A sublimely dark, gothic, evening’s entertainment as Michel Faber, Ever Dundas and Harry Josephine Giles perform specially-commissioned poems inspired by the bicentenary of the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies at Summerhall, each set to original music composed and performed by David Paul Jones.
Hear work from two new debut collections from Scotland-based poets K Patrick and Marjorie Lotfi. K Patrick’s poetry has appeared in Poetry Review, Granta and Five Dials, and was shortlisted for The White Review Poet’s Prize in 2021. Their debut novel, Mrs S was selected as an Observer Best Debut of the Year, and K
Poetry reminds us what it is to be human, and more importantly, humane. It creates a haven for those who care. In a mutually supportive atmosphere, poet John Glenday will share existing poems and discuss how to approach writing your own. Using tools and tips, you will write a poem that reflects your experience of caring in a world that often overlooks kindness as a force for change.
Writer, actor and poet, Bea Webster-Mockett, facilitates this d/Deaf-only, safe space within Push the Boat Out Festival, where you are encouraged to explore BSL poetry. Come along and release your inner poet!
This workshop will be conducted entirely in BSL.
Three hugely talented lyricists– rising indie star Hamish Hawk, Scottish folk legend Karine Polwart and celebrated cross-disciplinary artist Inua Ellams –come together to offer rare insight into the processes behind creating a song. How do they make the language of words and music meet to tell stories, set moods and paint sonic landscapes?
An incredible chance to write and converse with one of the world’s most exciting radical thinkers, Indian poet, novelist and activist Meena Kandasamy, in this online writing workshop. Described by the Independent as a ‘one-woman, agit-prop literary-political movement’, Meena Kandasamy is a poet, writer, translator, anti-caste activist and academic based in Chennai, India. Her extensive
Delve into the BBC archives in this screening of pioneering film Hair. After the screening Hannah McGill, Nadine Aisha Jassat, Khadijah Ibrahiim and Joanna Bourke will discuss all things follicle, and poet Francesca Beard will read a new poem inspired by the film.
Part cooking-class, part-poetry reading, Dumpling Poetry promises a delicious afternoon of tasty morsels for the ears and the taste buds. Gather round the table with writer and performance maker Sean Wai Keung to make an assortment of filled dumplings from scratch, as he also reads from his collection sikfan glaschu. Like a list from a
To tell your story is to create it. In this double bill, Kim Moore and Iona Lee both share poems and lyrical essays firmly written from the female gaze. In All The Men I Never Married, Kim Moore reckons with the harms and coercions of being female in a male-dominant world. Moore’s 2023 collection of
Ready to take the stage? Join Rock the Boat for this hands-on workshop for aspiring open mic performers! Learn how to use a mic, develop your delivery, discover where to perform and build your confidence engaging with audiences, in the capable hands of Rock the Boat hosts Julia Sorenson and Catherine Wilson Garry.
As well as a shared belief in a fairer, more equal Britain, former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn and trade unionist Len McCluskey share a love of poetry. In this special event, they share poems from their new co-edited anthology Poetry for the Many and talk about why poetry is for everyone.
Catrìona NicÌomhair Parsons is a native Gaelic speaker who moved from Lewis to Cape Breton in the 1970s; Beth Freiden crossed the Atlantic in reverse, from the US to Scotland. Both of them now write in Gaelic. Tune in to hear them read and discuss ideas of home and place, language and identity with Peter
Spit It Out takes over PTBO for an afternoon of powerful poetry and spoken word from Jj Fadaka, Bobby Sayers, Éadaoín Lynch, Inga Dale and Ravideep Kaur. Expect unique perspectives on life, love and community, from black feminist worldmaking to queerness, masculinity and class.
A double bill from two page poets at the top of their game. Scottish-Canadian poet Patrick James Errington’s poems are rooted in fire-haunted landscapes, tracing the brittle boundaries between cruelty and tenderness. Acclaimed Irish poet Jane Clarke’s third collection A Change In The Air pays homage to our beautiful, fragile world.
In this poetry workshop with poet Cath Drake, we will ask what meaningful Progress in the Anthropocene could look like? We will read poems and write about ideas of forwards and backwards and discover new meanings of Progress in the context of environmental crisis.
Rapper, songwriter and raconteur Dizraeli brings his new book Animal Noises to the Push the Boat Out stage. Drawing together a collection of lyrics, diary entries, experimental writings and surreal illustrations from the margins of his notebooks, he takes a searingly honest look at the mess of human creation, and it bursts with life. In
Red Bean Poetry shines a light on the work of East Asian diaspora poetry throughout the UK and beyond. Tim Tim Cheng, Anna Cheung, Lady Red Ego and Cynthia Miller, four poets with connections to Scotland, will all read from their work before a lively discussion chaired by Glasgow-based poet and performer Sean Wai Keung.
Ready for a festival Saturday cocktail? We can’t think of better company for it than the legendary Joelle Taylor. Ruma mixologists will shake a heady mix of delectable drinks, while Joelle offers some stirring words to accompany each one. Ticket price covers the cocktails (and poetry) at this workshop.
Want to try out your poetry in conversation with music? This event – part open mic, part jam session – gives you the opportunity to do just that. Bring a poem to share, liaise with the band about mood, rhythm and tempo, and then give it a go. Come to listen or perform.
Hamish Hawk’s gorgeous, poetic lyrics and luxuriously rich vocals have invited comparisons to Jarvis Cocker, Richard Hawley, Ivor Cutler, Rufus Wainwright and Scott Walker for their depth of storytelling and poetic imagery, so it’s only appropriate he will be performing a solo headline show at Push The Boat Out’s Saturday night.
Poet Rishi Dastidar has spent a lot of time in the company of Neptune, the Roman god of the sea. Join them for a Sunday morning stroll along Portobello Beach, where they will try and answer questions about the waves, species envy, the apocalypse, football managers, and much, much more
Join us for an exciting first performance by a group of Edinburgh’s BPOC young people. The culmination of a collaboration between Bee Asha, Push the Boat Out and SCOREscotland, this celebrates these young people’s experiences and perspectives as they share their first piece of work. Bee Asha is a rapper and spoken word artist characterized
Ever wondered about the difference between eggs and legs? Or the similarities between bees and knees? Legendary performance poet and musician John Hegley leads a fun creative workshop full of writing, drawing, songs and biscuits.
Suitable for children of all ages, but under 16’s to be accompanied by an adult.
In this unique workshop, choreopoet Safiya Kamaria Kinshasa will introduce you to her new performative writing technique that unites poetry and dance. You will be guided through exercises to help you navigate poetry in new ways. Open to all – just bring enthusiasm, an open mind and the tools you use to write.
