Poetry events to look out for this month

The Ballad of Muriel Spark

Scottish Poetry Library, 14 November, 7pm (£8/£6) Muriel Spark’s centenary celebrations continue with a specially composed piece of music. The performer and composer Jessica Danz has written a new work for a violin and string quartet inspired by Spark’s poetry. For the performance, Danz will appear as a solo violinist alongside the Brodick Quartet, an ensemble comprised of four of Scotland’s most outstanding young string players – or, to borrow a phrase, the musical crème de la crème.

An Evening with Tony Harrison

Filmhouse, Edinburgh, 19 November, 6.30pm (£10/£8) A rare opportunity to hear one of Britain’s leading poets, Tony Harrison. He will be discussing his “film poems” with his longtime collaborator, the director Peter Symes, and the evening will provide an insight into the work practices, creative processes, themes and methods. The conversation will be illustrated with clips from the film poems and there will be an audience Q&A afterwards.

Rebel Book Club

Scottish Poetry Library, 24 November, 7pm (£3) Within two years of each other, three rock icons died - depriving fans not only of great musicians but great wordsmiths: David Bowie, Leonard Cohen and Mark E Smith. For one night only, Rebel Book Club delves deep into the words that made them and the words they made. Featuring live music, poetic tributes, video and audio clips and readings of their work, and work by the rebel authors who influenced them.