It’s a good week for those of a literary bent this week in Edinburgh, perhaps unsurprisingly given it was the first ever UNESCO City of Literature.
Edinburgh International Book Festival Tickets go on sale
Tickets for the Edinburgh International Book Festival (which is on from 10 – 26 August) go on sale on Friday morning at 8:30am so if you want to see some of your literary heroes in the flesh, better get in there quick (I believe tickets sell out very quickly).
The Scottish Book Trust have also announced that the New Writers Awards 2014 are now open for applications.
And now on to the four most inspiring events I could find this week:
Literary Salon – 6pm, Tuesday 25th June, Wash Bar
The Book Festival’s Director Nick Barley will be talking about this year’s event at tonight’s Edinburgh Literary Salon at The Wash Bar from 6pm. For more information on the LitSalon you can read this excellent intro on Canongate’s blog. Whilst I can’t make it tonight, I’ve been before and I can concur that it’s a friendly, laid-back evening.
Inky Fingers Open Mic 8pm – 11pm, Tuesday 25th June, Serenity Café, 8 Jackson Entry
For those who are itching to perform their latest wordsmithery, the Inky Fingers Open Mic looks like a great option. Not only is it free, but they have a very open policy – it’s “free for anyone to perform, regardless of style, experience, or identity.”
It might be a little late to book a place for this month’s event, as they ask that people email in advance to be sure of a slot – but it’s a good chance to get a feel for things first.
Lach’s Antihoot Radio Night 8pm, Wednesday 26th June, Henry’s Cellar Bar, 16 Morrison Street
It’s still kind of hard to believe that the founder of the famed NYC antifolk movement is now living in Scotland’s Capital, and putting on a weekly show no less (here’s something I wrote about him a few years back). Promising music and comedy in the style of a radio show, I predict a messy but entertaining night at everyone’s favourite ‘burgh dive bar.
Neu! Reekie! 35, 7pm, Friday 28th June, Summerhall
“Heating things up with a fire-blazing feast of spoken word – film – animation and music fusions.
Plus a medley of animations curated just for the occasion!”
Neu! Reekie! co-founder Michael Pedersen’s interpretation of an Enrique Iglesias lyric at last week’s Glug Edinburgh was the undoubted highlight of the evening (see more photos from the event here).
They’ve had some amazing line-ups in the past, which makes me wonder just what I was thinking by not going sooner. Maybe this week I’ll finally manage it.. I’d definitely advise you to do so as the line-up includes Vic Godard, Momus and a raft of talented poets.
Let me know if there’s anything I’ve missed!
Clear-Minded Creative 