Creative Writing
VIRSA – A celebration of South Asian Heritage Month 2022
Calderdale’s South Asian Heritage Festival begins with a Weekend of Celebration at Square Chapel Arts Centre and The Piece Hall.
The festival, commissioned by Calderdale Council, promises a month of events and activities to celebrate the long and rich history of British Asians and the positive impact they have within the borough. It will bring together leading British Pakistani and Indian writers and performers plus local businesses and community groups at venues across Calderdale.
The Piece Hall
The Piece Hall event begins at midday and will feature Indian drumming, henna painting, calligraphy arts, face painting, antique Pakistani jewellery, handmade bags and free, fun, family activities in the main courtyard. There will also be music and writing workshops and performance events at Square Chapel Arts Centre over that weekend. All activities are FREE! And there will be a real community market feel in the courtyard … a chance to celebrate the friendship and generosity of South Asian culture …
Square Chapel Arts Centre
Brilliant FREE workshops for women and girls, not just of South Asian heritage. This is an invitation to all women interested in culture, identity, sense of place and empowerment.
Booking is essential. You can book workshops and events at Square Chapel Arts Centre here: squarechapel.co.uk/whats-on/
Saturday 16th July @ 1.30 pm
” I Belong Here ” – Talk & Writing Workshop with Award Winning author Anita Sethi
A two-hour session with Anita Sethi. Short talk after which Anita will explore themes of place, nature, journeying – both geographical and emotional journeys – and how nature and writing can bring a sense of belonging.
Saturday 16th July @ 4 pm
Into the Wilds – New South Asian Writing
Fox & Windmill is the UK’s first independent book publishing company for British South Asian writers. They are dedicated to bridging the gap in the industry for writers from underrepresented backgrounds and sharing their unique stories and perspectives.
Sunday 17th July @ 2pm
Suhaiymah Manzoor-Khan Free Workshop & Performance Event
Suhaiymah Manzoor-Khan is a writer, poet and educator disrupting understandings of history, race, knowledge and violence. In 2019 she published Postcolonial Banter, an anthology of poetry critiquing racism, Islamophobia and notions of national identity. The collection includes poems which have had millions of online views and been featured across TV and radio.
Saturday July 23rd
Square Chapel will host a screening of acclaimed film ‘Lakeer’ followed by a Q&A with the film’s producer
Victoria Theatre
Saturday July 23rd – South Asian Comedy Club
Comedy club with some of the best South Asian comedians on the comedy circuit.Calderdale’s museums and libraries will feature a number of displays and events to complement the celebrations.This is an opportunity for all communities to come together and share the best South Asian culture has to offer – please let your friends and colleagues know and help make this a regular feature of Calderdale’s Cultural Calendar!The full programme of events and activities can be found at:
issuu.com/verddegris/docs/programme
Elland’s Happiness Lab Showcase Friday 15th July at 7pm
Over the past 8 months we have been dancing, drawing, writing, singing, and making with the community in and around Elland to explore what happiness means to them for our Elland’s Happiness Lab project.- A preview of our happiness exhibition of drawing and writing from local groups, schools, and individuals (the full exhibition will be in Elland Library from 18th July)
- A wonderful documentary film about the project, made by the brilliant Rainbow Trout Films
- A ‘taster menu’ of live dance performance – each one inspired by the themes that have emerged from the project. Performed by local community members and Curious Motion dancers, with choreography by myself and the performers.
- There will of course be brews, refreshments and light snacks available too (vegetarian/ vegan).
Calderdale Adult Learning International Women’s Day events March 7, 8, 11
To celebrate International Women’s Day, Calderdale Adult Learning are running some courses in a women only environment.
Light refreshments will be available for the participants.
Download the course brochure here
For more information on the courses or to enrol contact us on
01422 392820
or email us at
cyps.cal@calderdale.gov.uk
Tree of Life 2 day Creative Writing Workshop
Healthy Minds Calderdale would like to invite you to their Creative Writing Workshop, titled Tree of Life.
In this creative writing workshop you will be exploring your own personal stories and your unique journeys, using the metaphor of a tree’s growth as a guide.
The workshop will run on two days over two weeks at the Orange Box in Halifax (details below).
Dates: Tuesday 11th January: 12:30 – 2:30pm
Tuesday 18th January: 1.15pm – 3.15pm
Refreshments will be provided.
To book please contact Hayley:
t: 07845014927
e: Hayley@healthymindscalderdale.co.uk
Venue: The Orange Box, 1 Blackledge, Halifax, HX1 1AF
Free Creative Writing Workshop at the Orange Box
Would you like the chance to get your work published on the Time Out website? Come to our workshop led by author and Time Outer Tara Guha and learn how to express yourself through creative writing.
Wed 18th Aug 2 – 4pm
Orangebox Youth Centre,1 Blackledge,Halifax HX1 1AF
To book, complete the online booking form and quote the name and date of the workshop: https://forms.office.com/r/WqKNGYkeHt
Any questions? Get in touch by emailing us at: timeout@healthymindscalderdale.co.uk
Time Out Free Kids Summer Activities
https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx…
You can text Josie on 07989 538044 for a booking form or email josie@northernpowerhouseboxing.org.uk
Elland 700 at Elland Library – Walk and Write around Elland
This year marks the 700 year anniversary of Elland becoming an official market town.
The town received a Royal Charter on 24 February 1317 from King Edward II allowing it to host a weekly market, as well as two fairs a year.
On 15 June 2017 – 14:00 to 17:00 take a short walk around Elland exploring its history with a knowledgeable local guide. Then return to the library to do creative writing inspired by the walk. For more information about this FREE event contact Elland Library on 01422 374472 or email elland.library@calderdale.gov.uk.
FREE arts activities at the Craft Locker next week
As part of the celebrations for Elland’s 700th birthday Square Chapel is working with artists from Two Destination Language to collect and share the stories of the people who remember Elland’s past, make it what it is today, and have dreams for its future.
The project is called LANDED, and as part of it two artists will be based in CraftLocker (77 Southgate) in Elland next week so if you’re passing, drop in and have a cup of tea and a chat, or come to one of their drop-in sessions with an arts activity:
- Monday 22 May – 2pm to 4pm: Drawing
- Tuesday 23 May – 10 to 12noon: Poetry
- Wednesday 24 May 2pm to 4pm: Origami birds
- Thursday 25 May – 2pm to 4pm: Creative writing
- Friday 26 May – 10am to 12noon: Painting
At other times, just pause for a chat, or give Alister a call on 07786 911954 to set up an appointment if you want to be sure to meet us!
All sessions (and the tea) are free!
Creative writing workshop at Brighouse Library
This creative writing workshop with local writer, teacher and library staff member, Emma Decent uses the resources of the library for inspiration, so go along and go on a creative journey with the help of maps, stories in the fiction section and more.
Friday 17 February – 10.30am to 12.30pm
At Brighouse Library, Halifax Road, Brighouse, HD6 2AF
Admission is FREE but tickets must be obtained online here
For information please call Brighouse Library on 01422 288060
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