what's on and up

Dumfries & Galloway Arts Association

::Virtual Writer in Residence::

::Jules Horne::

Poetry Doubles 2007 continues apace with Carola Luther and Jean Atkin joining forces for what promises to be another excellent night. Don't miss Carola's masterclass at Georgetown Library, Dumfries - more details here. Daljit Nagra's interview, recorded during his recent Poetry Doubles visit, is now online in the Writers on Writing podcast. He talks candidly about how he got started, and the long rocky road to poetry publication. Watch the podcast for more of the region's poets coming soon, including a series of readings by Kirkpatrick Durham writer, translator and MacDiarmid scholar John Manson. New kids on the writers' block: head for the Open Stage event at the Station Hotel, where you'll hear the witty, wily Hugh McMillan compere local writers and musicians and possibly read from his own work, if he's leaned on enough. Meanwhile it's au revoir from me for the next wee while - I'm off to concentrate on my own writing commissions, but will continue working with short story writers and mentees from afar. Thanks for all your support and friendship, keep in touch with your writing news, and let me hand the virtual baton to Andrew Forster (whose first poetry collection is out from Flambard later this year).

All the best,

Jules

Virtual Writer in Residence, Dumfries & Galloway Arts Association, Gracefield, 28 Edinburgh Road, DUMFRIES, DG1 1JQ 01387 253383 jules_horne@yahoo.co.uk

Open Stage - Music and Poetry Open Mic

Friday 31st August, 7pm
Pullman Room, Station Hotel, Dumfries

Open Stage: Songwriting and Poetry Open Mic
featuring Jack Smith, Sally Campbell and Laura Helyer

Come along to this kicking new event on the Dumfries arts scene! Writers and musicians come together for a fusion night of words and music.

As well as an Open Mic there'll be some fantastic guest spots to spur things on – this time we'll feature the gravely tones of Jack Smith and Castle Douglas singer/songwriter Sally Campbell with poetry from D&G's rising star Laura Helyer. Once again the evening will be hosted, in his own way, by Hugh McMillan, who may be persuaded to read a few of his own poems! Even if performing’s not your thing, don’t miss the chance to see and hear some great original material!
Whatever your tastes in music or poetry come along, showcase your skills and meet like-minded people in a chilled-out atmosphere. Entry: £3.00.

For more information contact Jill Smith on 01387 253383 or e-mail: jillsmith@dgaa.net

New Writers' Group - Eskdalemuir

Sunday 16th September 2.00pm - 4.00pm
Ex-Serviceman's Hall, Eskdalemuir

Announcing a new writers' group in Eskdalemuir!

Poet and experienced workshop leader Jackie Galley will help you put pen to paper, and teach you the skills to work together as a group to help your writing develop. All levels and all genres welcome. Places limited, so please book with Andrew Forster on 01387 253383 or andrew@dgaa.net. The group will take place every two weeks. £3 per session.

Sedburgh Story on Air

Clarks Sandals, a prizing-winning short story by Powfoot writer Vivien Jones, will be broadcast on BBC Radio Cumbria on Friday 31st at around 12.10 pm. Meanwhile Vivien and poet-ecologist Jackie Galley have been Making Waves at Bladnoch with musicians Richard Jones and Michael and Becky Hendry in a fascinating jazz-early music lineup including guitars, flute, glockenspiel and dulcimer - part of the annual Gaelforce Festival.

Poetry in the Wilds - Mabie Forest

Tuesday 28th August 2007, 10.00am - 3.00pm
Mabie Forest Education Centre

Poetry in the Wilds: Poetry Trail Revisited

For this Poetry in the Wilds event we will walk the poetry trail a year on and see what needs to be updated or replaced. We will then visit the recently opened Mabie Nature Reserve with Forestry Commission staff to see how the forest is managed to benefit the wide range of butterflies, moths and other species that are found in this area. The afternoon workshop will generate new poems, which may be used as part of the Poetry Trail. All welcome, no previous poetry experience necessary. Wet weather clothing and footware and packed lunch are essential.

Tickets £3.00 from 01387 253383 or andrew@dgaa.net

Poetry Doubles: Tom Leonard and Angus Macmillan

Monday 20th August, 7pm
Robert Burns Film Theatre, Dumfries


Following on from Daljit Nagra and Fiona Russell's wonderful start to the Poetry Doubles season at the Robert Burns Film Theatre, it's time to welcome Tom Leonard and Angus Macmillan for a not-to-be-missed night of poetry in Dumfries.

Tom Leonard is one of Scotland's most acclaimed poets. His inventiveness with spoken and written language has paved the way for a whole new generation of writers. His collections access to the silence and intimate voices are available from Etruscan Books.

Angus Macmillan makes a welcome return to Poetry Doubles with his dry wit and keen sense of place, reading poems in both English and Gaelic.

More on Poetry Doubles 2007 here:

Tickets £7.00 per reading (£5.00 concession – students and those in receipt of benefit). Special offer all eight readings for £49.00. Masterclass and workshops £3.00 each. Free if booked with ticket for appropriate reading. Full details and tickets from Andrew Forster 01387 253383 or andrew@dgaa.net.

Poetry Doubles - Daljit Nagra & Fiona Russell

Monday August 13th
Robert Burns Centre Film Theatre, Dumfries

Welcome back to Poetry Doubles! Daljit Nagra and Fiona Russell launch the return of the acclaimed reading series, which pairs international poets with established and emerging writers from Dumfries & Galloway.

Daljit Nagra is one of poetry’s new young stars. He explores his Sikh Punjabi background in poetry that is both rich and funny, using a hybrid language that is part English, part Punjabi. His first collection ‘Look We Have Coming to Dover’ was published to great acclaim this year.

Fiona Russell's background in agriculture, conservation and scientific and natural history illustration greatly influence her writing. Her poems have been published in Markings, the journals of the John Muir Trust and Scottish Wildlife Trust, and in Crichton Writers anthologies.

Tickets £7 (£5) from DGAA on 01387 253383 or andrew@dgaa.net. More on Poetry Doubles 2007 here.