Established in 2021 by producer and director Jenny Niven and Kevin Williamson (Neu Reekie!, Rebel Inc.), Push the Boat Out is Edinburgh's international poetry festival. The 2023 festival will be held at Summerhall from 24-26 November.
Live Poetry Scenes
Catherine Wilson Garry Leyla Josephine Jo Gilbert Degna Stone
Date: Friday 24 November 2023
Time: 1.30pm to 2.20pm
Price: Free, Ticketed
Venue: Main Hall
Book online
Discover what’s what and who’s who in the live poetry scenes of Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Newcastle in this informative panel that is sure to inspire you to join in with what’s going on or spot a gap and start something new.
Chaired by Catherine Wilson Garry of Rock the Boat, this panel will feature Degna Stone, Leyla Josephine and Jo Gilbert. They will share what they are up to in their home cities, exploring how they are building community around poetry and supporting themselves and others to develop as poets. They will share top tips about producing local live poetry events and take your questions.
Book online and find more information.
Hair
Push the Boat Out presents: Film Screening and Panel Talk
Your Local Arena: Hair
Featuring Hannah McGill, Nadine Aisha Jassat, Joanna Bourke, Khadijah Ibrahiim and Francesca Beard
Date: Saturday 25 November 2023
Time: 12.15pm to 2pm
Price: £10/£8 (£0 with Festival Pass)
Venue: Red Lecture Theatre
Book online
Delve into the BBC archives in this screening of pioneering film Hair. From quiffs to mohicans, from hot wax to Brylcreem, from blue rinses to dreadlocks to shaved off altogether, this film takes a fascinating look at how hair shapes and expresses who we are and what we stand for.
After the screening, former artistic director of the Edinburgh International Film Festival Hannah McGill will talk to award-winning author Nadine Aisha Jassat, dynamic writer Khadijah Ibrahiim and esteemed former Professor of History at Birkbeck Joanna Bourke about all things ‘hair’ and its importance past, present and future. Poet Francesca Beard will read a brand-new poem inspired by Hair.
Your Local Arena is a unique project featuring iconic films from the archives of BBC TV’s Arena, the pioneering cultural documentary series. It includes new poems inspired by the Arena films and panel talks to explore the continuing relevance of the Arena archives today. The Your Local Arena concept was developed by Lucy Hannah and Speaking Volumes, with Arena’s award-winning director/editor Anthony Wall as creative consultant, and funded by Arts Council England. Find out about the Hair Workshop Event here.
