Katie Ailes
@katieailes.bsky.social
700 followers 450 following 120 posts
Poet, researcher, educator, dancer. Co-Director, I Am Loud CIC. 2023 Glastonbury Poet in Residence. she/her.
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Reposted by Katie Ailes
theqr.bsky.social
“Stage is my safe space where I can be unapologetically myself.”

Poet Angela Yausheva speaks to theQR about confession, connection and her upcoming @iamloudpro.bsky.social appearance (13 Oct - Scottish Storytelling Centre).

Read → wp.me/p91wLp-zErvpdO

#SpokenWord #AngelaYausheva #LoudPoets
Interview: Angela Yausheva on Stage, Song and Loud Poets
In this interview, poet Angela Yausheva discusses her confessional style and upcoming Loud Poets performance at the Scottish Storytelling Centre, 13 October.
wp.me
Reposted by Katie Ailes
iamloudpro.bsky.social
Our Open Mic is back next week!

With our fabulous feature Angela Yausheva!

Angela Yausheva is a spoken word artist, whose work delves into resilience, identity, and the intricacies of self-discovery.

The event is free and open to poets of all ages and experience.

Doors at 6.30 for a 7pm start.
Reposted by Katie Ailes
iamloudpro.bsky.social
New Video!
Watch here: youtu.be/PthawMBydZ0

From Lucas Sheridan, a gorgeous poem about poetry, textiles, and finding yourself in the making.

Learn more about Lucas Sheridan's work via linktr.ee/lucaspoet

We're so grateful to the EIBF for partnering with us. Learn more via www.edbookfest.co.uk
Reposted by Katie Ailes
iamloudpro.bsky.social
Interested in learning how to host events? Join us 21st Nov at @ptbopoetry.bsky.social for a FREE workshop on compering technique led by @katieailes.bsky.social & @kevoutloud.bsky.social!

Info & bookings: pushtheboatout.org/events/hosti...
Photo of Katie Ailes and Kevin Mclean performing live onstage.
Graphic for Push the Boat Out Festival, Edinburgh's International Poetry Festival. It takes place 20-23 November, plus pre-festival events, at the Pleasance.
Reposted by Katie Ailes
iamloudpro.bsky.social
We're kicking off the fourth year of our Loud Poets Slam Series 22nd of November, 6pm, at the Pleasance as part of @ptbopoetry.bsky.social!

The first of 10 Heats to qualify for our £3000 Slam Final!

Slam tickets: pushtheboatout.org/events/loud-...

Slam sign-ups: forms.gle/SzPhgxDjR9xh...
Reposted by Katie Ailes
iamloudpro.bsky.social
New Video!
Watch here: youtu.be/yuUJshVYqok

From Zara Sehar, a moving ode to her father.

Learn more about Zara's work: www.instagram.com/Spokenbysehar

Jack Hinks provided musical accompaniment for the poets in the final round.
Learn more: www.jackhinks.co.uk
Reposted by Katie Ailes
iamloudpro.bsky.social
New Video!
Watch here: youtu.be/angFOdIrLN4

At our Grand Slam Final, Doroti Polgar flipped the script and gave the audience some well-earned praise.

Learn more about Doroti Polgar's work via www.instagram.com/polgardoroti...

We're so grateful to the EIBF. Learn more via www.edbookfest.co.uk
Reposted by Katie Ailes
iamloudpro.bsky.social
We're so excited to be bringing you this ridiculous line-up of poets on the 16th of October at the @scotstorycentre.bsky.social.

Tickets: tinyurl.com/mr2xs627

Our team up shows with Bad Betty Press are always a standout so make sure to grab your tickets and come join in the fun!
Reposted by Katie Ailes
damianbarr.bsky.social
Actual science actually working. Experts being expert. Some good news in dark times.
Reposted by Katie Ailes
iamloudpro.bsky.social
We're delighted to be teaming up with Summerhall Arts this November for this special event! We're bringing together artists, producers & funders to explore the many routes into building & sustaining a career in spoken word poetry in Scotland.

FREE, ticketed: www.summerhallarts.co.uk/event/career...
Graphic for the event 'Career Pathways in Spoken Word Poetry' taking place Saturday 8th November. It is described as 'an afternoon of conversation, connection and career insight.' It is delighted by Summerhall Arts and I Am Loud.
Reposted by Katie Ailes
techpriest.bsky.social
Reminder: The existence of these in most Scottish supermarkets and corner shops is proof that anyone shilling for the notion that multiculturalism can't work on this island is a charlatan
Haggis Pakora
Reposted by Katie Ailes
london.gov.uk
Thousands of Londoners have indefinite leave to remain.

They have legal rights and are our friends, neighbours and colleagues, contributing hugely to our city.

Threatening to deport people living and working here legally is unacceptable.
Farage vows to scrap indefinite leave to remain, placing thousands at risk of deportation
Reform UK plans to force non-citizens to apply for visas with high salary thresholds and no access to NHS services
www.theguardian.com
Reposted by Katie Ailes
alasdairmackenzie.bsky.social
At the risk of repeating myself: there’s no bargaining with these people. What they’re calling for now is mass expulsions of long-term residents deemed insufficiently economically productive. There’s no way these demands won’t get even more extreme by election time.
Farage vows to scrap settled status, placing thousands at risk of deportation
Reform UK plans to force non-citizens to apply for visas with high salary thresholds and no access to NHS services
www.theguardian.com
Reposted by Katie Ailes
weegingerdug.bsky.social
My husband has indefinite leave to remain. It took us 6 years and £16,000 in visa, NHS, and lawyer fees for him to get it. Now we risk him losing his right to live in Scotland. This is terrifying for us & thousands of families.

www.theguardian.com/politics/liv...
Reform branded ‘threat to democracy’ over Farage plan to remove thousands of migrants with leave to be in UK – politics live
Nigel Farage says Reform UK would scrap the main route that migrants take to gain British citizenship
www.theguardian.com
katieailes.bsky.social
The far-right lie that migrants get everything handed to them on a silver platter is so laughably far from the truth. Only it's not laughable. And it's destroying lives.

I'm so, so angry at this xenophobia, blantantly false rhetoric.
katieailes.bsky.social
If British citizens had to experience even a tiny percentage of what migrants have to go through to live in this country - the convoluted application process, the nonsensical Life in the UK test, the exorbitant fees, the double-taxing, the lack of access to services - they would be outraged.
katieailes.bsky.social
Finally getting indefinite leave to remain last year after living and working in the UK for ten years, double-paying for the NHS with no access to public services, was a massive relief; the feeling I could finally settle. This uproots it all. Furious & exhausted.

www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Farage vows to scrap indefinite leave to remain, placing thousands at risk of deportation
Reform UK plans to force non-citizens to apply for visas with high salary thresholds and no access to NHS services
www.theguardian.com
katieailes.bsky.social
Jesus. The IDR process - the whole immigration process - is so limited and convoluted and expensive already - the idea of making it even more so is unfathomable. Solidarity with you and your husband.
Reposted by Katie Ailes
iamloudpro.bsky.social
Show announcement!!!

Next month we're teaming up with Bad Betty Press for a stellar spoken word showcase! Expect fist-thumping, heart-wrenching, side-tickling poetry with live music!

16th Oct at @scotstorycentre.bsky.social.
Tickets: scottishstorytellingcentre.online.red61.co.uk/event/913:63...
Dark gray poster with white and yellow graffiti style text. The background is blurred image of a poet performing. The text on the image reads:

Scotland's premiere spoken word night
Loud Poets x Bad Betty Press
Molly Naylor, Francis-Xavier Mukiibi, Antosh Wojcik, Agata Maslowska
7:00pm on 16th October 2025
£12 / £10
The Scottish Storytelling Centre
Edinburgh

www.IAmLoud.co/Live
Logos for I Am Loud Productions, Bad Betty, Creative Scotland, and the National Lottery
Reposted by Katie Ailes
sarahumm.bsky.social
Edinburgh protest, Thu 18 Sept
10 September 2025
Protest against Trump’s state visit in Edinburgh!

Thursday 18 September, 6pm, The Meadows (near the Pavilion Cafe).
Text reads:

STOP
TRUMP
EDINBURGH 
PROTEST AGAINST TRUMP STATE VISIT 

THU 18 September 6pm
The Meadows 
(Near the pavilion Cafe)

Qr code on right bottom.
Reposted by Katie Ailes
iamloudpro.bsky.social
The 2025 Grand Slam Final is here!
Where to watch: youtu.be/PI165nNAFJQ

On 9th August 2025, it all came to a head at our Grand Slam Final with the Edinburgh International Book Festival! Kevin Mclean hosted the event and our Sacrificial Poet was our 2024 Champion EmmaClaire Brightlyn.
katieailes.bsky.social
[email protected] has done a brilliant job compiling a handy list of writing open mics across Scotland! In a quickly-evolving scene, that's no easy feat. Read it (and consider supporting her work) here: thegoodeggproject.substack.com/p/scotland-o...
Scotland open mics round-up 2025/26
A non-exhaustive list of Scottish open mics for writers of all kinds
thegoodeggproject.substack.com
Reposted by Katie Ailes
karenho.bsky.social
I have written and deleted a lot of posts but I keep thinking about how the brutal assassination of Minnesota State senator Melissa Hortman, her husband Mark, and their beloved dog Gilbert in June did not prompt this same level of calls for empathy, sympathy, and flags at half-mast.