DATE: Wednesday 14th August
TIME: 8pm event start, 7:30 to sign up for open mic*
LOCATION: East Quay Kitchen
This is FREE event. Please book a free ticket in advance.
*Arrive at 7:30pm to sign up for an open mic slot, assigned on a first come first serve basis
Join us for a night of poetry and music, exploring the themes of heritage and place. This open mic event will launch Olivia Douglass' new project, Home Soil, which invites writers of all abilities to take part in weekly workshops, delving into an exploration of place and heritage. Delivered in partnership with Historic England, East Quay Watchet, and Somerset African Caribbean Network, Home Soil focuses on unearthing diverse rural histories and experiences by connecting communities through the craft of writing.
This free open mic event will launch the project, featuring readings from poets Olivia Douglass and Saili Katebe.
BIOS
Olivia Douglass is a British-Nigerian writer, poet and artist. They are the winner of The Guardian and 4th Estate 4th Write Prize 2022 with their short story ‘Ink’. They are the author of two poetry pamphlets, Unruly Blood with Little Betty Press (2024) and Slow Tongue, self-published (2018). Olivia debuted their poetic performance project Ordinary Dreams at the Tate Modern in the Turbine Hall in 2024, and was shortlisted for the Rebecca Swift Foundation Women Poets’ Prize 2020. A Barbican Young Poets alumni, their writing has appeared in publications including the Guardian, Montez Press, National Poetry Library, bathmagg, and Nothing Personal. Olivia has an MSt in Creative Writing from the University of Oxford, and is currently working across multiple genres.
Saili Katebe is a writer, performer and workshop facilitator. Born in Zambia and now based in the South West of England, his work celebrates language and the power of story. Author of his debut poetry Pamphlet, “Katabasis”, published by Frosted Fire Press. His work has been featured on BBC Arts and BBC Radio Bristol Bristol. From commissions to collaboration, he looks for opportunities to explore and express the nuances of moving through the world.
Historic England is the public body that helps people care for, enjoy and celebrate England's spectacular historic environment.
Somerset African Caribbean Network, bring African and Caribbean communities together to connect and campaign.
WORKSHOPS
Home Soil is a new writing workshop series and publication by writer, poet and artist Olivia Douglass. Rooted in the West Country, the project invites writers of all abilities to take part in weekly workshops which delve into an exploration of place and heritage. Delivered in partnership with Historic England, East Quay Watchet, and Somerset African Caribbean Network, Home Soil focuses on unearthing diverse rural histories and experiences by connecting communities through the craft of writing.
Each workshop is led by a writer from the West Country and focuses on a different genre. This interdisciplinary approach aims to offer participants a wide engagement with craft. The theme of Home Soil prompts contemplation on ideas of belonging and place, and participants are encouraged to reflect on their connection to rural landscapes and histories.
Participants from the global majority and LGBTQ+ communities are encouraged to apply.
HOME SOIL WORKSHOP SCHEDULE
- Poetry with Olivia Douglass
Tuesday 27 August, at 7pm
- Theatre Making with Malaika Kegode
Tuesday 3 September, at 7pm
- Fiction with Varaidzo
Tuesday 10 September, at 7pm
Find out more and book onto the workshops here: https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/home-soil-writing-workshops-3415549
Please book your free ticket for the launch event via the link below:
