Here’s the Full Programme for ColumbaFest, weeWONDERBOX’s flagship urban festival, returns to Glasgow city centre on June 8th-10th, 2018.

The theme: ‘Dreams & Visions’ … on what makes ‘prophecy’ today. Check out the wide range of options and activities, through which we’ll be investigating this theme below.

And to find out more about the people who’ll be enabling these wonderful gems, you can visit the Contributors page here.

The festival will take place in three different venues. Venue details can be found at the bottom of the page.

FRIDAY 8th June 2018

On Friday, the sole festival venue is @ The Ground, Iona Community Base, 21 Carlton Place, Glasgow G5 9JP.

* Note: Timings are confirmed as at 1st June, but may be subject to slight change nearer the event.

6.30-7.30pm

Arrivals & Registrations

Registration will be @ The Ground on Friday (6.30 onwards), Saturday (8.30am onwards) and Sunday (12.30pm onwards). The Ground will will be the primary location for registration/ picking up or buying passes on these days.

On Saturday, many of the sessions will be in Cumbrae House. In order to gain access to festival events in Cumbrae House you will need to pick up/ buy passes beforehand from The Ground. Happily, The Ground is next door, and a mere 20 metres from Cumbrae House. We recommend you arrive to register or buy your passes early, to avoid any delay.

On Sunday morning, first thing (9.00am-12.30pm) registration will be at @ Gorbals Parish Church.

7.30-10.30pm

‘A Wee ColumbaFest Ceilidh-Oot’

We kick off the weekend with this evening mix of self-entertainment in true ceilidh, sing-around and story-telling style. And while much of our enjoyment will derive from our own contributions and turns, we’re pyoor chuffed that we will be welcoming two of Scotland’s finest young musicians – Donald W.G. Lindsay (whistles, small pipes & voice) and Neil Sutcliffe (accordion) will be with us to delight us songs and tunes, both original and traditional. Graham Maule will be convening this cultural convention, so make sure you bring your offerings and entertainments, instruments and voices to make this the perfect start to the ColumbaFest weekend. With refreshments. @ The Ground

SATURDAY 9th June 2018

On Saturday the festival venues are @ The Ground, Iona Community Base, 21 Carlton Place, Glasgow G5 9JP (9.00am – 10.30pm) and next door @ Cumbrae House, The Princes Trust, 15 Carlton Court, Glasgow G5 9JP.

8.30am-ongoing @ The Ground

Registration 

Here, in the Courtyard of The Ground, you can pick up or buy your wristbands/ passes which will then allow you to gain access to all events at both The Ground and Cumbrae House on Saturday. So please register/ buy your passes early to avoid any delay. @ The Ground Courtyard

9.00-9.30am

‘A Wee Morning Liturgy’

A short morning liturgy in Wild Goose Resource Group wee worship mode. @ The Ground

9.30-10.30am

‘Art Hub’

Creative and artistic activities ongoing throughout the day.

Draw, cut, shape. Trace, fold, indent. Stamp, print, photo.

Collage, tie, record. Re-order. Dis-order. Do it once. Do it again. @ The Ground Courtyard

‘Melodies of a New Monasticism’ – Bonhoeffer’s Vision, Iona’s Witness’

Craig Gardiner

Using music as a metaphor (and getting folks to sing along the way) this workshop will look at St Columba’s Celtic monks and Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s vision of renewing the church through a new type of monasticism. With examples from intentional Christian communities like the Iona Community we’ll try to imagine fresh patterns for being the people of God in the world today. @ Cumbrae House/ East Zone

‘Seven Deadly Sonnets And Other Stories’

Pádraig Ó Tuama

Come hear stories of exorcisms, crushes and language (oh, my!) from Pádraig’s lyric tongue.

Taking form, theology, rhymes and religion, this session will showcase new poetries, interspersed with stories and protest. @ Cumbrae House/ West Zone

‘Being Young in Argyll’

eXP Cowal Youth

In this the Year Of Young People, a conversation between the generations, hosted by eXP Cowal Youth. Come along and hear about being a young person in Argyll – our hopes, disappointments, prayers, loves and laughter. Then we will find out how your stories, our stories and God’s stories weave together! @ Cumbrae House/ Robertson

‘Protest Café: On Climate Change’

Christian Aid / Leanne Clelland

This is a big year for tackling climate change in Scotland as the Scottish Government prepares to introduce a new Climate Bill. In 2017, over 19,000 members of the public supported our calls for an ambitious Bill with the policies for Scotland to do its share in limiting climate change. Join Leanne Clelland of Christian Aid for a workshop to share knowledge and plan action on the Bill. We need to ensure the Government commits to a target of net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 at the latest, and a roadmap to reach that. So it’s time to start campaigning!

The possibility of taking part in this campaigning action continues throughout the day in the Protest Café. @ Cumbrae House/ Café

11.00am-12.00pm

‘The Music Of What Happens’

Jane Bentley

Come and discover what happens when we come together in music! Using percussion, voice, and a variety of instruments, and through engaging skills of listening, co-operation, attunement and response, we’ll create the music of this time, this place. No previous musical experience necessary – just a willingness to embrace the musicality that’s part of your human birthright! @ The Ground

‘Art Hub’

Creative and artistic activities ongoing throughout the day.

Draw, cut, shape. Trace, fold, indent. Stamp, print, photo.

Collage, tie, record. Re-order. Dis-order. Do it once. Do it again. @ The Ground Courtyard

‘Bus Ghlaschú/ The Glasgow Bus’

Lorraine McIntosh (with Andy Thornton) 

From transporting coffins to IRA hijackings, there isn’t much that the bus owners haven’t seen during their 50 years of running their coach service between Donegal and Glasgow. A recent, unique documentary gives viewers a unique insight into the people immigrating from Donegal to Scotland from the 60s to the present day and this infamous bus that has been the lifeblood link between these people. The story of Bus Glaschú is told by the colorful characters who sat in the seats of the bus back in the day and the drivers and bus owners responsible for getting them from A to B.

In the episode we’ll see here, we follow Lorraine MacIntosh, singer with Deacon Blue, as she makes the journey from Glasgow to Donegal. Lorraine’s travel companion on board the bus is charismatic businessman and Raidió na Gaeltachta regular contributor, Hudie Ferry. After seeing the film, Lorraine will be in conversation with Andy Thornton exploring what those memories, associations and visions from childhood mean for her, her family and the people of Scotland and Ireland today. @ Cumbrae House Robertson

‘Curious Creatures: Emily Dickinson On Time’

Pádraig Ó Tuama

‘Slavery has always existed in Scotland …’

12.00-1.00pm

‘High Noon with … The Hazels’

The Hazels ( … plus a ColumbaFest Picnic!)

The Hazels are a wonderful and unique musical phenomenon from Glasgow, that no-one should miss! Enjoy the sounds of summers past, present and future in their compelling company.

Specially selected ColumbaFest Picnic Bags will be available for sale for those who don’t want to miss a note (and who may be harbour unrequited memories of Sunday School picnic pokes …). @ Cumbrae House West Zone

1.15-2.15pm

‘Playing With Words – Creative Writing Workshop’

Alyson Hallett 

This poetry and creative writing workshop is open to everyone – whether or not you have any experience.

We’ll be doing practical writing exercises, reading poems by other people, and the emphasis will be upon having fun and playing with language. 10-12 people maximum. @ The Ground

‘Art Hub’

Creative and artistic activities ongoing throughout the day.

Draw, cut, shape. Trace, fold, indent. Stamp, print, photo.

Collage, tie, record. Re-order. Dis-order. Do it once. Do it again. @ The Ground Courtyard

Saint Columba: Fact and/or Fiction?

Glaikit Carnyx

A look at the development of Columba in Gaelic and Scottish cultural memory, starting with what we actually know about him as a historical figure (precious little!) followed by looking at subsequent representations and understandings in poems, songs, stories, prayers and folklore. @ Cumbrae House East Zone

‘The Books Of Ruth And Brexit’

Pádraig Ó Tuama

The book of Ruth has an extraordinary contemporary value for discussions about borders. In this ancient text we hear of stereotypes from neighbouring territories, economic hardship, disparities between the privileged and the poor, border crossings, resentments, laws that punish the stranger and displaced women who are left to fend for themselves in an environment of threat. This session will explore British-Irish relations — particularly through the lens of Brexit — in the company of Ruth, Naomi and Boaz, the beau. @ Cumbrae House West Zone

‘Enough of that nonsense’

Andy Thornton

People who claim to speak on behalf of God have always been annoying. Usually because we think they’re talking rubbish. But sometimes a more timid person says something so spot on it gives you the shivers.

In the Hebrew Scriptures the prophets are regular characters who speak a message for a particular time in a particular place, and it reveals something corrupt or perverse that’s become normal. Sometimes people listen, sometimes they don’t. But they’ve just got to say it.

In this workshop we’ll look at the kind of truths that cut through the nonsense of people’s lives, then we’ll have a go at finding our own prophetic voice, and take the risk of saying it. Later we might go out into the street, get arrested by an evil king, fed to the lions and survive. But that bit is optional. @ Cumbrae House Robertson

2.30-3.30pm

‘Boats and Coracles – A Nautical Journey of Installation Art in the Church’

Carol Marples

What is Installation art and why and where is it being used in our Churches? Carol will explore a range of installation artworks focusing examples of on ‘Coracles and Boats’ that been installed, exhibited, or created as an integral part of the worship in Churches and cathedrals. Some of the works are primarily political seeking to challenge and cause us to question the world that we inhabit. Others are creative collaborations, purposely participative that seek in different ways to bring diverse communities together in a communal projects highlighting both our human and faith journeys. @ The Ground

‘Art Hub’

Creative and artistic activities ongoing throughout the day.

Draw, cut, shape. Trace, fold, indent. Stamp, print, photo.

Collage, tie, record. Re-order. Dis-order. Do it once. Do it again. @ The Ground Courtyard

‘To Every Cow Belongs Its Calf; To Every Book Its Copy’ – data and identity from St Columba to Facebook’

Peter McColl

Columba left Ireland after a dispute that ended in the deaths of thousands at the battle of Cúl Dreimhne. That dispute was over the ownership of a book Columba had copied from the collection of St Finnian. Today much of our identity is tied up in data that is owned by others – including the government and big IT companies. We will explore how we are defined through social interaction, and to what extent we own that identity. We will also consider how we can use these tools for social, economic and environmental good. @ Cumbrae House East Zone

‘Your Daughters Shall Prophesy – Women reading the signs of the times’

Kathy Galloway

The prophetic experience is a sudden encounter with the meaning behind events. From this encounter arises a voice, announcing the transformed social order. The spiritual realm is embedded in economic and political reality.

This workshop will explore the vision and voices of some prophetic women, biblical and contemporary, and how they speak to us today. @ Cumbrae House West Zone

‘How Music Can (Help) Save The World’

Jane Bentley

Join us on an exploration of the power of music to connect us to each other, to the world – from birth, right up to the last moments of life. Taking in neonatal communication, caregiver-child bonding, education, adult mental health, elderhood and dementia – and a surprising twist regarding the state of our planet today. @ Cumbrae House Robertson

4.00-5.00pm

‘Art, Faith and Prophetic Disobedience’

Debbie Lewer

Artists over the centuries have found endless ways, mischievous or deadly serious, to imagine and to enact disobedience – of all kinds. In this session we will look at a range of artworks – some boldly provocative, some quietly subversive – to question what we mean by ‘obedience’ and to consider the possibilities for prophetic disobedience in art and in faith. @ The Ground

‘Art Hub’

Creative and artistic activities ongoing throughout the day.

Draw, cut, shape. Trace, fold, indent. Stamp, print, photo.

Collage, tie, record. Re-order. Dis-order. Do it once. Do it again. @ The Ground Courtyard

‘God, Delight & Diversity’

John L. Bell

Should the debate about same-sex relationships forever swing between a conservative defence of six verses in the Bible, or a liberal feel-good desire that gays should get the same privileges as straights? Or is there more to consider? @ Cumbrae House West Zone

‘Prophets, Words & Subway Walls: Brexit & The Future Of Scotland …

Kathy Galloway, Peter McColl, Andy Thornton + Ian Milligan (Chair)

(… and Wales, Ireland and other Nations). Has there ever been such a time of uncertainty about major political decisions? No one seems to know what is going to happen in terms of the big picture stuff. Will it matter anyway to the ‘little ones’, the people on the margins etc? Where are the prophetic voices? We promise no answers but will attempt to discern together, with … Ian Milligan convening. @ Cumbrae House East Zone

5.15-6.15pm

‘Toots’

Alyson Hallett (with Mhairi Lawson)

Toots is the highly-acclaimed, captivating collection of poems from Alyson. This performance by her is a joyous, riotous sequence, celebrating a joyous, riotous affair with an island – Iona – and a wild Glasgow girl.

It’s an enthralling, laugh-out-loud series that will have readers falling in love too. But you don’t just have to take our word for it, here’s what the Scottish Makar had to say:

“I LOVE her – she’s fantastic, as fresh as anything, the voice just jumps straight out at you. And the poems make me laugh too” – Jackie Kay

Alyson will be joined by her friend, Mhairi Lawson, who will also contribute a song during this performed reading. @ Cumbrae House West Zone

5.15-6.45pm

‘The Age Of Stupid’

If you haven’t seen this visionary, provocative, superb film about our future, globally,  environmentally and morally … here’s a most timely opportunity.

A future archivist looks at old footage from the year 2008 to understand why humankind failed to address climate change.

Multi-award-winning documentary director Franny Armstrong (McLibel, Drowned Out) and Oscar-winning producer John Battsek (One Day In September, Restrepo) pioneered the now ubiquitous ‘crowd-funding’ model to finance the film, and then spent four years following seven real people’s stories to be interweaved with Pete Postlethwaite’s fictional character: an Indian entrepreneur struggling to start a new low-cost airline, a Shell employee in New Orleans who rescued more than 100 people during Hurricane Katrina, an 82-year-old French mountain guide watching his beloved glaciers melt, two Iraqi refugee children searching for their elder brother, a young woman living in desperate poverty in Nigeria’s richest oil area, and a windfarm developer in Britain battling the NIMBYs who don’t want his turbines to spoil their view. Watch the Trailer here

Director: Franny Armstrong, UK, 2009 (92 min). Language: English, French with English subtitles | Certificate: 12A Cert. @ The Ground

7.00-8.30pm

‘A Change Is Gonna Come’

David Heavenor +  Margaret McLarty + Andy Thornton + Alyson Hallett + Phil White (MC)

A glorious, evening celebration of music, song and text that celebrates vision, prophectic insight and the desire for compassionate change from some of our finest singer-songwriters. Through their own compositions and cover versions of other standards we’ll be treated to some profoundly hopeful musicality and wordsmithery. @ Cumbrae House Zone

8.45-10.30pm

‘Twilight @ Ground Level’

… twilight, mellow moonlight, serenades, songsheets and O.U.C.H., the Originally Unique ColumbaFest Houseband, our long-standing (24 hours old) skiffle band.

A laid back, late night cultural cafe and confectionally cute celebration through music, sound, image and soul. With refreshments. @ The Ground

On Sunday morning, from 9.30am-12.30pm, the festival venue for the following two events will be Gorbals Parish Church, 1 Errol Gardens, Gorbals, G5 0RA.

9.30-10.45am

‘The Breakfast Papers’

Ian Milligan, James Cathcart & us

Over morning papers, tea, coffee and rolls, Ian and James will host a relaxed time of browsing, reading and reflecting together on what’s happening in the news, the nation, the world. All welcome. @ Gorbals Parish Church

11.00am-12.30pm

‘A ColumbaFest Communion’

A service of communion led by Rev Ian Galloway and Wild Goose folk. We will celebrate themes from Columba’s life … in song, word, silence and symbolic action. All welcome. @ Gorbals Parish Church

Thereafter, from 1.30pm onwards, the remaining festival events will be @ The Ground, Iona Community Base, 21 Carlton Place, Glasgow G5 9JP.

1.30-2.30pm

‘A Little Man, Trembling And Most Wretched’ – Columba and the reappraisal of Celtic Christianity’

Ian Bradley

Celtic Christianity is often seen as gentle, feminine and eco-friendly and affirmative of both human nature and the natural world. Thirty years of detailed research and close reading and re-reading of the original sources has led Ian Bradley radically to reappraise this conventional view, which he himself adhered to when he first set out on the Celtic Way. Here he takes Columba’s own writings, life and beliefs to suggest what Celtic Christianity was really like and what it may be saying to us today. @ The Ground

‘Playing With Words – Creative Writing Workshop’

Alyson Hallett 

This poetry and creative writing workshop is open to everyone – whether or not you have any experience.

We’ll be doing practical writing exercises, reading poems by other people, and the emphasis will be upon having fun and playing with language. 10-12 people maximum. @ The Ground Courtyard

2.45-3.45pm

‘Prophets, Words & Subway Walls: Dreams & Visions Today’

Alastair McIntosh, Ian Bradley, Deborah Lewer, Kelvin Holdsworth + Pat Bennett (Chair)

A ColumbaFest Panel on what prophecy is today? …Who are the prophets and visionaries? What does being prophetic sound and look like? Who is speaking truth to power, challenging convention, complacency, establishment and insularity? Chaired by Pat Bennett. @ The Ground

‘Art Hub’

Creative and artistic activities ongoing throughout the day.

Draw, cut, shape. Trace, fold, indent. Stamp, print, photo.

Collage, tie, record. Re-order. Dis-order. Do it once. Do it again. @ The Ground Courtyard

4.15-5.15pm

‘The Ten Beatitudes’

Alastair McIntosh

An exploration of the beatitudes of Jesus in the context of the tender folk spirituality of the Celtic world. A world of which Iona was part, and still will remain, and is of central importance. Alastair will draw from his most recent books that explore a Christian pathway for the Third Millennium. A spirituality of grace, blessing and nonviolence. @ The Ground

‘Art Hub’

Creative and artistic activities ongoing throughout the day.

Draw, cut, shape. Trace, fold, indent. Stamp, print, photo.

Collage, tie, record. Re-order. Dis-order. Do it once. Do it again. @ The Ground Courtyard

5.30-6.30pm

‘Known Unknown: A Big Sing’

John L. Bell & Wild Goose

Big Sings in WGRG-style increasingly need little explanation … they are a time to sing together to make a unique, glorious, communal noise.

In their characteristic a capella, communal style, John and WGRG will be homing in on such simple wonders as we collectively waggle wur tonsils and sing together. With new and old words and melodies, this session will particularly feature material from WGRG’s new book, Known Unknowns (more info here).

A last, short section of the Big Sing session will see us segue into a short time of worship to close the festival. @ The Ground

Venues

The Ground

Iona Community Base, 21 Carlton Place,

Glasgow G5 9JP

(Friday – Sunday)

Map

Cumbrae House

The Princes Trust, 15 Carlton Court,

Glasgow G5 9JP

(Saturday only)

Map

Gorbals Parish Church

1 Errol Gardens, Gorbals,

Glasgow G5 0RA

(Sunday morning only)

Map