Kicking off the two-and-a-bit day book bonanza, on Friday 2^nd September, will be Mark Kermode. The leading film critic, writer and broadcaster will talk about his new book, “The Good, The Bad and the Multiplex”, answer questions and sign books. Mark is also co-curator of Screenplay 2011, Shetland’s 5^th Annual Film Festival.

Friday evening will also see the Launch of Ecstatics: A Language of Birds, a collaboration between artist Laura Drever and poet Lesley Harrison.  The book is published by Brae editions and the the publisher acknowledges financial support from Creative Scotland. The festival will also feature an exhibition of Laura’s original artwork for the book. Publisher, Alistair Peebles will also present an illustrated talk, entitled, “Up The Brae! Adventures in Small Press Publishing.” The evening’s fare will be rounded off by “Horseplay”, the book and film based Improv Show starring, Allen Chalmers, Sandy Nelson and Raymond Mearns, three of Scotland’s most talented comedians.

The spirit of Wordplay has always been one of participation, and there is plenty for folks of all ages to get stuck into. Saturday morning will see two writing workshops: one run by poet David Wheatley, for poets, entitled “Poetry & Place”. The other run by Roger Hutchinson, author of “Calum’s Road”: “Local People, Local Places” will encourage writers to use local and family history as a starting place for their writing. Another book related workshop will be run by Carol Dunbar, Education Officer at the Pier art Centre in Stromness. This all day workshop will introduce simple book binding techniques, including traditional Japanese stab bindings. Carol will also run a shorter workshop for young people on Sunday 4^th at 3.15pm in which 10-15 year olds will find out how to make a hard-back bound concertina book – no glue, no stitching.

Further workshops include Blast Off! Led by celebrated author and illustrator, Sally Kindberg, who has drawn pictures for three Bloomsbury comic strip books and is currently working on a fourth one about dinosaurs.  The interactive comic strip workshops are suitable for 5-11 year olds and will run on both Saturday and Sunday.

Also for young people (7-12), will be “If I Can Write, You Can Write’, which will feature, perennial children’s favourite, Viv French who will be running an interactive session, in which she will talk about her series, “Tales From the Five Kingdoms”. Viv will also run a workshop for adults about writing fiction for children.

One of the three makars, is Magi Gibson, the first Stirling Makar for 3oo years, who also writes under the name Maggi Gibson for young people. Maggi will run an event for 8-13 year olds, featuring the fun and feisty “Seriously Sassy” books, published by Puffin. She will also appear with her partner, the comic novelist Ian Macpherson, in BeMUSed, an entertaining session of poetry and stories, which will round off the entertainment on Saturday.

The festival line up is rich with poets, many who are also celebrated as writers in other forms. Making his first appearance at the festival is Simon Armitage CBE, the poet, novelist and broadcaster whose event will take place on Saturday afternoon. The multi award-winning writer will read from his work and answer questions from the audience.

Another celebrated writer, poet and dramatist, Liz Lochhead, Scotand’s Makar is making a very welcome return to the UK’s most northerly book festival. As well as reading from her work, Liz will be in conversation with broadcaster James Naughtie, making his first appearance at Wordplay.

James Naughtie, has one of the best known voices on Radio, presenting Today and Bookclub for BBC Radio 4. James’s session, on Sunday afternoon, is entitled, “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Studio”.

Andrew Greig will need little introduction, as a poet and novelist of renown. He will appear alongside his friend Ron Butlin, the Edinburgh Makar, a novelist of international renown and a celebrated librettist.  Mr Greig will also appear in “At The Loch of the Green Corrie”, talking about the life and work of another of his friends, the late, great Norman MacCaig. Poetry will also feature on Sunday afternoon with a joint reading by David Wheatley, one of Ireland’s finest contemporary poets, who will be joined by Scotland’s very own John Glenday.

The festival also features novelist and broadcaster, Jonathan Meades. As well as an appearance by the man himself, in which he will read from the book he is currently working on and speak more generally about places and their relationship to fiction there will be screenings of two of his films, “The Isle of Rust” and “Surrealism”.

The relationship between Islands and both fiction and non-fiction is the subject of another session featuring journalist and author of best selling “Calum’s Road” Roger Hutchinson and the celebrated novelist, poet (and organic gardener) Margaret Elphinstone.

Shetland has a vibrant writing community, which is reflected in several of the events, including the Shetland launch of “These Islands We Sing” (Polygon 2011) edited Kevin MacNeil and featuring no less than twenty one poets, either native to Shetland, and/or currently living here. The event will feature Kevin himself, Alex Cluness, Lise Sinclair, and Roseanne Watt.

Lise Sinclair a poet and song writer from Fair Isle will also playing a few songs from her current work in progress, “A Time To Keep”, a cycle of songs inspired by George Mackay Brown’s book of the same title which she is writing with Icelandic composer Astvaldur Traustasson. Lise’s project has received support from both Creative Scotland and Scotland’s Islands.

Launching her first novel, “And Then Forever” (Shetland Times 2011) is another native of Shetland, Christine De Luca, who has also has five collections of poetry published. Christine is also an active member of Shore Poets, Edinburgh and a member of Hansel Co-operative Press.

Hansel Cooperative Press is a not-for-profit cooperative for writers and artists, which promotes literary and artistic works relating to Orkney and Shetland. The festival will host the launch of their new publication, a translation by William (Billy) Tait’s of Francois Villon’s “Grand Testament” which will feature readings by local broadcaster, Mary Blance and poet Jim Mainland as well as contributions by another local poet and scholar, Mark Ryan Smith and the Archivist, Brian Smith.

Another feature of Wordplay over the last few years, has been the Prize Giving for the Shetland Young Writers Award. The competition, now run by Shetland Library has been going for twenty years.

Wordplay also has a long history of supporting Shetland Dialect and Shetland writing and this year sees the showing of an exciting new multi media production, “Kirsty and Da Snarravoe Njuggle”. The show will feature a mixture of live acting, original film sequences and shadow puppetry. This project is funded by Scotland’s Islands and run by Shetland Islands Council’s Creative Links and Drama Co-ordinator.

After the procession is over, and the last torch thrown into the burning galley then continue your night’s entertainment by heading to the Garrison Theatre.

Sandy will be accompanied by two other professional comedians, Mark Nelson, Scottish Comedian of the Year 2006 and frequent performer at the Stand Comedy Club (you can view a video of Mark Nelson on YouTube), and Raymond Mearns, actor, comedian and compere, at the Stand in Glasgow.

Both Sandy and Raymond are regular contributors to Radio Scotland’s Fred Macauley Show. Raymond appeared in the BAFTA award winning short Home, directed by Morag McKinnon, and It’s A Free World and Ae Fond Kiss both directed by Ken Loach. In 2008 he appeared in Rab C Nesbitt’s Christmas Special and played Happy Boab in the BBC Scotland sitcom Legit.

Raymond is due to appear in all six episodes of this year’s Limmy’s Show and in One Night in Emergency, both for BBC Scotland. Also look out for his role in the national TV advert for ‘Cheesestrings!’

So instead of dancing the night away among the Vikings and cartoon characters of Lerwick’s squads, laugh your way by taking a rare opportunity to enjoy some of Scotland’s top funny men at The Garrison Theatre on the last Tuesday in January – 26th.

The show begins at 9pm with doors open from 8.30pm. Tickets can be bought from Shetland Box Office, at Islesburgh Community Centre, 01595 745555 and are priced £10. Please note the recommended audience age is 16 and up!

The 2009 Shetland Guitar Festival will take place between Friday 18th and Sunday 20th September with concerts in Unst, Lerwick, Brae and Bigton, educational events in schools throughout Shetland and the Classic Guitar Show and Trade Fair on Sunday 20th in Islesburgh Centre.

Known locally as the “Peerie Willie” Guitar Festival, the Shetland Arts event is dedicated to the memory of the late Peerie Willie Johnson, the highly regarded Shetland guitarist who pioneered the jazz influenced accompaniment style now prevalent in traditional Shetland music. Willie was influenced by the jazz musicians he heard on the radio as a young man, particularly guitarist Django Reinhardt, and this years festival has a “Gypsy Jazz” theme as tribute.

The festival gives audiences a chance to experience world-class performers playing a variety of styles on one of the world’s most popular and versatile instruments. As well as the visiting artists, the festival line up boasts some exceptional local players and young up and coming musicians.

Visiting artists

Visiting artists include: Lulo Reinhardt, great grandnephew of the late great Django; Itamar Erez, an Israeli guitarist, pianist and composer; Brian Gore, an American steel strung acoustic player; and Havana Swing, a Scottish ‘Hot Jazz’ quintet featuring three guitars, double bass and clarinet. Visit the Shetland Guitar Festival page for more information.

Concerts

On Friday 18th in the Garrison Theatre, Lerwick, Lulo Reinhardt, Itamar Erez and Brian Gore will play a range of solo, duet and trio pieces. The three guitarists are currently on tour together under the International Guitar Night moniker, a project that aims to bring together interesting and innovative guitarists to exchange musical ideas, highlighting the virtuosity and diversity within the world of acoustic guitar. Young local guitarists Adam Johnson from Brae and Jonny Polson from Lerwick will support them.

The festival will also be heading north to Baltasound Hall on Friday 18th where Havana Swing will perform their trademark brand of ‘Hot Club de Paris’ inspired jazz. They will be supported by last year’s Young Fiddler of the Year Maggie Adamson accompanied by well-known local guitarist Brian Nicholson, and young Unst guitarist Megan Burns who recently won over the crowds with her performance at UnstFest. The concert will be hosted by Unst based comedian and guitarist Sandy Nelson.

Then it’s south on Saturday 19th to the Bigton Hall where Lulo Reinhardt and Itamar Erez will headline, with support from Norman Goudie and Friends, a band rumoured to include prominent local musicians and jazz stalwarts Jack Robertson and Drew Robertson.

In Lerwick on Saturday 19th, in the opulent surroundings of Lerwick Town Hall, audiences will have another chance to see Havana Swing perform, supported by Maggie Adamson and Brian Nicholson.

Also on Saturday 19th, in the Long Room of Busta House Hotel, there will be a special acoustic performance by Brian Gore and Shetland Young Musician of the Year, singer Erin Sandison. The two musicians have been collaborating on songs by exchanging musical ideas across the Atlantic via the Internet and the Busta concert will be the first time they have played together. They will be supported by Adam Johnson and Jonny Polson.

All concerts except the Garrison Theatre will have bar facilities and under 16s must be accompanied by an adult.

Tickets

Tickets costing £12 (£10 concessions) for all concerts are available from festival sponsors High Level Music, 1 Gardie Court, Lerwick, 01595 692 618 and Shetland Box Office, Islesburgh Community Centre, Lerwick – 01595 745 555. Box Office customers can buy tickets by credit card over the phone and collect them at the venue.

Classic Guitar Show and Trade Fair

As part of this year’s festival, the first Shetland Classic Guitar Show and Trade Fair will be held on Sunday 20th September. The show will feature a range of guitars including vintage, historically significant, hand made and unusual instruments. The trade fair will give visitors a chance to try out guitars, amps and effects pedals from manufacturers including Skyinbow, Moon Guitars, Ibanez and Fender. There will also be workshops hosted by artists performing at this year’s festival and an open stage concert to allow Shetland’s aspiring young guitarists to take to the stage and show off their skills. To exhibit guitars or perform on the open stage contact Bryan Peterson at Shetland Arts on 01595 743 843 or Brian Nicholson at High Level Music on 01595 692 618

There will be a £2 entry charge payable at the door.

High Level Music and the Research Fishing Company sponsor the Shetland Guitar Festival

Clickimin Comedy poster

As part of Creative Connections 2009 Shetland Arts is staging “Clickimin Comedy”, a stand up comedy night on Friday 7th August at 8.30pm in the Clickimin Centre, Lerwick.

The line up comprises visiting comedians Michael Redmond, Steven Dick and Eilidh MacAskill together with local comedian Les Sinclair and compère Sandy Nelson.

Nelson, himself a stand up comedian and comedy actor who has appeared in shows such as ‘Still Game’ and films including ‘Braveheart’ said “It’s great to see so much interest in Stand Up Comedy in Shetland. The last two gigs I did up here, ‘Stand Up At Sound’ and ‘Stand Up Helly Aa’, were a hoot and the audience loved them, so it’s great to be stepping it up a little by bringing such a legend of the stand up circuit as Michael Redmond. I mean he was in Father Ted! I’m so looking forward to it.”

Michael Redmond

Michael Redmond

Not many people who have been struck by lightning and lived to tell the tale. While this may not have actually happened to Michael Redmond himself, it is a fate that befell his character Father Stone – one of the more memorable creations of Channel 4′s classic comedy series ‘Father Ted’.

A skilled writer and performer, Michael started his career scripting comedy for Irish radio and television. He moved to London in 1987 and quickly established himself as a firm favourite on the comedy circuit, headlining at clubs throughout the UK and later developing his own one-man standup shows. A regular at major comedy festivals, Michael has performed a number of successful solo shows at the Edinburgh Fringe, including ‘Eamon, Older Brother of Jesus’, which was later developed as a series for BBC Radio 4. He now lives in Edinburgh and hosts a regular Sunday-night gig at The Stand comedy club there.

In addition to his live and radio performances, Michael has appeared on a number of high profile TV shows, including ‘Comedy Nation’, ‘Friday Night Live’, ‘The Stand Up Show’, ‘Clive Anderson Talks Back’, ‘Just for Laughs’ and ‘Father Ted’.

• “Excellent, deadpan dry wit” – Guardian
• “hilarious…. a great comedian” – Scotsman
• Michael Redmond – Friday Night Live (YouTube)

Steven Dick

Steven Dick

Steven Dick is one of Scotland’s most entertaining and in demand comedy magicians. He frequently performs at Scotland’s main comedy clubs and is a regular act and compère at The Stand in Glasgow and Edinburgh. He has performed for five consecutive years at the Edinburgh Fringe, and two years at the Glasgow Comedy Festival.

As well as his live shows which incorporate stand up comedy and slight of hand magic, he is an active comedy writer having had material broadcast on TV shows including ‘Have I got News for You’,’ Mock The Week’, ‘8 Out of 10 Cats’, ‘They Think It’s All Over’, ‘The Craig Hill Show’, ‘The Karen Dunbar Show’ and ‘Chewin’ The Fat’

• “Some expertly timed sleight of hand tricks that truly sparkle. With this kind of polished timing and winning enthusiasm Dick is a born performer who will appeal to audiences across the board. Marvellous.” – Scotsman
• “It’s impossible not to laugh” – Daily Record
• “This is one performer whose hype you can believe” – Sunday Times

Eilidh MacAskill

Eilidh MacAskill

Glasgow based Eilidh MacAskill will be supporting with her witty blend of song, stand-up, storytelling and ukelele playing.

Recently Eilidh set herself the challenge of playing at least one ukelele concert per day for a year under the ‘Eilidh’s Daily Ukelele Ceilidh’ moniker, performing in taxis, clubs, village halls, galleries, comedy clubs and on TV and radio. Eilidh has travelled from London to New York to Nova Scotia to Inverurie performing her songs, stand-up and stories with her trusty tiny guitar.

Eilidh is also part of the ‘Fish & Game’ performance group who create works ranging from studio shows, mock symposia to country fete style events as well as a Scottish tour with their hilarious take on Scottishness and Happiness, Otter Pie.

• “Like a ginger Julie Andrews” – Scotland on Sunday
• “Scotland’s most prolific ukulele proponent” – The Evening Times

Les Sinclair

Shetland based comedian Les Sinclair first trod the boards at Shetland Arts Stand Up At Sound event last year. Since then Les has gone on to perform locally at events such as stand ‘Up Helly Aa’ and comedy clubs around mainland UK.

Bryan Peterson from Shetland Arts added, “Michael, Steven and Eilidh are really looking forward to visiting Shetland. They’re going to stay on for a holiday in the isles before heading to their shows at the Edinburgh Fringe”

Tickets £12 /£10 – now on sale at Shetland Box Office, Islesburgh Community Centre, Lerwick – 01595 745555.