Following the success of last year’s poetry night and open mic, we’re thrilled to present another evening of poetry celebrating the LGBTQ+ community.
Curated by Jess Orr, Hosted by Ross McFarlane and featuring guest spots from some of Scotland’s top talent: Harry Josephine Giles, Janette Ayachi, RJ Hunter and Drew Gill.
There will also be a chance to sign up on the night to take part in the open mic (limited slots available, arrive early to secure your spot).
The Portobello Tap will be serving non-alcoholic and alcoholic drinks
This is a ticketed event
Featured Line Up
Harry Josephine Giles
Harry Josephine Giles is from Orkney and lives in Leith. Her latest book is Them! (Picador 2024). Her verse novel Deep Wheel Orcadia won the 2022 Arthur C. Clarke Award for science fiction book of the year. She has a PhD in Creative Writing from Stirling. Her show Drone debuted in the Made in Scotland Showcase at the 2019 Edinburgh Fringe and toured internationally. www.harryjosephine.com
Janette Ayachi
Janette Ayachi is a Scottish-Algerian poet. Her poetry, prose and essays have been translated into several languages in newspapers & anthologies. She’s the author of the children's book: The Mermaid, The Girl and The Gondola, illustrated by Fabio Perla, Hand Over Mouth Music, which won the Saltire Poetry Book of the Year Literary Award 2019, and Quick Fire, Slow Burning, which was shortlisted for Scotland’s National Book Awards & The Laurel Prize 2024. She’s a regular on BBC arts programmes and collaborates with artists, performing at international festivals. She’s currently writing her travel memoir Lonerlust and debut sapphic romance novel Of Sweet Figs and is looking for an agent!
RJ Hunter
RJ Hunter (they/she) is an award-winning writer, theatre-maker and performance poet based in Scotland. Hunter’s debut poetry pamphlet, “Flustercuck” was released in June 2023, whilst “Stupid Sexy Poem Show”, Hunter’s first full-length solo show, has been performed to sold-out crowds across the country, met with critical acclaim, including being deemed “the future voice of the medium of spoken-word” (Corr Blimey). RJ Hunter is the 2023 Loud Poets Grand Slam Champion and the Runner-Up at the Scottish Slam Championship 2024 & 2025
Drew Gill
Drew Gill emerged onto the poetry scene in Autumn of 2023, bringing with him a storied heartbreak and a deep appreciation for all things lyrical. Immersing himself in the wonderful Scottish Spoken Word Community, he found not only the perfect place to hone his craft as he weaved worlds out of the catharsis found in writing your way out of pain, but some the greatest individuals and artists one could ever have the pleasure of knowing.
Ross McFarlane - Host
Ross McFarlane is a Glaswegian poet, performer and host of many nights – writing queer stories and small moments with the delivery of a 80’s hardcore band. He co-created and wrote on horror audio drama series Folxlore, winner of Best New Storytelling Production at the 2020 Audio Verse Awards, and his debut pamphlet, Life Goals of the Millennials: or The Commune Manifesto, was published by Burning Eye Books in 2022.
This is an indoor event.
Portobello Town Hall has step-free access, wheelchair accessible, accessible and gender-neutral bathrooms