There has been talk about having a Rugby Literary Festival for a while and in the planning of the Alex event we became aware of quite how broad the spread of writer-artist talents are locally. This event has been an opportunity to work with Pete Boyce's Traditional Storytelling colleagues (Mark Steinhardt and Stephen Hobbs) to offer a workshop and evening performances on Friday 18th October.
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We then go into overdrive on the Saturday with our Artists and Makers Show and Tell. Seven performances in six hours. Readings by authors from children's books to horror stories, poetry ranging from Dadaist art books to spoken word poets. The programme for the show and tell on Saturday is:
Steve Davies, translation of a Dadaist art book (10-10.45)
IJE, slam poetry - this should wake us up! (10.45-11.30)
Terri Brown, horror read by a voiceover artist
(11.30-12.15)
Luke Hartnack, poetry and also his bicycle book stall (12.15-1.00)
Break before start of children's book section
Nicky Luntley
(1.15-2.00) reading Michael Luntley's books based on her charcters.
Jessica Hartshorn (2.00-2.45) children's book author and illustrator
Break to move back into horror!
Tanya Lloyd-White (TR Hitchman), reading from her Little Bird horror story (3.00-3.45).
Tight timings and we will keep within timings as much as possible so you don't miss the act you want to hear. All these authors will have books for sale and be available to sign and talk after their performances (which are 30 mins long with 15 mins for Q&A and changeover). Its practically Hay on Wye!
As an added extra if visiting the Alex note that Sue Phan (who gave us Vietnamese Street Food during Heritage Open Days) will be pop up chef and is planning sushi and rice balls. Yum. A total feast for the senses.
The programme for the festival (giving an overview of all the activity) is here.
Thank you to all the many people around Rugby who have helped make this happen. Please come and support as many of these events as you can!