I have a poem published in the current edition of Northwords Now.
Page eight (In Blanchland again).
Northwords Now is edited by Chris Powici and available on-line as well as in many outlets. The magazine is excellent and well-produced. And free to all. It is always worth a read.
A short review of the collection in the latest edition of Northwords Now.
Guest reviewer Lesley Harrison writes:
“Charlie Gracie’s poems aim to capture the clear, tender moments of beauty around us – how rain brings light with it, the warp and weft of a single-track road, Tam o’ Shanter at bedtime. Good Morning (diehard, 2010) is a quiet celebration of life and living:
“and even when the sunshine bakes us / the rain is only hiding / smirring off the surface of the sea /gathering its breath / for the big Heave Hoâ€.”
Click here for this month’s offering …
November is the month of the Holy Souls. We remember our loved ones who died.
I think that this might be the only poem ever written to mention the Rhinsdale Tavern in Baillieston.
Charlie ran a poetry workshop with Alloa Writers Group on Monday 27 February 2012. There was some beautiful work created, ranging from humourous work to deep and thought-provoking poetry. And sometimes a combination.
Feedback included:
… the workshop has given me guidance and courage to continue my interest in poetry
… it helped to have some creative writing input from Charlie to give us the impetus to write within a group …
… I enjoyed the fluidity of the evening
The event was held at the Resonate Arts House, Alloa. The Alloa Writers Group work well with Angela Beardsley, sculptor and artist, who runs the project. Well worth a look.
The evening was supported by the Scottish Book Trust to whom thanks are extended.
In a kind of reprise of a support act from decades ago, Charlie had a walk-on part at Martin Stephenson and the Daintees gig at the Woodend in Anniesland just before Christmas. Not quite a reprise, but Martin tells me that he supported Charlie Gracie, the Philadelphia rockabilly star of the 1950’s when he was a laddie. What goes around very nearly not quite comes around …
Charlie read Marathon after an impromptu invitation to join the band on stage.
It was a great gig all round. Another of Alan Hendry’s Sounds in the Suburbs events; this one had Helen McCookerybook and then the Starlets supporting Martin Stephenson and the Daintees. (Learn more about Sounds in the Suburbs by adding yourself to his mailing list: [soundsinthesuburbs@hotmail.co.uk])
The paperback edition, published by diehard, is launched now.
You can buy a copy from the website directly or from a range of outlets.
A recording of the live performance of Then I Was Really Tiny with the Red Ensemble on 14 September 2011 in the Rectial Room in Glasgow City Halls:
Charlie will perform live with the Red Ensemble on Wednesday 14 September in the City Halls in Glasgow.
They will perform new music, including a specially devised multi-media work, Then I was really tiny, based on a story told by a 3 year old boy to his father.
Using sound, images, dance, music and poetry, the ensemble and Charlie will give a surreal interpretation of the child’s story, revealing their response to entrapment, fear and liberation.
Joan Beattie of The Vito Dance Theatre dances to the performance of Right by the Red Ensemle.
Click here to link to vimeo and watch this stunning piece.