A night of fine music and inspiring poetry - and a full house!
The Docs: Jen Dunn and Allan Gaw
Glasgow and Edinburgh.
Excellent night at Avant Garde, GLASGOW. Allan Gaw and Jen Duns book launch. Linda Jaxson another amazing evening.
Just a heady, affirming, wonderful experience at my first book launch in Glasgow with the talented, charismatic Allan Gaw and the power house that is Linda Jaxson. (Jen)
Two excellent performances last night, excited to read these collections!
The Docs: Jen Dunn and Allan Gaw
Glasgow and Edinburgh.
'Every Picture Tells A Story'
What a night at The Saturnaliun/Xmas Party in Avant Garde.
'What a night, full house for Chris Dolan and his guests. I loved the variety of styles of delivery and subject matter.'
'The poem about advice to children was so on the money for a Central Belt audience.'
'What with football and October week holiday, this was a quiet one but some very choice poetry by Neil and his guests.'
'The music by Iman and Carol was mesmerising.'
'It was really such a special night, thanks Jenifer.'
'Fantastic night in Avant Garde for Jenifer's book.'
'Guitarist was just amazing.'
'It was another great night, thanks Linda Jackson for organising.'
After math photos and comments from last week's double book launch.
'A very moving night remembering Mairi.'
'I knew Mairi wrote but I really did not realise she was such an accomplished poet'.
'Wee Mags was on top form tonight...so entertaining.'
'Margaret McGrath just reads her work and takes her audience off with her. Fantastic night.'
'I loved the poetics in Duncan McCrone's lyrics ...great band.'
'That is maybe the best i have heard Linda Jaxson sing...'
Fine and mellow with Mike Bryan on guitar and Gordon Dickson on sax.
'What a fantastic night of poetry and music at the launch of 'Siren Calling'.
'What a night in Avant Garde last night for the launch of Lesley's collection.
Full house and everyone feeling that magic of word and song.'
'One of the most moving nights of poetry I have ever attended. ''Under the coloured stage lights of Avant Garde, there were words that told tales of inhumanity, of prejudice. There were words that spoke of sea-salted sorrow, and tortured truths. Words that would otherwise have been grey and dark and almost unbearable unless they had been delivered with such passion and such sympathy. And there was song to remind us all that in the end we are still human. Thank you Jim Mackintosh, Julie McNeill, Hugh Mcmillan, Stephen Watt, Jonny McGiffen and Linda Jaxson. This was a special night.'
'Double launch nights for Eveline Pye's collection, 'Reaching the Light' and Karen Macfarlane's 'All About the Surface'.
Very intimate night of beautifully constructed poetry with some outstanding vocals from Aine Currie who was our musical guest for the evening.'
What a beautiful night of thought, fun and hope last night at the launch night for
'A Kist of Treasure:
The Life and Death of John Maclean'
By Martin Goldie.
Music by Frank O'Hagan was, as ever, perfect...maybe even more so on this evening.
Thanks to guest readers Joe Murray, Biff Smith, Cat Cochrane and Donna Campbell.
'What a night at the launch of REMEMBERING MYSELF by Donna Matthew'.
'What an enoyable evening of music snd poetry/stortelling'.
So many Paisley writers there to support and join Kathryn on her launch in her hometown.
Amazing experience for myself (LJ) as a buddy to be back by the Mill.
Nesting Dolls is an unforgettable collection about departing/arriving. Home or not?
The musical guest was young Aine Currie who is definitely going places.
‘What a fabulous night, cosy group. Loved it.’
Diana literally flew in from her home in Italy to launch Full Frontal which really is a class collection of poems.
Her reading and the reading of our guests …on point.
And the Music set by guest Gus Munro was as always, phenomenal.
I Bequeath Online Event
In memory of
Kevin Higgins.
Barga: Scot poets on Retreat
Photos by Caterina Salvi
Love and Other Diseases
'What a launch night, full house at Avant Garde - we loved it.'
'Allan's reading of his disease poems is mesmerising.'
'Can't wait to get the book home.'
Wanderlust Women
'What a fabulous night at Avant Garde with this Wanderlust Women.'
'Great night at Avant Garde at the Glasgow launch of Wanderlust Women. Electric readings in a glorious bouquet of poems, some funny, some very moving.'
'Perfect hosting by Polly Bee'
'Perfect songs by Louise'.
Stirling and Seahorse Writers.
4 of the writers from the Seahorse catalogue reading and having a laugh at the Book Neuk in Stirling, April 2023: Donna Campbell, Jo Gilbert, Kimberley Petrie and Linda Jackson.
(Thanks to Janet Crawford for photo).
Seahorse, 'Walk in' Session.
Quiet and intimate night at Avant Garde on Monday, April 17th with special guests, Julie McNeill and Jacqueline Wilde.
Villa Lobos et al from Robert Jones on guitar. Brilliant.
'Seahorse Publications, thank you. What a joy to be
cocooned in words and music.' Julie McNeill.
'A lovely night Linda. A pleasure and a privilege.' Jacqueline Wilde.
Donna Campbell, 'Looking for Mae West'
After the event:
‘What a night! It was truly amazing. I had a great time seeing old friends who I hadn’t seen in years and listening to Charlie Gracie Lesley Benzie Rachel McJury Graham Fulton and music from Gus Monroe and for the effortless hosting of Linda Jackson. Thank you to everyone who came. You made my night special.’ (Donna)
‘It was brilliant Donna, Lynn and I had a blast… great variety of artists too, and you as Mae West was a hoot.’ (Janie Walker)
‘Hugely entertaining event last night at the launch of Donna Campbell’s wonderful new book of poetry Looking For Mae West.
Gold standard and world class’ (Donny McIntyre)
What a fabulous Open Mic at Avant Garde on Monday with the Seahorse Muse
Martin Goldie, 'Unshackled'.
After the event:
Heartfelt congrats on a quite-stunning debut, Martin. Compelling poetry - in the true sense of the word - which has been devoured in one sitting today.
Incredible writing and collection. (Stephen Watt)
I’m really enjoying slowly taking this wee gem in. Dipping in and out between study tonight. I knew I would head straight for the familiar - St Kilda.’ (Bobby Motherwell)
‘What a night, a stormer.’ (Donna Campbell)
What a night with Linda Jaxson and a host of brilliant artists in Glasgow tonight. Headliner was the excellent Martin Goldie, with excellent work. What a line-up supporting him too, including his son, Alan Goldie. (Charlie Gracie)
