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Thursday 31 January 2008
6.30pm Books and Beans, Aberdeen | Love, Cry and Wonder Why Bernard Briggs Poet Bernard Briggs reads from his new collection "Love, Cry and Wonder Why"
from Cauliay Publishing. See www.deadgoodpoets.co.uk for details |
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Thursday 28 February 2008
6.30pm Books and Beans, Aberdeen | Love is in the Air Colin Stewart Jones Dead Good Poets welcome guest poet Colin Stewart Jones to launch his latest collection
"A Seal Snorts Out The Moon". See www.deadgoodpoets.co.uk for details |
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Thursday 27 March 2008
6.30pm Books and Beans, Aberdeen | Love and Loss A Tribute to Isabella Smith Dead Good Poets present a tribute to Isabella Smith, who was a regular reader and singer
at these meetings. See www.deadgoodpoets.co.uk for details |
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Thursday 24 April 2008
6.30pm Books and Beans, Aberdeen | Open Mic This month, as a prelude to Wordfringe 2008, Dead Good Poets turn over the whole evening
to an extended open mic session. See www.deadgoodpoets.co.uk for details |
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Thursday 1 May 2008 –
Thursday 29 May 2008
Various venues, Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire | Wordfringe 2008 Festival of New Writing in Aberdeen and North-East Scotland Now an established part of the festival calendar in Aberdeen and North-East Scotland,
Wordfringe shines a spotlight once again on the incredible range of literary talent we have
in our midst, complemented by invited guests from further afield.
This year we place a special emphasis on the writers' groups that nurture talents both new
and established, with no less than five North-East groups launching anthologies of their
work at Wordfringe 2008 events. We also remember the series of Writers in Residence employed
by Banff and Buchan and Aberdeenshire Councils during the 1990s with an event that brings
together all four writers who held this post. See www.wordfringe.co.uk for details |
Thursday 1 May 2008
7.15pm Aberdeen Arts Centre, Aberdeen | Pushing Out the Boat A celebration of the launch of Issue 7, with readings by the contributors Pushing Out the Boat is the North-East of Scotland's prestigious magazine of new writing
and the visual arts. A reviewer in Northwords Now wrote of last year's issue: "...it's
impossible to mention every piece that catches the eye, the ear, and the heart..." Part of Wordfringe 2008 See www.wordfringe.co.uk for details |
Friday 2 May 2008
7.30pm Christian Community Hall, Aberdeen | First Friday Fling: New from Old A great opportunity to tell or listen to stories of all kinds This First Friday Fling is in partnership between Grampian Association of Storytellers
and Wordfringe.
We have chosen the theme of "New from Old".
Tell a story and give it a modern day twist if you like.
Or just take the theme form what it says and tell a story. Part of Wordfringe 2008 See www.wordfringe.co.uk for details |
Saturday 3 May 2008
11.00am Douglas Hotel, Aberdeen | Quick as a Flash Flash Fiction with Lemon Tree Writers An event to get the creative juices flowing! Write a story in under 300 words, in under
an hour. Then share it with the group. Don't worry, we'll all be making it up as we go
along.... Part of Wordfringe 2008 See www.wordfringe.co.uk for details |
Monday 5 May 2008
7.30pm Woodend Barn, Banchory | Everything but the Truth New drama from Wordfringe Festival Players North-East based theatre company Wordfringe Festival Players packed out the Aberdeen
Arts Centre in 2007 with "Confessions and Rants". This year they bring a new selection
of quirky compelling down-to-earth human dramas by North-East writers to a Deeside
audience at Woodend Barn. Part of Wordfringe 2008 See www.wordfringe.co.uk for details |
Tuesday 6 May 2008
6.30pm Aberdeen Central Library, Aberdeen | Granite and Gravel Spring Tides Poetry Group with Sheena Blackhall Spring Tides Poetry Group launch their first anthology entitled "Granite and Gravel".
The publication features a number of local poets including Keith Murray, David Henry
and Grant Fraser among others, alongside some fine contributions from guest poet
Sheena Blackhall. Exhibiting the broad sweep of their work from the Doric to the decadent,
Spring Tides hope you will join them in this first step into the world of publication. Part of Wordfringe 2008 See www.wordfringe.co.uk for details |
Tuesday 6 May 2008
8.30pm Snafu, Aberdeen | Comedy Capers Showcase I A night of live stand-up comedy The gifted Montrosian stand up comedian Scott Forbes introduces the Comedy Capers Showcase I,
a unique show featuring a handpicked mix of the funniest and most established stand up
comedians and character acts in the North-East. Ranging from the political to the particular,
from the dark to the clever and from the surreal to the ridiculous each performer will
present the best bits from their tried and tested comedy sets. Audiences will delight at the
depth and diversity of comedy talent on display that is on a par with anything produced
elsewhere in the UK. Part of Wordfringe 2008 See www.wordfringe.co.uk for details |
Wednesday 7 May 2008
7.00pm Duff House, Banff | HomeWords Music, poetry and stories from George Gunn, Tom Bryan, Angus Dunn and Magi Gibson The years 1993 to 2000 were witness to a flourishing literary scene in the North-East corner
of Scotland. During this period, first Banff and Buchan District Council and then its successor
Aberdeenshire Council employed a series of Writers in Residence. The four writers who held this
post, each in their different way, gave much encouragement to local writers through workshop
groups and one-to-one meetings, and organised a range of projects bringing writing and writers
to a wider audience.
It is no exaggeration to say that the vibrant scene that is showcased by Wordfringe each year
owes its existence largely to this residency project, so it is a great honour for us to be able
to bring together all four writers who held this post for this event hosted by Huntly Writers
in Duff House. Please join us for a special celebration! Part of Wordfringe 2008 See www.wordfringe.co.uk for details |
Friday 9 May 2008 –
Sunday 11 May 2008
University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen | Word 08 Wordfringe takes a break for the University of Aberdeen Writers'
Festival See www.abdn.ac.uk for details |
Monday 12 May 2008
7.30pm Aberdeen Arts Centre, Aberdeen | Shetland Night An evening of words and music from Shetland Come along to the Arts Centre to hear some of the best new writing
and music from Shetland. The Shetland Night was one of the most
successful events in Wordfringe 2006 - now is your chance to sample
more of the incredibly rich seam of talent emerging from the islands. Part of Wordfringe 2008 See www.wordfringe.co.uk for details |
Tuesday 13 May 2008
Aberdeen Central Library, Aberdeen | All Said and Dunne The welcome return of Alison Dunne Alison Dunne is a poet and novelist, short story writer and performer
and teaches writing in the community, prisons and university.
Her first chapbook April's Fish was published by Koo Press in 2006. Part of Wordfringe 2008 See www.wordfringe.co.uk for details |
Tuesday 13 May 2008
8.30pm Enigma, Aberdeen | Poetic Off Licence 2 Alis and a G stretch poetic licence to its limits by reading short stories too!
Cripes! 2 Alis and a G, thinly disguised as themselves, perform separate sets
of their work, thus enabling the remaining two to talk loudly, heckle,
drink, and, in the case of the 2 Alis being offstage, sharpen their
knitting needles. At the end of the evening please feel free to
buy/rent thousands of copies of our books - "What Young Ladies Are
Interested In", "April's Pish" and "Crustaceans of the Heart".
With Gerard Rochford in the G(uest) Spot. Part of Wordfringe 2008 See www.wordfringe.co.uk for details |
Wednesday 14 May 2008
10.30am Aberdeen Arts Centre, Aberdeen | Exploring Narrative Voices A workshop with Alison Flett This workshop will examine narrative voices in prose and poetry and
give participants the opportunity to develop their skills in this
sometimes difficult area. The workshop, hosted by Aberdeen Writers'
Circle, is open to both members and non-members. There will be a
prompt start and limited space, so come in good time. Part of Wordfringe 2008 See www.wordfringe.co.uk for details |
Wednesday 14 May 2008
7.00pm Tarts and Crafts, Balmedie | New York Dialogues and Island Blethers Readings from new works by Alison Flett and Martin Walsh Alison will be reading from "About an Island", a novel which
encompasses sixteen different narrative voices, all blissfully
unaware of the tragedy that is about to envelope them. Martin
will be relaying various dialogues overheard in New York
including one between a Central Park squirrel and a migrating
Mexican humming bird. Part of Wordfringe 2008 See www.wordfringe.co.uk for details |
Thursday 15 May 2008
6.30pm Books and Beans, Aberdeen | Four Paris Poets Jonathan Wonham, Michelle Noteboom, Joe Ross and Rufo Quintavalle Paris has a special attraction for American and British writers who
bring with them the influence of their own traditions but cannot
escape for long the influence of French and other European styles of
poetry. Evidence of Paris' exciting and vibrant poetry scene can be
found in the packed events calender of the Paris Readings website,
in the innovative Rewords collaborative poetry blog and in the pages
of Parisian anglophone literary magazines such as Upstairs at Duroc. Part of Wordfringe 2008 See www.wordfringe.co.uk for details |
Thursday 15 May 2008
8.00pm Archaeolink, Oyne | Nick Hennessey Special Guest Teller A singer, songwriter and storyteller, Nick Hennessey is a dynamic and
passionate performer with skills that draws an audience in. With a love
for the traditional culture of the British Isles his craft draws together
the note, the song and the spoken word into a unique and engaging style. Part of Wordfringe 2008 See www.wordfringe.co.uk for details |
Friday 16 May 2008
7.00pm Better Read Books, Ellon | Open Poetry Night Open Mic without the Mic Most literary festivals have their Open Mic nights. At Wordfringe we
dispense with the microphone and invite new and established poets to
the intimate and informal surroundings of Better Read Books for a
relaxed and varied night of poetry. Refreshments will be served.
Come early to get a seat! Part of Wordfringe 2008 See www.wordfringe.co.uk for details |
Saturday 17 May 2008
11.00am Heugh Hotel, Stonehaven | Building a Character through Dialogue in plays, novels, short stories: a workshop with Chris Hannan Well known playwright Chris Hannan will lead this workshop focusing on
how characters reveal themselves through dialogue and how you can use
dialogue to aid character development in your writing, whether you are
writing plays, novels or short stories. Part of Wordfringe 2008 See www.wordfringe.co.uk for details |
Saturday 17 May 2008
2.00pm Heugh Hotel, Stonehaven | How to move your work forward A workshop for playwrights new and experienced with Julie Ellen of Playwrights'
Studio, Scotland Julie Ellen, Creative Director of Playwrights' Studio, Scotland will
offer practical hints and tips on what steps you can take once you have
written your play. She will cover aspects of script reading services
available, peer support and feedback and methods of approaching
potential producers. Part of Wordfringe 2008 See www.wordfringe.co.uk for details |
Monday 19 May 2008
7.30pm Aberdeen Arts Centre, Aberdeen | Ron Butlin with Aberdeen Writers' Circle Readings by the author and a book launch by Aberdeen Writers' Circle Well-known Scottish writer and poet Ron Butlin will entertain the
audience with a selection of prose and poetry from his published works.
Aberdeen Writers' Circle will then launch "Reflections", their new
anthology of prose and poetry. Three members of Aberdeen Writers'
Circle will give short selected readings from the book, which will be
on sale during the meeting. Part of Wordfringe 2008 See www.wordfringe.co.uk for details |
Tuesday 20 May 2008
6.30pm Aberdeen Central Library, Aberdeen | Poetry Scotland on the Road Scotland's independent poetry magazine comes to Aberdeen, with Sally Evans and special
guests Poetry Scotland, published by Diehard Press and funded by "subscription,
sales, and never buying a lottery ticket" is going strong at 54 issues
and counting. Poet and Editor Sally Evans brings some of her regular
contributors to Aberdeen for a feast of poetry and song: the lyrical,
the satirical, the opinionated and the passionate, from Sally, Morelle
Smith, Ian Blake and Sheena Blackhall. Part of Wordfringe 2008 See www.wordfringe.co.uk for details |
Tuesday 20 May 2008
8.30pm Snafu, Aberdeen | Comedy Capers Showcase II A night of live stand-up comedy featuring a handpicked mix of the North-East's finest comedians Wendy Ivers introduces the Comedy Capers Showcase II, a unique show
featuring a handpicked mix of the funniest and most established stand
up comedians and character acts in the North-East. Ranging from the
political to the particular, from the dark to the clever and from
the surreal to the ridiculous each performer will present the best
bits from their tried and tested comedy sets. Audiences will delight
at the depth and diversity of comedy talent on display that is on a
par with anything produced elsewhere in the UK. Part of Wordfringe 2008 See www.wordfringe.co.uk for details |
Wednesday 21 May 2008
10.30am Aberdeen Arts Centre, Aberdeen | Writing and Performing in Practice Workshop with Sally Evans, Editor of Poetry Scotland A talk by Sally Evans with readings followed by a question and answer
session. There will also be the opportunity for members to read
poems/short fiction for comment and helpful advice. The workshop,
hosted by Aberdeen Writers' Circle, is open to both members and
non-members, but as space is limited please come in good time. Part of Wordfringe 2008 See www.wordfringe.co.uk for details |
Wednesday 21 May 2008
7.00pm Duff House, Banff | Spirit of the Deveron Huntly Writers launch their first anthology Huntly Writers launch their first anthology following their successful
appearance in Wordfringe at Duff House last year. It is a collection
of poems and short stories in Doric and English. Full of humour, joy
and sadness too it records the thoughts and feelings of the authors
who live and work along the Deveron. Part of Wordfringe 2008 See www.wordfringe.co.uk for details |
Thursday 22 May 2008
6.30pm Books and Beans, Aberdeen | Poems of Quality Anne Ryland and Rhoda Michael, with Haworth Hodgkinson, Olivia McMahon
and Judith Taylor Anne Ryland writes poems of great beauty, originality and discipline
which have already received awards as an exciting new voice.
Rhoda Michael, poet and editor of Northwords Now, was one of the first
to recognise Anne's gifts.
They will be joined by Haworth Hodgkinson, Olivia McMahon and Judith
Taylor, established voices in the North-East and beyond. Part of Wordfringe 2008 See www.wordfringe.co.uk for details |
Thursday 22 May 2008
8.30pm St Katherine's Club, Aberdeen | AB24: Poems from a Postcode Portal Creative Writers launch an exciting anthology, introducing
the extraordinary writer Catherine Elmslie The Portal Creative Writers launch their first anthology, "AB24: Poems
from a Postcode". Part of Wordfringe 2008 See www.wordfringe.co.uk for details |
Friday 23 May 2008
7.00pm Midmar Church, Midmar | Poetry and Music of All the Faiths A meditation upon belief, doubt and disbelief In association with the Minister and parishioners of Midmar Church,
Dead Good Poets will stage an event in the church celebrating all the
main world religions.
Poets Ian Crockatt, Gerard Rochford and Maureen Ross are joined by
Morag Skene, (singer) and Ian Watt (guitar) in a programme which will
explore the experiences of belief, doubt and disbelief. Part of Wordfringe 2008 See www.wordfringe.co.uk for details |
Saturday 24 May 2008
10.00am Archaeolink, Oyne | Storytelling for Beginners A workshop with Grampian Association of Storytellers Come along to this fun day with Jackie Ross and Margaret Currie.
Covering an introduction to storytelling,
sources for stories,
finding your voice, and
how to practise and learn your stories. Part of Wordfringe 2008 See www.wordfringe.co.uk for details |
Saturday 24 May 2008
7.00pm Museum of Scottish Lighthouses, Fraserburgh | Hooked by Emerald Froth An evening of poetry, images, music and dance from the Blue Salt Collective The Blue Salt Collective invites you to experience poetry as you've
probably never experienced it before, as the poets read from their own
work, accompanied by projected images, live music and dance.
The sea in all its aspects, factual and fantastical, has been a source
of inspiration for all three poets of the Blue Salt Collective, so it
seems natural that they should bring their unique show to the Museum
of Scottish Lighthouses as part of Wordfringe 2008.
The Blue Salt Collective comprises poets Knotbrook Taylor and Catriona
Yule, and poet/musician Haworth Hodgkinson, working with their regular
collaborator, dancer Mhairi Allan. Part of Wordfringe 2008 See www.wordfringe.co.uk for details |
Sunday 25 May 2008
7.00pm Hudson's Cafe, Banff | Coast Festival Fringe Members of the Blue Salt Collective perform poetry and music at the Coast Festival Fringe. See www.bluesalt.co.uk for details |
Monday 26 May 2008
7.00pm Musa, Aberdeen | Demented Eloquence and Wordcraft Slam Sharp and comic performance poetry from Ash Dickinson, Milton Balgoni, and Rapunzel
Wizard, plus a poetry slam contest Ash Dickinson, Milton Balgoni, and Rapunzel Wizard gang up on the English
language, push it into a corner, prod it with sticks until it explodes
into a frenzy of performance poetry. Will not include poems about
daffodils and fluffy clouds. Will include adult language, and references
to politicians.
This event will also include a poetry slam contest. Six poets will read
one poem each with the audience response deciding the winner. Expect
verse that will grab you by the ears and not let go until the final
line. Part of Wordfringe 2008 See www.wordfringe.co.uk for details |
Tuesday 27 May 2008
6.30pm Aberdeen Central Library, Aberdeen | Banchory Young Writers Venture into Poetry Ably assisted by performance poet Rapunzel Wizard and local Doric poet
Sheila Reid the youngsters will take you on a fun-filled rollercoaster
of original poetry, mixing in some firm favourites by Spike Milligan,
Edgar Allen Poe and others. Part of Wordfringe 2008 See www.wordfringe.co.uk for details |
Wednesday 28 May 2008
10.00am Woodend Barn, Banchory | Slow Road Home Poet Sheila Templeton reads and chats about her work Sheila Templeton was born in Aberdeen, then spent an itinerant childhood
ranging from Rannoch Moor to Dar-es-Salaam. Though she left her grey
granite roots forty years ago, her work still often draws on that rich
Buchan landscape.
Since moving to Ayrshire in December 2000, the changing light of the
local coastline is an added inspiration. She finds beach walking an
excellent remedy for writers' block! Part of Wordfringe 2008 See www.wordfringe.co.uk for details |
Wednesday 28 May 2008
7.00pm Gordon Highlanders Museum, Aberdeen | Family Snaps A celebration of the family in poetry, music and song with projected photos Poets Eddie Gibbons, Paulina Vanderbilt, Catriona Yule, Keith Murray and
Gerard Rochford, together wih musicians Ian Watt (BBC2 Classical Star)
and Morag Skene (accompanist Jim Addison) have searched their albums
and attics for photos to celebrate the past and the present of family
life.
Devised by Gerard Rochford. Part of Wordfringe 2008 See www.wordfringe.co.uk for details |
Thursday 29 May 2008
6.30pm Books and Beans, Aberdeen | A Celebration of Childhood Launching a new anthology of poems, drawings and recipes in aid of Children 1st Poets and artists of the North-East and beyond have contributed to this
collection inspired by childhood. They have all been invited to take
part in this event which will launch the book, all the profits from
which will go to Children 1st (RSSPCC). Part of Wordfringe 2008 See www.wordfringe.co.uk for details |
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Thursday 26 June 2008
6.30pm Books and Beans, Aberdeen | More about the song Rachel Fox Rachel Fox launches her first poetry collection "More about the song", joined by musician
Verona, story-teller and folk singer Grace Banks and by wee Frank the Fiddler. See www.deadgoodpoets.co.uk for details |
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Monday 21 July 2008
7.30pm Aberdeen Arts Centre, Aberdeen | New Writing from Aberdeen Part 1 The first part of this showcase of new writing comprises readings from Russ Alexander, Jane
Bayliss, H. F. Calder, Grant Fraser, Catherine Jaraszkiewicz, Olivia McMahon, Keith Murray,
Annie Peart, Gina Sherratt and Grainne Smith, and the multimedia piece "Messenger" from poet
Maureen Ross with dance and instantaneous video by Lean Coetzer and music by Haworth Hodgkinson. Part of Aberdeen Arts Carnival See www.wordfringe.co.uk for details |
Tuesday 22 July 2008
7.30pm Aberdeen Arts Centre, Aberdeen | New Writing from Aberdeen Part 2 The second part of this showcase of new writing comprises readings from Moira Brown, Phyllis
Goodall, Ruth Howell, Frances Jaffray, Sheila Reid, Judith Taylor, Paulina Vanderbilt, Christie
VanLaningham, Cal Wallace and Rapunzel Wizard, and multimedia poetry with projected images,
live music and dance from the Blue Salt Collective: poets Knotbrook Taylor and Catriona Yule,
poet/musician Haworth Hodgkinson and dancer Mhairi Allan. Part of Aberdeen Arts Carnival See www.wordfringe.co.uk for details |
Thursday 31 July 2008
6.30pm Belmont Picturehouse Bar, Aberdeen | Granite and Gravel Spring Tides Poetry Group Dead Good Poets present readings from a new anthology by Spring Tides Poetry Group.
Featuring readings by poets Keith Murray, Grant Fraser, David Henry and Mark Pithie. See www.deadgoodpoets.co.uk for details |
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Thursday 28 August 2008
6.30pm Books and Beans, Aberdeen | Spirit of the Deveron Huntly Writers Dead Good Poets welcome some of the contributors to the Huntly Writers anthology
"Spirit of the Deveron" to read poetry in English and Doric from the collection.
There will also be music from the well-known Huntly duo of Keith Cockburn and Pam Johnston. See www.deadgoodpoets.co.uk for details |
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Friday 19 September 2008
7.30pm Beach Ballroom, Aberdeen | Hooked by Emerald Froth Knotbrook Taylor, Catriona Yule and Haworth Hodgkinson, the founding members of the Blue Salt
Collective, together with dancer Mhairi Allan present a full evening's performance for the
first time in Aberdeen.
The programme features poetry readings accompanied by projected visual images, dance, and live
music from Haworth Hodgkinson, with technical support by David Liddell.
Also incorporated into the programme are poems by Ross Malcolm, Fraser Cowie and Bryony
Harrower, winners in the three age categories of the "Poem in the Sand" competition, judged by
the Blue Salt Collective. Part of See, Salt and Sound Festival See www.bluesalt.co.uk for details |
Thursday 25 September 2008
6.30pm Books and Beans, Aberdeen | Shellfish and Umbrellas Steven Porter The launch of "Shellfish and Umbrellas", a new chapbook from Steven Porter published by
Koo Press. Steven Porter hails from the North-East of Scotland but has lived in Spain for
several years. See www.deadgoodpoets.co.uk for details |
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Thursday 30 October 2008
6.30pm Books and Beans, Aberdeen | Magi Gibson Dead Good Poets welcome guest poet Magi Gibson, well known to North-East audiences for the
time she spent as Writer-in-Residence to Aberdeenshire Council. See www.deadgoodpoets.co.uk for details |
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Thursday 27 November 2008
6.30pm Books and Beans, Aberdeen | Celebration! Dead Good Poets celebrate five years of monthly poetry nights at Books and Beans with
readings from the six founder members, plus all the North-East poets who have been
published by Koo Press. See www.deadgoodpoets.co.uk for details |
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Tuesday 30 December 2008
6.30pm Books and Beans, Aberdeen | Christmas Special Aberdeen's Got Talent - That's You This year the last Thursday of December falls on Jesus's birthday, so in association with
Spring Tides Poetry Group, Dead Good Poets will be meeting on Tuesday 30 December, with
open mic poems, music, jokes, songs, carols, a quiz, seasonal mince pies, punch and wine. See www.deadgoodpoets.co.uk for details |