Books EVENTS
EVENTS Events are listed by date, then city. Submit listings at least ten days before publication to books@list.co.uk. Listings are compiled by Laura Ennor.
Thursday 18
Edinburgh FREE Dae Ye Ken Where Ye Come Fae? Portobello Library, 14 Rosefield Avenue Portobello, 529 5558. 2–3.30pm. As part of a series of local history events at Portobello Library, staff from the Central Library are on hand to help you use library resources to trace the history of your house. FREE Ryan Van Winkle: Tomorrow, We Will Live Here Blackwells, 53–59 South Bridge, 622 8222. 6.30pm. Launch of a poetry collection from Reader in Residence at the Scottish Poetry Library, the ever-effusive, ever-entertaining Ryan Van Winkle. Noisy Words Traverse Theatre, Cambridge Street, 228 1404. 7.15pm. £14 (£6–£10). Two of the Trav’s popular experimental arts nights come together to see what they can produce: the composers from Noisy Nights and writers from Words, Words, Words are collaborating on a performance event as part of the Autumn Festival. Writers and composers are invited to submit proposals for the night. Part of the Traverse Autumn Festival. FREE Tomorrow, We Will Live Here After Party The Forest Café, 3 Bristo Place, 220 4538. 8pm. After party for the launch of Forest stalwart Ryan van Winkle’s poetry collection, Tomorrow, We Will Live Here. Dundee FREE Tea with Maureen and Mae Central Library, The Wellgate, 01382 434318. 2.30pm. An afternoon with some local authors. Booking essential. FREE John Glenday Pathfoot Building, The University of Stirling, 01786 473 171. 7.30pm. Poet John Glenday reads from his latest volume, Grain.
Friday 19
Glasgow FREE The Better Crack Club Tchai- Ovna, 42 Otago Lane, 357 4524. 8pm. Regular storytelling club for adults. Edinburgh FREE Allan Armstrong Word Power Bookshop, 43 West Nicolson Street, 662 9112. 7pm. Launch of a new work by former teacher and trade union activist Allan Armstrong, entitled From Davitt to Connolly: ‘Internationalism from Below’ and the challenge to the UK state and British Empire from 1879–1895, in Edinburgh, Scotland.
Haddington Lennoxlove Book Festival Lennoxlove House, 0844 357 7611. Times vary. Prices vary. A literary weekend of bijou book events that, in only its second year off the blocks, has managed to pull in some impressive names, today including broadcaster Fergal Keane, food writer Josceline Dimbleby and crime writer Quintin Jardine. There’s also a packed programme of kids’ events including the announcement of the winner of the Lennox Book Award, judged by children from East Lothian.
Saturday 20
Edinburgh Midwives to the Story Scottish Storytelling Centre, 43–45 High Street, 556 9579. 10.30am–4.30pm. £32 (members £26). Workshop with Andy Hunter examining the idea that telling a story is akin to helping deliver a baby. Nothing But . . . Poems for Art 34 THE LIST 18 Nov–2 Dec 2010
Des Dillon
The acclaimed author and playwright shows up for a night where stand-up comedy meets bookish storytelling. Take a deep breath as the scribe of Me and Ma Gal, Itchycooblue and The Big Q delivers tales of epileptic dogs, dead cats, apparitions, alcoholics, monks, chickens, policemen, prisoners, priests, nuns and the devil. ■ Ramshorn Theatre, Glasgow, Thu 25 Nov.
Lovers Blackwells, 53–59 South Bridge, 622 8222. 10.30am–noon. £5 (£3). Poems linked to the collections at the National Galleries, aimed at getting new audiences to try poetry. Haddington Lennoxlove Book Festival Lennoxlove House, 0844 357 7611. Times vary. Prices vary. Today’s attractions include Springwatch crumpet Simon King, one of the Today programme’s political attack dogs, James Naughtie and arch spin doctor/pantomime baddie Alastair Campbell.
Sunday 21
Haddington Lennoxlove Book Festival Lennoxlove House, 0844 357 7611. Times vary. Prices vary. A literary feast is rounded off with afters comprising Conn Iggulden, author of Dangerous Book for Boys, spinning yarns about Ghengis Khan, new criminal goings on from Ian Rankin, notes from a life in laughter from Nicholas Parsons and thespian tales from Tom Conti.
Monday 22 Edinburgh FREE Poetry for Fiction Readers Blackwells, 53–59 South Bridge, 622 8222. 6pm. If you’re more of a lengthy fiction reader, come alone and discover what poetry could do for you.
Tuesday 23
Edinburgh FREE Dominic Roskrow Waterstone’s West End, 128 Princes Street, 226 2666. 6–7.30pm. The editor of Whiskeria magazine signs copies of his new book, World’s Best Whiskies: 750 Unmissable Drams from Tennessee to Tokyo over a wee nip or two. Dundee FREE Reading Towards Action Hannah Maclure Centre, University of Abertay, Bell Street, www.d-air.org. 7–10pm. A site-specific reading group
with texts focusing on socio-economic and environmental developments in Dundee. Wednesday 24
Glasgow FREE Word Play Tron Theatre, 63 Trongate, 552 4267. 8pm. Open mic night with acoustic music, poetry and prose. Hosts The Word Factory are also performing together. Edinburgh Scott-land: The Man who Invented a Nation National Library of Scotland, George IV Bridge, 623 3918. 6pm. £4. Stuart Kelly explores Walter Scott’s legacy and discusses the hugely personal way in which it affected him. Writer’s Bloc: The Wee Red Gig Wee Red Bar, Edinburgh College of Art, Lauriston Place, 229 1442. 8pm. £3 (£2). Performance poetry and spoken word night with Bloc regulars, a few invited guests, and open slots.
Thursday 25
Glasgow FREE Words From Across the Water CCA, 350 Sauchiehall Street, 352 4900. 10am–5pm. A French Scottish Book Fair, organised by Glaswegian arts organisation Scotland in Europe and Halle Saint Pierre Paris, with appearances from writers from both cities with an interest in promoting their country’s literature on an international level. FREE Des Dillon Ramshorn Theatre, 98 Ingram Street, 552 3489. 5.15pm. See above. Edinburgh FREE Armistead Maupin: Mary Ann in Autumn Waterstone’s West End, 128 Princes Street, 226 2666. 12.30pm. Meet Armistead Maupin, who is signing copies of the latest in his bestselling Tales of the City series, in which 57-year old Mary Ann Singleton returns to her home city of San Francisco to take stock and try to reconnect with her past. FREE Dae Ye Ken Where Ye Come Fae? Portobello Library, 14 Rosefield
Avenue Portobello, 529 5558. 6pm. Iain Ferguson from the Scotland’s People Centre talks about the work of the centre and the records stored there. FREE Marianne Wheelaghan: The Blue Suitcase Blackwells, 53–59 South Bridge, 622 8222. 6.30pm. The launch of Wheelaghan’s spectacular debut novel, partly based on a true story about a young girl growing up in German during the 1930s. FREE Samir Amin Word Power Bookshop, 43 West Nicolson Street, 662 9112. 7pm. Radical economist Samir Amin launches three new books investigating the crisis of capitalism, the concept of Eurocentrism and the role of Central Asia in the world economy.
Friday 26
Glasgow FREE Words From Across the Water CCA, 350 Sauchiehall Street, 352 4900. 10am–5pm. See Thu 25. FREE Follow The Thread Glasgow Women’s Library, 15 Berkeley Street, 248 9969. 11am–2pm. Follow the tale of Vasilla the Wise’s journey from childhood to womanhood. Lunch provided. Edinburgh FREE Literary Discussion with Gunnar Staalesen and Ian Rankin Scottish Storytelling Centre, 43–45 High Street, 556 9579. 6pm. The two crime writers discuss the similarities in their respective works – in particular Rankin’s Edinburgh detective Rebus and Staalesen’s Bergen counterpart, Varg Veum. Booking essential – email Mona Røhne at the Norwegian Consulate for tickets: mona.rohne@mfa.no The Guid Crack Club: St Andrew’s Day Waverley Bar, 1 St Mary’s Street, 557 1050. 7.30pm. By donation. Hear and share stories celebrating our patron saint.
Saturday 27 Glasgow FREE Words From Across the Water CCA, 350 Sauchiehall Street, 352 4900. 10am–5pm. See Thu 25.
Sunday 28
Edinburgh Shore Poets The Lot, 4–6 Grassmarket, 225 9922. 7.45pm. £4 (£3). Readings from Tom Pow with accompanying music from The Kitchen Stools. Haddington FREE Scottish Music and Literature Ceremony St Mary’s Parish Church, The Sidegate, 01620 827 282. 3–4.30pm. Readings of national literature alongside music performed by the East Lothian Schools Choir, hosted by Alistair Moffat with performances by Mairi Campbell and Dave Francis. Booking essential – contact the Brunton Theatre. Part of The Saltire 2010.
Selkirk Insight Tour Bowhill House & Country Park, Bowhill, 01750 722204. 2pm. £25. Jeremy Musson, writer and presenter, gives a talk on his new book Up and Down Stairs: A History of the Country House Servant. There follows a tour of the house. Price includes afternoon tea.
Thursday 2 Edinburgh Discovering Family History at NLS National Library of Scotland, George IV Bridge, 623 3918. 10am. £tbc. Delve into your family’s past as NLS reveals research techniques in this practical workshop. Includes a short tour of the library. Booking essential. FREE The Future of Libraries National Library of Scotland, George IV Bridge, 623 3918. 6pm. The role and value of libraries and their current systems in an increasingly digital-focused world is discussed.