The Big Book Group Bash!
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 2 Glasgow FREE Poetry Discussion Group Mitchell Library, North Street, 287 2999. 6pm. The monthly edition of the Mitchell Library’s lively forum for chatting about all things poetry. Meet Colin Prior Waterstone’s, 153–157 Sauchiehall Street, 332 9105. 6.30–8pm. £3 redeemable against cost of book. Scottish photographer Colin Prior discusses his latest collection High Light: A Vision of Wild Scotland, followed by that all-important book signing. Tom Leonard and Erica von Stein Street Level Photo Works, Trongate 103, 552 2151. 7pm. £2. As part of Trongate’s ‘First Thursday’ programme – a programme of evening events on the first Thursday of every month – you can get acquainted with the radical, unyielding and funny work of politicised poet Tom Leonard and Glasgow poet and model Erica von Stein, among others. There’s live music and a bar also on offer.
Edinburgh FREE Discovering Family History at NLS National Library of Scotland, George IV Bridge, 623 3918. 10am. Delve into your family’s past as NLS reveals research techniques in this practical workshop. Includes a short tour of the library. Please book. FREE A Blackwell Christmas Blackwells, 53–59 South Bridge, 622 8222. 6pm. Music, poetry, storytelling, mulled wine and mince pies at this festive event for book-lovers. With live music from a capella group the Wild Myrtles, a poetry reading by Elizabeth Burns and Christmas cooking tips from food writer Liz Ashworth. Booking advised. 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 the increasingly digital- focused world is discussed by National Librarian Martyn Wade, Chris Banks of the library of Aberdeen University and Karen Cunningham, Head of Libraries for Glasgow City Council.
✽✽ FREE The Big Book Group Bash! Central Library, George IV
Bridge, 242 8100. 6.30pm. A special event for book groups throughout Edinburgh. Writers such as Stuart Kelly, Laura Marney and Alan Bissett will discuss their ideal book group while enthusiasts can find out how to borrow multiple copies of the same book. Email readerdevelopment@edinburgh.gov.uk to book a place. See caption. Friday 3
Edinburgh FREE Poetry Reading with Tom Raworth City Art Centre, 2 Market Street, 529 3993. 6.30pm. Tom Raworth, author of over 40 poetry collections and a key figure in the British Poetry Revival, reads his latest work, with back-up from Posie Rider, Sophie Stamina and nick-e melville.
Monday 6
Glasgow FREE The Hairy Bikers’ 12 Days of Christmas WH Smith, 53–55 Argyle Street, 204 0636. 4.30pm. The famously hirsute motorcycle-and-cookery enthusiasts ride into town to sign copies of their latest offering, a collection of festive recipes. Writing Smoke-Long Fiction Ricefield Arts & Cultural Centre, GMAC, Trongate 103, 331 1019. 7–9pm. £110. 36 THE LIST 2–16 Dec 2010
Not a convention for fans of the long-lost Channel 4 telly series but a gathering up of book group members (or those who are thinking about joining one) across Edinburgh. In this free event, people will have an opportunity to hear authors such as Alan Bissett, Stuart Kelly and Laura Marney (pictured) discuss their ‘fantasy bookgroup’ while a new service is being launched which allows groups to borrow multiple copies of the same book. ■ Central Library, Edinburgh, Thu 2 Dec.
Learn about the Chinese tradition of Smoke-Long fiction and have a go at producing your own over this ten-week course. With Laura Tansley. Edinburgh FREE Blackwell Book Quiz Blackwells, 53–59 South Bridge, 622 8222. 5.45pm. Put your literary credentials to the test in teams of up to five members. Please arrive for 5.45pm and with knowledge fully intact.
Haddington ✽✽ FREE Catherine Hermary- Vieille: Lord James Lennoxlove
House, 225 4326. 2.30pm. Popular French historical novelist Catherine Hermary-Vielle introduces her book Lord James. Written from the perspective of James Bothwell, it tells the tale of his relationship with Mary Queen of Scots.
Tuesday 7
Edinburgh Heart Launch Scottish Poetry Library, 5 Crichton’s Close Canongate, 557 2876. 6pm. The launch of Heart, a new collection of works by young people involved in the Full Stop Project, mentored by Edinburgh crime writer Tony Black, author of Gutted.
Wednesday 8 Edinburgh FREE Scots in London in the 18th Century Blackwells, 53–59 South Bridge, 622 8206. 6pm. Launch and discussion of Dr Stana Nenadic’s collection of essays exploring the
experiences of Scots who made the journey south in the 1700s. Booking essential. Thursday 9
Glasgow ✽✽ Chopin in Glasgow: Janice Galloway in Conversation
Royal Concert Hall: Strathclyde Suite, 2 Sauchiehall Street, 353 8000. 1pm. £5. As part of the Chopin in Glasgow series, author and classical music lover Galloway looks at the life of the composer, aided by music from RSAMD students. FREE A Way With Words Glasgow Women’s Library, 15 Berkeley Street, 248 9969. 11am–2pm. Two days of creative writing workshops drawing on the wise old wisdom of women’s folk tales for inspiration. Lunch provided; contact the GWL to reserve a place. FREE St Mungo’s Mirrorball 5th Birthday Bash The Poetry Club (Glasgow School of Art), 167 Renfrew Street, www.stmungosmirrorball.co.uk 7pm. Celebrate the start of Mirrorball’s fifth year as Glasgow’s much-loved network for writers, performers and lovers of poetry.
Edinburgh Beyond the Crash George Square Theatre, University of Edinburgh George Square, 622 8222. 7pm. £4. A lively panel discussion based around Gordon Brown’s new book Beyond the Crash, which looks at potential solutions to the current financial crisis. Ticket price is redeemable against the price of the book in Blackwell bookshop.
Glasgow FREE A Way With Words Glasgow Women’s Library, 15 Berkeley Street, 248 9969. 11am–2pm. See Thu 9. John Cooper Clarke The Arches, 253 Argyle Street, 565 1000. 7pm. £15. Legendary Mancunian punk poet infused with the spirit of revolution and endowed with massive hair. Spiritual godfather of the likes of Mike Skinner. Three of his poems are now in the GCSE syllabus. Awesome. See also caption in Comedy, page 59. FREE Reading Allowed Tchai-Ovna House of Tea, 42 Otago Lane, 357 4524. 8pm. A monthly evening of storytelling, poetry reading and magnificent tea.
Saturday 11
Edinburgh ✽✽ Traverse Writers’ Workshops: How To Tell Your Story on Stage Traverse Theatre, Cambridge Street, 228 1404. 10.30am–4.30pm. £16 (£8). Chris Hannan, who wrote this year’s Traverse Christmas show The Three Musketeers and the Princess of Spain leads a practical workshop in bringing stories to the stage. Over the course of the day participants will work on adapting a short tale for the stage. Booking essential. Nothing but the Poem Scottish Poetry Library, 5 Crichton’s Close Canongate, 557 2876. 11am–12.30pm. £5 (£3). An informal poetry group which removes the pressures of review, criticism and hype, to focus instead on the reader’s response to the text. No background knowledge necessary. With Lilias Fraser.
Monday 13 Edinburgh FREE Blackwell Book Group Blackwells, 53–59 South Bridge, 622 8222. 6pm. Share the reading experience with a group of fellow booklovers, with an evening of friendly discussion. Tonight’s book is Simon Mawer’s The Fall. Contact the store for info about the 10% discount offered to book group members. FREE TraVerses Traverse Theatre, Cambridge Street, 228 1404. 8pm. A forum for new poets to try out ideas in front of an audience. Stars of tomorrow and all that.
Tuesday 14
Edinburgh FREE Inky Fingers Open Mic The Forest Café, 3 Bristo Place, 220 4538. 8pm. Another edition of this fresh platform for people who love words. Email ahead for a chance to perform, or just watch and admire. Arrive at 6.30pm to take part in the Readeasy Writers’ Group. Wednesday 15
Edinburgh FREE Poetry Pamphlet Party and Fair National Library of Scotland, George IV Bridge, 623 3918. 6–8.30pm. Wine, mince pies, readings and lots of poetry paraphernalia to purchase. Storytelling Café Scottish Storytelling Centre, 43–45 High Street, 556 9579. 7pm. £4. Storytelling, music and song in a relaxed café atmosphere. Tonight’s theme of Yule Nights is led by host Andy Hunter.
Thursday 16 Glasgow FREE Scottish Writers’ Centre presents the Glasgow launch of Causeway/Cabhsaiac CCA, 350 Sauchiehall Street, 352 4900. 7–8.30pm. The Scottish Writers’ Centre launches the new magazine of Irish and Scottish Writing, in association with the University of Aberdeen. The evening also includes the Centre’s mid-winter celebration.