at Ilkley Literature Festival

CelebrateBlack History Month

Diane AbbottSun 5 Oct 2.30–3.45pm Kings Hall LS29 8HBLabour MP Diane Abbott made history by becoming the first black woman elected to the British Parliament. Renowned for her feisty style and straight talking, she’s a regular on the BBC’s This Week. £16/14.

Bonnie GreerSat 18 Oct 1.30–2.30pm Ilkley Playhouse LS29 8DWAward-winning playwright, author and critic Bonnie Greer discusses her thought provoking memoir: A Parallel Life. Born in segregated, racist America, Bonnie defeated the odds to become one of the most important champions of civil and human rights.£7/5.

A Brief History of Seven Killings: Marlon JamesSun 19 Oct 5–6pm Ilkley Playhouse LS29 8DWIn 1976 seven men stormed Bob Marley’s house with machine guns. Caribbean novelist, Marlon James, imagines an oral biography, told by ghosts, drug dealers, conmen, beauty queens and CIA agents. £6/4.

3–19 October 2014

ReadingsPerformance

Live musicNew British/

Caribbean writing

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www.ilkleyliteraturefestival.org.uk

New Writing from Zimbabwe: Togara Muzanenhamo and Zodwa NyoniSun 5 Oct 7.30–9.15pm Ilkley Playhouse LS29 8DWTogara Muzanenhamo from Zimbabwe launches his new poetry collection on a rare visit to the UK. Plus an introduction to contemporary writing from Zimbabwe by Dr Emily Marshall, Leeds Beckett University, and work by the Festival’s 2013 Apprentice Poet in Residence Zodwa Nyoni.£6/4.In association with Carcanet Press.

A Yorkshire ShowcaseTue 7 Oct 7.30–9.45pm llkley Playhouse LS29 8DWA showcase highlighting the best new poetry and fiction in the region, including Khadijah Ibrahiim with poetry that sings from the page, plus Desiree Reynolds talking about her first novel. £5/3 includes a glass of wine.

Oracabessa: Lorna GoodisonFri 10 Oct 7.30–8.30pm Ilkley Playhouse LS29 8DWA rare chance to catch Caribbean poet Lorna Goodison, winner of numerous poetry awards including the Commonwealth Poetry Prize.£5/3.In association with Carcanet Press.

Patience AgbabiSat 11 Oct 2.30–3.30pm St Margaret’s Hall LS29 9TZAward-winning poet Patience Agbabi retells Chaucer’s The Canterbury Tales for the 21st century in the liveliest version you’ll ever hear. £6/4.This event is part of the Telling Tales Tour produced by renaissance one.

SI Prize with Dreda Say MitchellWed 15 Oct 7.30–8.45pm Ilkley Playhouse LS29 8DWJoin us and the shortlisted writers, for the announcement of the winner of this award for unpublished fiction by Black and Asian women. With keynote speaker Dreda Say Mitchell.£6/4.In association with SI Leeds, Ilkley Literature Festival and Peepal Tree Press.

My Father and Other Superheroes: Performance by Nick MakohaFri 17 Oct 7.30–8.30pm Ilkley Playhouse LS29 8DWPoet Nick Makoha’s powerful story about the journey from childhood to fatherhood.£6/4.Supported by the National Lottery through Arts Council England. Nick Makoha appears in association with Southbank Centre and Nimble Fish.

Tayo Aluko and Friends present The Norm of Greatness: The Words of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.Sat 18 Oct 7.30–9pm Otley Courthouse LS21 3ANPerformed by American stage and screen actor Darryl Van Leer who re-creates the great man’s musicality, vocal dexterity and passion.£10.In association with Otley Courthouse.

Togara Muzanenhamo

ilkley literature festival 14 Black HistoryMonth events

TICKETS AND INFORMATIONEvents last 60 minutes unless otherwise stated.Full details of all events plus online booking at www.ilkleyliteraturefestival.org.ukBox Office open from 26 August 01943 816714Events are in the centre of Ilkley a few minutes from the bus/train station.All venues accessible with nearby parking – see website for access details.

The Ilkley Literature Festival Ltd. Registered In England and Wales Company No: 1061343 Ilkley Literature Festival is a registered charity Charity No: 501801

Patience Agbabi (c) Lyndon Douglas