Monday 12 May

Lincoln Book Festival 2008

Iain Banks in Conversation

With the publication of his first novel The Wasp Factory in 1984, Iain Banks sprang to immediate popular critical acclaim. Since then he has gained an enormous fan base for both his fiction and science fiction and will be in conversation with one of his former editors, Lincoln science-fiction agent John Jarrold.

Tuesday 13 May

Lincoln Book Festival 2008

A Pleasing Terror... Two Ghost Stories by M R James

Over a century after they were first published, the ghost stories of M R James retain their power to terrify and amuse. Following his critically acclaimed one-man show Oh Whistle (seen at the Drill Hall last October) Robert Lloyd Parry brings two more of James’s classic spinechillers back to life.

Thursday 15 May

Lincoln Book Festival 2008

John Hegley

John Hegley is widely known as one of the most innovative comic poets with seven best-selling volumes of poetry to his name, DOG being the latest. John is a regular sell-out at The Edinburgh Festival and has performed at the Montreal Comedy Festival, the USA Comedy Festival in Aspen and on BBC R4’s Hearing With Hegley.

Thursday 15 May

Lincoln Book Festival 2008

Drill Hall UnPlanned

A Book Festival edition of the Drill Hall’s occasional evenings of poetry, readings and chat with guest musicians, compered by Liz Lucas. Informal, relaxed and uplifting – why not give it a try?

Friday 16 May

Lincoln Book Festival 2008

My Life on a Hillside Allotment with Terry Walton

Terry Walton has kept an allotment for more than 50 years in a valley in Wales. In 2006 he was adopted by BBC Radio 2’s The Jeremy Vine Show and now appears frequently with inspiring gardening tips. An event perfect for avid gardeners, allotmenteers and anyone who loves the outdoors.

Saturday 17 May

Lincoln Book Festival 2008

Alastair Campbell

Alastair Campbell’s diaries are the most complete record of what governing Britain is really like. He spent more waking hours alongside the Prime Minister than anyone, and his diaries are a compelling account of his time as Tony Blair’s press secretary, spokesman, strategist, communications director and trusted confidant.

Sunday 18 May

Lincoln Book Festival 2008

Jon Gaunt

Millions know him as a loudmouth radio shock-jock and Sun columnist. Yet, in his life Jon Gaunt has had to overcome unimaginable hardship, solitude, bankruptcy and despair. Behind the outspoken media personality, this is a very human story of self preservation, personal growth and forgiveness, told in Jon’s inimitable forthright style.

Friday 9 May – Sunday 18 May

Lincoln Book Festival 2008

Children's Events

Lincoln Book Festival also has a fantastic and very full programme of children’s events running throughout the ten days including Jackanory Sessions with Liz Lucas, children’s stand-up comedian Ian Billings ‘Talking Pants’, Blunderbus Theatre with Lily & the Magical Moonbeam, another StoryTime free Family Play Day plus the annual Teddy Bear’s Picnic on the final Sunday afternoon of the festival in the main auditorium. More details at www.lincolnbookfestival.co.uk

Thursday 22 May – Saturday 24 May

Lincoln Beer Festival

Opening Times

A regular feature in the new Drill Hall (as well as the old), the Lincoln Beer Festival returns for its traditional May Bank Holiday slot. This time around there are traditional brews from all the UK, from breweries old and new, light beers, dark beers, stronger beers, thirst quenching beers, something for every palate. There will be over 70 real ales to try in all, look out for some specially kept and aged beers, the odd one off brew and a selection of Lincolnshire beers. And if beer’s not for you, then how about some traditional cider or perry? You get a special festival glass to keep if you want. Also music in the Armoury on both Friday night, featuring Blues Train, and during Saturday, with Treebeard back by popular demand in the evening.

Tuesday 27 May

The Impotent Fury of the Privileged

Daniel Kitson

An angry, frustrated and beautiful new show about wanting the world to change but not doing enough to change it. The world is a saddening mess of unfathomable complexity and the simplest cruelty. And yet, rather than raging or weeping, most of us still manage to eat snacks, do crosswords and occasionally wash. But what if we heave our compassion from wherever it is buried and with courage enough to seem naive, we reach for something better? Something more engaged, more humane and less snack based. This is Daniel’s third visit to the Drill Hall. Expect stand-up comedy like no other.

“He represents and inhabits that place where no-one is cool, sussed, glamourous and sorted, and everyone is struggling, somewhere between absurdity and pathos, to put together a life less barren, and more fulfilled” The Scotsman

Tuesday 27 May

Making Faces!

Join artists Kirsty Mead and Nadya Monfrinoli for a fantastic 2 hour mask-making workshop, inspired by Joe, the amazing Drill Hall Face!

Using a whole range of different mask making methods, help us create a huge willow face based on the original, or make your own miniature version using all kinds of materials, or both! Are you ready to face the challenge?!

Both sessions open to children aged 5 – 15.

Children aged 5 – 7 must be accompanied by an adult.

Wednesday 28 May

Friends of the Lincoln Tank

A Talk by Professor Richard Holmes & Gordon Corrigan

For the first time two distinguished Historians Richard Holmes and Gordon Corrigan will be talking on the same bill about the Great War. The two speakers will talk separately and will then both take questions from the audience. This promises to be a unique and fascinating evening.

Friday 30 May

Stayin' Alive!

Work like you don’t need the money, love like you’ve never been hurt and dance like no-one is watching...

Staying Alive is the Drill Hall’s occasional dance night that started in January and has already attracted something close to cult status! It’s all about good music and a great atmosphere. The chance to dance however you want to fantastic music that you know as well as superb music that maybe you don’t. It’s a club night unlike any other with sounds from across the decades and around the world from our resident DJ Heretic (email your requests to djhereticdj@googlemail.com) together with stunning visuals and live cameras from our resident VJ Lee. Each night also features fresh and innovative live music in the café bar. It’s about having a good time, it’s about trying something new, it’s about dancing till you drop!

Friday 30 May

Literature at Lunchtime

Tolstoy's Anna Karenina

This month Dr Jane examines Tolstoy’s wonderful exploration of the tragedy of the beautiful married Anna, who flouts convention and elopes with the dashing cavalry officer Vronsky. Parallel with Anna’s self destruction is the story of Levin, a Tolstoy self-portrait of a man exploring the meaning of his life and eventually finding inner peace. Come and enjoy a whole vivid world of a Russia which has long since disappeared.

Saturday 31 May

AJTC & Nottingham Playhouse Roundabout

Wedding Story

A new play by Sara Clifford with music for young children and their families.

Once upon a time, there was a wedding. And everybody loves awedding! But why is there a boy hiding underneath the table, hiding away whilst his mum, his grandmother and his newstep-father search for him?

Wedding Story tells the story of a child whose fears about a new family lead him on an imaginary journey of castles, colossal wedding-cakes, and fearsome pickled onions, where the Queen is imprisoned by a terrible Giant. Drawing on traditional Jewish and East European folktales, and featuring live music, magic, animation andjuggling, Wedding Story explores the challenges of family change, of a child trying to come to terms witha new world. Most suitable for children aged 6 – 10.

Saturday 31 May

New Jazz 5

Empirical

Jay Phelps on trumpet, Nathaniel Facey on altosax/voice, Kit Downs on piano, Tom Farmer on double bass & Shane Forbes on drums/percussion

There is no doubt that Empirical are enjoying ‘band of the moment’ status following their success at the 2007 North Sea Jazz Festival in Rotterdam where they won the inaugural EBU/European Jazz Competition. This led to a showcase performance at the IAJE in Toronto in January. They were also a big hit at Glastonbury last year. These young musicians, who have strong links with Gary Crosby’s ‘Tomorrow’s Warriors’ and Dennis Rollins’ ‘Badbone & Co’, form a high energy quintet dedicated to developing their own style of contemporary jazz but with a finger kept firmlyon the tradition of modern jazz. Refreshing, engaging and very exciting.

‘Empirical is the most exciting band to come out of the UK’ Courtney Pine

‘Could turn out to be one of the most important bands in UK jazz history’ Jazzwise Magazine

Saturday 31 May

Drill Hall Book Swap

Got a book you fancy swapping? Then come along to the café bar and see what takes your fancy! From Deighton to Dumas, from Dahl to Delia you never know what might turn up… Hosted by Liz Hawker.