WORKSHOP: WORDS FOR WELLBEING
Fri 29th November, 12:30pm
Learn how to use song lyrics, book quotes and poetry to express emotions, mental health issues and trauma
Writing On Air is a festival of words and ideas broadcast on East Leeds Community
Radio from Chapel FM Arts Centre. This years theme is Recovery
* Other Access Details available on request
WRITING ON AIR is an annual festival of words and ideas broadcast in its entirety on East Leeds Community Radio (ELCR), the vibrant radio station housed in Chapel FM Arts Centre, Seacroft, Leeds.
From readings, discussions, and powerful audio dramas to atmospheric soundscapes, poetic narratives and documentary, WRITING ON AIR has it all.
No headliners. No book signings. All programmes in the festival are originated and made by writers and readers with the support of the Chapel FM Team.
Each festival carries a theme. This year’s is Recovery: balance, confidence, a lost friendship, the precious object, health, mental health. What does ‘recovery’ mean in our post-Covid world?
Fri 29th November, 12:30pm
Learn how to use song lyrics, book quotes and poetry to express emotions, mental health issues and trauma
Fri 29th November, 5:15pm
Soundscape tour of the future National Poetry Centre and an insight into other Leeds architectural reimaginings.
Fri 29th November, 7:00pm
Poetry to celebrate the publication of the 2nd Chapel FM print anthology, with a short film about Chapel FM’s resident Recovery Chair
Sat 30th November, 11:00am
Writing exercises and discussions honouring lost fragments and phrases; an investigation into recovered poetry led by poets Alex Callaghan and Caitlin McKenna
Sat 30th November, 1:00pm
Hannah Stone and Clare Wigzell lead a poetry workshop on how we find and re-make ourselves through exploring different layers of our experiences. We can re-grow even when we’ve been knocked about by life’s storms.
Sat 30th November, 1:00pm
Join the Yaffle's Nest Wordship team with readings from their eclectic poetic responses to this year's festival theme
Sat 30th November, 2:15pm
Two people in old age fall in love. What is old? What is too old? Ruth Steinberg and Len Biran tell their story. Discussion follows.
Sat 30th November, 4:30pm
A discussion with Written Off Publishing Founder Rebecca Kenny on recovery after major physical trauma, rebuilding the self, and community support in the arts.
Sat 30th November, 4:30pm
Mark and Gill Connors read from their new joint poetry collection, 'The Where We Were.' Poems, photography, travel
Sat 30th November, 7:00pm
A showcase of poetry from Ey Up 3: Written Off Publishing's upcoming anthology hosted by Alex Callaghan.
Sat 30th November, 8:15pm
South of the city the poetry heartbeat grows strong! Written and performed by poets active in the South Leeds spoken word community
Sun 1st December, 1:00pm
A two-hour workshop where participants use creative play (images, sounds, words and bodily movements) to reimagine power relationships (e.g. sexism, racism, and classism).
Sun 1st December, 2:45pm
Concert from the resident Chapel FM ensemble that ensures musicians with disabilities have a place to make adventurous music. Follows their acclaimed album.
Sun 1st December, 3:30pm
For people with disabilities and chronic illness the concept of recovery is difficult to navigate. Who decides what disability and recovery look like? Discussion follows
Sun 1st December, 4:45pm
Poet Jaspreet Mander gives voice to the land of Punjab to speak of its dire state and passionate desire to regenerate
Sun 1st December, 5:30pm
The fascinating story of how Len Biran’s refugee father used his wits to keep his family safe and fed through World War 2.
Sun 1st December, 6:15pm
Stories performed by Sonja Miller and their writer Neil Rathmell.
Sun 1st December, 7:00pm
Never heard of this famous artist and writer? He’s buried in Seacroft! Illustrated talk by Geraldine Beattie
Sun 1st December, 7:45pm
A crash, a coma, submerged emotions. Racing-car driver Jean-Pierre races against time, and himself. Script-in-hand performance of this audio drama by Catherine Shonack.
Wed 4th December, 6:00pm
In concert with Chapel FM’s resident band of young musicians and songwriters
Wed 4th December, 7:00pm
Floods force a group of strangers to seek refuge in a coppiced wood. Will they survive? Will they make it through the rain? From The Performance Ensemble.
Fri 6th December, 5:30pm
Discussion with the world's first-ever Professor of Addiction and Recovery, and powerful music and poetry from people in recovery
Fri 6th December, 7:30pm
Dynamic performance blazoning the importance of local Yorkshire dialect in matters of identity and heritage, hosted by Keith Fenton.
Sat 7th December, 1:00pm
Join musician/poet Laura Sutcliffe for a workshop exploring poetry, storytelling and improvisation to create music for a same day performance. Workshop includes soup break!
Sat 7th December, 1:00pm
Tony Macaluso with bookstore owner Giovanni Spadaccini from Reggio Emilia, Italy, and his collection of curious objects recovered from old books.
Sat 7th December, 2:00pm
Treadlight Theatre presents this funny and touching play about love and loss by Spike Marshall.
Sat 7th December, 4:00pm
1905: Colonel Gascoigne from Lotherton Hall is visiting a friend in London when a telegram dramatically alters his plan. Brian Hull dramatises a local true story
Sat 7th December, 5:45pm
When a girl unwittingly releases the sun, moon and stars, it has life-changing consequences. Gripping story from Vickie Orton with music and song.
Sat 7th December, 7:30pm
Another vibetastic night of big-hearted poetry and music presented by the COYC collective presented by Michelle Scally Clarke
Sun 8th December, 3:00pm
Nicky and Carl host ‘Recovery’-inspired songs showcasing the creativity of the songwriters who perform at their monthly Tower of Song nights.
Sun 8th December, 5:00pm
For the duration of the festival, Chapel FM has hosted The Recovery Chair. We hear poems and stories written by writers inspired by it.