Building on the success of Open Mouth during The Stove’s Open House events, we are thrilled to welcome back Sindigo and Eryl Shields, alongside curatorial member Martin O’Neill, as they host Brave New Words—a day dedicated to performance poetry and spoken word at The Stove.
Brave New Words features an afternoon of free discussion events, workshops, and one-to-one consultations designed for aspiring performance poets. This is followed in the evening by Dumfries’ first-ever poetry slam, with the winner securing a place in the Scottish Slam Championships in Glasgow!
Whether you’re a seasoned professional or trying it for the first time, we want to hear from you! There are absolutely no restrictions on content.
For full instructions, to participate, or for more information, please email Martin at [email protected].
Discussion Events and Workshops
2:00 PM – 3:00 PM: Sotirius Frantzanas: Democracy – What Does It Mean Now?
Sotirius will lead a discussion on the meaning of democracy in the 21st century. How does it relate to today’s political landscape and, in turn, our personal lives? Is a truly democratic society possible? This open discussion and lecture will explore the process, philosophy, and relevance of democracy in 2015.
3:00 PM – 4:00 PM: Emily Elver – Personal is Political
Emily Elver is a groundbreaking spoken word performer from Edinburgh, known for combining the shocking and mysterious with the mundane, disgusting, and delightful. No subject matter is off-limits in her work, as she evokes both laughter and gasps in equal measure. She co-hosts Poetry Circus and is the editor of Edinburgh’s newest literary magazine, Freak Circus.
Emily’s workshop is designed to help aspiring writers and new performers overcome some of the challenges they face when telling personal stories. Through discussions and readings of her own work, Emily will guide participants on how to confidently approach personal subjects. The session will also include one-to-one advice and mentoring for those aspiring to perform their poetry.
4:00 PM – 5:00 PM: Rory O’B – Rhyming and Rapping
Rory O’B is a highly intelligent rapper and talented musician from Oban. He has performed at festivals such as Kelburn, Audio Soup, and The Loch Lomond Boat Party, captivating enthusiastic audiences both as a solo artist and alongside Ciaran Mac. Currently part of Volition in Glasgow, Rory also runs engaging rap workshops for young people.
Rory O’B’s workshop delves into the origins of Hip-Hop culture, its evolution, and how it can relate to our lives today. Participants will have the chance to write their own rap, explore rhythms, and experiment with rhyming techniques and patterns. The session culminates in an opportunity to perform their written work to the group.
7:00 PM: Slam Championships
Get ready for Dumfries’ first-ever poetry slam! Prepare to experience the controversial, heartfelt, beautiful, disgusting, and joyous. Staged across three thrilling rounds, the winner will earn the chance to compete in the Scottish Slam Championships in Glasgow.
