JAN — SPRING JUN 2016 PRºGRAMMe
THOSE WHO CONTEMPLATE THE BEAUTY OF THE EARTH FIND RESERVES OF STRENGTH THAT WILL ENDURE AS LONG AS LIFE LASTS. THERE IS SOMETHING INFINITELY HEALING IN THE REPEATED REFRAINS OF NATURE - THE ASSURANCE THAT DAWN COMES AFTER NIGHT, AND SPRING AFTER WINTER.
- from Silent Spring by Rachel Carson -
NATURE & ECOLOGY Ecology is defined as a branch of biology that deals with the relationships of organisms to one another and to their physical surroundings. I began programming the SPL 2016 spring season with the words ‘nature’ and ‘ecology’ in mind, and many of our events – the Rachel Carsoninspired An Hour in Beadnell event, the A Place Apart exploration of the work of poet Thomas A. Clark, the Buson-themed Nothing But the Poem and Renga Day with poet Ken Cockburn and the Kokedama Haiku Workshop with floral artists PYRUS – reflect that. Poetry cannot help but be constructed out of our delicate systems, human nature and the complex web of relationships that we create with one another and with the world around us as we move through our lives. So, further developing the theme of ecology as it relates to poetry, I’m delighted to present poetry double bills featuring Alan Gillis and Connie Voisine, and Denise Riley and Sophie Collins, who will be sharing their own particular ways of navigating the world through poetry. Our partnership with the curators behind the From Renaissance to Referendum project continues as we look into the history of Scottish poetry and politics. We welcome Jonathan Lamy, a Québécois poet who uses techniques such as throat singing to imbue his poetry with a powerful physicality. You can also join us for workshops including Rally & Broad Masterclasses on performing poetry and a Text & Image Workshop delivered by poet Helen Boden and cartoonist Malcy Duff. We are living in troubled times, and it is easy to feel fragile and disempowered in the midst of global violence and power struggle. In a recent conversation with the filmmaker Roxana Vilk, however, I was reminded that we are in fact never powerless: we always have ways of educating and expressing ourselves, and of coming together to make our voices strong and to remind ourselves of our shared humanity. I hope that the spring programme at the Scottish Poetry Library will help us to do just that and to consider the ways in which we are connected. - Jennifer Williams Programme Manager, SPL
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THE POETRY REVIEW – WINTER LAUNCH Thursday 21 January
Scottish Poetry Library
18.30
Free
in partnership with The Poetry Society
Join us as we launch the new issue of The Poetry Review in the Scottish Poetry Library’s refurbished building. Editor Maurice Riordan will introduce readings from contributing poets Frank Ormsby, Deryn Rees-Jones and Sam Riviere.
'THE LIBRARY IS OPEN!': DRAG QUEEN POEMS Thursday 28 January
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Scottish Poetry Library
18.30
£5/£4
There is more to the world than RuPaul's Drag Race and lip-syncing club queens. Poets Iain Morrison and Jean-François Krebs (also known as Wanda Isadora de Fourrure) invite you on a drag date... Heels will sound and images will rise from the drag queen's mouth. With lipstick words and shimmering silks, this underground-overground art extravaganza takes on the night at the SPL.
FROM RENAISSANCE TO REFERENDUM: WOMEN’S VOICES IN SCOTTISH POETRY Thursday 4 February
Scottish Poetry Library
18.30 – 20.00
Free
in partnership with the British Academy and the University of Edinburgh
Many of the strongest voices in Scottish poetry today are those of women, yet only 40 years ago, successful female poets were marginal figures. Critic Glenda Norquay will discuss the emergence of women writers from the 1970s onwards. In the second part of the evening, Liz Lochhead shares her memories of the Scottish poetry scene in the 1970s, in conversation with Colin Waters.
POETRY BY HEART Saturday 6 February
Scottish National Gallery
13.00
Free
Here comes tomorrow! Students compete for the title of Scotland’s best young poetry performer. High-profile poets will be on hand to judge and talk about their craft, while the audience is treated to live poetry, classic and contemporary, spoken by the country’s most talented young adults. The Scotland 2016 National Final will take place in the Hawthornden Lecture Theatre, Scottish National Gallery, Edinburgh.
THE BODY AND THE VOICE: THROAT SINGING AND BODY PERFORMANCE WITH JONATHAN LAMY Thursday 11 February
Scottish Poetry Library
18.30
£5/£4
Jonathan Lamy is a Québécois poet who has mastered the art of throat singing, which he uses to extraordinary effect in his own readings. In this demonstration event, Jonathan will showcase his performance skills, share his work and invite the audience to try some of these fascinating techniques.
MY LIFE IN POETRY WITH AGNES TÖRÖK Thursday 18 February
Scottish Poetry Library
18.30
Free
in partnership with Edinburgh Student Arts Festival
Agnes Török, one of the artists featured in this year’s Edinburgh Student Arts Festival, tells us the story of her life through her favourite poems. Agnes Török is an award-winning bilingual spoken word poet and poetry event organiser. Her one-woman shows, acclaimed TED talk and YouTube sensation Worthless combine biting social commentary with hopefulness in a complete love of the art form.
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AN UNSEEN FORCE LIFTS THE LID OFF OUR SLEEP AND POWERS THE PLANTED ROOTS’ PUSH TO 4 BRIEF WONDER.
- from Fledglings by Alan Gillis -
FROM RENAISSANCE TO REFERENDUM: 2014 AND AFTER Thursday 25 February
Scottish Poetry Library
18.30 – 20.00
Free
in partnership with the British Academy and the University of Edinburgh The 2014 Scottish Independence Referendum was remarkable for a number of reasons, not least the way it inspired the creative community, with poets at the forefront. The second From Renaissance to Referendum event of the year delves into the creative, cultural and political legacies of the Independence vote. Alec Finlay will give a performance based around his recent poem composed from submissions to the post-referendum Smith Commission, while art historian Amy Todman will discuss her project cataloguing creative responses to the Referendum.
FROM RENAISSANCE TO REFERENDUM: POETRY, CULTURE AND POLITICS IN THE SCOTTISH SIXTIES Thursday 17 March
Scottish Poetry Library
18.30 – 20.00
Free
in partnership with the British Academy and the University of Edinburgh England swung, as the song went, in the 1960s. What about Scotland? The period is being freshly reinterpreted as a time of creative ferment and upheaval, when a new generation of writers challenged the Establishment on nationalism, politics and languages. Eleanor Bell talks about ‘the Scottish Sixties’, while Corey Gibson looks at Hamish Henderson’s work in this period.
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MOVING IDENTITIES – POETRY AND PLACE WITH FLYTTE Thursday 24 March
Scottish Poetry Library
18.30
£5/£4
The Flytte Project has been exploring links between creativity, language and place. Does our identity change when we move to a different place? How is our creativity influenced by new surroundings? When we are forced to rethink who we are, how does it affect what we produce? In a time when moving to a new country – whether by choice or necessity – is more common than ever, we seek answers during an evening of poetry, multiple languages, translation and discussion with the Flytte Poetry Project team (www.flyttepoetryproject.co.uk).
READING: CONNIE VOISINE AND ALAN GILLIS
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Thursday 7 April
Scottish Poetry Library
18.30
£5/£4
Award-winning poets and teachers from both sides of the Atlantic come together to share their vivid and dynamic poetry. Connie Voisine’s poems are rooted in evocative places such as the American Southwest and Mexico. Alan Gillis, chosen last year to be one of the Next Generation of UK Poets, writes poetry that is funny and irreverent, while digging down to the core of the subjects he explores.
SHOWCASE: RALLY & BROAD MASTERCLASSES Thursday 14 April
Scottish Poetry Library
18.30
£3/£2
Rally & Broad hosts Jenny Lindsay and Rachel McCrum are joined by the poets from the recent R&B Masterclasses to showcase new poetic explorations and performance techniques.
AN HOUR IN BEADNELL: LISA MATTHEWS AND MELANIE ASHBY Thursday 21 April
Scottish Poetry Library
18.30
£5/£4
Rachel Carson kickstarted the environmental movement in 1962 when her book Silent Spring underlined the dangers of indiscriminate use of pesticides. This new performance piece celebrates her work. Encounter the sights and sounds of Northumberland’s coastline and participate in a spontaneous voice installation that will become part of A Year in Beadnell. With new artworks by Lisa Matthews and Melanie Ashby, this event gives a rare insight into the creative process. For more information, see www.ayearinbeadnell.uk.
TRANSLATION WORKSHOP: GERMAN Thursday 5 May
Scottish Poetry Library
18.00
£5/£4
Translator Anne Stokes (University of Stirling) will provide poems in German with literal translations. We will make our own English translations from these ‘bridge’ versions with Anne’s help, sharing the results and discussing the process. You will gain insights into German poetry and language, as well as the stimulating and challenging world of poetry translation. You do not need to speak/read German or to have translated previously to attend this event, although those with experience in these areas are welcome.
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A PLACE APART: THOMAS A. CLARK SYMPOSIUM Saturday 7 May
Scottish Poetry Library
10.00 – 20.00
£25/£20
in association with the Centre for Poetic Innovation, Universities of Dundee and St Andrews A day of talks, readings and delays exploring the poetry practice of Thomas A. Clark and his imprint, the Moschatel Press. Join us to reflect on themes of landscape, walking, and the possibilities of form in poetry and small press publishing. Meals are not included (please bring/buy your own), though we will be offering refreshments during the day and wine with the evening reading. The full programme will be available online at scottishpoetrylibrary.eventbrite.co.uk.
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READING: DENISE RILEY AND SOPHIE COLLINS Thursday 12 May
Scottish Poetry Library
18.30
£5/£4
Denise Riley’s poetry phases through history, feminism, and philosophy in a lyrical style utterly her own. Denise will be reading from her new collection, Say Something Back (Picador, 2016), which explores the interconnected themes of mourning, health, the natural world and physical law. Sophie Collins is co-founder of tender, an online quarterly promoting work by female-identified writers and artists. Together, they present a powerful double bill putting women’s voices first.
I’M NOT OUTSIDE ANYTHING: I’M NOT INSIDE IT EITHER. THERE’S NO DEMOCRACY IN BEAUTY, I’M FOLLOWING HUMAN LOOKS. THOUGH PEOPLE SPIN AWAY, DON’T BE THROWN BY THEIR PUZZLING LIVES, LATER THE LIVES SECRETE THEIR MEANING. THE RED SUN’S ON THE RAIN. - from Knowing in the Real World by Denise Riley -
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PYRUS: KOKEDAMA WORKSHOP Thursday 19 May
Scottish Poetry Library
18.30 – 20.30
£30 /£25
Say it with flowers. Let artists PYRUS show you how to create your own string garden using a modern take on ‘kokedama’, the Japanese tradition referred to as 'Poor man's Bonsai'. Poet JL Williams will share haiku and guide you in writing them alongside your Kokedama creation. Weather permitting, this workshop will take place on the SPL Terrace – if not, we’ll move inside. All materials will be provided, and you can take your kokedama (and your haiku) home with you on the night. For more information on PYRUS, visit www.pyrusflowers.co.uk.
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TEXT & IMAGE WORKSHOP WITH HELEN BODEN AND MALCY DUFF Saturday 21 May
Scottish Poetry Library
10.30 – 14.00
£25 /£20
An exploration of the ways in which words, sounds and pictures combine, with experienced and popular workshop leaders writer Helen Boden and cartoonist Malcy Duff. We will use exercises that draw on concrete poetry and text art in the SPL’s archive as we experiment with different ways of combining text and image. The workshop will delve into approaches such as automatic writing, acrostics, sound poetry, found and altered text and comics. No previous knowledge required. Booking for this event closes on 6 May. The event will not run if not fully booked by that date, so please book by then if you wish to attend.
RENGA ON THE TERRACE WITH KEN COCKBURN Saturday 25 June
Scottish Poetry Library
10.30 – 14.00
£10 /£8
Join poet Ken Cockburn for a day of shared writing on the SPL Terrace. Renga, which originated in Japan, is a series of short verses linked together into one long poem, composed by a group. It offers a simple structure within which people can sit, write, talk and listen, making a shared poem. Suitable for writers of all levels of experience. Part of Buson 2016, a series of events celebrating the Japanese poet and painter Yosa Buson, born in 1716.
COLLECTIVE HUSH Every Friday
Scottish Poetry Library
12.00 – 14.00
Free
Keep meaning to put some time aside for reading and writing poetry each week? Bring your lunch if you like and join us for this silent, drop-in group reading/writing/making time every Friday. Sharing the silence, everyone can work to achieve their personal artistic and poetic goals. This event is free but donations are welcome.
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EVENTS IN THE SPACE The Space is our new room in the library where anything can happen. All events are ticketed.
POETRY FOR PEANUTS Scottish Poetry Library 2 March, 6 April
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10.30 – 11.30
£2 per family
Pop in for this guided family poetry hour, usually once a month on Wednesdays. These sessions are for wee ones and their grown-ups. We'll supply the poetry books, tea and coffee. Share some poems with your children and meet other parents/carers who like poetry or want to give it a try. Perfect for ages 5 and under.
NOTHING BUT THE POEM Scottish Poetry Library
11.00 – 12.30
£5/4
20 February Buson and Haiku with Ken Cockburn 19 March
Christina Rossetti with Kate Hendry
16 April
Shakespeare400 with Kate Hendry
Nothing But the Poem is a poetry reading group that anyone can attend – no previous experience necessary, though experts are also welcome. We will provide the poems and facilitate a reading and discussion, encouraging new interests, insights and favourites.
SPL POETRY WORKSHOP Scottish Poetry Library 18.00 – 20.00 26 January, 23 February, 22 March, 26 April
£5/4
JL Williams, poet (and SPL programme manager), facilitates this writing workshop in which we read, discuss and write poems. All levels of experience welcome. Please bring paper and a pen or pencil, or laptop/tablet of choice.
RALLY & BROAD WORKSHOPS Scottish Poetry Library
5 February & 1 April
12 places
£90
Workshop with Francesca Beard Fri 5 (evening), Sat 6 & Sun 7 February 2016 (10.30 – 16.00) This workshop offers an opportunity to explore and strengthen your relationship as a spoken word performer – with your material and with your audience. We will look at ways to structure stage-time and/or text in order to take audiences on a journey, with a satisfying and emotionally resonant arc. The workshop is for participants looking to build spoken word sets as well as those who are making or thinking about staging a solo show. Workshop with Ross Sutherland Fri 1 (evening), Sat 2 & Sun 3 April 2016 (10.30 – 16.00) When a poem leaves the page, it undergoes a process of translation. We will spend the weekend examining that process, translating our work from text to voice, then body, then beyond. Participants will also get to explore new avenues of performance: would this poem perform better as an audio recording, or as a short film, or as an art installation? Could it become theatre? What kind of theatre could it become? Booking and additional information online at www.rallyandbroad.com.
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I SAID COMFORTING THINGS TO THE SCAFFOLD BUT SHE ONLY SEEMED TO LEAN MORE HEAVILY AGAINST THE SIDE OF THE CHURCH.
- from Healers by Sophie Collins -
EDUCATION
LEARNING We offer Poetry CPD for teachers and workshops for pupils tailored specifically to suit requirements. Contact our Learning Manager, Georgi Gill, for more information and to book: georgi.gill@spl.org.uk. For teachers: www.scottishpoetrylibrary.org.uk/learn/teachers Education Blog: makingmakars.wordpress.com
ACCESS The Scottish Poetry Library has a ground-floor entrance and a lift that provides access to all three floors of the building. There is one adapted toilet on the basement floor.
Companion Service Artlink offers a companion service for people who have difficulty visiting libraries and attending events on their own. For more information please phone 0131 229 3555, type talk 18001 0131 229 3555 or go to artlinkedinburgh.co.uk. If you need a companion to help you attend any SPL workshops or events, please let us know when booking. Your companion’s ticket will be free.
At the Library Hearing loop: If you require our hearing loop, please let the person at reception know. Wheelchair Space: We can reserve space for you and nearby seats for your guests if required. Guide and hearing dogs are welcome.
If you would like to use any of these services, contact the SPL Reception on 0131 557 2876, reception@spl.org.uk or in person. Please then make yourself known to Reception on arrival.
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SUPPORT US Help us to continue our work by becoming a Friend of the Scottish Poetry Library from £20 per year and you will receive the following membership benefits: •• •• •• •• ••
Poetry Reader magazine subscription Discounts on SPL events 10% discount in the SPL shop Free postal borrowing throughout the UK Voting rights at our AGM
Visit our website for more information and to join online, or telephone 0131 557 2876 to request a membership form by post.
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Many of our events will include a donation bar, where you can get a drink in exchange for a suggested donation. Donations to the SPL are always welcome, especially at our free events.
FURTHER DETAILS, TICKETS & THANKS Please go to scottishpoetrylibrary.eventbrite.co.uk for event booking. Friends of the SPL receive the concession rate for events and workshops. For more details on events, directions to the Library and information about Library services, podcasts and poetry, please see scottishpoetrylibrary.org.uk or call us on 0131 557 2876. For updates on events in and outwith the SPL, as well as links to our latest podcasts and blogs, subscribe to the SPL’s fortnightly e-newsletter by emailing colin.waters@spl.org.uk. Thank you to our Patrons – The Binks Trust, Edwin Morgan Trust, Dr David Summers Charitable Trust, Professor Alexander McCall Smith, Nora Senior and Ian Wall – and Friends, partners and sponsors for their generous support.
JANUARY Thu 21 The Poetry Review Winter Launch Tue 26 SPL Poetry Workshop Thu 28 Drag Queen Poems FEBRUARY Thu 4 Women’s Voices in Scottish Poetry Fri 5 R&B Masterclass (weekend) Sat 6 Poetry By Heart Scotland 2016 Final Thu 11 The Body and The Voice Thu 18 My Life in Poetry Sat 20 NBtP: Buson and Haiku Tue 23 SPL Poetry Workshop Thu 25 2014 and After MARCH Wed 2 Poetry for Peanuts Thu 17 Poetry, Culture and Politics Sat 19 NBtP: Christina Rossetti Tue 22 SPL Poetry Workshop Thu 24 Moving Identities APRIL Fri 1 R&B Masterclass (weekend) Wed 6 Poetry for Peanuts Thu 7 Connie Voisine and Alan Gillis Thu 14 Showcase: R&B Masterclasses Sat 16 NBtP: Shakespeare400 Thu 21 An Hour in Beadnell Tue 26 SPL Poetry Workshop MAY Thu 5 Translation Workshop: German Sat 7 Thomas A. Clark Symposium Thu 12 Denise Riley and Sophie Collins Thu 19 PYRUS Workshop Sat 21 Text & Image Workshop JUNE Sat 25 Renga on the Terrace
SPL SPL SPL SPL SPL Scottish National Gallery SPL SPL SPL SPL SPL SPL SPL SPL SPL SPL SPL SPL SPL SPL SPL SPL SPL SPL SPL SPL SPL SPL SPL
…and Collective Hush on Fridays throughout the season.
ROYAL MILE
People’s Canongate Kirk Story
CANONGATE CRICHTON’S CLOSE
OLD TOLBOOTH WYND
NEW STREET
JEFFREY STREET ST MARY’S STREET
to Castle
Scottish Poetry Library, 5 Crichton’s Close, Canongate Edinburgh, EH8 8DT.
Museum Of Edinburgh
to Holyrood
Hemma
Scottish Parliament
HOLYROOD ROAD
reception@spl.org.uk 0131 557 2876 www.scottishpoetrylibrary.org.uk @ByLeavesWeLive facebook.com/scottishpoetrylibrary
This programme is printed in Scotland. Please pass on or recycle when finished. The SPL is a certified Green Arts Venue.
Book tickets at scottishpoetrylibrary.eventbrite.co.uk.
Design: www.everyonelovescake.co.uk
AVAILABLE IN LARGE PRINT