Mary Irvine’s Blog: Open Mic at the Balloch House Hotel

This event just gets better each time it’s ‘on’. A year from its conception by Ann MacKinnon, George Gibson and Mary Irvine we are now at the stage where people are booking slots in advance, although we do try to reserve a few for ‘first-timers’. There has been quite a few of those lately. Apart from attracting the local writing talent – of which there are many – we have had visitors from across the border (Helensburgh and Cove) and the far reaches of Glasgow. There is usually a ‘headline’ act after the break and everyone invited has so far agreed, and often return to book a slot. A big Thank You is due to all of them. The content of the readings is eclectic, poems, prose, articles, funny (sometimes scurrilous), serious – in English or Scots. What is rewarding most of all is the comment that we are such a welcoming group which makes for a pleasant and entertaining night out. People are even turning up just to listen.
Where and When
Taking place in the pleasant function room of the Balloch House Hotel we meet every first Monday of the month apart from Bank holiday Mondays*. Slots are bookable from 6.15 p.m. and we start promptly at 7 p.m. We used to finish around 9 p. m. but the finish time is slowly becoming later… Says it all!
*For further info: re bank Holidays or any other queries please email Mary at alexwriters1@gmail
This section: Books, Talks, Poetry and Creative Writing Events
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Great event. Enjoyed the local talent. 🙂