

Call for Creative Business Advocates in Dumfries and Galloway - deadline 20 April 2011

Advocates will be recruited in the following specialist sectors:

Visual Arts • Crafts • Music • Performing Arts (Dance, Drama) • Literature • Film

Bids are invited from creative individuals to undertake the role of Creative Business Advocates, as part of the Creative Arts Business Network (CABN). The main aim of CABN, as part of the South of Scotland Creative Enterprise Initiative is to stimulate, strengthen and support the creative industries sector across the region. 7 advocates will be recruited for the following sectors : visual arts, crafts, film, music, performing arts and literature. Advocates will directly inform and support the work of the project.

For more information and to apply follow link to the Creative Business Advocates on the Arts and Crafts South West Scotland website or contact Lesley Rogers on Tel: 01387 262084

Free lit events at Gracefield Arts Centre Wed 13 April

2011-04-07T10:15:00.002-01:00

Have you been to see HOST yet? Hop over to Gracefield to see this beautiful and very transient sight. And sign up for an excellent afternoon of free arts and lit events.

To book places for any (or all) of the events telephone 01387 262084.

2.30-4pm Poetry Workshop – ‘At home: living in the poem.’

With Helen Mort

6.30-7pm William Wordsworth: Selected Poems

7.15-8.15pm An illustrated artist talk by Charlie Poulsen

Charlie introduces the work in his exhibition and further afield. Find out how plants and landscapes have inspired some of his recent living installations.

Future of The Fankle

2011-04-04T11:35:00.002-01:00

Sally Hinchcliffe's been blogging at The Commonty about the future of The Fankle, that cunningly folded poetry publication which always, to me, has a cheering whiff of subversion about it...

Follow the link to The Commonty (everyone needs to know about The Commonty) to comment on The Fankle http://thecommonty.blogspot.com/2011/03/fankle.html

'Finding the Seam' showing at A' The Airts 6 April

2011-04-04T09:48:00.004-01:00

Come to the gorgeous new arts venue for Upper Nithsdale at A' The Airts on Wednesday 6 April to see Rab Wilson and Tony Grace’s film: Finding the Seam

'...a filmic elegy tae the industry Rab aince tyauved in, an whit aince dominated the laundscapes o Sooth West Scotland.'

7pm at A’ the Airts, High Street, Sanquhar DG4 6BL

£4 including refreshments.

And if you can’t make this screening, never fear as it will also be showing at Robert Burns Film Centre on 18th May. Contact Carolyn for more information on carolyn@dgarts.co.uk.

A Literary Girls' Day Out in Moffat

2011-03-24T08:55:00.008-01:00

Cast off the greys of winter! On Saturday 16 April Moffat Book Events offer a day of treats titled - 'Love and Marriage in Moffat'. Check it out at http://www.moffatbookevents.co.uk

Go with a couple of girl friends and raise a glass of champagne at the launch of the reissue of 1936 light romantic classic 'Miss Buncle, Married' by long-time Moffat resident, D E Stevenson. It's suggested by the publishers, Persephone Books, that the continuing attraction of D E Stevenson's books is (as Oscar Wilde put it) that “The good ended happily and the bad unhappily. " Or, as D E Stevenson's granddaughter Wendy, who still lives in Moffat, puts it: the novels are ‘a soothing balm’ at times of stress and exhaustion. Sounds good to me.

The afternoon offers a highly tempting presentation by Edinburgh-based style guru Lynne McCrossan, www.lynne-mccrossan.blogspot.com, author of the illustrated shopper’s handbook ‘A Girl’s Guide to Vintage’ featuring tips for event goers of all ages on how and where to find that special outfit on a shoestring.

Food has not been forgotten - at this point you and your pals repair to indulge in a slap-up retro traditional afternoon tea with musical accompaniment.

And as an added extra, in the evening there will be the opportunity to attend an exclusive sneak preview of Edinburgh Fringe weddings-themed cheeky musical entertainment ‘Abi Roberts Takes You Up the Aisle.’ www.abiroberts.com

Venue: Moffat House Hotel, High Street Moffat www.moffathouse.co.uk
Tickets are available from dgArts at the Midsteeple between 10.00am and 4.00pm, by telephone 01387 253383 or online www.dgarts.co.uk. Also on sale in Moffat at the Book Exchange in Well Street.

Tickets £6.00 per session, £9.50 for thirties style tea or £24 for all day ‘book lovers’ ticket including tea. For a quirky insight follow event organiser, Liz Roberts, on her blog http://wwwlizmoffatbookevents.blogspot.com/

Launch of Southlight 8 tomorrow night

2011-03-22T14:30:00.004-01:00

You are warmly invited to the convivial Gracefield Café Bar to meet the editors of South West Scotland’s literary magazines, Southlight from Dumfries and Galloway and The Eildon Tree from the Borders. 7pm, free entry.

It'll be a friendly crowd with a warm welcome for newcomers. Hear writers reading from their published work and find out how you could increase the chances of success for getting your work accepted by literary magazines.

This is also an opportunity to view Peter Scott Tudhope’s Landscapes of Southwest Scotland, which will be on display at Gracefield.

Rab and his new book go to StAnza!

2011-03-16T13:24:00.004-01:00

Rab Wilson will star at StAnza this week, with me as his trusty bagcarrier and blogger...
On Friday our Dumfries & Galloway Burns Writing Fellow is billed as one of the highlights of this year's StAnza when he'll introduce the screening of his poetry documentary. Rab's produced a film charting his personal response to the rise and fall of coal mining and the impact it has had on local communities and their landscapes.
And on Saturday he'll be launching his new collection 'A Map for the Blind', from Luath, and he'll read with George Nakhutsrishvili. Here's the smallest ever photo of 'A Map for the Blind', which is recommended to you by SPL's Reading Room http://www.readingroom.spl.org.uk/poetry_issues/issue_18.htm

Charlie Poulsen exhibition at Gracefield explores art, land - and daffodils

2011-03-16T09:25:00.004-01:00

Growing is a new exhibition by Scottish Borders based sculptor Charlie Poulsen. It opens to the public for the first time at Gracefield Arts Centre, Dumfries on Saturday 19 March before going on tour across southern Scotland.

Charlie Poulsen is known for his ambitious landscape projects such as the 2005 ‘Point of Resolution’ on the Southern Upland Way above Innerleithen in The Scottish Borders - but here at Gracefield you'll find the scale a little smaller - but just as surprising and insightful.
The Gracefield grounds have been planted with a living sculpture 'Host', which has inspired a link with The Wordsworth Trust on 13 April. As a fresh interpretation of a lovely but hackneyed poem, it made me smile. Come and have a look.

In Gallery 2 you'll find Charlie’s striking monochrome drawings. They're not drawing for sculpture but a separate though connected activity. His current abstract drawings have been inspired by the structure of hedges, trees and ploughed fields in winter.

The latest series of Charlie’s sculptures all use part of a tree as a starting point. Combining the materials of wood and lead takes the object away from the familiar. In Charlie’s words; “I am aiming at a point where the response to seeing the piece is not tree but something other - a suggestion of a machine perhaps."

The exhibition, supported by dgArts, runs until 14 May and is open Tuesday to Saturday 10am to 5pm. On Wednesday 13 April Charlie will give an illustrated talk about his work as part of a day long series of activities entitled Homage to Wordsworth, also includes free poetry events run by The Wordsworth Trust – see www.dgarts.co.uk or www.dumgal.gov.uk/gracefield for full details. This is a free event but booking is essential – telephone 01387 262084.

Scottish South West PEN - hear the work of Lui Xiaobo

2011-03-10T16:12:00.002-01:00

PEN Event

King's Arms, Castle Douglas 7.30pm Sunday 20 March - free admission

Scottish Pen South West is joining Worldwide readings being held on behalf of Chinese writer Liu Xiaobo. Come and hear the work of this remarkable writer in the convivial surrounds of the Kings Arms, hosted by Liz Niven and PEN friends. Music makers welcome too – bring a song or a tune along.

Liu Xiaobo is currently the world’s only winner of the Nobel Peace Prize still held in detention. In 2009, after co-authoring ‘Charter 08’, a manifesto calling for greater freedoms and democracy in China, Liu Xiaobo was sentenced to eleven years in prison on a spurious charge of “inciting subversion of state power”.

To find out more contact Carolyn

carolyn@dgarts.co.uk

07773 797 495

Singing Over The Bones 2 in Dumfries next Wed

2011-03-09T10:51:00.003-01:00

If you missed this event on International Women's Day then do come along to Midsteeple in Dumfries on Wednesday 16 March at 7pm to join poet Liz Niven, who will be speaking at the Dumfries launch of the Wigtown Women's Walk anthology, 'Singing Over The Bones 2'.

'Singing Over The Bones 2' draws on historical sources to celebrate and explore creatively the achievements and contributions of women in the Machars. Enjoy a glass of wine with us, and take in real places and real women along with the wit and wisdom of Liz Niven and the members of Wigtown Women's Walk.

And we need to say that of course this event welcomes the men among you too!

Galloway author Alan Temperley shortlisted for UKLA National Book Awards

2011-03-09T09:20:00.002-01:00

Alan Temperley’s 'Scar Hill', a novel for teens, has been short-listed for the UKLA National Book Awards. Congratulations Alan!

Here's Alan talking mud, tree-climbing, dens, trouble and ant attack tales with his audience during a recent reading in The Midsteeple, Dumfries.

World Book Night attracts 200 readers to the Ewart

2011-03-08T14:23:00.002-01:00

World Book Night at the Ewart Library, Dumfries attracted around 200 people! Books were given away, and the joys of reading celebrated. Vivien Jones says:
"What a joy it was to see the Ewart humming on Saturday night, and how privileged I felt to have been invited to read and be a book-giver. Quite by chance the choice of readings was a diverse as could be - no surprise that so many books were given away. A special thanks to Ann and Ruth for organising the evening so seamlessly - and for the wine. Three cheers for the Ewart - don't forget to support your excellent local libraries!"

Liz Niven at Wigtown Women's Walk Anthology Launch

2011-03-02T15:46:00.002-01:00

Come to the Supper Room at the County Buildings at Wigtown on International Women's Day on Tuesday 8 March to join poet Liz Niven who will be speaking at the launch of the Wigtown Women's Walk anthology, 'Singing Over The Bones 2'.

Wigtown Women's Walk raises awareness of the achievements and contributions of women in the Machars.

Tickets £3 (includes a glass of wine) from 01988 403329

Rab Wilson and John Burns reading at Gracefield Arts Centre this Wednesday

2011-03-01T09:00:00.008-01:00

We're looking forward to 7.30pm Wednesday night (that's the 2nd) when Rab Wilson and John Burns will read from their new collections from glorious Roncadora Press. John Burns will introduce 'Open Sky', richly illustrated by Roncadora, and Rab Wilson, Dumfries & Galloway's Burns Writing Fellow, will read from 'Ye're there Horace! Horace's first buik o satires owerset and adaptit into Scots'.

Gracefield Arts Centre Gallery 2 is hosting an exhibition of Roncadora's new work until 12 March. Hugh Bryden, artist, poet and publisher, has created an extraordinarily various range of work for his publications since the imprint began in 2005. Roncadora Press pamphlets have swept away the Callum Macdonald Memorial Awards and were shortlisted in the even more prestigious Michael Marks Award.

The Cafe makes a great place for a reading and a glass of wine, and these poets will take you all the way from blackly humorous satire through aching beauty via the meaning of humanity... Free, as well. Hope to see you there!

Booklovers alert! World Book Night Party on 5th March!

2011-02-23T15:23:00.004-01:00

Don’t forget World Book Night Party at The Ewart Library, Dumfries, Saturday 5th March 5pm to 7pm.

Rab Wilson, Vivien Jones, Gwen Kirkwood, Giancarlo Rinaldi will read short excerpts from their favourite World Book Night Titles.

There will also be the Balliol Consort performing “Scotland at Night”.

Anne Rinaldi says 'Free books, free wine, supporting your library and friendly neighbourhood Librarian - then off to the pub!! Should be a grand night out.'

Can't argue with that. Hope to see you there!

Meet Alan Temperley TONIGHT

2011-02-23T10:05:00.002-01:00

Do come along to the Midsteeple at 7pm this evening to meet famous children's author Alan Temperley, who just happens to live in Galloway.

His books have been translated into 18 languages, and have won many awards, including a shortlist for Whitbread Children's Book of the Year for 'Harry and the Wrinklies', which also won the Prix Chronos.

His most recent book is 'Scar Hill', about which The Telegraph enthused: 'This is real edge-of-the-seat stuff'.

Free admission, bring the kids!

Andrew Forster and Jean Atkin read at Roncadora Launch on 16th

2011-02-14T09:56:00.011-01:00

Come along to Gracefield Arts Centre Café Bar on Wednesday 16 February at 7pm as Roncadora Press launches new pamphlets in the form of Hugh Bryden’s increasingly admired artists’ books. Poets Andrew Forster and Jean Atkin will read from 'Digging' and 'Lost at Sea'. Admission free.

‘Digging’ has been written by Andrew Forster, Literature Officer for The Wordsworth Trust in Grasmere. Gorgeously illustrated and designed by Roncadora, the collection focuses on Andrew’s experience of living and working in the Lake District. Andrew’s first collection, Fear of Thunder, published by Flambard, was shortlisted for the Forward First Collection Prize in 2007. His second book, Territory (2010) is about his time in the former mining village of Leadhills in South West Scotland. ‘His descriptions of country life through the seasons offer an evocative perspective on living amidst the forces of nature…’ Poetry Book Society

Jean Atkin’s new pamphlet ‘Lost At Sea’ revolves around her exploration of the lives and experience of her Shetland forebears, and her own first visit to the islands. Jean has been a winner in several poetry competitions, including the Ravenglass Poetry Press Competition, which resulted in her short collection ‘The Treeless Region’, being published in 2010. ‘The Treeless Region is a small book but a fine one. Northwords Now

Alongside the readings, well known Dumfries artist Hugh Bryden will be exhibiting illustrations, covers and designs for his Roncadora Press books at a new exhibition at Gracefield Arts Centre until 12 March. Hugh's also running a series of workshops, including an evening workshop on 9 March from which you will emerge with your own design for a poetry pamphlet - tremendous opportunity to extend your practice and have a great time. To book a place contact Gracefield Arts Centre on 01387 262084.

Andrew McNeillie at Rutherford McCowan

2011-02-10T09:11:00.006-01:00

On Thursday 24 February, The University of Glasgow in Dumfries will play host to Andrew McNeillie, poet, Professor of Literature at the University of Essex, and editor of one of Britain’s most renowned literary magazines, Archipelago.

Andrew will give a talk on the birth and development of Archipelago magazine, founded in 2007 ‘to provide a home for the new archipelagic art, and to inspire and embody a return to the land - and seascapes - of these islands’ (Robert Macfarlane). Featuring contributors from Seamus Heaney to Les Murray, Roger Deakin to Robin Robertson, Archipelago represents an invigorating re-engagement with the environment and culture of the British Isles. A new edition of Archipelago is due to be published in February 2011. Andrew hopes to bring a haul north with him.

The event will take place in Room 127 of the Rutherford-McCowan Building on the Crichton Campus at 3pm on Thursday 24 February. Entry is free and open to all of the region’s writers and celebrants of archipelagic culture. Q and A will follow Andrew’s talk.

Further information from Dr David Borthwick, Lecturer in Literature, University of Glasgow, Dumfries Campus, david.borthwick@glasgow.ac.uk; 01387 702024

Sheila Mullen talks poetry

2011-02-10T08:45:00.004-01:00

Sheila Mullen completes her series of artist's talks at the Rutherford McCowan building, Crichton Campus, University of Glasgow on Saturday 12 February by sharing how her love of modern Scottish poets inspires her paintings.
Hugh MacDiarmid, Alasdair Maclean, Hamish Henderson, Will Neill and our very own Rab Wilson are all represented in the accompanying exhibition.

Time: 11-12.30, £5/£3 including refreshments.

Roncadora Poets Tonight!

2011-02-09T13:41:00.002-01:00

Get down to Gracefield this evening for the first in a series of three Roncadora Press Poetry Readings. 7pm and free admission.

To coincide with a very beautiful exhibition in Gracefield Gallery Cafe/Bar, featuring Hugh Bryden's work with his Roncadora imprint, tonight Paisley poet Graham Fulton will read his new pamphlet Black Motel alongside Hugh McMillan, who will be introducing us to Cairn. (At least I think it's called Cairn, it's so new its stones are probably still subject to glaciation).

What's in no doubt is that this will be an evening where exacting craft meets sardonic charm. Or vice versa. And what's on the walls will brighten your week.

2011-02-01T11:01:00.001-01:00

Take a look at this link - a great cartoon strip by M. Contraband Esq -
http://www.artdesigncafe.com/Writers-copyright-lawyer-ADP-2-3-2010

It just so happens that M. Contraband resides in Dumfries and Galloway. Are any of you interested in Carolyn setting up some workshops for writers on intellectual copyright?
Let her know on carolyn@dgarts.co.uk.

2011-01-24T14:29:00.003-01:00

Make your way to the Midsteeple this Wednesday 26th at 7pm for new insights into the mind of The Bard on his journeys to the Other Place (well, England).
Chris Rollie’s new book ‘Robert Burns in England’ is based on the poet’s original travel journal, owned by the great publishing firm of John Murray for nearly two hundred years. Outside of the Murray family, Rollie is only the third writer to examine and use the journal itself as a source.

This promises to be a fascinating and unusual approach to Robert Burns and his times.
Free admission.

Liz Lochhead becomes Scotland's New Makar

2011-01-20T08:45:00.003-01:00

Our congratulations to poet and playwright Liz Lochhead, Scotland's new Makar. Liz's first official duty will be opening the new Burns Museum in Alloway this Friday. She succeeds Edwin Morgan who died in August last year.

Here's Liz blowing up poetry balloons in the company of Hugh Bryden during Poetry Doubles a few years ago.

Ron McKechnie

2011-01-06T19:15:00.001-01:00

We are very sorry to hear that Ron McKechnie has died suddenly, early in the morning of Wednesday 5 January. Ron will be well-known to many in writing circles locally - he was a member of the Dumfries Writers' Group, and also of Lockerbie Writers, and a regular presence at literary and poetry events.

His funeral will be on Thursday 13 January - the funeral service will be at 12.15, at Jardine's Chapel of Rest, 23 Terregles St, Dumfries.

Whitman, Burns and Jazz at The CatStrand

2011-01-05T13:36:00.005-01:00

There’ll be a truly fresh start to the New Year at The CatStrand next Tuesday 11 January when Dumfries and Galloway Arts brings together renowned American poet George Wallace and increasingly famed Scots poet Rab Wilson. They will take us on a lively poetic voyage inspired by the work of two great poets of the past: Walt Whitman and Robert Burns. Jazz saxophonist Jim Holland will be accompanying the readings, making this a night to remember. Don't miss.

And if you don't want to drive (who does, at the moment?) then bear in mind there will be a community minibus from Dumfries for this event – call Carolyn Yates on 01387 253383 if you want more information.
Tickets: £10/£7 from dgArts 01387 253383 or at the Midsteeple

Write a poem this Christmas

2010-12-15T20:24:00.002-01:00

Take a break from the Christmas cheer to write a poem for the Wigtown Poetry Competition 2011.
Brian Johnstone will judge and award the 1st Prize of £2500, the runner-up prize of £500 and eight additional prizes of £25 each. There is also a special prize for a Gaelic poem of £300, to be judged Aonghas Phàdraig Caimbeul - Angus Peter Campbell, and a Scots Poem prize of £300, to be judged by Rab Wilson.
The closing date is 5pm Tuesday 3rd May 2011 and the winning poets will be invited to appear at the Wigtown Book Festival in 2011.
Competition rules and entry form are available to download http://www.wigtownbookfestival.com/poetrycomp/index.asp
For further information contact: Carolyn Yates, Literature Development Officer on 01387 253383 or carolyn@dgarts.co.uk

If you happen to be in Glasgow tonight...

2010-12-13T09:01:00.001-01:00

...then Carcanet Press and Luath Press would like to invite you to the Glasgow launch of Kei Miller’s A Light Song of Light (Carcanet) and Liz Niven’s The Shard Box (Luath Press). We hope you can join us on Monday 13^th December from 6.30pm at The Scottish Writers’ Centre, The Centre For Contemporary Arts, 350 Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow, G2 3JD. Jamaican born Kei Miller has published two Carcanet poetry collections and edited Carcanet’s New Caribbean Poetry Anthology. His latest collection A Light Song of Light was recently shortlisted for the John Llewellyn Rhys Prize 2010. Glasgow-born Liz Niven has completed several poetry collaborations with artists and photographers. Her new collection The Shard Box was published by Luath Press in 2010. Further details can be found on the attachment. Please RSVP to events@luath.co.uk if you would like to attend the Kei Miller and Liz Niven launch.

'One Letter Is Enough', a poem by Nobel peace prizewinner Liu Xiaobo

2010-12-10T08:28:00.003-01:00

Today we celebrate the life and works of the Nobel Peace Prizewinner Liu Xiaobo, who is spending today locked up by the Chinese authorities for subversion. An empty chair represents him in Oslo at the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony.

Do print off this poem and pin it up in a public place or e-mail it to a friend. Go to Scottish PEN for more.
http://www.scottishpen.org/news
This would be a good day to join PEN, a dynamic worldwide association of writers pledged to protect freedom of expression and promote literature across frontiers throughout the world. If you contact us, we can pass on your details to Liz Niven, who has recently set up a South of Scotland branch of Scottish PEN.

One Letter Is Enough

for Xia

one letter is enough
for me to transcend and face
you to speak
as the wind blows past
the night
uses its own blood
to write a secret verse
that reminds me each
word is the last word
the ice in your body
melts into a myth of fire
in the eyes of the executioner
fury turns to stone
two sets of iron rails
unexpectedly overlap
moths flap toward lamp
light, an eternal sign
that traces your shadow

8. 1. 2000

Taxi! Drop into Midsteeple on Saturday to enjoy tales from the back of a taxi

2010-12-03T09:21:00.000-01:00

A real winter warmer – come along and spend an hour in the company of Douglas Findlay in the Midsteeple, High Street, Dumfries.
He's on at 12 noon, Saturday 4th December, and admission is free.

Douglas Findlay's highly entertaining anecdotes of his time as a cabbie in postwar Edinburgh will keep you chortling. Never one to turn down a fare, he will regale you with tales of the extraordinary range of characters he's had ‘in the back’ and how he ended up in the most bizarre situations.

There will also be mince pies and drinks and an opportunity to buy his memoir Taxi! – an ideal Christmas present.

Book for Hideo Furuta, sculptor of Adamson Square, Creetown, to be launched in Dumfries

2010-11-30T14:18:00.006-01:00

Do leave your firesides for a special celebration on Monday 6 December of the famous sculptor Hideo Furuta. dgArts has published a beautiful book of photographs and the story behind the work, which is being launched in Dumfries. Christmas presents solved on the spot!

All receipts from the sale of ‘In Context: Hideo Furuta and Adamson Square’ will go to the Hideo Furuta Creative Arts Fund which will support the commissioning of young creative professionals to develop new projects for Dumfries and Galloway, with particular emphasis on the Creetown area.

Come along to the Midsteeple next Monday at 7pm to enjoy a glass of wine, a slide show and a talk, all welcome.

What a welcome from A' The Airts

2010-11-24T09:38:00.005-01:00

I don't often find time to write an 'afterwards' blog, but the world should know what a great new venue Sanquhar's got in its spanking new, shiny white A' The Airts. And what a great night the final Poetry Doubles of 2010 delivered there.

A minibus load of poets disembarked onto frosty pavements and tottered in under the weight of banners and booze (well, and orange juice) to a fantastic welcome from Sanquhar. There is a beautiful cafe, with big windows and little tables. Shelves of attractive hand-crafted goods warm up one side of the room. Dennis O' Driscoll and JoAnne McKay performed in a great space upstairs where the tall 19th century ceiling has been retained above the new raked seating. It all felt very clean and white and new, but has been made warm and local by lots of vibrant framed paintings (I'm guessing from the schools).

Dennis O'Driscoll mentioned that he was known for his gloomy poetry, then read us a set which frequently had the audience in giggles. Then he said he'd better ensure his reputation stood, and read us 'someone is dressing up for death today'. It was read on radio after 9/11, though written 20 years earlier. It's about all of us really. Sanquhar loved him. Dennis's 4am start in Ireland and transport by Ryanair prevented there being any books to buy, but get online everyone, and buy one.

JoAnne's set was really well judged for both humour and her own kind of unsparing honesty. As she admitted, the ones about the Old Bill do go down well. Impossible to listen without picturing a feisty younger JoAnne pinning down machete-wielding villians... And Venti is a very good (and amazingly beautifully crafted) pamphlet.

Well, that's Poetry Doubles for 2010. I'm looking forward to next year's already...

Dennis O'Driscoll and JoAnne McKay read in Sanquhar on Tuesday

2010-11-19T10:14:00.003-01:00

A reading to leave your fireside for, the final Poetry Doubles of 2010 is set to go out with real flourish as acclaimed Irish poet Dennis O'Driscoll reads alongside the sparkling JoAnne McKay in a brand new venue for Sanquhar 'A' The Airts'. The event takes place on Tuesday 23 November, 7pm, £7/£5 on the door or ring us on 01387 253383 to reserve your tickets. Carolyn is investigating shared transport from Dumfries to Sanquhar for this event - do call her on 01387 253383 if interested.

Dennis O'Driscoll's crisp, musical poetry has, says the Guardian, 'made him an international poet who you can commend unequivocally to anyone with a heart and a mind'. He is much in demand as a reader (so much so that Carolyn has to drive him to Lumb Bank in Yorkshire tomorrow so he could fit us in!)

JoAnne's poetry is by turns funny, mysterious and wrenching, and she is an excellent performer of her work.

I leave you with a wintry little taste of Dennis O'Driscoll:

…you contemplate winter
with something close to tenderness, the sprint
from fuel shed to back door, the leisurely
ascent of peat smoke, even the suburban haze
of boiler flues when thermostats are set.

Beth Fouracre to guest at next week's Open Stage

2010-11-17T16:25:00.003-01:00

It's a real pleasure to welcome massively talented singer songwriter Beth Fouracre back to Open Stage. I thought she was great - she did these amazing sounds through the amplifier, recording her own voice and singing over it - gorgeous to listen to. Now she's working on the alphabeth sessions...

She'll be back for next Wednesday's Open Stage (the 24th), at So You Cafe on Castle Street. The evening starts at 7pm when you're warmly invited to come along and book a space to perform in. The show starts at 7.30pm, and Nicola Black will be our compere. £3 on the door.

Find out more about Beth, and get a listen to help you make the decision to go out into this fine weather we're having at http://www.myspace.com/bethfouracre

Kenneth Steven and Jean Atkin in Poetry Doubles on Monday 15 November

2010-11-09T14:03:00.006-01:00

Poetry Doubles is back on Monday 15th November, with a chance to enjoy the poetry of Kenneth Steven and Jean Atkin.

The evening starts at 7pm at the Rutherford McCowan Building on the Crichton Campus in Dumfries. Kenneth is much published, writing sensitive poetry about the natural world, very much rooted in the Highlands of Scotland.
My work is much less published - but I've had an exciting year or so culminating in the publication of my first pamphlet from Ravenglass Poetry Press. Hear poems from 'The Treeless Region', a taste of Shetland from my forthcoming pamphlet with Roncadora, and some new stuff.

Hope to see you there! If you need help finding it try this link: http://www.gla.ac.uk/media/media_75482_en.pdf

Literary Lunch at Casa Mia - tickets available now!

2010-11-08T12:24:00.001-01:00

Grab your tickets for the Peter Pan Moat Brae Trust fund-raising Literary Lunch at 12 noon on Friday 12^th November 2010 At Casa Mia . Owen Dudley Edwards is giving the talk: Peter Pan and Us, plus 2-course Lunch with wine. Tickets £20. contact Sheri Blackett sheri@arbigland.com

Liz Niven, Margaret Elphinstone and Tom Pow in support of PEN

2010-11-08T11:30:00.005-01:00

Liz Niven has arranged the 1st meeting of PEN South West Scotland branch. 17TH NOVEMBER 2010 COACH & HORSES, Whitesands, Dumfries 7pm

PEN campaigns for writers and freedom of expression around the world. Membership of PEN is open to all involved in Scottish literature, including publishers, editors and students, as well as writers, poets and playwrights.

New members and friends welcome.

Liz Niven, Margaret Elphinstone and Tom Pow will be reading from the work in translation of imprisoned writers such as Liu Xiaobo, recently awarded the Nobel Peace Prize and currently in jail.

Further information: ln@lizniven.com or info@scottishpen.org

Jen Hadfield comes to Crichton Campus!

2010-11-01T12:29:00.006-01:00

Come along next week to hear Jen Hadfield read her poetry and talk about it at The Crichton Campus in Dumfries. Wed 10 Nov at 2pm, Rutherford McCowan Building.

Jen's work has been described by Andrew Motion as 'jaunty, energetic and iconoclastic'.

Come because it'll be a joy. Free, too.

http://www.dgarts.co.uk/1223/events/jen-hadfield-at-the-crichton/

Emma's 'Pentland Javelin' is Poem of the Week

2010-10-28T13:48:00.003-01:00

'Pentland Javelin' by Emma Strang from Southlight 7 will be next Saturday's Poem of the Week in The Herald. Congratulations Em!

Sadly, the poem of the day has been relegated to Saturdays only as an economy measure. A lot of writers and readers in D&G will miss this. Poem of the Day was one outlet where new writers could be showcased alongside established and legendary writers - there was always just a chance that Lesley would choose your piece. We encourage you to write individually to Jonathan Russell if you feel the same way we do.

Review of 'Venti' by JoAnne McKay

2010-10-25T16:45:00.002-01:00

The first thing that strikes you when you pick up JoAnne McKay’s pamphlet ‘Venti’, is just how nice it feels in your hands. Lovingly and exactly designed for both textural appeal and visual beauty, ‘Venti’ is a stunner. The gorgeous illustrations by Matt Kish lift the book and complement the poetry. Awesome work has gone into each and every copy by way of hand-stitching, embossing, a choice of outer cover and differently coloured be-ribboned label…

But this is also dextrous, accomplished poetry. A distinctive voice, wise as well as energetic, permeates these poems. I like the grounded experience that comes through in poems like ‘In These Hard Times’:
‘Tonight, new moon,
whilst washing this single bowl,
I have not seen you.
I screw my eyes and sever
vision from brain’…

JoAnne is an excellent performer of her own work, giving it an almost hypnotic rhythm and sense of narrative. She’s good on superstition, and instinct. ‘Elm Hateth Man, and Waiteth’ derives from folklore, and majors on haunting repetition:
‘Who lives in thee, elm tree?
No one, cried the rooks’

JoAnne can also write both sensitively and unsentimentally about nature, as in the title poem, ‘Venti’:
‘I like the leached night;
my trees talk to me.
Sound-wash soft Rowan
Apple shiver
hard notes of Pear.’

These poems are engaging because the poet’s self-reliance and the intelligent judgement she brings to her observation of the world shine through. ‘Venti’ feels surefooted. And it’s jolly nice to own. If you want to acquire one, explore http://titusthedog.blogspot.com/

Reviewed by Jean Atkin

Poetry and Jazz with Trio Verso at The Bakehouse

2010-10-25T14:16:00.003-01:00

A delicious evening of poetry and jazz beckons at The Bakehouse on Saturday 30 October, with improvisation group Trio Verso – poet Brian Johnstone (co-founder and former Director of the StAnza Poetry Festival) and musicians Richard Ingham (saxes, bass clarinet, low whistle, trombophone) & Louise Major (double bass). Get there at 7.30pm to enjoy a most un-Halloween-weekend experience of imagination, fusion and harmony.

Trio Verso’s work interprets and refocuses the 1950s poetry & jazz movement for a 21st century audience, through fusing Brian Johnstone’s evocative lyric texts with free improvised jazz grooves and jazz-inflected soundscapes. Trio Verso performances are centred on close interaction, the poet exploring different interpretations of the texts in reaction to the sounds created, and the musicians exploiting their technique and their instruments’ potential in response to the readings.

Since forming in 2007, Trio Verso has performed at the Big Tent Festival in Falkland, at the WordFringe Festival in Aberdeenshire, at the Callander Poetry Weekend and for poetry sessions at the Scottish Poetry Library, Shore Poets and the Golden Hour, all Edinburgh and Last Monday at the Rio in Glasgow. Their CD Storm Chaser was released in 2010. myspace.com/trioverso

Tickets from 01557 814175 or email bookings@thebakehouse.info

Supported by GaelForce

Book your tickets to hear Les Murray at The Crichton!

2010-10-19T10:36:00.003-01:00

Pick up the phone and secure your tickets for Les Murray on Tuesday 26 October! Out of the blue we got a phonecall from Les Murray's agent in Britain, offering us the opportunity of a reading here in Dumfries. Since he’s coming all the way from Oz we didn’t hesitate! Les is a great performer of his work - he's huge and dusty like he's just stepped out of the outback, with a kind rumble of a voice and an exhilarating way with words. Absolutely not to be missed.

Les Murray will be reading at the Rutherford McCowan Building on the University of Glasgow campus at the Crichton site at 7pm. This is an exceptional opportunity to hear this great internationally renowned poet. Tickets are £10 and £8, available from us at dgArts on 01387 253383.

Les Murray is Australia’s leading poet and one of the greatest contemporary poets writing in English. His work has been published in ten languages. In 1999 he was awarded the Queen’s Gold Medal for Poetry on the recommendation of Ted Hughes.

Les Murray was born in 1938 in New South Wales. His Murray forebears had arrived on the Manning in the 1840s and Les has always been proud of both his Gaelic and pioneer Australian ancestry. Les has a soft spot for south west Scotland. Full of humour, energy and inventiveness, his poetry is a real treat.

Book Launch: ‘I Remember, I Remember’ by The Crichton Writers

2010-10-07T08:50:00.002-01:00

A date for your diaries! On Monday 18^th October at 7pm-8pm in The Midsteeple, High Street, Dumfries the Crichton Writers will be launching their memoirs album, titled, 'I remember, I remember'.

Neither military nor misery, Crichton Writers read from their 2010 memoirs album, revealing a very broad spectrum of experience drawn from their colourful lives. Copies of the illustrated album available.

Free Admission
Supported by GaelForce

Vivien goes south to receive the Poetry London Prize!

2010-10-06T21:13:00.000-01:00

Well done Vivien! Very best wishes from all at dgArts!
National Poetry Day happy returns.
Hope it's a good party...

Hey - please come along and find us on Facebook!

2010-10-05T14:43:00.002-01:00

dgArts has a new Facebook page - do come along and join in. A great place to upload your photos of events, your reviews, your ideas and your random musings or mutterings...
Just click the FB icon on the front of our new website.

Harry Potter pages on display for Wigtown Book Festival

2010-09-20T09:41:00.001-01:00

What a coup! And a winning occasion for a good cup of coffee - read The Ballad of Nearly Headless Nick in the delicious surroundings of Reading Lasses http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-11365173

And Andy Forster talks to Dave Borthwick at 2pm on Monday 20th

2010-09-16T13:18:00.000-01:00

Andrew Forster will discuss with Dr David Borthwick his recent collection Territory in the context of the contemporary resurgence in poetic responses to the environment. Andrew and David will consider how one comes to be ‘at home’ in a landscape, from dwelling to engagement with a place’s history, animal encounters to weather events. Along the way, they will talk about writing by a range of contemporary poets, John Burnside to Alice Oswald, Kathleen Jamie to Don McKay.

Monday 20 September, Room 232 Rutherford McCowan Building, The Crichton, Dumfries. Admission £5 for members of the public, £3 for students.

And then get down to Poetry Doubles with Andrew Forster and Katy Ewing at the Brigend Theatre at 7pm - look forward to seeing you there!

2010-09-15T08:00:00.000-01:00

When Andrew Forster’s first collection, Fear of Thunder, was shortlisted for theForward First Collection Prize in 2007 he was working in Dumfries and Galloway as our Literature Development Officer. Andy has since moved to Cumbria to work for the Wordsworth Trust, but we've persuaded him back across the border to take part in Dumfries and Galloway’s prestigious Poetry Doubles series. With which he's wholly familiar, because it was his idea...

Andy will share a stage on Monday 20 September with Katy Ewing. They will perform at the Brigend Theatre, Dumfries at 7pm. Tickets are available from dgArts www.dgarts.co.uk

Andrew’s second collection, Territory, which was published earlier this year by Flambard, focuses on his time in the former mining village of Leadhills in Upper Nithsdale. His poems explore what it means to make a home in a particular place, and the relationship with the environment that this implies.

Katy Ewing is in her third year of the Liberal Arts Humanities degree at Glasgow University in Dumfries. She lives with her young family in the Stewartry area of Dumfries and Galloway. Katy's work is precise, vivid and illuminating.

This will really be an evening of poetry to savour. Hope to see you there!

Liz Niven launches 'The Shard Box' on Friday 17 Sept at Midsteeple

2010-09-13T08:44:00.000-01:00

dgArts launches Liz Niven’s new collection of poems The Shard Box at 7.00pm on FRIDAY 17^th September at Midsteeple. Free admission - hope to see you there!

A new review by Janet Paisley says:

“There is fine writing in the Shard Box, crafted with vision, warmth and shafts of devastating insight. Under Liz Niven’s scrutiny, China opens like a lotus blossom, secretive, then revealed. Cambodia springs into full-blooded view. The same honesty wraps care round a dying father, and lets a daughter launch, unhindered, into adult life. Poignant and potent, these shards create a global journey, connecting the familial to the unfamiliar, revealing through small things our vast, culpable humanity.”

Sneak Wigtown Preview: the Director's Cut...

2010-09-07T13:20:00.000-01:00

With more than 170 events over 10 days, it can be easy to miss things in the Wigtown Book Festival programme. In the first of two "Festival Director's Cuts", programmer Adrian Turpin takes a personal pick of some of the gems buried in this year's line-up:

Michael Foley: The Age of Absurdity
12 noon Sat 25 Sept
One man's very funny and astute take on why modern life seem to be slowly driving us all mad.

Granta Magazine Event: Families and How to Survive Writing about Them
1.30pm Sat 25 Sept
Two of Britain's liveliest novelists, Janice Galloway and Rupert Thomson, on the trials of writing about family.

Martin Creed
3pm Sun 26 Sept
The festival's first Turner prize winner: he's also a brilliant performer. He even plays guitar in his talk.

Alex Bellos: Alex's Adventures in Numberland
4.30pm Sun 26 Sept
Multitalented? The author of this much-admired book about mathematical oddities was Pele's ghostwriter.

Sara Wheeler: The Magnetic North
6pm Mon 27 Sept
Everything you have ever wanted to know about the arctic: from inuit life to the race for oil. Fascinating.

Henry Nicholls: The Way of the Panda
3pm Thur 30 Sept
Everyone loves pandas. But until 150 years ago they were unknown outside China. Now they've become diplomatic pawns. Henry Nicholls' black-and-white tale should be read all over.

Suzanne Fagence Cooper: The Model Wife
1.30pm Fri 1 Oct
The love triangle between the model Effie Gray, the critic Ruskin and the painter Millais was the biggest scandal of Victorian times. Today it would have been all over Heat magazine.
HOW TO BOOK

You can book online at www.wigtownbookfestival.com, by phone on 01988 403222 or 01988 402036 (9am - 5pm, Monday to Friday, 10am - 4pm Saturday and 2pm - 4pm Sunday) or simply by popping into our office in the County Buildings, Wigtown.

If you know of anyone else who would like to receive a copy of the programme please send their full address to mail@wigtownbookfestival.com

Poetry Doubles lights up Castle Douglas Monday 6 September

2010-09-01T08:25:00.000-01:00

Brian Johnstone

Make your way to the Gordon Memorial Hall, Whitepark Road, down by Carlingford Loch in Castle Douglas on Monday evening to enjoy a stellar line-up of ex-StAnza Festival Director Brian Johnstone, alongside prize-winning local poets Fiona Russell and Em Strang.
Brian Johnstone’s poems are ‘full of stilled moments and nicely shaped incidents’ (Scotland on Sunday). His most recent collection is The Book of Belongings (Arc, 2009). He is a co-founder of the StAnza Poetry Festival and was its Festival Director from 2000-2010.

Em Strang is studying an MPhil in eco poetry at Glasgow University’s Dumfries campus. Winner of the 2010 Kirkpatrick Dobie Prize For Poetry, she has published poems in Markings, Poetry Scotland and Swamp.
Fiona Russell lives on the family hill sheep farm with her two rescue lurchers. She is currently studying for a PhD. Her MLitt folio, Where Clouds Come To Die, won a Sir Patrick Geddes Award in March 2010. Fiona’s training in agriculture and illustration help her make use of observational skills for her writing.

The event starts at 7pm, when we welcome you in and ply you with pleasant drinks. Tickets are £7/£5, available from dgArts at The Midsteeple, Dumfries, 01387 253383 or on the door. Look forward to seeing you there!

Launch of 'The Treeless Region'

2010-08-30T09:19:00.000-01:00

- It's tonight! I'm very excited, and do please come along at 7pm. I know you'd come just for the poetry - but did I mention the free wine, and the homemade cake?

'The Treeless Region' is published by Ravenglass Poetry Press, costs £4.99 and is available from www.ravenglasspoetrypress.co.ukhttp://www.ravenglasspoetrypress.co.uk/ and (imminently) on Amazon.

Susi Woodmass plays at Open Stage Wed 25th August

2010-08-18T09:36:00.009-01:00

Come along to So You Cafe on Castle Street, Dumfries next Wednesday 25th to enjoy Stewartry singer songwriter Susi Woodmass' lovely voice!

Susi Woodmass has a growing reputation for her innovative musical style. She uses strong rythmical guitar lines to underpin the beautiful vocal lines which come direct from the heart.

She has spent most of her life in Dumfries and Galloway, and in her other life appears as Susi Sweetpea as well as part of the Wee Folk Storytellers.

Organised by Dumfries & Galloway Arts, Open Stage provides a unique opportunity for poets and singer songwriters in the region to perform in front of a friendly live audience.
Nicola Black will be your compere for the evening, and we'll be there at 7pm to welcome you and book your performance slot. The show starts at 7.30pm and if you don't want to perform, come along then and join our friendly audience for a great night. £3 on the door.

New Book published by Brindley Hallam Dennis - aka Mike Smith

2010-08-12T09:27:00.001-01:00

Just to let you all know that 'That's What Ya Get' has just been published by Unbound Press. Anyone who was at Open Stage in Dumfries last month was blown away by the 'Assertions of Kowalski', Mike's extraordinary character who, he says, just opened his mouth and started talking.

It's very, very funny, and gets straight to the places you didn't know you had places...

Buy from Unbound Press www.unboundpress.co.uk (well, shortly, I imagine, it's still on their 'Forthcoming Titles' page, but it'll be getting there rapidly, due to demand).

Nice one BHD.

Not to be missed - Poetry Doubles starts from across the pond!

2010-08-10T18:24:00.000-01:00

Look forward very much to seeing you at the Robert Burns Film Centre Theatre this Thursday 12th at 7pm for the start of 2010's Poetry Doubles season.
And it's a big start, with visiting-from-USA renowned poet George Wallace, who will share the stage at RBCFT with our own talented Lynn Otty. There follows a bit of blurb...

George Wallace is an American poet and poetry activist, who has created a grassroots network of venues for poetry stretching from downtown New York to Penrith, Kendal and now Dumfries. George is very much a performance poet, and his imaginative work is both deceptively simple and strongly rhythmic. As well as being a renowned poet, George is the editor and publisher of Poetry Bay, an on-line magazine. 'Whitman has snuck into Wallace – that same marrowy vigour, the uninhibited reach, that headlong urgency…except that, with Wallace, his narrative shirt-buttons are all undone.’
Mario Petrucci.
Lynn Otty is a Canadian who grew up on the prairies. She has lived in South West Scotland since the 1970s. Her poetry and short stories have appeared in a number of anthologies and literary magazines. The Scottish Association of Writers highly commended her work at their annual conference this spring. She says “I am a late starter and always thought of myself as a writer-in-waiting. Never quite figured out what it was that I was waiting for so decided I’d better get writing.”

There. It'll be great! See you on Thursday!

You'll enjoy this - Liz Niven's Poem of the Day in the Herald

2010-08-09T13:04:00.000-01:00

Congratulations to Liz Niven, for Hamecomin Blessins, which was Poem of the Day in The Herald on 22 July. Beautiful poem! http://www.lizniven.com/

Hamecomin blessins

Blessins
oan the faimilies waitin,
breid, watter and mair oan the table,
bed made, hoose trig,
bit naebodie comes hame.

Blessins
oan the folk wi nae hames tae gan tae,
cooried, at the hin en o a dreich nicht,
intae cairdboard boxes or
warmin hauns roon a brazier unner a bypass
win flappin roon faces shilpit an wan.

Blessins
oan the sodger hunkert doon
in a bluid-soakt sheuch,
or the refugee staunin
at the black-brunt shell o hoose.

Blessins oan
thaim whae come hame,
thaim whae dinnae ,
thaim wi nae hame tae gan tae.
in this Hamecomin year.

Liz Niven
(shortlisted McCash 2009)

Vivien Jones wins Poetry London Competition!

2010-08-03T07:51:00.000-01:00

We are so proud of you Vivien! Vivien Jones has just won the Poetry London Competition 2010, judged by Michael Longley.

Vivien's poem, 'My Mother's Literature' took 1st prize, winning £1000 and publication in Poetry London's autumn issue. (Buy one!)

Vivien is an increasingly well known poet and writer, and has her first poetry collection out this month, published by Indigo Dreams. 'About Time, Too' will be launched at the Midsteeple, Dumfries, and at Wigtown Book Festival. Find out more at http://www.vivienjones.info/

I'm chasing Vivien to give me a copy of 'My Mother's Literature' so we can make it Poem of the Month in The Midsteeple - do drop in and read it.

Save the date! Les Murray to read in Dumfries 26 October!

2010-08-02T09:23:00.000-01:00

Out of the blue came a phonecall from Les Murray's agent in Britain, offering us the opportunity of a reading here in Dumfries.
We said Yes (quite loudly).

This is an exceptional opportunity to hear this great internationally renowned poet. He's huge and dusty like he's just stepped out of the outback, with a kind rumble of a voice and an exhilarating way with words. Absolutely not to be missed.

...and the creekwater film spooling over causeways got spliced many times
with its boulders like ice under whisky, tree pools mirrory as the eyes of horses.

He'll be here on Tuesday 26 October, venue tbc... I'll keep you posted.

Open Stage 28 July - A Busload of Border Poets!

2010-07-22T08:00:00.000-01:00

Come along to So You Cafe on Castle Street, Dumfries next Wednesday to enjoy a special 'Over The Border' experience from a busload of Cumbrian poets, led by the twin energies of Brindley Hallam Dennis and Nick Pemberton.

Organised by Dumfries & Galloway Arts, Open Stage provides a unique opportunity for poets and singer songwriters in the region to perform in front of a friendly live audience.

Nicola Black will be your compere for the evening, and we'll be there at 7pm to welcome you and book your performance slot. The show starts at 7.30pm and if you don't want to perform, come along then and join our friendly audience for a great night. £3 on the door.

Creative Writing Workshop 12 August with GEORGE WALLACE

2010-07-21T14:17:00.000-01:00

Don't miss out on the chance to do a creative writing workshop with this internationally famous poet! George Wallace is widely published, and also edits PoetryBay, which publishes online, featuring high quality work from around the world. George has created a unique workshop experience designed to enhance writers' ability to create space for the imagination to explore, invent, discover and roam.

A treat for summer! The workshop will take place at The Midsteeple, Dumfries from 2.30pm to 4.30pm, and costs £10. To book please email Carolyn@dgaa.net.

George will be reading in Poetry Doubles with talented Dumfries and Galloway poet Lynn Otty later that day, when they'll be on stage at the Robert Burns Centre Film Theatre at 7pm. See www.dgaa.net for details and look out for the flyer.

Do a sun dance for Rab!

2010-07-21T11:35:00.001-01:00

Rab Wilson says: Ahm daein twa readins at the Wickerman 'Word Tent'; Friday 5:10pm an Setterday 3:50pm

Dae a wee 'sun dance' fir me, will ye!??

Well done Vivien! Poem of the Day in The Herald on 6 July

2010-07-19T12:26:00.000-01:00

KELVINGROVE, GLASGOW

We had to go – years of sighing
over illustrations in design books
made it imperative – we had to look.

Who dared say it first?
You were full of well-tutored
respect for established opinion
but you also knew the making craft,
the strength of joints, the angles
that support the human spine.

‘Those chairs’- I whispered,
intimidated by the museum hush -
‘they don’t look very comfortable’,
thinking of those Glasgow matrons
taking tea and gossip together
in rival tea rooms, undomesticated
in fur jackets, heels and gloves.

You smiled, relishing your own
affection for a making tradition
so like your Cotswold heroes.

Never mind the Rennie Mackintosh,
the cutlery made you weep.

Vivien Jones
Poem of the Day in The Herald
6 July 2010

Find The Fankle!

2010-07-19T12:14:00.000-01:00

You might like to know about The Fankle - latest venture from Dumfries Writers Group. This ingeniously folded pamphlet featuring prose, poetry and short fiction from a thoroughly talented group of writers is available now from The Midsteeple in Dumfries (and a variety of shops and cafes across the region). Its origami-like construction and classy design are the result of Hugh Bryden's skill, and we reckon here that it's the most fun and inspiration to be had in D&G for 50p...

Don't miss out - this is the first-ever issue of what's got to be a pocket classic of a pamphlet!

For more, go to www.thefankle.net

Hugh MacDiarmid Lecture in Langholm 28 August

2010-07-19T09:54:00.000-01:00

The Hugh MacDiarmid lecture 2010 is -

'Poets' Pub: Hugh MacDiarmid and His Contemporaries: Poets, Artists and the Challenge of Modern Scotland'

In this illustrated and wide-ranging lecture, Alexander Moffat and Alan Riach show how central MacDiarmid was to the vitality of literary and artistic life in modern Scotland, and ask how important his stimulus and the work of poets and artists is, in the 21st century.

Venue: Buccleuch Centre, Langholm. Saturday 28 August.

Lunch and lecture £18.50; Lunch 12 noon for 12.15

lecture only £4.00; Lecture 2pm.

Tickets available from Buccleuch Centre: 013873 81196.

Time for my hols! And 'The Treeless Region' is on its way.

2010-07-01T08:09:00.000-01:00

I'm off to Ledbury Poetry Festival tomorrow - very much looking forward to it! Going to hear Pascale Petit and Jane Weir for starters, but there's just masses. http://www.poetry-festival.com/index.html

And news at last - 'The Treeless Region' will be launched on Monday 30 August at the Midsteeple. I will remind you!

Poetry Doubles begins with George Wallace and Lynn Otty

2010-06-29T10:35:00.000-01:00

A date for your diaries – on 12 August Poetry Doubles launches with George Wallace from the USA and Lynn Otty @ the Robert Burns Centre Film Theatre 7.00pm.

From 2.30 pm to 4.30pm on 12 August George will be running a creative writing workshop in the Midsteeple (£10). As well as being a renowned poet, George is the editor and publisher of Poetry Bay, an on-line magazine. For more information, go to http://www.poetrybay.com/

To book a workshop place contact Carolyn @ DGAA

Bruce McKenzie (yes, West Sound DJ) plays Open Stage!

2010-06-25T13:59:00.000-01:00

Come along on Wednesday 30th June to So You Cafe and catch Scotland's last untamed DJ (I didn't make that up, he did) - the very talented Bruce McKenzie and his mate Chris Henry performing as Sketchproof. They're working on their first album and aim to start recording this winter.

Also as ever, an opportunity to read your new work to a receptive audience, or just come along for a good night out. Doors open at 7pm, entry is £3 on the door.

How to get published - workshop in Hawick

2010-06-23T09:10:00.000-01:00

If you missed the How to Get Published workshop held earlier this year in Dumfries, then you might be able to catch the same show in hawick on 29 June. Info and contacts below, just give them a ring to book your place - it's free.

How to Get Published commissioned by CABN

Tuesday 29 June 2010, 18:30-20:30

Room 205, Heart of Hawick – Tower Mill, Kirkstile, Hawick TD9 0AE

Contact: Mary Morrison
Project Manager CABN : Creative Arts Business Network Arts Development
Scottish Borders Council
Heart of Hawick – Tower Mill
Kirkstile
Hawick
TD9 0AE
tel: 01450 360689
mob: 07789 944 993

Launch of 'The Treeless Region' POSTPONED

2010-06-14T08:27:00.000-01:00

Ooops! The launch of my new poetry collection, 'The Treeless Region' has been postponed. Not on tonight!

Basically the printers have got themselves in a tangle, and so we've had to reschedule. Publisher has been tearing out hair, but swears things are getting organised now. So I can go public with a new date very shortly, probably in early August, because I'm away two weeks in July, and probably so are you...

Thanks for your support - much appreciated!

Academi Cardiff International Poetry Comp runner up from Dumfries!

2010-06-10T12:08:00.000-01:00

Congratulations Hugh McMillan! A chance google led me to discover this fine poet has been named a runner up in the highly prestigious Academi Cardiff International Poetry Competition. Follow the link http://www.academi.org/cipc/to enjoy the poem, My Father From Extant Sources. I love it.

The Lost Garden launches at The Midsteeple on Wednesday

2010-06-01T07:49:00.000-01:00

Just to remind you all to come along to the Midsteeple on Wednesday evening to enjoy the launch of Hugh McMillan's new book designed by Hugh Bryden and published by Roncadora - The Lost Garden.
Ravishing book, gorgeous poetry and Hugh McMillan will make you laugh in all the right places.

Devorgilla's Bridge makes Marks Award shortlist

2010-05-24T18:40:00.000-01:00

Warm congratulations to the two Shugs - again! Devorgilla's Bridge has been shortlisted for the Michael Marks Award for Poetry Pamphlets. Best of luck Shugs for the final in London on 16 June.
'Roncadora Press have created a single fold-out poem by Hugh McMillan, beautifully complemented by a linocut by Hugh Bryden, is devoted to what is said to be Scotland’s oldest bridge: ‘an astronaut in stone’.' Take a look at http://www.bl.uk/poetrypamphlets/

May Open Stage - we're delighted to announce BLUE as our guest!

2010-05-20T08:34:00.001-01:00

Open Stage will be back at So You Cafe on Wednesday 26 May. To allow more space for all you poets and singer songwriters we've decided to stick with just one guest performer per evening - and this time it will be nationally known singer songwriter Blue, best known here perhaps for his work with Quirkus. Blue writes much of their material, and is a great performer. A good time guaranteed.

Nicola Black will be your compere for the evening, and DGAA will be there to welcome you at 7pm to book your slot before it all gets going at 7.30pm. If you don't want to perform, come along and join our friendly audience for a great night!

More Congratulations for Hughs McMillan and Bryden!

2010-05-17T09:05:00.000-01:00

Latest news: big congratulations to Hugh McMillan from all of us at DGAA! Hugh has made the shortlist of the very prestigious Michael Marks/poetry Society Pamphlet Prize with 'Devorgilla's Bridge'. He will be doing his bit to promote the Auld Brig in London on 16 June.

http://www.bl.uk/poetrypamphlets/
And come along to Midsteeple on 2 June, 7.00pm, to congratulate him and to celebrate the two Hughs’ beautiful new publication: The Lost Garden

Roncadora Press is proud to announce the publication, in May 2010, of ‘The Lost Garden’ by Hugh McMillan. This is the first full poetry collection published by Roncadora Press whose pamphlets from a range of contemporary poets, including ‘Postcards From the Hedge’, a previous collaboration with poet Hugh McMillan and winner of the 2009 Callum MacDonald Prize, have been highly acclaimed. Roncadora Press prides itself on making fine hand made artists’ books as well as showcasing some of the finest of Scotland’s poets. ‘The Lost Garden’ will continue this tradition, combining Hugh McMillan’s imaginative and skilful verse with linocuts and line drawings by Hugh Bryden, all contained in an ingeniously designed and unique hand-stitched volume.
Hugh McMillan lives in Penpont and works as a teacher in Dumfries Academy. This is his 5th full collection of poetry. He is one of Scotland’s most individual, accessible and entertaining voices. “Funny, intelligent and at times overlooked, he is one of Scotland's best contemporary poets.” Tessa Ransford

Open Stage is back at So You Cafe in Dumfries Wed 26 May!

2010-05-15T18:07:00.001-01:00

Open Stage is back at So You Cafe this month - and we'd love to see you there on Wednesday 26 May!

Created to provide a showcase in the region for poets and singer songwriters, Open Stage will be hosted as usual by lovely, friendly Nicola Black, who makes everyone feel at home. The special guest this month is Blue, a very talented singer songwriter who has played all over Britain, both as a solo act and in bands,most recently with Quirkus. Blue has a beautiful lyrical style with clever word play vocals supported by his individual accompaniments.
Entry is £3 on the door, come at 7pm to book your performance slot. The evening starts at 7.30.
Each performer gets around 5 minutes, which tends to work out at 2 songs - or 3 poems.
Hope to see lots of you there again this month!

Peter Pan inspires new poetry at Midsteeple Thursday 20 May

2010-05-12T13:16:00.000-01:00

Come along to The Midsteeple next Thursday 20 May to join in the celebrations for the launch of 'On the Grass Cloud', a new booklet of poems inspired by JM Barrie's most famous creation - Peter Pan.

On the Grass Cloud has been commissioned by The Moat Brae Trust, and proceeds from the sale will go towards the restoration of Moat Brae itself.The poems are written by the pupils and staff of Dumfries Academy, inspired by the theme of Neverland.

On the Grass Cloud has been edited by well-known poet Hugh McMillan, with contributions from both young and experienced writers, and a special poem donated by multi-award winning Dumfries poet Tom Pow.

We can only agree with Hugh that the creative imagination is alive and well and burgeoning as magically as the garden of Moat Brae once did for the youthful JM Barrie!

Book Launch at The Midsteeple next Monday 10 May for Laura Helyer

2010-05-04T18:00:00.000-01:00

Do come along next Monday evening at 7pm for the launch in Dumfries of Paper Cairns, by Laura Helyer.
Paper Cairns is a short collection of poems and a short essay based on Laura’s visits to the island of Lewis in the summer of 2009. Laura won the GAMA (Gatliff/Angus McLeod Archive) award for 2009. She explored the life and work of Angus ‘Ease’ McLeod (1916-2002) who lived in Lewis, as the inspirational source for her work.
As many of you know, Laura is a very talented poet, runner up in the 2006 Academi Cardiff International Poetry Competition, winner of the George Crabbe Memorial Poetry Competition in 2007, and winner of the Kirkpatrick Dobie Poetry Competition in 2008. You're all very welcome to come along (free entry!) to The Midsteeple to toast Laura and enjoy some fine poetry.

Deeper and Weirder

2010-04-28T12:52:00.000-01:00

A quick update...The Tide Machine Show at midday's high tide was just stupendous. Strange anemone creatures dance and shuffle under a weird wailing roar from the tide-driven organ pipes. Crab-dancers rise on a single vast claw and freeze through ebb and flow and face-off of aggressive crustaceans. Musicians float around the dock in a laden little boat. It can only get stranger still for high tide at midnight...

Open Stage is down at Kingholm Quay tonight - try not to miss this!

Inspiration down at The Tide Machine

2010-04-23T08:23:00.000-01:00

Yes, it's got to be the best inspiration for D&G writers next week! The Tide Machine, Scotland’s first tide-powered stage, will be installed on the River Nith at Kingholm Quay in Dumfries this weekend, in time for two special performances at the high tides on Wednesday 28 April.
The specially commissioned theatrical dance performance by Alex’s company Oceanallover ‘The Tide Machine Show’, which involves 25 performers in fantastical costumes and strange, deep-sea soundscapes, is timed for the high tide at noon, and Oceanallover will repeat their performance at the next high tide, at midnight.

Spectacular new costumes are being created for Oceanallover’s performance, ‘The Tide Machine Show’. Some of the costumes involve huge reclaimed church organ pipes, which can be ‘played’ by the wearer, using bellows under the arms. More organ pipes will be installed on The Tide Machine itself: Mark and Alex have invented a means of using the tide to compress air which plays the organ pipes. The soundscapes and costumes reflect the ‘story’ Oceanallover have created to fuel this performance – a modern myth about the cycle of tides and lunar pull, in which creatures of the sea are drawn first earthwards, and then towards the moon in a repeating process of ebb and flow…
Have a look at http://oceanallover.blogspot.com/2010/04/testing-and-fitting.html Irresistable.

Great line up for Wigtown Spring Book Weekend - book now!

2010-04-20T12:17:00.001-01:00

This year's Wigtown Spring Book Weekend is subtitled 'A Sense of Place', and has a line-up which should get us all over to Scotland's National Booktown - book your tickets early!

Theresa Munoz will be talking on 'Tom Leonard's Glasgow', Carol Hill will explore whether 'A Woman's Place is in the Countryside', or whether a rural lifestyle may be holding us back (oh dear!) and, for sheer pleasure (with a touch of environmental urgency), I recommend Fiona Russell, Emma Strang and Dave Borthwick discussing 'The Tracks We Leave - People and Place'.
Children's events include a paper making workshop and talks from leading children's authors Alan Temperley, Simon Puttock and Lari Don.

The Swallow Theatre are proud to present a play by Murray Watts, 'Mr Darwin's Tree' in the evening.
To find out more about this great range of ideas to feed inquisitive minds at the Spring Book Weekend visit www.wigtownbookfestival.com .

Power-packed fiction writing weekends!

2010-04-19T12:29:00.000-01:00

We have not experienced this so far but if anyone does do tell us what it's like!

Carolyn and Jean

Starting from late July, novelist John Murray will be hosting power-packed fiction writing weekends in his lovely North Cumbrian farmhouse. John has over 20 years experience of teaching for the Arvon Foundation and Madingley Hall, Cambridge. These intensive and enjoyable short courses will run with a maximum of three students, meaning each participant will get plenty of individual attention.

For bookings and more information www.johnmurraynovelist.wordpress.com or email john@crookedholme.plus.com.

Wildlife Poetry Reading at Thomas Tosh this Saturday

2010-04-13T09:59:00.000-01:00

As part of the Dumfries and Galloway Wildlife Festival, four award-winning local poets, Jean Atkin, Jackie Galley, Vivien Jones and Fiona Russell, will be reading poetry written in response to the natural world, from their two anthologies, Goosechase and Soundscapes.

The reading will take place at the lovely Thomas Tosh gallery and cafe in Thornhill on Saturday 17 April at 3pm. The reading is free, and chapbooks will be on sale afterwards. For more on Thomas Tosh visit http://www.thomastosh.com

We look forward to seeing you there!

Willie Neill's death

2010-04-12T11:57:00.001-01:00

William Neill, died on April 5, 2010, peacefully in Munches Park Residential Home, Dalbeattie aged 88. William Neill, poet and former teacher at Castle Douglas High School was one of the outstanding Scottish poets of the 20th century, writing in Scots, Gaelic and English.

The Funeral service is on Tuesday 13th April in St. Ninian's Church, Castle Douglas at 1.00pm. A retiral collection will be taken for The Scottish Poetry Library and Cancer Research U.K. Our thoughts are with his wife and his two daughters from his first marriage.

Rab Wilson writes an appreciation in The Herald.

http://www.heraldscotland.com/comment/obituaries/william-neill-poet-1.1019870

Rab Wilson reads on Thursday at Mono Cafe

2010-04-12T11:50:00.001-01:00

Our very own Rab Wilson is the featured writer at Monosyllabic next Thursday 15th April at Mono Cafe, Kings Court, Glasgow. Kick off is 8pm, the featured writer spot is around 9ish.
Go to: http://www.monocafebar.com/about.php

Hugh Macmillan's new collection launches at The Bakehouse

2010-04-04T06:38:00.000-01:00

I'd like to pass on this invitation from The Bakehouse to Hugh McMillan's launch of his new collection, 'The Lost Garden'. It'll be a night to remember with a big grin.

Saturday 1 May
7.00 for 7.30

The Bakehouse is delighted to host the very first launch of Hugh’s fifth collection published by award winning Roncadora. The Lost Garden is an Artists Book, handmade by author Hugh McMillan and artist Hugh Bryden. Their previous collaboration - Postcards From the Hedge - won the Callum Macdonald Award in 2009.

Hugh McMillan is one of the most individual, accessible and entertaining voices in Scotland today. He will be reading in his own inimitable style from this richly illustrated hand sewn collection.

"Funny, intelligent and at times overlooked, he is one of Scotland’s best contemporary poets".
Tessa Ransford

Followed by our usual Bakehouse Floor-spots

The Fickle Tupperware Bowl of Fate awaits once more!!

Tickets £7.50 (£6.00) concs) 01557 814175
bookings@thebakehouse.info or chrys@chryssalt.com
Book early to avoid disappointment

Liz Niven wows China!

2010-03-31T14:38:00.001-01:00

Our very own Liz Niven is wowing China with the Bookworm International Literature Festival. Together with Dumfries and Galloway children's author Cathy Cassidy, Louise Welsh and Zoe Strachan, Liz has been promoting Scottish literature in Beijing.

Liz Niven is launching her new collection of poems, The Shard Box and has translated some of Chinese poet Bei Dao's work into Scots.

Another chance to catch 'Tree' by Vivien Jones and Jackie Galley

2010-03-31T09:00:00.001-01:00

Tree is a special piece of new writing by Vivien Jones and Jackie Galley, with music performed by Richard Jones, Michael Hendry and Becky Hendry. It was first performed last year, but here's another chance to catch it, this time at WWT Caerlaverock Visitor Centre on Saturday 10 April at 7pm, £5 on the door.

Tree is inspired by woods, trees and forests.

This will be a lovely evening out, ignore the sleet - spring's bound to have arrived by the 10th!

Open Stage at So You Cafe Wednesday 31 March

2010-03-24T22:30:00.001-01:00

March's Open Stage will welcome Penpont poet JoAnne McKay to its guest spot, and she'll share the limelight with up-and-coming singer songwriter Beth Fouracre from Glasgow, who's coming back to D&G for the Wickerman Festival.

Come along on the 31st to support JoAnne and enjoy her sparky, clever, and often very funny poetry. Don't forget to bring some of your own work and get to So You at 7pm to book your slot.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Anthology for Women's Heritage Walk in Wigtown

2010-03-24T09:39:00.001-01:00

The Wigtown Women’s Walk group recently launched a highly innovative project to create a women's heritage walk commemorating the contribution women have made to their community. Glasgow Women’s Library is supporting the project. The next step of the project is to compile an anthology and audio companion for the walk.

The WWW group is inviting writers to contribute a short poem or story inspired by the women and or events in Wigtown. The closing date is the last day of March but if anyone is interested and needs to negotiate time, please contact: Kriss Nichol 01671 402588

Submissions to kriss.nichol@googlemail.com

If you want to find out more, Kriss Nichol will be giving a talk at the conference 'One Small Step' in Glasgow on 23 March at the Mitchell Library. The WW group will also be at both the Wigtown Spring Book Festival and at the Main Book Festival in September. There is a display of photographs at the County Buildings in Wigtown and Stranraer Museum have kindly put up a display of artefacts from their collection until the end of May.

JoAnne McKay to guest at Open Stage on 31 March

2010-03-22T14:46:00.001-01:00

Open Stage, Dumfries’ favourite open mic event for poets and singer songwriters, is back at So You Cafe in Castle Street Dumfries on Wednesday 31 March.

Come along and support poet JoAnne McKay, a great performer of her own sparky, funny, clever poetry. But also come along at 7pm to book your own performance slot, before Open Stage goes live at 7.30pm.

Hosted by warm and friendly local musician Nicola Black, Open Stage is a great venue for trying out new work, or nurturing new talent. Or you can just come along to join our good-humoured audience and enjoy the vibe.

March’s Open Stage also features up-and-coming musician Beth Fouracre, a Glasgow singer songwriter who’ll be performing at the Wickerman Festival this summer.

A great night out, and only £3 on the door.