For the West region of SPINE Lite activities, Ealing and Hammersmith and Fulham are hosting a series of private and public events facilitated by their Poets in Residence and local artists.
Below are the contact details for the lead libraries and public events. All events are free to attend and welcome children and their families to attend.
Ealing
Website: www.ealing.gov.uk/info/201219/libraries
Events
- Workshop on Magic & Imagination
Using the theme of Magic & Imagination children will explore their creativity to produce a poem at the end of the three sessions. A prize will be given on completion. With poet in residence Ehireme Omoaka. Suitable for ages 7-11 years.
Starts Saturday 23 March, ends Saturday 6 April, 10-11.30am.
Location: Ealing Central Library, Ealing Broadway Centre, Ealing, London W5 5JY
Poet in Residence
Ehireme Omoaka is a poet, qualified youth worker and a drama and creative writing practitioner. His passion is seeing young people thrive, the drive is being persistent in reminding young people that there is greatness inside every one. “Anything is possible” is the phrase he always says.
Ehireme has worked with a wide range of young people with various challenges and settings such as learning difficulties, challenging behaviour, Feltham and ISIS prison, mainstream schools, alternative provisions and youth clubs.
Ehireme often combines his drama and poetry backgrounds to explore different subjects and themes to encourage conversation which can be used to do something creative. His vast experience spans over 12 years and counting as he continues to inspire young people he works with.
Follow him @nativepraise on Instagram and Twitter (X).
Hammersmith and Fulham
Website: see what’s on | X @LBHFLibraries | Facebook: @lbhflibraries | Instagram: @lbhflibraries
Events
- Mystic Musings: Weaving Spells
Dive into the divine world of magic and imagination with “Mystic Musings: Weaving Spells” a poetry workshop designed for young minds. As part of SPINE Festival Lite 2024, this workshop invites children to explore the enchanting realms of folklore and craft their own magical spells through the art of poetry. Participants will embark on a literary adventure, discovering the power of words and the joy of creative expression. Join Güneş for a spellbinding experience that promises to ignite the imagination and celebrate the magic within. For ages 7-11.
Please book your free place by emailing the relevant library:
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
Thursday 4 April – 2-3.30pm – Shepherds Bush Library, 6 Wood Ln, London W12 7BF
Friday 5 April – 2-3.30pm – Hammersmith Library, Shepherds Bush Rd, London W6 7AT
Thursday 20 April – 12pm-1.30pm – Fulham Library, 598 Fulham Rd., London SW6 5NX
- Musical Storytelling: Sisters of Summer
Hammersmith Library is delighted to welcome children’s community theatre group Rebel Tales Theatre for an interactive storytelling session, with music, movement, and rhyme. The session also includes a simple craft, to be used to help tell the story. “Join Suvi and Xia, dancing among the daffodils and daisies, bringing music and laughter to the bees and butterflies!” Suitable for all the family.
Book your free place by emailing [email protected]
Wednesday 10 April – 2pm-3pm- Hammersmith Library, Shepherds Bush Rd, London W6 7AT
Poet in Residence
Güneş Güven is a writer, creative facilitator and ESOL specialist with over two decades of experience working with various communities across London in both academic and cultural capacities. She is dedicated to facilitating connection-driven sessions that delve into the experiences, observations, and complexities of immigrant identity and journey through language arts.
Güneş has been instrumental in developing and delivering the Open House Project as part of Spine Festival since 2015, in collaboration with Apples & Snakes across several London Boroughs. This poetry project is specifically tailored for asylum seekers and immigrant communities living in Greater London.
Her work also includes collaborations with various organizations such as Battersea Arts Centre/The Agency, The Heritage Trust, LIFT, and Chelsea Football Club Foundation. Through her diverse background and experiences, Güneş has become a bridge for communication, using language as a powerful tool for expression and connection within diverse communities.