The art work for “Small Expectations” was created by Douglas Robertson who will also launch the book at the Bedales Gallery in Hampshire where he is holding a private viewing of “The Net Mender” his latest exhibition of specially commissioned box constructions and drawings, which includes the original art work for the book. Douglas is himself no stranger to Shetland having exhibited and run workshops here in the past. Nor is he a stranger to collaborating with poets, having worked with, amongst others, Jen Hadfield, Christine de Luca, Andrew Phillip and Kevin MacNeil. Speaking about the launch he said, “I thought Donald’s idea of the simultaneous event and readings was an excellent way to launch the book, particularly as it will include superb readers and singers from several islands. I am very pleased and privileged to be able to play a part in the launch by exhibiting the original cover artwork as part of my exhibition”

As well as the launch of “Small Expectations”, the event will also be a celebration of the languages of the Islands of Scotland’s edge and will feature readings in Gaelic, Shetland Dialect and Orkney Dialect, by writers such as Myles Campbell from Skye, Morag MacInnes from Orkney, John Murray from Lewis and James Sinclair from Lerwick. The launch will include a performance by Donald Anderson of two songs co-written with Donald S Murray. There will also be Gaelic songs contributed by Ryno Morrison and the renowned traditional Gaelic singer, Mairi Smith.

Murray will read a selection of poems and stories from “Small Expectations”, his fourth book, which has already garnered some excellent reviews and has been hailed by no less a commentator than James Robertson (author of “The Testament of Gideon Mack” and “The Fanatic”), as “…fine, assured writing, full of contradictions, dichotomies and ironies.”

Speaking about the launch, Mr Murray from the Port of Ness in the Butt of Lewis, now a resident of Shetland said, “ I am delighted to have been given the opportunity to launch this book in so many places at once, and I would especially like to thank the UHI and especially the technical staff of Shetland College, The Millennium Institute in Inverness, Lewis Castle College in Stornoway, Orkney College in Kirkwall and Sabhal Mor Ostaig in Skye for their support. I think that it is great that people from different areas around the edges of Scotland, who nevertheless have so much in common in terms of their experiences and culture should be enabled in coming together to celebrate both their commonality and their diversity.”

Tuesday 10th November will see the launch of a poetry anthology published in memory of, and in tribute to, the late Adrian Mitchell aka the Shadow Poet Laureate, who died in December 2008. The event will take place in Shetland Library and will begin at 7.30pm. An invitation is extended to all who will be made welcome at the event.

Adrian: Scotland Remembers Adrian Mitchell is published by Markings and edited by John Hudson and Chrys Salt. It features contributions from some of Scotland’s major poets, including Liz Lochead, Jackie Kay, Bill Herbert. Kevin MacNeil and Edwin Morgan also contribute introductions as well as poetry. The anthology also features work by people who knew Adrian, including Sir Paul McCartney. John Hudson is Shetland Arts’ Writer in Residence for November and, along with others, will take part in readings from the anthology. He will also talk about the book and how it came to be.

From a Shetland point of view, Kevin’s introduction is particularly poignant, given that it is largely drawn from his introduction of Adrian to the large audience at Wordplay 2008. In fact Adrian’s memorable performance at Wordplay, and his month long stint as Writer in Residence with Shetland Arts were to be his last major engagements because of the pneumonia, diagnosed on his return to London. Writer in Residence, John Hudson said “I feel honoured to be following in the footsteps of Adrian Mitchell in taking up the post of Writer in Residence in Shetland. Adrian was a mate of mine and a fabulous writer. When he died I was left shocked and deeply saddened. I immediately set about putting together a published tribute from Scottish writers among whom Shetland Arts’ own Donald Anderson features. It’s particularly fitting that we are launching the anthology here in Shetland so swiftly after our debut at the Scottish Poetry Library in Edinburgh and in my own home, Galloway, where Adrian was our special guest in 2007. I hope those who knew, met or respected the work of Adrian Mitchell will be able to attend this special event.”

The launch, which is organised by Shetland Arts and Shetland Library, in association with Markings Publishing, is free. Copies of the Adrian: Scotland Remembers Adrian Mitchell will be available to buy at the event.
Doors open at 7pm.

As ever, it’s a packed program featuring some of the best music Shetland has to offer throughout each day and evening. For the full lineup visit www.flavourofshetland.com/music

Some of the many highlights I’m looking forward to include…

Fullsceilidh Spelemannslag, who are making two appearances this year; tonight at 22.00 and Saturday at 17.30 where they will release their new album. Entitled “Spreefix”, the recording was produced by omni-talented Jonathan Ritch (of Fiddlers’ Bid fame) at Wethersta Studio outside Brae.

Friday night is sure to be a spree with The Revellers and Hom Bru headlining.

Norman and the Folding Deck Chairs, Shetland’s young jazz prodigies take to the stage at noon on Saturday, with The Vinyls and Scaldin Bragg closing proceedings in the evening.

To round things off, Sunday afternoon features a bouquet of Shetland’s finest females singers including Sheila Henderson, Izzy Swanson (Mahogany), Freda Leask and Young Musician of the Year Erin Sandison.

Notable this year is the number of bands playing acoustic sets, in part due to Shetland’s most pervasive drummer, Archer Kemp, breaking his elbow a few weeks ago (wishing you a speedy recovery Archer).

See you on the pier…

Here’s a photo slideshow, which will be updated throughout the weekend, courtesy of Marvin Smith

• 11.00 – Brack da Bröd
• 11.30 – Lerwick Brass Band
• 12.00 – Sheila Henderson
• 13.00 – Rummle
• 14.00 – Donald Anderson Band
• 15.00 – Scaldin Bragg