News

Catch up on all the latest from ArtfulScribe

March Newsletter

13 March 2026

News and Opportunities for Solent Writers and Writing
LitFest26: Acts of Resistance - The Power of Art to Create a Better World 
Friday 13 March - Sunday 15 March 

A long weekend of stimulating talks, powerful readings, inspiring workshops and showcase performances, featuring local, regional, and national voices begins THIS Friday.

The line-up draws on thought-leaders, poets and performers whose work is curated to reflect varying perspectives for a nuanced world.

The festival is mindful of economic hardship and is priced accordingly, with all events, excluding workshops, Pay What You Can Afford, starting from £5. If ticket prices are a barrier, please email admin@artfulscribe.co.uk.

To find out more or to book a ticket, please click here

S.O.S. Sounds of the Solent with Special Guest Jonny Fluffypunk
Saturday 14 March 7:30 pm, Mayflower Studios 

LitFest26: Day 2 

This hopeful evening of poetry and spoken word is hosted by Amelia Simpson, featuring sixteen writers from across the Solent performing on this year's festival theme: Acts of Resistance. 

With a headline performance from Jonny Fluffypunk, the super-soft anarchist of 'acute social observation, intricate humour, surreal fantasy, sharp irony and wit… and England’s most pretentious moustache' - The Independent 


To find out more or to book a ticket, please click here

Mystic MelodiesDivine Voices Celebrating the Bauls of Bengal with Papia Ghosal 
Sunday 15 March 11am, Mayflower Studios 
LitFest26: Day 3

An unforgettable performance, celebrating women carrying the timeless Baul tradition, singing of love, freedom, and the divine with voices resonant of longing, spiritual harmony and unity.

Expect mystic song and soul-stirring words through immersion in the hypnotic rhythms and soulful poetry of the Bauls, transcending borders, faiths, and time. Baul singers are mystic minstrels from Bengal (West Bengal and Bangladesh) who are known for their spiritual folk music, blending influences from Sufism and the Hindu Bhakti movement.

To find out more or to book a ticket, please click here

ArtfulScribe Community Showcase 
Sunday 15 March 3:30 pm, Mayflower Studios 
LitFest26: Day 3 

Hosted by Joanna Barnard, this community showcase gathers writers from around the region for a celebration of writing created through our regular groups: Writing for Page and Stage, Mayflower Creative Writers, Mayflower Junior and Young Writers, Writing as Spiritual Practice, and Writing for Wellbeing.

This is a great opportunity to hear from ArtfulScribe facilitators and participants and to experience examples of their writing created in group sessions over the past year. 

To find out more or to book a ticket, please click here
News from the Solent Region & Beyond
Events and Opportunities 

Write a Note - Open Mic - 16 March | 7:45 pm | Mayflower Studios, 142, 144 Above Bar St, Southampton SO14 7DU 

PIPELINE: Socials - Lighthouse - Writers Social | 17 March | 7:00 pm | Shearling Studio, Lighthouse Poole, 21 Kingland Rd, Poole BH15 1UG 

VEX Spoken Word Collective - 19 March | 7:00 pm | Ventnor Exchange 11 Church Street, Isle of Wight 

October Books Poetry Open Mic Night - Open Mic - 20 March | 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm | October Books, Portswood Road, SO17 2NF

Shout: Stolen Ram  - Play | 26 March | 7:00 pm | Mayflower Studios, Southampton 
142, 144 Above Bar St, SO14 7DU 

Bards! - Open Mic | First Thursday of the month | 7:00 pm | The Bounty Inn, Basingstoke, RG21 2BZ

Poetry Marquee - Free Poetry Drop in Sessions | 25 & 26 April | 10:00am - 5:00 pm | Bournemouth Writing Festival | Horseshoe Common, Bournemouth, BH1 1JU

PLEASE SUPPORT US BY DONATING 
ArtfulScribe C.I.C. is a not-for-profit Community Interest Company, working with people from primary years to life's later stages. Help us to help others make the most of life's opportunities by contributing to our cause to improve literacy levels in the Solent region. Thank you.
DONATE
If you'd like your events or opportunities for writers in the region to feature in our newsletter or social media, please drop a line to admin@artfulscribe.co.uk

Archive

Back to news

Sign up to our newsletter


Sign up to our newsletter to receive the latest news on events, workshops and upcoming projects

*We never share your details with other businesses and promise not to swamp you with emails. You can also unsubscribe at any time.

What's on

Find out more

Our projects

Find out more

Podcasts

Find out more

Our blogs

Find out more

Our films

Watch now

Headlight Press

Find out more

Our blogs

Regular news and insight from our many poets, writers, educators and facilitators

Find out more

Resources


Why not get in touch?