Balloch Open Mic Blog: A New Kid On The Block
Martin Goldie Despite only writing poetry for just over a year, sixty two year old Martin Goldie, has had poems published in ‘Writer’s Forum’ and the Scottish Poetry Publication ‘Wee Dreich and Dreich.’ He enjoys reading his poems live and online and regularly participates in live and zoom open mic events, including the Balloch Open […]
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Monday, December 27, 2021 | Filed under: Blog: Balloch Open Mic, Books, Talks, Poetry and Creative Writing Events
Balloch Open Mic: News From Our Headliners
Ever wondered what happened to the Old Bloke who went running? You know, the one who, conscious of his own mortality, decided to get fit by running. I haven’t been stalking him or anything like that but social media suggested he was still around and busy pursuing his many talents, writing, playing music, taking superb […]
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Sunday, December 12, 2021 | Filed under: Blog: Balloch Open Mic
Balloch Open Mic Blog: Interview with Evelyn Lawrie
‘Gie Me a Word’ Mary Irvine interviews debut author and regular supporter of Balloch Open Mic, Evelyn Lawrie. Where were you born/brought up? I was born and brought up in Bonhill in 1936. I went to Bonhill Primary and then the Vale of Leven Academy. Christie Primary School, in Middleton Street, was the original Academy. […]
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Monday, November 29, 2021 | Filed under: Blog: Balloch Open Mic, Books, Talks, Poetry and Creative Writing Events
Balloch Open Mic 6th December, 2021
Headline Act Stephen Watt Stephen Watt is a poet from Dumbarton. Since 2016 he has been Dumbarton FC’s Poet-in-Residence. Stephen has produced five collections of his poetry and has edited 2 punk poetry collections on behalf of The Joe Strummer Foundation and Buzzcocks. He was the first “crime poet” to perform at Bloody Scotland Crime […]
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Saturday, November 13, 2021 | Filed under: Blog: Balloch Open Mic
Balloch Open Mic Newsletter November 2021
Quote for November: ‘Keep your heart clear and transparent, and you will never be bound.’ Ryokan Because of Covid concerns at the Balloch House Hotel the November Open Mic was moved to a zoom event, which was well attended. The Open Mic started off with The Wish’ by Graham (Morgan). Powerful, beautiful written and delivered […]
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Ann McLaren at Balloch Open Mic 1 November, 2021
Monday, 1 November, 2021 at 7 p.m. Next Open Mic will be Monday, November 1st when the headliner will be Ann MacLaren. Ann’s short stories have appeared in anthologies by the Association for Scottish Literary Studies, Scottish Book Trust, Federation of Writers (Scotland) and Scottish Association of Writers. The author of Handle with Care and Other […]
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Friday, October 29, 2021 | Filed under: Blog: Balloch Open Mic, Books, Talks, Poetry and Creative Writing Events
Balloch Open Mic Blog: Dora Wright
Dora Wright has been a stalwart supporter of the Open Mic at the Balloch House Hotel from the beginning. She is also a member of the Leven Litts and Clydebank groups of writers. Mary Irvine’s Interview with Dora When did you start writing Poetry? I started writing poetry after a bad fall, when I fell […]
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Tuesday, September 28, 2021 | Filed under: Blog: Balloch Open Mic, Books, Talks, Poetry and Creative Writing Events, Pat's Home Page Blog
Balloch Open Mic returns to Balloch House Hotel
Monday, 6th September, 2021 at 7 p.m. Delighted to announce that Balloch Open Mic will resume as normal. Come along early to Balloch House Hotel and book your 5 minute slot. No headliner for this event. Will be brilliant to see, and hear, all the usual suspects. Thanks for participating on Zoom. See you on […]
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Wednesday, August 18, 2021 | Filed under: Blog: Balloch Open Mic, Books, Talks, Poetry and Creative Writing Events, What's On Glasgow West End: cinema, clubs, theatre, music, events, festivals, community and more
Balloch Open Mic– Steven Hastings
The following was written by Steven Hastings who has been supporting Balloch Open Mic zoom meetings on a regular basis. Thank you for sharing, Steven. Steven Hastings – My Poetry I write poetry but not sure if I’m a poet. I write my poems and then type them. Sometimes I start by putting a word […]
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Friday, August 13, 2021 | Filed under: Blog: Balloch Open Mic
Balloch Open Mic on Zoom 5 July, 2021
The first ‘zooming’ of the Balloch House Hotel Open Mic took place in June. It was very well attended with both readers and ‘listeners’. The July Open Mic is next Monday, July 5th, starting at 7 p.m. The first half of the event will comprise prose and poetry readings by a selection of writers who […]
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Friday, July 2, 2021 | Filed under: Blog: Balloch Open Mic
Balloch Open Mic on Zoom
Join Zoom Meeting – Balloch Writers’ Open Mic Headliner is Julie McNeill, prose and poetry writer, The first makar of the SWNT (Scottish Women’s national Football team) Monday 9th Join On Zoom Meeting ID: 868 5436 9222 Passcode: 9XKffC Also performing are: Catriona Malan Steven Hastings Lisa Murray Diane McKee Graham Morgan Ann MacKinnon Dora […]
Balloch Open Mic Mental Health Week – May 2021
Mental Health Awareness Week (www.mentalhealth.org.uk/campaigns/mental-health-awareness-week) Realising it was Mental Health Awareness Week I immediately thought of a book I had read some two years ago and the strong impact it made. Graham Morgan Graham Morgan, MBE, of the Mental Health Commission (Engagement and Participating Office Scotland)> has worked in mental health for 30 years. His […]
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Thursday, May 13, 2021 | Filed under: Blog: Balloch Open Mic, Books, Talks, Poetry and Creative Writing Events, Pat's Home Page Blog
Balloch Open Mic – April Newsletter
Quote for the month: Let your mind wander in the pure and simple. Be one with the infinite. Let all things take their course. Chang Tzu (Chinese philosopher c. 4thC B.C.) Another Month Gone By Another month gone by . . . Some lifting of restrictions but little of no news of when larger groups, […]
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Thursday, April 29, 2021 | Filed under: Blog: Balloch Open Mic
Balloch Open Mic Blog: ‘To whom it may concern –’
A friend recently dropped in a new publication in which she was featured. The book, ‘‘To whom it may concern’ Arbroath Anthology, was a collection of letters of petition to commemorate the 700th Anniversary of the Declaration of Arbroath (April 6th 1320). The Federation of Writers Scotland, who produced this book, decided, as it states […]
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Wednesday, April 14, 2021 | Filed under: Blog: Balloch Open Mic, Books, Talks, Poetry and Creative Writing Events
Balloch Open Mic: Multi-talented Moira McPartlin
(photograph: George Lammie) A friend recently passed on a book ‘The Incomers’ by Moira McPartlin. I had read it a couple of years ago but am now re-reading it. It reminded me of the time I first met Moira which I reveal below. She was due to headline an Open Mic event but… Hopefully she’ll […]
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Friday, March 19, 2021 | Filed under: Blog: Balloch Open Mic, Books, Talks, Poetry and Creative Writing Events
Balloch Open Mic – Interview with Billy Scobie
People often have a strong connection with and a passion for one particular place. Some spend their whole lives in such a place and never feel the need to go elsewhere. In my opinion such a man is Billy Scobie, as his poems reveal and confirm. Some time ago I interviewed Billy via email and […]
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Sunday, March 7, 2021 | Filed under: Blog: Balloch Open Mic, Books, Talks, Poetry and Creative Writing Events
Multi-talented and Versatile – Laura Turnbull Fyfe
Laura jokes that she has a low boredom threshold. Ten years ago, she went part-time as a teacher and since then has honed plate-spinning to a fine art. A mother to five-year old Riley, she also fits in part-time teaching, facilitation of writing communities and leads writing workshops – all around writing her own novels and poetry. […]
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Friday, February 12, 2021 | Filed under: Blog: Balloch Open Mic, Books, Talks, Poetry and Creative Writing Events, Writing
Balloch Open Mic – One From The Archives
Alan Riach – One from the archives . . . The June 2019 Open Mic drew a large crowd. George Gibson’s review says it all. Sometimes when you invite a guest headliner along to the open mic, no matter their reputation, you’re not sure what you’re going to get, except it’s probably going to be […]
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Monday, February 8, 2021 | Filed under: Blog: Balloch Open Mic, Books, Talks, Poetry and Creative Writing Events
Balloch Open Mic – Vale Lad ‘Done Good’ – again
Paul Murdoch, a multi-talented but very modest man I’ll mention a few of his talents on his behalf – writer of children’s/Y.A./Adult books. Singer, songwriter, musician (guitar, keyboard) wild-life photographer and writer, Pictures Screen Writer at SMA Talent. The ‘Stop Press’ news is that Paul has been asked to play in a concert in Holland […]
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Tuesday, January 5, 2021 | Filed under: Blog: Balloch Open Mic, Books, Talks, Poetry and Creative Writing Events
Balloch House Hotel Open Mic (in abeyance)
December, 2020 December is a month of diverse festivities, celebrations and devotional acts. Ann, George and I would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone well, whatever their faith, belief or creed. Below is a selection from some of the regulars at the Open Mic. Thanks to everyone who contributed. Ice on Loch Lomond […]
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Thursday, December 24, 2020 | Filed under: Blog: Balloch Open Mic, Books, Talks, Poetry and Creative Writing Events
Balloch Open Mic: Charlie Gracie
(Image by Isabel Addie) Balloch Open Mic has had some very impressive headline acts. Charlie Gracie was our second headliner. Charlie was originally from Baillieston, Glasgow and now lives on the edge of the Trossachs. His work has appeared in a range of anthologies and journals, with some listed for literary prizes, including the Bath […]
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Saturday, December 12, 2020 | Filed under: Blog: Balloch Open Mic
Balloch Open Mic: Something from the Archives
Balloch Open Mic Blog, November, 2020 Trawling through some past writings I came across the following. Thought it might be of interest to those new to the Open Mic or thinking of paying a visit if/when. (Mary Irvine) Thanks are due to those who came at the beginning and continued to support the event on […]
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Tuesday, November 3, 2020 | Filed under: Blog: Balloch Open Mic, Books, Talks, Poetry and Creative Writing Events
Open Mic at the Balloch House Hotel
Welcome to another ‘first’ for The Balloch Open Mic! Word of mouth, a newsletter, Facebook and now a presence on www.glasgowwstend.co.uk The seed for a local Open Mic was sown in a car journey home from a Glasgow speakeasy. Why was there nowhere nearer? Answer? Do something about it. […]
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Tuesday, October 20, 2020 | Filed under: Blog: Balloch Open Mic
