Lancaster LitFest 2017 celebrates its 38th year throughout March with a fabulously varied programme of events celebrating writers and writing – and you can download the programme here.
The first weekend (March 4 + 5) starts off bigger on the inside with a fantastic Doctor Who-flavoured event (cosplay invited) with Eddie Robson and Paul Magrs at the Shire Hall. The following day brings you Louise Gornall and Liz Flannagan, nominated for the Lancashire Book of the Year, hosted by Chris Moore, who will also lead a ‘book blogging’ workshop in the afternoon.
In partnership with The Dukes, More Music and Lancaster Arts at Lancaster University 15 March brings “Beyond the Water’s Edge”, a poetic telling of stories from around the world; the hugely-popular Scottish National Poet Jackie Kay (18 March); an evening of creative translation with the International Man Booker Prize (22 March) and the amazing Sarah Howe (23 March). Expect more poetic delights in LitFest’s full-day poetry event on 25 March which will include Polly Atkin (launching her first collection), Philip Burton, Gill Lambert, Kim Moore, Hannah Lowe and Patience Agbabi.
This year LitFest is also including opportunities for you to come and read at The Gregson Centre. The Litfest Homebake (11 March) offers local writers space to present their contributions from across all genres – poems, prose, storytelling, jokes, memories. Whether you are interested in a ten minute reading slot or you want to experience some of the best new talent, everyone is invited! Bring your words, your ears and your cakes!
April Poets (9 March) present an afternoon writing workshop and another eclectic night of poetry and music: touching on the real, the near, the far and the dead, and offering an open mic slot.
Spotlight (17 March), now in its 21st year of showcasing local arts every month, will be compered by Edinburgh Fringe favourite Kriss Foster, featuring Spotlight’s current ‘Listening to Youth’ project. FYI, the last tryout left for this event will be in Carnforth this Saturday 25 February, unless you can get to the Gregson in the next half hour (Tuesday 6.30pm). www.spotlightlancaster.co.uk.
And finally Litfest welcomes back favourites Jo Baker (24 March) and Jacqueline Harris (26 March). Jo will look at the current popularity of Jane Austen and her influence on new writing, using her own ‘Longbourn’ as an example. Jacqueline will hold us spellbound with a collection of tales with a Nordic flavour, accompanied by the outstanding cellist Maja Bugge and the beautiful artwork of Jackie Morris.
LitFest is looking forward to welcoming you to as many events as possible. And if you enjoy the festival, you are also invited to volunteer to help Litfest to continue in its mission to bring the very best of well-known and emerging talent to Lancaster audiences.
Download the Litfest 2017 PDF Programme