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149 events
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Burns an' a' That! Festival
A whole festival dedicated to Scotland’s internationally acclaimed poet Robert Burns. To celebrate the 2013 Year of Natural Scotland, the festival heads outdoors to Belleisle Park for a programme of live music, and visual and performing arts.
Belleisle Park, Ayr
Fri 24 May
Times & prices vary / 01292 616143
- 12:00 – 17:30
Sat 25 May
Times & prices vary / 01292 616143
Sun 26 May
Times & prices vary / 01292 616143
Bike Slam
Inky Fingers present this bike-themed slam (yeah, bike-themed) in partnership with Edinburgh Festival of Cycling.
The Forest Café, Edinburgh
Mon 17 Jun
Free / 0131 229 4922
Part of Edinburgh Festival of Cycling.
- 19:30 – 22:30
John Cooper Clarke
The legendary Mancunian punk poet, who is a spiritual godfather to the likes of Mike Skinner and Plan B hauls his insatiable laconic wit on tour.
Artrix, Bromsgrove
Tue 17 Sep
£17.50 / 01527 577330
Button Factory, Dublin
Fri 14 Jun
€24
Colston Hall, Bristol
Fri 7 Jun
£18.50 / 0117 922 3686
With support from Keith Allen's Grow Up, Simon Day, Thea Gilmore and Mike Garry.
- 19:30
Also on at:
The Incomers
- Written by: Murray Lachlan Young
Windswept Productions presents Murray Lachlan Young's verse drama, set to a 1990s soundtrack, in which mayhem ensues when a couple invite their oldest friends down to the South West from London to help celebrate their wedding anniversary.
New Cut Arts, Halesworth
Thu 23 May
£12 (£11) / 0845 673 2123
- 19:30
Sterts Theatre, Liskeard
Sat 25 May
£10 (£8) / 01579 362382
- 19:30
Neu! Reekie!
Avant-garde spoken word, film and music fusion night describing itself as 'playing host to the sinister and the sanguine'.
The Poetry Club, Glasgow
Fri 14 Jun
£8
Neu! Reekie! heads back to Glasgow, this time taking along indie trio Sparrow and the Workshop, filmmakers Kim Moore and Gareth Griffiths (with their protest film Hell Unltd) and poet, novelist and performer Kevin Williamson. Plus, a mystery guest! Ooh, who could it be?!
Summerhall, Edinburgh
Fri 31 May
£7 / 0845 874 3001
With readings from American poet Krystelle Bamford and short story writer McGuire; music from Stevie Jackson of Belle and Sebastian and pop folkies Admiral Fallow; and the usual selection of animated goodness.
The Oh Fuck Moment
- Written by: Hannah Jane Walker
Poet Hannah Jane Walker and theatre-maker Chris Thorpe examine the moment of dawning horror as you realise the implications of a bad mistake.
Arnolfini, Bristol
Thu 23 May
£10 (£7) / 0117 917 2300
- 19:00
- 21:00
SPL Poetry Workshop
A writing workshop suitable for writers at any stage in their career. Each session includes discussion, reading and writing of poems.
Scottish Poetry Library, Edinburgh
Tue 28 May
£5 (£3) / 0131 557 2876
Inky Fingers Open Mic
Open mic for literature and spoken word lovers. Email ahead (inkyfingersedinburgh@gmail.com) for a chance to perform, or just watch and admire.
The Banshee Labyrinth, Edinburgh
Tue 28 May
Free / 0131 558 8209
Preceeded by a screening of We Are Poets.
- 20:00 – 23:00
The Forest Café, Edinburgh
Tue 6 Jan
Free / 0131 229 4922
- 20:00 – 23:00
The Davidson Chalmers Write On! Writing Competition Awards
The Scottish Borders' most talented young poets accept their awards. Ages 9+.
Harmony Garden, Melrose
Sat 15 Jun
£0.01 / 08443571060
KID, I Wrote Back: Poetry Monday In Shoreditch
Are you ready? First-timers, and stage-virgins, perform alongside featured and published acts in just about the only place you can get a lucky-dip of the best poets and writers around. KID, is a platform for all poets and spoken word artists. It is the brainchild of Chimne Suleyman a writer and poet, and host Dylan Sage…
Bar Kick, London E1
Mon 10 Jun
£3 / 020 7739 8700
- 19:30
Michael Longley: My Life of Make-Believe
The prize-winning poet gives a talk about his experiences as a writing, including a look at his latest collection, A Hundred Doors.
St Cecilia's Hall, Edinburgh
Tue 28 May
Free / 0131 668 2019
Nothing But the Poem
Poetry discussion forum with no preparation or previous knowledge required, focusing on a different poet each month.
The Edinburgh Bookshop
Thu 23 May
£5 (£3) / 0131 447 1917
This month, it's the poetry of Mary Oliver.
- 18:00
Scottish Poetry Library, Edinburgh
Sat 25 May
£5 (£3) / 0131 557 2876
This month, it's the poetry of Mary Oliver.
- 11:00 – 12:30
The Poet Speaks
Two of the pillars of contemporary music come together for an intimate evening of poetry, music and song in tribute to their friend, the great Beat Generation poet Allen Ginsberg. Punk poet and provocateur Patti Smith performs both her own and Ginsberg’s poetry, with accompaniment and solo pieces for piano from founding…
The Edinburgh Playhouse
Tue 13 Aug
£12–£35 / 0131 473 2000
Poetry at Books and Beans
Monthly poetry gathering (formerly Poetry Aberdeen) which features the occasional book launch, open floor session and special guest.
Books and Beans, Aberdeen
Thu 30 May
Free / 01224 646 438
- 18:30 – 20:00
Thu 27 Jun
Free / 01224 646 438
- 18:30 – 20:00
Shore Poets
Regular local poetry meet, with readings of thought-provoking new verse and live music.
Henderson's @ St John's, Edinburgh
Sun 26 May
£5 (£3) / 0131 229 0212
With Meg Bateman, Iain Matheson and Martin McIntyre.
- 19:00
Sun 30 Jun
£5 (£3) / 0131 229 0212
With Don Paterson and Clydebuilters.
- 19:00
Solas Festival
An age-free arts festival with music, literature and spoken word, visual art and crafts, film and theatre as well as a programme of talks and debates. 2013 promises intimate venues, rising stars, unique collaborations, participation and mental stimulation.
The Bield, Tibbermore
Fri 21 Jun
Times vary / Day ticket £35; Weekend £90
Sat 22 Jun
Times vary / Day ticket £35; Weekend £90
Sun 23 Jun
Times vary / Day ticket £35; Weekend £90
Alex Musgrave: My Life in Poetry (& Perfume)
Writer, perfume expert and jogger Alex Musgrave talks about his life in poetry and scent (he's Business Manager of Penhaligon's), with a chance to smell the perfumes he mentions. Ages 16+. Booking is essential.
Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh
Thu 30 May
£10 (Members £8) / 0131 248 2909
Christopher Reid
A session with the immensely talented poet and editor Christopher Reid, winner of the 2009 Costa Book Award for his collection A Scattering, written as a tribute to his late wife.
King Street Hall, Kirkwall
Mon 24 Jun
£6–£9
Stromness Town Hall
Sat 22 Jun
Cupar Arts Festival
Biennial arts festival with a focus on contemporary visual arts that combines an open call for submissions with invited guests to inspire new work and includes internationally-recognised artists. The programme, which also includes music, workshops and artists’ talks, utilises unused buildings and exterior spaces in and…
Various Venues, Cupar
Sat 5 Oct
Times & prices vary
Sun 6 Oct
Times & prices vary
Mon 7 Oct
Times & prices vary
East Neuk Festival
World-class, critically-acclaimed music, art and literature converge on this corner of Fife. Though chamber music remains at the heart of the programme, the festival's most varied selection yet includes musical surprises, international authors and imaginative art-works, all located in quirky venues.
Various venues, East Neuk
Wed 3 Jul
Times & prices vary (free–£25)
Thu 4 Jul
Times & prices vary (free–£25)
Fri 5 Jul
Times & prices vary (free–£25)
Homecoming Burns Night Parade
A spectacular Burns Night celebration featuring a cast of over 2000, original music and giant puppets on a parade to celebrate Homecoming Scotland 2014 and Burns Night.
Various venues, Dumfries
Sat 25 Jan
Times vary / Free
Patti Smith: An Evening Of Words And Music, Tony Shanahan
The award-winning American singer-songwriter and poet preforms her best known punk-rock hit alongside a selection of her poetry.
Alban Arena, St Albans
Sat 10 Aug
£25 / 01727 844488
- 20:00
The PoetryJoe Show (Ages 3-6)
The performer, writer and star of CBeebie's Rhyme Rocket presents an interactive show incorporating magic lantern, shadow puppetry and live poetry.
Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry
Sun 2 Jun
Helen Martin Studio
£4 / 024 7652 4524
- 12:00
- 14:15
Tadeusz Różewicz: Mum, Dad, I'm a Poet
Tadeusz Rósewicz is the most celebrated living Polish author, the great 'anti-poet' who has succeeded in writing poetry after Auschwitz. We celebrate the British publication of his masterpiece Mother Departs with readings, music and film by actors, poets, critics and friends. Featuring the acclaimed poets George…
Purcell Room, London SE1
Sat 25 May
£10 Booking: £1.75 (Members £0.00) (£50) / 0844 875 0073
- 19:45
Tongue Fu: Spoken Word, Music, Film, Improvisation
The UK's sharpest poets, storytellers and comedians perform with jaw-dropping improvised soundtracks and films from the genre-hopping Tongue Fu Band and East London design studio CR&D. One of London's liveliest and largest spoken word shows, it is a riotous experiment in live literature, music, film and improvisation.
Royal Festival Hall, London SE1
Wed 29 May
£17.50–£12.50 Booking: £1.75 (Members £0.00) (£11) / 0844 875 0073
- 21:15
Wed 10 Jul
£17.50–£12.50 Booking: £1.75 (Members £0.00) (£11) / 0844 875 0073
- 21:15
Wed 14 Aug
£17.50–£12.50 Booking: £1.75 (Members £0.00) (£11) / 0844 875 0073
- 21:15
Wed 18 Sep
£17.50–£12.50 Booking: £1.75 (Members £0.00) (£11) / 0844 875 0073
- 21:15



