Devorgilla's Bridge makes Marks Award shortlist

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!

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!

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!

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

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

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.